NCL Free Cruise Promo Legit?

[palm1]

Hi, I am a newbie to the forum but have been reading the wonderful posts to help plan my cruises so I am familiar with the site but this is my first post.

Last week I received a postcard in the mail regarding a free 7day cruise from any US port free from NCL. Now with the way things are, there are many scams going on so where better than to find out real story behind this offer. It looks like it is from NCL but who knows.

 

Would appreciate any feedback regarding this promo and if it is from NCL; what is the "catch" to it.

 

Thanks:confused:

[bakerintn]

so..what time share are you going to buy to get this??

 

I have not heard of such a good promo...and certainly not from NCL.

 

There must be more info on that card that good give you a clue. Assuming that there is a phone number on the card, I would do an Internet search on that number to see what comes up in the results....may give you a clue.

Edited October 25, 2011 by bakerintn

[che5904]

so..what time share are you going to buy to get this??

 

I have not heard of such a good promo...and certainly not from NCL.

 

There must be more info on that card that good give you a clue. Assuming that there is a phone number on the card, I would do an Internet search on that number to see what comes up in the results....may give you a clue.

 

Actually there was a thread not long ago on here. And of course there are always ones sent because of casinos visited.

[laketimeaz]

If you are a Total Rewards member with Harrah's and need to p/u the voucher from a specified casino then it is legit. Total Rewards and Casinos at Sea have a collaboration (or something) and lots of people get "free" cruises that way. I am cruising next month that way so I hope it's legit!! Had to pay taxes, port and upgrade fees so not totally free though.

[che5904]

OP why not just call NCL, there main phone number is on their website NCL.com and ask if this is legit.

 

If it is, it probably only covers the cabin price. Non-commission fees, port fees and gov't taxes would probably be extra. As well as the DSC of $12pp / day and any onboard expenses.

 

If it is legit there is not catch except it's not completely free. Cruise ships make their profit on money spent onboard, their cabin fees are just to cover expenses, which is why casino guests depending on their land play can be quite beneficial to offer a comped cabin to. Which brings us to NCL casino offers. If you play in any Harrahs casino you may have received it for that. But as the poster above stated usually Harrahs has you come on a specific weekend to a specific casino to pick up the certificate. As well I have heard of non-Harrahs casinos offering comped cruises (not really sure the specifics on them or why).

Edited October 25, 2011 by che5904

[LaCal]

Call the Number on the Offer and ASK QUESTIONS....

 

We Had a Free Cruise Offer Last Year From NCL through Harrahs and Only Had to Pay Port Charges and Taxes....Wound Up Being a GREAT DEAL...

 

Let Us Know What You Found Out...Good Luck...

 

[che5904]

Call the Number on the Offer and ASK QUESTIONS....

 

We Had a Free Cruise Offer Last Year From NCL through Harrahs and Only Had to Pay Port Charges and Taxes....Wound Up Being a GREAT DEAL...

 

Let Us Know What You Found Out...Good Luck...

 

 

Sorry I disagree with this post. If it is a scam phoning the number on the card they received may just say oh yes it is legit and that is who I am you called. The OP is concerned about it being a scam. Too many people fall for scams like that, send credit card info over the phone for upgrades etc.

 

Yes comped cruises are received by some from NCL as I've noted above. You obviously knew why you received this offer from Harrahs as did I.

 

Since the OP is unsure why they received this and has not mention that any Casino name is attached to this card, they are better to phone NCL themselves.

[Donray]

It is not from NCL. Read the fine print, it is from some company and the postcard looks like it is from NCL.

 

 

Why can't people read the ALL the fine print?

[STARFISH*4]

the postcard sounds like the calls i get...one month 3 times saying i have won a free NCL cruise...i know it is not legit. and nothing is free...and there are only a very few dates you can use these type of things anyway even if it is...so many 'hidden' aspects to something like this.

the minute i here YOU HAVE WON i hang up.

[garycarla]

Dear PalmOne:

 

Please read all the fine print and let us know who it came from. Folks here will trip all over themselves trying to help, but we really do not know enough at this point.

 

Is it a scam?

Yes or No or Maybe - until you tell us more.

[fshagan]

We got one recently too, but it did have a tagline at the bottom (in very small print) that said something like "we are not affiliated with NCL."

 

It went into the trash with all the rest of the useless stuff we get in the mail!

