New offer October 1-4

[CasinoCruzGirl]

This seems to be not such a great deal for those that have booked already and new booking people who don't follow prices will jump on it. All cruisers are not as savy as us CCers lol

[snow1]

Ours went up $420 pp for our cruise in January. Does not pay to rebook for $202 in OBC. We are happy with our price and $50 OBC.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Edited October 1, 2014 by snow1

[Ilovesailing]

[quote name='bangzoom6877']It's all a business strategy. The cash back is not off your cruise fare, it's given in OBC. that means you have to spend the money on the ship...use it or lose it. And when most people have OBC to begin with, they tend to spend more than they would have without the OBC. Most people don't see it as paying for something they would have done anyway...most people buy something extra, whether it's an extra spa treatment, extra visits to specialty restaurants, deciding to purchase an UBP or UDP that they would have otherwise not purchased(because now they can spend what they would have spent for onboard expenses on one of those packages instead, and have their OBC cover their onboard expenses), etc. So it's a win-win situation for NCL.[/quote]

People booking now may see it as a deal but when you look at pre exiting res'ys there is no bargain. NCL is just taking an amt of money from one hand and putting in the other and then some.
For those that go for spa etc are over paying big time as compared to what they would pay at home and that's there decision.

[NCruiser2012]

Can we use the OBC for gratuities? I know they say no, but doesn't NCL just add everything up in the account at the end of the cruise?

[Rhea98]

[quote name='FootballParent']This seems to be not such a great deal for those that have booked already and new booking people who don't follow prices will jump on it. All cruisers are not as savy as us CCers lol[/QUOTE]
This. The costs on our Nov Epic cruise are down (this morning when I checked). Although the IX I'd originally booked has gone up $10 pp-with the 10%, it was a slight advantage. However, the price for the spa balcony we upped to on Monday is still a great deal (we were going for passes anyway)-would have been $90. extra.
But, our April TA/Med is higher. Looks like some first-time, soon-to-sail bookings are a deal. No doubt, NCL pencil pushers know what they're doing. Edited October 1, 2014 by Rhea98

[computerworks]

[quote name='NCruiser2012']Can we use the OBC for gratuities? I know they say no, but doesn't NCL just add everything up in the account at the end of the cruise?[/QUOTE]

A non-refundable OBC cannot be applied to gratuities or casino spending in the billing system.

[Kenlorz]

Add my name to the "not worth it" club :(

We paid $1239 pp for our spa balcony = $2478
In just the last two weeks (but mostly since yesterday) it has continually climbed in price. It is now $1439 pp = $2878.

That's a $400 jump! :eek:

[hencoll]

The price increases for our two upcoming cruises are crazy, even factoring the larger OBC. (Prices could have gone up before now but this is the first time I've looked since booking the two sailings a few months ago).

January 2015Getaway - 5 passengers - H4
Current Price - $11,364 with $2,154 OBC
Booked Price - $7,892 with $500 OBC

Spring Break 2015 March Breakaway - 3 passengers - H7
Current Price - $7164 with $1351 OBC
Booked Price - $4966 with $300 OBC

Edited to add that my family of 5 would have a difficult time spending $2K+ OBC on a Caribbean itinerary considering it can't be used for tips. Edited October 1, 2014 by hencoll

[Love my butler]

NCL bean counters aren't stupid. Increase the cabin prices by 10%+ and then 'give' a 10% obc back. It's a win/win for NCL. Fortunately most consumers are not savvy consumers.

[JasonV1]

If I had the know how I would pull data from the (unnamed) cruise price tracking site and see how many NCL sailings went up in price over the last 24 hours.

It really just depends on when you booked, and people forget that. For every dollar I save due to a "sale", I bet I save another due to random (non-sale related) inventory related price drops. The POA sailing I referenced was disappointing because the cruise is higher now than it has even been, even after the cash back.

None of my current Royal bookings have seen a single drop (should I say, drop compared to my current price) since their last May (2014) WOW sale, when they all dropped. I'd love another week in the Haven on Getaway as well, but the prices now (even off season) aren't anything near what they were earlier this year.

Personally, it doesn't matter to me. I'm content with my current prices, and will watch for last minute drops that give me an opportunity to upgrade.

[quote name='cruisecritiquer']It was worse for my bookings. At least with NCL it was a wash (if I decided to change). With RCCL, it was costing another 1000.00 more than before they began the WOW promotion and that was the case on the 4 or 5 dates we checked for various sailings.[/QUOTE]

[Ilovesailing]

[B]JasonV1
If I had the know how I would pull data from the (unnamed) cruise price tracking site and see how many NCL sailings went up in price over the last 24 hours.

