CruiseNext Bait & Switch tactic

[sparks1093]

We are considering buying the 2 Cruisenext certificates on our cruise this weekend.

 

Quick question for you all.....

 

We have pre-purchased $1000 in refundable OBC. Not sure if we'll use it or not, but since it is refundable we went ahead and got it (its at a preferable exchange rate since we are Canadian).

 

If we buy the 2 Cruisenext certificate for $500 using our refundable OBC and THEN subsequently the $250 OBC "refund" is applied to our account - is this $250 now considered refundable or non-refundable OBC (ie. do we have to absolutely spend it onboard or can it be refunded)?

 

I believe the OBC from CruiseNext is non-refundable as is most OBC from NCL.

[sfaaa]

Using OBC to offset DSC is just like getting cash.

[swedish weave]

In this case there was no completed transaction. There was no transaction at all, and the deposit that the son allowed to become worthless remains worthless. But who knows, the promo may come back one day at a time when the son is able to take advantage of it.

 

I do think that the CruiseNext people should have been explained upfront that they changed the rules (and why) instead of telling swedish weave and his son that they had misunderstood the initial communication, which is just insulting. (But then again I haven't seen anyone else's account of the initial communication, only swedish weave's.)

 

YOu will not see anyone elses account of this because the email came only to my son.

 

I will add that a couple of weeks after Stitt rejected our request to transfer the expired cert, my son received another similar email stating the expired cert had been reinstated, but the option to transfer it was not in the second email.

 

I did book the Jewel cruise thinking I could get someone in NCL to reverse the decision Stitt made, but Andy Stuart did not respond to my email. I do feel that I was able to level the playing field somewhat and have since booked my four other cruises this year with other companies. I get some comfort in the fact that Stitt's decision has caused my cruising dollars to go to a more worthy cause.

 

Be prepared to see another "1000" posts on this subject, because I see no reason to refrain from letting others know about NCL's antics.

Edited March 30, 2016 by swedish weave

[ezcruiser56]

We are considering buying the 2 Cruisenext certificates on our cruise this weekend.

 

Quick question for you all.....

 

We have pre-purchased $1000 in refundable OBC. Not sure if we'll use it or not, but since it is refundable we went ahead and got it (its at a preferable exchange rate since we are Canadian).

 

If we buy the 2 Cruisenext certificate for $500 using our refundable OBC and THEN subsequently the $250 OBC "refund" is applied to our account - is this $250 now considered refundable or non-refundable OBC (ie. do we have to absolutely spend it onboard or can it be refunded)?

 

When you purchase two certificates for a $500 charge you will receive two credits for $150 and $100 (total of $250) that is applied to your account prior to your refundable credit being charged. Only the remaining $250 should be charged against your refundable OBC. Your refundable credit balance would then be $750.

[swedish weave]

Using OBC to offset DSC is just like getting cash.

 

NCL does not allow non-refundable OBC to be used in the casino or for DSC. Filing the form for removing the DSC is the only way I know of to circumvent this restriction.

Edited March 30, 2016 by swedish weave

[esm54687]

It is more like an instant rebate than a true buy one get one free. If you buy one certificate it's $250 with $100 obc so the net cost of the certificate is $150. A true buy one get one free offer you would buy the certificate for $250, get $100 obc, receive 2 certificates and have a net cost of $75 for each certificate. The way NCL does it is they sell you 2 for $500, they give you a rebate of $250 in obc and the net cost is $125 per certificate. The chart used in the promotion does make it clearer but I can certainly understand someone being confused by the term "buy one, get one free". At the end of the day it is still a really good deal as long as you are planning on cruising with NCL again.

 

 

Thanks sparks1093... that's all I was saying..... if you read the offer as it was written "buy one, get one free", that's what I was expecting... I was not expecting NCL math to make it into a two for one... I was expecting a true BOGO..

 

I am from the old school of "say what you mean" and "buy one, get one free" is pretty simple.

 

As far as questioning the "bait-and-switch" definition.... it does apply here because they advertised (bait) one thing (one certificate) and switched it to really buying two certificates thus increasing the cost substantially (cost of the second cruise)

 

I appreciate everyone's passionate opinions of me and explanations..... happy cruising

[bruadhin]

Of course they were taking advantage, that's what people do and what company's want since that is why they make these offers. If they didn't want the expired to be eligible to transfer all they needed do was put an * and at the bottom say "expired certificates may only be redeemed by the original purchaser and may not be transferred". They had to know that some people that had expired certificates would not be in a position to use them and would try to transfer them to someone that could use them. People are always going to take full advantage of terms that are favorable to them.

