What will you be using your OBC for?

[rochelle_s]

Maybe this is a dumb question... But what does FCC stand for?

 

As someone stated Future Cruise Credit.

 

It costs $250 to purchase an FCC. You will get $100 back in OBC that you can use on that cruise. If you use take that $100 OBC in the casino they will convert it to $125 that you have to play through onc and you can then cash out. It does not have to all be played through at the same time, my mom for example plays in $10 increments.

 

You take your $250 FCC credit home and use it for a deposit on another cruise. If you are booking anything other than a suite or Haven then this is all the deposit that will be required on your cabin. You can only use one FCC per cabin.

 

FCC's last for four years. If later you determine that you will not be able to book a cruise within that four year period you can transfer it to someone else. You can give it away to a friend or family member or you can sell it. People have been known to sell them here on CC or on Ebay etc.

 

If you do think you will cruise with NCL again it is a great way to make $100 OBC and keep a future cruise deposit to the minimum.

 

 

 

Rochelle

[RoobyDoo]

As someone stated Future Cruise Credit.

 

It costs $250 to purchase an FCC. You will get $100 back in OBC that you can use on that cruise. If you use that $100 OBC in the casino they will convert it to $125 that you have to play through once and you can then cash out.

 

Hi Rochelle,

 

I wasn't aware of this "loophole". Could you please explain how this works? They actually give you $25 free if you apply $100 to casino use?

 

Does it have to be $100 from OBC? Or could you just purchase $100 directly in the casino to play?

 

Thanks in advance for any clarification!

[tanyaheart]

On two of our upcoming cruises, Escape-2016 and Dawn-2017, we have all the promos including pre-paid gratuities. We will be using the OBC to tip the butler and concierge.

 

 

We were not allowed to use OBC to tip butler, concierge & steward.

[rochelle_s]

Hi Rochelle,

 

I wasn't aware of this "loophole". Could you please explain how this works? They actually give you $25 free if you apply $100 to casino use?

 

Does it have to be $100 from OBC? Or could you just purchase $100 directly in the casino to play?

 

Thanks in advance for any clarification!

 

Yes it has to be the $100 OBC from purchasing the OBC. I did not know about it either until my last cruise until I saw the fine print somewhere. I was on a B2B and I had dropped off the form for 2 FCC's on the first leg and did not notice the fine print till the second leg. I went to the cruise consultant to see if it was too late for me to use the OBC in the casino she said no just let them know at the casino desk. I went there and they did whatever they had to do and gave me a slip of paper that told me how to download the money into the machine ( similar to ships that let you charge to your card that way). I downoladed the whole $250 in the $1 Wheel of Fortune machine played it all through once, hit cash out and walked away with $503. I was very happy!! :D

 

It is not a loophole per se but part of the promotion. I think I read about it on something from the casino or it could have been in the daily.

 

 

Rochelle

Edited April 20, 2015 by rochelle_s

[emilyreid09]

As someone stated Future Cruise Credit.

 

It costs $250 to purchase an FCC. You will get $100 back in OBC that you can use on that cruise. If you use take that $100 OBC in the casino they will convert it to $125 that you have to play through onc and you can then cash out. It does not have to all be played through at the same time, my mom for example plays in $10 increments.

 

You take your $250 FCC credit home and use it for a deposit on another cruise. If you are booking anything other than a suite or Haven then this is all the deposit that will be required on your cabin. You can only use one FCC per cabin.

 

FCC's last for four years. If later you determine that you will not be able to book a cruise within that four year period you can transfer it to someone else. You can give it away to a friend or family member or you can sell it. People have been known to sell them here on CC or on Ebay etc.

 

If you do think you will cruise with NCL again it is a great way to make $100 OBC and keep a future cruise deposit to the minimum.

 

 

 

Rochelle

 

Wow Rochelle, thank you for such a detailed response. I had never heard of this! I would definitely use this in 4 years. How do you purchase this?

 

This is one example why I am so glad I found this message board! Wow :)

[GrabMyWrist]

We were not allowed to use OBC to tip butler, concierge & steward.

 

I don't believe you're able to directly. You can cash it out at the Casino though and use it that way.

[tanyaheart]

To cash out OBC in Casino, they charge you 3%.

[GrabMyWrist]

Yes, they do.

