Russiamomm

Will do that next month. I thought four would be plenty since I was getting back on a ship in six weeks. I didn’t expect to book two cruises in that time period, much less having a triple up offer pop up! Live and learn. Just hoping this one gets extended or they have another one before final payment in February! And yeah, I really hate the way they market these things. But it’s a good product. I always try to keep some in the bank. But my calculus was wrong this time. 😢

Correct. You can cash it out the morning of the last full day - not before. I was there when they opened at 9:00. Then I went next door to the CruiseNext desk and bought my four CNs. I didn’t want to buy them earlier because I wanted to get the 3x points for charging them to the NCL credit card. I didn’t want to use the purchased OBC to pay for them.

Yup. I bought two $500 certificates. Worked like a charm. Just wish I could have cashed it out earlier. I thought about taking an advance at the casino, but didn’t want to pay the 3% fee, so I waited. Luckily I did pretty decent in the casino on that trip and didn’t need the cash. 😃

One more note. It was a bit of a juggle. I knew I wanted to buy four CruiseNexts, but I didn’t want to use the OBC for it. The account on file was my NCL MC. I wanted to use that for the CNs to get the three points. So I grabbed a Starbucks, cashed out the OBC and then went to the CN desk to buy my CNs. It’s all kind of a game to me, 😂

Don’t wait until disembarkation morning. I went first thing on the last full day of the cruise. I was first in line. I think they open at nine.

Yes! I did that last month for my Alaska trip. The Amex offer came in literally five days before we got onboard. We had paid for everything, including gratuities, for that one and for our December trip. I ended up buying $1000 of OBC for the Alaska cruise. You have to wait until the last day, but they give it back to you in cash. I cashed out just about $900. Nearly wiped them out.😂. So, yes, it works to buy OBC. They will not re-credit back to the card. In fact they will not let you off the ship until they’ve paid you back. As we were waiting to disembark they called several names telling them to go to the OBC desk before disembarking.

I’ve never used an outside TA. I book through CAS and have always made my payments directly on the site. Maybe there is a difference. Wish I was more help!

Those are the official rules, but that’s not the way it works in practice. Do it yourself. Go to your account and make a payment. The option is there to use a CN. I did it this summer for a cruise that had been booked for months. Trust us, it works. Just try it.

I used the card just before the Alaska trip. I charged $1000 to it then. My husband also has a card and got last month’s offer. We used his card to pay the deposit, so we got the $200 on his card for that. I guess we shouldn’t be greedy. We’ve gotten $400 benefit in less than a month between us. 😂

Thanks. I have two cruises booked for May. Hoping another offer pops up before final payment. 😃

Has anyone who got the last offer (6-8 weeks ago) gotten another one? I already used the last one and would love another one!

As I’ve said twice before, I have never seen this on NCL. I don’t believe they do it.

Same. I could use another one!

I’ve never seen this on an NCL ship.

I’ve never seen that on NCL.

Wish I had some left to apply to my May cruises! Kicking myself for only buying four last month, 😢

Absolutely! I started my career in tax. Ended it in banking!

😂. Great idea! The Penny-Pinching Sailing Accountants!

LOL. My family and friends think I’m nuts, but they’ve benefited from my penny-pinching over the years! I’m an accountant and the daughter of a woman that could squeeze a dime until it screamed. She taught me well! 😂

I’ll keep that in mind. Unfortunately in my case, it will not work. The only two I have booked is the B2B in May that I already applied two each to. Hopefully they’ll run it again before our final payment on our May trips.

As others have said, it’s likely an increase in the insurance premium. That took us by surprise the first time we won an upgrade. I don’t think there are additional taxes, at least in the US. We’ve since gotten an annual outside insurance policy and don’t buy NCL insurance anymore. Also agree, call your TA or NCL to be sure,

Thanks! Will definitely keep an eye out for our May trips. We were able to take advantage of a triple up promo last summer before final payment for our December 1 TA. Also got two price reductions before final payment. It really pays to track these promos and price reductions. We saved over $1000 on our 2BR Haven before final payment, used the triple up and then got a small FCC for a price drop after final payment!

Man! Any idea how long this goes on? I’m clean out of CNs. Bought four on my October cruise but already applied them to two new bookings in May. Kicking myself for only buying four! But I’m back onboard on December 1 and will refill the bank. 😂

LOL. Yes, typo. Sleep…. 😂

Just booking the Haven does not give you Specialty Restaurants, but the Free at Sea will. Probably two for a week long cruise, While the menu in the Haven restaurant does not change (they do sometimes have specials on longer cruises), the menu is very flexible and the staff will likely be able to get you pretty much what you want any time, but may need some notice. As far as breakfast goes, the Haven restaurant has a buffet every morning with fruit, yogurt, pastries, etc. in addition to the menu. There is also a continental display in the Haven observation lounge. There is muesli. I’ve never tried it, but have heard that it’s really good. You will not be disappointed.