UK cruisers - buying gift certificates

[cclarke12]

Which is why presumably they just back out the original purchase at the original rate.

 

I guess it depends whether you can take it as cash (the casino trick already mentioned) or whether they did a straight $ refund onto your credit card. Celebrity were doing something similar as we bought OBC, but I can't remember what happened if you had money left over (we didn't!). They were certainly discussing similar scenarios about changing back any money unspent on that board.

[Froggitt]

But if you cash it in for 3%, there is none left to refund onto the CC.

[cclarke12]

Thank you, I thought as much, we see things in $ unless I log in from home and it insists on taking me to the UK site but from work the US site.

 

Just to be seat I had a similar scenario on Celebrity this summer - booked with US TA. I bought credit on UK website, was given a sterling price and paid on my credit card. When the statement came they had charged me in $ as I made my booking through US. I argued that the transaction I consented to was a sterling not a dollar amount - so I was now out of pocket. They did agree to refund the difference but it took a few weeks to sort out.

[purepixie67]

Thanks all for the heads up on this.

I had already prepaid the gratuities for save £2pp pd, but have just worked out I can get an exchange of rate of 1.42

If only I could buy vouchers to pay for my NY hotel the same way!!

[sandancer]

Oh in that case, you'll want to fill your own boots with the maximum $1,000 dollars at $1.51, and take the 3% hit withdrawing into greenbacks in the casino on the last day, giving you a rate of about $1.46 into cash. Its like buying tenners for about eight pounds each.

 

 

That's the best idea I've heard this year!!!

 

 

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[bess128]

Thank you for this thread, I would not have realised you could do this, my rate was £63.64 for $100 , happy with that:).

[KeithJenner]

There is another great opportunity for anyone who is planning to book more cruises.

 

Before we went on our last cruise in August, I bought some OBC at a rate of about 1.47

 

$250 cost me £169.65. I used it to buy two Cruisenext vouchers. They are converted into pounds at the rate ruling at the time of the cruise, and mine were worth £199 each, so the $250 saving that you make on them converted to £228.35!

[sandancer]

May I please withdraw my comment regarding calling NCL and buying over the phone. Tonight I was able to purchase more OBC online through My NCL and I got exactly the same rate as before and had confirmation in minutes. Much easier.

 

 

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[cassie55]

This is very interesting. We booked (for March) in July. According to Xe.com the exchange rate was 1.33 and that's exactly the rate NCL gives when I add $1000 to my basket.

 

Definitely worth doing.

[TABOOJB]

Many thanks to the OP for posting this...

 

I am slightly concerned about a conversation I had with NCL today. I phoned then twice asking if I purchased onboard credit and didn't use it all could I cash it out...the first person I spoke to said onboard credit can no longer be refunded regardless of whether you paid for it or not.

 

I put the phone down perplexed but just couldn't believe that answer and phoned back...they then told me that yes, if I had purchased it than I would get refund either by cheque or back to original purchased card

 

...so...looks like the casino cash out is the only option..has anyone actually used OBC to pay for cash withdrawn at the casino recently? I.e in the past few weeks?

 

I'm on Getaway in Nov....

 

Much appreciated

Edited October 13, 2016 by TABOOJB

[kenzie]

We have 5 cabins booked and although we will not use all the OBC as I prebooked everything, will use it to pay for cruise credits- we will cash out at casino and keep the dollars, rate only 1.33 but still better than now

[Blondie008]

Paid my auto grats today @ £8.50 pppd + bought my OBC at a rate of 1.42 Def a fair saving all in than leaving it all to pay on the ship.

Thanks OP for the reminder!

[cclarke12]

Paid my auto grats today @ £8.50 pppd + bought my OBC at a rate of 1.42 Def a fair saving all in than leaving it all to pay on the ship.

Thanks OP for the reminder!

 

I've just done the same. 10 days until sail away now :)

[Blondie008]

I've just done the same. 10 days until sail away now :)

 

Have a great cruise!

[sandancer]

Oh in that case, you'll want to fill your own boots with the maximum $1,000 dollars at $1.51, and take the 3% hit withdrawing into greenbacks in the casino on the last day, giving you a rate of about $1.46 into cash. Its like buying tenners for about eight pounds each.

 

 

I took your advice. Just wondered if you have to leave it to the last day to cash in.

 

 

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[Froggitt]

Not at all. I said last day so that you would know the amount left over from all the other charges on your room bill (which will therefore be billed at $1.51).

 

People asking for $500 in the casino on day 1 or 13 or day X to be billed to their room is normal behaviour.

[sandancer]

Thanks Froggitt. I guess I'm just a little nervous that they might say we can't do it. Have never done this before you see. I don't anticipate having much of a bill at the end as we pre-paid the service charge, bought the dining package and have the UBP. That only leaves gambling and extra tipping. It's getting close now. We'll soon be having the inaugural boozy first meeting of the coffin Dodgers. Can't wait.

 

 

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[supergran]

If we buy OBC can this be used to pay the daily service charge?

[purepixie67]

hi supergran

It makes more sense to prepay the daily service charge at £8.50 pp pd before you join the cruise than use your OBC to pay $13.50

[supergran]

Thanks for your quick reply. Just wondered for future reference. I know that with some cruise lines you cannot use any 'free ' onboard credit to pay the daily charge. You have to spend it on drinks, spa, the shops or trips.