 

Exactly. Most companies are in a take it or leave it situation. Either you abide by their pre-printed terms or you don't do business. And they will take advantage of every single item of their terms. Yet, consumers are bad people for taking advantage of the terms when they are able? I don't get that.

 

A company realizes they made a mistake and want to change the rules going forward, that is one thing. But don't retroactively change the rules unless the previous rules were illegal.

[johns creek cruisers]

I had a similar question about the UBP. i booked a cruise and got the UBP thrown in. The confirmation from NCL actually said ultimate beverage package. at the point of sale the NCL call center agent said yes ultimate beverage package for kids includes frozen drinks. this is logical since it is called ultimate. turns out it is really only a soda package for kids. You should have seen the nasty responding comments in my post when I called NCL out on this in the forums.

 

I will sail NCl for first time in a few days. Agree, their descriptions are deceptive. And to be honest I would have booked the cruise anyway. maybe I am a naive old fool, but there is no need to be deceptive.

 

let's hope it is only the sales material that is deceptive.

 

bon voyage

[hawkeyetlse]

When you purchase two certificates for a $500 charge you will receive two credits for $150 and $100 (total of $250) that is applied to your account prior to your refundable credit being charged. Only the remaining $250 should be charged against your refundable OBC. Your refundable credit balance would then be $750.

How do you know that the non-refundable credit is applied before the cost of the deposits is charged? If everything is applied in the order it appears on the invoice, they would first deduct $500 to the account, then add back $250 in non-refundable OBC.

 

But maybe they do it day by day, or over the course of the whole cruise, I don't know. The statement they provide only has one column for charges and one column for credits and it does not give a running total (much less two separate running totals for refundable vs. non-refundable OBC). So it's pretty hard to know what's going on, exactly.

[janpo]

NCL still allows you to eat as many bacon as you want. No?

 

 

 

I suppose that makes perfect sense....to you.

Edited March 30, 2016 by janpo

[MrMike45]

We are considering buying the 2 Cruisenext certificates on our cruise this weekend.

 

Quick question for you all.....

 

We have pre-purchased $1000 in refundable OBC. Not sure if we'll use it or not, but since it is refundable we went ahead and got it (its at a preferable exchange rate since we are Canadian).

 

If we buy the 2 Cruisenext certificate for $500 using our refundable OBC and THEN subsequently the $250 OBC "refund" is applied to our account - is this $250 now considered refundable or non-refundable OBC (ie. do we have to absolutely spend it onboard or can it be refunded)?

 

Sorry, not 100% sure of this and don't want to steer you wrong. Someone else responded so hopefully they have actually done this before and are correct. Would hate for you to lose $250 for refundable vs nonrefundable lingo

[bruadhin]

How do you know that the non-refundable credit is applied before the cost of the deposits is charged? If everything is applied in the order it appears on the invoice, they would first deduct $500 to the account, then add back $250 in non-refundable OBC.

 

But maybe they do it day by day, or over the course of the whole cruise, I don't know. The statement they provide only has one column for charges and one column for credits and it does not give a running total (much less two separate running totals for refundable vs. non-refundable OBC). So it's pretty hard to know what's going on, exactly.

 

Just about every business has an order of transactions, does anyone know what NCL's is? Generally deposits are done prior to debits, but does anyone know the order in which debits are processed and which type of OBC is used first?

[NLH Arizona]

Like I've said before. Some are happy with the changes, promotions, etc., and some are not. What is so great about cruising, if you don't like one, there are a lot more to choose from.

Edited March 30, 2016 by NLH Arizona

[janpo]

Let's see. What would you call it. Folks had expired certificates that were worthless and NCL allowed them the opportunity to use them. I call it generous, because they didn't have to do a darn thing.

 

It's called business. They did it for a reason. What that is, you or I do not know.

 

Businesses dont make money being generous.

[bruadhin]

It's called business. They did it for a reason. What that is, you or I do not know.

 

Businesses dont make money being generous.

 

Please, we know exactly why they did it. It is called increasing revenue.

 

Someone with an expired certificate is someone who doesn't cruise NCL often and maybe never again. To let them use an expired certificate is almost certainly a gain in revenue as that is a booking NCL was almost certain not to otherwise see.

 

It may be generous, it most definitely is self-serving.

[NLH Arizona]

It may be generous, it most definitely is self-serving.

