OBC/SBC Restrictions?

[lumofny]

We'll be taking an upcoming 7 day cruise to Bermuda and have received $25 from NCL and $150 from our travel agent. The last time we sailed we used our agent-provided OBC toward the daily gratuity but this is the first time we'll have NCL-provided credit. Can it be applied against daily tips also? Tips will be $181.30 and if we can use this $175 against it that'd be great.

[rvsullivan]

NCL OBC can never be used for the DSC. Sometimes the TA provided can be used, depends on how they get the OBC.

[LBCABob]

My not-so-recent experience on another cruise line with the same "cannot be applied to DSC" in the fine print of the promo granting the cruise-line-provided OBC, was that they had not programmed their computer to enforce this rule and it applied the OBC against the DSC after all. Sounds like you, rvsullivan, have first hand experience with NCL and know their computers are indeed processing the OBC per their rules.

 

Specifically, the NCL agent is encouraging me to book ASAP (which is his job) and said (not in writing) if the fare goes down after Final Payment Date, NCL will give me the difference in OBC or cabin upgrade (IIRC, is/was fairly standard practice on some cruise lines). However, if such OBC is restricted then you are left with using it for (a) onboard store/photo purchases; (b) shore excursions, or © casino (assuming you already are getting the current almost-free beverage package promo).

 

Is my thinking on this matter correct or have I forgotten something?

[peg013]

My not-so-recent experience on another cruise line with the same "cannot be applied to DSC" in the fine print of the promo granting the cruise-line-provided OBC, was that they had not programmed their computer to enforce this rule and it applied the OBC against the DSC after all. Sounds like you, rvsullivan, have first hand experience with NCL and know their computers are indeed processing the OBC per their rules.

 

Specifically, the NCL agent is encouraging me to book ASAP (which is his job) and said (not in writing) if the fare goes down after Final Payment Date, NCL will give me the difference in OBC or cabin upgrade (IIRC, is/was fairly standard practice on some cruise lines). However, if such OBC is restricted then you are left with using it for (a) onboard store/photo purchases; (b) shore excursions, or © casino (assuming you already are getting the current almost-free beverage package promo).

 

Is my thinking on this matter correct or have I forgotten something?

Norwegian's computers definitely know the difference. Non-refundable OBC will be used first for everything except DSC. Only Refundable OBC can be used for the DSC. Once your Non-refundable OBC is used up, the refundable OBC will be used for everything.

[LBCABob]

Thanks for the info! Always best to know the rules before you start playing the game.