browniegirl

I emailed my cc this morning as I had 2 cruise next cert's applied to a Jan 2021 cruise I am not comfortable going on now.  She wrote right back and said that even though they technically will have expired by then, she can apply them to a cruise in early 2022 for me if I want.... I am still waiting on a response about what cruise, perks etc, but at least I get an extension!  I still have 2 more canadian cruise certs I need to either use or I will lose... waiting on answer about those as well!

Hi I have 4 cruise reward cert's and have put 2 down on a cruise next January - but that is up in the air for financial reasons right now.  I am also wondering about if they will extend them as mine expire this October....I had kind of hoped to get a last minute Alaska cruise this summer with the last 2 but now not very comfortable with that and who knows how long this shut down will last!

Leah

21 hours ago, Love.NCL said:

Hi there, 

 

I just put a hold on a cruise for my mom and need 2 vouchers (or even one).  The hold is only good for couple hours - guessing bc it's coming up in less then 2 weeks.

 

Thank you,

 

 

Hi, I have two sitting in my account that I am not using but they are valued at $342 Canadian each.

I am in Canada and have also had a heck of a time seeing this deal, I also feel like I go in circles.... and never see a 20% reduction.  I log in, click on that message and it keeps taking me back to the login page.... very weird.

On 7/22/2019 at 5:32 AM, K_e_short said:

 I'm on the same cruise and super jealous you got such a great deal.

 

There is something wrong with airline travel in Canada... The cheapest flights I could get cost $2400  CAD.. and just checked and they are almost double that now ($1200 per person just Ottawa to Vancouver)

I know, it's crazy!  I live in BC and to get a one way flight from Alaska back to either Vancouver or Vancouver island was $500..... so that made the cruise not such a great deal unfortunately!!!!!  So I haven't booked it.... 😞

55 minutes ago, FaithPlus1 said:

Not sure what your room preference is (these are all interior) but found these!

NCL NB- $802USD includes taxes and fees 8/12

NCL NB $727 " " 8/26

NCL SB $727 8/5

Golden Princess SB $774 (honestly, I would have preferred Princess for myself) 8/31

 

 

Thanks I will have a look!  I am from Canada so I have been looking at our dollar.

Leah

33 minutes ago, FaithPlus1 said:

No it was $727 as a party of 1. NCL tends to drop the solo supplement or at least lower it significantly closer to sailings. I would never cruise if the solo supplement was that high. 

  Wow, that is amazing!  The cheapest so far I have found for August Alaska cruises for 1 comes out to $1900 taxes in and that is with $700 Canadian cruise next certs taken off!  I'll keep looking!

15 hours ago, FaithPlus1 said:

I kept putting it on hold because I was between the interior and the oceanview. Both were sailaway rates (I don't like to prepay and I know what I want). The oceanview was $300 more so I decided to save the $$$ instead. When I did this cruise 2 years ago on the Sun, the difference in price was only $100 and I had a great oceanview. I also kept thinking it would drop from $524 to $359 and then $299 which happened for the Southbound trip that leaves tomorrow, but as much as a gambler that I am, I got scared!

 

In any case I'm a frugal person and doing this solo. 

 

I paid (strictly for the room):

 

$727-$130 (bought the $250 Cruisenext on here for $120)=$597

 

 

 

My flight to Vancouver was $105 on United. Includes the seat assignment. Good flight time for me. Spending 2 nights in town. The first night I will be in a shared room with 1 other female at a hostel for $70 (hotels were really, really expensive!). The next night I was able to get at the Hyatt for "free" (really $75 since I have a Hyatt credit card and you pay $75 a year for your "free" night). My plans on doing a few short tours, eat poutine, go to Granville Island, and go to TK Maxx (I have always wanted to go there to see how it compares with TJ Maxx!). I would have liked to have done Victoria for 2 nights, but it's actually a bit less $$ me going as another trip in the fall doing for a 3 night trip so decided to take it as a separate trip most likely in October or November. 

