OBC - use it or lose it

[gehrandt]

We had several OBCs - some from TA and NCL credit card points. The notes showed the TAs as non refundable - nothing on the credit card. We had figured to use them for the $12/pp/day and also for tipping the Butler and Concierge. The last afternoon DH went down to take care of those tips and was informed that all our credits were non refundable and that we couldn't use them for tips for the butler/concierge/stewardess.

 

And for some reason they indicated we couldn't put the tips on our bill that we needed to use cash (I still think they didn't understand what we were asking about that).

 

The billing sheet was very confusing as it showed the TA OBC as non refundable but made no reference to non refundable on the remaining credits.

 

So I ended up with some lovely jewerly rather then letting NCL have the remainder.

 

Anyway, something to be aware of

[johnql]

I'm sorry for what happened to you, but your experience directly contradicts my experience and that which has been reported by many people here. I absolutely have used my OBC for the daily service charges. Actually, as others have pointed out, there really is no distinction made on your shipboard account. Items are either debits or credits. The OBC shows up as a credit and any charged item goes against it.

 

Also, as a few have pointed out, if you have leftover OBC on your account, you can always go to the casino on the last night and withdraw the money as cash, either with or without the intention of using it as gambling money. Of course, this might not work if your leftover OBC is a small amount and there's a minimum withdrawal amount required that exceeds your OBC - mind you, I'm not sure if this is the case but it might be.

[rickechambers1@aol.com]

We had $1,000 OBC and tipped almost all of it away...

[garycarla]

May well be non-refundable - meaning you can not just get the money. But, it can be used as stated above on your account for just about anything.

 

And, as often reported, go to the casino and get $500 cash or whatever. Play for a minute and then turn in the slips for cash. Easy as can be.

[flashdog_1]

That is most unfortunate. Over a year ago they changed the old rule that obc could not be used for daily service charge. Now it is okay. Everything you charged, spa, drinks, specialty restaurants, purchases etc. is just added up and the obc is subtracted. No exceptions.

 

I wonder if this means they have suddenly reversed this "newer" rule back to the old rule. Will be interesting to find out from other recent cruisers.

 

BTW, when you were convinced that they didn't understand your question, did you ask to see a supervisor/manager who might have understood better? So sorry this happened and that you had to spend money you had not intended to spend.

[jvsnana]

We had $1,000 OBC and tipped almost all of it away...

WOW! The most we have ever had is $400.00 OBC...how did you accumulate so much?

[gehrandt]

They got the manager and financial person involved. When we sailed on the Sun two years ago no problems whatsoever. I had forgotten about the casino tip - although I had suggested my DH use it for playing 21 - he didn't want to risk it - wanted to buy me a ring and necklace - he'd been trying the whole trip and I kept worrying about losing it (I'm terrible that way) - then when packing I found the ring had slipped off my finger - frantic search only to find it in the suitcase - apparently caught in something and I didn't notice - need to get it made smaller :)

[salty dingo]

I think if you put it this way, they would accomodate you: "I had planned for tipping from my OBC and I'm leaving that amount. If you don't want the staff to receive tips from the OBC, that's your business, and I consider the tips as given."

[Silver Girl]

We had several OBCs - some from TA and NCL credit card points. The notes showed the TAs as non refundable - nothing on the credit card. We had figured to use them for the $12/pp/day and also for tipping the Butler and Concierge. The last afternoon DH went down to take care of those tips and was informed that all our credits were non refundable and that we couldn't use them for tips for the butler/concierge/stewardess.

 

And for some reason they indicated we couldn't put the tips on our bill that we needed to use cash (I still think they didn't understand what we were asking about that).

 

The billing sheet was very confusing as it showed the TA OBC as non refundable but made no reference to non refundable on the remaining credits.

 

So I ended up with some lovely jewerly rather then letting NCL have the remainder.

 

Anyway, something to be aware of

 

There must have been a communication problem since I was on the same cruise and had no trouble adding butler and concierge tips to my onboard account. I also had both refundable and nonrefundable OBC. The amount that I purchased did not exceed the amount of credit I had so the extra must have been applied toward tips.

[terrymtex01]

I think some of the confusion is that the OP did not say that they could not use the OBC for the Daily Service Charge, but said they could not use it for tipping the Butler, Concierge and Room Steward. If they did not let the OP use it for the Daily Service Charge someone onboard messed up big time as you have been able to use OBC for that for a long time now. I do also think someone at the front desk must have been new and not understood about you wanting to put the tips for the Butler and Concierge and Room Steward on the onboard account because like others have said, we have done that and I still have the reciepts given to me by the Front Desk to prove it.. LOL

 

There must have been a communication problem since I was on the same cruise and had no trouble adding butler and concierge tips to my onboard account. I also had both refundable and nonrefundable OBC. The amount that I purchased did not exceed the amount of credit I had so the extra must have been applied toward tips.

