Free Cruise from Casino at Sea!!

[SASA13]

I got the same postcard, and when I called I got the exact same offering as you mentioned. We too are sailing CCL in Sept, but they "made me an offer I couldn't refuse", so I immediately booked it. NOTE: They started me out on deck 8, which after I researched it, I found out that these balcony cabins have great views of the lifeboats, and most balconies were "uncovered". I called back and changed my cabin to deck 11 for the same price. I have never sailed in December, so I am very excited over this cruise. I am hoping the ship will be decorated for the holidays, that would be awesome. If you are going on 12/10th , See You ON Board :)

[SASA13]

I have a question.....hoping someone that has taken advantage of this offer knows the answer.....

 

If I go ahead and book an inside cabin via this offer through CAS.... can I upgrade to a balcony cabin later?? (as long as there is one available) Or will they cancel the original booking and treat it like a 'new booking' (in which case we would not get the deal).....

 

I would think, that they would just amend your original booking. Not sure, as I originally booked a mid-ship balcony, and called back 2 times afterwards to change my cabin.

[pcreek]

I have a question.....hoping someone that has taken advantage of this offer knows the answer.....

 

If I go ahead and book an inside cabin via this offer through CAS.... can I upgrade to a balcony cabin later?? (as long as there is one available) Or will they cancel the original booking and treat it like a 'new booking' (in which case we would not get the deal).....

 

 

I called back after booking and asked about pricing for higher priced cabins. I was quoted pricing on the higher level cabins and asked how long this pricing was good for. She stated that I could upgrade until about 1-2 weeks before sailing, with the pricing she gave me.

(I assume unless the pricing on those cabins goes down). She said the pricing was just taking off the price of the "free" cabin I was given, and it wasn't time limited.

I wondered, because on the postcard I got, I had to book before July 31st.

[tonit964]

My DH got the Total Rewards free cruise offer in the mail yesterday that we will use for next August. We have taken advantage of two of these offers in the past.

 

Our options are Florida/Bahamas or Bermuda, sailing out of New York or Boston. We have never sailed to either place.

 

Can anyone advise which would be best for first timers?

Thanks!

Toni

Edited July 19, 2011 by tonit964

[smrtypnts]

My DH got the Total Rewards free cruise offer in the mail yesterday that we will use for next August. We have taken advantage of two of these offers in the past.

 

Our options are Florida/Bahamas or Bermuda, sailing out of New York or Boston. We have never sailed to either place.

 

Can anyone advise which would be best for first timers?

Thanks!

Toni

Bermuda is a much nicer island, partly because the islanders are predominantly wealthy. The Bahamians are mostly poor, so much of the islands reflect this.

[tonit964]

Bermuda is a much nicer island, partly because the islanders are predominantly wealthy. The Bahamians are mostly poor, so much of the islands reflect this.

 

Thank You!

 

My DH is stuck on the fact that Bermuda is only one port. He wants more stops but Bahamas is only one too, with the exception of Port Canaveral.

 

I'm wanting the Bermuda itinerary.

Toni

[DPurcell58]

So if my husband and I just got a Total Rewards card this month, should we just sign up for a CAS card when we get on the ship? (Jewel) Any chance of free drinks in the casino? Thanks.

[AnitaVacation]

My DH got the Total Rewards free cruise offer in the mail yesterday that we will use for next August. We have taken advantage of two of these offers in the past.

 

Our options are Florida/Bahamas or Bermuda, sailing out of New York or Boston. We have never sailed to either place.

 

Can anyone advise which would be best for first timers?

Thanks!

Toni

 

My Vote definitely goes to BERMUDA!!! (we are headed there, again, in Sept)....Bermuda is beautiful...and you get 3 whole days to explore the island without being rushed back to the ship!! Beaches, shopping, lighthouses, forts....lots to see and do!! Make sure you get the 3-day transit pass for unlimited use of the buses and ferry's....(and Bermuda is clean and safe, for the most part)...

[goldmom]

So if my husband and I just got a Total Rewards card this month, should we just sign up for a CAS card when we get on the ship? (Jewel) Any chance of free drinks in the casino? Thanks.