You are totally correct, it is generous and it is self-serving (something I never said it wasn't).

[janpo]

Please, we know exactly why they did it. It is called increasing revenue.

 

Someone with an expired certificate is someone who doesn't cruise NCL often and maybe never again. To let them use an expired certificate is almost certainly a gain in revenue as that is a booking NCL was almost certain not to otherwise see.

 

It may be generous, it most definitely is self-serving.

 

 

 

Exactly what I said, or meant. Ncl is not being generous. The bottom line is it profits them. An expired certificate takes away the person who could be on board shopping, gambling etc.

 

 

Nlh Arizona's take is that Ncl is being generous...not my take at all.

[NLH Arizona]

Nlh Arizona's take is that Ncl is being generous...not my take at all.

I would venture to guess that those who were able to use their worthless expired certificates, called it generous. What the business calls it really has no relevance to someone who is able to take advantage and save some money.

 

I guess we will have to agree to disagree on this subject.

Edited March 30, 2016 by NLH Arizona

[bruadhin]

I would venture to guess that those who were able to use their worthless expired certificates, called it generous. What the business calls it really has no relevance to someone who is able to take advantage and save some money.

 

I guess we will have to agree to disagree on this subject.

 

That I would agree with. While I don't think the should expire to begin with, being given a second opportunity to use an expired certificate is definitely something I would appreciate.

 

Now, I also understand the frustration of Swedish Weave's son as she reported the situation. Receiving an email with an offer and immediately being told that not only is the offer no longer valid but I read it wrong would be upsetting and frustrating. Taking the statements at face value, NCL should have honored the offer for at least a reasonable period of time, a month or two if no expiration date was given.

[NLH Arizona]

That I would agree with. While I don't think the should expire to begin with, being given a second opportunity to use an expired certificate is definitely something I would appreciate.

 

Now, I also understand the frustration of Swedish Weave's son as she reported the situation. Receiving an email with an offer and immediately being told that not only is the offer no longer valid but I read it wrong would be upsetting and frustrating. Taking the statements at face value, NCL should have honored the offer for at least a reasonable period of time, a month or two if no expiration date was given.

Whether one thinks they should expire or not, it is NCL's ships, thus their rules and they say they expire in 4 years, which, IMHO, is more than adequate time for someone to either use them or give them away or sell them.

 

I really don't know the other posters predicament. I'd think if someone called immediately when receiving the email and read it correctly and could show that to NCL, NCL would have given them the offer, as they seem to have done things like this before if one has proof. Since none of us were involved, it is only speculation on any of our parts as to what really happened.

Edited March 30, 2016 by NLH Arizona

[bruadhin]

Whether one thinks they should expire or not, it is NCL's ships, thus their rules and they say they expire in 4 years, which, IMHO, is more than adequate time for someone to either use them or give them away or sell them.

 

I really don't know the other posters predicament. I'd think if someone called immediately when receiving the email and read it correctly and could show that to NCL, NCL would have given them the offer, as they seem to have done things like this before if one has proof. Since none of us were involved, it is only speculation on any of our parts as to what really happened.

 

The second part we only have hearsay, so no telling exactly how that played out. I will take what was said at face value until I find out something otherwise, which I'm not going to seek out. Ultimately it doesn't matter to me but I can definitely sympathize.

 

And yes, I understand the first part as well. When Carnival first came out with theirs, we bought one which I believe had a shorter period. Now sadly they require you to book on board.

[Crusin6]

I agree with your whole post - perfect explanation. What is a fake KSF deal? My family & I have made out very well on the KSF deals.

 

 

Ok here goes but let me preface with this.....I have gotten 2 TRUE ksf deals in the past 2 januaries....excellent deals on 10 and 12 day cruises for an inside triple around $600 per pax or $1800 including tax and port....so. I Like ksf deals!!! Lol. But I know they are not always what they initially appear to be

 

 

However.....ncl also does a half off 3/4 pax in same cabin.....which I know is not ksf but used in the same terminology on this board....in the past it has been at least.

 

And I know ncl is now calling it ...friends and family or whatever

 

 

When posters here refer to "fake " ksf versus "true" ksf what we are saying is....

 

That ncl has a habit of reverting back to ...full priced rake rates....which no one has ever actually paid to my knowledge lol....when pricing these so called fake ksf deals

 

 

Example.....a NON ksf deal could be as follows...

