Free cruise offer from a casino?

[BirdTravels]

3 hours ago, rino002 said:

Question about this...I have a friend that wants to take advantage of the free cruise voucher.. his is expiring and wants to book but isnt 100% if he could make the trip

So say we book everything pay all the taxes and fees and last minute he can not make it... is there any additional fees that we would have to pay?   Would I still be able to go alone ?

The offer is for the casino player, not you. So the casino player must travel. Any cruise fare (i.e., room upgrades) would be subject to cancellation penalty. Not sure about the Casino Admin Fee ($20/night/pp). Port Taxes anything you pre-pay (daily service charge, wifi, spa, shore ex, dining) will eventually be refunded. 

Edited November 1, 2022 by BirdTravels

[Russiamomm]

3 hours ago, rino002 said:

Question about this...I have a friend that wants to take advantage of the free cruise voucher.. his is expiring and wants to book but isnt 100% if he could make the trip

So say we book everything pay all the taxes and fees and last minute he can not make it... is there any additional fees that we would have to pay?   Would I still be able to go alone ?

Lots to unload there.  It’s your friend that has the certificate and not you?  I’m not sure how that would work.  The comps are for the cabin, but usually require the holder of the certificate to be onboard.  I don’t know how they would handle it if your friend couldn’t go.  If there’s a possibility he can make it, I would book for just the comp - probably an inside. You will pay the Admin fee and port charges for both of you up front.  You can always call back and upgrade if he decides he can go.  No loss there.  If he can’t go, they will likely refund the taxes and port charges, but I don’t know if they will still let you on the ship or if there’s any possibility of refunding the Admin fees.  
 

In other words, I don’t know the answer to your question.  😂

[Russiamomm]

On 10/8/2021 at 6:55 PM, vadersprincess12 said:

 

Also, we have sailed numerous cruise lines and NCL is the only line that we have sailed that charges us to use the adult only area, which we think is just another way to pick our pocket!!!

I’m not sure what you’re referring to.  As BirdTravels said, SpiceH2O is adults only and there is no fee to access it.  Are you referring to the Vibe Beach Club?  If so, yes, there’s a charge.  But there is for anyone on the ship.  I’ve never seen a CAS offer include access to the Vibe.

[vadersprincess12]

Yes, I'm referring to the Vibe.  I can sail Royal Caribbean and use the solarium area which is adult only for no charge.

[rino002]

On 11/1/2022 at 7:12 PM, Russiamomm said:

Lots to unload there.  It’s your friend that has the certificate and not you?  I’m not sure how that would work.  The comps are for the cabin, but usually require the holder of the certificate to be onboard.  I don’t know how they would handle it if your friend couldn’t go.  If there’s a possibility he can make it, I would book for just the comp - probably an inside. You will pay the Admin fee and port charges for both of you up front.  You can always call back and upgrade if he decides he can go.  No loss there.  If he can’t go, they will likely refund the taxes and port charges, but I don’t know if they will still let you on the ship or if there’s any possibility of refunding the Admin fees.  
 

In other words, I don’t know the answer to your question.  😂

 

So thats my concern.. .if i book it with him and I then i show up to the pier to check in with out him... you think they will charge me the going rate of the trip for a single occupant ?  Im sure it has happened in the past.... might be worth the gamble ..  gambling got the free cruise right lol

[mking8288]

1 hour ago, rino002 said:

So < snipped > .. .if i book it with him and I then i show up to the pier to check in with out him... you think they will charge me the going rate of the trip ... sure it has happened in the past.... might be worth the gamble ..  gambling got the free cruise right lol

I checked with our CAS friends that cruise using these land-based offers & fairly familiar with the rules ...  Short answer, from their experience, not worth your "gamble" unless you are prepared to be charged extra for the cruise without the free certificate holder (as you are her/his guest) and without the person on the ship, the discounted fare/rate is NOT valid.  NCL (at the pier check-in) will advise & inform you of the difference to pay, or, you will be denied boarding ... of course, feel free to take your chances if the friend might still go AND take you along to enjoy. 

 

     Q: Can I give my Cruise Reward Certificate to someone else ?   (from a 2022 "Certs")

     A: Unfortunately, no; the certificate is non-transferable.  

 

For your convenience, since rules & guidelines are subject to change, feel free to call the dedicated casino line at NCL reservations to speak to one of the agent & ask about it (877) 742-9528 ... weekdays 9am to 9 pm, ET and weekends, 10:30 am to 7 pm, ET. 

[BirdTravels]

2 hours ago, rino002 said:

 

So thats my concern.. .if i book it with him and I then i show up to the pier to check in with out him... you think they will charge me the going rate of the trip for a single occupant ?  Im sure it has happened in the past.... might be worth the gamble ..  gambling got the free cruise right lol

You could be charged the current, undiscounted double occupancy rate for the room. Or they could charge your friend and note that he was a no show. The casino “pays” for the rooms based on theoretical losses of the players. 

