CAD Currency - On Board Credit?

[triptastic]

I too would like to buy some OBC. When I try to buy online, I get an error message. Can the only be bought through my NCL person over the phone?Thanks

[CanadaJulie]

Boorin,

 

Your account is set to PAR!

 

I am so jealous, jealous, jealous !!! :D

[Boorin]

I am so jealous, jealous, jealous !!! :D

 

Thank you =)

 

I'm jealous the amount of cruise you've been to... your list is getting long!

[nbsjcruiser]

It is very possible. You will need to do this at the casino for a 3% surcharge. I am sailing in January and plan on doing just what you were thinking.

 

I don't believe there is a surcharge for a cash account like this. At least on RCI there isn't and I've had cash accounts on NCL in the past and don't remember being charged 3%.

Edited August 11, 2015 by nbsjcruiser

[Carlaclaw]

I've heard reports that Canadian OBC can not be used in the casino and that any surplus at the end of the cruise is refunded back to your credit card at the rate paid. None of the sources were speaking first hand.

 

I have been wondering about this myself and even called once but the person I spoke to was clueless and couldn't even comprehend the question. I would love to hear from someone with first hand experience. I want to know in advance too because it would play a role in how much OBC I buy.

 

How would they know your OBC is from Canada? Wouldn't it just show as USD on the ship once it's converted? I'm sure Canadians must be allowed to use the casino.

 

Anyway I'm also curious if anyone out there has experience with this. Not sure what I would do with the USD cash as we are going to Europe. Can you exchange directly from OBC at the currency exchange to Euros? Or do you have to have actual cash to give them to do an exchange?

[dans0202]

I was intrigued by the discussion on minimizing my foreign exchange costs on my December cruise on the Escape and called the TA I booked through at Expedia. I asked him to buy $500 per room.

He called me back and said he had good news and bad news.

Bad news - he was told I could only buy the credit in the room that has 2 adults (I have 2 rooms, non connecting, side by side with my kids in the 2nd room). The reason being something related to the casino and minors.

Good news was the exchange rate was par as I booked the cruise 9 months ago. I got a copy of the amenity sheet. It says I have the beverage package for 2, prepaid service charges and a $500 credit (does not note the currency) that will be in cabin day 1 and that my Canadian credit card had been charged $500.

He told me I could add more credit to the adult room if I wanted but I don't see needing it. I have the drink package, prepaid my service charges in Canadian dollars at the old rate plus my kids room came with $250 in credits.

 

My question is this sounds too good to be true but time will tell. If I buy another $500 but do not need it, can I get the cash on board or will the money just be refunded to my credit card. I have read about people cashing out at the casino. I have never played in the casino before. Do I just go to the cage and ask for the cash? I understand there is a 3% fee but if this is all true I am looking at 1.03 vs. what I think will be 1.38 to 1.43 by December.

Any thoughts or comments.

Thanks

[vav]

LOL ... I guess we are really on a "glitch" program... true that it's not only $800 per stateroom. Just tried for 1000 each adult.... some other thread did say there's a limit... I guess we got double lucky.....

 

"VAV" when are you going in August? Since it sounded like you have the same situation as me.... can you please please please come back to this thread and let us know how it worked out for you ????? I would very much appreciated if you do and let us all know how it worked.

 

Just a quick update. Got off the Getaway on Saturday. Pulled $4,000 out of the casino as cash. Was charged the 3% fee. At the end of my cruise my cash withdrawals and casino 3% fee were all netted against my pre purchased OBC and I owed nothing. Casino confirmed for me that since the purchased OBC was refundable it could be used to apply against casino charges.

 

Note: If you take 1,000 or more at one time it has to be "preauthorized". Not sure what that means so I would take 900 at a time just to avoid that.

 

This worked like a charm for me and others in my group but warning this could change at any time so don't blame me if it doesn't work for you !! :)

[jb456]

Just a quick update. Got off the Getaway on Saturday. Pulled $4,000 out of the casino as cash. Was charged the 3% fee. At the end of my cruise my cash withdrawals and casino 3% fee were all netted against my pre purchased OBC and I owed nothing. Casino confirmed for me that since the purchased OBC was refundable it could be used to apply against casino charges.

 

Note: If you take 1,000 or more at one time it has to be "preauthorized". Not sure what that means so I would take 900 at a time just to avoid that.

 

This worked like a charm for me and others in my group but warning this could change at any time so don't blame me if it doesn't work for you !! :)

 

Thats great news VAV.

 

What did you say to the casino personnel when requesting the cash? Something like "Can I have $900 for tables" ?

 

Are there things we should not say?

[vav]

Thats great news VAV.

 

What did you say to the casino personnel when requesting the cash? Something like "Can I have $900 for tables" ?

 

Are there things we should not say?

 

It would go a little something like this:

 

Hi, I'd like to take out 900 of cash agaisnt my room account.

 

Ncl: do you want to play table games or slots.

