Total Newbie - Free NCL cruise

[HouNew2Cruise]

I am glad I found CC. I have had cruise offers before, but never thought I would enjoy them. Then I read a review on another board (BeeeJay), which I see he was/is here too, and it looked like a good time. So, I got my free cruise with NCL and need to decide when to go, what to book, etc.

 

I have decided I want to go out of NOLA on Spirit.

 

It will be me and a friend. Two guys late 30's and early 40's. I am very laid back/casual, which is why I first thought cruises would not be for me, assumed formal dining with assigned seats. Now I know about NCL freestyle cruising.

 

I just started with this board, and know I have tons to read. Looks like lots of great information.

 

My first inclination is to try and cruise during December 2011.

 

I have inside stateroom option, but could upgrade on my own dime. If there is just 2 people in the room, is those inside staterooms fine? How often does one end up in the room? If I want to see the sunset or water, would it make more sense to go out on the deck?

 

Time to go reading and learning from this site.

[firefly333]

How did you get a FREE cruise?

 

Inside is fine. I think if you want romance or are the type to sit out by yourself, then some people do like a balcony, but its no big deal, especially your first cruise when you will be trying to do everything.

[uppitycats]

I am glad I found CC. I have had cruise offers before, but never thought I would enjoy them. Then I read a review on another board (BeeeJay), which I see he was/is here too, and it looked like a good time. So, I got my free cruise with NCL and need to decide when to go, what to book, etc.

 

I have decided I want to go out of NOLA on Spirit.

 

It will be me and a friend. Two guys late 30's and early 40's. I am very laid back/casual, which is why I first thought cruises would not be for me, assumed formal dining with assigned seats. Now I know about NCL freestyle cruising.

 

I just started with this board, and know I have tons to read. Looks like lots of great information.

 

My first inclination is to try and cruise during December 2011.

 

I have inside stateroom option, but could upgrade on my own dime. If there is just 2 people in the room, is those inside staterooms fine? How often does one end up in the room? If I want to see the sunset or water, would it make more sense to go out on the deck?

 

Time to go reading and learning from this site.

 

How'd you get a free cruise?? That's terrific!

 

I think most folks end up in their cabins mainly to sleep, so an inside for two will probably work just fine. There is so much to do on a cruise ship that you'll likely be out and about, on deck, or participating in activities when you're not in port.

 

Have a great cruise!

[trish1c]

Read the fine print . . . .your free cruise isn't free. It's usually only a 3-4 day trip not a full 7 day. You get your cabin for free which includes most meals but not at the specialty restaurants. You have to pay taxes, port charges, tips, transportation to the port, & any on-board charges like alcohol, casino, spa, souveniers etc.

An inside cabin is fine. They are not significantly smaller than OV cabins. They don't have any windows or natural light. If you book one you can be disoriented without the sun. To compensate, when you go to sleep turn your TV to the bow cam channel & turn off the sound. When the sun comes up outside you will "see" it too.

[KirkNC]

Welcome to CC!

 

Kirk

[paul929207]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

 

As others have said, be sure you understand what is free and what you will have to pay for before you commit. Probably since it is NCL, it is legit, but we have seen other posts about no-name cruise that turned out to be more expensive taking the free cruise than just paying for it.

[HouNew2Cruise]

Thanks everyone.

 

I do understand it is not completely free. It is a 7 day NCL free cruise (excluding taxes/fees/tips, extra purchases). I got it from being a casino player with the Harrah's/Caesars, and they do cross over stuff with Casino at Sea (NCL), as they are partially owned by the same group.

 

I get pretty cheap airfare from Houston to New Orleans on Southwest, on Saturday and Monday. I get free rooms at Harrah's in New Orleans, so I plan to go a day earlier (Saturday) and leave a day later (Monday) than the cruise (Sun - Sun). That is something I have learned on here, about at least arriving a day early.

 

I probably won't be hitting up much bar drinks outside of the casino. But, I do get free drinks while I play for being a CAS invited guest, plus priority boarding. I play video poker and blackjack, so I understand the odds won't be so spectacular. They do have a captive audience.

 

I think the "free" is about 800 to 900 credit.

[trish1c]

NCL Casinos at Sea & the cross over packages with the land based casinos are very good deals. I have friends who cruise a lot with these deals b/c the cabins they get are so awesome. Enjoy.

Especially if you are going to play a lot, b/c there are no windows in the casino either, I'd consider upgrading to at least a port hole cabin so once in a while you get some sun. :)

[janabm81]

Sounds like I need to start going to the casinos more often!:D