Letter from NCL Casinos at Sea

[Volunton]

Hi. This week, I received a letter from NCL telling me I'd reached the Bronze level of NCL's Casinos at Sea Players Club Program.

 

The letter said I get a choice of a free cruise for two in an inside stateroom on any 6 day New England, 7-day Caribbean or 8-day Mexican Riviera cruise aboard any of the Norwegian Dawn, Sun, Spirit, Jewel, Star or Pearl. I just have to pay the taxes/fees.

 

So I'm wondering, I haven't had a chance to call them yet to check on cruises.

 

Has anyone else here received a letter like this and:

 

1. Have you taken advantage of the cruise offer?

 

2. Have you tried to book a 5-day cruise instead of the cruises offered?

 

3. Have they let you book a 5-day cruise?

 

4. How much were the taxes/fees combined?

 

5. Was it much of a hassle to do take advantage of this offer?

 

6. Did they try to pressure you into an upsell (to outside or balcony)?

 

But really, the 5-day cruise option is not there. With my schedule and vacation time (even before the March 31, 2008 deadline), I'm not really in a position to do 7 or 8 day cruises. Will they be flexible?

 

Any replies from people who have taken advantage of this offer would be greatly appreciated! I don't really want replies asking how I got this. I obviously spent 'enough' money on slots to garner the letter. I didn't seek it out.

 

THANKS!

[cruisebum50]

We didn't get that letter, but we got one (already threw it away) pertaining to a free cruise for two (pay only taxes/fees) and putting some amount of money up for a slot tournament. It was in late August and we already have a cruise scheduled in September so we couldn't do it.

[salty dingo]

The "taxes and fees" for you "free" cruise will equal the cost of the cruise if you just purchase it outright. It is a marketing ploy. I would put the letter in the circular file.

[Cascades]

Can you tell me how many cruises you have been on to gamble to receive Bronze status? We just got off Pearl and my daughter who gambled every night until wee hours and had bets of anywhere from 25.00-100.00 on black jack just received 50 points. Did you do mostly slots? Did you belong to a land casino card?

If they mean the regular taxes and fees they really arent that much. we paid under $600.00 in fees for eight people.

[jetskier]

Jewel, Pearl and Majesty offer 5-day sailings.

Dave

[bigdan11]

I received the same kind of letter last year with a deadline(it didn't say I reached any kind of level though)But I wasn't planning on going on another cruise.But this spring my wife seen the New England cruise and wanted to go.so I phoned casinos at sea and asked them what they could do for a cruise and was told a penthouse on any itinary I wanted so we took the New England cruise for Sept.So I think if they are offering it to you with a deadline I'm sure after the deadline or other cruises won't be a problem.We have only been on two other cruises but they were compliments of Caesars Palace, both on NCL.The port fees and taxes were $387.they broke it down as guest fare $240 and government taxes/fees $147.

 

Bigdan

[garycarla]

The "taxes and fees" for you "free" cruise will equal the cost of the cruise if you just purchase it outright. It is a marketing ploy. I would put the letter in the circular file.

 

Sorry DINGO - you do not know what you are talking about, at least as far as this letter is concerned. (we might pay full price once we gamble -lol)

 

We have done this, and the only fees are the normal taxes and fees, WAY BELOW the cost of the cruise. They do allow you to upgrade at basically the difference in an Oceanview and what they would charge for the new category. The taxes/fees were in the $200 each range. Find me a 5-7 day cruise with those kinds of rates!

 

They MIGHT have some other options, though we stuck with what they offered as to shorter cruises. We just booked our second cruise doing this. Try to find a cruise that includes a weekend to solve you schedule problem.

 

It was not a hassle to take advantage of this offer.

 

They did not even offer an upgrade -had to ask.

 

The folks you talk to are not much of a Travel Agent. They just book it, so know what you want when you call.

[egurbi]

The taxes and port charges will depend on the itinerary, but between 200 and 275 per person is a safe assumption.

 

Depending upon your status, history of play, and amount of play, you will be offered various cabin options. Basic for Bronze is what you received -- 2 for an Inside cabin. They will quote upgrades all the way to balcony typically -- assume at your level anywhere between 300 and 500 pp for the upgrade to balcony on a 7 night cruise, about half that for ocean view.

 

At present, the program is skewed to favor slot players -- the hold on these machines exceeds 15 percent, and they will reward those who play them.

 

You will be able to earn credits to offset onboard charges while playing as well as the comped room.

 

Good luck -- if you are going to gamble anyway, you might as well get something for it.

[salty dingo]

Sorry DINGO - you do not know what you are talking about, at least as far as this letter is concerned.

 

I was thinking of another post I read recently where the come-on was purchasing a membership... nothing to do with casinos. So, I stand humbly corrected. :o

[Volunton]

Obviously I have to speak with NCL directly to see what they'll do for me.

 

I realize that some of the ships that they mentioned in the letter to me offer 5-day, 7-day and 9-day cruises depending on the time of year/itinerary.

 

I guess it will come down to, do they want my business or not.

 

I will let you all know after I speak with them. Again, I ASSume that (when I checked NCL's site) the taxes/fees are about $77/pp and even if we pay the insurance, it's still only about $200/pp, which is better than $600-700.

 

***But again, just wondered if anyone was actually able to get NCL to let them book a 5-day Caribbean cruise rather than the 7-day cruise in the letter I received.

 

THANKS!