[gymbomb]

We will probably buy a few photos, maybe a future cruise credit, and maybe use some to tip our butler/concierge. Otherwise I'm not sure...

[Jofishes]

ours will be spent on a internet package :( and maybe added too for some spa time :)

[rochelle_s]

Wow Rochelle, thank you for such a detailed response. I had never heard of this! I would definitely use this in 4 years. How do you purchase this?

 

This is one example why I am so glad I found this message board! Wow :)

 

When you print out your edocs there will be a page that is already filled out with your information. On the top it says "Special Onboard Offer". You just fill in the quantity you would like, date and sign. Then just drop it off to the Future Cruise Consultant who's office or desk will be near Guest Services. If you don't have the form you can get copies of it there as well. The OBC will show up on your account once the paper work is processed (usually in a day). If you would like to use that OBC in the casino you just need to speak to the casino host desk and they will set you up.

 

Also if for some reason you don't buy one on board or if you are like me and you book more cruises than you have rewards for, there is the Welcome Back Reward. They are FCC's that have to be bought with 45 days of your last cruise. They work just like the regular FCC's with the exception of the OBC, which is $75 instead of the $100. You will receive that OBC on the cruise you book using the Welcome Back Reward.

 

Just an FYI...I have never done, but people have reported purchasing the FCC on the ship and not spending the OBC on the ship and that the amount was deducted from their final bill. Thereby making the cost $150. Not that I ever have $0 spend on the ship but I would be a little leery that they would change the rules, block the loophole and I would lose out on the OBC or have to make a mad dash to the shops!

 

Enjoy spending your OBC and booking your next cruise!! :)

 

 

Rochelle

[bangzoom6877]

We only have $100 so there will be no problem spending it. So I'm gonna say that it will go towards the first purchase we make onboard...the spa passes! So it's like getting $100 off of one spa pass ($199).

[Solararc]

Is the spa really that good? I've only gone for massages and shaves?

 

 

*Living Large*

[bangzoom6877]

Is the spa really that good? I've only gone for massages and shaves?

 

 

*Living Large*

 

DH convinced me on our last cruise which was Carnival Splendor, to get the spa pass. He thought I would really love the thermal suite. He was so right! It made that vacation soooooo relaxing! We went there every day for a couple of hours while our sons were at the camp. We are going to do the same thing on our upcoming BA cruise in July. To me, it was amazing and it is so worth the cost. I have a gift certificate to a local spa at home, so I'll use that to get a massage, and I'll just go to the thermal suite every day on the cruise to relax. A massage on a ship is also great, but for the same cost you could have access to the thermal suite all week. It all depends on your own individual taste. I personally love the heated loungers, the hot tubs and the steam rooms and saunas. We tell the kids that that's our camp lol!

[Solararc]

Nice! Is there just male & female side or is their a common area for both? Wife won't go if she has to spend the time "alone"

 

 

*Living Large*

Edited April 21, 2015 by Solararc

[tanyaheart]

Nice! Is there just male & female side or is their a common area for both? Wife won't go if she has to spend the time "alone"

 

 

*Living Large*

 

The common area includes a hydro-therapy thalassotherapy pool which combines the restorative properties of saltwater with invigorating massage jets to create the ultimate relaxation experience. Also, heated ceramic loungers and loungers enjoying sea views out of the floor to ceiling windows. Talking is not allowed in this area.

[Solararc]

The common area includes a hydro-therapy thalassotherapy pool which combines the restorative properties of saltwater with invigorating massage jets to create the ultimate relaxation experience. Also, heated ceramic loungers and loungers enjoying sea views out of the floor to ceiling windows. Talking is not allowed in this area.

 

 

Not allowed?? If you and your partner are the only two in there I'm sure you won't be banned

 

 

*Living Large*

[bangzoom6877]

It is co-ed. That's one way DH convinced me. I won't go alone either lol.

[rochelle_s]

On the 'away ships the common area has the sauna, hot tubs and salt room.

 

 

Wish more people would adhere to trying to keep it a quiet area. If they are talking and the jets are all going people tend to shout which is a real hindrance to the calm spa ambiance.

 

 

Rochelle

[bangzoom6877]

On the 'away ships the common area has the sauna, hot tubs and salt room.

 

 

Wish more people would adhere to trying to keep it a quiet area. If they are talking and the jets are all going people tend to shout which is a real hindrance to the calm spa ambiance.

