NEW Cruise Rewards Program

Booking the Haven with a $500 deposit is a great benefit.

I am torn about this new idea and the booking being automatically transferred to the TA you booked with for the current cruise.

The TA we booked thru for our NCL cruise I can honestly say that I will be sticking with them for a long long time so I wouldn't mind. Anytime I have called (even this far out!) everyone in the place is more than happy to help with anything.

On the other hand, the TA we are booked thru for our Carnival cruise, are the total WORST I have ever run into. 2+ weeks to answer an email. If you call, no one will speak to you. They transfer you to the agent you are "working" with, even if they aren't in the office and it's something really simple, aka could I contact Special Needs Dept. or did they as a TA have to do it? That was the last thing that took 2+ weeks to get an email back on. I was also told at one point that "Oh, I was going to get around to looking into your price drop in the next few days" Cause we all know that they stay around forever... :rolleyes:

If I had to book with that TA ever again, I don't care about the potential savings, promotions, ect. Heck at this point I wouldn't take a free cruise if they offered me one thru that TA!

Now that I think we have found our perfect TA I wouldn't be as worried, but I would love to see an option to not have it directly sent to the TA you used for the cruise you are on.

Says for 6 days or longer and Sky is not listed (since it is not a 6 day cruise).

 

What is the program available on the 3/4 day cruises in regards to buying a FCC?

Wasn't the prior program only valid to use on cruises more than 5 days? If so, the deposit wouldn't have been valid for the Sky anyway.

I am torn about this new idea and the booking being automatically transferred to the TA you booked with for the current cruise.

 

The TA we booked thru for our NCL cruise I can honestly say that I will be sticking with them for a long long time so I wouldn't mind. Anytime I have called (even this far out!) everyone in the place is more than happy to help with anything.

 

On the other hand, the TA we are booked thru for our Carnival cruise, are the total WORST I have ever run into. 2+ weeks to answer an email. If you call, no one will speak to you. They transfer you to the agent you are "working" with, even if they aren't in the office and it's something really simple, aka could I contact Special Needs Dept. or did they as a TA have to do it? That was the last thing that took 2+ weeks to get an email back on. I was also told at one point that "Oh, I was going to get around to looking into your price drop in the next few days" Cause we all know that they stay around forever... :rolleyes:

 

If I had to book with that TA ever again, I don't care about the potential savings, promotions, ect. Heck at this point I wouldn't take a free cruise if they offered me one thru that TA!

 

Now that I think we have found our perfect TA I wouldn't be as worried, but I would love to see an option to not have it directly sent to the TA you used for the cruise you are on.

That's a valid concern. However, I suspect this new policy has been suggested by FDR, as Oceania has had such a program for years. Oceania has dedicated "cruise ambassadors" who have a small office where you can sit and discuss your future plans. If you decide to book a specific cruise on board, it is sent to your TA of record, just like the new NCL program. However, if you are unhappy with that TA and plan to change, on Oceania you just advise the TA and it's set up just as if you have no TA.

I suspect the same will be true on NCL, as not everyone who wants to book on board uses a TA. As with any booking made directly with the cruise line, you have the opportunity to transfer the booking to a TA once you choose one (or a new one) (there may be a time limit, check with the on board representative).

The primary reason the bookings are automatically sent to your TA of record is to reassure TA's that they cruise line is not trying to cut them out.

Otherwise, this program is actually better in one way than Oceania, there you do not get immediate OBC in return for buying a FCC or making a booking.

I always buy a FCC on NCL, as they're giving back $100 of the $250 I paid, yet the certificate is still worth $250! No matter where else I cruise, I know I'll always schedule an NCL cruise sometime in the next 4 years.

I'm cruising on Sunday so will check it our for sure to see what the story is in regard to free or discounted CAS cruises and land casino cruises.

I'm very interested to hear what you find out. I appreciate you researching this!

for those wanting to buy more than one certificate this is great. I can't understand anyone having a negative about the new program. It isn't taking anything away from anyone and it is helping a lot of people.

Well, you do have to want to sail NCL in the first place. ;)

Tomorrow 6/6 we board Getaway for our second cruise this year on her (yes we love the ship and love the UBP perk just as much). Today I called my PCC to ask him about the new onboard booking program and his message said he was on an Alaskan cruise to help book future cruises but I can call so and so at extension xxxx who was covering for him. I call back to extension xxxx and her message is she is on a different ship doing the same thing but I can call someone else at extension yyyy who is covering for her!

Think I'll just wait until we are onboard...quite a nice perk for PCC's. Where do I apply?

Are they saying 3rd and 4th guests are free if booked on board? Even if it is one of the 50% off dates normally? If so, this is where the greatest savings may be found vs booking later.

I am ready to book. Is 3rd and 4th free? Can't wait to see feedback in the next month or so from those who use it.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

under the old FCC program, you can convert the $100 obc to $125 slotplay credit to use in the casino.

is converting nextcruise OBC to slotplay an option?

if so, is it $125 obc to $150 (or higher) slotplay?

or $100 obc gets you $125 slotplay just like FCC and you keep the remaining $25 obc?