 

Me: Slots

 

30 seconds later I had the cash and a very friendly "good luck" from the cashier

[jb456]

It would go a little something like this:

 

Hi, I'd like to take out 900 of cash agaisnt my room account.

 

Ncl: do you want to play table games or slots.

 

Me: Slots

 

30 seconds later I had the cash and a very friendly "good luck" from the cashier

 

Thank you!

[J18]

First post.

 

So let me get this straight...

 

 

I can purchase 10,000$ US worth of OBC at 1.11 rate , $ 11111.11 CDN

 

Once on the ship, Cash out 900$ US at a time (or any amount under 1k to avoid authorization).

 

My 10,000$ OBC US minus 3% becomes 9700$ US CASH

 

I come back to Canada and exchange 9700$ US CASH probably at bank rip off rate @ 1.28 or something

 

My 9700$ x 1.28 becomes 12416$ Canadian.

 

I earn 12416-11111 = 1305$ profit in this currency game.

 

 

Really????

 

 

edit; is there a limit of OBC that 2 adults can purchase?

Edited August 24, 2015 by J18

[Boorin]

Just a quick update. Got off the Getaway on Saturday. Pulled $4,000 out of the casino as cash. Was charged the 3% fee. At the end of my cruise my cash withdrawals and casino 3% fee were all netted against my pre purchased OBC and I owed nothing. Casino confirmed for me that since the purchased OBC was refundable it could be used to apply against casino charges.

 

Note: If you take 1,000 or more at one time it has to be "preauthorized". Not sure what that means so I would take 900 at a time just to avoid that.

 

This worked like a charm for me and others in my group but warning this could change at any time so don't blame me if it doesn't work for you !! :)

 

It would go a little something like this:

 

Hi, I'd like to take out 900 of cash agaisnt my room account.

 

Ncl: do you want to play table games or slots.

 

Me: Slots

 

30 seconds later I had the cash and a very friendly "good luck" from the cashier

 

OMG... I can't say how much I appreciate you coming back to tell us this... It lifted the rock off my head as I wasn't sure if this would work with Canadians. But the truth is... it does.... I think I'm going to do $5000. Thank you so so much for coming back.... how was your cruise BTW? a little off topic, but hope you had a great time !!!! we are sailing in 38 days I think ... Would you have pictures of the MDR menus as well??? :cool:

[triptastic]

Thank you for providing this information. I is very useful. Hopefully things don't change before my cruise next March, as the $ continues to tank!

[umpy10]

We have done this in the past, purchased OBC online, paid in Cdn $. When cashed some in @ the casino it was in USD $.

Purchased 10 x $100 obc today, we have a b2b coming up Sept. 21, so we'll purchase 2 FCC ($250 x 2 = $500) with our obc $1000- 500 = $500. (When you purchase a FCC for $250 you get a bonus $100obc to be used while onboard the current ship) So now after paying for the FCC with the original obc of $1000, we will now have a total of $700 obc. ($500 of the original + 2x$100 from FCC =$700)

Our DSC has been paid for already in CND $ 168.00 last Feb., any funds left over, we'll convert ( after cashing out in Casino) back to CDN when we get home. What a country eh !

 

cheers...the Ump...:D

[Newbie Cruiser 2010]

Here is the stupid question of the day. I have never played in a casino, only walked through. Trying to figure out why the casino would give you cash from your onboard account. Do you have to put cash into the slot machines? I just thought everything would go onto your ship card. Thought there would be a slot in the machine for your card. My exchange rate is $1.11.

Also for the FCC can you not purchase them in Canadian funds. I don't want to book any future cruises in U.S. funds.

We have B2B on Escape and then a third week on the Regal Princess. I could use a lot of US cash.

[Tangocherie]

Here is the stupid question of the day. I have never played in a casino, only walked through. Trying to figure out why the casino would give you cash from your onboard account. Do you have to put cash into the slot machines? I just thought everything would go onto your ship card. Thought there would be a slot in the machine for your card. My exchange rate is $1.11.

Also for the FCC can you not purchase them in Canadian funds. I don't want to book any future cruises in U.S. funds.

We have B2B on Escape and then a third week on the Regal Princess. I could use a lot of US cash.

 

You don't have to play to redeem cash at the casino cashier. You will be charged a 3% fee for this. All OBC is in $US. you will be charged $1.11CAN for your $1.00US OBC purchase. Happy cruising!:)

[Maddysdaddy]

Every time I open this thread, I expect to see a post advising that NCL has been following along and has decided to "deal" with this issue going forward.

 

I'm a relative newbie to NCL and to posting on CC, but I wonder if some people don't need to dial their postings back for fear that NCL may either stop offering to accept payment in Cdn dollars or remove the ability to purchase OBC in Cdn.

 

Taking an extreme advantage of a loophole may be smart for you, but may also lead to that same loophole subsequently being closed for everyone else. But that's just my two cents on the matter - flame suit on.

[Tangocherie]

Every time I open this thread, I expect to see a post advising that NCL has been following along and has decided to "deal" with this issue going forward.

