is the NCL pre-book certificates a good deal?

[LizG12]

I mean the ones you buy on board for a future cruise. On the surface, they sound reasonable - pre-pay $250 and get $100(I think) in OBC. Is there something that makes it not as good as it sounds? (and if this has been discussed before, sorry for the repeat, but I didn't see a recent-ish thread about it). Thanks!

[philip_eunice1]

I mean the ones you buy on board for a future cruise. On the surface, they sound reasonable - pre-pay $250 and get $100(I think) in OBC. Is there something that makes it not as good as it sounds? (and if this has been discussed before, sorry for the repeat, but I didn't see a recent-ish thread about it). Thanks!

 

yes its a good deal as long as you book inside the timeframe and they are transferable so you can gift them or sell them

[johnql]

I mean the ones you buy on board for a future cruise. On the surface, they sound reasonable - pre-pay $250 and get $100(I think) in OBC. Is there something that makes it not as good as it sounds? (and if this has been discussed before, sorry for the repeat, but I didn't see a recent-ish thread about it). Thanks!

The Freestyle Cruise Rewards are a great buy! I buy one on almost every cruise I take. Here's a link to the full terms and conditions:

 

http://www.ncl.com/nclweb/cruiser/cmsPages.html?pageId=CruiseRewardsTC

 

Here's a quick rundown on how they work: you buy the FCR for $250. You are automatically given an OBC of $100, which reduces the cost of the FCR to a net of $150. The FCR can then be used as your full deposit on a cabin on any sailing in the next 4 years after purchase (some higher-end suites require additional on top of the FCR) with the full value of $250 credited as your deposit.

 

As for the OBC, here's how I look at it (not everyone does) - the $100 OBC is technically an onboard credit but it does NOT represent extra money that you can then spend on additional shipboard items. It's really a $100 discount on the $250 value of the FCR. Consider the $100 OBC pre-spent. If you spent nothing for the remainder of your cruise, you would owe NCL $150. Anything you charge to your account will be added to that base expense of $150. As much as I love the FCR program, to me it's a marketing gimmick to call the $100 an OBC, implying that you can then use it to spend on other items.

Edited December 27, 2013 by johnql

[HokiePoq]

No gimmick...just what it says it is. You pay $150 for $250 credit on your next cruise. It serves as a down payment. We'll buy another on our next cruise.

[johnql]

No gimmick...just what it says it is. You pay $150 for $250 credit on your next cruise. It serves as a down payment. We'll buy another on our next cruise.

It might not be the right word, but it's a marketing ploy/gimmick/trick. Call it what you want but the intent is to make people think they have an extra $100 to spend on their current cruise. If you read through the dozens of threads concerning the FCR, you will find confirmation of this point. Many people think they are getting an extra $100 to spend, which simply isn't true. The $100 is pre-spent.

 

But I cannot over-emphasize this: I love the program. I just wish they would simply market it as a $250 FCR, discounted $100. Unfortunately, if they worded it that way, some people would not spend the extra $100.

[MemphisWife4]

The Freestyle Cruise Rewards are a great buy! I buy one on almost every cruise I take. Here's a link to the full terms and conditions:

 

http://www.ncl.com/nclweb/cruiser/cmsPages.html?pageId=CruiseRewardsTC

 

Here's a quick rundown on how they work: you buy the FCR for $250. You are automatically given an OBC of $100, which reduces the cost of the FCR to a net of $150. The FCR can then be used as your full deposit on a cabin on any sailing in the next 4 years after purchase (some higher-end suites require additional on top of the FCR) with the full value of $250 credited as your deposit.

 

As for the OBC, here's how I look at it (not everyone does) - the $100 OBC is technically an onboard credit but it does NOT represent extra money that you can then spend on additional shipboard items. It's really a $100 discount on the $250 value of the FCR. Consider the $100 OBC pre-spent. If you spent nothing for the remainder of your cruise, you would owe NCL $150. Anything you charge to your account will be added to that base expense of $150. As much as I love the FCR program, to me it's a marketing gimmick to call the $100 an OBC, implying that you can then use it to spend on other items.

