Daily Service Charge and On Board Credit

[pattycake08]

We have taken a few cruises in the past, mainly with RCCL. We will be cruising in 2 weeks on POA. Our TA gave us $450.00 in OBC. In past cruises, when we would view our account info from our stateroom TV, we would see the daily service charge plus all our other purchases. On the last day I would go to Guest Services and payoff the bill in cash. Being that we have such a large amount of OBC, I wanted to use the OBC toward our daily service charge, but thought I read that OBC can't be used for DSC. If not, how would guest services separate the DSC from all other purchases considering at the end they just add up all the monies that are due, deduct the OBC, and then balance you would pay?

[ready2cruzagain]

There is refundable and non refundable OBC, nonrefundable obc cannot be used for DSC. Your TA can tell you if it is refundable or not. NCL knows whether or not it is refundable or not and that is how they use it.

[KeithJenner]

It depends whether the OBC is refundable or non refundable. Refundable OBC can be used against the DSC, so you will have to ask your travel agent which it is.

 

I don’t know specifically how the system keeps track of it. However, it apparently does so.

[shof515]

There is two types of OBC: refundable and non refundable. Refundable OBC can be used for the DSC, Non Refundable OBC can not be used.

 

 

When you make a purchase, usually the non refundable OBC is used for.

 

 

 

On your account statement, it will say DSC and the amounts of refundable and non refundable obc you have

[zqvol]

Whether the OBC can be used for the DSC depends on where it came from. If it was actually paid for by someone, it can be used for anything you want, including the DSC. It is unlikely that your TA actually paid for that amount of OBC, so you probably can't use it for the DSC. As far as the mechanics, they simply add all your charges up, deduct the amount of the DSC, and then use the OBC to pay any balance, until the OBC is gone.

[erdoran]

But to clarify - refundable or non-refundable OBC can be used to pay "extra trips" over and above DSC if a passenger chooses to do so, right?

[shof515]

But to clarify - refundable or non-refundable OBC can be used to pay "extra trips" over and above DSC if a passenger chooses to do so, right?

yes, you have to do this at guest service to sign some form

[Love my butler]

But to clarify - refundable or non-refundable OBC can be used to pay "extra trips" over and above DSC if a passenger chooses to do so, right?

 

So much easier to just go to the casino and 'cash out' the NR OBC. Then take that cash and actually hand it to the person you wish to tip. Remember, cash is always king.

[Maniacal Cruiser]

We have taken a few cruises in the past, mainly with RCCL. We will be cruising in 2 weeks on POA. Our TA gave us $450.00 in OBC. In past cruises, when we would view our account info from our stateroom TV, we would see the daily service charge plus all our other purchases. On the last day I would go to Guest Services and payoff the bill in cash. Being that we have such a large amount of OBC, I wanted to use the OBC toward our daily service charge, but thought I read that OBC can't be used for DSC. If not, how would guest services separate the DSC from all other purchases considering at the end they just add up all the monies that are due, deduct the OBC, and then balance you would pay?

 

 

Your consideration is flawed.

[Maniacal Cruiser]

Whether the OBC can be used for the DSC depends on where it came from. If it was actually paid for by someone, it can be used for anything you want, including the DSC. It is unlikely that your TA actually paid for that amount of OBC, so you probably can't use it for the DSC. As far as the mechanics, they simply add all your charges up, deduct the amount of the DSC, and then use the OBC to pay any balance, until the OBC is gone.

 

 

ALMOST. They add up all the charges. Then they offset charges that non-refundable OBC can be use for with non-refundable OBC. If all of the non-refundable OBC is not applied, the unused amount is lost. Then they offset remaining charges with any refundable OBC and the net amount is due from or to you as the case might be.

[pattycake08]

Thanks to all for the info. I am assuming it is non-refundable OBC that I have, it came from my TA when I made the booking. I was unaware that you could go to the Casino & cash it out. So what is the process? Do you just go up to the Casino window and ask them to cash it out & they literally hand you the cash? If that's the case couldn't you just give the cash back to guest services and have them put that in your acct & then use that toward your DSC?

[Love my butler]

Thanks to all for the info. I am assuming it is non-refundable OBC that I have, it came from my TA when I made the booking. I was unaware that you could go to the Casino & cash it out. So what is the process? Do you just go up to the Casino window and ask them to cash it out & they literally hand you the cash? If that's the case couldn't you just give the cash back to guest services and have them put that in your acct & then use that toward your DSC?

 

On most ships now, you go to the cage and have them put x dollars on your card. You can then put your card into any slot machine and the credit will show. At that point you can hit the cash out button. Take your cash ticket to the machine or window and get your cash. The caveat is there is a 3 percent fee to put credit on your account. For your convenience of course. However, it is a great way to get almost all of your non-refundable onboard credit turned into cash.

 

100 dollars of onboard credit can be cashed out for 97 bucks.

[pattycake08]

I apologize something I should have mentioned before is the fact that we are sailing on the Pride of America and I just realized there is no Casino, so I would not be able to have them cash out my OBC. Any other suggestions?

[KarlChilders]

Buy cruise next certificates. Even if you don’t want to use them you can sell them

[sleepbestonships]

Interesting tip on cashing out the non-refundable OBC at the casino. I never would have thought of this (since I likely would not go into the casino). My TA claimed the $175 they are giving me is fully refundable- so hopefully it is easy to use it as I need.

 

I have been wondering- where is this secondary market for next cruise certificates? Why would anyone bother buying it from a third party if they can get one directly from the source for the same price?

[KarlChilders]

A friend or relative who hasn’t sailed before decides to join you, you buy them and then plan another cruise you weren’t previously planning, any number of reasons. Ebay, here are at least two places to buy/sell

[sleepbestonships]

Do people sell them full price on ebay? Unless they are electronic forms, I guess this would mean just losing the shipping?

[KarlChilders]

Do people sell them full price on ebay? Unless they are electronic forms, I guess this would mean just losing the shipping?

They are electronic, I bought 2 for 160 each, the seller made 35 minus fees and I saved $180. Win-win!

[sleepbestonships]

Well there is my misunderstanding. I thought if you paid $250, that is what they are worth. Sheesh- I'm surprised they are transferable. What keeps people from buying a ton of them to make a profit? I suppose there is a limit, and NCL is getting a customer, regardless.

[Love my butler]

Well there is my misunderstanding. I thought if you paid $250, that is what they are worth. Sheesh- I'm surprised they are transferable. What keeps people from buying a ton of them to make a profit? I suppose there is a limit, and NCL is getting a customer, regardless.

 

You can't buy a ton of them. Limited number per cruise. NCL is more than happy to sell them. Cost NCL 100 bucks but they get a passenger who is spending thousands.