Best way to book ncl with harrahs?

[roveer]

I've got one of those free cruise certificates from harrahs? I'm also a diamond card member and I've also got about 200,000 points on my total rewards card. I'm wondering what the best way to book a ncl cruise would be? I'm thinking about the grand villa for my family of 6.

 

Any ideas what would give me the best discount?

[mrclean1]

I think Harrah's is affiliated with CAS, calling them direct would be your best option and give you the clearest answer.

 

Steve

[GamblingMommy]

You need to call the number on the cruise certificate. They will then be able to tell you about your cruise options. Remember you do still need to pay the taxes, port fees and daily gratuity for each person. Also keep in mind that depending on the week you are trying to book, sometimes the diamond discount is better than using the free certificate especially if you are trying to upgrade from whatever your certificate entitles you too. It barely makes sense, but it does happen.

[Feelin' Nauti']

I've got one of those free cruise certificates from harrahs? I'm also a diamond card member and I've also got about 200,000 points on my total rewards card. I'm wondering what the best way to book a ncl cruise would be? I'm thinking about the grand villa for my family of 6.

 

Any ideas what would give me the best discount?

Ooh, ooh if you have any extra, I'll gladly take them off your hand. :D

[VideoTech]

I've got one of those free cruise certificates from harrahs? I'm also a diamond card member and I've also got about 200,000 points on my total rewards card. I'm wondering what the best way to book a ncl cruise would be? I'm thinking about the grand villa for my family of 6.

 

Any ideas what would give me the best discount?

 

If you have a good relationship with one of Harrah's Casino Marketing reps, that's the way to go. Call/email him or her, and have them work through CAS on your behalf.

 

We book all our NCL cruises this way. We are also Harrah's Diamond members. When we get the offer, we call him to tell him we're going to take it, and then we do whatever is needed to actually receive it (such as visiting the casino involved). He will get the offer booked for us, and then we work through him to get whatever upgrades NCL will give us. Of course, we have to pay for the upgrade, but with the basis of comp offer, this works fine for us.

[garycarla]

few notes

 

Your Harrahs points are worth about zero as it pertains to NCL. Being a Diamond, you will get a discount, unless of course you have been offered a certificate with a free cruise.

 

Your "free" cruise will usually be an OV or Balcony. You then have to pay the difference to move up to a suite, etc. You can go to NCL.com and price out the difference easily.

[roveer]

few notes

 

Your Harrahs points are worth about zero as it pertains to NCL. Being a Diamond, you will get a discount, unless of course you have been offered a certificate with a free cruise.

 

Your "free" cruise will usually be an OV or Balcony. You then have to pay the difference to move up to a suite, etc. You can go to NCL.com and price out the difference easily.

 

Good to know. I'm wondering if they would be charging upgrades on "rack rate" or current price. I'd like to try and snag a room using my coupon and then upgrading to the currently published "discounted" fare. the Garden Villa's start to discount steeply when it gets closer to the cruise. I was hoping to pay the difference on this discount. Sometimes I feel like I'm buying or leasing a car when I try to use these promotions with the cruise line or CAS trying to refert back to the "original fare" instead of the current discount.

 

Time to start making phone calls.

[VideoTech]

few notes

 

Your Harrahs points are worth about zero as it pertains to NCL. Being a Diamond, you will get a discount, unless of course you have been offered a certificate with a free cruise.

 

Your "free" cruise will usually be an OV or Balcony. You then have to pay the difference to move up to a suite, etc. You can go to NCL.com and price out the difference easily.

 

It's true that there is no direct relationship between your TR points and CAS. The two systems are not linked in any way.

 

My point is that your Harrah's marketing rep has some advantages when he deals with CAS. He can speak to your levels of play, and the style of customer you are for Harrah's. Since Harrah's and NCL have a business relationship, that carries some weight with CAS.

 

He also probably has a good "contact" inside CAS that he deals with on a regular basis, if he books a lot of cruise business as our Harrah's rep does. This can also be better than you just calling in "cold" out of the offer, particularly if it's your first cruise with NCL.

 

Just as in any business relationship, it's all about "networking" and who you know.

 

Once you establish a play level and have several NCL cruises under your belt with consistent play, then the Harrah's rep may be less needed or helpful.