Black Friday sales - what day do they start?

[phillygwm]

On 11/15/2021 at 8:21 PM, marktwothousand said:

When does NCL usually start it’s Black Friday sales? Sorry for the dumb question but I’m not from America and I know some places start them thanksgiving day or even Wednesday. 

But Thanksgiving Day is in October, isn't it? 🤣

 

Seriously, I'm underwhelmed.  I'm a solo traveler so 70% off 2nd traveler doesn't help me.  The 35% off was better.  Though I always book through CAS so maybe it won't matter.  We'll see!

[marktwothousand]

23 minutes ago, phillygwm said:

But Thanksgiving Day is in October, isn't it? 🤣

 

Seriously, I'm underwhelmed.  I'm a solo traveler so 70% off 2nd traveler doesn't help me.  The 35% off was better.  Though I always book through CAS so maybe it won't matter.  We'll see!

Hailll yeahhhh mhhhhmmm. I would use stronger language than “Underwhelmed” to describe it though 

[mking8288]

"Caught" in our spam email folders today, "Black Friday Preview Sale" will end ... (with the countdown clock at xx hours earlier) - so that will end shortly at midnight but not at GMT.  

 

It is nearly 99.98% assured and guaranteed to be "extended" for a limited time only, again - repeat and rinse, until December 9th (suggested in one of the many junk email that I read/saw as part of the current promo")  Maybe, they will double up on the sparkling bubbles for next month's holiday bookings - just a wild, wild guess on my part. 

 

I am betting more on December's Latitude Insider's Offers - who knows, probably for select sailings, besides Alaska & Euro - depends, IMHO on the state of winter "surge" and bookings, etc. 

 

As for Thanksgiving (November for Americans, October for Canadians) - while recognized and celebrated by some in other parts of the world, but not all - as Equinox and even the Winter Solstice are just as significant in Asia.  Well, let's see what happen next in a few hours ... been watching Preview items in the Google Store, their Black Friday kicking off shortly, later in the overnight hours.   

[TheDougOut]

On 11/16/2021 at 3:01 PM, luckyinpa said:

have they ever offered 3rd/4th guest free booze packs? something tells me THAT would be a legit sale people would get excited about

All guests get Beverage Package… it’s been that way for quite awhile.  It’s in the T&C…

 

 

 

[jonesnewl]

Forgot about the Eastern time, I went to go run the numbers and it had already switched back to the 35% off promo. Oops!!

[mking8288]

1 hour ago, jonesnewl said:

Forgot about the Eastern time, I went to go run the numbers and it had already switched back to the 35% off promo. Oops!!

 

Are you sure about that - I just refreshed & check mine using Chrome browser (prefer the earlier format/layout)  It is back, Black Friday Greatest Deal Ever @ 70% off 2nd Guest ... in other words, just as predicted, extended thru the weekend as a continuation.  Next week, they will probably call it "Hurry, Early Thanksgiving Deal"... ha ha, LOL (I made up this last one, just for fun)

 

Wow, prices for the cabins we've booked (now, 2 of them) remained unchanged, same as before - disappointed that it didn't come down (not expected to) but at least it didn't go up ... some of the Haven subcategories are already sold out but the rest of the ship; hmmm, appeared pretty empty with tons of unsold inventory across multiple sub/categories. 

 

 

[jonesnewl]

16 hours ago, mking8288 said:

 

Are you sure about that - I just refreshed & check mine using Chrome browser (prefer the earlier format/layout)  It is back, Black Friday Greatest Deal Ever @ 70% off 2nd Guest ... in other words, just as predicted, extended thru the weekend as a continuation.  Next week, they will probably call it "Hurry, Early Thanksgiving Deal"... ha ha, LOL (I made up this last one, just for fun)

 

Wow, prices for the cabins we've booked (now, 2 of them) remained unchanged, same as before - disappointed that it didn't come down (not expected to) but at least it didn't go up ... some of the Haven subcategories are already sold out but the rest of the ship; hmmm, appeared pretty empty with tons of unsold inventory across multiple sub/categories. 

 

 

I called in and was told that my xmas cruise did not qualify for the 70% 2nd guest and 7 free offers, instead only the 35% all guests and the 4 free offers applies. So basically they told me that my cruise does not get the greatest deal ever, which is a contradiction from what they described in the press release of the greatest deal ever. So this promo only applies to some cruises and not all (according to the NCL 800 #).

[chertsbo]

The price for our April sailing is the same as last weeks price.  I had booked in October through an outside agency.  The agency promos in October were free cabin gratuities and OBC. Last week, our price dropped. When I called the agency, I was told that if I wanted to rebook at the lower price I would lose the cabin gratuities and the OBC, making the cruise more expensive.  I kept watch on the agency website for Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals.  Today they offered the prepaid gratuities and the OBC. I was able to rebook at a lower price without losing my perks!  

