How can I spend my OBC?

[Cruisin'cockney]

OK, so I managed to bag myself some free OBC and I am thinking of topping this up by buying some more to add to my account. OBC available at $1.48/£1 compared to less than $1.30 at Bureaux De Change!

 

Question: On what can I spend my OBC? Are there restrictions? I am assuming casino is a no no as will be using it to cover the service charge. Am I right? I haven't been able to locate via the NCL website.

 

Thanks

[sparks1093]

You can withdraw the OBC that you put on yourself out at the casino for 3%. If the promotional OBC came from NCL it cannot be used for the service charges. Other than that all onboard purchases are covered by the OBC so spa, photos, gift shop, duty free, etc. Be careful because NCL limits how much OBC you may buy in a currency conversion as our Canadian friends found out not too long ago.

Edited August 4, 2016 by sparks1093

[casofilia]

Be careful because NCL limits how much OBC you may buy in a currency conversion as our Canadian friends found out not too long ago.

 

The limit is USD1000.

You can use OBC for anything on board including Shorex. Non-refundable is used first against charges on your account but cannot be used against the daily service charge.

[sparks1093]

The limit is USD1000.

 

Thanks, that's what I wanted to say but wasn't sure.

[schildiams]

So, it is possible to ask for $500 at the Casino, pay a 3% charge ($15), get charged the $515 on your on board account, and pay for it with your OBC? And then pay your daily service charge in cash? Please let me know if anyone has successfully done this.

Thanks!

[casofilia]

So, it is possible to ask for $500 at the Casino, pay a 3% charge ($15), get charged the $515 on your on board account, and pay for it with your OBC? And then pay your daily service charge in cash? Please let me know if anyone has successfully done this.

Thanks!

 

Yes but why would you. That is only worthwhile if the $500 was non-refundable OBC from your TA or NCL.

[hamrag]

Yes but why would you. That is only worthwhile if the $500 was non-refundable OBC from your TA or NCL.

 

For a UK resident, a $ cheque would be issued creating 2 difficulties - a transaction charge to cash a $ cheque in a UK bank; many report that it takes for ever to receive a refund from NCL.

 

I am delighted to hear Sparks write that cash can be gotten from casino, in my experience he is correct 99% of the time...the other 1% is simply because it might be a matter he has not personally experienced.

[casofilia]

Take it out in smaller lots over several days, there are far fewer questions asked; especially if you hang round the slots for a short period afterwards.

[triptolemus]

Take it out in smaller lots over several days, there are far fewer questions asked; especially if you hang round the slots for a short period afterwards.

 

:confused:

 

There are never any questions asked at all.

 

Simply go to the casher and ask for a cash withdrawal against your account. Very simple. NCL is happy to take their 3% for doing essentially nothing. Literally no questions asked, ever.

[casofilia]

:confused:

 

There are never any questions asked at all.

 

Simply go to the casher and ask for a cash withdrawal against your account. Very simple. NCL is happy to take their 3% for doing essentially nothing. Literally no questions asked, ever.

 

I must have missed you listening over my shoulder or you couldn't hear the simple questions I was asked.

Never is a long, long time!!

[huskypup]

Can you use your on board account in the casino - we do like a flutter occasionally and on HAL its charged to our designated credit card via your on board account, can we do the same on NCL?

 

Thank you

[SteveH2508]

Can you use your on board account in the casino - we do like a flutter occasionally and on HAL its charged to our designated credit card via your on board account, can we do the same on NCL?

 

Thank you

 

Yes - it appears as a casino charge on your folio. Ask for cash for the slots otherwise you might get chips. They charge 3% and there is a limit of (I think) $2000 per day.

Edited August 5, 2016 by SteveH2508
clarity

[Cruisin'cockney]

You can withdraw the OBC that you put on yourself out at the casino for 3%. If the promotional OBC came from NCL it cannot be used for the service charges. Other than that all onboard purchases are covered by the OBC so spa, photos, gift shop, duty free, etc. Be careful because NCL limits how much OBC you may buy in a currency conversion as our Canadian friends found out not too long ago.

