My letter to NCL

[casofilia]

For nothing!! :eek:

 

Yesterday evening I sent an email to my PCC with NCL (from NZ the toll free number doesn't work and I am not paying International toll rates to be on hold!!) so he would have it as soon as he got to work. :cool:

 

In it I expressed my disgust at the way NCL had handled the whole matter and demanded the immediate refund of the extra OBC if their rule change applied to me. :rolleyes:

 

As usual he has failed to respond, I think I will find a decent TA and work through them in the future, BUT!!!!!

 

I received an Amenity Invoice from NCL probably soon after he arrived at work.

 

The exact words on the document that came with it were:-

 

Dear Guests: There is a cap of $1000 onboard credit per reservation that can be purchased the rest of the purchased onboard credit will be refunded to your credit card. This information can be found in our website http://www.ncl.com. Regards. Norwegian. :mad:

 

If that is good customer service I'll eat my hat.

 

It will be interesting to see how long I have to wait for the return of my money.

 

Mike

[Talus731]

It is also $1000 for people in the United States. I live in Washington State and tried to buy $2000 for our upcoming cruise and was limited to $1000 also. I ended up buying a gift card for the rest.

[sjbdtz]

What if you were to get a line of credit, could they do that at the good exchange rate, so you wouldn't have to carry that much cash?

 

I would make it very simple, if it were my company. You can buy as much OBC as you would like. (1) any unused OBC will be credited back to your credit card at the exchange rate you originally got and (2) you could draw out funds at the casino at the exchange rate you originally received or you could get promotional chips or slot play. Seems like a win win for everyone, as no one is losing.

 

 

No US credit rating. And they don't rate in Canada. Would have to get a US-based bank account (not just a USD account in Canada), and then write them a cheque from that account.

 

I still have to get the money from Canada to the US account.

 

 

 

.

[NLH Arizona]

No US credit rating. And they don't rate in Canada. Would have to get a US-based bank account (not just a USD account in Canada), and then write them a cheque from that account.

 

I still have to get the money from Canada to the US account.

 

 

 

.

Sorry! I think my solution would be the most balance for everyone, since one could purchase as much as they want, but would not be able to make anything off of it. Maybe NCL will realize how this is hurting some of their customers and find a way to stop folks from making money, just making them even if they don't use the OBC. I really can't blame NCL, because in good faith, they gave a deal in anticipation that these folks would spend the money onboard the ship and then they probably found out that wasn't happening and changed the policy. No good deed goes unpunished!

 

I don't pay the 3% (just out of principal, since I do use the money in the casino) and have to carry cash on me, not as much as you said, but quite a bit for my gambling. I wish they would give you either promotion chips or slot play if you draw from the casino.

[rvsullivan]

For quite some time some Canadians have posted on here "how to" instructions on buying OBC and converting it on board the ship for profit. Some were a bit smug about it and there was even talk by some/few about buying $10,000-15,000 of OBC and cashing out for a profit. Others cautioned that NCL read these boards and would shut it down. No one cared. It went on for quite some time. Apparently the "well has run dry". Now the yelling and complaining has started. It doesn't matter if these currently on this board were part of that or not, your countryman are the cause of this. For those that talk like this is some breach of contract, where is the contract? There is no financial loss here at all. If you purchased $5,000 in OBC and NCL lets you keep $1,000 OBC and refunds the remaining $4,000 you have no financial loss? It is not NCL's problem that the Canadian dollar is taking a pounding right now. I never heard any large amounts of "noise" when the Canadian dollar was strong against the U.S. dollar.

[EyeSeaEwe]

I always laugh very hard when I read a post like this one. Someone gets all righteous and self indignant then writes an 'open letter' to a company, Then to show everyone how how wonderful they are they post it in a public forum like this just and puff up their chest to show everyone that they took a stand and 'did the right thing' all in attempt to make themselves feel better about the whole silliness. Bravo for you... As if! :rolleyes:

[janpo]

I always laugh very hard when I read a post like this one. Someone gets all righteous and self indignant then writes an 'open letter' to a company, Then to show everyone how how wonderful they are they post it in a public forum like this just and puff up their chest to show everyone that they took a stand and 'did the right thing' all in attempt to make themselves feel better about the whole silliness. Bravo for you... As if! :rolleyes:

 

 

And others attempt to be a schoolyard bully, but end up tripping on their own shoelaces.

[Freckles_51]

..........

