I've never gotten any indication of cabin class on any promo literature that I've received directly from a casino, other than perhaps a general "Mid-level" in the online title. I'm assuming there are other designations (Upper-level, Premium-level???), but I just haven't gotten them.
On the other hand, every promo I've gotten from NCL directly due to play onboard previous trips, as a Casinos at Sea member, have clearly stated exactly what was being offered in the way of cabin class, special upgrades, free play, etc. Those mailings sometimes indicate, at least generally, what ships or trips you might be entitled to as well.
I haven't figured out exactly what the offering casino gets out of the deal, because obviously money you're using for the trip or for playing on board is money you won't be playing in the land-based casino. In the case of Harrahs/Caesars casinos, I know they're partnered up with NCL through the matrix of their ownership structure, so I can understand that tie-in, but non-Harrahs-affiliated casinos must have some skin in the game. Whether it is a percentage of your (expected) losses rebated by NCL or (more likely) an upfront payment for access to the land casino's client base, I'm not sure. In either scenario, that would explain the levels of the offers, as NCL would offer, I assume, more to get upper-tier players than lower-tier.
However, I'm a bit surprised that a high 7* would only be offered an inside cabin most of the time. As a non-highest tier player at the local casino that has sent me several offers, I've gotten the same mix of cabin offers, mostly inside or oceanview, but a rare balcony, usually tied to a specific ship or sailing - usually over a holiday like Thanksgiving or Christmas, when I suspect NCL is a bit more desperate to fill up the ship.
I will say that for me, the offers from NCL directly are usually better than those I get from the casinos, and the more likely it is that the ship won't be filled, the better deal I've been able to negotiate. I say negotiate, but that is a bit of a misnomer - you first pick an itinerary, and then they tell you what you qualify for on that particular ship/trip. I use 'better' advisedly in that you still pay the port charges and taxes, etc. but generally it at least starts at an oceanview, rather than inside.
Guru
Certainly the game is rigged. Don't let that stop you; if you don't bet, you can't win. -Lazarus Long
In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. But, in practice, there is. -Yogi Berra
There is no such thing as luck. There is only adequate or inadequate preparation to cope with a statistical universe. -Robert Heinlein
From: "slutoo@yahoo.com [vpFREE]" <vpFREE@yahoogroups.com>
To: vpFREE@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, May 26, 2014 8:14 AM
Subject: [vpFREE] Re: NCL Cruise Offer
Your offer should have stated what cabin class you were offered. (inside room, ocean view or balcony, check the offer again you got in the mail. If inside room and you like to stay in a balcony, then you can usually buy it outright for the same cost as the upgrade fee plus taxes plus port fees. If you are good with whatever class your offer is for, then as someone else said, it will be a good deal and about 50% off what you can buy online.
We've used a dozen or more certificates, but thrown away more than we have used when they are for inside or ocean view. For example a 7 day Mexican Riviera cruise cost just under $2,000 to upgrade from the inside room certificate to a balcony. We are high seven star but get a mix of cabin offers, more inside than balcony. The same offer you received we got ocean view and won't bother using due to the upgrade cost. They generally include all US 7 day only Caribbean cruises and 7 day only European cruises. Alaska and Mexican Riviera cruises are sometimes also included.
Dave
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Posted by: GURU PERF <guruperf@att.net>
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