Question for OBC experts.

[davy jones]

We have a drink package and a specialty dining package for our upcoming cruise. We also had a fair amount of OBC through promotions and TA. Due to a cruise delay, we now are getting more OBC. I can't see us coming even close to spending it all during the cruise, unless we fritter it away on overpriced spa packages or pictures. (Yes this is indeed a first world problem!)

 

Two questions.

1. Can you use OBC to purchase next cruise certificates? If so, we will do this.

2. Is unused OBC refunded?

[rjm11]

1. Yes you can use OBC for cruise next certificates.

2. it depends on the source- some is listed as non-refundable, some is refundable. Technically, they are supposed to use the "non-refundable" first.

 

if you have any need to tip anyone extra (a room steward, or butler/concierge if you're in a suite) you can also put tips onto your account. Just go to guest services and have them charge it (using OBC)- they will give you a "receipt" showing the amount that you can give to the person personally, but also it goes automatically into their account as a tip.

[Pitzel]

1. Yes. This is one of our favorite ways to spend “excess” OBC.

 

2. There are 2 types of OBC — refundable (often from your TA) and non-refundable (often from NCL). They should be able to tell you how much of each type you have. Note that refundable OBC may come back to you in the form of a check several weeks after your cruise. You may be able to ask for it in cash while on board, though I have never tried to do that.

 

You can also use OBC for additional tips/gratuities. For example, if you wanted to tip your waiter at Cagney’s, you can use your OBC for that. You could also direct some OBC to provide some additional tips for your steward or any other crew member by telling guest services the person’s name and the amount. If you have refundable OBC, that can be used for DSC’s also (non-refundable credit cannot be used for DSC’s, but refundable credit can).

[yummysbakery]

We have a drink package and a specialty dining package for our upcoming cruise. We also had a fair amount of OBC through promotions and TA. Due to a cruise delay, we now are getting more OBC. I can't see us coming even close to spending it all during the cruise, unless we fritter it away on overpriced spa packages or pictures. (Yes this is indeed a first world problem!)

 

Two questions.

1. Can you use OBC to purchase next cruise certificates? If so, we will do this.

2. Is unused OBC refunded?

Yes you can purchase cruise next certificates with any obc. Usually but not always obc from your ta will be refundable while obc from Ncl is usually non refundable.

 

Sent from my 2PQ93 using Tapatalk

[rjm11]

Ha! we were typing almost the same response at the same time!

[Pitzel]

Ha! we were typing almost the same response at the same time!

 

 

 

Yep!

[casofilia]

Note that refundable OBC may come back to you in the form of a check several weeks after your cruise. You may be able to ask for it in cash while on board, though I have never tried to do that.

 

 

It is normal for non-refundable to be used up first so that would be all you HAVE to spend.

We have received refundable back as cash. They would normally only do it to $50. However if you have given in cash at the start of the cruise instead of using a credit card they will usually return the excess in cash. Also if there has been a cancellation of an NCL shorex and a refund and/or a Platinum/Plus shorex refund then you could attempt to get that back in cash too.

[vince_g]

1. Yes you can use OBC for cruise next certificates.

2. it depends on the source- some is listed as non-refundable, some is refundable. Technically, they are supposed to use the "non-refundable" first.

 

if you have any need to tip anyone extra (a room steward, or butler/concierge if you're in a suite) you can also put tips onto your account. Just go to guest services and have them charge it (using OBC)- they will give you a "receipt" showing the amount that you can give to the person personally, but also it goes automatically into their account as a tip.

 

Regarding going to guest services to have them create what some call "gratuity vouchers", I tried doing this on my Dec. 12, 2017 cruise on Gem. Was told they do not do this. Maybe this is something they used to do.

 

I was told if I wanted to tip waiter/waitress, I could add a tip to the check.

[vince_g]

Another thing you can do is to charge casino money to your folio. There is a 3% charge for this, but you can cash the money out at a slot machine, and then go to the ticket redemption machine. I did this in December on the Gem. They did charge the non-refundable OBC.

[Kamloops50]

We have a drink package and a specialty dining package for our upcoming cruise. We also had a fair amount of OBC through promotions and TA. Due to a cruise delay, we now are getting more OBC. I can't see us coming even close to spending it all during the cruise, unless we fritter it away on overpriced spa packages or pictures. (Yes this is indeed a first world problem!)

 

Two questions.

1. Can you use OBC to purchase next cruise certificates? If so, we will do this.

2. Is unused OBC refunded?

 

Keep in mind that there are two types of OBc.

1 - Non refundable - if you don't use you loose it.

2 - Refundable Gets refunded back to your credit or a check is mailed.

 

Most cruise line OBC is non refundable. The TA OBC you'll have to ask your travel agent. It might also be non refundable.

[rjm11]

Does anyone know about the OBC you get as a reward through the NCL mastercard? is that refundable?

[Bella O]

I will have a ton of non-refundable obc on our next cruise. I have not pre-paid the service charges. Can I pay that with obc, or is it limited to extra gratuity and the butler/concierge?

[casofilia]

I will have a ton of non-refundable obc on our next cruise. I have not pre-paid the service charges. Can I pay that with obc,

 

Non-refundable cannot be used to pay the Daily Service Charge. But you could get it out from the casino paying a 3% charge and put the cash on your folio!!!

[Bella O]

I will have a ton of non-refundable obc on our next cruise. I have not pre-paid the service charges. Can I pay that with obc,

 

Non-refundable cannot be used to pay the Daily Service Charge. But you could get it out from the casino paying a 3% charge and put the cash on your folio!!!

 

Ah, tricky, I like this!

[davy jones]

Thanks to all. I prepaid DSC, so I can't do that. I will probably just invest unspent $ in next cruise certificates and extra gratuities.

[cruiseelady]

You can use it towards cruise next certificate. I had non refundable OBC, went to the casino and asked to change it for cash. They take 3%, the rest got in cash. The only reason I knew that it can be done is thanks to cruise critic boards.

 

I first went to the guest services, they just said no exchanges for cash, they don't even tell you that you can do that at the casino.

[Price31]

You can use it towards cruise next certificate. I had non refundable OBC, went to the casino and asked to change it for cash. They take 3%, the rest got in cash. The only reason I knew that it can be done is thanks to cruise critic boards.

 

I first went to the guest services, they just said no exchanges for cash, they don't even tell you that you can do that at the casino.

 

Really? I can go to casino and use OBC to play?

[casofilia]

Really? I can go to casino and use OBC to play?

 

Just put your room card in the machine, dial in the credit you want on the machine and play.

[cruiseelady]

Really? I can go to casino and use OBC to play?

 

I didn't use it to play, I went to the help desk in the casino and asked for cash. Took my cash and left.

[Marygracie C.]

Regarding going to guest services to have them create what some call "gratuity vouchers", I tried doing this on my Dec. 12, 2017 cruise on Gem. Was told they do not do this. Maybe this is something they used to do.

 

I was told if I wanted to tip waiter/waitress, I could add a tip to the check.

We used O.B.C. to tip concierge on the Dawn October,2017 with no problem.