It really just depends on when you booked, and people forget that. For every dollar I save due to a "sale", I bet I save another due to random (non-sale related) inventory related price drops. The POA sailing I referenced was disappointing because the cruise is higher now than it has even been, even after the cash back.[/B]

Just for the record I have been follwoung my cruise price since I booked it in Feb. I have watched it numerous times go yp to reflect the promo at that particular time and then once promo is over it settles right back to $20 under or over booking price.

As for POA I have posted numerous times to CC'ers to book this cruise at least a year out and just watch the prices climb. We have done this cruise 6 times since there has been only 1 ship verses 3 before. I have watched our cruises climb as much as $800 pp and as low as $550 pp for an aft cabin.
Because there is only one ship only doing this itin. they can grab what the market will pay plus they have to cover the fact that there is no gambling no duty free not even bingo.
Yes folks maybe able to score a deal on the cruise for an inside cabin but that's about it.

Folks that do other cruise lines to Hawaii end up paying more in the end because they end up having to do ship excursion because there are very very few companies that will do excursions because these ships are in port for such a short time and they don't want to risk their reputation.
I still believe that POA is the best and biggest bang for the buck.

[cruis247g]

Just checked the price on the NCL cruises we have booked. In every case our overall price would increase significantly if we rebooked with this promotion. We'll just keep what we have.

[bangzoom6877]

[quote name='dexddd']Plus, depending on what you spend the OBC on, it can cost them pennies on the "dollar" value - e.g. soda.[/QUOTE]

I didn't even consider that...very true! They make so much money on soda, as do restaurants on land.

[quote name='Ilovesailing']People booking now may see it as a deal but when you look at pre exiting res'ys there is no bargain. NCL is just taking an amt of money from one hand and putting in the other and then some.
For those that go for spa etc are over paying big time as compared to what they would pay at home and that's there decision.[/QUOTE]

Yep, that's exactly what NCL is doing. They're still making the same money, or more than they would have a few weeks ago in many cases.

As for the spa, I think it really depends on which spa someone would go to at home. DH and I go for the spa pass for the length of the cruise and it's much cheaper than going to a hydrotherapy spa in NY for a couple, which would cost us a few hundred for an hour or two, only on one day. So we treat ourselves on a cruise to the thermal suite.

[SissasMomE]

[quote name='cruis247g']Just checked the price on the NCL cruises we have booked. In every case our overall price would increase significantly if we rebooked with this promotion. We'll just keep what we have.[/QUOTE]

Well, I must be the lucky duck of the day then! I booked this cruise awhile ago, and still saved money with the promotion. I wonder why no one else did :confused::confused:

[jmele999]

[quote name='SissasMomE']Well, I must be the lucky duck of the day then! I booked this cruise awhile ago, and still saved money with the promotion. I wonder why no one else did :confused::confused:[/quote]

I think that one reason why your cruise has not significantly increased is because you are travelling in December right before the holidays. December is the cheapest time to cruise as long as you do it before the Holidays.

[SissasMomE]

[quote name='jmele999']I think that one reason why your cruise has not significantly increased is because you are travelling in December right before the holidays. December is the cheapest time to cruise as long as you do it before the Holidays.[/QUOTE]

Yes, that is true. That is probably why then.

[xcell]

Dam I didnt read the fine print - I thought at least I can do it for the grats...

Terms and Conditions: Offer is for New Individual FIT Reservations. Qualifying New Individual FIT reservations can be moved into an existing traditional or FS Group and count towards Tour Conductor Credits. Offer is NOT combinable with existing group block rates. Offer is NOT combinable with RQ bookings. Offer is NOT combinable with RQ reservations converted to OF or BK status. Promotion cannot be held as group block. Onboard credit offer is per person, in U.S. Dollars and will be applied to All guests on the reservation. Reservations not booked in USD will receive the onboard credit in USD at the prevailing exchange rate at the time of booking. Onboard credit has no monetary value and is non-transferable. [U][COLOR="Red"]It may not be used toward onboard service charges or pre-purchased activities.[/COLOR][/U] Singles paying 200% are entitled to full onboard credit value. Standard air add-ons are available. Available on GDS booking source. Combinable with promo codes: AARP, HAWAII, MILITARY, RESNE, RESSE, RESNW, RESSW, RESMW. Guests who cancel and rebook must accept this promotion's Terms and Conditions.
Cancellation Fees for cruise, air, land and other charges will follow Norwegian Cruise Line schedule listed in the brochure, website and it includes different schedules for Suites and the Haven. Cancellation Fees also apply based on the Booking/Sailing date; therefore, Norwegian Cruise Line strongly recommends the purchase of Travel Protection on all bookings. Government Taxes, Port Expenses & Fees, and discretionary onboard service charges are additional. Not applicable to Chartered Dates or Group Types: INCREG and INCLARGE. Applies to NCLMIAMI, NCLINTL, and AUSTRALIA. Does not apply to CE and UK offices.


