Value with Comped Alaskan Cruise?

[coalminers_daughter]

Hoping to get some expertise from members who have taken Alaskan cruises as to whether or not this seems to be a value in comparison to what they have paid for similar cruises.  The details:  I (and 2 other couples) have Caesar's 7 Star certificates for a free cruise, minimum 7 days.  I consider myself a new cruiser having only taken a short Caribbean cruise 25 years ago.  With the certificate we are limited to Norwegian and specifically to the Bliss.  Preferred travel dates in July.  1 itinerary available only.  The week we are looking at is 7/22/23-7/29/23.  The certificate comp is for ocean view room but can upgrade if you wish and available to balcony.

 

Cruise fare p/p - $1889 x 2 = $3778.00 (comped)

port fees                                        599.60

drink pkg grat.                               305.20

spec dining x 1 grat                        20.00

Admin fee $140 x 2                      280.00

service fee $140 x 2                     280.00

 

Total cost for two people, $1484.80 for 7 days, Norwegian Bliss, ocean view room. The drink package is something we know we want, not heavy drinkers but even 3 a day plus sodas makes it a deal.  I realize there will be other costs involved including airfare (a hefty one flying from PA to Seattle), hotel night prior to cruise, and having to have our passports renewed.  Also need to contact my health insurer for specifics of medical coverage and look into travel insurance if needed.  Those are costs we are willing to pay if the cruise cost is a deal we might not normally be able to get outside of the certificate.

 

Considering that the cruise is only 5 months out and wasn't booked far in advance, does this sound like a great deal?  I have visited Alaska 40 years ago when I was a teenager and loved the beauty of it.  My husband and other couples have never been but we are all newly retired in our 50's and early 60's and think this may just be a trip to remember and if a good value, want to take advantage of it.

 

Any thoughts, comments, or tips would be greatly appreciated.  We are on a bit of a time constraint as I know these rooms may sell out very quickly.  As of now, NCL confirmed that they do have ocean views available for both the week of 7/22 and 7/29.

 

Thanks in advance!

[shipgeeks]

I'm aware that Alaska cruises have always been expensive, but I'm sorry to say this does not look like a good deal.  All those fees are, IMO, totally out of line.  Sort of like a restaurant saying you will have a three-course meal for $1....but your glass of water (required) is $45.  Admin fee?  If you were to book through a TA, or the cruiseline, there would be no admin fee.

For comparison, our TA shows the same cruise, OV cabin, for a very similar price, but that price includes port fees (not an additional $599!).

I hope others, maybe some who are more familiar with comped cruises, will also weigh in. To me, it just makes me distrustful.  

[shipgeeks]

I might also mention that our TA's site does not indicate that any category of cabin is close to being sold out, and they usually do if this is the case.  I just get a sense that you are being pushed to a quick decision, and it makes me concerned that they are also going to push you to, perhaps, upgrade to a balcony cabin (definitely not needed for Alaska, as views from the open decks are so much better) for an outrageous fee, etc.

And I wonder why you are limited to one ship and two dates, out of all the ships and dates that will be doing AK.  Perhaps asking on the NCL board, as well, would be useful, re whether this is a desirable ship for the itinerary, etc.

[coalminers_daughter]

55 minutes ago, shipgeeks said:

I'm aware that Alaska cruises have always been expensive, but I'm sorry to say this does not look like a good deal.  All those fees are, IMO, totally out of line.  Sort of like a restaurant saying you will have a three-course meal for $1....but your glass of water (required) is $45.  Admin fee?  If you were to book through a TA, or the cruiseline, there would be no admin fee.

For comparison, our TA shows the same cruise, OV cabin, for a very similar price, but that price includes port fees (not an additional $599!).

I hope others, maybe some who are more familiar with comped cruises, will also weigh in. To me, it just makes me distrustful.  

 

Thank you for your input!  In doing some more research I believe the Admin fee is something charged because this offer was given to me by Caesars and is then handled by Casinos At Sea.  CAS appears to charge this admin fee but it boggles the mind as to why they would actually want to charge you something as an incentive to gamble in their casino!  Makes me want to not even give them a dime as far as gambling goes.  Am I correct though that everyone gets charged the service fee (Norwegian) whether it be upfront in your balance or onboard as a daily charge?  

