On Board Credit

[okbowler1]

Just booked and paid for our first NCL cruise since 1985 on Nov. 11th. We will be on the Pearl Jan. 11th. Our travel agency is giving us an OBC of $50 and I had him add $90 to our booking to pay the service charge up front. It was still $10 at that time. NCL refunded the $90 and said that the OBC would have to be in $12 denominations. Does NCL handle the daily service charge differently than other on board charges. I thought that they just kept a running tab like other cruise lines and you pay the balance before you disembark. No big deal but I'm a little confused. Bill

[*Wink*]

The reason they said $12 increments is because as of Jan. 1, 2009, the service charge has been increased to $12 pp. per day regardless of when you booked.

 

Although, I don't know why'd they reject your $90. Maybe it's because you specified the amount to cover service charges. You're correct in that you'll pay a balance at the end of the cruise.

[okbowler1]

I understand about the price increase, but OBC is just unspent money isn't it. So if I had $140 credit on the books, I could use it for drinks, spa ,shore trips etc., as well as service charges. Any thing over prepay would be charged to my credit card, unless service charges are handled different. I guess I am having trouble believing that they credited my credit card with the $90 when I will have a bill several times that if this cruise is like the others. My kids had talked about adding to the OBC as a Bon Voyage gift and I will tell them that it must be Divisible by 12 or just send their dear grey haired old Dad the cash. Bill

[*Wink*]

I agree, Bill.. it is odd that they won't just accept the $90. However, I do know that service charges cannot be pre-paid here in America. Do you think that has something to do with their decision? The $50 you received from your TA cannot be used as a service charge or in a casino. But cash OBC is allowed to be used at your discretion.

[okbowler1]

As I understand it service charge is just another name for autotipping and I have no problem with that, but not having cruised NCL for more than 20 years I am a little confused about OBC. Did I under stand you to say that the OBC that the travel agent gave us has exceptions as to how it can be used? My expierence on other lines was OBC is OBC. None of this is going to affect my cruise but inquiring minds want to know. Bill

[mylesf]

I think the problem is they only offer it in $25.00 increments. So if you wanted to add $100 as a gift you can but not $12.00 x number of days per cruise/per person.

[*Wink*]

As I understand it service charge is just another name for autotipping and I have no problem with that, but not having cruised NCL for more than 20 years I am a little confused about OBC. Did I under stand you to say that the OBC that the travel agent gave us has exceptions as to how it can be used? My expierence on other lines was OBC is OBC. None of this is going to affect my cruise but inquiring minds want to know. Bill

Yes.. often a point of confusion for NCL passengers. OBC offered by a TA or NCL cannot be used for tips or casino playing. That's the policy, however some will post here that they were able to do just that.

I've read where some passengers send in money once a month or so to be applied to their OBC account so that their cruise is completely covered. So there's no limit on what you can send in. Keep in mind that NCL will not refund an overage in cash, only OBC for your next cruise.

But I'm still confused as to why they won't accept your $90. Perhaps it was the avenue by which it was sent.

[okbowler1]

Thanks All: Will not prepay any more OBC. Have not had this expierence with other lines, but my XYL will find ways to spend it if I don't drink it up. bill

[garycarla]

This could be due to how it was communicated between you, then the TA, then somebody at NCL that TAs talk to, then somebody else in accounting.

 

Though I understand why people want to get money into their account in advance, I see more negative reasons for doing it. It is just something else to get lost that you might have to deal with later.

 

Use a credit card for the ultimate simplicity. You can always pay them extra and it will be a credit on the card.