OBCs

[josephmz]

I am relatively new to CC, but I am interested in something I repeatedly see here.

Some folks talk about receiving rather large OBC. I just read one that said she got $800.00. I have booked two trips through a PCC. Have a DOS in February and got $150.00 and a balcony in January 2014 with $50.00.

Give me the trade secrets.

[SMSACE6]

Sorry I dont know, but I have been wondering about this myself. Im thinking that perhaps the amount has to do with the type of stateroom you book, as well as the number of times you have sailed with NCL. Probably more to it though, so will be interested to know.

[johnql]

The biggest "trade secrets" that come to mind are: booking a suite when NCL runs an OBC promotion (amount varies but $150 comes to mind); booking the suite using the American Express promotion ($500); and the recent $100 HSN OBC promotion. Sometimes, a TA runs a promotion, too, which can add $50-100 to the above figures.

[Cubechick]

Also, booking a suite more than 9 months out gives you a $300 OBC.

[Richie2pies]

Can you use some of the OBC in the casino paying the 3%? How else can you use some of a large amount besides buying in the gift shop or restaurants?

[pensi9]

To the OP- fi you want a lot of OBC you need to select a good travel agent. The one we use always has a deal. I just booked Nov 2013 and have $1075 OBC. This is a combo of NCL suite and the latitudes and the OBC offered by the TA. We sailed in Sept to Bermuda and had $675. Ialways look for the deals before I book. MY TA is also good about Price adjustments and srvice,

[cruisee<3]

wow never knew .. now I must figure out this "trade secret" as well! :D

[Hopes4]

[quote name='johnql']The biggest "trade secrets" that come to mind are: booking a suite when NCL runs an OBC promotion (amount varies but $150 comes to mind); booking the suite using [B][U]the American Express promotion ($500);[/U][/B] and the recent $100 HSN OBC promotion. Sometimes, a TA runs a promotion, too, which can add $50-100 to the above figures.[/QUOTE]

For what it's worth, the AmEx credit hasn't been $500 for months now. It has been $300. I'm not saying this to discredit you, it was $500 for a long time. I'm saying it so new bookers don't think their TA or PCC is shorting them.

[Hopes4]

[quote name='Richie2pies']Can you use some of the OBC in the casino paying the 3%? How else can you use some of a large amount besides buying in the gift shop or restaurants?[/QUOTE]

I'm not sure about the casino, someone else can answer that one.

Besides the gift shop and restaurants, you can use your OBC for excursions, drinks, photos, gratuities for your butler and concierge (not to be confused with your DSC which can not be used unless part of your OBC is refundable, most are not -many threads on this), the arcade, bowling or even a future cruise certificate (or whatever they call it these days.)

[OceanDreaming2]

[quote name='Hopes4']I'm not sure about the casino, someone else can answer that one.

Besides the gift shop and restaurants, you can use your OBC for excursions, drinks, photos, gratuities for your butler and concierge (not to be confused with your DSC which can not be used unless part of your OBC is refundable, most are not -many threads on this), the arcade, bowling or even a future cruise certificate (or whatever they call it these days.)[/quote]

We had over $800 OBC for our most recent cruise. Most of it was non-refundable but we used the non-refundable OBC to tip the concierge, butler and room steward. As for the non-refundable portion, you cannot use it in the casino. We spent it all by specialty dining (sometimes paying for our friends, too), photos, wine, a future cruise certificate, TradeWinds boutique, etc. We did not pre-book any specialty restaurants or shore excursions - which allowed us to use the OBC on the ship.

We booked when American Express offered $500 for booking a suite, had the $100 HSN OBC, and we were with a group which received a very nice OBC. BTW, the group was formed by a fellow passenger. No TA involved. We have a great NCL PCC who handled many of the details. :D

[bubbachief]

" As for the non-refundable portion, you cannot use it in the casino"

In the past we were able to use any OBC in the casino subject to the 3% fee. Has this changed?

[agabbymama]

[quote name='bubbachief']" As for the non-refundable portion, you cannot use it in the casino"

In the past we were able to use any OBC in the casino subject to the 3% fee. Has this changed?[/quote]

In Sept/Oct 2011 on the Star, you could not get cash at the casino for the non-refundable portion of OBC. I cashed out $200 OBC that I had purchased with the 3% fee, but that left the $100 NCL OBC so I went to the store and bought a Guess watch so as not to forfeit the non-refundable OBC.

[johnql]

[quote name='Hopes4']For what it's worth, the AmEx credit hasn't been $500 for months now. It has been $300. I'm not saying this to discredit you, it was $500 for a long time. I'm saying it so new bookers don't think their TA or PCC is shorting them.[/quote]
No offense taken. I was just giving examples of how people might have gotten high amounts of OBC. I think anyone reading this thread probably knows that the offers vary and are not permanent.

[OceanDreaming2]

[quote name='OceanDreaming2']We had over $800 OBC for our most recent cruise. Most of it was non-refundable but we used the non-refundable OBC to tip the concierge, butler and room steward. As for the non-refundable portion, you cannot use it in the casino. We spent it all by specialty dining (sometimes paying for our friends, too), photos, wine, a future cruise certificate, TradeWinds boutique, etc. We did not pre-book any specialty restaurants or shore excursions - which allowed us to use the OBC on the ship.

We booked when American Express offered $500 for booking a suite, had the $100 HSN OBC, and we were with a group which received a very nice OBC. BTW, the group was formed by a fellow passenger. No TA involved. We have a great NCL PCC who handled many of the details. :D[/quote]

Sorry I meant to say most of our OBC was non-refundable but the "refundable" OBC was used to tip the concierge, butler and room steward. Another item we purchased using our non-refundable OBC was an internet package. The Star had great connection-times throughout the cruise.

[bubbachief]

[quote name='Richie2pies']Can you use some of the OBC in the casino paying the 3%? How else can you use some of a large amount besides buying in the gift shop or restaurants?[/QUOTE]

Same question but limited to the non-refundable OBC. In the past you could get cash from the casino and pay a 3% surcharge. Is that still true using the non-refundable portion of the OBC?

[bubbachief]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Richie2pies
Can you use some of the OBC in the casino paying the 3%? How else can you use some of a large amount besides buying in the gift shop or restaurants?

Same question but limited to the non-refundable OBC. In the past you could get cash from the casino and pay a 3% surcharge. Is that still true using the non-refundable portion of the OBC?

[agabbymama]

[quote name='bubbachief']Quote:
Originally Posted by Richie2pies
Can you use some of the OBC in the casino paying the 3%? How else can you use some of a large amount besides buying in the gift shop or restaurants?

Same question but limited to the non-refundable OBC. In the past you could get cash from the casino and pay a 3% surcharge. Is that still true using the non-refundable portion of the OBC?[/quote]

See my Post # 12. They would NOT let me take out the $100 NCL non-refundable OBC in the Casino. Only the refundable that I had purchased.