Vibe pass fraud

[Greenpea2]

34 minutes ago, Formula280SS said:

 

I know you are getting quite a bit of negative feedback, but if you read my previous post, you'd see that, although I don't think it rises to the level of fraud, that NCL clearly DOES NOT comply with its' stated Vibe policies based on the examples that I provided.

 

I don't know really what to make of the inconsistencies in NCLs' Vibe policies and EXCEPTIONS on a ship-by-ship and even cruise-by-cruise basis, but it does exist.  The more important issue re: the Vibe IMO is expanding it to (or to a Vibe-Lite experience) on the "other side of the door."  Everything is already there, same bar, hot tub, etc. so they just need access gate at the bottom of the steps and upgraded loungers, pads and umbrellas.

 

Let's all agree to hope they figure out a solution and try a few alternatives.

 

GLTA.

I think in some ways this is a good idea. But it would also only accommodate another 100 or so passengers out of thousands, making it still pretty unlikely people would get passes, as well as take away pretty much the rest of that deck for "everyday" people. Not sure what the solution is, if any...

[eroller]

On 4/26/2019 at 6:08 PM, mrobstad said:

I’m a platinum Latitudes member who recently traveled on the Bliss.  I arrived at port at 8 am and went to the preferred boarding area in order to be first on the ship to buy a Vibe pass. It appeared disabled cruisers and their large families boarded beforehand, and then I boarded and headed right to the area to buy a Vibe pass.  Unfortunately, the passes were sold out. 

I wrote and complained and received a curt reply stating passes were first come, first serve.

Last week, I spoke to a Bliss passenger I had met years ago.  He was “comped “ the cruise for two (he gambles) and he told NCL he would only go on the free cruise if they held two Vibe passes for him in Guest Relations.  NCL complied. 

Ive cruised NCL over ten times, typically as a solo paying 150%, and paid for all my cruises, followed all the correct procedures that should have insured I was able to buy a Vibe pass, but NCL fraudulently holds passes for preferred guests, so I’m done with NCL .  

 

 

I don't blame you one bit for being pissed.  I would be too.  Especially since Vibe is the only decent deck space on these ships not overrun with kids and loud music.  Also in general the deck space on these ships is substandard.  NCL piled too much stuff up there.  I know without the Vibe pass my cruise on GETAWAY would not have been nearly as enjoyable.  It's a shame you have to pay extra for a decent deck chair and some quiet time.  

[ziggyuk]

I would never want to buy a Vibe pass personally but..

Maybe they miss a trick, maybe they should open up the vibe to bidding to maximise the $$$$$$ and stop complaints like this.

[adam_s_allen]

The one time I did purchase Vibe, it

did sell out on that sailing afterwards, I don’t think there was ever more than 7 or 8 people there at any given time. They could have sold a lot more passes.

[mrobstad]

I’m most upset because NCL lies to you—Vibe is not sold first come, first serve.  I don’t begrudge Haven folks for being first in line, though I still doubt many buy Vibe passes.  But as a loyal, long time, frequent cruiser, I’m so disappointed in the ethics of NCL.....plus, as someone pointed out, it is the only place not overrun by kids and boisterous adults. 

[mjkacmom]

With all of the Vibe threads, this is the first one I read that mentions someone being able to secure Vibe passes in advance. I bet the guy was lying. Me, I can always find loungers and quiet on ships, just not on the pool deck.

[Love my butler]

4 hours ago, mrobstad said:

I’m most upset because NCL lies to you—Vibe is not sold first come, first serve.  I don’t begrudge Haven folks for being first in line, though I still doubt many buy Vibe passes.  But as a loyal, long time, frequent cruiser, I’m so disappointed in the ethics of NCL.....plus, as someone pointed out, it is the only place not overrun by kids and boisterous adults. 

NCL being dishonest.  Get used to it.

 

For your convenience of course.............

[graphicguy]

First...$209/ppm is lot of money for a bar and lounger that you can get in Spice H20 with their own water grotto instead of misters in the Vibe.

 

I’m also Platinum.  I’ve stayed in the Haven.  NCL Haven concierges are well known for being able to get you into restaurants, entertainment venues....and yes, the Vibe, when you can’t.

 

I have NEVER heard of ANY PCC, or any TA being  able to “reserve: Vibe passes.

Vibe passes for any reason.

 

I think someone was blowing smoke by telling you that they had “saved” You can’t even pre-pay For Vibe Passes.