 

I don't think they should deny Canadian citizens from cashing out OBC at the casino, just that they should get the same exchange rate that they paid for the OBC. Making it an even trade.........

 

 

I do not understand your suggestion, maybe I'm missing something? :o :o

 

When a person who has booked the cruise in Canadian funds pre-purchases OBC, they pay in CAD at whatever rate NCL offered at the time.

 

eg they might pay $119.00 CAD to buy $100 OBC, it goes on their onboard account as $100 USD.

 

If they go to the casino to cash out, it is paid out in USD.

 

Are you suggesting that the casino checks how many $$$ CAD they paid and convert it to USD at the going rate of the day that they cash out?

 

Seems like an accounting nightmare :eek:

 

What am I missing? :o

 

As for the leftover OBC refund after the cruise, maybe that is the time they can convert USD OBC back to Canadian funds paid? I understand right now they are refunding in USD.

[SuiteCruiser]

I always laugh very hard when I read a post like this one. Someone gets all righteous and self indignant then writes an 'open letter' to a company, Then to show everyone how how wonderful they are they post it in a public forum like this just and puff up their chest to show everyone that they took a stand and 'did the right thing' all in attempt to make themselves feel better about the whole silliness. Bravo for you... As if! :rolleyes:

 

Are you having another bad day?

 

I think the biggest issue here is that NCL is refunding the money right before the cruise which is a two fold issue:

 

1) it's not available for the cruiser because it's tied up in 3 week refund land.

 

2) they wait to the possible last second to refund, so they hold off and have access to those funds

 

How about refund them all as soon as you decide it's an issue?

 

Seems rather naughty to do it the way they are doing it.

[sjbdtz]

Sorry!

 

I don't pay the 3% (just out of principal, since I do use the money in the casino) and have to carry cash on me, not as much as you said, but quite a bit for my gambling. I wish they would give you either promotion chips or slot play if you draw from the casino.

 

 

I agree...or at least let me purchase it in USD in advance. Last time I did that, was about 6 years ago....then the next time I tried, they told me that I could only buy $175 USD in advance.

 

So I resorted to traveler's cheques.

[Maddysdaddy]

There is no financial loss here at all. If you purchased $5,000 in OBC and NCL lets you keep $1,000 OBC and refunds the remaining $4,000 you have no financial loss?.

 

 

Think this one through. I purchased obc at $1.11 when I could have purchased US cash at $1.15. Now to replace excess obc because they didn't grandfather my purchase, I'll have to buy US cash at $1.45. How is that not a loss?

 

At the end of the day, it means that we won't be making any purchases in the shops and I won't be going into the casino (which I would have done had I hedged at $1.15). Seems like a lose/lose for both me and NCL, since I won't be dropping a few grand in the casino.

[casofilia]

Think this one through. I purchased obc at $1.11 when I could have purchased US cash at $1.15. Now to replace excess obc because they didn't grandfather my purchase, I'll have to buy US cash at $1.45. How is that not a loss?

 

At the end of the day, it means that we won't be making any purchases in the shops and I won't be going into the casino (which I would have done had I hedged at $1.15). Seems like a lose/lose for both me and NCL, since I won't be dropping a few grand in the casino.

 

Ours is even worse as I bought it at $1.07.

 

As I said elsewhere for $1000:-

4 Future Cruise Certificates

1 beer or cider per night for myself and wife on a 34 day cruise.

 

ALL GONE and I'm not spending any more.

 

The profit they would have made on the refund spent on the boat would far outweigh their exchange loss.

 

Mike

[cjcruises]

Ours is even worse as I bought it at $1.07.

 

As I said elsewhere for $1000:-

4 Future Cruise Certificates

1 beer or cider per night for myself and wife on a 34 day cruise.

 

ALL GONE and I'm not spending any more.

 

The profit they would have made on the refund spent on the boat would far outweigh their exchange loss.

 

Mike

 

That's pretty much where we are. 22 days onboard with a party of five. We won't spend a cent onboard over the $1000. We had plans to buy FCC and some spa treatments, etc. Not going to be happening now. $9.09pppd won't go far. I also appreciate what maddsdaddy said regarding the fact that there is a significant loss for us. We also booked at 1.11, and could have purchased USD from the back at a fairly similar rate months ago. We won't be able to buy USD anywhere near that price now. Again, people budget for expenses such as these. So it is a double whammy. We haven't been credited back our money and we have to purchase USD at a terrible rate.