[calicruzr]

I received the offer as well through Total Rewards players card. Picked up my voucher and made the reservation. You do have to pay port charges and tax. Getting a 7 day out of New Orleans on the Spirit for two for approx 500.00(port and taxes) Plus get VIP boarding and casino drink coupons. No time share, no gimmicks. Just received another one in the mail for next year as well. This is sweet! And believe me, I am not a high roller as you may think. The casino slot cards really pay off!

[ryty44]

Hi, I am a newbie to the forum but have been reading the wonderful posts to help plan my cruises so I am familiar with the site but this is my first post.

Last week I received a postcard in the mail regarding a free 7day cruise from any US port free from NCL. Now with the way things are, there are many scams going on so where better than to find out real story behind this offer. It looks like it is from NCL but who knows.

 

Would appreciate any feedback regarding this promo and if it is from NCL; what is the "catch" to it.

 

Thanks:confused:

 

 

I just booked my free cruise, totally legit, given to me by the Tropicana. Additionally, my parents get offers directly from NCL Casino at Sea program all the time. Also legit. Of course nothing is free, taxes and port charges apply. My parents get a balcony or better room comped to them, because that is the type of room they have always booked when paying out of pocket. Since I was comped by the Tropicana they had no cruise history on us so our comp was for an inside, we upgraded. To upgrade from an inside to an outside was $75 per person, to upgrade from the outside to a balcony was an additional $200 per person...ugh....I thought this was steep because when booking through NCL, there was a $75 difference in price between the outside and balcomny rooms for the cruise we were looking to book. Nonetheless, we bucked up. It was still a great deal. We paid about $1,000 out of pocket for a 7 night cruise on the Jewel for the two of us in March, we have a balcomy room and that includes everything. I also believe that booking through Casino at Seas entitles us to a free drink card which is good in the casino.

 

Good Luck!

[ladytravlr2]

I will be taking my first comped cruise from Harrah's/NCL Casinos at Sea. I did have to go to New Orleans for three days, to pick up the certificate, but it is exactly what others have posted...a great deal. Just had to pay port charges and taxes. Will be taking that cruise in March on the Spirit out of NOLA.

 

Went just this past December to NOLA to pick up another cruise certificate. Booked that cruise for November 2012 on Star out of NOLA.

 

Took the inside cabin, didn't see any need to bump up this time.

 

I am strictly a slot player, and not a hefty spender either. I am a diamond card holder with Harrah's, but have just barely got to Diamond. When I got both offers I was still a Platinum card holder.

 

I understand a drink card will be included with the offers. Looking forward to the cruises. Hoping someday to get an upgraded offer for more choices, as my cruises choices were not as great as my family member who could even go on the Epic and to Europe or Alaska, if she wants..she was already Diamond when she got the offers.

 

By the way, on the offers, a guest is included free (has to pay the port and taxes too though), and you can add a third and fourth guest for regular charges. You don't have to add those guests names when you book, you can add them later, just don't wait too late or ship might be full. Ours in March is at capacity already.

[Lml513]

I just booked my free cruise, totally legit, given to me by the Tropicana. Additionally, my parents get offers directly from NCL Casino at Sea program all the time. Also legit. Of course nothing is free, taxes and port charges apply. My parents get a balcony or better room comped to them, because that is the type of room they have always booked when paying out of pocket. Since I was comped by the Tropicana they had no cruise history on us so our comp was for an inside, we upgraded. To upgrade from an inside to an outside was $75 per person, to upgrade from the ou to a balcony was an additional $200 per person...ugh....I thought this was steep because when booking through NCL, there was a $75 difference in price between the outside and balcomny rooms for the cruise we were looking to book. Nonetheless, we bucked up. It was still a great deal. We paid about $1,000 out of pocket for a 7 night cruise on the Jewel for the two of us in March, we have a balcomy room and that includes everything. I also believe that booking through Casino at Seas entitles us to a free drink card which is good in the casino.

 

Good Luck!

 

We also just booked a free cruise from the Tropicana in AC. But this did not just involve a postcard in the mail. We had to go to the Tropicana to pick up our Casinos at Sea certificate, and we were offered a limited number of cruises. Still a good deal, even with the port charges and taxes,

[ryty44]

We also just booked a free cruise from the Tropicana in AC. But this did not just involve a postcard in the mail. We had to go to the Tropicana to pick up our Casinos at Sea certificate, and we were offered a limited number of cruises. Still a good deal, even with the port charges and taxes,

 

Our Tropicana comped cruise we had to pick up the voucher in person at the Trop too. While it was limited to certain dates out of NY, I called and asked if they would work with me and they did. I booked an end of March cruise even though the voucher stated it was only good until February out of NY. The post card vouchers were different, my parents got those offers from the Casino at Sea. Sorry if I confused you! Enjoy your cruise!

