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Can you use OBC to pay gratuities?

rhiannon35

By rhiannon35,
in Norwegian Cruise Line

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NMLady

NMLady

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Posted (edited)
I know we've done this on other lines, but just first time on NCL and wondering if we will be allowed to use our OBC to pay our gratuities?

 

If it is OBC from your TA or that you have pre-purchased, then yes you can use it to pay the "gratuities" -- DSC, Daily Service Charge.

 

If it is promotional OBC, that is OBC from NCL, then No you cannot use it to pay the "gratuities" -- DSC, Daily Service Charge.

Edited by NMLady
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rhiannon35

rhiannon35

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Wow, good to know, thanks! On both RC and Disney we used promotional OBC to pay gratuities, although I can't remember if they were from TA or cruise.

Our OBC is from NCL, and I was going to use to pay DSC, so this is good to know. THANKS all!!

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Beaver1975

Beaver1975

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The correct answer is yes if your OBC is refundable. If your OBC is non-refundable, then it cannot be used to pay your Discretionary Service Charges.

 

Why do you feel the need to propagate false information. They are not Discretionary Service Charges, they are Service Charges. NCL dropped the Daily term a long time ago and never called called them Discretionary. Yes, they used the term discretionary in the description for a while but not now.

 

Get over it all ready.

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Love my butler

Love my butler

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Posted
Why do you feel the need to propagate false information. They are not Discretionary Service Charges, they are Service Charges. NCL dropped the Daily term a long time ago and never called called them Discretionary. Yes, they used the term discretionary in the description for a while but not now.

 

Get over it all ready.

 

Sorry, but you are ABSOLUTELY wrong about that. Many current print items from NCL use the term Discretionary Service Charge. I don't have the time or energy to list all the examples but they can be found in the last few pages of the NCL board. In other words, my information is not only accurate but very current.

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mianmike

mianmike

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Sorry, but you are ABSOLUTELY wrong about that. Many current print items from NCL use the term Discretionary Service Charge. I don't have the time or energy to list all the examples but they can be found in the last few pages of the NCL board. In other words, my information is not only accurate but very current.

 

Here is what I found on NCL's website:

 

"Service Charges: We are confident that you will enjoy your Freestyle Cruising experience and that our entire crew will provide you with the standard of service for which we are known. A $ 14.00 discretionary service charge will be automatically added per guest per day (for guests three years and older) to your shipboard account for all staterooms. This charge will be shared among those staff members, including the restaurant staff, stateroom stewards and other behind-the-scenes staff who provide services that enhance your overall cruise experience. If you have any concerns about the service you receive during your cruise, please let our Guest Services Desk staff know right away so we can address any issues in a timely manner."

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njhorseman

njhorseman

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Here is what I found on NCL's website:

 

"Service Charges: We are confident that you will enjoy your Freestyle Cruising experience and that our entire crew will provide you with the standard of service for which we are known. A $ 14.00 discretionary service charge will be automatically added per guest per day (for guests three years and older) to your shipboard account for all staterooms. This charge will be shared among those staff members, including the restaurant staff, stateroom stewards and other behind-the-scenes staff who provide services that enhance your overall cruise experience. If you have any concerns about the service you receive during your cruise, please let our Guest Services Desk staff know right away so we can address any issues in a timely manner."

 

I'm curious where you found this, because the NCL service charge is $12 per day, not $14 as stated here. Do you have a link to the page?

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rvsullivan

rvsullivan

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Here is what I found on NCL's website:

 

"Service Charges: We are confident that you will enjoy your Freestyle Cruising experience and that our entire crew will provide you with the standard of service for which we are known. A $ 14.00 discretionary service charge will be automatically added per guest per day (for guests three years and older) to your shipboard account for all staterooms. This charge will be shared among those staff members, including the restaurant staff, stateroom stewards and other behind-the-scenes staff who provide services that enhance your overall cruise experience. If you have any concerns about the service you receive during your cruise, please let our Guest Services Desk staff know right away so we can address any issues in a timely manner."

