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Time to say goodbye to NCL?


Brad on a boat
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I don't mean for this post to be a rant--more of a question, and maybe an eye-opener for some.

 

I have a diamond card with Total Rewards, which gets me 20% off Norwegian cruises.

 

We usually cruise NCL twice a year either using that discount or with a free voucher from a land based casino.

 

I have followed this section of Cruise Critic closely and joined the NCL Casinos At Sea Facebook group and learned people get much better discounts, even free cruises, directly through NCL Casinos At Sea.

 

So in 2016, on two NCL cruises, I earned over 5,000 points.

 

After my wife and I returned home from the second cruise, we called the dedicated NCL Casinos At Sea number, told them we'd like to book another cruise, and asked what my play earned me. I was told they could offer me 20% off my next cruise.

 

I asked the representative if she was sure that's all I had earned--yes.

I told her I already get a 20% discount through Total Rewards and asked her why in the world would I continue to put money through NCL casinos if I don't get anything in return. She told me because I get 20% off in return. Clearly I was getting nowhere. And I feel like I'm getting nowhere with NCL.

 

Celebrity, on the other hand, gives us a comped balcony or above on just about any sailing we want.

 

So my question--if all I'm going to get through NCL is the 20% I can already get, why would I give their casinos another penny?

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Sorta the same thing happened with me. I later emailed them and finally got better results. They looked up when I specifically sailed and obviously the amount I spent and now I'm comped many cruises. So I'd recommend trying another rep or emailing them.

 

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Same scenario basically with me too, 20%. However, right before I ended the call I asked to check for another sail date in off peak, agent then tells me, "oh, we can comp you that one." So, I think you have a comp coming, just call back and ask for another sail date or ask for a way to maximize your rating. It still sucks that they didn't offer this info at first to either you or I. Good luck.

 

 

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I don't mean for this post to be a rant--more of a question, and maybe an eye-opener for some.

 

I have a diamond card with Total Rewards, which gets me 20% off Norwegian cruises.

 

We usually cruise NCL twice a year either using that discount or with a free voucher from a land based casino.

 

I have followed this section of Cruise Critic closely and joined the NCL Casinos At Sea Facebook group and learned people get much better discounts, even free cruises, directly through NCL Casinos At Sea.

 

So in 2016, on two NCL cruises, I earned over 5,000 points.

 

After my wife and I returned home from the second cruise, we called the dedicated NCL Casinos At Sea number, told them we'd like to book another cruise, and asked what my play earned me. I was told they could offer me 20% off my next cruise.

 

I asked the representative if she was sure that's all I had earned--yes.

I told her I already get a 20% discount through Total Rewards and asked her why in the world would I continue to put money through NCL casinos if I don't get anything in return. She told me because I get 20% off in return. Clearly I was getting nowhere. And I feel like I'm getting nowhere with NCL.

 

Celebrity, on the other hand, gives us a comped balcony or above on just about any sailing we want.

 

So my question--if all I'm going to get through NCL is the 20% I can already get, why would I give their casinos another penny?

I used to book all my cruises with NCL (have sailed with them nearly 20 times). Last spring I was on a cruise with a large group on a Carnival ship - for the same amount of casino play as I would have had on an NCL ship, with Carnival I was offered a "bounce back cruise" for up to 15 days with their "drinks on us card" (which is far better than the NCL card (at least at the 2 lower NCL levels)). Also, my "free" cruise with Carnival covered everything except taxes and port fees (less than $200 per person) - my "comped" cruises with NCL have always had much higher fees. After my "free" cruise at the beginning of August I was again offered another bounce back offer with Carnival and we went again at the end of August - sure enough, another free cruise offered to us on the last day. Now I have three more booked with Carnival (one bounce back and two Premier cruises) and I'm paying very little for these cruises and they all come with an excellent drinks on us card (Premier cruises also includes the drink card for the guest for the duration of the cruise). I had about a ten-year run exclusively with NCL, but they have pared back their program so much that I am convinced that Carnival is a much better deal for my level of play.

