NCL Casino offer question

[wth182]

Sorry if this has been covered but I’ve searched extensively...

I sailed my on the Dawn this past June and that was my first cruise.  I just received a cruise certificate from my local land based casino.  The offer is for a mini-suite and it gave me numerous options for where and what ship.  My question is what are my options for the mini-suite?  Do I get to pick which category I want or do they assign it.  For instance, if I wanted to do the spa mini-suite would that still be covered?  

And any other tips any of you may have for maximizing the benefits from this offer.  I really gamble very little and was pretty surprised to even get it, much less the room category.

[Sand and Seas]

20 hours ago, wth182 said:

Sorry if this has been covered but I’ve searched extensively...

I sailed my on the Dawn this past June and that was my first cruise.  I just received a cruise certificate from my local land based casino.  The offer is for a mini-suite and it gave me numerous options for where and what ship.  My question is what are my options for the mini-suite?  Do I get to pick which category I want or do they assign it.  For instance, if I wanted to do the spa mini-suite would that still be covered?  

And any other tips any of you may have for maximizing the benefits from this offer.  I really gamble very little and was pretty surprised to even get it, much less the room category.

Cruising with Norwegian you will be calling to book it with CAS (Casinos at Sea).    

 

You should be ready to ask them about one or two cruises (ships & dates) that you are interested in.   They are usually super friendly about spending time helping you through the process.   You don't  need to book the first time you call them if you just want to ask some questions.

 

For a Mini-Suite, you usually can choose any regular Mini-Suite category like MA or MB or MC.   It won't cover a Spa  or large balcony Mini-Suite or other 'special' MS.  (Those usually are indicated by a M followed by a number like M9).

You can research the cruises by looking for a cruise on NCL.com .   Look at the deck plans and see where you might want to be on the ship.   The CAS agents will usually be happy to help you find a good cabin in a category you are eligible for and on the deck you are interested in.   

 

With any kind of comped cruise, NCL CAS will charge you $20 per person/day administrative fee plus Port Fees/Gov Taxes. 

The Port Fees/Gov Taxes vary from cruise to cruise but you can also see what they would be doing a mock booking at NCL.com for the cruise you are interested in.  For example, a week cruise out of Miami might be  around $170 per person for port fees.    Another cruise like Bermuda $210 or so.

 

Mini-Suites vary depending on what ship you choose.  If booking on Gem or Jewel or other 'Jewel class' ship, most of the minis are below some possibly loud public spaces (think deck chairs sliding around above you.)   On those ships they usually have a combined shower/tub that can be difficult to step in and out of.

My choice would be a Mini-Suite on a newer ships like Getaway, Breakaway, Escape, Joy, Bliss or Encore.    Larger bathroom with a great shower setup.

 

Would suggest you also check out the Norwegian forum on this site.   Lots of good information on different ships and cruises.

I'm flying out tomorrow night for a cruise, but if you have questions after that I'm sure someone will answer for you.  (Faster NCL answers in the Norwegian forum.) 

 

Have fun planning😎

Edited August 27, 2019 by Sand and Seas

[dbrown84]

since you've been on a NCL cruise before, you should have a latitudes number now.  Since you're not concerned about the cruise prices, shop for the best perks (especially the latitudes offers).  Generally, they raise the prices of cruises to cover the cost of the perks, but since you're paying a standard $20 per day, you don't have to worry about the actual cruise price.  The latitudes offers usually come with some OBC as well as an extra point per night to your latitudes account.  It's can also be combined with the free at seas offers.  My last cruise I had with the certificate also included airfare (free flight between DC and MIA), so it was really cheap for me to go.  Remember that you get free drinks in the casino when deciding whether or not to pay the gratuities on the free drink package

[Casino Comp Chick]

Any category within a category that is numbered vs a letter would be an upgrade fee. With that said, you may be able to ask for a B9 (Spa Balcony) instead of the M9 which would cost more. There is no real difference between the cabins except for one sink vs double sink in the bathroom.

[wth182]

I called today to book the trip.  They allowed any room within the MA or MB category.  If I upgraded to a spa mini-suite (M9) it would have been over 600/person more. If I dropped down to a B9 it still would’ve been an extra $250 per person.  I’m not sure the cost of the spa pass per person but it’s a 9 day sailing on the getaway.

[Justaddvodka68]

1 hour ago, wth182 said:

I called today to book the trip.  They allowed any room within the MA or MB category.  If I upgraded to a spa mini-suite (M9) it would have been over 600/person more. If I dropped down to a B9 it still would’ve been an extra $250 per person.  I’m not sure the cost of the spa pass per person but it’s a 9 day sailing on the getaway.

 

That's about what the SPA would cost. I think I paid $229 for a 7 day on the Gem. Each ship/sailing has a different price based on length and amenities.