 

 

Rochelle

 

I agree. On the Carnival Splendor two years ago, one of the times I was in one of the saunas, this couple was having a really loud conversation, and it was only the 3 of us in there! I left and went to a different area to relax. I love sitting on the heated loungers and reading...so relaxing but it should be quiet in there.

[rochelle_s]

I agree. On the Carnival Splendor two years ago, one of the times I was in one of the saunas, this couple was having a really loud conversation, and it was only the 3 of us in there! I left and went to a different area to relax. I love sitting on the heated loungers and reading...so relaxing but it should be quiet in there.

 

I had a spa balcony on the Getaway and went to the spa twice. It was way too busy for me and with that many people it was LOUD! I normally go every day, sometimes more than once per, but on the Getaway I would walk by beforehand, see how crowded it was and just pass on the idea. It was very disappointing.

 

I can understand couples wanting to be together but I much prefer the set up on the smaller ships with the common area just being the pool and loungers and then a quieter area for sauna, steam, hot tub and plunge pool being separate. Always seems to be that much quieter and relaxing.

 

 

Rochelle

[bangzoom6877]

I had a spa balcony on the Getaway and went to the spa twice. It was way too busy for me and with that many people it was LOUD! I normally go every day, sometimes more than once per, but on the Getaway I would walk by beforehand, see how crowded it was and just pass on the idea. It was very disappointing.

 

I can understand couples wanting to be together but I much prefer the set up on the smaller ships with the common area just being the pool and loungers and then a quieter area for sauna, steam, hot tub and plunge pool being separate. Always seems to be that much quieter and relaxing.

 

 

Rochelle

 

How was the spa cabin itself? We didn't think it would be a good cabin choice with the kids, because even though my kids behave very well, they are still 8 and 10 year old kids, and we all know that all kids could get loud. I wouldn't want to ruin part of anyone's cruise who is in a spa cabin expecting it to be a quieter area on the ship. So we didn't even price it. We also have more space with two connecting cabins (which we booked for July) than if we were in one balcony cabin or even a mini suite in the spa area. There aren't any connecting spa cabins, and that also indicated to us that it's not the right choice for families with children.

[Solararc]

How was the spa cabin itself? We didn't think it would be a good cabin choice with the kids, because even though my kids behave very well, they are still 8 and 10 year old kids, and we all know that all kids could get loud. I wouldn't want to ruin part of anyone's cruise who is in a spa cabin expecting it to be a quieter area on the ship. So we didn't even price it. We also have more space with two connecting cabins (which we booked for July) than if we were in one balcony cabin or even a mini suite in the spa area. There aren't any connecting spa cabins, and that also indicated to us that it's not the right choice for families with children.

 

 

Have you ever given any thought to a 2bedroom suite? Perfect for families, and utilizes real doors for privacy and noise, for the parents and children alike

 

 

*Living Large*

[rochelle_s]

The spa cabin was no different than any other regular balcony cabin. The people on our left had a child and the only reason I know that is because of when we were chatting back and forth on our balconies. I did not hear any noise in our cabin from anywhere or anyone. We enjoyed the cabin very much. We did a cabin crawl and saw many different cabins. I preferred the set up ours which was bed by the balcony set up as it seemed a bit roomier.

 

 

Rochelle

[bangzoom6877]

Have you ever given any thought to a 2bedroom suite? Perfect for families, and utilizes real doors for privacy and noise, for the parents and children alike

 

 

*Living Large*

 

I have looked into the 2-bedroom, but it's way out of our price range. It would fits more than twice the amount we're paying now for two connecting inside cabins. And taking into account our onboard spending and our spending in Bermuda, the cruise fare is just about at our limit for our budget.

 

The spa cabin was no different than any other regular balcony cabin. The people on our left had a child and the only reason I know that is because of when we were chatting back and forth on our balconies. I did not hear any noise in our cabin from anywhere or anyone. We enjoyed the cabin very much. We did a cabin crawl and saw many different cabins. I preferred the set up ours which was bed by the balcony set up as it seemed a bit roomier.

 

 

Rochelle

 

Wow, I didn't think people would stay in a spa cabin with kids. Might be something to look at in the future if our budget allows. Were the toiletries in the spa cabin nicer than in the regular cabins?