I have yet to see anyone on here who objects to NCL's pooch change. The complaint is in the way it has been handled. I feel confident that I could call today and purchase even more OBC, lol. It would eventually get refunded, but the fact that they aren't doing anything to stop the purchases is questionable.

[katiecat]

Since many here are Canadians talking about exchange rates I thought this might be the place to ask a question about my future cruise booking for 2017.

 

I just booked a 14 day cruise in canadian funds at 33% just about 10 days ago.

If the rate lowers could my rate change and how? I'm booked directly with a NCL rep so is there a place I can find the rates on my own? Would I only get the changed rate when I make each payment?

 

Thanks for any help on this question!

[bar_20]

We called on several occasion regarding the purchase of OBC. First we purchased and asked if there was a limit. We were told no limit. Then I began seeing on here that people were sometimes having OBC refunded for amounts exceeding $1000. So, knowing we wanted to purchase more OBC, due to the length of our cruise and the fact that we are a party of five, we called again to purchase more, making sure to ask if there was limit since there wasn't any point in tying up our money only to have it refunded. That time we were told again, no limit. When I asked if the rep was certain, she asked a supervisor, who asked the help desk and we were told no limit up to $5000. Amounts over 5K required HQ approval.

We called about another matter, but asked about it again while on that call bc only some of our OBC was showing on myNCL. Again, we were assured there was no limit and our full amount was showing on our ammenity statement.

That call happened to be about spa packages, and there was an issue which needed follow up. We were directed to call back the next night. So we did. While on hold the next night, DH was looking at myNCL and noticed a notation next to our OBC stating there was a $1000 limit per reservation. He asked about that and was told that the policy had changed Jan 21. Since ours has been purchased prior to then, he asked for clarification as to whether or not we'd be affected. He was told someone would touch base the next day.

Yesterday, we got that promised call. The person calling from help desk said there had been a "glitch" which allowed the purchase of more than $1000 OBC.

No trying to trip people up, simply trying to get a reliable answer. When NCL says one thing and people on CC start reporting conflicting info, it's prudent to check!

As for why we wanted to give them our money, I'd rather prepay for OBC at a favourable exchange rate than wait and pay a whole lot more once onboard. Thirty cents on the dollar adds up quickly!

 

Are you really going to use $5000 in OBC? I don't think so! You are using NCL as an exchange bank. Frankly I hope they keep your money forever. I have heard of Ugly Americans. Now we have Ugly Canadians too? I see where good old American greed now extends across the border as well. :mad:

[xcell]

You can check the rate on myncl when prepay in grats, buying obc, gifts, etc. It will then tell you your exchange rate which would be 1.33. Rates will not change even if the dollar changes....it's fixed now for any future purchases before your cruise.

 

Sent from my SM-N910W8 using Tapatalk

[bar_20]

Jane Don

 

I am curious why you would punish the gambler? If I want to cruise with a $20,000 budget why should I not be able to do so by pre purchasing OBC? I can't just freely cross the border with those amount of funds.

 

Why not limit the amount of OBC that can be purchased at the reduced rate and charge higher for additional funds?

 

Not swishing to start an argument but curious coming from a gamblers point of view.

 

 

Rochelle

 

When's the last time you gambled $20,000 on a cruise ship? Probably never. Cruise ships are notorious for giving bad odds. Don't blame NCL for your country's financial dilemma.

[pokerpro5]

The people who answer the phone for NCL are clueless about everything.

 

The OP is right that you get a different answer every time you talk to a different rep.

 

This applies to nearly all questions you'll call them about -- not just ones regarding OBC.

 

With that said, I don't understand why anyone would ever purchase $5000 in OBC unless they are trying to exploit the exchange rate loophole. And if you're doing that, more power to you, and you still deserve proper service and timely refunds. But at least be honest here that's what you were doing.

Edited February 7, 2016 by pokerpro5

[cjcruises]

Are you really going to use $5000 in OBC? I don't think so! You are using NCL as an exchange bank. Frankly I hope they keep your money forever. I have heard of Ugly Americans. Now we have Ugly Canadians too? I see where good old American greed now extends across the border as well. :mad:

 

You have no idea how long my cruise is, how I intended to spend that money, nor how many people are traveling with me.

But thank you for your assumptions.

Many have listed the various ways one easily spends large amounts onboard.