 

My flight from Anchorage was $150 on Delta. I chose to go Economy Basic which I have never done.  Anchorage to SLC, and then SLC to LAX. To me the flight times aren't that long so if I et the middle seat, I will just deal with it. When I look at the flights on Delta from Anchorage to SLC, the flight wasn't that full and it looked like Delta was holding on to most aisle and window seats for their "elite" passengers (I'm not elite...I'm cheap).

 

Now to book excursions and to pack!

Wow, impressed!  When you booked solo, was the $727 twice what the rate was? I have been keeping an eye on the last minute Alaska cruises also but once you put 1 cruiser the rooms double of course, so it still hasn't worked out to a great yet for me.

Leah

Hi, that is great.  I do have a question though.... how were you able to book a sailaway cabin and get the free at sea offer?  I thought you couldn't get any perks at all with a sailaway?

Leah

33 minutes ago, don't-use-real-name said:

 

That mini-suite is not a real full (Haven) suite so those NCCs that you have bought can be

used as a partial or down payment. Mini-suite is a deluxe balcony and 2 of those NCCs

can be applied in booking that category of cabin.

The remaining 2 you can offer them here at CC or barter/sale on eBay.

Have friends relatives other interested parties transfer the NCCs to them to travel with you at a discount.

 

Yes, I totally understand.  I was able to use my cruise next certs for a minisuite and below as full deposit but not higher.  That is fine.  I'll slum it hahaha.

7 minutes ago, Budget Queen said:

I don't get it???   What difference does it make?   You still have to pay for the cruise.     

Yes you do, but not everyone has the money up front.  I book and then save for it.

Not rich....

Following!!!

On 6/20/2019 at 4:47 AM, Newleno said:

If so many people (the commoners) misunderstand something perhaps the program/verbiage/marketing  needs to be changed

I agree.  We would never have bought 4 of the type we did if they couldn't hold a suite or haven without further deposit.  We explicitly asked that and she said yes.  So we bought them.  Of course now, I see that this isn't the case and the deposit on top is huge and that there are other types we could have bought apparently.  Oh well, live and learn.  I booked  mini-suite and will see how that goes!!!

Leah

11 hours ago, DocJekl said:

 

We had a very similar thing happen.  On our fall cruise in 2016, we were PROMISED and the cruise next person swore we could use our 4 cruise next certs they sold us to book a suite or haven as the total deposit...… we were doubtful with him but he went on and on and said we would use them totally and not have to pay on top of it.  So..... get  back and about a month or two later I started looking into a future booking and was told by my pcc that this is indeed not the case, I can apply up to 2 at certain times (now more) but I had to also pay the huge extra amount, usually about $1500 Canadian on top of that to book a suite or haven to hold it.

Yes, 

Quote

 

 

 

 

Sorry for my sucky first post. It seems like it's not uncommon to be lied to or misled by an uninformed (or deceitful) CruiseNext sales rep. That's what lead me to visit this forum.

 

[RANT MODE ON]

In July 2017 we took an Alaskan cruise on the Pearl, and loved it. When meeting with the CruiseNext rep we first wanted to see if they offered cruises that we'd be interested in taking, and then we'd feel better about buying the deposits. We were shown some Caribbean and mediterranean cruises that interested us - a couple of those were 5-day cruises that we liked as being more in our price range. So we bought two deposits. But we were NEVER told during the sale meeting that the cruise must be 6 days or longer. They should have said, "this cruise I'm showing you is not valid for CruiseNext" and instead they let us make the assumptions.

 

And it's our fault for not reading the fine print and just trusting them. The typical used car salesman technique is to promise one thing verbally and then hand over a paper to sign with different terms, and we fell for it. When buying a car, I'm at the dealership all day negotiating and I avoid falling into these traps, but I let my guard down since the price was not as big.

 

So, two years later, after paying off the Alaskan Cruise ($10,000 after airfare and excursions on a fixed retirement income), we booked our next cruise last week through our travel agent - a 5-day Caribbean cruise. We prefaced this with 5-day stay in Orlando prior to departure (we had a 4-night pre-paid hotel for $299), and we paid for airfare already. We had Universal Season passes from a previous trip that expire 2-days after the ship sails, so this trip was our last chance to use the passes - it all came together perfectly.

