Prepaying DSC appears no longer available..?

Not sure why they would take it off. For us Canadians its a cheaper alternative than paying it on boat since exchange rate is more favorable.

You can call them and do it.

Not sure why they would take it off. For us Canadians its a cheaper alternative than paying it on boat since exchange rate is more favorable.

You can also buy OBC at that same rate and use that for the DSC.

You can also buy OBC at that same rate and use that for the DSC.

I'm not sure about that.. everything i read has been the contrary.

I think if it's "free" or promotional OBC, you can't. If you purchase your own, you buy whatever you want with it. All they are going to do is charge it to your account.

I think if it's "free" or promotional OBC, you can't. If you purchase your own, you buy whatever you want with it. All they are going to do is charge it to your account.

can anyone confirm?

thanks!

Yes. It is only the promotional 'free' OBC you can't use for the DSC. But if you buy credit or someone else buys you credit as a gift then you can use it. I would only say that you print out the OBC receipt as soon as you get it. Last time I did this the transaction didn't go through so I had to pay on board as I didn't have proof with me that I had purchased OBC. I do believe if you have any OBC out standing it can take a while for this to be refunded, I've never had any left 😉 so don't know for sure.

It may be worthwhile buying OBC for your other onboard purchases, but specifically for the DSC, if the option is showing as unavailable on-line (which seems to be happening for many people as they approach final payment), the easiest thing to do is to call NCL, as triptolemus said.

It may be worthwhile buying OBC for your other onboard purchases, but specifically for the DSC, if the option is showing as unavailable on-line (which seems to be happening for many people as they approach final payment), the easiest thing to do is to call NCL, as triptolemus said.

Can YOU confirm if OBC can applied to DSC as others are suggesting?

Can YOU confirm if OBC can applied to DSC as others are suggesting?

I have purchased OBC in the past and used it for DSC. It is the OBC they give you as a promotion that cannot be used. Go ahead with buying some if you cannot pay online. Or phone...Or wait and pay on board. Can't think of any further options right now.

When i called today for separate request I was advised OBC can NOT be applied to DSC..

When i called today for separate request I was advised OBC can NOT be applied to DSC..

That's only true for nonrefundable OBC...generally the promotional OBC you get from NCL. Both refundable OBC from your travel agent and OBC you purchase can be applied to the service charge.

The chances of your getting an accurate answer from NCL's telephone service reps are slim and none .

I too can confirm that purchased OBC can be used for the DSC.

If between now and the cruise and for some extreme reason that changes before you go on your cruise you can always get cash in the casino for a 3% fee. Which, given the current exchange rate, will still be a better deal.

Rochelle

Not sure why they would take it off. For us Canadians its a cheaper alternative than paying it on boat since exchange rate is more favorable.

Hopefully a phone call will resolve your issue. I tried with my cruise situation and couldn't prepay.

I am cruising with my sisters a total of 4 in a Suite. The first two have free gratuities and the "free" 3rd and 4th person still need to pay gratuities. I couldn't do it online so decided to call it in and pay. I can't prepay for the "free" guests according to NCL and can only pay for them on board. The customer service person couldn't tell me why I couldn't prepay in advance.

Hopefully a phone call will resolve your issue. I tried with my cruise situation and couldn't prepay.

I am cruising with my sisters a total of 4 in a Suite. The first two have free gratuities and the "free" 3rd and 4th person still need to pay gratuities. I couldn't do it online so decided to call it in and pay. I can't prepay for the "free" guests according to NCL and can only pay for them on board. The customer service person couldn't tell me why I couldn't prepay in advance.

Depending when you booked and the DSC at that time you should be able to pre-pay. According to the emails they sent out, in regards to the raising of the DSC, prepaying gratuities locked you in at the older rate.

Rochelle

When i called today for separate request I was advised OBC can NOT be applied to DSC..

Depending when you booked and the DSC at that time you should be able to pre-pay. According to the emails they sent out, in regards to the raising of the DSC, prepaying gratuities locked you in at the older rate.

 

 

Rochelle

Thanks Rochelle, The posts by you and some others here have been so helpful. I was trying to do this to lock in the rate. I booked in March of this year. I have free gratuities for the first two, but the "free" two have to be paid on board. I have called twice and get the same answer. I was advised that the old rate should be honored when I pay on board. We don't sail until April of 2016 so I will try to prepay between now and then. I may buy OBC to cover the DSC, this was a great suggestion.

So when you were on the phone with them, did you get them to add your pre-paid DSC or not?

No. The reason I called was becsuse I had purchased 5000 of OBC online and never got an email receipt despite being more than 24 hrs.

I had a feeling this agent who told me that I can't use OBC towards DSC may be wrong so I left it at that.

She also told me in her 9 years she never seen that much OBC...its a no brainer for us Canadians to cash out at casino.. Even with 3% charge..I pay 1.11 to get back us that's worth 1.33.....

No. The reason I called was becsuse I had purchased 5000 of OBC online and never got an email receipt despite being more than 24 hrs.

 

I had a feeling this agent who told me that I can't use OBC towards DSC may be wrong so I left it at that.

 

She also told me in her 9 years she never seen that much OBC...its a no brainer for us Canadians to cash out at casino.. Even with 3% charge..I pay 1.11 to get back us that's worth 1.33.....

The OBC that you purchase for yourself is absolutely usable for anything including the service charges, it is only the promotional OBC that may not be used for service charges, so the agent was wrong.

When i called today for separate request I was advised OBC can NOT be applied to DSC..

PROMOTIONAL OBC cannot be used for DSC. PURCHASED OBC can. They are different.

6&8

PROMOTIONAL OBC cannot be used for DSC. PURCHASED OBC can. They are different.

 

6&8

Yes. I asked about the OBC that I purchased. She said no.

Its sad that a sales agent for 9 years wouldn't know by now that prepaid OBC IS applicable to DSC.

Does anyone know if the OBC I receive from the points I earn on my NCL MasterCard is considered refundable/purchased or non-refundable/promotional? Just wondering if I could use it to pay my DSC on board if I decide not to pre-pay the DSC.

BTW, I noticed the other day that when I clicked on "Pre-pay Daily Service Charge" on my MyNCL page, it said that it was unavailable. I was wondering if that was temporary with the NCL website or if I will have to do it on the phone if I decide to pre-pay before my final payment is due. I'm eligible for the original DSC, before the recent increases.

I'm not sure about that.. everything i read has been the contrary.

If you buy the OBC you can use it for gratuities, if it is a promo from the cruise ship, that is totally a different story.