Anyone ever get or actually use a free cruise certificate from Harrah's?

[roveer]

I am a Harrah's total rewards member and got a mailing from Harrah's telling me that I was given a free cruise. As you may know, Total Rewards (Harrah's players club), seems to have a business relationship with "casino's at sea" which is the company who runs NCL's on-ship casino's.

 

So I went to Harrah's and got the "certificate" which says I'm entitled to a free balcony stateroom on available sailings. I have until August to book the free trip, and 1 year from June to actually sail. Seems pretty legit. I'm sure there are lots of taxes and fee's.

 

Has anyone ever done this? Does it really work or is it totally limited?

 

It says for 2 people. I have a family of 6. Any opportunities to upgrade or get credit towards a larger room?

 

I figured I'd get the scoop here before calling them. So if you've ever done it, good or bad, let me know.

 

BTW, earlier this year I was getting free sailing on the Epic in the Med. They must not have been selling very well. Of course with my casino play, they figure they will get their fare from me that way :)

 

Thanks.

[garycarla]

This comes up every few weeks, and the response from everyone is that it works just fine. Keep in mind you do pay the taxes, etc - around $200/$250 per person. We have done similar ones before.

 

I am sure you could pay the normal difference to get a suite, but that might not be the best bet for your family.

[che5904]

Yes both of my previous sailings were Harrah's comped. Harrahs and NCL are owned by the same parent company hence the connection.

 

You are responsible for Gov't taxes and NCF (non-commission fare) not to be confused with port taxes which is the old name for it.

 

You can upgrade to a higher cabin but there are certain restrictions on which cabins you upgrade to (may possibly be due to what is available to CAS for booking). Not sure how that is determined. Thats the only limitation I have found. Also the amount they charge you to upgrade is based on a set amount not any sale prices. ie. to go from an oceanview to a balcony may cost you $150pp. even if there is technically only $125pp difference advertised online due to a sale on that sailing.

 

Once you book you will then be transferred over from Caesars/Harrah's Entertainment to a guest of CAS.

 

The good is, it's a heck of a lot cheaper than booking a cruise direct, you get a free drink card to use as long as you are in the casino, you get sometimes goodies like chocolate covered strawberries in your stateroom some nights, and nice welcoming letters from CAS.

 

The bad is, they force you to get off the ship and go home when your cruise week is over :(

 

Anything else I can help you with just ask.

[sjbdtz]

There are some blackout dates you may need to watch for too.

 

 

HOWEVER...if you were on the EpIC and had rated play, call Casinos At Sea.

 

They may ALSO comp you a balcony....but they do NOT have blackout dates......

 

 

 

 

 

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[emtthomas]

Just got back from sailing on the Jewel thanks to Harrahs/Casino at Seas, it was WONDERFUL, we took our son and upgraded from the "free" room to a Mini-suite, feel free to directly e-mail questions is you would like at solomon091208@gmail.com

[luvcruzing]

 

but they do NOT have blackout dates......

 

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Yes, they DO have blackout dates, which I was told when I was booking my April 2011 trip.

[sjbdtz]

Yes, they DO have blackout dates, which I was told when I was booking my April 2011 trip.

 

 

CAS? Nope. They have capacity control, but are not limited.

 

This is how the conversation went:

 

 

"Agent: Oh, I'm sorry, but Daniel's certificate can't be used over the Christmas break, there's a Blackout in effect".

 

"Me: Really? That sucks, it's the only time I can go between now & my May EPIC cruise. What if we had two of these certificates, would there be a way to bypass the Blackout?"

 

"Agent: sorry, it's part of the agreement with Harrah's"

 

"Me: Does our CAS history have any influence?"

 

"Agent: Oh, you've sailed with CAS before? Let me check. Actually, I have some good news. Your 2nd-last cruise earned you a balcony cabin (the certificate was only for oceanview), THERE IS NOT BLACKOUT DATE, and you can keep the certificate if you want to go another time"

 

"Me: Awesome!"

 

 

 

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