why buy OBC ahead of time?

[LizG12]

I've seen a few posts talking about buying onboard credit ahead of time. Why? Is it just a matter of budgeting (pay some now, some later, instead of all later) or is there something else to it?

[bakerintn]

Best I can tell, its like the "lay away" product purchase mentality....no financial benefit to pre-paying ... why let NCL have your money interest free??

[LoraJ]

I only buy them ahead of time as gifts for people.

[Davechipp74]

i feel theres nothing better then walking onboard knowing you have $2500 in obc that i prepaid 4 or 5 months before. i know i'll be leaving the ship all paid for(not having to leave a cc and sill have to pay for the next month or so)

[agabbymama]

i feel theres nothing better then walking onboard knowing you have $2500 in obc that i prepaid 4 or 5 months before. i know i'll be leaving the ship all paid for(not having to leave a cc and sill have to pay for the next month or so)

 

DITTO, just to know it's all paid in advance. Don't have to worry about taking a lot of cash, won't have to worry about a huge balance to go on the credit card.

 

Yes, they do have your money, but I don't get any interest on it anyway. I think I earned 23 cents in interest last YEAR!

 

Worth it to me just to have one less thing to worry about.

 

By the way, I'm doing the same thing for Hawaii too, and it's a land vacation, but I already have my luau tickets, aquarium tickets, glass bottom boat tickets, you get the idea.

[IWORK2CRUISE]

While I have not done this it does make some sense.

1. You are budgeting.

2. If you purchase OBC in advance using your NCL credit card you earn extra points in advance that you may also be able to redeem for OBC.

 

So, if your cruise is planned well in advance and you then purchase OBC you earn extra points on your CC. Next step would be to redeem those points for "free" additional OBC.

I may try that some time.

[Wingtips56]

We've done a variation on this theme by pre-paying the gratuities (Onboard Service Charge) when we made our final payment the other day because at the moment, DH is getting a 20% mileage bonus on his frequent flyer-associated credit card. That promotion is over before we sail, so he's happy to get those extra miles now. And yes, it does mean that our ship's bill at the end of the cruise won't be quite so appalling. :eek: Agreed, the reality is the lost interest in this day and age would be about 8 cents. whoopie... it's certainly not the consideration it used to be.

[Jeffbhhs]

Do they ever offer additional OBC if you prepurchase it?

[cruiseat50]

While I have not done this it does make some sense.

1. You are budgeting.

2. If you purchase OBC in advance using your NCL credit card you earn extra points in advance that you may also be able to redeem for OBC.

 

So, if your cruise is planned well in advance and you then purchase OBC you earn extra points on your CC. Next step would be to redeem those points for "free" additional OBC.

I may try that some time.

 

Hmm... this might be an idea. Does anyone know if I by enough OBC do I still need to put a credit card down? Would I be able to use that OBC in the casino without having to pay the 3% fee as I am not putting a credit card down?:confused:

[Jeffbhhs]

Hmm... this might be an idea. Does anyone know if I by enough OBC do I still need to put a credit card down? Would I be able to use that OBC in the casino without having to pay the 3% fee as I am not putting a credit card down?:confused:

 

I think you need to put about $200-300 per person in order not to use a CC, not 100% sure though... If you put the CC down it would just act as a backup in case you went over whatever OBC you had...

[Wingtips56]

Do they ever offer additional OBC if you prepurchase it?

Hmmm. It never occurred to me to ask. But that was Cruise 1 of a B2B. Payment for Cruise 2 is due this week. I'll ask my TA about it.

 

Thanks!

[cruiseat50]

I think you need to put about $200-300 per person in order not to use a CC, not 100% sure though... If you put the CC down it would just act as a backup in case you went over whatever OBC you had...

 

Thanks for answering but I would actually put a lot more than that down as my question is really about using the OBC in the casino without having to pay the 3% fee.

[KFC]

I only buy them ahead of time as gifts for people.

 

Can I call the NCL 800 # and purchase OBC for my kids?

[themaxydog]

For some of us it's currency fluctuations. The Australian dollar in my opinion has an accepted value against the US dollar of around 85 cents. At the moment we are getting US$1.06 and have got US$1.10 for one of our dollars. The best interest rates in the world cant come near the 30% increase in value of our currency. I managed to save over US$500 on my Panama Canal/America holiday this year by watching the rises and falls in the US/Australian dollar and pre paying. I didn't get it right every time but enough to make the saving.

 

I have deposits and money paid off 2 cruises for the next 2 years while our currency is high with savings of over $600 made up to now. Yes I am lucky I can do this and why not take advantage of the situation.

[shof515]

buying prepaid obc is a good way to use those prepaid gift visa/mastercard credit cards that most places refuse to accept

[mitsugirly]

I do it because I like to know that my "cruise" is paid for (at least everything on the ship). I completely estimate down to the last dime what we will spend and pay it up front so that when we get on the ship, I know exactly what our budget is and that it's been paid for. It's just a piece of mind for me (and less money to bring along).

 

I will pre-pay all of my booked excursions in full as well (that are not sponsored using the cruise line) if they allow it (even if there's only a deposit required, I pay in full).

 

So, the only cash I'm bringing with me are for souvenirs, cab fare, food on the islands, and a few other odds and ends.

 

There is no benefit other than my own personal benefit. The cruise line doesn't give you extra OBC for doing it. :)

[dubberjas]

How do I go about buying prepaid OBC?

[themaxydog]

dubberjas,

 

I see that you are from Australia can I suggest that you ring NCL direct to make sure that your request goes through. I have found that if you fax, it is a hit and miss affair and they also prefer us to phone the International desk.

 

You need to phone NCL International Desk on 0011 1 305 436 4000.

 

On the web site go to the "Get ready for your cruise" section and the 'Bon Voyage Gifts" section. Your looking for the on-board credits section and in it you will see that you can buy "Credit certificates" for $25, $50, $75 or $100. Have your booking number, credit card and the code associated with the amount of the certificate you want to buy ready and just let them know how many/much you want. Order anything else on the list you want at the same time, don't forget the roses for the wife.;)

 

They will send you a confirmation email of what you have bought. When you arrive in your cabin there will be cards for each of your credits and anything else you buy. You just sign them and take them to reception. I always load up my on-board account when the exchange rate is favourable.

 

Good Luck to you and enjoy your cruise.:D