 

You do not get the free drink card unless you book your cruise through CAS or Harrah's. However if you earn 1500 points during your cruise you are then eligible to receive the free drink card. They will take the 1500 off of your accrued points.

[tonit964]

My Vote definitely goes to BERMUDA!!! (we are headed there, again, in Sept)....Bermuda is beautiful...and you get 3 whole days to explore the island without being rushed back to the ship!! Beaches, shopping, lighthouses, forts....lots to see and do!! Make sure you get the 3-day transit pass for unlimited use of the buses and ferry's....(and Bermuda is clean and safe, for the most part)...

 

Thank you!

[ccerts]

I got a CAS Cruise Certificate from Tropicana Las Vegas and now a 2nd Cert from Caesar's.

 

I'm a Caesar's TR Diamond Tier, but never been on a NCL cruise. Does anyone know if I should book the cruise through CAS or through my Caesar's Host. I really want the best room (I can get comped) and am also looking to see if I can combine the 2 CAS Certs for a room upgrade.

 

 

 

[che5904]

I got a CAS Cruise Certificate from Tropicana Las Vegas and now a 2nd Cert from Caesar's.

 

I'm a Caesar's TR Diamond Tier, but never been on a NCL cruise. Does anyone know if I should book the cruise through CAS or through my Caesar's Host. I really want the best room (I can get comped) and am also looking to see if I can combine the 2 CAS Certs for a room upgrade.

 

 

As far as I am aware No and No. I doubt CAS would offer you anything comped since if you haven't sailed with them before, you would not have established yourself as a CAS player. Although they work as a team in that NCL offers comped cruises for them they are not the same.

 

I believe the offers I get from Total rewards say right on them that they cannot be combined with any other offer.

 

There are only certain upgrades available for comped TR or CAS cabins.

[garycarla]

re: Multiple certs. You have to pick one deal or another.

 

re; Harrahs/Caesars and NCL. Their players programs are totally separate. You can not use one card for the other, or combine any points.

[tonit964]

We have to go to Vegas to pick up our certificate for free cruise.

 

The Total Rewards offer was over Labor Day weekend and of course the room is comped for three nights but we were planning on going anyway so this is a bonus for us.

 

There is a number to call on the cert and it's booked that way.

The upgrade prices are so good. Last time we upgraded from the OV to a penthouse suite for $650 each. That'a steal!

Gonna do it again this time.

Toni

[AnitaVacation]

I've decided to book the inside cabin and will upgrade to a balcony (or better) at a later date....this way, I don't miss out on the deal and don't have to use my credit card to pay for it...(and if there is a price drop, kudos to me...however, I do realize that there could be an increase too)....but hey.....I didnt get this CAS offer for not being a gambler, right ;)

 

Comments??

[RMM34667]

I came on the NCL board tonight BECAUSE I got a post card today. The cruise they offer is just a three day in October. I've been looking at a four day in Nov. so what is one less day if it's a lot less money?

 

But I'm confused on WHY I got this. I have not sailed NCL since 2007. And is this offer JUST for the person sent the card? Or can you bring guests?

 

I do spend TONS in the casino, and was looking at a four day on CCL with a 25% off from their players club (along with $100 free play). They let you chose any cruise.

 

But how can I qualify with NCL if I haven't sailed with them in SO LONG?

I am going to call tomorrow and MIGHT consider it if it's truly legit. But then again this cruise would require 3 vacation days. The 4 day would require none.

[AnitaVacation]

But I'm confused on WHY I got this. I have not sailed NCL since 2007. And is this offer JUST for the person sent the card? Or can you bring guests?

 

They miss you....;)

 

Our offer was for my husband and one companion (that would be me :D)

 

Personally, I think these mailings are quite random....we sailed on NCL last fall and this year we booked a cruise (two actually) with CCL....so, maybe, in our case...they saw that we had not booked a cruise with them this year....(but now we are, thanks to this offer)...

[AnitaVacation]

BOOKED!!!

 

Sailing on the EPIC on December 3rd!!

 

WOOHOO!!!

[Liztoybiz]

Anita, congrats! I am going on the Epic as a CAS guest as well, boarding a week from Sunday!! So I'll try to take notes for you. I haven't sailed NCL since the Norway so I'm excited to experience some of the differences between Epic and Oasis, which we were on last month.

