Free Cruise from Harrahs with NCL - good deal or not?

[NJsharon]

I received an offer from Harrahs Atlantic City offering me a cruise to 'many destinations' for 'me and a guest'. Never received one of these casino offers before. I am assuming we will have select itineraries & dates to choose from & departing ports?

Also assuming it will probably be for an inside cabin (as I haven't played at Harrahs in a long time, so must be based on my NCL casino play instead)?

Anyone know rough cost to upgrade to maybe an oceanview or balcony?

Also it says for me & a guest. We have twins that are currently 11yrs old & no local family to leave them with, so they would have to come with us. Guessing we would pay full fare plus applicable taxes/fees for them?

Oh & for us it would just be fees/taxes?

 

It is almost 2hr 30min drive just to get to the casino one-way. So really wondering if this is worth it even.

Maybe we should wait & book a cruise another time ourselves as we might not be saving much & then we'd have more choice of dates/itineraries.

 

I tried calling to find out dates/itineraries available, but of course they won't tell me & said all the information will be on the certificate I will receive on the day.

 

So anyone that has done this before & can give advice, that would be great!!!

[hladygirl]

I have gotten 3 NCL cruise certificates from twin rivers. I leave next month for my next one. 7 nights to Bermuda. Inside cabin with UBP for both of us. The total cost for everything was $810. Where else could you take a vacation with food and drink included for that little money? Instead of the UBP you could choose 3rd and 4th passenger free as a perk if it is available. Is it worth the drive to the casino? YES

[Moby0215]

It works out to be about half price. I've used them multiple 4 times. About to pick up another cert. ext week. I don't know how it works with others in the cabin. Maybe you can find one with 3rd and 4th sail free promo.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[cuterlmt]

Earlier this year, I received two cruise certificates from a land based casino for NCL, inside cabin. We chose to do two cruises, making a back to back from Vancouver to Seward, Alaska and back, for two weeks. You have to pay a $20 per person per day administrative fee (for us $280) and then taxes and port fees.

We had the choice between about 10-15 different itineraries, ships, ports, etcetera, but chose Alaska because we had that on our "bucket list" and we had planned to do a retirement cruise. This made it much more affordable. We got one perk free and the $50 deposit, and chose the dining option because 1) you get a drink card for the casino, 2) we don't drink that much, maybe splitting one "drink of the day" per day, 3) the gratuity on it was about $99/week, versus the dining gratuity which was $14 something.

 

I had a great experience with the CAS representative. I called and spoke with the person at length about our options, took some time to do some research, and then called back when we had made a decision about what we wanted to do. When I called back, again, they were incredibly helpful.

 

Good luck!

[rbt001]

I can share with you my experience with cruise line certs offered by land based casinos here in South Florida. One casino I played at mostly had partnered with RCCL and now uses Carnival. For both lines, I was required to pay the port charges and taxes: the entire cruise fare was complimentary. The specific offers I have received were based upon my rated play at the local casino. Another local casino where I do not play at quite as much invited me to a reception where I could pick up my complimentary cruise offer from NCL. I received the promo booklet of all of NCL's upcoming sailings, ships, itineraries. And there was a specific printout with the cruises I was eligible to request. I recall one that interested me was a 7 day balcony on Breakaway. All of the offers are for myself and one guest. There were other cruises of different lengths and different accommodations, such as ocean view.

 

What surprised me is that NCL expected me to not only pay the listed port charges and taxes but also some other fee that was several hundred dollars. When I questioned and shared my experience with "complimentary cruises" with their competitors, they said this "fee" was a portion of the published cruise fare that was not paid for by the casino and that I would be responsible for paying. "So essentially, your 'free cruise' offer is not free?" Blah blah blah was the reply.

 

I threw the certificate away and have never responded again when that local casino has invited me for another comp cruise on NCL.

 

I can understand being required to pay the published port charges and taxes as those are hard dollar charges that will be remitted by the cruise line to the authority. However NCL's "fee" is a soft cost.

 

Behind the scenes (and I'm speaking from first hand knowledge with another line) the casino operation that offers the free cruise actually DOES PAY to the cruise line a fare-- albeit a reduced internal fare-- for the casino guest. So, I conclude that CAS (Casino at Sea) does have to pay to NCL for those comp rooms, and it's my belief that CAS passes all or part of that cost for the "comp cruise" onto the player through this "fee"

 

So to the OP, you might want to think twice as to whether you're getting any real value or a comp cruise since it's an NCL offer. Carnival Corp brands and RCI brands have always been straight forward: you're only responsible for the port charges and taxes.

