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nhmajik
08-30-2019, 09:11 PM
I have never taken a cruise or taken Harrah's up on their free cruise certificate (I know it's not free- LOL). Anyone have any information on how long after you get the certificate you have to use it? And if it's even worth getting the certificate?

Mimi
08-30-2019, 10:16 PM
I have never taken a cruise or taken Harrah's up on their free cruise certificate (I know it's not free- LOL). Anyone have any information on how long after you get the certificate you have to use it? And if it's even worth getting the certificate?Usually they'll have a date you must book by. It'll give you different cruise options too. I was going to book one out of NOLA, but the price the woman quoted was as much as if I just paid for it myself! Maybe she wasn't giving me any credit for the voucher. I've always meant to ask Nhchris about it, but always forget.

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Nhcris
08-30-2019, 10:25 PM
Gypsy and Cyndyga have used several of these from Harrah's. Hopefully they will chime in.

I did just check back on mine. I can tell you that I picked up a NCL certificate from Foxwoods on Dec 1 and we used it for our Bermuda cruise on June 30. I remember I had a fairly decent list of cruises to choose from with dates ranging from maybe Feb-October. I also got one from Twin River one and the list was much shorter. I am not sure exactly how Harrah's does it.

Nhcris
08-30-2019, 10:27 PM
Mimi, usually we consider the NCL certificates to be a big fat discount, but definitely not free. Some of the other cruise lines have fewer fees and seem to be a better deal. It also depends on how popular the ship and date are that you are looking at. Lots of variables, but it should always be a better deal than booking direct.

Mimi
08-30-2019, 10:42 PM
Mimi, usually we consider the NCL certificates to be a big fat discount, but definitely not free. Some of the other cruise lines have fewer fees and seem to be a better deal. It also depends on how popular the ship and date are that you are looking at. Lots of variables, but it should always be a better deal than booking direct.That's what I thought but we were quoted almost 4k additional. Could have been the dates were the beginning of spring break. If I get another offer, I will get the 411 from you guys that cruise with NCL.

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nhmajik
08-30-2019, 11:08 PM
Usually they'll have a date you must book by. It'll give you different cruise options too. I was going to book one out of NOLA, but the price the woman quoted was as much as if I just paid for it myself! Maybe she wasn't giving me any credit for the voucher. I've always meant to ask Nhchris about it, but always forget.

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That's where I was going to pick it up, and go out of. 4k...where were you going and how long? That don't sound like a discount

Darlene
08-31-2019, 01:30 AM
I picked up one in March from Harrah's KC for NCL. Had to book by Mid May, there were several cruises available, but none worked for my schedule and when I asked about upgrading to a balcony the cost was too much.

I received another offer this month to pick one up on Sept 14th, but after not being able to use the last one, it's not worth me buying airfare to go pick it up, if it was within driving distance I would definitely pick it up and see if the dates would work this time.

Gypsy
08-31-2019, 06:13 PM
I do this every year so I’m not sure if I have my times right, but you usually have about 6 weeks to book. But once I was at the end of the offer and only had a week. I think my last one I picked up in September. I had to book by mid October. I booked the Breakaway out of New Orleans for my March Spring Break. We upgraded to a spa balcony and our price was around $1,800. This year I picked it up in June and booked the Breakaway again out of Port Canaveral for my February break. We are taking the kids and it cost $1,050 for 4 in an inside. But I need to upgrade that one before final payment or bid for it.

We think it’s a great deal and cruise pretty much yearly because of the cruise offers

Gypsy
08-31-2019, 06:15 PM
Also, if you look at the offer through the email and not the app, you can see the details of the cruise s and dates available prior to picking it up.

Nhcris
08-31-2019, 11:49 PM
Other options for discounted cruises are to use your 20% discount for being diamond with CET, and I believe MILF also has a discount with Royal Caribbean. UR Comped is another avenue, too. I get cruise offers from them pretty regularly. And once you cruise with NCL (and most of the other lines) you may get offers directly from the cruise line.

dvandentop
09-01-2019, 01:34 AM
Other options for discounted cruises are to use your 20% discount for being diamond with CET, and I believe MILF also has a discount with Royal Caribbean. UR Comped is another avenue, too. I get cruise offers from them pretty regularly. And once you cruise with NCL (and most of the other lines) you may get offers directly from the cruise line.Which one offers 20% discount for diamond
?

Looking at cruise for 1st week of november 4-5 nights seems like alot of the nicer newer ships are all 7 day min for cruises

Nhcris
09-01-2019, 01:58 AM
Which one offers 20% discount for diamond
?

