NCL Coupon Book

[Warm Breezes]

Looking at competing bids on two different on-line TA's for a NCL cruise. One is $50 more than the other but includes a $25 OBC and a $300 NCL Coupon Book. Does anyone know what is in the coupon book? Trying to decide if it is worth the extra money to go with this TA or not.

 

Thanks,

[lambs2]

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE NCL Freestyle Cruising Coupon Book

Good on all sailings thru December 31, 2008

**

Celebrate your first night on-board in one of our delicious specialty restaurants.

Just pay for 1 cover charge and you’ll get the second one free, on your first night only.

 

When you dine for five nights in our charging specialty restaurants, you’ll get the sixth night free.

On embarkation day, when you purchase two drinks; you’ll get your third drink free.

 

Enjoy a shore excursion then save $3 on a DIVE IN t-shirt.

 

5) Get a free photo key chain or magnet when you purchase three 5 x 7 photos and keep the memories alive.

 

Get a free photofolio when you buy three 8 x 10’s.

 

Get an extra 30 minutes free when you purchase a 250-minute time plan at the Internet Café.

 

Get an extra 15 minutes free when you purchase a 100-minute time plan at the Internet Café.

 

Get pampered with an Ionithermie inch loss and cellulite treatment and you’ll receive a complimentary body composition analysis from the onboard fitness instructor.

 

Book one signature spa treatment on a port day and you’ll receive 20% off the second treatment of equal or lesser value.

 

Spend $50 or more at the gift shop and you’ll get a 30% discount on a t-shirt and baseball cap combo.

 

Spend $250 or more on a jewelry purchase and you’ll save $25.

 

Get a NCL commemorative coin with any jewelry purchase. Hurry while supplies last.

 

14) Place $5 bet on select Casino table games and we’ll match it.

 

Buy an entry to a blackjack tournament and your friend will play free.

 

While in Bermuda save 25% when you rent a set of golf clubs.

 

Visit LNTrends.com/amexselects to shop for your vacation or home at Linens ‘n Things. Get 10% off of your purchase of a Linens ‘n Things gift card when you use your AMEX card.

 

10% off your next Chico’s Boutique purchase (in person—not valid by phone or online).

 

Try three issues of Travel + Leisure Magazine free (will be sent a bill for 10 more issues at $19.99 (13 issues) at 65% off of the cover price).

 

Coupons cannot be combined with other promotions. Limit one per customer per cruise. Additional restrictions may apply.

Copyright on back cover says: 2008 NCL Corporation Ltd. Ships’ Registry: Bahamas 10334 1/08 NCL 6

 

 

In my opinion the NCL coupon book is not worth $300. The 2/1 specialty restaurant dinner is only good on the 1st night too. (Worth about $25.)

[cp556]

My understanding is that NCL is not offering the coupon books for 2009, so take your sailing date into account when deciding if the book is a value you want.

 

Personally, we use the Buy One Get One specialty dinner for embarkation night, and the Extra Internet Minutes when you buy a package. And that's about it.....

[BEAV]

Are these coupon books only given by select travel agents, or does NCL give everybody one as long as you're sailing between now and Dec 31?

[jjb415]

I didn't use any of the coupons in the book that I received (same as above), I left it in the cabin Bible just in case anyone else found it & could use them.

[mylesf]

Are these coupon books only given by select travel agents, or does NCL give everybody one as long as you're sailing between now and Dec 31?

 

 

 

NCL will give these out to everyone as long as supplies last.

[BEAV]

NCL will give these out to everyone as long as supplies last.

 

Thanks. I sort of thought that would be the case, but was only assuming. Reason I asked the question in the first place was because the OP was weighing which travel agent to book through, indicating that travel agent "A" didn't offer the coupon book, but travel agent "B" did. If such books are something NCL distributes to each and every passenger, then travel agents shouldn't be touting them as a perk when soliciting business through price quotes, etc. That sends the message that the perk is a gift from the TA, when in fact it's not.

[mylesf]

Thanks. I sort of thought that would be the case, but was only assuming. Reason I asked the question in the first place was because the OP was weighing which travel agent to book through, indicating that travel agent "A" didn't offer the coupon book, but travel agent "B" did. If such books are something NCL distributes to each and every passenger, then travel agents shouldn't be touting them as a perk when soliciting business through price quotes, etc. That sends the message that the perk is a gift from the TA, when in fact it's not.

