Don't take "no" for an answer!

[Fivehole]

I've seen lots of people bring up this argument on different threads, and it makes no sense to me. It's not uncommon for businesses to offer price adjustments, and what business has ever requested customers pay more? NCL obviously is obviously sometimes generous after final payment so what's the harm in trying? None. I don't see any relevance to your comparison.

 

Absolutely no harm in trying, and NCL is one of the most (if not the most) generous in terms of accommodating pax post final payment. RCCL is brutal. You can usually count on a price drop immediately after you have paid final, and then you get hosed for any OBC or other.

 

I agree with the comparison, however, particularly when you look at it from the angle as another poster put it, "getting ripped off" if they don't offer something. It's simple supply and demand. Their ability to control revenue and the dynamic nature of pricing is what allows them to keep prices competitive. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. No different than buying anything retail that goes on sale days later.

 

I had a lady make a purchase from me with a foreign cc. Hours later she chose to cancel and asked for a refund. The original charge went through immediately, but the refund took her card-issuing bank a few days to process, during which time the exchange rate fluctuation caused her to lose about $50. She was absolutely irate. I applied the same logic - if the rate worked in my favor, would you be reimbursing me? I thought not.

 

Therefore, IMO if NCL accommodates you, that's great. If the don't, you didn't get ripped off. You got the cabin you wanted, when you wanted it at the price you were willing to pay.

[peg013]

The most OBC we've had so far is $1050.00 and no, we didn't have a problem spending it. It can be used for tips for the butler, concierge, Kids Club attendants (and anyone else you would like to give a tip to). It can also be used to buy Freestyle Cruise Rewards.....I love it when NCL pays for the entire FCR for us!

 

We only have $800 OBC for our next cruise, but then it's no where close to final payment yet. :D

[caissonqueen]

I took cash out of my obc account at the casino. Then I lost it on cards :o

 

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[GSLMOM]

I must be doing something wrong (or I'm missing something). I've never had an OBC in these ranges! The most I've ever gotten was $75. For my upcoming cruise we have $300 because we booked a suite, and I thought that was a lot! How are people getting $800+ OBC? Inquiring minds...

[DevCruise]

...and what business has ever requested customers pay more?

 

This one.... http://hamptonroads.com/2012/09/dealership-apologizes-error-customer-arrest-0

[Lizcourt]

Now that I think about it, this is a good point. The credits can't be used for gratuities or the casino and we've already purchased the UDP. :eek: Okay, maybe I didn't think this through. Looks like some people we know (i.e. the kids) will be getting quite a bit of souvenirs this trip (or Mom and Dad will be drinking......a lot).

 

If you've never tried the spa, now's the time. You'd be surprised how indulgent and relaxing a massage or facial can be on a cruise -- and how pricey!!!!! Since you can do it now on their dime, it might be the perfect time to try it out.

[Ewoodspark]

It seems to me that Americans get better deals both on price, promotions and on board credits than English cruisers. I booked a 7 night trip on the Jade last week through an English TA. Trying to look at different excursions, I clicked onto the USA NCL web site which as well as cheaper offered a $100 OBC.

Rather typical of course NCL in London will not match this OBC as they say what the Americans offer is nothing to do with them.

I have today sent an E-mail direct to Kevin Sheehan and Wendy Beck asking them to look into this disparity when it is the same company.

When I read the comments of the OP, I do query how the same company can operate so differently on each side of the Atlantic.

[firsttimeVA]

Thanks for the tip! I have an AFT balcony booked and the price dropped 120 a person the next day. So I called they offered me a suite upgrade but I didn't want to loose the view. When I asked if I could just get OBC they told me they don't do that. Then I had the TA call and they got the same answer. So after reading your post I sent her another message and asked she call again now knowing they do. The ship is now sold out other than inside cabins but they still gave me $100. With the original OBC promo we now have $350 not quite as impressive as yours but I'm happy with and OBC that doesn't have to come out of my pocket!!

 

 

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[getawayagain]

We are booked in the DOS for the July 12th sailing on the GA. Our final payment is due in mid April. How can I be aware of a price drop if the dollar amount is not available online. We went through a travel agent to book and she had to call NCL for the quote/price prior to booking.

[firsttimeVA]

Check the NCL site.

