Free Cruise or Hard Sell

[irishcropper]

Just received a postcard from Norwegian "you've been identified to receive 7 night cruise for 2 adults! Oh gosh - we 'may' have to attend a seminar. Includes 2 round trip air fairs & 2 nights in a first-class hotel. The fine print said certain cruises are considered upswell. We are responsible for taxes, port fees.

 

I realize nothing is really free, but we are retired so have flexibility to cruise whenever.

 

Has anyone responded to something like this or what should I really expect? We have cruised several times, but never on Norwegian. Thanks!

[Lupush]

I've gotten those mailers before and can tell you with just about 100% certainty that they are not direct from NCL, but from a timeshare/vacation club company. The only free cruises that NCL give directly come from Casinos at Sea. Anything else is a come on.

[TrinaLC]

If you google NCL postcard free cruise you'll get the sense this is a pretty unsavory business.

 

http://komonews.com/news/consumer/travel-award-alert-vacation-mailers-come-with-a-catch

[irishcropper]

Sorry - I forgot to include the following "this is NOT a timeshare, real estate offer, or a land solicitation.

 

We've received similar invites, but usually don't state that

[sfaaa]

Sorry - I forgot to include the following "this is NOT a timeshare, real estate offer, or a land solicitation.

 

We've received similar invites, but usually don't state that

 

When you were young, didn't mama tell you never to accept free candies or listen to sweet lies from strangers? Mom is always right.

[NLH Arizona]

I've got these before, they go right into my round filing cabinet.

 

I was always told, if you did not sign up for a contest to win something and someone says you won something..think about it, why would someone send you something free, unless they want something from you.

[Oldgoat61]

Have gotten these before...........they went into the circular file. If it is to good to be true, it is.:)

[irishcropper]

Thanks for all the info! As I suspected nothing is ever 'free.'

[kjquilts]

Sorry - I forgot to include the following "this is NOT a timeshare, real estate offer, or a land solicitation.

 

We've received similar invites, but usually don't state that

 

 

We received one last month- my husband was excited until I burst his bubble. It is from a vacation club ..... ours went in the round file too.

 

 

[FireEater]

I've gotten those mailers before and can tell you with just about 100% certainty that they are not direct from NCL, but from a timeshare/vacation club company. The only free cruises that NCL give directly come from Casinos at Sea. Anything else is a come on.

 

My sister got one too. They went. It was to purchase a coupon book for stores she never knew about or lists...even on line.....then they told her the taxes have to be paid. They walked away!!!

[SeagoingMom]

I recently met and talked to a couple who actually took one of these free curises! It was, indeed, for a time share. (It was not on NCL.) They said they had a great time, though the long day of listening to the condo sales pitch was annoying. The were offered a pre (or post?) cruise stay in a Bahamian resort, which they paid for and enjoyed. So their "free" cruise wasn't exactly that, though it might have been if they hadn't added on... (Though I think they had to pay the taxes and port fees for their free cruise, as well...)

 

When each of my five sons reached the age of 18, they got fliers from the United States Marine Corps offering to send them a gift if they returned a response card. Several of them returned the card and got some cool freebies. Soon after, each in his turn got a call from our local Marine recruiter asking him if he had any interest in joining the USMC. Each one hemmed and hawed, saying, "maybe, but not now," or "I'll think about it." My fourth son, however, was very forthright; when the recruiter called to ask if he was interested in being a Marine, he said simply, "No, I just wanted the gift!"

 

If you are a person who can listen to a salesman badger you for hours and keep responding with, "No thanks, I just want the cruise," this sort of a free cruise deal might be just for you! :D

Edited August 16, 2016 by SeagoingMom

[Joreo]

Hi IrishCropper,

 

It's Becky from the Vision cruise 2015! Can't believe it has been nearly a year since that cruise. We are planning a spring '16 cruise in the Caribbean this year. I have a few pics to send you from last year, but don't have your email. Hope you are both well.