Purchasing On Board Credit

[repeater]

There are other reasons for buying OBC ahead of time, such as avoid VAT added on many European cruises. If we prepay, we can avoid the up to 22% tax added onto nearly every onboard purchase. That drink or speciality dinner looks less appealing when it costs 1/5th more!

 

As for saving, we have a fairly painless way; we never spend any $5 bill. Any given back in change from a cash purchase goes in a jar. Adds up surprisingly quick! Maybe not fast enough for a cruise, but for extra tours or spending money, try it.

Edited April 9, 2014 by repeater

[Corgidog]

To each his own, but I wouldn't purchase OBC's. My method is to cordon off what I know I will spend (and then some) in a savings account, and not touch it until the cruise is over and the credit card bill shows up.

 

I did purchase the UDP in advance for myself and 4 friends for an upcoming cruise, then decided this past weekend to cancel it so we will have more flexibility for the evenings. After 1/2 hour on the phone with a rep I highly doubt that she processed the refund correctly (she said as much herself while on the phone). So I will have to keep an eye out for it - it can be a risk (and a hassle).

[Cruiser Who Knows Nothing]

OP again. I bought more today....it's already logged in to my ncl account! So happy!

 

 

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[agabbymama]

OP again. I bought more today....it's already logged in to my ncl account! So happy!

 

 

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It may be logged into your ncl account, but it won't show to the check-in counter. And it won't help to have your printed amenities showing it. They will still want a credit card to open your shipboard account. When you arrive in your cabin there will be vouchers that say to sign and take to the Purser's desk. Then the 2nd day of your cruise is when it will show up in your account.

 

Also be careful. If you have any non-refundable OBC (from NCL) they will use your purchased OBC first for DSC or any purchases. The last night of our cruise, I had $200 of my $1200 purchased OBC still on the books, and $100 from NCL still showing also. The credit desk told me a check would be mailed to my home address on record for my purchased OBC, but I would lose the $100 from NCL. I wasn't happy about that, so went to the casino paid 3% to get my $200. Then went to the watch store and bought a new watch for NCLs $100 OBC.

 

Others have different stories, but this was my experience.

[NMLady]

I buy OBC for each of our cruises. I don't like to have bills when I get back from vacation so I try to pre-pay as much as possible. On the last cruise we had several hundred left on the tab and we were able to take it out at the casino on the final night. You just take your room card to the casino cage and have it liked to your OBC account. This was easy to do and we did not have to wait for a check. Hope you have a great time.

 

Did you have a 3% fee charged, losing that amount of your money? I would rather wait for the refund check and get all my money.

[Bocadude85]

I like having our vacation paid for before we ever set foot on the ship, so I always buy about $1000.00 of OBC. We always spend over a 1k on the cruise but at least the bill at the end of the trip is relatively small. The OBC certificates have always been waiting in our cabin when we arrive. Before we leave for the trip I have NCL email me an amenities invoice so I have a record of the OBC I purchased.

Edited April 11, 2014 by Bocadude85

[Tminish]

While exploring the my ncl site, I see you can purchase on board credits. It is exactly as it sounds? I can "pre load" my account starting now?

 

Can I make muliple purchases, say every week until we sail? Or is it one time shot?

 

:D

 

Yes, this is true. I have now done it two years in a row. Last year I started doing $25 OBC around August. I sailed in November and had close to $700 on my account when I boarded. I just think it's so much better. Or for me it is. I'm a single person so to buy OBC ahead is a great idea. And I won't have to use my credit cards which is an even better feeling!

This year I'll be cruising in October and I already have $200 worth of OBC by just purchasing ahead. I'll be going on the Getaway and I know some of the things cost extra so by the time of sailing I'll have about $1,000. So that's great for me since I'll be sailing solo!

One thing I would suggest is when you do purchase them online just make sure you print the confirmation and keep up with the total amount that you've purchased. I take them with me when I sail and my first stop is Guest Services to go over with how many I have so it matches with what I purchased. I hope that you find this information useful.

Tracie

[Tminish]

Before we leave for the trip I have NCL email me an amenities invoice so I have a record of the OBC I purchased.

 

That's a good idea. I'll be doing that this year. That way I don't have to stay at Guest Services for so long going over my 50+ OBC purchases. LOL! As long as I have it correct on paper from them, I'll be good to go!

Thanks for this suggestion.

[auntierobin]

Add us to the ranks of people who like to buy OBC before the cruise. My rule of thumb is to buy about $100 per day: with a minimum of $1,000.

On our next cruise which is a 21 day I have purchased $2000 and have $300 already from NCL, it is just comforting to know that no matter what happens (identity theft, loss of credit cards, etc) at least your onboard expenses are taken care of and already paid for.

Example: if you had your wallet stolen in a port (I know you shouldn't carry everything with you, we don't but some people do) you immediately cancel your cards, right? Probably including the one you have used for your onboard expenses, which means that you are essentially cut off from onboard spending until you get a new card in the next port (if you're lucky), if you have OBC it doesn't affect your shipboard spending at least.

 

As was stated before, always bring your amenity receipts with you. Usually as soon as we board, we check at the credit desk and make sure everything is in place, get a copy of our bill showing the credits and we are on our merry way. Mojitos here we come!

Edited April 14, 2014 by auntierobin

[perkydebrajean]

I pre purchased OBC for our last cruise also. I also knew my daughter and I would be making a trip to the spa since she had never been to one and I have only been once so I purchased gift certificates to the spa for each of us. Our final bill at the end of the cruise was $17.26.