 

I'm a relative newbie to NCL and to posting on CC, but I wonder if some people don't need to dial their postings back for fear that NCL may either stop offering to accept payment in Cdn dollars or remove the ability to purchase OBC in Cdn.

 

Taking an extreme advantage of a loophole may be smart for you, but may also lead to that same loophole subsequently being closed for everyone else. But that's just my two cents on the matter - flame suit on.

 

 

No. it's not a matter of emotion. It's just a business thing where rates will go up and down. You just have to catch the deal when it comes by!

[J18]

I'm a newbie, would appreciate some clarification..

 

Is there a danger of having Casino withrdrawls taken on your credit card at the end of your cruise, instead of against OBC?

 

My only fear is finding out that my credit card was charged for the withdrawls at the standard exchange rate, instead of OBC, and then realizing I'm just getting my OBC refunded.

 

For that reason, would it be safer to use cash deposit instead of registering credit card when setting up OBC account?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Every time I open this thread, I expect to see a post advising that NCL has been following along and has decided to "deal" with this issue going forward.

 

I'm a relative newbie to NCL and to posting on CC, but I wonder if some people don't need to dial their postings back for fear that NCL may either stop offering to accept payment in Cdn dollars or remove the ability to purchase OBC in Cdn.

 

Taking an extreme advantage of a loophole may be smart for you, but may also lead to that same loophole subsequently being closed for everyone else. But that's just my two cents on the matter - flame suit on.

 

Well, don't forget that if a small percentage take advantage of the loophole (I have to assume most CDN's are unaware), NCL still has interest in keeping the exchange program alive and assume the relatively small losses :)

[Newbie Cruiser 2010]

Every time I open this thread, I expect to see a post advising that NCL has been following along and has decided to "deal" with this issue going forward.

 

I'm a relative newbie to NCL and to posting on CC, but I wonder if some people don't need to dial their postings back for fear that NCL may either stop offering to accept payment in Cdn dollars or remove the ability to purchase OBC in Cdn.

 

Taking an extreme advantage of a loophole may be smart for you, but may also lead to that same loophole subsequently being closed for everyone else. But that's just my two cents on the matter - flame suit on.

Think about the amount of money that NCL makes when the exchange rate goes the other way.

[Tangocherie]

To: J18,

 

If your account has OBC, withdrawals from the casino will be applied to these onboard credits. If there are no OBC'S, of course your credit card will be charged. Better to pre purchase OBC's in $ CAN.

[J18]

To: J18,

 

If your account has OBC, withdrawals from the casino will be applied to these onboard credits. If there are no OBC'S, of course your credit card will be charged. Better to pre purchase OBC's in $ CAN.

 

But the question of being able to use OBC for casino doesn't come with a convincing yes.

 

I've read on other threads that id doesn't work. On this thread, that it does. Is it a question of who's processing the transaction? the ship? who is tallying up the bills at the end of the cruise?

 

I called NCL twice and when asked ''if i prepurchase OBC can I use it for casino'' - first agent said NO the 2nd agent said yes.

 

So as you can see I'm a bit hesitant.

 

I'm thinking of purchasing 4000$ u.s of OBC and cashing it out. The last thing I want is to find out that my withdrawals went on the credit card because NCL caught on to the trick.

 

I know I sound paranoid, but I need to absolutely certain that this would work. Otherwise, I will just buy 1000$ us of OBC instead of 4 or 5000$ :)

[ilovetotravel1977]

Every time I open this thread, I expect to see a post advising that NCL has been following along and has decided to "deal" with this issue going forward.

 

I'm a relative newbie to NCL and to posting on CC, but I wonder if some people don't need to dial their postings back for fear that NCL may either stop offering to accept payment in Cdn dollars or remove the ability to purchase OBC in Cdn.

 

Taking an extreme advantage of a loophole may be smart for you, but may also lead to that same loophole subsequently being closed for everyone else. But that's just my two cents on the matter - flame suit on.

 

That's just it. NCL chooses their own exchange rate to get the Canadians to stay with them instead of going elsewhere.

 

Between the better exchange rate and the 3rd/4th sail free, NCL is the best deal out there for us, IMO.

[mexico8]

Every time I open this thread, I expect to see a post advising that NCL has been following along and has decided to "deal" with this issue going forward.

 

I'm a relative newbie to NCL and to posting on CC, but I wonder if some people don't need to dial their postings back for fear that NCL may either stop offering to accept payment in Cdn dollars or remove the ability to purchase OBC in Cdn.

 

Taking an extreme advantage of a loophole may be smart for you, but may also lead to that same loophole subsequently being closed for everyone else. But that's just my two cents on the matter - flame suit on.

 

Count in my two cents also with yours. You make an excellent point.

[J18]

I doubt that ncl is that naive to not be aware of this risk and loophole. It's more likely a decision to absorb the loss and loophole for the greater profits from the vast majority of Canadian guests who don't exploit it.

 

Sent from my XT1097 using Tapatalk