Looking at cruise for 1st week of november 4-5 nights seems like alot of the nicer newer ships are all 7 day min for cruises

Total Rewards uses NCL. There aren't many 5 day cruises, and most cruise lines use the older smaller ships for the 3 and 4 day cruises.

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Discounts on cruise fares vary by Tier level.
















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dvandentop
09-01-2019, 02:00 AM
Yeah one from rc i was interested in was a refurbished ship but was built in 92 lol

The new rc a perfect day island looks right up our alley

LowAndSlow
09-01-2019, 02:21 AM
I have never taken a cruise or taken Harrah's up on their free cruise certificate (I know it's not free- LOL). Anyone have any information on how long after you get the certificate you have to use it? And if it's even worth getting the certificate?

I don't know about the Harrah's cruise offers but I picked one up at Borgata earlier this year. I didn't book one though. I want to say I picked it up in May and you had until mid-July to book. People on line in front of us were raving to other people about the cruises, said they do several a year and the wife is the one who earns them not the husband. I'm so dopey, I thought I was only going to get one, but was shocked that it was a cruise for 2 people. The reason I never booked is because of the stuff that was not included (again, can't say it works the same way with Harrah's). Taxes, gratuities, beverage package ($55 pp per day and you can't do it where only one person in the cabin gets it and you also have to buy it for every day). If you go with non-alcoholic drink package, that was $26 pp per day. Of course, if you're off the ship at a port, you're not drinking anything to make that worthwhile. By the time you add all that up, we were going to be paying well over $1000 and and that didn't include upgrading from the inside stateroom, so didn't think it was worth it this time around, but would give it consideration down the road if the options and dates all aligned.

nhmajik
09-02-2019, 02:08 PM
I do this every year so I’m not sure if I have my times right, but you usually have about 6 weeks to book. But once I was at the end of the offer and only had a week. I think my last one I picked up in September. I had to book by mid October. I booked the Breakaway out of New Orleans for my March Spring Break. We upgraded to a spa balcony and our price was around $1,800. This year I picked it up in June and booked the Breakaway again out of Port Canaveral for my February break. We are taking the kids and it cost $1,050 for 4 in an inside. But I need to upgrade that one before final payment or bid for it.

We think it’s a great deal and cruise pretty much yearly because of the cruise offers

Thank you everyone for the info. and Thanks NHChris about the discount on diamond...good to know!! Gypsy, the 1800 out of NOLA was that per person upgrade or for both? Also when upgrading did you get the drink package free or was that extra (I know taxes, fees, gratuities are all extra). I'm thinking might do the one out of NOLA in March as well.

Gypsy
09-03-2019, 03:14 AM
Thank you everyone for the info. and Thanks NHChris about the discount on diamond...good to know!! Gypsy, the 1800 out of NOLA was that per person upgrade or for both? Also when upgrading did you get the drink package free or was that extra (I know taxes, fees, gratuities are all extra). I'm thinking might do the one out of NOLA in March as well.
That was everything for both of us. We didn’t get the drink package, just the dining pkg. we just use the free drink card you get from the casino. We’ve gotten used to just using that and bringing along a few bottles of our favorite wine and paying the corkage fee. The casino is open most of the cruise anyway and you don’t have to be gambling, just pick up drinks from the casino bar and take to pool, show or dinner. It works for us, but most people like the drink package because it’s more convenient, but we love the specialty dining and try to spend as little as possible on those free cruises. You would just have to pay a couple hundred more for the gratuities.

We had the best time on that one, if you pick that one let me know and I’ll look up the excursions we did, they were awesome!!

Gypsy
09-03-2019, 03:20 AM
When you book the free cruise you only get one perk because you are booking an inside. Even if you upgrade, you still only get one perk.

dvandentop
09-05-2019, 04:16 PM
I have a cruise question for Royal Caribbean why is there the price difference between these two

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190905/3d8f4b129409074f18a1355a9cc086ea.jpg

BorgataBabe
09-05-2019, 05:29 PM
I have a cruise question for Royal Caribbean why is there the price difference between these two

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190905/3d8f4b129409074f18a1355a9cc086ea.jpg
dvandentop, I have never cruised on RC, we mostly cruise NCL but I would say the Guarantee Balcony will just guarantee you any room with a balcony, I think RC may have interior balcony rooms of the center of their ship where the other you are guaranteed an ocean view balcony room.