[Rob031]

I have sailed on more then 20 cruises with NCL though their Casino.  I have also obtained Vibe passes on all of the ships that have a vibe on board. I too have asked to have passes reserved to no avail. The only reason I was able to secure the passes is because Casino/Platinum gets early boarding. I sail with many friends who are very high rollers and they were denied reserved passes as well. I find it hard to believe that anyone is getting reserved passes. I have had rooms comped in the Haven and still couldn't reserve a pass (however once on board was able to get them) On the escape last month. I boarded with other platinum guests and received numbers 14 and 15. With the many hundreds of passengers getting comped rooms it is not possible for casino passengers or any passengers to reserve passes.

[newmexicoNita]

On 4/26/2019 at 5:08 PM, mrobstad said:

I’m a platinum Latitudes member who recently traveled on the Bliss.  I arrived at port at 8 am and went to the preferred boarding area in order to be first on the ship to buy a Vibe pass. It appeared disabled cruisers and their large families boarded beforehand, and then I boarded and headed right to the area to buy a Vibe pass.  Unfortunately, the passes were sold out. 

I wrote and complained and received a curt reply stating passes were first come, first serve.

Last week, I spoke to a Bliss passenger I had met years ago.  He was “comped “ the cruise for two (he gambles) and he told NCL he would only go on the free cruise if they held two Vibe passes for him in Guest Relations.  NCL complied. 

Ive cruised NCL over ten times, typically as a solo paying 150%, and paid for all my cruises, followed all the correct procedures that should have insured I was able to buy a Vibe pass, but NCL fraudulently holds passes for preferred guests, so I’m done with NCL .  

You idea was right, it didn't work and now you are claiming fraud. I don't see it that way. most businesses hold back specials for truly special people. Gamblers spend a lot of money, even with you paying more for a single cabin, it doesn't come close to what they may lose. Think of it this way: you go to a major league baseball game and want to sit in one of the boxes. You are told they are sold out. Don't you think there are still seats set aside for special guests? 

I understand your disappointment but in no way was this fraud. With rare exception they are sold on the first come, first serve basis. Everything has exceptions. 

[halegliss]

I've learn something -a) there is a vibe pass (I had no idea) b) I'm too cheap to buy one. 

[Laszlo]

14 hours ago, mrobstad said:

I’m most upset because NCL lies to you—Vibe is not sold first come, first serve.  I don’t begrudge Haven folks for being first in line, though I still doubt many buy Vibe passes.  But as a loyal, long time, frequent cruiser, I’m so disappointed in the ethics of NCL.....plus, as someone pointed out, it is the only place not overrun by kids and boisterous adults. 

Very far from being "Fraud" Fraud would be if you bought the passes and were not allowed in. Its pretty simple, if you don't like the system pick another cruise line

[Newleno]

people who  spend more coin get more benefits, I dont see much of an issue here outside of disappointment, heck Im disappointed every time i look in the mirror but that wont stop me from cruising  ncl if the price is right. 

[sjbdtz]

On 4/27/2019 at 1:55 PM, Casino Comp Chick said:

 

 

 

BTW maybe I should mention that the casino actually paid for those VIBE bracelets through their casino tier OBC. 

 

 

There's no guarantee that the 75 passes included the 2 for this CAS VIP.   Quite possibly on that cruise there were 77.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On 4/27/2019 at 6:06 PM, Formula280SS said:

 

 

4.  When the Vibe is SOLD OUT, it is not absolute.  We've directly observed two couples tip the Customer Service officer on side room after 'closing and coming out with Vibe passes (which, as we were in the Vibe, they actually were very proud of such and not secretive at all).

 

 

 

Did they announce SOLD OUT,  and then these two couples each got passes afterwards, and then greased palms?    Because 1) if I was doing something under-the-table, I might want my palm greased before the action took place.

 

Is it a possible alternative scenario that this Customer Service Officer (as you call them) was able to escort these two couples through the ship, enabling them to find their way to the purchase area more effectively than they thought they could do themselves?  And they found that was worth an extra $20 when they obtained the passes they sought?    I've watched Amazing Race enough to know there's no harm in asking for help with directions....

 

 

23 hours ago, mrobstad said:

I’m most upset because NCL lies to you—Vibe is not sold first come, first serve.  I don’t begrudge Haven folks for being first in line, though I still doubt many buy Vibe passes.  But as a loyal, long time, frequent cruiser, I’m so disappointed in the ethics of NCL.....plus, as someone pointed out, it is the only place not overrun by kids and boisterous adults. 