 

 

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[gelo7]

Want to give our experience here so others can see NCL does do OBC for price drops after final payment. We are booked into an aft-facing Haven suite for our cruise 05/10-17/14. I noticed a few weeks ago, after final pymt, that the cost of our cabin had dropped by $300. I called my TA (very large online TA) and they called NCL. At first NCL offered us an "upgrade" to a spa suite. Ummm, no, that would be an S9 and we're already in an S6. So the TA went back to NCL explaining this and NCL agreed to the $300 OBC. (On a side note-the TA was very embarassed by the cabin "upgrade" offer and apologized profusely for even passing that info along.)

 

Then, last night, I see where our cabin had dropped another $300. So first thing this AM I called to see if it could be done again. The TA (not the same rep as the first time) tried the song and dance about NCL doesn't do this after final pymt, yada, yada. I never mentioned having already received one OBC because I didn't want that to automatically delete us from having another. She also tried telling me that there was one cabin level above us still available (S4) and they usually offer an upgrade instead of credit. I said I was aware but we'd rather have the credit. She called NCL and they came back with a $150 OBC offer. Heck yeah I'll take that!

 

So here is where we stand:

 

$300 (promo from online TA)

$50 (bonus promo TA)

$150 (promo from NCL for suite)

$300 (first OBC for price drop)

$150 (second credit for another price drop)

 

$950 total and haven't even boarded yet!

 

I have it all in writing on NCL letterhead so no worries there. Could this have happened because of the lack of available upgrades? Possibly. YMMV. But, at least try. All they can say is no.

Way to go....

[tarps14]

Thanks so much for all the great ideas on how to spend the OBC. I can assure you, this is a first for us. The most we have ever managed prior to this cruise is about $150. All I can tell those who question 'the how' is check your cruise price frequently. I don't mean multiple times a day, but, at the least every 2-3 days. How you do that is by going online and checking it either through the NCL site directly or by any number of online TA sites.

 

NCL does not allow TA's to undercut on the cruise price itself so they will all be the same. The only issue will be if your particular category of cabin has sold out then there is nowhere for that price to go. However, check the categories above your's to see if maybe they have dropped in price. This could be a chance for a cheap upgrade or possibly even no charge.

 

Ewoodspark-I can certainly understand your frustration with the disparity between the US TA's and overseas. Would it be possible for you to book through a US agency? I have no clue how that works so I'm sure someone else with more knowledge of international TA's could provide more info.

Edited February 27, 2014 by tarps14

[cruisezr1]

I had a $300 OBC before I made my final payment my room went down $285 it was an S6 aft penthouse. I took the savings but they took away my $300 OBC so now I'm $15 in the hole and NCL refuses to do anything. So my first and last cruise on NCL. Will go back to RCL.

[tarps14]

I had a $300 OBC before I made my final payment my room went down $285 it was an S6 aft penthouse. I took the savings but they took away my $300 OBC so now I'm $15 in the hole and NCL refuses to do anything. So my first and last cruise on NCL. Will go back to RCL.

 

I would definitely climb the ladder on this issue. Get a supervisor on the phone and keep going up until it was corrected. Did you book through NCL or a TA?

[DinaS]

We are booked in the DOS for the July 12th sailing on the GA. Our final payment is due in mid April. How can I be aware of a price drop if the dollar amount is not available online. We went through a travel agent to book and she had to call NCL for the quote/price prior to booking.

 

The Deluxe Owner's Suite prices are absolutely clearly stated online, on the NCL website.

 

All prices are on the NCL site. Perhaps your TA didn't have the price because they didn't have that cabin in their inventory.

[duce95]

I must be doing something wrong (or I'm missing something). I've never had an OBC in these ranges! The most I've ever gotten was $75. For my upcoming cruise we have $300 because we booked a suite, and I thought that was a lot! How are people getting $800+ OBC? Inquiring minds...

 

 

Two words, travel agents. You get OBC from NCL and then get a generous amount from the TA. Wish we could discuss them cuz mine is a gold mine for OBC.

 

 

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[GSLMOM]

Two words, travel agents. You get OBC from NCL and then get a generous amount from the TA. Wish we could discuss them cuz mine is a gold mine for OBC.

 

 

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Thanks and so do I!!!!!!

[Cretia]

Two words, travel agents. You get OBC from NCL and then get a generous amount from the TA. Wish we could discuss them cuz mine is a gold mine for OBC.