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Nhcris
09-05-2019, 06:13 PM
Yup, a guarantee means they can place you anywhere on the ship, as long as the stateroom is equal to or greater than the category they guaranteed. In the second option, you take the time to select a stateroom that meets your personal desires. For example, some staterooms are under a noisy venue or near where the anchors drop. Some people hate being far forward or aft due to motion, although others love it. Lots of people take the guarantee and get something they are very happy with. I have done it both ways, and both have merit. Of the 3 cruises I currently have booked, the first is a guarantee oceanview, the second was chosen by Carol (it's her comp), and the one with Frank and I was chosen with great care (and is awesome).

Also, price varies for identical staterooms depending on which deck they are on, with higher decks usually pricier. There are dozens of variables, but if you have questions about a specific ship or cruise, I can always look at deck plan and give you my opinion.

dvandentop
09-05-2019, 06:34 PM
Thanks both of you. So for the gurantee balcony if could be facing the inside courtyard and not ocean view?

Looking at this cruise for mid November ship looks amazing.

Expedia offering buy 1 get 1 person 50% off not sure of that will beat mlife pricing

Deffinately want a ocean balcony though for sure. Seems like only maybe 8-9 balconys lefthttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190905/97f0b5a9c6422d98ea1f684d48698e49.jpg

Nhcris
09-05-2019, 06:55 PM
Derek, I will take a look at it tomorrow as I am going to pick up son and new girlfriend in a few minutes!!! I haven't cruised any of Royal Caribbean's big ships, so I need to see how they differentiate between ocean view balconies and atrium view, or whatever they call it.

I also need to see if Coco Cay sustained any damage in the hurricane. I think it was just south, so is probably going to be fine by November even if needs some repair.

dvandentop
09-05-2019, 07:09 PM
Derek, I will take a look at it tomorrow as I am going to pick up son and new girlfriend in a few minutes!!! I haven't cruised any of Royal Caribbean's big ships, so I need to see how they differentiate between ocean view balconies and atrium view, or whatever they call it.

I also need to see if Coco Cay sustained any damage in the hurricane. I think it was just south, so is probably going to be fine by November even if needs some repair.Yeah coco cay some people were going to go check today insaw on. Rc websites.

Thanks for suggestions from the experts

dvandentop
09-05-2019, 07:34 PM
Just called Royal Caribbean for their M Life partnership they said I was gold status what the hell I was definitely Platinum last year and they said my only offer was two cruises and they were like in the next week or two how stupid I said what if I can send you a screenshot showing I am Platinum Status and they said no they would have to wait for renewal of the M Life partnership in October so I guess them giving any kind of discount is out the window.

dvandentop
09-06-2019, 06:43 PM
Made contact with a guy at Royal Caribbean that's a casino relations department he got me a price quote on the one I was thinking of the seven days on Symphony Of The Seas and it was around $900 cheaper than I could get it on the website so about $3,500 for the 7-Day ocean-view balcony which it really isn't bad imho

Just like going to any new casino you have to pay upfront to get the good offers to come in so I am trying to check with urcomped to see if they can do any better if not I don't mind paying the Upfront price for this first trip

I can combine going on this trip with a companion certificate on Delta so that cuts are airfare to get to Miami in 1/2

DK528
09-06-2019, 08:43 PM
Thread jacking a bit. I believe celebrity and NCL are related. Or at least their casino program is. Is there a way for me to check what, if anything, my play got me from my Alaska cruise?

Or should I expect to get emails from
Them?


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Nhcris
09-06-2019, 10:40 PM
Made contact with a guy at Royal Caribbean that's a casino relations department he got me a price quote on the one I was thinking of the seven days on Symphony Of The Seas and it was around $900 cheaper than I could get it on the website so about $3,500 for the 7-Day ocean-view balcony which it really isn't bad imho

Just like going to any new casino you have to pay upfront to get the good offers to come in so I am trying to check with urcomped to see if they can do any better if not I don't mind paying the Upfront price for this first trip

I can combine going on this trip with a companion certificate on Delta so that cuts are airfare to get to Miami in 1/2

That's pretty pricy. Definitely check with URComped.

Nhcris
09-06-2019, 10:41 PM
Thread jacking a bit. I believe celebrity and NCL are related. Or at least their casino program is. Is there a way for me to check what, if anything, my play got me from my Alaska cruise?

Or should I expect to get emails from
Them?


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Celebrity is related to Royal Caribbean. NCL is related to Oceana.