[dbrown84]

It's honestly not worth the risk to just show up.  I would say that most 7 day cruises has at least $150 in port fees/taxes and there will be $140 in admin fees.  So, $300 per person at least.  So you'd pay $600 at least for the two of you.  You could probably get a studio for less or just a little more

[pandncruisers]

The certificate holder MUST check in for the cruise to be comped. If not the person that does show up will pay the full going rate. Call CAS to verify. 

[rino002]

so hypothetically speaking, i could check in myself.. tell them my friend is on the way.. I check in and and wait to get onto the ship... I board the ship, my friend is a no show... flat tire he is a no show... 

 

how will they bill me... 

[PTC DAWG]

On 11/1/2022 at 7:24 PM, vadersprincess12 said:

Yes, I'm referring to the Vibe.  I can sail Royal Caribbean and use the solarium area which is adult only for no charge.

 

On 11/1/2022 at 7:24 PM, vadersprincess12 said:

Yes, I'm referring to the Vibe.  I can sail Royal Caribbean and use the solarium area which is adult only for no charge.

Spice H20 is an adults only area on many NCL, ships, no charge. I see this was asked answered around a year ago,  nothing has changed. 

Edited November 15, 2022 by PTC DAWG

[Russiamomm]

13 minutes ago, PTC DAWG said:

 

Spice H20 is an adults only area on many NCL, ships, no charge. I see this was asked answered around a year ago,  nothing has changed. 

Agree.  Just have to say that I’ve been in the Vibe and obviously been in Spice H2O.  I just got off the Independence of the Seas with its Solarium.   There is no comparison to either of the venues.  While I liked the Solarium, it’s not really a private, adult only space.  Everyone using the forward elevators had to walk through the Solarium to get to the main pool deck and the buffet.  It was also very crowded.  By comparison, Spice is its own area in the back of the ship and you don’t get the “foot traffic”.  But it can get crowded.  Yes, you have to pay for the Vibe, but it’s a very nice space with its own bar, hot tubs and great service. And the number of tickets sold is limited, so it’s never crowded.

 

Just my 2 cents.

[mking8288]

1 hour ago, rino002 said:

so hypothetically speaking, i could check in myself.. tell them ... how will they bill me... 

Hmmm, either your friend's (or, they would ask for yours instead) credit card will be charged for the "adjusted" difference - an amount would be hold (as pre-authorized charge) and once the ship is underway (hypothetically, as you said) - they will collect and make sure the account is paid in full before you can disembark the ship.   They aren't going to "bill" you and/or your friend post-cruise ... charges would begin to be "processed" while you are at sea / onboard against the credit card on file or used.  

 

Feel free to gamble, IMHO and play the odds, but personally, I would not dare to try it myself, just my uninformed two cents.  Good luck & happy cruising ... 

 

P.S.  Best to be honest and speak to CAS rep about it first and before boarding the ship, to avoid denied boarding and/or disappointment.  

[pandncruisers]

Go to ncl.com/certificate for the conditions. certificate holder must be present or ncl will charge full fare.  Take a chance if you want but make sure you have a credit card that has enough to cover the fare.

[breins]

On 11/14/2022 at 5:00 PM, BirdTravels said:

You could be charged the current, undiscounted double occupancy rate for the room. Or they could charge your friend and note that he was a no show. The casino “pays” for the rooms based on theoretical losses of the players. 

Oh man, I didn't even think about that bc I've never been to a casino or learned about how they comp rooms for people.  We have a 12 day cruise certificate with a sail-by date of June 30th, 2024.  So they're willing to pay for him to stay in a room based on how much they will make off of him? LOL.  I was looking at it like it's a reimbursement since they already made money off of him in the ship casino.

[Rick&Jeannie]

10 minutes ago, breins said:

Oh man, I didn't even think about that bc I've never been to a casino or learned about how they comp rooms for people.  We have a 12 day cruise certificate with a sail-by date of June 30th, 2024.  So they're willing to pay for him to stay in a room based on how much they will make off of him? LOL.  I was looking at it like it's a reimbursement since they already made money off of him in the ship casino.

@breins...welcome to Cruise Critic!  It's no big deal, but just be advised that you've "resurrected" a thread from about a year and a half ago.  That being said...you'll find that everybody has *something* to say about just about everything.  Be sure and ask questions about anything you'd like to know about.  (And...just a tip in case you're not aware.  If/when you start a thread of your own, be sure and click to "follow" it so that you will be notified of any responses to the posting.)  Again...welcome!

[BirdTravels]

1 hour ago, breins said:

Oh man, I didn't even think about that bc I've never been to a casino or learned about how they comp rooms for people.  We have a 12 day cruise certificate with a sail-by date of June 30th, 2024.  So they're willing to pay for him to stay in a room based on how much they will make off of him? LOL.  I was looking at it like it's a reimbursement since they already made money off of him in the ship casino.

Welcome to Cruise Critic!

 

No, if you have a 12-day certificate, someone else like Caesars is giving the player a "gift" for attending one of their events. The person issuing the certificate is "reimbursing" him for attending the event and leaving some money behind for the casino. 

 

Also, please avoid posting to long, dead threads since the information is often out of date and causes confusion.