amsexton Posted July 25, 2014 #1 Share Posted July 25, 2014 We are on the Breakaway. Just found out, the $150 ship board credit can not be used towards gratuities! When I called down to the front desk, they said ship board credit could not go towards gratuities ! They can not show me this in writing. I will never sail this line again! It's a shame because the Breakaway was a very nice ship! Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Bananas Posted July 25, 2014 #2 Share Posted July 25, 2014 (edited) Welcome to Cruise Critic Right from the terms & conditions on NCL's webpage: Onboard credit has no monetary value and is non-transferable. It may not be used toward onboard service charges or prepurchased activities. Edited July 25, 2014 by Johnny Bananas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peg013 Posted July 25, 2014 #3 Share Posted July 25, 2014 (edited) We are on the Breakaway. Just found out, the $150 ship board credit can not be used towards gratuities! When I called down to the front desk, they said ship board credit could not go towards gratuities ! They can not show me this in writing. I will never sail this line again! It's a shame because the Breakaway was a very nice ship! Sent from my iPad using Forums It's a shame you didn't look at the terms and conditions, find CC to ask or read the FAQ's before you left. No reason you should not have already known that any OBC given by Norwegian cannot be used for the Daily Service Charge. Edit to add - you did find CC before you left.....too bad you didn't read all about it when you were worried about dropping off your bad.! Edited July 25, 2014 by peg013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pieshops Posted July 25, 2014 #4 Share Posted July 25, 2014 I always find it hard to believe that someone did not spend at least 150 on extra stuff, drinks, stores, bingo, excursions etc to use the credit. Think of it this way - you can't use the 150 towards gratuities as this is "real" money being paid to an employee as tips, they get the full 150. That same 150 when used for drinks, or excursions etc is probably only 40 or so out of NCL'S pocket because that is the cost of the service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare KeithJenner Posted July 25, 2014 #5 Share Posted July 25, 2014 We are on the Breakaway. Just found out, the $150 ship board credit can not be used towards gratuities! When I called down to the front desk, they said ship board credit could not go towards gratuities ! They can not show me this in writing. I will never sail this line again! It's a shame because the Breakaway was a very nice ship! Sent from my iPad using Forums Three clicks of the mouse is all it takes to find that info on the NCL site. Still, you have at least shown all the people who always complain about NCL's 'nickel and diming" that you can go through a cruise without spending much on top of the cruise fare and gratuities. It also does mean that NCL probably won't be as concerned about whether you do cruise with them again, as their business model does assume that most people will spend some extra in the bars and excursions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rochelle_s Posted July 25, 2014 #6 Share Posted July 25, 2014 When looking for a new cruise line you might be surprised to find out that they have the exact same policy. The OBC (On Board Credit) given to you by the cruise line can be used for purchases on board the ship. The DSC (Daily Service Charge) is not a purchase but a charge in addition to your cruise fare. Had this OBC been a gift from your travel agent or pre-purchased yourself, or by family/friend, prior to the cruise then that would be a completely different scenario. In that case the credit could have been applied to gratuities. Hopefully you were able to find this out before the last morning of the cruise and were able to use the credit towards something. I imagine if you lost out on it completely that would be very disappointing. Sorry to hear of your unhappiness but glad you enjoyed the ship. Rochelle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tminish Posted July 25, 2014 #7 Share Posted July 25, 2014 Don't blame the cruise line for your lack of knowledge. Is this your first time sailing NCL? If so, maybe you should've done your research before booking. There's plenty of people who's aware of this policy so it's not like they just came up with it on your sailing. Suck it up buttercup. Pay the gratuities just like everyone else. It's part of cruising! I hope that you can put this behind you and enjoy the rest of your cruise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackson bernard Posted July 25, 2014 #8 Share Posted July 25, 2014 We are on the Breakaway. Just found out, the $150 ship board credit can not be used towards gratuities! When I called down to the front desk, they said ship board credit could not go towards gratuities ! They can not show me this in writing. I will never sail this line again! It's a shame because the Breakaway was a very nice ship! Sent from my iPad using Forums Have the DSC removed by the front desk. Then you can load up a slot machine with it and cash out. Then just tell them to put them back or tip in cash individually. If they refuse to remove them or give you a hard time, dispute it on the credit card. The terms and conditions allow you to adjust the DSC as you see fit. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amsexton Posted July 25, 2014 Author #9 Share Posted July 25, 2014 Regarding $150 credit, it's the principle! It's credit to do with whatever I want ! And believe me, we've spent way over the 150, and we go over the $12 per day service charge and tip on top of that! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rochelle_s Posted July 25, 2014 #10 Share Posted July 25, 2014 Have the DSC removed by the front desk. Then you can load up a slot machine with it and cash out. Then just tell them to put them back or tip in cash individually. If they refuse to remove them or give you a hard time, dispute it on the credit card. The terms and conditions allow you to adjust the DSC as you see fit. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Forums mobile app Have you really put that much time and thought into how to scam the system? The OP was not complaining about paying the DSC they were upset because they thought they would be able to use the OBC they received from the cruise line towards this. Rochelle Rochelle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackson bernard Posted July 25, 2014 #11 Share Posted July 25, 2014 When looking for a new cruise line you might be surprised to find out that they have the exact same policy. The OBC (On Board Credit) given to you by the cruise line can be used for purchases on board the ship. The DSC (Daily Service Charge) is not a purchase but a charge in addition to your cruise fare. Had this OBC been a gift from your travel agent or pre-purchased yourself, or by family/friend, prior to the cruise then that would be a completely different scenario. In that case the credit could have been applied to gratuities. Hopefully you were able to find this out before the last morning of the cruise and were able to use the credit towards something. I imagine if you lost out on it completely that would be very disappointing. Sorry to hear of your unhappiness but glad you enjoyed the ship. Rochelle Its discretionary surcharge. Not daily surcharge. And hey, if the terms and conditions allow it to be adjusted so be it. If you feel really bad about it, you can always adjust yours up. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare sparks1093 Posted July 25, 2014 #12 Share Posted July 25, 2014 It's credit to do with whatever I want ! Not according to the terms and conditions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare KeithJenner Posted July 25, 2014 #13 Share Posted July 25, 2014 Regarding $150 credit, it's the principle! It's credit to do with whatever I want ! And believe me, we've spent way over the 150, and we go over the $12 per day service charge and tip on top of that! Sent from my iPhone using Forums It isn't credit to do with whatever you want. It's credit to do what the T&C's say. Those T&C's say that it can't be used for the DSC. If you have spent more than the $150 then why is it a problem? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
srlafleur Posted July 25, 2014 #14 Share Posted July 25, 2014 Regarding $150 credit, it's the principle! It's credit to do with whatever I want ! And believe me, we've spent way over the 150, and we go over the $12 per day service charge and tip on top of that! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Soooo...I don't understand the problem. You had OBC, you used it all up, you tipped generously over and above....what difference does it make how and where the OBC is applied? Maybe I'm dense, but I just don't get it. All I ever look at is the bottom line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnql Posted July 25, 2014 #15 Share Posted July 25, 2014 Regarding $150 credit, it's the principle! It's credit to do with whatever I want ! And believe me, we've spent way over the 150, and we go over the $12 per day service charge and tip on top of that! Sent from my iPhone using Forums NCL didn't give you cash. Think of it like a store coupon, which can only be used for certain purchases and carries restrictions. In this case, the store coupon can be used towards the purchase of pretty much everything but the DSC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rochelle_s Posted July 25, 2014 #16 Share Posted July 25, 2014 Regarding $150 credit, it's the principle! It's credit to do with whatever I want ! And believe me, we've spent way over the 150, and we go over the $12 per day service charge and tip on top of that! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Sorry I am confused. You used all of your OBC towards onboard purchases. Paid your $12 per day DSC and even tipped above and beyond. What was the problem? If you spent way over the 150, how did the use of the OBC become an issue? They would have deducted that amount from your other expenses first so there would have been no issue about it being used. Sorry trying to understand exactly what the issue you had was. Rochelle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnql Posted July 25, 2014 #17 Share Posted July 25, 2014 Have the DSC removed by the front desk. Then you can load up a slot machine with it and cash out. Then just tell them to put them back or tip in cash individually. If they refuse to remove them or give you a hard time, dispute it on the credit card. The terms and conditions allow you to adjust the DSC as you see fit. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Forums mobile app Worst advice ever! And shameful to boot - punishing the hard-working staff for one's own mistake (in this case, failing to recognize the limitations of the OBC, which are clearly stated). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CasinoCruzGirl Posted July 25, 2014 #18 Share Posted July 25, 2014 We are on the Breakaway. Just found out, the $150 ship board credit can not be used towards gratuities! When I called down to the front desk, they said ship board credit could not go towards gratuities ! They can not show me this in writing. I will never sail this line again! It's a shame because the Breakaway was a very nice ship! Sent from my iPad using Forums Since your familiar with this board you should have researched it because it's been stated 100 times that you cannot use OBC for DCS. Amazing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackson bernard Posted July 25, 2014 #19 Share Posted July 25, 2014 Worst advice ever! And shameful to boot - punishing the hard-working staff for one's own mistake (in this case, failing to recognize the limitations of the OBC, which are clearly stated). Its not stiffing anyone if she cashes it out in the casino and then pays it with that cash. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Va. Plumber Posted July 25, 2014 #20 Share Posted July 25, 2014 Regarding $150 credit, it's the principle! It's credit to do with whatever I want ! And believe me, we've spent way over the 150, and we go over the $12 per day service charge and tip on top of that! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Ouch! This makes my head hurt. The O.P. saved $150.00 from onboard expenses using NCL's Monopoly money but doesn't want to pay for service with real money. Without the OBC, he would have been out $300.00 vs $150.00 with the OBC. Go figure! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NMLady Posted July 25, 2014 #21 Share Posted July 25, 2014 Regarding $150 credit, it's the principle! It's credit to do with whatever I want ! And believe me, we've spent way over the 150, and we go over the $12 per day service charge and tip on top of that! Sent from my iPhone using Forums First of all, it is not credit to do with whatever you want. It is credit given to you by NCL to purchase what is sold by NCL: excursions, drinks, etc. That is how many cruise lines limit the obc given by them. Secondly, if you did spend more than $150, then you spent your obc so I don't understand your complaint. You got the use of your obc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackson bernard Posted July 25, 2014 #22 Share Posted July 25, 2014 Have you really put that much time and thought into how to scam the system? The OP was not complaining about paying the DSC they were upset because they thought they would be able to use the OBC they received from the cruise line towards this. Rochelle Rochelle Nobody is scamming anyone. Just playing by their rules. Do you work for NCL or something? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare All-ready2cruise Posted July 25, 2014 #23 Share Posted July 25, 2014 Soooo...I don't understand the problem. You had OBC, you used it all up, you tipped generously over and above....what difference does it make how and where the OBC is applied? Maybe I'm dense, but I just don't get it. All I ever look at is the bottom line. Exactly what I was thinking... oh well, call me dense too, I guess. :D It reminds of all the discussions regarding the FCC's and the $100 OBC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UPNYGuy Posted July 25, 2014 #24 Share Posted July 25, 2014 This is like using the cruise line itself to tip it's own employees. Most of the NCL regulars know that you can't use a "kickback" credit that way because it is right on the FAQ. I'm sorry you let that one thing ruin your cruise, and hope you give Norwegian another go. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vols_159 Posted July 25, 2014 #25 Share Posted July 25, 2014 Regarding $150 credit, it's the principle! It's credit to do with whatever I want ! And believe me, we've spent way over the 150, and we go over the $12 per day service charge and tip on top of that! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Than you have nothing to worry about the 150 will come off whatever you spent Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now