 

Sorry, not sure what NCL site your info is from, this is from the current FAQ's posted today:

 

 

"How much is the charge?

Onboard Service Charges are additional. A charge of $12 per person per day will automatically be added to your onboard account."

 

Additionally: "If there is a service issue can the service charges be adjusted on board?

Guest satisfaction is the highest priority at Norwegian Cruise Line. We have structured a guest satisfaction program designed to handle any concerns about service or on-board product quickly and efficiently. However, in the event a service issue should arise during your cruise please let our on-board guest services desk staff know right away, so that we can address these in a timely manner. It is our goal to reach a satisfactory solution to any issue when it happens and make sure our guests can focus on enjoying their cruise. Should your concerns not be met with satisfaction you can adjust the charges."

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terrymtex01

terrymtex01

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I've used it several times to obtain cash in the casino...most recently in October. Do you have any evidence of a change in policy since October?

 

You are absolutely correct. It doesn't matter if it is promotional or pre-paid. We have bought several of the future cruise certs and they even advertise that the OBC you get (which is promotional) by purchasing the future cruse credit (or whatever they call it) can be used in the casino.

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sixesandeights

sixesandeights

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Why do you feel the need to propagate false information. They are not Discretionary Service Charges, they are Service Charges. NCL dropped the Daily term a long time ago and never called called them Discretionary. Yes, they used the term discretionary in the description for a while but not now.

 

Get over it all ready.

 

You are 100% WRONG. They still call it a DISCRETIONARY service charge in the description. They can be adjusted if the service is not satisfactory.

 

6&8

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BBShankapotimus45

BBShankapotimus45

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On page 123 of NCL's Norwegians Go Places" book which I received in the mail today, under the section__"Is there a service charge?", very plainly stated is the following---"A 12 USD discretionary service charge will be automatically per guest per day (for guests three years and older) to your shipboard account for all staterooms."

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njhorseman

njhorseman

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You are 100% WRONG. They still call it a DISCRETIONARY service charge in the description. They can be adjusted if the service is not satisfactory.

 

6&8

 

The word "discretionary" is not used here in the FAQ:

 

http://www.ncl.com/faq#service-charge

 

nor here in the Guest Ticket Contract:

 

http://www.ncl.com/sites/default/files/Guest_Ticket_Contract_01_2014.pdf

 

In both places it is just called the "service charge". I am not disputing that it can be adjusted as both the FAQ and Guest Ticket Contract say it can be adjusted...I'm disputing your contention that the word "discretionary" is used in either of these places. Most importantly it is not used in the Guest Ticket Contract.

Edited by njhorseman
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mianmike

mianmike

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Not from any place on the US site I can find. Can you provide a link to the page?

 

I can't provide a link to the quote as it's from a pop-up window. I found it on NCL's website under my cruise summary at the "add pre-pay service charges" portion. There was a blue link that read: "Why is there a service charge?"

 

But here is a link to NCL's Welcome Aboard brochure. On page 18 in the first column near the top is essentially the same blurb.

 

http://www.pdf.ncl.eu/already_booked/WELCOME-ABOARD.pdf

Edited by mianmike
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njhorseman

njhorseman

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I can't provide a link to the quote as it's from a pop-up window. I found it on NCL's website under my cruise summary at the "add pre-pay service charges" portion. There was a blue link that read: "Why is there a service charge?"

 

But here is a link to NCL's Welcome Aboard brochure. On page 18 in the first column near the top is essentially the same blurb.

 

http://www.pdf.ncl.eu/already_booked/WELCOME-ABOARD.pdf

 

The ".eu" in that link means it's from NCL's European site, not its US site.

 

I went to my own "My NCL" page for my current booking and did see the word "discretionary" in the place you stated. As I stated it isn't used in the Guest Ticket Contract, and in the end that is the important document.

Edited by njhorseman
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