 

 

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I'm not sure the price drops will ever happen to me, but hey, a girl can dream, right?

 

Question:

 

Do you (or anyone else) know how these things affect the commission TA's get? I'm very fond of my TA, and she's worth the loss of an amount of OBC for all the of the little handholding things she does for us that is greatly appreciated by us, but we've never gotten a whole lot of OBC from her.

 

If the price drops enough for me to qualify, what exactly does it do with her arrangement for a commission? She's worth a lot to me (maybe not $925 worth of OBC :D, but still quite a bit) and unless it's over a certain amount, I wouldn't want it to negatively affect her commission.

[Greenesailor]

Two words, travel agents. You get OBC from NCL and then get a generous amount from the TA. Wish we could discuss them cuz mine is a gold mine for OBC.

 

 

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I want to know a good TA!!! How can you send me info???

[rvsullivan]

I had a $300 OBC before I made my final payment my room went down $285 it was an S6 aft penthouse. I took the savings but they took away my $300 OBC so now I'm $15 in the hole and NCL refuses to do anything. So my first and last cruise on NCL. Will go back to RCL.

 

You had the suite $300 OBC for booking 9 months in advance? You then cancelled that cruise when you noticed the price drop and booked a suite with less than 9 months but got a price reduction. It's all about choices. How would you think you could get the 9 month advance booking if you did it less than 9 months in advance?

Almost always the $300 OBC cannot be combined.

[tarps14]

I want to know a good TA!!! How can you send me info???

 

You can pass along info by private message. Just not on the 'public' boards.

[cruisezr1]

You had the suite $300 OBC for booking 9 months in advance? You then cancelled that cruise when you noticed the price drop and booked a suite with less than 9 months but got a price reduction. It's all about choices. How would you think you could get the 9 month advance booking if you did it less than 9 months in advance?

Almost always the $300 OBC cannot be combined.

 

I did not cancelled, I have the same room the same booking number. Just the price of the room dropped by $285. NCL says if you book 9 or more months ahead your reward for them to hold your money is $300 OBC. They choose to lower the price of the room not me. I kept my part of the deal by booking a year ahead they did not keep their part of the deal. It's just a big game that they learned to play very well. I'm only down $15 so it's not the money with me it's about doing what's right it's how you build loyalty.

[rvsullivan]

I did not cancelled, I have the same room the same booking number. Just the price of the room dropped by $285. NCL says if you book 9 or more months ahead your reward for them to hold your money is $300 OBC. They choose to lower the price of the room not me. I kept my part of the deal by booking a year ahead they did not keep their part of the deal. It's just a big game that they learned to play very well. I'm only down $15 so it's not the money with me it's about doing what's right it's how you build loyalty.

 

 

The way you got the discount was to cancel the original cruise and rebook the same room at a new price. Had you not changed your reservation, you would still have the $300 OBC. If it's "not the money", how is it about doing what's right? Surely you don't think you should get the $300 OBC and the new lower price?

[tarps14]

The way you got the discount was to cancel the original cruise and rebook the same room at a new price. Had you not changed your reservation, you would still have the $300 OBC. If it's "not the money", how is it about doing what's right? Surely you don't think you should get the $300 OBC and the new lower price?

 

Well now let's hold on there. I certainly understand her frustration. Let's apply the same logic in reverse.......surely NCL doesn't expect to keep happy those customers who book 9 months in advance for the OBC by then lowering the price for those who book much closer to sailing (and usually, such as us) give them OBC's as well? I'm not trying to say one side is more right than the other, just trying to see things from Cruisezr's point of view. I know if I was in the same situation, I wouldn't be so keen on the deal either.

Edited February 28, 2014 by tarps14

[jkgourmet]

And this is a great example of what I believe. None of the mass market cruise lines are terribly interested in repeat business.

 

They want NEW GUESTS. Either those that have sailed other lines. Or best of all, a guest that has never cruised.

 

Why? Because those guests spend more money. They gotta have the t shirt, the drink of the day and the cup it comes in. They gotta try every specialty restaurant. Most of all, they don't know (yet) how to book excursions that cut out the cruise line.

 

Big bucks from those newbies. Not such big bucks from repeat guests. The cruise business is an exception to the rule that loyal customers are your best, most PROFITABLE customers.

 

And NCL knows it (along with the rest of them).

 

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