[marktwothousand]

so at this point is it worth waiting for next Friday or not? Can I get people’s advice or concerns us? I want to cruise in January and the sailing I need to book (specific dates because of work) is crazy expensive for studios. But there are still a ton left. But work is pressuring me to make a final decision before Black Friday. I need people’s opinions 😞
 

i will just never forgive myself if the prices drop like $1000

Edited November 19, 2021 by marktwothousand

[phillygwm]

17 minutes ago, marktwothousand said:

so at this point is it worth waiting for next Friday or not? Can I get people’s advice or concerns us? I want to cruise in January and the sailing I need to book (specific dates because of work) is crazy expensive for studios. But there are still a ton left. But work is pressuring me to make a final decision before Black Friday. I need people’s opinions 😞
 

i will just never forgive myself if the prices drop like $1000

Dumb question because I know the rules are different between Europe and US but not sure of Canada.  Can you just cancel/rebook if the price drops, assuming it's before final payment?   

 

[marktwothousand]

Just now, phillygwm said:

Dumb question because I know the rules are different between Europe and US but not sure of Canada.  Can you just cancel/rebook if the price drops, assuming it's before final payment?   

 

That is the thing, it’s January 😞so we are well within final payment, aren’t we?

[julig22]

17 minutes ago, marktwothousand said:

so at this point is it worth waiting for next Friday or not? Can I get people’s advice or concerns us? I want to cruise in January and the sailing I need to book (specific dates because of work) is crazy expensive for studios. But there are still a ton left. But work is pressuring me to make a final decision before Black Friday. I need people’s opinions 😞
 

i will just never forgive myself if the prices drop like $1000

Solo studio or other?

I'd personally tell work I'm going, then book at the last minute, when prices will most likely be at their lowest.  But that depends on how much of a gambler you are, how much you want to go, how flexible your employer is should you decide not to go....

Or book the least expensive cabin you could tolerate and hope for a bid/upgrade.  Since airfare isn't on the books, you can probably upgrade.

[marktwothousand]

2 minutes ago, julig22 said:

Solo studio or other?

I'd personally tell work I'm going, then book at the last minute, when prices will most likely be at their lowest.  But that depends on how much of a gambler you are, how much you want to go, how flexible your employer is should you decide not to go....

Or book the least expensive cabin you could tolerate and hope for a bid/upgrade.  Since airfare isn't on the books, you can probably upgrade.

Studio 😞 usually studios sell out last minute. Thanks though. I guess it depends what people’s thoughts are on whether there will truly be a Black Friday sale or is this as good as it gets. Anyone remember what happened last year?

Edited November 19, 2021 by marktwothousand

[mking8288]

A year ago, cruise ships were going nowhere ... right ?  Are you looking at the Getaway out of NY in the middle of winter and going to leave your residence based up in the Ontario snow belt by driving down or flying ?? 

 

Odds are that you will find something last minute at a reasonable price as Insides, maybe even OV ... if Insides are sold out (or, those booked might bid & get upgraded) - it is surely a gamble. 

[debenson0723]

4 hours ago, marktwothousand said:

Studio 😞 usually studios sell out last minute. Thanks though. I guess it depends what people’s thoughts are on whether there will truly be a Black Friday sale or is this as good as it gets. Anyone remember what happened last year?

Studios have not been selling out in these times, in fact it has become cheaper to get an inside or oceanview than a studio. I had a studio on the Encore in September and the hallways were deserted. 5 days ago I booked a forward facing oceanview on the Bliss for this Sunday...cheaper than a Studio and an chance to bid if I so wanted (no bidding allowed if in a Studio).

 

I am looking at the Escape in January and the prices are too high right now.  I am using flight credit to book my airfare now but won't book the ship until after the new year to see if the prices drop.  I have a friend going on Escape in two weeks...3 inside cabins and all were upgraded to Balcony yesterday with minimum bids.

[marktwothousand]

Dayaaaaauuummmm. Thanks all. 

[phillygwm]

12 hours ago, julig22 said:

Solo studio or other?

I'd personally tell work I'm going, then book at the last minute, when prices will most likely be at their lowest.  But that depends on how much of a gambler you are, how much you want to go, how flexible your employer is should you decide not to go....

Or book the least expensive cabin you could tolerate and hope for a bid/upgrade.  Since airfare isn't on the books, you can probably upgrade.

If he's that much of a gambler he should call his Casinos at Sea rep to hook him up.  😄

[Twomaloneys]

When we received the Black Friday mailer, I checked our New England cruise to see if I could get our price reduced. After all was said and done it was the same price to the penny.

Although I was able to get it reduced by $100 last week, so keep checking , prices do fluctuate, although I doubt we’re going to see any further reductions with the cost of inflation 
Were on the New England cruise in Oct. 22

[mking8288]

I have slightly more hope to see if next month's Latitude Insiders might have extra offer that we can stack on, but odds are just only better than 50:50 or a coin toss ...

 

Look at these repeating offers, all 2021 mailers that I will toss out on a yearly basis. Don't get hopes high (this Friday or otherwise) for a quick & short flash sales, it's just slick marketing with agents working off their scripts.

 

Edited November 21, 2021 by mking8288