how many ncl cruisers stay w/o free boa certs.

now that ncl loyal's will not be getting as many free cruises from use of their BOA cards, it will be interesting to see how many stay now that it won't be free. I have been reading these boards and have realized how many people only cruised with ncl because of the free BOA rewards.

I'll definately be looking elsewhere and booking based on price. :)

I agree. Helping us get on a cruise is the main point. I love NCL, but if I can get a better deal somewhere else, I'll grab it. If NCL wanted to keep as many of their cruisers as before, then they should have continued the program or started another one. Personally, I hope they take a hit from all who will go somewhere else and redo a new rewards program.

I'am still not sure who's idea it was to change the program NCL or BOA. We will still cruise with NCL as their prices have been better than most when it comes to suites and their perks. If something comes along that can beat NCL prices we will be cruising with another line. Research for best terms, discounts, OBC ect. then we make our decision. Now as far as keeping the new Worldpoints CC we're looking for something with a better return rate for our $$$ spent.

It was great while it lasted. In the last few years, we have gotten $2000 off of our cruises. Too bad it will now be gone. We will still cruise NCL. It definately is our favorite line. Freestyle is wonderful and the cruise prices are ok also.

Jeanne

NCL was my favorite line before the Compass Rewards program and I will continue to sail with them now that the program has ended.

In fact, I venture to say that if BOA can straighten out their problems with the final certificates, I will stay with them also.

It is not often that you get a free cruise, and I'll stay loyal to those who made 2 of them happen for me.

I'm not going anywhere. NCL Casino's At Sea offers the best discounts anywhere. So, I enjoy the NCL product and still get amazing discounts. No other cruiseline can come close.

CG

I should have also mentioned that as long as the CAS program stays in effect NCL will be seeing alot of us on future cruises.

I'm not going anywhere. NCL Casino's At Sea offers the best discounts anywhere. So, I enjoy the NCL product and still get amazing discounts. No other cruiseline can come close.

 

CG

Same for us, CG. NCL was our choice for three reasons. 1. CAS, 2. Freestyle and 3. Compass Rewards. They still have us for two out of the three.

We never had a BoA or anything. We still love NCL.:) Freestyle is enough for us.

I would have sailed exclusively with NCL but now I am looking at best value for my $. I booked a September cruise on Carnival Conquest out of Galveston. This way I will not need to fly. I also got a great balcony price with their new early saver program. I liked NCL for the freestyle dining but now Carnival is incorporating their version. I'm going to check it out.:)

I'm not going anywhere. NCL Casino's At Sea offers the best discounts anywhere. So, I enjoy the NCL product and still get amazing discounts. No other cruiseline can come close.

 

CG

I hardly think spending thousands of dollars to book through casinos at sea is a discount.they are giving you a discount since you have already spent a heafty amount of money so you are really paying for cruising with them anyway.

now that ncl loyal's will not be getting as many free cruises from use of their BOA cards, it will be interesting to see how many stay now that it won't be free. I have been reading these boards and have realized how many people only cruised with ncl because of the free BOA rewards.

I don't think there are many who only cruise NCL because they get free or discounted cruises with their CCards..there are a couple and a few who have indicated they will research other lines now, but not many have posted they intend to leave NCL. Maybe you have read something I haven't..

AS for CAS, of course it is a savings, and of course those who use it have already spent money in the casino, but they would do the same in any casino ship, be it Carnival, Celebrity or NCL>

Nita

I cruised NCL in the beginning becuase of Freestyle and the BOA rewards were just a bonus to stay with NCL. I have cruised RCCL and loved it. I am always looking for my next cruise on any line but NCL is still my favorite becuase of Freestyle. Also, I have enough Compass Rewards to take at least two more for free. I did receive my corrected rewards on Friday so all is pretty good.

Yes Nita you are correct. I am one of those people. I only had the BOA card long enough to get one $500 reward. I will still cruise with NCL because I do like them(I am booked for Nov 2010 on NCL Spirit). I have been wanting to cruise more locally...out of Galveston or New Orleans just to save flying dollars. If NCL sailed out of Galveston I would be on it if value was better than Carnival.

I hardly think spending thousands of dollars to book through casinos at sea is a discount.they are giving you a discount since you have already spent a heafty amount of money so you are really paying for cruising with them anyway.

You are totally missing the point. Here's why.

I like to gamble. And I'm going to gamble no matter which cruise I go on. So I go on an NCL ship and have fun gambling all week. At the end of the week I've spent xxxxxx dollars. Have a wonderful time doing what I do normally. Later, when I call CAS to book my next cruise, they give me a very nice discount (or to some a completely comped cabin), treat me like a special guest on the next sailing, and give me all of my drinks for free.

I do the exact same thing on Carnival, RCL or any other cruiseline...spend xxxxxx in their casino. Have a wonderful time doing what I do normally. Later when I call them to book my next cruise..........I get zip, nada, nothing, for what I spent in their casino the last time I cruised with them. See the difference?