So many great options, really looking forward to Freestylin!

 

Anita, regarding your upgrade chances, I would guess it differs, depending on who you talk to and how booked they are. I will say that I had the best opportunity for upgrading when I first booked. I upgraded from a balcony to a mini-spa suite for $100 pp plus taxes/fees of about 240 each. However, I could have had a full suite for $1000 each. Rather save that money for Italy and Spain...

When I inquired 10 days later about upgrading to a suite (to see if prices were any better), they told me it would be closer to 2000!! No thanks. Thrilled to be sailing as their guest and felt the 100 was a bargain for a mini.

Where will Epic be in December, back to Caribbean?

 

Have a blast!

Liz

[ponza17]

I also booked this cruise for 12/3/2011.Did not take upgrade.Inside is fine with us.My CAS was generated through last trip on Spirit in March.I 'am a Harrahs Total Rewards customer but that card has my nickname on it and CAS postcard had my full name on it.That is my mystery solved!For those of you on east coast check out Spirit Air to Fll. Round trip from Myrtle Beach,S.C. was $322.00 for two.Last year it was $34.00 each.($9.00 fare club rate)Inflation!See you on board! Carlyle aka "Sandy"

[AnitaVacation]

Epic will be cruising St Thomas, St Maartin and Nassau in December....we've never been to ST or SM...this will be our 4th time in Nassau ....

 

As far as the upgrades go....it depends on availability....basically, it's whatever the current rate for that category minus the price of the basic inside....right now, it's $300pp to upgrade just to a balcony....or maybe the upgrade fairy will call me with a better deal.....

 

Now I'm just waiting for the airfare to drop....it usually does in August....right now, it's $320 pp r/t .....when it gets to $250 or less, I'll book...

 

We had a mini-suite on our last NCL cruise....the luxury bathroom was nice (compared to the ncl Majesty OV, which was super tiny)....but after looking at cabin photos on EPIC, I think a balcony will do fine....looks like the shower is roomy enough....and the difference in the size of the cabins (on EPIC) there is not enough difference between the balcony and the mini suite to pay extra $$....

 

I'm glad to see coffee makers and refrigs in the cabins....I like to have my morning coffee before I face the world...lol

 

So...anyway....we're excited....honestly, EPIC was pretty low on our list of ships to sail, not really excited about these 'mega ships'...but, this was such a deal, we had to do it........

[AnitaVacation]

(shoulda checks rates before I posted this morning!)...the price of the inside cabin just increased....so now the difference between inside and balcony is only $250pp...I should upgrade now, but here's the dilema....I can only do this via a CAS rep, and they are only open M-F....(I think)....I do know they are only open 9-5....

 

Then, if the difference decreases more (in the future), I can upgrade again...:D

[AnitaVacation]

Oh My Goodness........I dont know if it is lack of training or what....here's what I have been told....

 

When I called (my first call) to get information about booking this deal, I was told 'yes, I could use a 'future cruise cert' as deposit in full and pay the balance before 9/18....(we discussed inside and balcony cabins and the price difference, etc etc)

 

My second call, I was told.....yes, I could use the 'fcc' but had to pay the balance in full upon booking.....(right then)

 

My third call....I decided to book the inside the cabin, paid in full and will grab an upgrade later....no problem, booked & paid (used my fcc)

 

This morning I called to see how much to upgrade to a balcony (because the price difference had dropped, and according to my math would be $250pp to move to a balcony)....the rep retrieved my reservation and did her thing and came back and told me that the upgrade would be $290pp, I even asked her if she was sure bcuz I figured $250....she assured me, $290pp....(so, I thought, did the price move again?)....so, I told her I would wait........

 

I went back online and checks the rates of my cruise and sure enough, the difference was still $250pp.... so, I called again.....got a very nice gentleman....and this time, instead of just requesting 'a balcony' I requested an upgrade to a BF (which was the +$250pp category)...the nice man told me that category was under guarantee ...but I could choose a BE category for $10 more (higher deck too)....so, I booked the BE balcony without a problem......