~Bob

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Cruised and played with NCL 100% 5 years ago. Carnival started giving me Free Ocean view cabins and $1,000 cash on each premier cruise for the past 4.5 years so we jumped ship to Carnival

 

Well Carnival is now revamping their whole comp system and it stinks....I'm

Gambling More and Spending more than ever and have been downgraded From my previous offers listed above to

now only $500 off the cruise rate and $500 cash

 

So I called CAS who looked up my play from 5 years ago and said I can get a Free interior on Any cruise to

start and once I'm gambling with them again my offers will go back up to free Balconies, Suites etc

 

We booked a 2018 14 day Panama Canal cruise on the Bliss with a Free interior to start and upgraded to a mini suite. Saved us over $2,000+

 

Also With the Free drinks Shipwide promo its a no brainer 🍹🍹😜😜

 

So don't jump ship yet because Carnival etc r cutting gambling perks n comps worse than NCL

 

Also when u call CAS if you and your wife both gamble give them her info as well They can combine both of your play and give u better deals

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You've gotten some great advice here, OP. I would second, or third, the recommendation to call back and try a different sailing. I called to see what I would be comped on a 16-night transatlantic, and was offered only the 20% off as well - even with earning over 5000 points on my last sailing. I then inquired about the 13-night transatlantic and was offered a comped interior - which I booked and upgraded to a Deluxe Owner's Suite (H2). I then called back after my sailing last month - where I again earned over 5000 points - and they upgraded my comp from the interior comp to a Family Balcony comp.

 

All said and done, it saved me over $2000 on the cabin alone, and added in all of the Free At Sea offers (with no 18% service charge due since it's a Haven suite). I feel this was a great bargain, and it never would have come about if I'd been determined to stick with the initial sailing I asked about. Good luck - CAS has some great deals if you're flexible!

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I don't mean for this post to be a rant--more of a question, and maybe an eye-opener for some.

 

I have a diamond card with Total Rewards, which gets me 20% off Norwegian cruises.

 

We usually cruise NCL twice a year either using that discount or with a free voucher from a land based casino.

 

I have followed this section of Cruise Critic closely and joined the NCL Casinos At Sea Facebook group and learned people get much better discounts, even free cruises, directly through NCL Casinos At Sea.

 

So in 2016, on two NCL cruises, I earned over 5,000 points.

 

After my wife and I returned home from the second cruise, we called the dedicated NCL Casinos At Sea number, told them we'd like to book another cruise, and asked what my play earned me. I was told they could offer me 20% off my next cruise.

 

I asked the representative if she was sure that's all I had earned--yes.

I told her I already get a 20% discount through Total Rewards and asked her why in the world would I continue to put money through NCL casinos if I don't get anything in return. She told me because I get 20% off in return. Clearly I was getting nowhere. And I feel like I'm getting nowhere with NCL.

 

Celebrity, on the other hand, gives us a comped balcony or above on just about any sailing we want.

 

So my question--if all I'm going to get through NCL is the 20% I can already get, why would I give their casinos another penny?

 

I know that when I sail my cas rep tells me to wait a week after I get back so they have all the their numbers in. Why it takes a week I have no idea. I also know if I get someone in the head office I always get a better price. If you want you can email me at tumblew467@aol.com and I can give you the rep I have dealt with the last 5 years. I used to use the certificates from Harrahs but now get a better comp through CAS directly.

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When you call CAS, have you been able to tell why you get a better cabin on one cruise than another? I was wondering if you get a better deal if you are asking to book within a month or two of a cruise, or if you get a better offer for booking a cruise that's several months in the future:confused:

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  • 3 weeks later...

I receive 2 "complimentary" (cough-cough) ocean view cabin cruises per year thru my home casino as part of my player's club level (Total Rewards). I also receive a 3rd thru a certificate that the casino gives to most player card holders every November. Staterooms vary based on your level. Mine have always been Oceanview, never balcony.

 

I haven't had any interest in sailing NCL in the past, so I've let all of the perks expire. Finally decided to use 2 of them in 2017.

 

Here's where I have a problem-

The administration fees are annoying.

The upgrade prices are completely out of line with what is shown on the website. I've asked why several times, I keep being told that the online prices are a discounted fare, and the actual prices are much higher. I've asked to see a list of these prices- was told it isn't possible. ?? Example- I wanted to upgrade to an H6, the price I was quoted was only $800 TOTAL, $400 per person, less than the price online. This doesn't make sense to me. The minisuite was a $600pp upgrade fee + $250 pp admin fee. Again, way off of what the pricing jump from an ocean view to a minisuite would be. I finally settled on an aft balcony- $400pp upcharge + 250 admin fee.

 

Anyway, so for an aft balcony on the NCL Escape in June, I am paying $2100 for a party of 2. To be fair, this includes my UBP gratuities for myself, and soda gratuities for my child, and stateroom charges for both of us.