[txagfan]

"It depends" is the short answer. Right now with the no port fees/taxes for select sailing it was a smoking deal as we paid like $400 for an inside cabin on the Epic next thanksgiving. However, the itinerary choices are not always great, third person can be costly, etc.

 

I don't know that i would make a special 5+ hour trip for it, but it all DEPENDS on what your time is worth to you.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Moby0215]

I can share with you my experience with cruise line certs offered by land based casinos here in South Florida. One casino I played at mostly had partnered with RCCL and now uses Carnival. For both lines, I was required to pay the port charges and taxes: the entire cruise fare was complimentary. The specific offers I have received were based upon my rated play at the local casino. Another local casino where I do not play at quite as much invited me to a reception where I could pick up my complimentary cruise offer from NCL. I received the promo booklet of all of NCL's upcoming sailings, ships, itineraries. And there was a specific printout with the cruises I was eligible to request. I recall one that interested me was a 7 day balcony on Breakaway. All of the offers are for myself and one guest. There were other cruises of different lengths and different accommodations, such as ocean view.

 

 

 

What surprised me is that NCL expected me to not only pay the listed port charges and taxes but also some other fee that was several hundred dollars. When I questioned and shared my experience with "complimentary cruises" with their competitors, they said this "fee" was a portion of the published cruise fare that was not paid for by the casino and that I would be responsible for paying. "So essentially, your 'free cruise' offer is not free?" Blah blah blah was the reply.

 

 

 

I threw the certificate away and have never responded again when that local casino has invited me for another comp cruise on NCL.

 

 

 

I can understand being required to pay the published port charges and taxes as those are hard dollar charges that will be remitted by the cruise line to the authority. However NCL's "fee" is a soft cost.

 

 

 

Behind the scenes (and I'm speaking from first hand knowledge with another line) the casino operation that offers the free cruise actually DOES PAY to the cruise line a fare-- albeit a reduced internal fare-- for the casino guest. So, I conclude that CAS (Casino at Sea) does have to pay to NCL for those comp rooms, and it's my belief that CAS passes all or part of that cost for the "comp cruise" onto the player through this "fee"

 

 

 

So to the OP, you might want to think twice as to whether you're getting any real value or a comp cruise since it's an NCL offer. Carnival Corp brands and RCI brands have always been straight forward: you're only responsible for the port charges and taxes.

 

 

 

As I previously said. The "free" cruise certs work out to be about half price. A steel by any means in my book. I do it every time.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[SweetsugarNL]

How you get these offers? Wich level you must have at Harrahs?

[BirdTravels]

Here's an example from last week

 

Retail Mexican Riviera cruise cost approx $900 per person (inside room)

 

Cert cost $124 port and $140 admin fee pp. $264. We have sailed in Europe and the Caribbean on cents. An upgrade to a balcony would have been $350 pp. Vegas cents are better than ACY, but you can pretty much call and ask if they will honor the cert on the cruise of your choice.

 

You also get a drinks card good for free drinks at the casino bar (open when the ship is st sea).

[Moby0215]

How you get these offers? Wich level you must have at Harrahs?

 

 

 

Doesn't have anything to do with level. Just like any other comp from a casino it is based on ADT.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[GlamorousGirl]

I just got this offer with a Ballys Atlantic City. Picked up a week ago. It's for an inside cabin for two. We drove 4 1/2 hours from Virginia to pick it up each way - so yes I absolutely think it's worth the drive! Comes with all inclusive drinks in the casino. You can also use active promotions with it! I forget how much the upgrade was but I passed on it because I didn't think it was worth it. I intend to stay out of the room 90 percent of the time anyway. You will probably have very limited options which cruises you can take. I wasn't offered any "new" ships or summer itineraries. I signed up for the Dawn out of San Juan in December. Cruises out of Florida and LA were also available but only a few. If we paid for the two tickets for this trip it would have cost $1700! I will never pass up one of these offers, even if I have to drive over 4 hours to pick them up! Someone asked about level, I am Diamond but I think anyone can get one if they are satisfied with your ADT, but I don't know what that needs to be. I try to get about 500 points each day I play.

[sailor@heart]

How you get these offers? Wich level you must have at Harrahs?