[sarafinadh]

Hi,

 

We got a tear apart postcard in the mail yesterday and I came looking here to see what's up.

 

The envelope, with a west palm beach bulk permit #3950 says;

Final Notice

Ticket Voucher Enclosed

(old NCL logo)

The letter says (under the OLD NCL logo)

Norwegian

Cruise Line

 

John Doe

You were verified and as a result of this offer your name

and Ticketing Number have been issued! You will receive an

8 Day/7- Night Cruise for 2 with an outside cabin,

leaving from many major ports in the U.S.

 

CALL WITHIN 48 HOURS. YOU WILL ALSO

RECEIVE AS A BONUS 2 Round trip Airfares Leaving

from or Going to Any Major Airport in the Continental U.S.!!

 

TO CLAIM THIS SPECIAL OFFER

 

CALL US RIGHT AWAY for details

TOLL FREE 1-888-618-4673

Monday - Sunday, 8 am to 8 pm

 

RSVP 5448

 

See Terms and Conditions for Details

Initially I couldn't find any terms and conditions, but on the third check, on the back of a dummy boarding pass, on a security check type background in a very tiny font it says;

 

Certain restrictions apply. Call

for details of participation. This

promotion is not sponsored by or

affiliated with Norwegian Cruise

Lines, but they are a major supplier.

Recipient is responsible for any

applicable deposits, port charges,

taxes and/or fees.

We are not casino clients so I know it isn't from a casino, and we have never cruised before, or time-shared. Not sure how we got on their list...

 

But I am guessing it is a time share organization.

 

[ttnc4me]

But I am guessing it is a time share organization.

Ding ding ding ding for you and OP both.

 

 

For the others...

I wonder though, how much does "not gamble that much" for a free cruise really mean? $1k/day, $5k day, ??? I guess one would have to live near the casinos (LV or AC) for this to apply too?

[pcreek]

Ding ding ding ding for you and OP both.

 

 

For the others...

I wonder though, how much does "not gamble that much" for a free cruise really mean? $1k/day, $5k day, ??? I guess one would have to live near the casinos (LV or AC) for this to apply too?[/left]

 

 

Well, we don't "gamble THAT much" on any cruise. :p I think the most I've ever used is maybe $300 of my own money on a sea day...and we were in the casino a lot. However, my normal would probably be around $100 - $150 a day...and then the ups and downs...could turn into maybe 2-3 times that amount when you win $5 here, $10 there and put it back in. I only play slots, so I don't know how the tables work.

We don't accumulate enough points during any cruise to 'get anything' additional on the cruise. We do book thru CAS for a discount and have received 2 separate offers of 'free' cruises directly from CAS. This last one we got was all transatlantic or european cruises...and for inside cabins...with option to upgrade. We used a 'free cruise' on our Pearl trip last fall - upgraded to a balcony and it was about the equivalent of a buy one/get one free fare.

Which is an awesome deal, btw! :D NOt complaining here!!

 

Just trying to make the point that you don't have to spent THOUSANDS of dollars in the casino to get some perks. :rolleyes:

 

ps - we did call on one of those marketing postcards - promising free cruise and free airfare - and you had to sit through a vacation 'club' presentation. Then the 'offers' were to pick a couple different dates, send a refundable deposit, and wait. We ended up getting our deposits back, as everything we picked was 'unavailable'. go figure.

Edited May 9, 2012 by pcreek

[ndabunka]

Why do SO many responded to this thread ASSUME that this is from a Casino? The OP never stated that it had any casino affiliation and it is FAR MORE likely that it is simply a solicitation from any of a gazillion different travel agencies.

 

I recently received one that "looked" like it was tied to Carnival. Of course, it did say in teeny-tiny print that they had no such affiliation but they also KNOW that most people don't read that fine print.

 

I searched the phone number online (just type the number they use directly into your browsers search area) and discovered that not only was it a travel agency but that it was actually the marketing company..."on BEHALF of the TA" which set off all kinds of alarms. Granted, some TAs may "give away" things here and there but the majority are trying to get you to spend $'s with them.