 

So, I can buy $1,000 OBC per person at $1.48/£ and then withdraw it in cash on-board and pay only 3% for the privilege? This has got to be better than changing £ into $ in the UK at sub 1.30 or am I missing something?

[casofilia]

So' date=' I can buy $1,000 OBC per person at $1.48/£ and then withdraw it in cash on-board and pay only 3% for the privilege? This has got to be better than changing £ into $ in the UK at sub 1.30 or am I missing something?[/quote']

 

If you booked the cruise a while ago then the rate of exchange was locked in at the rate you paid at the time. Many Canadians were getting OBC paying at 1.07 and had that locked in when the bank rate was either 1.35 or even 1.45. I am even getting now at 1.19 when it is over 1.30.

 

However the maximum of $1000 is per stateroom not person.

[Cruisin'cockney]

Thanks, just filled my boots with $500 OBC at $1.48 :). May go back in again and max out with another $500 before sailing. That will be worth around an extra $200 compared to today's rate of exchange.

[xcell]

The limit was set to $1000 USD because many were abusing the system...too bad because for some (and I am sure some can argue) - $1000 for a family of 4 is quite low.

 

With that said, I have done this on my last 3 cruises...bought a $1000 USD and cash it at the casino, whether at the tables directly or at the place you trade in your chips. I have done small amounts and very large amounts ($500+) with no issues.

 

Buy the extra $500...

[go fish 44]

If you booked the cruise a while ago then the rate of exchange was locked in at the rate you paid at the time. Many Canadians were getting OBC paying at 1.07 and had that locked in when the bank rate was either 1.35 or even 1.45. I am even getting now at 1.19 when it is over 1.30.

 

However the maximum of $1000 is per stateroom not person.

 

New to NCL

We booked our cruise 6 months ago in Canadian dollars.

Can we add OBC's to our booking now at the same rate as our dollar was when we booked our cruise?

If we can do this who do we call?

Thanks Sue

[hamrag]

Thanks' date=' just filled my boots with $500 OBC at $1.48 :). May go back in again and max out with another $500 before sailing. That will be worth around an extra $200 compared to today's rate of exchange.[/quote']

 

If your cashflow enables you, in addition to taking the max 1000 USD, you can prepay any trips, spa bookings, gratuities etc. which should all be locked in at the same 1.48 rate

[Cruisin'cockney]

New to NCL

We booked our cruise 6 months ago in Canadian dollars.

Can we add OBC's to our booking now at the same rate as our dollar was when we booked our cruise?

If we can do this who do we call?

Thanks Sue

 

I believe so, Sue. I have just done it! Easiest to do online via the Explore and Plan tab of My NCL, where you do the online check in etc. Add what you need to your cart and check out. Very easy.

 

Neil

[tmilak]

I have $900 OBC from my TA. Can I use this for gratuities, spa, wine, shorex?

Anything it can't be used for? Please no silly responses:):)

[sparks1093]

I have $900 OBC from my TA. Can I use this for gratuities, spa, wine, shorex?

Anything it can't be used for? Please no silly responses:):)

 

It can be used for any onboard purchase.:)

[casofilia]

I have $900 OBC from my TA. Can I use this for gratuities, spa, wine, shorex?

Anything it can't be used for? Please no silly responses:):)

 

Ask your TA if it is refundable or non-refundable. If non-refundable, the most likely case, then anything EXCEPT gratuities.

[ready2cruzagain]

I am hoping someone can answer this for me. We have 2 obc's from our TA. One is $100 and states cannot be used in casino or for gratuities. The other one is for $75 and does not state this and is refundable.

 

So, from what I understand, I can use the refundable $75 obc for our DSC...right?

 

Now here is the bigger question, after reading the statements above, it looks like I can go to the casino and ask the cashier for $100 to use in the slots and they will charge 3% or $3. Can I do this with the nonrefundable obc even though it states cannot be used in the casino?