DK528
09-06-2019, 11:10 PM
Ah ok, thanks Nhcris.


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dvandentop
09-06-2019, 11:39 PM
That's pretty pricy. Definitely check with URComped.Ok thanks for ones you didnt get.fully comp how much did a 7 day run ya? Do you always get.balcony or doesnt really matter?

Nhcris
09-06-2019, 11:59 PM
Ok thanks for ones you didnt get.fully comp how much did a 7 day run ya? Do you always get.balcony or doesnt really matter?

Honestly, before comps we would get a balcony for about $799 - $999 a person. And after one cruise with NCL, I have been comped through Casino at Sea pretty much ever since. But those prices are still out there if you shop around.

I am not sure what your Symphony of the Seas includes, but she is one of the newer mega ships, so prices run a bit higher in general. I just looked at an Eastern Caribbean on NCL Breakaway in November, and it will run around $3500 (before discount for CET status) which is higher because it includes all of these perks. Without the perks it is several hundred dollars less. (They also offer discounted airfare but I hesitate to use it as you have no control over it).FREE AT SEA
CHOOSE UP TO 5 FREE OFFERS
& SAVE UP TO $4,000FREE UNLIMITED OPEN BAR
FREE SPECIALTY DINING
FREE SHORE EXCURSIONS
FREE WIFI

dvandentop
09-07-2019, 02:23 PM
Thanks yeah i priced out similar room on the breakaway think it was 3200 or so before cet discount
Will do some digging while wait for ur comp to get back to me.

Nhcris
09-07-2019, 02:52 PM
Thanks yeah i priced out similar room on the breakaway think it was 3200 or so before cet discount
Will do some digging while wait for ur comp to get back to me.

I think you should talk to CTslotters about cruising because I think your taste would likely be very similar to theirs. And they have very good taste!

I hesitated to say this but I am not a fan of Royal Caribbean, and I am not sure it is a good fit for you. It is heavily marketed to families so there are loads of kids onboard, even when school is in session which is usually unexpected. I find their ships to have too much commotion and whenever we sailed them, the food was mediocre at best. That mixed with lots of kids whining and running around everywhere (including the dining rooms) was enough for us to move on as soon as the boys stopped sailing with us.

Anyway, I don't want to scare you off of them, but I would feel bad if I didn't say anything. Feel free to tell me to shut the fuck up HHH

dvandentop
09-07-2019, 02:57 PM
I think you should talk to CTslotters about cruising because I think your taste would likely be very similar to theirs. And they have very good taste!

I hesitated to say this but I am not a fan of Royal Caribbean, and I am not sure it is a good fit for you. It is heavily marketed to families so there are loads of kids onboard, even when school is in session which is usually unexpected. I find their ships to have too much commotion and whenever we sailed them, the food was mediocre at best. That mixed with lots of kids whining and running around everywhere (including the dining rooms) was enough for us to move on as soon as the boys stopped sailing with us.

Anyway, I don't want to scare you off of them, but I would feel bad if I didn't say anything. Feel free to tell me to shut the fuck up HHHLol i thought carnival was bad for that hhh


Yeah have been talking a little to them about it.

Gotta get toes wet sometime. Yeah surprising about so many kids especially if school in session.

Nothing locked in yet still in planning but better hurry up since November coming fast!

CTslotters
09-07-2019, 03:17 PM
I think you should talk to CTslotters about cruising because I think your taste would likely be very similar to theirs. And they have very good taste!

I hesitated to say this but I am not a fan of Royal Caribbean, and I am not sure it is a good fit for you. It is heavily marketed to families so there are loads of kids onboard, even when school is in session which is usually unexpected. I find their ships to have too much commotion and whenever we sailed them, the food was mediocre at best. That mixed with lots of kids whining and running around everywhere (including the dining rooms) was enough for us to move on as soon as the boys stopped sailing with us.

Anyway, I don't want to scare you off of them, but I would feel bad if I didn't say anything. Feel free to tell me to shut the fuck up HHH

HAHAHAHAHA!!! I'm fairly certain when Adam and Derek were texting about cruises Adam's exact words were RC is TOO FAMILY FRIENDLY and there are loads of kids, avoid!

Nhcris
09-07-2019, 03:24 PM
HAHAHAHAHA!!! I'm fairly certain when Adam and Derek were texting about cruises Adam's exact words were RC is TOO FAMILY FRIENDLY and there are loads of kids, avoid!

Yeah it's the Excaliber of cruise lines! And Carnival is Circus Circus!