 

In this case, that market company wanted $95 for "setting up" the FREE trip that one could then book through there affiliated TA. I had read online that this was common and that the "available" cruises were (1) often limited to specific (inconvenient dates like during school) and (2) Required additional fees (sometimes $500 or $600pp) and (3) were on POS ships that most of us knowledgeable would not be caught dead on...

[ndabunka]

Ding ding ding ding for you and OP both.

 

 

For the others...

I wonder though, how much does "not gamble that much" for a free cruise really mean? $1k/day, $5k day, ??? I guess one would have to live near the casinos (LV or AC) for this to apply too?[/left]

 

Some of the regulars on here only buy suites and I saw responses like "it was ONLY $7,500 for my hubby and me..." and for those types, I would suspect that dropping a grand or two in the casino's would be no big deal so you are right to question.

 

However, casino's don't rate based on how much you loose (or even win). They base it on how much TIME you spend in the casinos and what your "average" play is. In some cases, people spend hours and hours in a casino playing for $5/hands. As always, you will win some and loose some so if you have a bit of luck, one may be able to play for hours on only $20. I have done that. Some will get "up" by $300 or $500 playing off that original $20 but most do not walk away ahead but rather they simply continue playing until they end up giving it all back. They often will then dig deep just to keep playing and by the time they leave, they have spent $200 for playing for 5 hours. So it is based off the duration and the average hand.

 

You do NOT have to live near a casino. I live in NC and get solicitions from Vegas and the Northeast (Foxxwoods) simply because I would visit those once or twice a year. I won a (low cost) blackjack tournament ($20 entry) one time and that got me a LOT of solicitations to have an opportunity to "give back" with a return trip (e.g. free room for a weekend).

Edited May 9, 2012 by ndabunka

[Jimmy Geegitz]

Nope

[che5904]

Why do SO many responded to this thread ASSUME that this is from a Casino? The OP never stated that it had any casino affiliation and it is FAR MORE likely that it is simply a solicitation from any of a gazillion different travel agencies.

 

Actually the OP posted this in October and never did return to say what he/she found out, whether it was legit or not, so no one obviously will never know.

 

From what I'm reading the first posts said it could be a time share or a casino offer and gave the OP suggestions. From there, from what I'm reading the conversation has just branch to offers people receive legit and not legit.

[GriffinAlexander]

Hi, I am a newbie to the forum but have been reading the wonderful posts to help plan my cruises so I am familiar with the site but this is my first post.

Last week I received a postcard in the mail regarding a free 7day cruise from any US port free from NCL. Now with the way things are, there are many scams going on so where better than to find out real story behind this offer. It looks like it is from NCL but who knows.

 

Would appreciate any feedback regarding this promo and if it is from NCL; what is the "catch" to it.

 

Thanks:confused:

 

I've been offered 3 free cruises from NCL, and we picked up one, but should have picked up more. 2 were from the Hard Rock and the other was from Twin river Casino in RI. I visit RI so couldn't get that one but if I'd gotten the 2nd one from Hard Rock in FL I could've combined them for an upgrade. They're a joint venture with Casinos At Sea, and worth it, usually only targeted to people whom have gambled with players cards at casinos. If yours came from another source, I'm not sure about the legitimacy. But casino offers are usually valid. You'll have to go in a particular night and stand in line, there will be CAS people there to give you your cert. I got lucky, the night I got my cert I also got an offer for a $500 slot tourney where you keep whatever you win, and won a few hundred, so I played for free on the hard rock, then got a free room, and also had some comped money on the penny machines too, and some property credits for free food.

[justlaff69]

Our friend got a 'Birthday Card' in the mail. I knew it was a scam right away, but I didn't say anything to them. The had just been telling me how they would never buy a time share again and what a waste of money it was, so I thought they would be able to sniff this one out, boy was I wrong. They bought the Travel membership and they offered us the 'free' cruise voucher.

Since we were on a cruise and there was a time frame issue, they sent in the $100 for us before I could do any research. Turns out the free stuff is from Millenium Travel, and you don't get to pick your cruise, you get to select from two ports and two dates and they book you on what ever cruiseline they want.

 

The air fare was one way and did not include direct flights.

 

I asked Millenium for the deposit to be refunded but I'm not holding my breath.