OP

Sea shark-

Great info.

I must confess- I have always assumed that you were a maritime attorney!

Are there any exclusions in what the OBC can be used from the certificates? DSC for example.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Are there any exclusions in what the OBC can be used from the certificates? DSC for example.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

cant use it for the auto-cabin tip.

im still trying to figure out if you can still convert it to casino slot play credits, like under the old FCC program.

and if so, is it still $100 obc gets you $125 casino slot credits?

I'm very interested to hear what you find out. I appreciate you researching this!

I spoke personally to the company rep on the Gem last week..... was told the cruise reward could NOT be used for a CAS reservation.:( .

I book all my reservations through CAS and always buy cruise rewards. Are you saying that I can't buy them anymore. I use them towards the port taxes and fees.

I book all my reservations through CAS and always buy cruise rewards. Are you saying that I can't buy them anymore. I use them towards the port taxes and fees.

I may have misunderstood...so please call CAS and check and let us all know.:)

I spoke personally to the company rep on the Gem last week..... was told the cruise reward could NOT be used for a CAS reservation.:( .

This is correct.....and I'd guess because CAS reservations are not made through a PCC via NCL directly.

However, I'm not sure if the OBC can be transferred over to the Casino like it could be in the past. My guess is yes.....however, I'm not sure.

I have an e-mail to Quinn, the guy from corporate that was at our M&G but his auto reply via e-mail states he's on the gem for another week and will have little e-mail contact. I guess he forgot that the Gem has unlimited WIFI pkgs.! LOL

Harriet

I book all my reservations through CAS and always buy cruise rewards. Are you saying that I can't buy them anymore. I use them towards the port taxes and fees.

Yes, you can still buy the cruise rewards on the ship. Yes, you can still use the cruise rewards for booking CAS cruises. You can NOT book the CAS cruise while onboard a ship.

Harriet

I spoke personally to the company rep on the Gem last week..... was told the cruise reward could NOT be used for a CAS reservation.:( .

Correct. You can not book a CAS cruise while on board no matter if using a cruise reward or not. Yet, you can purchase the cruise reward on board and when home, call CAS to book your cruise and use your cruise reward.

Harriet

This is correct.....and I'd guess because CAS reservations are not made through a PCC via NCL directly.

 

However, I'm not sure if the OBC can be transferred over to the Casino like it could be in the past. My guess is yes.....however, I'm not sure.

 

I have an e-mail to Quinn, the guy from corporate that was at our M&G but his auto reply via e-mail states he's on the gem for another week and will have little e-mail contact. I guess he forgot that the Gem has unlimited WIFI pkgs.! LOL

 

Harriet

lol @ lack of email + unlimited wifi package.

when was CruiseNext certificates available for purchase on the cruise? Day1?

And where can you buy them? same place as FCC? (ie: office next to front desk?)

and I hope you can still convert $100 CruiseNext obc into $125 casino credit, like under the old FCC program.

thus $250 cruisenext obc should get you $250 casino credit and have $50 obc left over? (Fingers crossed)

I asked my PCC about booking an inside and getting the drink package but she said there was some fine print about select bookings, so I'm assuming inside rooms are out. Also I'm assuming it would be select bookings for the 3, and 4 th passengers to sail free also.

She also said if I booked on board to be sure to transfer the booking to her when I got home. Otherwise it could be assigned to someone else. I really like our PCC so I'll be sure to call her if I book anything!

I asked my PCC about booking an inside and getting the drink package but she said there was some fine print about select bookings, so I'm assuming inside rooms are out.

Select bookings does not translate to select cabins. Unless you are specifically told insides are out, or have read that somewhere, I wouldn't jump to that conclusion based on nothing.

lol @ lack of email + unlimited wifi package.

 

when was CruiseNext certificates available for purchase on the cruise? Day1?

And where can you buy them? same place as FCC? (ie: office next to front desk?)

 

and I hope you can still convert $100 CruiseNext obc into $125 casino credit, like under the old FCC program.

thus $250 cruisenext obc should get you $250 casino credit and have $50 obc left over? (Fingers crossed)

Yes, I got a laugh out of the 'email' auto reply.

You purchase them the same place you always purchased them. On my Gem cruise they had two additional PCC's from corporate with a table outside of where you always purchase them helping people as well.

I'll let you know about converting it to the Casino as soon as I hear back from him.

Harriet

I asked my PCC about booking an inside and getting the drink package but she said there was some fine print about select bookings, so I'm assuming inside rooms are out. Also I'm assuming it would be select bookings for the 3, and 4 th passengers to sail free also.

She also said if I booked on board to be sure to transfer the booking to her when I got home. Otherwise it could be assigned to someone else. I really like our PCC so I'll be sure to call her if I book anything!

From what I was told....if you booked your cruise with your PCC and then decide to book another cruise online the credit will go to the PCC that you used to book the cruise you are currently on.....UNLESS you request otherwise.

Harriet

Has anyone confirmed if inside cabins qualify for ultimate? I will be booking my next cruise onboard my upcoming. I would like to come prepared to the PCC