 

Pax 1/2....$1000 each

Pax 3/4... $ 500 each

 

 

The $1000 is of course NOT the rack rate....but the already discounted rate that everyone pays anyway.....thus $2500 or $3000 for the cabin

 

 

A true Ksf deal could and should be as follows..

 

Pax. 1/2. $1000 each

Pax3/4. $0

 

Total for cabin $2000

 

Again the above reflects the discount non rack rate prices we all always pay anyway

 

 

Fake ksf....

 

Pax 1/2. $1500 each....or the infamous rack rates that no one in the history of cruising ever paid anyway

 

Pax3/4. $0

 

Total for cabin $3000

 

 

Now the worst is....the fake 3/4 pax half off deals....

 

Pax1/2. $1000 which is the discounted rate anyway

 

Pax 3/4. $750 which reflects half off the 3/4 pax RACK rates...which again no one ever pays rack rate anyway...and sometimes 3/4 non discounted rates are actually quite high 3/4 pax non discounted rake rate is $1500 for my example only

 

Total for cabin $3500 if you have 4 $2750 if you have 2

 

 

I know the above may or may not be complicated to some posters who are unfamiliar with cruise pricing...but...in reality...

 

1. There are incredible deals to be found. I know I've found them

 

2. Ncl markets some of their deals as incredible...as in ksf and those infamous "free perks"

When in fact they are not good deals at all..but in all honestly they may at times be good deals. I like to be realistic in that thought.

 

Case in point.... My Jan 2 gem 10 day true ksf inside triple cost me $1800 with just a measly $25 obc booked 9 months in advance before FDR changes kicked in....

 

Same cruise....same cabin category.... Same number of pax (3).... With the FDR fake freebie ubp....$2400. Lol and that was when the 18% was not being passed on to the pax but as included.

 

Of course the freebie was only for pax 1/2....so what about pax 3...lol....pay out of pocket of course

 

So my no freebie cruise cost $1800....or if I had taken advantage of the fake freebie as it was still before final payment...it would have cost me $2400....it should b noted that before the free ubp was being offered....as well as after the free ubp was being offered...my real true ksf was still in effect....so I was never being charged either way for pax 3 ....before the freebie ubp nor after.... So in reality the fake freebie ubp was in fact costing me $600

 

Of course I realize I was only aware of this because I booked 9 months out and I watch prices like a hawk...but...

 

If I weren't a seasoned cruiser I would think I got a great deal at $2400 wouldn't I ? I would also not realize that the price on the day before the freebie promo was still $1800....but on the day after the freebie came out...the price shot up to $2400

 

 

I actually watch prices on a daily basis lol

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Edited March 30, 2016 by Crusin6

[irisrmanio@hotmail.com]

We just came back from an amazing cruise on the Norwegian Jewel. Everything about the cruise was perfect - except the CruiseNext program. While onboard, we purchased the CruiseNext deposit and had some issues.

 

We bought 1 deposit for $250. There were 2 promotions going on:

 

1) Buy 1 deposit, get one free.

2) For the $250 deposit I purchased, I should have received a $100 onboard credit

 

My onboard account was charged as follows:

* CruiseNext Deposit - $250

* CruiseNext Deposit - $250

* Non-Refundable Deposit +$100

* Non-Refundable Deposit +$150

 

As you can see from the charges, I got charged twice...I'm pretty sure this was the "buy one get one free" charge.However, the Non-Refundable deposit pretty much cancelled out the 2nd charge of $250...and I never actually got my $100 credit. Our concierge indicated he would take care of it, but never did.

 

I ended up contacting CruiseNext when we returned as they were not able to resolve my issue.

 

For those interested in CruiseNext while onboard, be sure to check your onboard account charges and make sure you get credited properly.

[khaide612]

Read all the above. It isn't buy 1 get 1 free at $150. It is buy 1 at $250, get 1 free. You can't combine the 2 offers into 1. If you buy 1 certificate it costs $250 & they give $100 onboard credit so net $150. If you buy 2 certificates, it costs $500 & they give you $250 onboard credit so net $250.

[bruadhin]

Read all the above. It isn't buy 1 get 1 free at $150. It is buy 1 at $250, get 1 free. You can't combine the 2 offers into 1. If you buy 1 certificate it costs $250 & they give $100 onboard credit so net $150. If you buy 2 certificates, it costs $500 & they give you $250 onboard credit so net $250.

 

At the end of the day, it appears NCL has intentionally made the material confusing and open to multiple interpretations. Yes, he received exactly what he was entitled to, but certainly not what the advertising material wanted him to believe he was receiving.