 

 

See my comment about maximums.   Maybe the VIP guy got passes over & above the allowance.  Maybe you weren't as fast as you thought.  Maybe getting to port early doesn't put you in the first boarding group.   Lesson learned is not that NCL committed fraud,  it's that you need a wheelchair!   

 

 

Stephen

 

 

[mrobstad]

Stephan, you are so right.  There were, I believe, two people in wheelchairs.  When they let the “disabled” group of maybe 20 board, one lady ran, actually ran, to guest services.  

In the past, I’ve had folks ahead of me get ten passes, which I also think is not right.

 

[richg35]

How do you know the Bliss passenger you met wasn't blowing smoke up your ass? I'm assuming this is just some stranger you met, not someone you are good friends with. People make up all kinds of things to sound more important than they are.

[graphicguy]

3 minutes ago, mrobstad said:

Stephan, you are so right.  There were, I believe, two people in wheelchairs.  When they let the “disabled” group of maybe 20 board, one lady ran, actually ran, to guest services.  

In the past, I’ve had folks ahead of me get ten passes, which I also think is not right.

 

When I bought mine, there were groups trying to buy VIBE passes for others they were with, but who weren't present with them in line.  They were turned away from buying any passes for anyone who was not present in line.

[Casino Comp Chick]

1 hour ago, sjbdtz said:

 

There's no guarantee that the 75 passes included the 2 for this CAS VIP.   Quite possibly on that cruise there were 77.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See my comment about maximums.   Maybe the VIP guy got passes over & above the allowance.  Maybe you weren't as fast as you thought.  Maybe getting to port early doesn't put you in the first boarding group.   Lesson learned is not that NCL committed fraud,  it's that you need a wheelchair!   

 

 

Stephen

 

 

 

I was making a point because of the “Fraud” title of the thread that if the casino department was acquiring Vibe passes for these players chances are they were picking up the tab on them also, either through Tier OBC, play points at the end of the sailing or they put it through as a straight out comp when they booked. All it takes is one email from CAS to the concierge to have the bracelets pulled for that player and their guest/s.

 

[Casino Comp Chick]

1 hour ago, sjbdtz said:

....

 

 

 

 

 Lesson learned is not that NCL committed fraud,  it's that you need a wheelchair!   

 

 

Stephen

 

 

 

Oh boy now you have done it..........

This is what it’s going to look like since you just taught the person who called fraud how to commit fraud. 

♿️♿️♿️♿️♿️♿️♿️♿️♿️♿️♿️♿️♿️♿️♿️♿️♿️♿️♿️♿️♿️♿️♿️♿️♿️♿️♿️♿️♿️♿️♿️♿️♿️♿️

 

 

Edited April 29, 2019 by Casino Comp Chick

[NCLetscruise]

This thread is taking some interesting turns 

Edited April 29, 2019 by NCLetscruise

[Driberif1]

On 4/26/2019 at 3:18 PM, mrobstad said:

Haven cruisers wouldn’t need a Vibe pass since they have their own private pool area. 

We have been fortunate to get the Vibe pass most cruises and each time we cruise we meet multiple people in the Vibe that are staying in the Haven. (Seems like 60-70% of who we have met)

[mrobstad]

Quite a few things have changed with Vibe between my previous and last cruise.  First, I believe I used to pay $75-now I read it’s $200/week. 

  Secondly, NCL had previously allowed passengers to get multiple (6) passes without those passengers waiting on line—glad they corrected that! 

Third, VIP passengers are able to have guest relations hold Vibe passes so the process is not first come first serve. 

In sum, I’m not sure what priority boarding means for platinum Latitudes members. 

[beerman2]

28 minutes ago, mrobstad said:

Quite a few things have changed with Vibe between my previous and last cruise.  First, I believe I used to pay $75-now I read it’s $200/week. 

  Secondly, NCL had previously allowed passengers to get multiple (6) passes without those passengers waiting on line—glad they corrected that! 

Third, VIP passengers are able to have guest relations hold Vibe passes so the process is not first come first serve. 

In sum, I’m not sure what priority boarding means for platinum Latitudes members. 

Just curious what year NCL allowed multiple passes for pax.

i know in 2017 on Escape they were giving out 1 number per person.

Edited April 29, 2019 by beerman2

[poohdreaming]

Vibe passes are just a hype ... To me, it not worth it even though it is only an adult area. I would rather pay and choose the spa over the vibe. The price a vibe pass had increased. It is now cost at least $200. Some guests returned these passes for a refund and the guest services would have more to sell the next day. It really depends on the weather and the cruise.

[mrobstad]

Multiple passes were given out on Breakaway in 2016.