 

From their website:

When you charge a $250 Freestyle Cruise Rewards Deposit to your shipboard account, you will receive Cruise Reward credit in USD or CAD based on which office your current cruise was purchased (credit will go in your NCL guest record or NCL Latitudes account); and an instant $100 shipboard credit towards your current cruise.

 

It clearly says an instant $100 shipboard credit towards your CURRENT cruise....

 

I guess I am the very person they are aiming this "gimmick" towards ?

[LizG12]

Thanks! Looks like I'll (probably) be getting one on my next cruise. Just curious, hypothetically speaking... if you don't use all of the $100 OBC, does it 'carry over' to a future cruise?

[johnql]

From their website:

When you charge a $250 Freestyle Cruise Rewards Deposit to your shipboard account, you will receive Cruise Reward credit in USD or CAD based on which office your current cruise was purchased (credit will go in your NCL guest record or NCL Latitudes account); and an instant $100 shipboard credit towards your current cruise.

 

It clearly says an instant $100 shipboard credit towards your CURRENT cruise....

 

I guess I am the very person they are aiming this "gimmick" towards ?

The wording is accurate - you do receive a $100 shipboard credit, but it is used to offset part of the total cost of the FCR. Therefore, the $250 FCR costs you only $150. That's why I think it's more accurately described as a discount. The $100 OBC (the way NCL likes to call it) is not actually there to use for anything else you want to purchase. That's why I call it pre-spent.

[johnql]

Thanks! Looks like I'll (probably) be getting one on my next cruise. Just curious, hypothetically speaking... if you don't use all of the $100 OBC, does it 'carry over' to a future cruise?

You cannot carry it over to your next cruise because there's nothing to carry over. You pay $250. You get an automatic credit of $100, reducing your cost to $150. The OBC is gone.

[perkydebrajean]

I had some OBC that needed to be used up on my cruise so I used it to purchase the FCC. Plan on doing the same on my next cruise if I have some extra OBC to get rid of.

[johnql]

I had some OBC that needed to be used up on my cruise so I used it to purchase the FCC. Plan on doing the same on my next cruise if I have some extra OBC to get rid of.

That's an excellent use of OBC. I do the same.

[LizG12]

You cannot carry it over to your next cruise because there's nothing to carry over. You pay $250. You get an automatic credit of $100, reducing your cost to $150. The OBC is gone.

 

oh right. the $250 is charged to the room account, not a separate credit card. Got it. Thanks

[MemphisWife4]

FCC

FCR

OBC

 

I am so confused that I am starting to feel stupid. I am guessing to everyone else it is obvious, and I apologize in advance but I do not understand. Instant Onboard Credit for Current cruise. If that is not money to spend then I call it something different than a "gimmick". Seems more like a "bait and switch" to me, if you don't actually get it.

 

I think I will read this to my DH (an acronym that I figured out all by myself :))

and see if he can help me feel less .....ignorant

[johnql]

FCC

FCR

OBC

 

I am so confused that I am starting to feel stupid. I am guessing to everyone else it is obvious, and I apologize in advance but I do not understand. Instant Onboard Credit for Current cruise. If that is not money to spend then I call it something different than a "gimmick". Seems more like a "bait and switch" to me, if you don't actually get it.

 

I think I will read this to my DH (an acronym that I figured out all by myself :))

and see if he can help me feel less .....ignorant

FCC = Future Cruise Credit (a term that some people use for the Freestyle Cruise Reward but isn't really accurate)

FCR = Freestyle Cruise Reward (the actual term that NCL uses for the certificates that they sell for a future cruise deposit)

OBC = Onboard credit, also known as shipboard credit

 

It's not a "bait and switch". You do actually receive the OBC. The problem is that when NCL uses the term OBC to promote the sale of the FCR, most people think "OBC - great, that's free money, money that I can spend on other things." The problem is that the $100 OBC is automatically used to reduce the cost of the FCR in the first place, making the cost of the $250 FCR reduced to $150. So, you do receive the credit. It's just that there's no "additional" $100 OBC that you can spend on other things.