 

It looks like the "complimentary" deal is really about a 50% savings when said and done. I'm good with that. I just wish the Haven was a 50% savings as well.

If you don't upgrade then the price would be a lot less.

 

I was also told that there will be a player's card with $150 pre loaded, and a casino drink card. The drink card is useless due to the UBP, and I'm not sure about the players card..the phone rep told me that, but it is nowhere on my actual booking email, so who knows. I am taking my 7 year old..not planning on spending much time in the casino..sorry CAS ;)

 

OP- you only receive 20% off? I would send your casino host, at your home casino, an email.. you probably have annual benefits that you aren't aware of. In addition to the annual benefits, you should receive a certificate at least once per year.

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So in 2016, on two NCL cruises, I earned over 5,000 points. After my wife and I returned home from the second cruise, we called the dedicated NCL Casinos At Sea number, told them we'd like to book another cruise, and asked what my play earned me. I was told they could offer me 20% off my next cruise.quote]

 

So,,, at the end of the day, what CAS offers you has nothing to do with your 5000 ($25,000) in play. It has to do with your theoretical losses and the cost of the cruise you are asking for. If you made money, or broke even, your offer of 20% off is reasonable (based on your theoreticals). You need to understand how they determine comps to determine what to expect.

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So in 2016, on two NCL cruises, I earned over 5,000 points. After my wife and I returned home from the second cruise, we called the dedicated NCL Casinos At Sea number, told them we'd like to book another cruise, and asked what my play earned me. I was told they could offer me 20% off my next cruise.quote]

 

So,,, at the end of the day, what CAS offers you has nothing to do with your 5000 ($25,000) in play. It has to do with your theoretical losses and the cost of the cruise you are asking for. If you made money, or broke even, your offer of 20% off is reasonable (based on your theoreticals). You need to understand how they determine comps to determine what to expect.

 

 

Oddly enough, an Alaskan itinerary in June- price on NCL website just over $5k and a Western Caribbean in June- website price $3700, are within $150 of each other (port fees) for the semi annual "complimentary" cruise.

 

I thought that was crazy.

 

 

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  • 7 months later...
Cruised and played with NCL 100% 5 years ago. Carnival started giving me Free Ocean view cabins and $1,000 cash on each premier cruise for the past 4.5 years so we jumped ship to Carnival

 

Well Carnival is now revamping their whole comp system and it stinks....I'm

Gambling More and Spending more than ever and have been downgraded From my previous offers listed above to

now only $500 off the cruise rate and $500 cash

 

So I called CAS who looked up my play from 5 years ago and said I can get a Free interior on Any cruise to

start and once I'm gambling with them again my offers will go back up to free Balconies, Suites etc

 

We booked a 2018 14 day Panama Canal cruise on the Bliss with a Free interior to start and upgraded to a mini suite. Saved us over $2,000+

 

Also With the Free drinks Shipwide promo its a no brainer 🍹🍹😜😜

 

So don't jump ship yet because Carnival etc r cutting gambling perks n comps worse than NCL

 

Also when u call CAS if you and your wife both gamble give them her info as well They can combine both of your play and give u better deals

 

I thought the free drink card was only for the casino while playing?

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  • 2 weeks later...

I too have become a bit disenfranchised from CAS. My points on each cruise are in the 40,000 to 45,000 points for a 7 day and my husband is around about half of that. The upgrades to a Haven Suite are a definite "discount" but not at all what I would expect for our level of play.

 

I have long wanted to try Celebrity and may just bite the bullet and pay full fare for a cruise with them and then see what happens. My relationship with CAS goes WAY back....but the agents there just do not seem to be as helpful as a few years back.

 

CAS needs to know that there ARE those of us that play heavily.....and are usually happy with whatever discounts they offer. But as these discounts and perks continue to go downhill, it is becoming less and less of a "draw" for me. And they on board credits that we get - although very nice and usually $1000 each - with the SDP and the UBP - how in the world would we spend it? As you can only spend so much in the spa on a 7 day cruise.....and there is really NOTHING in those shops anymore that I would want! So we always leave a TON of on board credits on the table.

 

Again, thinking of cancelling our April and May cruises with NCL and just paying up front with Celebrity. It sort of breaks my heart....BUT we have also sailed with Azamara ( much better food and ports and shore excursions) so we may have to go back to full pay in order to see else is out there.

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