So many kind, happy, helpful folks here on CC. Wishing you many happy sailings in the future. :)

Edited February 7, 2016 by cjcruises

[xcell]

The people who answer the phone for NCL are clueless about everything.

 

The OP is right that you get a different answer every time you talk to a different rep.

 

This applies to nearly all questions you'll call them about -- not just ones regarding OBC.

 

With that said, I don't understand why anyone would ever purchase $5000 in OBC unless they are trying to exploit the exchange rate loophole. And if you're doing that, more power to you, and you still deserve proper service and timely refunds. But at least be honest here that's what you were doing.

 

 

 

My friend gambles about $5K to $10K on his cruises (he gets a lot of free cruises)...

 

My question is, sure you buy $20K before the cruise but what happens when you win more... you still have to carry that across the border...

[titangas]

I think any reasonable person understands why NCL has/had to put a cap on OBC purchases.

 

With the ability to buy or prepay (or a perk) - spa, excursions, dining, DSC, drink packages etc. there really is no reasonable explanation or reason why someone would really need that much OBC.

 

The issue many it seems is that when the decision was made that did not grandfather it. Bring that they did not many people are upset as they did not get an IMMEDIATE refund, but most do not consider the logistics in doing that.

 

I am sure the NCL computer system is not set up to just push a button and all cabins on all future cruises who have over $1000 in OBC to just pop up. With 15 ships cruising every week, over the next year and a half or however long they book out = hundreds of thousands of reservations to review and analyze and that just simply cannot be done over night.

[xcell]

I think any reasonable person understands why NCL has/had to put a cap on OBC purchases.

 

With the ability to buy or prepay (or a perk) - spa, excursions, dining, DSC, drink packages etc. there really is no reasonable explanation or reason why someone would really need that much OBC. Casino...

 

The issue many it seems is that when the decision was made that did not grandfather it. Bring that they did not many people are upset as they did not get an IMMEDIATE refund, but most do not consider the logistics in doing that.

 

I am sure the NCL computer system is not set up to just push a button and all cabins on all future cruises who have over $1000 in OBC to just pop up. With 15 ships cruising every week, over the next year and a half or however long they book out = hundreds of thousands of reservations to review and analyze and that just simply cannot be done over night.

If they can email/call people a week before their cruise to tell them their OBC has now been limited to $1000 (this is before they put it up on the website)....then there is a computer program that can tell them who's over

 

 

 

I'm not defending the $1000 OBC just answering the questions... for me $1000 is a fine number, I don't care to lose more than that in the casino but I did, for this cruise buy $1500 because I felt that was a good limit for me.

[titangas]

If they can email/call people a week before their cruise to tell them their OBC has now been limited to $1000 (this is before they put it up on the website)....then there is a computer program that can tell them who's over

 

 

 

I'm not defending the $1000 OBC just answering the questions... for me $1000 is a fine number, I don't care to lose more than that in the casino but I did, for this cruise buy $1500 because I felt that was a good limit for me.

 

Yes - but most likely not for the ENTIRE fleet at one time.

I would wager it is by sailing which is why it is getting refunded closer to the sale date when they are reviewing that particular sailing.

 

I am not saying it is right (or wrong), just trying to keep it real that the instant refund when the policy was set that some think should have happened was most likely not feasible.

 

Your post in red just highlights that ignorance.

 

EDIT -- Casino is not a reasonable explanation for needing that much OBC, If you want to gamble that much then surely you have no problem carrying that much on board.

Edited February 7, 2016 by titangas

[katiecat]

You can check the rate on myncl when prepay in grats, buying obc, gifts, etc. It will then tell you your exchange rate which would be 1.33. Rates will not change even if the dollar changes....it's fixed now for any future purchases before your cruise.

 

Sent from my SM-N910W8 using Tapatalk

 

thank you even though I'm a little disappointed that I'm locked in at that rate so far off.

[xcell]

Yes - but most likely not for the ENTIRE fleet at one time.

I would wager it is by sailing which is why it is getting refunded closer to the sale date when they are reviewing that particular sailing.

 

I am not saying it is right (or wrong), just trying to keep it real that the instant refund when the policy was set that some think should have happened was most likely not feasible.

 

Your post in red just highlights that ignorance.

 

EDIT -- Casino is not a reasonable explanation for needing that much OBC, If you want to gamble that much then surely you have no problem carrying that much on board.

 

My red letters were to use to differentiate my answers to your post - nothing more, so don't read into it soooo much...