 

If it makes it easier to understand, forget the use of the term OBC completely. You're being offered the opportunity to purchase a FCR (value of $250) for $150, which represents a $100 discount. That's the deal. Period. No spendable OBC to think about.

Edited December 28, 2013 by johnql

[MemphisWife4]

FCC = Future Cruise Credit (a term that some people use for the Freestyle Cruise Reward but isn't really accurate)

FCR = Freestyle Cruise Reward (the actual term that NCL uses for the certificates that they sell for a future cruise deposit)

OBC = Onboard credit, also known as shipboard credit

 

It's not a "bait and switch". You do actually receive the OBC. The problem is that when NCL uses the term OBC to promote the sale of the FCR, most people think "OBC - great, that's free money, money that I can spend on other things." The problem is that the $100 OBC is automatically used to reduce the cost of the FCR in the first place, making the cost of the $250 FCR reduced to $150. So, you do receive the credit. It's just that there's no "additional" $100 OBC that you can spend on other things.

 

If it makes it easier to understand, forget the use of the term OBC completely. You're being offered the opportunity to purchase a FCR (value of $250) for $150, which represents a $100 discount. That's the deal. Period. No spendable OBC to think about.

 

OKAY! I think I get it! And that is confusing, but a good deal.

 

I will give $250 "deposit" and NCL will "credit" me back $100.... BUT I will have $250 towards that future cruise (but I only ACTUALLY paid $150). That is double talk and I am amazed that there are not many people complaining loudly. Actually because many are not complaining loudly that must mean that it is ME not getting it in my head. But now that I do, I must say that is a great deal. Really a win-win for both the cruise line and the customer.

[johnql]

OKAY! I think I get it! And that is confusing, but a good deal.

 

I will give $250 "deposit" and NCL will "credit" me back $100.... BUT I will have $250 towards that future cruise (but I only ACTUALLY paid $150). That is double talk and I am amazed that there are not many people complaining loudly. Actually because many are not complaining loudly that must mean that it is ME not getting it in my head. But now that I do, I must say that is a great deal. Really a win-win for both the cruise line and the customer.

You've got it now. It is definitely a good deal - $150 for a $250 deposit on your next cruise (a deposit that covers the entire cabin, not just one person, with the exception of higher-end suites which require additional deposit).

[B6ConMe]

Made even more so as far as a deal goes, if you book well ahead of time as in our case, where we've booked almost 2 years out yet only have paid a small deposit. Yes, if you look at the money you paid as in their pocket as opposed to your pocket you are "out of pocket" a bit but much less than normal. I think it's a great deal too.

[MemphisWife4]

That was way too much thinking for a Friday night 2 days after Christmas AND 2 weeks before my next cruise.

 

I think I will go back to lurking and reading about sneaking booze, handicap suites, that GREAT review on the NCL Jewel, wine packages, tendering, what to pack, and whether or not I can wear my bathing suit to dinner:p

[newmexicoNita]

I mean the ones you buy on board for a future cruise. On the surface, they sound reasonable - pre-pay $250 and get $100(I think) in OBC. Is there something that makes it not as good as it sounds? (and if this has been discussed before, sorry for the repeat, but I didn't see a recent-ish thread about it). Thanks!

 

sure it is a good deal unless you don't plan to cruise again. You have 4 years to use it, and get $250 deposit for $150 after the $100 OBC, it is a win/win.

[Froggitt]

Anyone tried using this with a UK Travel Agent? How does it work ($$$ v £££ etc)?

[ParrotGurl]

Ok, so just joining the conversation now, cause I am really confused! Probably just my slow brain though ... I assumed (and that may be part of my problem there lol) that while on the ship, I pay $250 towards my next cruise, and they give me a credit of $100 to use during my current cruise ... IE I could put it towards a spa treatment, etc. that week. Is that not correct?