 

Caesars Entertainment (Harrah's) does give different offers to different level players. I believe Diamond Level players receive certificates for Inside cabin-for-two. You can always upgrade to a balcony or mini-suite, and just have to pay the difference.

 

I am a Seven Star level player and every year they give me a Balcony Cabin For Two. It's totally worth it to take advantage of these cruise deals. I always try to get the "Two Free" deals such as Unlimited Beverage Package and the 3-Day Specialty Dining Package, (this is for NCL, btw), and all I will pay for, typically, is the port taxes/fees, the room gratuity, the gratuity for the two packages, and travel insurance. Usually, for two people, this will amount to $900.00 total. Not a bad deal. Where can you get a balcony cabin for a week (floating hotel room with an awesome view), fabulous food, all the drinks you want, amazing dinners in the specialty dining rooms, pool time, entertainment, awesome wine bars or martini bars, casino action, all sorts of beaches, shopping, excursions & culture, AND meet and mingle with some very nice people. I can't think of one single place that will offer me that for $450.00 pp. And, if I choose to travel alone, it's only $450.00 for me! :cool:

[sailor@heart]

How you get these offers? Wich level you must have at Harrahs?

Caesars Entertainment (Harrah's) does give different offers to different level players. I beleive Diamond Level players receive certificates for Inside cabin-for-two. You can always upgrade to a balcony or mini-suite, and just have to pay the difference. I am a Seven Star level player and every year they give me a Balcony Cabin For Two. It's totally worth it to take advantage of these cruise deals. I always try to get the "Two Free" deals such as Unlimited Beverage Package and the 3-Day Specialty Dining Package, (this is for NCL, btw), and all I will pay for, typically, is the port taxes/fees, the room gratuity, the gratuity for the two packages, and travel insurance. Usually, for two people, this will amount to $900.00 total. Not a bad deal. Where can you get a balcony cabin for a week (floating hotel room with an awesome view), fabulous food, all the drinks you want, amazing dinners in the specialty dining rooms, pool time, entertainment, awesome wine bars or martini bars, casino action, all sorts of beaches, shopping, excursions & culture, AND meet and mingle with some very nice people. I can't think of one single place that will offer me that for $450.00 pp. ANd, if I choose to travel alone, it's only $450.00 for me! :cool:

[SweetsugarNL]

Thank you.

[beau4]

Since you say you have a history with NCL I would first check wth CAS and see if they can offer you anything based on your play with them. Then you can decide if its worth it to drive to a land casino for the certificate.

[NJsharon]

Since you say you have a history with NCL I would first check wth CAS and see if they can offer you anything based on your play with them. Then you can decide if its worth it to drive to a land casino for the certificate.

 

I called CAS & they offered me $300 off my next cruise, so nowhere near as good.

 

But I am the lowest level at Harrahs, last time I gambled there was probably a year ago. But when I have gone on NCL cruises I have gambled a decent amount, so I assumed this offer was somehow connected to CAS. But now I am not sure!

 

Thanks for all the advice, I think we will go & see what itineraries are available. Especially as they do have the tax offer right now.

[QueenOfZoom]

I'm not a pessimist but I do believe nothing in life is free. We've done the CAS certificates but it never worked out to any of the offers listed. We had a forward facing OV on Getaway last June, an inside on Epic in January, and we have a BA on Escape at the end of this month.

 

We certainly wouldn't have done three cruises in less than a year without CAS. But there are the service charges, promotion service charges, airfare, ground transportation....it all adds up.

[ColeThornton]

Free Cruise from Harrahs with NCL - good deal or not?

 

 

Well, that depends. How much money did you lose in the casinos to get a "free" cruise. ;p

[Moby0215]

Free Cruise from Harrahs with NCL - good deal or not?

 

 

 

 

 

Well, that depends. How much money did you lose in the casinos to get a "free" cruise. ;p

 

 

 

This is not a valid question because any money that may have been lost in the casino would have been lost whether or not a free cruise was involved.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[FredZiffle]

Free Cruise from Harrahs with NCL - good deal or not?

 

 

Well, that depends. How much money did you lose in the casinos to get a "free" cruise. ;p

 

That's called a "sunk cost" and doesn't impact this decision. Now, if the OP was asking whether or not he should gamble 4 hours a day for a week in order to qualify for a free cruise, the answer might be different.