I have used both the Harrahs cruise certificates and comped cabins from NCL directly. My experiences are a little different. I have never paid "reservation fee" only the Port fees and any taxes. Sometimes I'm offered an inside, other times a Mini suite. The value differs, depending on the itinerary. For an example, I emailed my NCL person directly (located at NCL, not Harrahs/Caesars or any travel agency)for the new Breakaway sailing in July. I was only offered the cheapest inside cabin, in the lowest cabin category for the cruise. To upgrade to a mid priced balcony it was appx. $2200 total including taxes and port fees more for both of us. I guess I saved appx. $1400 off of the regular rate. But this is only because the ship is new and demand is very high, as are the prices of the cabins.
I also booked the Epic a few weeks ago for a February 2014 cruise that was $293 a person (port fees and taxes) for an Aft Balcony. I was offered a Mini suite on that ship, but I prefer the Aft balconies.
I play green chip LIR, no bonus bets, with some DDB at the bartops. Short pay, but I figure I save on the cruise itself, so that funds the gambling. For those that drink, I (we) also receive drink card(s) at the start of the cruise. Also during the week, various snacks are delivered to the cabin. So for me it's an easy choice to go on a free cruise. If you are a cruiser, and favor Harrahs and NCL I would suggest you always purchase a future cruise certificate for $150, which is worth $250 when you book a cruise. You can use it pay your port fees and taxes, saving you $100. (you paid $150 for it and got $250 credit towards a cruise fare) On the example using the Epic sailing, it will cost me $293-$100(what the net vaue of the cruise cert. I had purcahsed for $250) = $193. $193 is damn near free for me, considering I get a balcony cabin, all the food I can eat and any drink while in casino. Someone mentioned about cruising solo, this is true, there is not any extra charges if you are in cabin by yourself. If the old lady wants to go, I only pay for the port fees and taxes for her. Still a great deal for me.
Glenn
--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "the7thwarrior" <Judy@...> wrote:
>
> Those certificates are excellent for single or solo cruisers.
> You only have to pay for yourself in the cabin. A $200 in port charges and taxes tp cruise for a week is a fantastic deal. If you upgrade to a balcony from an insie cabin it usually costs around $300 more. So you are charged about $500 for a balcony cabin.
> Most cruises if you cruise alone will charge you double the going rate. So these certificates do have some value if you are single and want to take a vacation.
>
> If you travel frequently on NCL you will get a free dinner at the specialty restaurants and one free laundry while on the cruise, for the platinum level.
>
> This biggest problem I see is the lack of various itineraries.
> 90% are caribbean cruises. All are 7 days and cannot be combined for a 14 day cruise, so you are stuck with the same trip over and over again if you get multiple certificates over the years.
>
>
>
> --- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, Misscraps <misscraps@> wrote:
> >
> > If you have a so-called complimentary cruise certificate from NCL the charges you will pay for includes "guest reservation" (of $175 per person, and everyone has to pay them even though the cruise is so-called 'free') plus "port fees and taxes" which vary depending on ports. This total varies a bit depending on time of cruise, port, type of cabin. These fees total around $300 per person for me for a couple upcoming cruises to Caribbean and Mexico. So that should give u a rough idea.
> >
> > Fees may be a bit more for Alaska.
> >
> > This is one reason I feel these "complimentary" NCL cruises are deceptive. Some Harrahs properties describe them as "free" cruises, but $300 upfront isn't free in my book. You must pay these at time of reservation. Getting the insurance is also probably a good idea in case u must cancel.
> >
> > On top of this you will pay $12.50 per day per person for gratuities. These are billed automatically and paid for with your credit card. If u feel service is bad u can go to the information desk and change this, or if very good, give individual tips to certain people. For me, I just do the automatic tipping, which seems fair enough.
> >
> > Soda onboard also is not free, and if u drink anything except water, coffee, tea, or milk (except juice at breakfast), you might want to consider buying an unlimited soda package (around $7 a day I think). As a casino guest, drinks in the casino are free (they will give u a special card the first night of sailing if u attend a meeting in the casino, an invitation will come to your room), or ask at the casino. If u are thrifty, you can get cans of soda and cocktails at the casino bar and walk with them to dinner or your room. Otherwise booze isn't cheap. You can buy lower cost bottles of booze on the ship or in duty free shops in some ports, but the ship confiscates them and won't give them to u until u land. Some people sneak booze on board but ship's really try to confiscate any brought on board so they can sell u their own more expensive cocktails. Look for the captain's party or other special events that might have a glass or two of free champagne.
> >
> > Other major cost is shore excursions. In many cases u can save money by waiting to go onshore on your own and buying from people onshore. Check the Internet for tips on each port and sometimes u can buy good packages in advance online.
> >
> > On The Epic, and possibly other ships now, u can also book tickets for the shows onboard in advance. You should do so to save time in lines.
> >
> > For first time cruisers the NCL cruises will be nice. For more sophisticated travelers, NCL isn't the best cruise line.
> >
> > Food in the main dining room is excellent, and u don't need to spend extra on the specialty restaurants, though some people do and enjoy them. If u eat early, there is no problem with seating but if u eat at prime times u may want to make dining room reservations, despite "freestyle" promises. The buffet is quite good, especially for breakfast, but we found the dining room much better for dinners. You can order as much as u want, so indulge and order two entrees and two deserts if you like, or order something else if the first appetizer or entree isn't so good. Be prepared to gain 5-10 pounds on cruise. Go crazy with the food, it is part of the fun.
> >
>
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