tinkr2 Posted August 13, 2016 #26 Share Posted August 13, 2016 Wow I feel like i have had so many benefits. We jumped over to NCL bc it was sooo much cheaper than NCL. And i am no NCL cheerleader, I am only at 3 cruises and I prefer RCCL or disney. NCL is a great value for us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeaShark Posted August 15, 2016 #27 Share Posted August 15, 2016 Yep...Free Gratuities on the list, shore excursions are off. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wrestlemom Posted August 15, 2016 #28 Share Posted August 15, 2016 AdoraBelle, not sure if you are talking about the BA, but if you are the prices may be higher due to the Americas Cup being held in Bermuda in 2017. I think they start in May and run through July!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndreaCatSLP Posted August 15, 2016 #29 Share Posted August 15, 2016 If I already booked with the options of UBP and specialty dining, can I switch one to free gratuities? Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndreaCatSLP Posted August 15, 2016 #30 Share Posted August 15, 2016 Also, are the free gratuities for the first two passengers as well? Or will all 5 of us get it for free being in one stateroom? Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huyzee Posted August 15, 2016 #31 Share Posted August 15, 2016 (edited) If I already booked with the options of UBP and specialty dining, can I switch one to free gratuities? Yes, I just called and replaced the specialty dining with the free gratuities. This saves us $267 for our 9 day cruise. 9 x $13.5. x 2 people + the specialty dining service charge, which is $24. They cancelled our current booking and rebooked with the updated picks. Also, are the free gratuities for the first two passengers as well? Or will all 5 of us get it for free being in one stateroom? Free gratuities is only applicable for the first 2 passengers, other passengers have to pay their gratuities Also, if anyone is wondering, no service charge for free gratuities. Edited August 15, 2016 by huyzee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NLH Arizona Posted August 15, 2016 #32 Share Posted August 15, 2016 Switched mine over, no issues and took all of about 1 minute, now no shore excursion credit, but free gratuities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAC1213 Posted August 15, 2016 #33 Share Posted August 15, 2016 I wonder if they will add a 'gratuity fee" on the 'free gratuities" LOL, thanks for the laugh of truth. I booked my cruise back in march for $1,899 per person, it is currently $2,199 per person we choose the "not so free at sea" package of UBP along with the specialty dining. The promo fee charge totaled $309. The promo now is either Free dining with UBP or Free open bar with pre paid service charge for a fee of $284.40. I didn't see an option to only select one unless you have booked an inside stateroom. Either way not much of a savings. <3 Crystal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ForSharonB Posted August 15, 2016 #34 Share Posted August 15, 2016 I am booked to sail the Escape this Saturday (8/20), which means I am well past final payment. I have a GTY BALCONY which included no promos. Will I be able pay the difference to upgrade to a Balcony category that includes the new promos? I called my NCL rep, and he says he is confused by memo he received about making changes, so he'll have to check and call me back. Has anyone been able to change bookings that were past final payment and previously had no promo? THX! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barbidoll Posted August 15, 2016 #35 Share Posted August 15, 2016 I've noticed that on the few trips that I'm tracking, that in the past day since the free service charge has been added, quite a bit of cabins have been sold....whereas before, there was lots of availability and slow sales. Smart (finally) on NCL's part. What are your thoughts on them keeping this perk for a bit? As I write this, their site says "Limited Time"? I admit that I'm taking a chance by waiting to book and that's ok. I'm betting (wisely, I hope!) that with lots of availability on the trips that I'm tracking, prices will drop....and free service charge stays. In your experience, have you seen them add a perk and then take it away after a very short time? Thanks, Barbara Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triptolemus Posted August 15, 2016 #36 Share Posted August 15, 2016 Switched mine over, no issues and took all of about 1 minute, now no shore excursion credit, but free gratuities. Did they re-price you? Or was there no price change? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barbidoll Posted August 15, 2016 #37 Share Posted August 15, 2016 I forgot to mention that each trip that I'm tracking is within penalty period. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NLH Arizona Posted August 15, 2016 #38 Share Posted August 15, 2016 Did they re-price you? Or was there no price change?No price change Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swedish weave Posted August 15, 2016 #39 Share Posted August 15, 2016 Why and how can NCL offer the gratuities as a booking bonus ? It has been stated many times that they must use the gratuities for the benefit of the crew. If they let guests remove the gratuities for unresolved service problems, how does that differ from them offering to remove the gratuities from your bill as a booking bonus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IrieBajan54 Posted August 15, 2016 #40 Share Posted August 15, 2016 (edited) I forgot to mention that each trip that I'm tracking is within penalty period. I am tracking a cruise within penalty too. Lots of availability and I hope there is a countdown when NCL decides to remove the current promo. I expect that there will be a few more price drops before I need to commit. Would love to get free gratuities which is worth $175 per person. Edited August 15, 2016 by IrieBajan54 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda the Book Lover Posted August 15, 2016 #41 Share Posted August 15, 2016 Bit the bullet this morning and finally booked our anniversary cruise. I so love this group of promos. The last time the free service charge was around a $100 onboard credit was in place of the wifi. Now to sit and watch my new countdown clock.:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triptolemus Posted August 15, 2016 #42 Share Posted August 15, 2016 No price change Thank you. My current NCL booking is up $200 pp (Jewel, SE 04/2017). Although I noticed the price increase yesterday so it could have gone up weeks ago and have nothing at all to do with the promo change. Standing pat for now... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NLH Arizona Posted August 15, 2016 #43 Share Posted August 15, 2016 Thank you. My current NCL booking is up $200 pp (Jewel, SE 04/2017). Although I noticed the price increase yesterday so it could have gone up weeks ago and have nothing at all to do with the promo change. Standing pat for now... I booked through CAS, maybe that has something to do with it, plus it is really way off December 2017. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlelulu01 Posted August 16, 2016 #44 Share Posted August 16, 2016 I've noticed that on the few trips that I'm tracking, that in the past day since the free service charge has been added, quite a bit of cabins have been sold....whereas before, there was lots of availability and slow sales. Smart (finally) on NCL's part. What are your thoughts on them keeping this perk for a bit? As I write this, their site says "Limited Time"? I admit that I'm taking a chance by waiting to book and that's ok. I'm betting (wisely, I hope!) that with lots of availability on the trips that I'm tracking, prices will drop....and free service charge stays. In your experience, have you seen them add a perk and then take it away after a very short time? Thanks, Barbara I've not seen them on offer for long. Last time offered was August, 2015. In the beginning of 2015 they were offered on sailings that weren't selling so good like on some Europe for last weekend of month. If you see a price you like, I would book now and you can always cancel prior to final pmt if something better comes along. The other thing is that if you see inventory starting to dwindle they will most likely be raising the prices. I'm sure they have a quota of target sales and once reached dsc offer will be gone. Dsc is an expensive perk for them to offer. It's simply cutting the amount they receive/pay crew. $50 shore excursion credit probably makes them quite a bit considering they're typically twice the price compared to booking independently. Current perks are about as good as they get especially for suites which get all perks. With this perk offer I was able to get a suite price I was comfortable with, perks I will use in addition to ksf. I'm pretty happy with NCL right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fstuff1 Posted August 20, 2016 #45 Share Posted August 20, 2016 (edited) Yep...Free Gratuities on the list, shore excursions are off. :) just changed from the free 3day dining package to free grats for my Thanksgiving cruise! perfect timing as the last day to change without penalty is aug 22 (2days from today). too bad my Halloween cruise is within the penalty period. :( Edited August 20, 2016 by fstuff1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now