 

Maybe they took the tips to the Butler and Concierge out of the refundable OBC first? I'm not for sure how they apply it.. LOL.. We have never had more OBC than onboard expenses thank to the Casino.. LOL.

[rickechambers1@aol.com]

I think if you put it this way, they would accomodate you: "I had planned for tipping from my OBC and I'm leaving that amount. If you don't want the staff to receive tips from the OBC, that's your business, and I consider the tips as given."

 

That seems threatening and I would be embarassed to make such a remark as the services received have nothing to do with purchase incentives offered by the cruise line.

[newmexicoNita]

That is most unfortunate. Over a year ago they changed the old rule that obc could not be used for daily service charge. Now it is okay. Everything you charged, spa, drinks, specialty restaurants, purchases etc. is just added up and the obc is subtracted. No exceptions.

 

I wonder if this means they have suddenly reversed this "newer" rule back to the old rule. Will be interesting to find out from other recent cruisers.

 

BTW, when you were convinced that they didn't understand your question, did you ask to see a supervisor/manager who might have understood better? So sorry this happened and that you had to spend money you had not intended to spend.

 

exactly!!!! Actually, we have always charged more than our OBC even without the standard tipping.

 

Nita

[rickechambers1@aol.com]

WOW! The most we have ever had is $400.00 OBC...how did you accumulate so much?

 

We had an AB and connecting AF and traded them both in plus $5K+ for the Garden Villa; initially the AF had $400 OBC and the AB $600 OBC and they kept both in place.

[jvsnana]

We had an AB and connecting AF and traded them both in plus $5K+ for the Garden Villa; initially the AF had $400 OBC and the AB $600 OBC and they kept both in place.

Thanks for answering. Glad they let you keep it :)

[CruisingGoddess]

Also, as a few have pointed out, if you have leftover OBC on your account, you can always go to the casino on the last night and withdraw the money as cash, either with or without the intention of using it as gambling money. Of course, this might not work if your leftover OBC is a small amount and there's a minimum withdrawal amount required that exceeds your OBC - mind you, I'm not sure if this is the case but it might be.

 

Is there a fee for pulling cash off your account in the casino?

 

Thanks in advance!

[johnql]

Is there a fee for pulling cash off your account in the casino?

 

Thanks in advance!

No fee.

[garycarla]

Is there a fee for pulling cash off your account in the casino?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

No, and please understand you are not "pulling cash out of your account". Anybody can go to the casino and say "I would like $400 to play the slots". They will treat this just like buying something in the gift shop and there will be a $400 charge on your cabin account.

 

Now, what you actually do with that $400 is another story. They expect you to play the slots, but they do not follow you around.

 

So, let's say you play $5 in the casino. You now have $395 in your pocket. But you of course also owe $400 on your account that needs to be paid. It is just a CHARGE to your account. Any OBC's you have are a credit to your account.

[johnql]

No, and please understand you are not "pulling cash out of your account". Anybody can go to the casino and say "I would like $400 to play the slots". They will treat this just like buying something in the gift shop and there will be a $400 charge on your cabin account.

 

Now, what you actually do with that $400 is another story. They expect you to play the slots, but they do not follow you around.

 

So, let's say you play $5 in the casino. You now have $395 in your pocket. But you of course also owe $400 on your account that needs to be paid. It is just a CHARGE to your account. Any OBC's you have are a credit to your account.

Good point. Glad you made the clarification.

[terrymtex01]

No, and please understand you are not "pulling cash out of your account". Anybody can go to the casino and say "I would like $400 to play the slots". They will treat this just like buying something in the gift shop and there will be a $400 charge on your cabin account.

 

Now, what you actually do with that $400 is another story. They expect you to play the slots, but they do not follow you around.

 

So, let's say you play $5 in the casino. You now have $395 in your pocket. But you of course also owe $400 on your account that needs to be paid. It is just a CHARGE to your account. Any OBC's you have are a credit to your account.

 

GaryCarla.. seems like a good time to also mention that if someone uses cash as a deposit for their OBC's when checking in, I have been told they can not make withdrawls from the Casino Cashier. Just thought I would mention this. 8-). But of course if someone used cash as a deposit for their account there would be no question that they could use it to pay extra tips with.

[CruisingGoddess]

No, and please understand you are not "pulling cash out of your account". Anybody can go to the casino and say "I would like $400 to play the slots". They will treat this just like buying something in the gift shop and there will be a $400 charge on your cabin account.

 

Now, what you actually do with that $400 is another story. They expect you to play the slots, but they do not follow you around.

 

So, let's say you play $5 in the casino. You now have $395 in your pocket. But you of course also owe $400 on your account that needs to be paid. It is just a CHARGE to your account. Any OBC's you have are a credit to your account.

 

Thanks for clarifying!

[tinybabynurse]

The OP said they went down the "last afternoon". That may have been too late to charge tips to their on board account if I remember correctly,