 

THEN......he tells me that I do not need to pay the difference today, I have until 9/18 to make final payment......???....I was like...WHA??? I explained to him that I was told by the former rep(s) that I had to pay in full upon booking.....he told me (after he apologized for his colleagues) that anytime you book an upgraded category, you only need to put down the $500 deposit...EVEN WITH CASINO AT SEA...........:cool:

 

But it's all good....with that information, I probably would have booked a balcony cabin right from the start....but hey, this way, I saved $80....so, I'm happy....

 

I just wanted to pass this information along to anyone that is booking via CAS....the first reps I spoke to did not really clarify the rules.......and who knows, maybe you will get a rep that will tell you all this is not true :rolleyes:

 

Happy Sailing Everyone!!!

Edited July 26, 2011 by AnitaVacation

[che5904]

Oh My Goodness........I dont know if it is lack of training or what....here's what I have been told....

 

When I called (my first call) to get information about booking this deal, I was told 'yes, I could use a 'future cruise cert' as deposit in full and pay the balance before 9/18....(we discussed inside and balcony cabins and the price difference, etc etc)

 

My second call, I was told.....yes, I could use the 'fcc' but had to pay the balance in full upon booking.....(right then)

 

My third call....I decided to book the inside the cabin, paid in full and will grab an upgrade later....no problem, booked & paid (used my fcc)

 

This morning I called to see how much to upgrade to a balcony (because the price difference had dropped, and according to my math would be $250pp to move to a balcony)....the rep retrieved my reservation and did her thing and came back and told me that the upgrade would be $290pp, I even asked her if she was sure bcuz I figured $250....she assured me, $290pp....(so, I thought, did the price move again?)....so, I told her I would wait........

 

I went back online and checks the rates of my cruise and sure enough, the difference was still $250pp.... so, I called again.....got a very nice gentleman....and this time, instead of just requesting 'a balcony' I requested an upgrade to a BF (which was the +$250pp category)...the nice man told me that category was under guarantee ...but I could choose a BE category for $10 more (higher deck too)....so, I booked the BE balcony without a problem......

 

THEN......he tells me that I do not need to pay the difference today, I have until 9/18 to make final payment......???....I was like...WHA??? I explained to him that I was told by the former rep(s) that I had to pay in full upon booking.....he told me (after he apologized for his colleagues) that anytime you book an upgraded category, you only need to put down the $500 deposit...EVEN WITH CASINO AT SEA...........:cool:

 

But it's all good....with that information, I probably would have booked a balcony cabin right from the start....but hey, this way, I saved $80....so, I'm happy....

 

I just wanted to pass this information along to anyone that is booking via CAS....the first reps I spoke to did not really clarify the rules.......and who knows, maybe you will get a rep that will tell you all this is not true :rolleyes:

 

Happy Sailing Everyone!!!

 

A couple of points

 

Reps you speak to on the telephone are really equivalent to any call center, they can only tell you what they find on the screen in front of them. If you have a more experienced rep they may know another screen that can give you a better shake, just by what they input in their search function.

 

Also your upgrade from a comp is not based on online prices at all but based on the sort of a suggested retail price. So regardless to what the online price tells you (which is based on whether they need to fill cabins), you will pay a set amount for an upgrade. As stated in the above paragraph that may vary slightly due to an experienced rep.

 

Before our last cruise I happened upon a very knowledgeable person. This is why you have a hard time getting the same answer twice. Find any large company that uses call centers and you will find the same type of descrepancies. These people for the most part have never been on a cruise and would be lucky if they actually knew what the ship physically looked like.

Edited July 26, 2011 by che5904

[VideoTech]

I got a CAS Cruise Certificate from Tropicana Las Vegas and now a 2nd Cert from Caesar's.

 

I'm a Caesar's TR Diamond Tier, but never been on a NCL cruise. Does anyone know if I should book the cruise through CAS or through my Caesar's Host. I really want the best room (I can get comped) and am also looking to see if I can combine the 2 CAS Certs for a room upgrade.

 

If you haven't done so already, and you work well with your Caesar's host, book through them. We book through our Harrah's host all the time, and feel we get better service that way.

 

Because the NCL CAS system and the Harrah's/Caesar's system are not directly linked, your Caesar's host will be able to work with CAS with his/her knowledge of your play and possibly help you to a better comp from CAS.