I am so glad you agree. I hate to badmouth a cruise line that so many people love, but it is what it is!

dvandentop
09-07-2019, 03:52 PM
Damn looking at Celebrity Cruise and we can get a pretty nice Aqua classroom which is second from the highest for $500 less than I was quoted for Royal Caribbean

On the celebrity equinoxhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190907/92f85cfa661b6644df9a30596980f2e7.jpg

DK528
09-07-2019, 04:04 PM
Damn looking at Celebrity Cruise and we can get a pretty nice Aqua classroom which is second from the highest for $500 less than I was quoted for Royal Caribbean

On the celebrity equinoxhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190907/92f85cfa661b6644df9a30596980f2e7.jpg

Based on my limited experience, I don’t think you’ll find a lot of kids on celebrity.


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dvandentop
09-07-2019, 04:15 PM
Based on my limited experience, I don’t think you’ll find a lot of kids on celebrity.


Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkDid you do aqua class i dont recall?

Nhcris
09-07-2019, 04:19 PM
We were on a sister ship to the Equinox, and she was a lovely ship. Celebrity is a classy cruise line with very good food. Not marketed to families at all, so a much different demographic. I absolutely loved the Ice bar top at the Martini Bar. You are on the right track now!

I think (not sure) that Kathy and Adam did it one one of their Celebrity cruises.

This is a link to the review I did of Celebrity Silhouette (sister ship to Equinox)

https://jokerswildforum.com/showthread.php?167-Celebrity-Silhouette-February-2015

if you feel like reading. Unfortunately, all the pictures have gone to internet Hell I guess, but I have them on my computer if anything particular interests you. .

DK528
09-07-2019, 04:31 PM
Did you do aqua class i dont recall?

I did not but my parents were. They liked the aqua class restaurant.

And I do think CTslotters have been on celebrity and would only do aqua class level if they did another celebrity cruise. Liked the spa room and the restaurant. They had commented on one of my cruise question threads :)


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Nhcris
09-07-2019, 04:43 PM
FWIW Derek, I think that is a very good deal for an Aqua Class balcony on Equinox, especially if it includes the drink package which YOU definitely need!

CTslotters
09-07-2019, 05:54 PM
We LOVED aqua class on celebrity! The restaurant was so good! Highly recommend!
We have also been on the Equinox in a regular balcony room and the ship was great. We did trip reports for both cruises on here.


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dvandentop
09-07-2019, 11:44 PM
FWIW Derek, I think that is a very good deal for an Aqua Class balcony on Equinox, especially if it includes the drink package which YOU definitely need!I will have to do some more checking been outside all day

dvandentop
09-08-2019, 02:38 AM
FWIW Derek, I think that is a very good deal for an Aqua Class balcony on Equinox, especially if it includes the drink package which YOU definitely need!It showed classic drink package as a free perk i wonder if can be upgraded to ultimate for the $10 difference....

Showed amy the equinox cruise she said whatever i decide will be good.



The one non aqua class did have a rear facing sunset balcony that looked like coukd be neat..

Nhcris
09-08-2019, 12:49 PM
It showed classic drink package as a free perk i wonder if can be upgraded to ultimate for the $10 difference....

Showed amy the equinox cruise she said whatever i decide will be good.

The one non aqua class did have a rear facing sunset balcony that looked like coukd be neat..

I know I upgraded for a pretty reasonable charge when I went, but those things change all the time. Hopefully you can! The regular package isn't bd, though. I did it for the wine, being a wino and all.

CTslotters
09-08-2019, 02:16 PM
It showed classic drink package as a free perk i wonder if can be upgraded to ultimate for the $10 difference....

Showed amy the equinox cruise she said whatever i decide will be good.



The one non aqua class did have a rear facing sunset balcony that looked like coukd be neat..

We upgraded for the 10/day for premium, it’s well worth it.
It’s funny, we prefer middle of the ship, not front or back since it’s less rocking midship. We also check what is above us when booking a room, I wouldn’t want to be below a restaurant or high traffic public area. We always want a floor of rooms above our room.
I think you two will really enjoy it!


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dvandentop
09-08-2019, 02:17 PM
We upgraded for the 10/day for premium, it’s well worth it.
It’s funny, we prefer middle of the ship, not front or back since it’s less rocking midship. We also check what is above us when booking a room, I wouldn’t want to be below a restaurant or high traffic public area. We always want a floor of rooms above our room.
I think you two will really enjoy it!


Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkSmart idea on checking what is above or below never thought of that.