 

They don't hand them out to every single reservation. Some top agencies will get their own supply of them with their agency logo printed on them, from NCL. All of NCL's local sales reps also gets a supply of them that they hand out to accounts. There are a limited supply of them so once they are out they do not reprint them. Also, NCL is not going to be offering them for any 09 sailings.

[cassrebecca]

We use the dinner the first night coupon, the buy two drinks and get one free at the sail away...the internet cafe coupon

 

Thats about it.....

[BEAV]

They don't hand them out to every single reservation. Some top agencies will get their own supply of them with their agency logo printed on them, from NCL. All of NCL's local sales reps also gets a supply of them that they hand out to accounts. There are a limited supply of them so once they are out they do not reprint them. Also, NCL is not going to be offering them for any 09 sailings.

 

Thanks for elaborating. By your original post on the subject I misunderstood NCL would give them to anyone.

[mylesf]

Thanks for elaborating. By your original post on the subject I misunderstood NCL would give them to anyone.

 

 

If you do not receive them with your documents you can ask and either the travel agent or NCL (depending on how you booked your reservation) to send you one. It is just not an automatic hand out on all reservations.

[tiggerfan616]

My understanding is that NCL is not offering the coupon books for 2009, so take your sailing date into account when deciding if the book is a value you want.

 

I spoke with my PCC who spoke with his VP and they are still planning on offering the coupon books for 2009. They just have not come in as of yet.

[lambs2]

I spoke with my PCC who spoke with his VP and they are still planning on offering the coupon books for 2009. They just have not come in as of yet.

 

Interesting news! When someone DOES receive the 2009 coupon books, please be sure and post it so the rest of us can try to get them!

[mylesf]

I spoke with my PCC who spoke with his VP and they are still planning on offering the coupon books for 2009. They just have not come in as of yet.

 

 

No they are not so the PCC and the VP are not correct. In addition, I don't think the PCC would contact a VP for this informtion the proper chain of comand would be their supervisor which is not a VP. NCL made this decision a couple of weeks ago.

[Warm Breezes]

Thanks for all the info. The cruise I am looking at is in July 2009. Why would the TA offer it if it couldn't be used on my cruise? I think I will consider it worthless and make my decision from there.

 

Thanks,

[mylesf]

Thanks for all the info. The cruise I am looking at is in July 2009. Why would the TA offer it if it couldn't be used on my cruise? I think I will consider it worthless and make my decision from there.

 

Thanks,

 

They are not going to be offering coupons for any 09 dates. They print them to be distributed either 4th quarter of the year prior or within a few weeks of the current year that the books are going to be valid for. They made the decision a couple of weeks ago that they are not going to offer them for 09.

[cruizinwithkids]

They are not going to be offering coupons for any 09 dates. They print them to be distributed either 4th quarter of the year prior or within a few weeks of the current year that the books are going to be valid for. They made the decision a couple of weeks ago that they are not going to offer them for 09.

 

Maybe they changed their mind. I heard they did about one of their ships.:D

[mylesf]

Maybe they changed their mind. I heard they did about one of their ships.:D

 

Yes they have been known to change their minds from issue to issue. However, in this case, I highly doubt they will. If they were going to offer them to booklets should be printed and almost ready to be shipped at this point. That has not happened.

[cruizinwithkids]

Yes they have been known to change their minds from issue to issue. However, in this case, I highly doubt they will. If they were going to offer them to booklets should be printed and almost ready to be shipped at this point. That has not happened.

 

It was a joke.:rolleyes:

[AFAMILY]

Looking at competing bids on two different on-line TA's for a NCL cruise. One is $50 more than the other but includes a $25 OBC and a $300 NCL Coupon Book. Does anyone know what is in the coupon book? Trying to decide if it is worth the extra money to go with this TA or not.

 

Thanks,

 

IMO, unless your'e going to take advantage of alot of the coupons in the book, I would be more concerned about the service you are getting from the TA as opposed to the possible small savings.

 

For us it's service, service, service. Not that price doesn't count, but if it's close like this, go with the more reputable TA.

 

Enjoy your cruise! :)

[Warm Breezes]

IMO, unless your'e going to take advantage of alot of the coupons in the book, I would be more concerned about the service you are getting from the TA as opposed to the possible small savings.

 

For us it's service, service, service. Not that price doesn't count, but if it's close like this, go with the more reputable TA.