 

Until Monday when we went to apply our CruiseNext deposit, but we were denied due to the rules. But this was the FIRST TIME WE HAD EVER HEARD OF THE 6 DAY RULE. I could pass a lie detector test about that statement. We can't change our flight without big penalties and we're stuck with these dates. The only > 6-day cruise out of Orlando in October is the first weekend when we can't travel, so our choices were limited.

 

NCL simply won't budge. I honestly don't feel like NCL care if they retain customers or not - it's a 30-60 minute wait on hold to speak to someone, so they won't even hire enough people to field calls. We've spoken to 4 different people at reservations and cruiseNext, over 3.5 hours of phone calls since yesterday, with none even being willing to comp us one visit to the spa or a box of chocolate to say "we're sorry". 

 

We can only afford one more cruise in the next 2 years when our CruiseNext expires (July 2021), so we'll have to look for a DoubleUp promotion to use both certificates at the same time if we book another in 12-18 months (or sell the certificates if it doesn't work out later). I'm so pissed right now that my preference would be to never cruise with NCL again.

 

If the situation changes I'll update this. [/Rant MODE OFF]

We had a very similar thing happen.  On our fall cruise in 2016, we were PROMISED and the cruise next person swore we could use our 4 cruise next certs they sold us to book a suite or haven as the total deposit...… we were doubtful with him but he went on and on and said we would use them totally and not have to pay on top of it.  So..... get  back and about a month or two later I started looking into a future booking and was told by my pcc that this is indeed not the case, I can apply up to 2 at certain times (now more) but I had to also pay the huge extra amount, usually about $1500 Canadian on top of that to book a suite or haven to hold it.

I was totally choked that we had been lied to.... wish I had of tried to book one right there on the ship lol.... but that is what I get for trusting a cruise next salesperson!!!

I have 4 cert's to still use.  Have applied 2 against a 2021 cruise (they expire Oct 2020 but I rec'd an extension) and will use the other 2 if I get a chance.

Kinda crappy of them I think.....but they made the sale.

Leah

Hi in the old days.... you could use them for a total deposit, but not anymore, you can still use them towards the deposit, ie: $500 if you have 2 but you still have to pay the remaining deposit right away, which is HUGE for a suite or Haven.  I bought 4 cruise certs on my last cruise and the cruise consultant promised me that I could use them in total for a suite and not have to pay extra but when home, was told by NCL that is not the case, I can still use them but it isn't the whole amount.

So I used them to book a minisuite because then I didn't pay extra for a deposit, and will wait to closer to see if any suites are left and try and do the bidding thing that is new to me.  

Yeah, suites and haven deposits are huge.....

Leah

20 minutes ago, smplybcause said:

 

The way this season has been going the deals in Alaska are happening about a month before sailing, so just keep watching! 

 

I can't help you on the one way cruises, but they don't have studios so the number of solos on it likely depends how good of a solo discount they give. I was on Bliss which has the lounge and the solo meetups were probably 3/4 50+. I only met one other solo in their 30s and then about 5 in their 20s.

Thanks!  Great suggestion.  Probably not worth me even checking until the beginning of July to see if they have discounted anything much and what a solo rate would be.  Right now, it's just way too high plus all the extras 🙂  Good to know about the 50 plus crowd haha, I am kind of a shy person so it would be stepping out of my comfort zone but also something I am trying to do haha!!

Thank you for asking this question!  I am in the same boat but looking for August - live in Western Canada so maybe Alaska.  I have never cruised solo before and am Platinum so I get a few perks even if I get an inside.  I have been checking prices and it's still super high to cruise solo out of Alaska plus flights if it is a one way north or south trip.  I am much older than you and would be looking for the 50s crowd lol.    I check almost every day to see if there are any smoking deals for first 2 weeks of August but nothing great yet.  I have 2 cruise next vouchers to apply also so hoping I can use them to make it more affordable.

But also looking at all inclusives ….. it's just a R and R week for me.... so far they are about $1500 - which kind of surprises me for the hot summer....

