First Time Cruiser - Comped NCL CAS Cruise

Hello All! I am a first time cruiser. I've never been on a cruise before but recently received a comped cruise from my local casino (also just got another one from a different casino). My certificate is for a 7 day cruise in an inside stateroom. Nothing spectacular from what I gather. My question is this: WHAT DO I DO NEXT!?! LoL.

My husband and I have been looking at the different cruises and cruise options online. We haven't called to book the cruise yet but have to do so within the next two weeks. What do I need to know before I book it? We've been talking about upgrading to a balcony room. Is it worth it? We've looked at adding the beverage package but from what I can tell it would add $1,400 to the cost of the "free" cruise. I'd like to cruise for under $1,000. Is this realistic? Do we need the beverage package? I've read that you can get free drinks in the casino? Do you have to qualify based on play for that? What things are worth upgrading and adding on and what things do they just get you on? Are there things that I can get them to offer a better price on, or is the price they quote me just the price I have to pay if I want it? I'd love any tips, tricks and advice you can provide! I have to book by October 19 and sail by August 18, 2018. We are looking at an April sail date but if we can get better upgrades or offers by sailing during a different time we'd gladly do that as well. We don't have any children so we have a flexible schedule.

THANKS!

... Is it worth it? ...

Difficult to determine "worth" without knowing the total cost to upgrade.

You may also want to post this on the dedicated NCL forum to reach more folks with direct experience:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=107

I also wanted to welcome you to Cruise Critic and wish you a great time on your first cruise!

Before booking, find out the cost if you just booked with out the "free" cruise. Often the Free ones cost more than the non-free. Upgrading, drinks packages, etc. really depend on you and your habits. For many people, the drinks package is a great deal. For others, it is a waste of money. You should be able to get drink prices on the NCL board.

You may get free drinks in the casino...you may not...it really depends on the amount of your "play"...you can ask about that when you book thru the casino host.

You don't HAVE to have a package to get a drink...you can buy anything "a la carte"! If you don't drink all day long, but just want a couple drinks around dinner, it's usually better to buy as you go.

We are getting ready to go on another CAS "comped" cruise. We also have an inside comped and have usually upgraded to a balcony. You can plan on essentially a 1/2 price cruise by the time you pay the taxes, port fees and administrative costs.

We generally plan for under $1000 for 2 in a balcony and that includes the gratuities on the promo. Of course it depends on the costs of your intended cruise. We usually pick the 2 promos of unlimited drinks and specialty dining. If you watch and they have a sale you can rebook prior to final payment to get the current promos. On our cruise next week we are sailing in a mini-suite; along with our son and granddaughter. We switched to a 3rd and 4th person free promo along with the drink package.

If you are a guest of CAS you will drink for free in the casino and can have bottled water from the casino (which we take back to the room and take off the ship on port days). Thanks to CAS we have been able to cruise more often and really enjoy it. NCL had never been our cruise line of choice, but we have sailed with them exclusively since getting on the CAS list. As a bonus the only handpays on a cruise I have ever had have been on NCL! ;)

Looks like you already booked your cruise, but since this is your first cruise I thought I'd share my NCL tips with you; published to my blog: http://laurenofalltrades.blogspot.com/2017/10/11-ncl-cruise-tips.html