 

Enjoy your cruise! :)

 

I look at the reviews for the TA's doing the bidding but we are pretty easy to please. We book inside and if we get upgraded great if not we are happy enough with an inside since we do not spend much time in the room. I do a lot of research when deciding on a vacation and I book my own travel insurance, travel arrangements, and pre- or post- hotel, and my own excursions. Basically with a TA I am looking for the best price on-line and if their reviews are ok I go with that. All they need to do is book the room at the price they quoted me and I am all set with them. I don't need much in the way of service from them since I do all the research and extra bookings myself.

 

It does disturb me though that this TA would quote the coupon book as an incentive for booking this cruise if it would be worthless for the cruise I am asking for a quote on. I sent them an e-mail asking why they would do that. I am currently waiting for an answer. It doesn't look like I will be using them.

[AFAMILY]

I look at the reviews for the TA's doing the bidding but we are pretty easy to please. We book inside and if we get upgraded great if not we are happy enough with an inside since we do not spend much time in the room. I do a lot of research when deciding on a vacation and I book my own travel insurance, travel arrangements, and pre- or post- hotel, and my own excursions. Basically with a TA I am looking for the best price on-line and if their reviews are ok I go with that. All they need to do is book the room at the price they quoted me and I am all set with them. I don't need much in the way of service from them since I do all the research and extra bookings myself.

 

It does disturb me though that this TA would quote the coupon book as an incentive for booking this cruise if it would be worthless for the cruise I am asking for a quote on. I sent them an e-mail asking why they would do that. I am currently waiting for an answer. It doesn't look like I will be using them.

 

My daughter uses on-line TA's all the time. I won't. We book direct through NCL for our cruises. I just feel more comfortable knowing that NCL owns the reservation and if anything goes wrong at any time I have a live person to speak to and on the ship I can go to the reception desk. Of course, you can get bad/incorrect information from anyone.

 

We haven't had a problem yet but I just feel more secure doing it this way. Maybe I'm showing my age a bit. The younger generation seems to have no problem doing everything online. :)

[Warm Breezes]

My daughter uses on-line TA's all the time. I won't. We book direct through NCL for our cruises. I just feel more comfortable knowing that NCL owns the reservation and if anything goes wrong at any time I have a live person to speak to and on the ship I can go to the reception desk. Of course, you can get bad/incorrect information from anyone.

 

We haven't had a problem yet but I just feel more secure doing it this way. Maybe I'm showing my age a bit. The younger generation seems to have no problem doing everything online. :)

 

I booked through Disney when I booked our first cruise but since I learned how to use the internet effectively, I have found it much cheaper to do the research myself and make my own bookings. On the cruise I am looking at in July I have been getting quotes from on-line TA's $500 cheaper than booking directly through NCL. I have had similar experiences on our prior cruises. For that much money I have no problem looking and booking myself. I have friends that are looking at going with us on the cruise and they use a local TA for all their vacations. They got quoted the NCL price for the same room I got quoted $500 cheaper. I guess everyone has their own comfort level with how they book. For me, I could have a lot of umbrella drinks for $500.

[NCL_Cruiser]

They are not going to be offering coupons for any 09 dates. They print them to be distributed either 4th quarter of the year prior or within a few weeks of the current year that the books are going to be valid for. They made the decision a couple of weeks ago that they are not going to offer them for 09.

 

Myslef,

 

Since you know so much about the management structure of NCL's reservations department, are you in the AZ office or the Broward County reservations office? Are you a PCC?

[BEAV]

Myslef,

 

Since you know so much about the management structure of NCL's reservations department, are you in the AZ office or the Broward County reservations office? Are you a PCC?

 

Sort of off topic, but I've been wondering if PCCs are like travel agents? Do they receive commissions for bookings made, or are they salaried. Reason I ask is because I wouldn't mind making an initial booking directly with NCL through one of their PCCs so that I could have direct access for any changes down the road. I like handling my own arrangements. However, later, when it comes final payment time, I'd prefer to turn over to a travel agent to get the lower pricing and/or perks that I assume a PCC can't offer (I got much higher quotes from the PCCs than travel agents for my upcoming cruise). I've done this in the past with other cruise lines and it works great, however I'm dealing with traditional call centers where it's no skin off a phone agent's back to turn the booking over to a TA. Does it work the same with NCL PCCs?