Good luck and let us know what you decide!

Leah

Wow, such amazing deals the CAS!  Makes me wish I had of gambled more on my 9 cruises lol...…  I guess you have to gamble a lot to get that!

Leah

I used two and we each in the cabin got a $50 OBC.

Leah

When we bought 4 regular cruise next certs, we were assured and we asked many times because we didn't believe them, that we only bought 4 so that we could put it 100% towards a suite booking with no additional payment.  Person selling them on board promised us yes, if we bought 4, we could use that for a suite.  

Haha, well get home, try to book a suite, and nope!!!  Was told by NCl rep that this person gave us very wrong info.... we can use them against a suite but we also have to pay a huge deposit on top of it (not like the old days).

So beware!!!

Leah

2 minutes ago, debgreg said:

Not sure how school holidays work there but in the UK once the kids break up all (July/Aug) vacations almost double in price

Yes, kids are out July and August here as well and it is very true, everything gets very pricey I the summer here!!!  I am looking at doing something solo while daughter is away with her Dad, so will keep an eye out on something!

I an relate, we purchased 4 on our last cruise and since then prices have gotten out of my budget!!!

I have used 2 on a 2021 cruise and hopefully I can go on that one, got a half decent deal on a mini-suite (not my usual suite or haven lol) but I didn't have to put additional deposit down so that worked

Now I have 2 left..... and have to book by October 2020.  So I am thinking the same as you, but maybe an Alaskan cruise as I could just drive to port.  I have never ever booked a last minute cruise, always at least book a year plus out and in the past it really made a huge difference.  But now...with prices what they are, I am thinking of booking a last minute Alaskan cruise this summer and put 2 my cruise next certs down on it if I can....they are worth almost $700 Canadian for the two of them so I might get a good deal!!!  Fingers crossed.... 

Question to all who have done this, do you wait until under the 4 week mark to look and book then? If I am looking at some time early August, start looking in July for last minute deals?

Leah

On ‎5‎/‎15‎/‎2019 at 2:44 PM, Oldsweets said:

We are Platinum Members and thought we had a good handle on the system but learned again that its a moving target.  We booked 12 months out direct with NCL for a 11 day Cruise in Jan 2020  and at booking we had no Cruise Next Certificates.  The NCL Rep new we were getting ready to leave on a March NCL Cruise and told us that if we get 2 Cruise Next Certificates on the March trip that they would be able to apply them to our Jan trip.  We just called and said nope it requires a new booking at the current rates which have now gone up $300.  So we will watch prices thru Cruise Fish and hope for a price reduction before final payment and not buy Cruise Next Certificates going forward.  Lots of lessons to be relearned I guess.  

We had a lousy experience sort of also...…..  on the last cruise we were talked into buying 4 of the cruise next certificates and were told (after me questioning them SEVERAL times) that YES we could use them solely to book a Suite or the Haven without extra deposits needed.  So when we got back, I tried to book just that and was told NOPE you are wrong, they were wrong, you can apply the cruise next cert's but you also have to pay the $1500 plus deposit on top..... I was not happy.  I still have 2 to use up and have applied 2 against a non-suite cabin for now.....ugh haha.  Lesson learned!!!!

Leah

2 hours ago, cruisencrazy said:

Thumbs up or thumbs down on the Getaway Haven and why?

LOVED IT!!!  The staff, restaurant, lounge, pool area, all super awesome, would LOVE to do it again but had an amazing deal right off the start for it, no such deals seem to exist anymore!  go for it!!!  Have also been on the Haven on the Pearl and both were amazing but preferred the Getaway!

Leah

4 minutes ago, firstimecruiseronncl said:

Thanks to this thread I called and received the shore excursion credit and 250 wifi minutes for my Feb 2020 Bliss cruise. I also saved $40 because our fare decreased $20 a person.

The $100 onboard credit was also given because we used cruisenext certificates on the original booking. 

That is fantastic!!!  I love it when we learn stuff on cruise critic that gets us bonuses and a better deal, yay us!