Buying gold on board

We're booked for September on the Dawn to Bermuda. We have a ridiculous amount of OBC, all of it nonrefundable... $600. We can't use it in the casino, and we already have "free" drinks and 3 specialty dinners, so we're thinking of spending a good bit of it on a piece or two of gold jewelry, maybe earrings and/or a bracelet.

We already know the basics, like the gold by the inch isn't gold and all the prices will be terribly inflated. But we hope we can still buy something this way. After all, it isn't real money, and it will go away if we don't use it.

So has anyone had any experience buying a piece of gold jewelry that really WAS gold and not paying much more than a normal price for it? If so, please share.

Why cant you use it in the casino?

Why cant you use it in the casino?

Because it's non refundable. We've seen debate about this. Apparently some have been able to cash some out with a 3% fee and others haven't. We've been told explicitly that we cannot use it that way. So that's why we would like some information about using it to buy something worthwhile.

I cruised in July on the breakaway. GF and I both had 150 OBC and all perks. We were definitely able to withdraw in the casino for the 3% fee.

Good luck!

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This blog post is pretty good:

https://www.ncl.com/travel-blog/how-to-onboard-credit

They are saying you can use it for casino. Also you can use it for paying gratuities.

I read a thread where it was said they couldn't immediately cash out the OBC if taken in the casino. I can't find it right now, but remember they said you had to put the total amount in play at least once and then could cash out after that. I'd be interested in hearing casino experiences pertaining to non-refundable NCL OBC, not OBC from a travel agent.

Thanks and I'm glad you were able to use yours in the casino. However, as we don't want to blow $600 in the casino even if they let us, my question still stands.

Has anyone been able to buy real gold at anything like a reasonable price on board?

This blog post is pretty good:

 

https://www.ncl.com/travel-blog/how-to-onboard-credit

 

They are saying you can use it for casino. Also you can use it for paying gratuities.

At the bottom of the page it states NCL OBC cannot be used towards the daily service charge (gratuity). It can be used for additional gratuities, such as for butler/concierge if you that is what you meant.

Thanks and I'm glad you were able to use yours in the casino. However, as we don't want to blow $600 in the casino even if they let us, my question still stands.

People aren't actually spending it in the casino. They are loading the OBC amount on a slot machine or something, playing for a few and then cashing out walking away with the cash.

Remember that if you spend that amount on jewelry that NCL has to inform US authorities of their sales. That may be under the limit but better to check.

Remember that if you spend that amount on jewelry that NCL has to inform US authorities of their sales. That may be under the limit but better to check.

Thank you for your relevant and useful reply.

I would suggest that if you are buying gold jewelry, try to negotiate the price. They will come down on some prices.

And to get authentication that what you buy is, in fact, gold.

Do your homework ahead of time and know what a “good” price is and then negotiate! Feel free to come back a few times over the course of the cruise, too. We have shopped for watches and jewelry on board and, inevitably, their “best” price gets better and better as the cruise goes on.

Also, if you are looking for other ways to spend your OBC, you could put the credit towards a Cruise Next certificate (or four). I believe that you could purchase $1000 in future cruise credits for a net cost of $500. That way, you will use most of your onboard credit AND be able to offset the cost of future cruises.

Thank you. I read a bit about the need to negotiate and be happy to walk away. We can do that. But how does one authenticate while on board? Do you mean ask for written guarantees? My understanding was that anything sold in international waters is free from any law or recourse. So how can it be authenticated?

Do your homework ahead of time and know what a “good” price is and then negotiate! Feel free to come back a few times over the course of the cruise, too. We have shopped for watches and jewelry on board and, inevitably, their “best” price gets better and better as the cruise goes on.

 

Also, if you are looking for other ways to spend your OBC, you could put the credit towards a Cruise Next certificate (or four). I believe that you could purchase $1000 in future cruise credits for a net cost of $500. That way, you will use most of your onboard credit AND be able to offset the cost of future cruises.

Thanks. Knowing what things should cost is the way to go, clearly. The Cruise Next certificates, though, we've agreed not to buy those again so as not to stay locked in. If they offered an irresistible cruise price for Alaska, it might work even for us, though. It's a good suggestion.

If they won't provide a written guarantee that what they are selling as gold is in fact gold I would NOT buy. Caveat Emptor.

I can honestly say on over 30 cruises (and, no, I haven't bought jewelry on every one of those) that I have never gotten a bad piece on the ship. (Ports? Whole different story. Of course this was before I educated myself and knew what to look for.) Keep in mind, if the ships were actually selling inferior pieces, the onboard jewelry stores wouldn't stay in business very long. Absolutely look around before you leave home and see what interests you and know the prices. However, we have found ship prices to be very similar to home (and no duties, yay!). Don't be afraid to ask lots of questions and also ask for a loop to check markings for kt of gold. I have found some rather unique pieces on the different ships and have been very pleased.

Also, in response to the person who said something about them reporting to 'US authorities', not sure where they got their info but I have never had my purchases reported. (Who exactly is 'US authorities'?) It's not like customs is going to look through your luggage to see if, by chance, you bought something onboard. How would they know it wasn't brought from home? Be reasonable people and know what you're talking about.

[quote name=tarps14;54584010. ...

Also' date=' in response to the person who said something about them reporting to 'US authorities', not sure where they got their info but I have never had my purchases reported. (Who exactly is 'US authorities'?) It's not like customs is going to look through your luggage to see if, by chance, you bought something onboard. How would they know it wasn't brought from home? Be reasonable people and know what you're talking about.[/quote]

That person does know what they are talking about. The shops on board turn to NCL who turns in a list to customs of expensive jewelry purchased and the name of the passenger purchasing it. If the passenger does not declare it, there can be a hefty fine if the value is over the amount allowed without paying duty. "Duty free" means the shop did not have to pay duty, but passengers must pay on items over a certain amount.

That person does know what they are talking about. The shops on board turn to NCL who turns in a list to customs of expensive jewelry purchased and the name of the passenger purchasing it. If the passenger does not declare it, there is a hefty fine.

They have $600 in obc. This amount is NOT going to get reported. I have purchased jewelry worth over $1500 and have had no issues. If we're talking about $5000, maybe. But not $600.

**If you want exact numbers, they can bring back up to $1600 combined, duty-free.

Just a suggestion. Could you use it in the casino (less the 3 percent fee) by putting it all in a slot machine, play about $20 on the slot machine and cash out the rest?

You could use for excursions or spa passes or Vibe (I don't know the ship) if available

If I "had" to spend $600 OBC on board I'd use it toward a nice $1,000 watch, which would be a memorable and useful reminder of the cruise.

Definitely stay away for the "Gold by the Inch". Bought a chain with OBC once and it turned within 3 months.

Have bought other nicer pieces but just because I liked them, did not matter if they were real or not.

We use any leftover OBC on liquor to take home or any other items in the gift shop like bags, shirts etc...but mainly just buy our favorite liquor or wine and take it home for future use.

Thanks and I'm glad you were able to use yours in the casino. However, as we don't want to blow $600 in the casino even if they let us, my question still stands.

1. Go to casino

2. Draw $600 of chips on your room account

3. Go to dinner

4. Have some drinks

5. Go to casino

6. Cash in $600 of chips for 6x$100 bills

No blowing involved. Cost = $18.