No one is saying that you should go on an NCL cruise and gamble a lot so you can get a discount or a free cabin next sailing. That would be foolish as you'd end up spending more gambling then what you would save later on. But if you are a gambler anyway, NCL absolutely without question has the best program to keep their customers coming back.

I usually don't give out exact pricing but just so you have an example. I got an aft minisuite on my next cruise through CAS for less then $520 per person (including taxes and port charges) for 7 days. Plus the other little perks that NCL gives you while you are aboard. That price is between 1/3 and 1/2 of what other people are paying right now. It's a great savings if as I said before, you are going to gamble anyway.

CG

I guess my first and last experience with Compass rewards has kinda left a nasty taste in my mouth. I earned 4 rewards before they changed the program. I am a silver latitude, but didn't discover the card till too late. Now I go to use the compass rewards, and the upgrade would move me from a 145 sq ft to a 108 sq feet on the Majesty, Sorry the 108 are like being in a sardine can, not a good upgrade, tried to pay to ugrade, they won't take the difference between the current cost but the cost of the difference in cabins from when I booked plus losing $100 OBC, that would be like paying an additional $400. Not a good deal as far as I am concern. Supervisor was not even helpful. For the first time, I felt really upset after talking to NCL on the phone, usually they are very nice. I guess they are just NOT doing anything for this "reward" system.

mew1

We joined the program late too. This past July. But we managed to squeeze out a $500 cruise certificate which we're very thankful for. At first, we chose NCL because we live near the Charleston, SC port. Now we're hooked on freestyle, so even though NCL is probably not going to replace Majesty anytime soon, we'll fly to Port Canaveral since there's a discount airline that flies there.

It just doesn't appeal to us to have a set table and dining time, and to take formal wear.

I don't think there are many who only cruise NCL because they get free or discounted cruises with their CCards..there are a couple and a few who have indicated they will research other lines now, but not many have posted they intend to leave NCL. Maybe you have read something I haven't..

 

AS for CAS, of course it is a savings, and of course those who use it have already spent money in the casino, but they would do the same in any casino ship, be it Carnival, Celebrity or NCL>

 

Nita

IMHO I believe there will be more than just a couple of people who go somewhere else now without the BOA card. I'm one of them and I have read of several others saying the same on other threads.

I love NCL but I also loved my Carnival cruise too. (I'll be happy on any cruise really:D) To me the price is a huge factor in which cruise I take and without the $500-$1000 discount every cruise I'm finding Carnival is cheaper so that very well may be were I wind up more offen. (I like Freestyle but that doesn't make or break a cruise for me.)

For us anyway, the BOA card gave significant discounts to enable us to go more often, so cheap may be top on our list now.

Yes Nita, Now that the Compass Reward program is over I will get in my last almost free cruise, and then its bye, bye NCL, - we much prefer RCCL or Princess.

Some reasons:

1. Freestyle - sure didn't work well on our one NCL cruise (Pearl)

2. the highly promoted Express Departure - a nightmare

3. tiny staterooms

4. the cheap metal stateroom furniture

5. never want to see some of those color combinations again

6. no specialty restaurants free now (unless you count Blue lagoon)

7. prefer my lounges without beds!

So, I'll leave the NCL cruises to all the gamblers getting the big discounts. I prefer to spend my gambling money booking on RCCL.

Yes Nita, Now that the Compass Reward program is over I will get in my last almost free cruise, and then its bye, bye NCL, - we much prefer RCCL or Princess.

Some reasons:

 

1. Freestyle - sure didn't work well on our one NCL cruise (Pearl)

2. the highly promoted Express Departure - a nightmare

3. tiny staterooms

4. the cheap metal stateroom furniture

5. never want to see some of those color combinations again

6. no specialty restaurants free now (unless you count Blue lagoon)

7. prefer my lounges without beds!

 

So, I'll leave the NCL cruises to all the gamblers getting the big discounts. I prefer to spend my gambling money booking on RCCL.

for those like you, who do prefer other lines anyway, of course you will leave, if I had another preferance I would as well. Obviously you only cruise NCL because of the price. By the way, most who sail NCL are not gamblers getting big discounts, I think you know that.

I know pajammies thinks many will as well, I still think, what will happen, is more will research what else is out there..We do this anyway, always have. It we find a line that has an itinerary we like or a price better than a similar cruise on NCL we opt for the other line.

Nita

I would say the majority so far is saying adios, the service on ncl is getting worse fast

I would say the majority so far is saying adios, the service on ncl is getting worse fast

I'd like to read the report that gave you these statistics. Sounds very interesting.

CG

I'd like to read the report that gave you these statistics. Sounds very interesting.

 

CG

Ladder obviously is trying to see if he/she can stir up another heated discussion. I would say, only a few have said they intend on leaving NCL, those are passengers who sail NCL because of the BOA only. Most others have said, they may look around more, which I think is understandable, but not leave altogether..

I always tell myself I won't feed these guys and yet, I come on and continue responding, the best thing we can do is let these threads die..but we don't always do the best thing, right?

Nita

I'd like to read the report that gave you these statistics. Sounds very interesting.

 

CG

No reports needed, read the boards, it is that obvious