Sorry if I'm just re-asking something that has already been answered! :confused: :confused:

[Demonyte]

Ok, so just joining the conversation now, cause I am really confused! Probably just my slow brain though ... I assumed (and that may be part of my problem there lol) that while on the ship, I pay $250 towards my next cruise, and they give me a credit of $100 to use during my current cruise ... IE I could put it towards a spa treatment, etc. that week. Is that not correct?

Sorry if I'm just re-asking something that has already been answered! :confused: :confused:

 

As said in post #15:

 

I will give $250 "deposit" and NCL will "credit" me back $100.... BUT I will have $250 towards that future cruise (but I only ACTUALLY paid $150).

 

The FCR will only cost you $150 total and that's it, there is no extra money to be used.

 

If you want to spend more money onboard, that's your choice but you don't need to as the $100 will already be spent on the FCR itself.

[xriva]

<snip>I pay $250 towards my next cruise, and they give me a credit of $100 to use during my current cruise ... IE I could put it towards a spa treatment, etc. that week. Is that not correct?

Sorry if I'm just re-asking something that has already been answered! :confused: :confused:

 

you are charged $250 for the Cruise Rewards to your onboard account, and then given a credit of $100 to your onboard account. So, the $100 is really already spent to help cover the $250 charge.

 

I think the reason it is "credit" and not a "discount" is that it is two transactions on your statement. You get billed $250, and you get credited $100. So, if you go spend $100 at the spa, you own the $250 for the Cruise Rewards. If you don't spend any extra, you owe $150 because you charged the Cruise Rewards to your room and then you received onboard credit.

 

Clear? :)

 

(We buy them every cruise - the real benefit I see is that it covers a cabin's deposit. Without Cruise Rewards, my wife and I would have $250 each as a deposit on a cruise (per person) and with Cruise Rewards, it's $250 total (per cabin.))

 

 

 

 

Norwegian Jewel / December 2013 / Western Caribbean / New Orleans

Norwegian Breakaway / April 2013 / Transatlantic / Southampton - New York

Norwegian Epic / December 2012 / Eastern Caribbean / Miami

Norwegian Pearl / December 2011 / Western Caribbean / Miami

Norwegian Dawn / December 2010 / Southern Caribbean / Miami

Norwegian Spirit / December 2009 / Western Caribbean / New Orleans

[Demonyte]

I think the reason it is "credit" and not a "discount" is that it is two transactions on your statement. You get billed $250, and you get credited $100.

 

No, it's because it's much easier for the cruise line to make people believe that they get $100 free money to spend and that lowers the threshold for larger purchases like a $100+ spa treatment etc significantly.

 

If people were told simply that "pay $150 now and get $250 off your next cruise", they would be much less inclined to spend the extra $100 while onboard.

 

Norwegian Jewel / December 2013 / Western Caribbean / New Orleans

Norwegian Breakaway / April 2013 / Transatlantic / Southampton - New York

Norwegian Epic / December 2012 / Eastern Caribbean / Miami

Norwegian Pearl / December 2011 / Western Caribbean / Miami

Norwegian Dawn / December 2010 / Southern Caribbean / Miami

Norwegian Spirit / December 2009 / Western Caribbean / New Orleans

 

You have double signature now (see here), please remove one of them. When you're using Tapatalk, CC Boards or similar application, the standard signature is posted automatically even though you don't see one in the app. So you don't need to add another one within the application.

Edited December 28, 2013 by Demonyte

[KeithJenner]

Anyone tried using this with a UK Travel Agent? How does it work ($$$ v £££ etc)?

 

 

I've never used them with a TA, but the currency conversion is done when you buy it. For example, the last one I bought showed up as something like £160 or £165 against my latitudes account.

 

I believe you just give the details to your travel agent when you book.

 

 

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