 

RE: overall cost, you say your TA shows the same cruise for a similar price but it includes the port fees?  The $1889/pp cost I quoted came directly from the NCL website.  In continuing on in a mock reservation it then lists the port fees/taxes of $599.60, drink grat of $305.20 and SD grat of $20.  Adding in the admin fee that you wouldn't be required to pay and the service fee that everyone is charged on board gives me my total of $1484 for two people for 7 day cruise (fare itself of $1889/pp is comped).  Are you saying your TA can get you the same cruise for that price or close to it? If that's the case, I'll just skip the deal and book an Alaskan cruise for when I can do more planning and research!

[coalminers_daughter]

17 minutes ago, shipgeeks said:

I might also mention that our TA's site does not indicate that any category of cabin is close to being sold out, and they usually do if this is the case.  I just get a sense that you are being pushed to a quick decision, and it makes me concerned that they are also going to push you to, perhaps, upgrade to a balcony cabin (definitely not needed for Alaska, as views from the open decks are so much better) for an outrageous fee, etc.

And I wonder why you are limited to one ship and two dates, out of all the ships and dates that will be doing AK.  Perhaps asking on the NCL board, as well, would be useful, re whether this is a desirable ship for the itinerary, etc.

 

Not sure why we are limited to Bliss only but we aren't limited to any specific dates.  Those two weeks were just more optimal for us.  The certificate is time limited through the end of the year when my status with Caesars would reset (Jan 1).  I earned this certificate last year to be used through the end of this year, hence the rush to book on our part.  I had 7 Star status the past 2 years and never even considered using the comp cruise but wanted to give cruising a chance, and if we love it can take advantage of more cruises in the future.

[shipgeeks]

We are not permitted to give travel agency names here on CC, so I can't say more in that respect. I'm kind of shocked at $599 for port fees for a 7-night cruise, though!  If, however, that also includes taxes, which are not included in my TA's price, that would make a difference.  Still seems high, though.

 

[mom says]

Not sure why shipgeeks is so shocked about the port fees and taxes. AFAIK these are always payable on casino comped cruises. You are also paying the administration fees  that a regular booking wouldn't include. Deduct that fee from the cabin booking price and you are still saving  $3500 on that vacation. Whether or not all the additional costs (flights, hotels, insurance, excursions) still make this a desirable trip is up to you.

Edited February 13, 2023 by mom says

[coalminers_daughter]

20 minutes ago, shipgeeks said:

We are not permitted to give travel agency names here on CC, so I can't say more in that respect. I'm kind of shocked at $599 for port fees for a 7-night cruise, though!  If, however, that also includes taxes, which are not included in my TA's price, that would make a difference.  Still seems high, though.

 

Thanks again shipgeeks for all your insight.  I just did do a mock ressie on a cruise related website receiving all the same free at sea perks and got a quote of $4802.80 vs my cost with the comp of $1484.80.  Might just do a few others to see if they are comparable but that's a savings of $3318 so I think that's a win.  Also did a mock for a mid July week 2024 using same variables and that one is coming back just slightly lower at $4277 so I'm pretty convinced that even with charging an admin fee, the comp on the fare itself makes it a huge savings.  BTW, I'm from Western PA also!

[coalminers_daughter]

11 minutes ago, mom says said:

Not sure why shipgeeks is so shocked about the port fees and taxes. AFAIK these are always payable on casino comped cruises. You are also paying the administration fees  that a regular booking wouldn't include. Deduct that fee from the cabin booking price and you are still saving  $3500 on that vacation. Whether or not all the additional costs (flights, hotels, insurance, excursions) still make this a desirable trip is up to you.

 

Thank you for this!  Being a novice with cruising I think I just wanted confirmation that this may our best shot at seeing Alaska at a great price.  There is no expectation from Caesars to gamble on board since they provided the certificate as one of their perks and CAS takes over from there.  Of course I'm sure CAS would like to see good play and being a gambler I'm sure I'll be in the casino from time to time and any future comps from CAS will be based on that play, but I don't feel the need to go overboard (pun intended, lol).  

[shipgeeks]

I think the other consideration is whether NCL, and the ship and itinerary you end up on, is the best choice for you.  Even if the cost is low, a poor match can lead to a disappointment.

As well as posting further on the NCL board, I would also recommend browsing the Alaska section on the Ports of Call part of CC.  The ports you would be visiting can be a deciding factor, too.

[Hllb]

It seems like a good deal to me, even with the fees. Its less than I am paying for an inside cabin on a HAL 7 day cruise, without drinks/dining/etc. Less by about $1,000. If you are OK with the ship and itinerary, seems like a good deal.