But says nothing about the casino - so can I just take the cash out at the casino or am I charged a service charge fee????

[Baseball fan]

I did work for me. I rebooked and am paying $60 more with over $200 OBC. Took a while for the TA to help me since I preferred not to repay my deposit and wait for a credit.

I don't sail until next fall...


Sent from my iPad using Forums

[Love my butler]

[quote name='xcell']Dam I didnt read the fine print - I thought at least I can do it for the grats...

Terms and Conditions: Offer is for New Individual FIT Reservations. Qualifying New Individual FIT reservations can be moved into an existing traditional or FS Group and count towards Tour Conductor Credits. Offer is NOT combinable with existing group block rates. Offer is NOT combinable with RQ bookings. Offer is NOT combinable with RQ reservations converted to OF or BK status. Promotion cannot be held as group block. Onboard credit offer is per person, in U.S. Dollars and will be applied to All guests on the reservation. Reservations not booked in USD will receive the onboard credit in USD at the prevailing exchange rate at the time of booking. Onboard credit has no monetary value and is non-transferable. [U][COLOR=Red]It may not be used toward onboard service charges or pre-purchased activities.[/COLOR][/U] Singles paying 200% are entitled to full onboard credit value. Standard air add-ons are available. Available on GDS booking source. Combinable with promo codes: AARP, HAWAII, MILITARY, RESNE, RESSE, RESNW, RESSW, RESMW. Guests who cancel and rebook must accept this promotion's Terms and Conditions.
Cancellation Fees for cruise, air, land and other charges will follow Norwegian Cruise Line schedule listed in the brochure, website and it includes different schedules for Suites and the Haven. Cancellation Fees also apply based on the Booking/Sailing date; therefore, Norwegian Cruise Line strongly recommends the purchase of Travel Protection on all bookings. Government Taxes, Port Expenses & Fees, and discretionary onboard service charges are additional. Not applicable to Chartered Dates or Group Types: INCREG and INCLARGE. Applies to NCLMIAMI, NCLINTL, and AUSTRALIA. Does not apply to CE and UK offices.


But says nothing about the casino - so can I just take the cash out at the casino or am I charged a service charge fee????[/quote]

3% fee

[dexddd]

[quote name='SissasMomE']Yes, that is true. That is probably why then.[/QUOTE]

We are sailing on the same date but on the oldest ship in the fleet and ours has gone up in most categories 20% since May. On 9/24 went up about 4%. You are on the newest ship in the fleet. It may have more to do with the intro prices were too high and they are just adjusting but that trip is still way far away.

[SissasMomE]

[quote name='dexddd']We are sailing on the same date but on the oldest ship in the fleet and ours has gone up in most categories 20% since May. On 9/24 went up about 4%. You are on the newest ship in the fleet. It may have more to do with the intro prices were too high and they are just adjusting but that trip is still way far away.[/QUOTE]

I don't expect to keep the OBC that I got. The same happened with the Getaway. It was priced a little higher than where I am at now with the Escape, but boy did it drop. This probably will too ... which means I will rebook and lose the OBC lol but whatever is cheapest works for me.

[sixesandeights]

I looked into this as well, and they increased the fair on our cruise when this deal became available. I checked several other cruise we were looking at, and since just before this deal they have all increased by more then 10%. This is no deal.

[Shacky316]

For the Suites, it is a joke. Take next summer's POA cat SC over the past month:

$ 6,299 2014‑09‑05 2014‑09‑24 $ 6,929 2014‑09‑24 2014‑10‑01 $ 7,139 2014‑10‑01 2014‑10‑02





An $840 increase (13.3%). I will not be rebooking.

[candygirl27540]

Thanks for posting this :) Our Bermuda cruise May 2015 only increased $5.80 but now we have a $275.80 OBC instead of the $50.00 we had previously.

Our Venice cruise Oct.2015 however increased $844.00 :eek: We are satisfied with what we have now.

[ColinIllinois]

Caveat emptor.

Do you research and homework. It's not rocket science folks.