NCLs Black Friday Deal Analysis

 

NCL is running a deal now where they prepay gratuities on free at sea balconies and above. Is it really an awesome deal? Let's find out.

I'll use a solo booking on a 14 day cruise with no solo supplement for comparison as this is the way to maximize your value.

Sail Away inside for a cruise is $462 plus $195.19 for taxes and port fees. Gratuities will cost $224. Total is $881.19. This comes with a $50 excursion credit per port promotion even though it is sail away. Assuming you book an excursion in each port, this could be a $300 value for this cruise. If you also pair this with one cruise next (only one cruise next per booking now) total cost is $631.19. Use that excursion credit for $300 in Shore Excursions and your value for this cruise is $331.19. Own 100 shares of NCL stock and you get $100 on board credit lowering the cost to $231.19. In my opinion, this is an amazing and fantastic deal. If you want specialty restaurants, 3 meals will cost you $142 including gratuities. Unlimited wifi for 1 device is $294.

Balcony with Free at Sea qualifies for the prepaid gratuities promotion at $869 plus $195.19 for taxes and port fees plus $23.80 for the 3 free specialty meals. Gratuities are included at that price. Total is $1087.99. This also includes 3 specialty meals, 300 minutes of Wifi, and the $50 excursion credit per port. If you also pair this with one cruise next (only one cruise next per booking now) total cost is $837.99. Use that excursion credit for $300 in Shore Excursions and your value for this cruise is $537.99. The unlimited wifi for 1 device upgrade costs $204.86.

If NCL was doing the typical double up for Cruise nexts on a balcony, the balcony would clearly be the better deal. However, that is not the case here. I need unlimited Internet but don't care about the specialty meals.

Bottom Line:

Inside cabin solo total cost (after cruisenext) with unlimited wifi: $631.19+$294 is a total of $925.19.

Balcony cabin solo total cost (after cruisenext) with unlimited wifi upgrade: $837.99+204.86 is a total of $1042.85.

Cost difference is $117.66 if you need unlimited wifi. You get 3 free specialty meals and a balcony for that price difference. 

If you drink, this is clearly a fantastic promotion as you simply pay the $227 in service charges and you can drink all you want for 14 days.

For me, I was really torn. I don't care about the specialty meals. I need the unlimited wifi for work. I get the shareholder credit which I spend on wifi.

Clearly the $50 excursion credit is the winner. That $300 promotion on 6 ports is an amazing value. What is the catch? Immediately get online and see which excursions are available. The ones that cost close to $50 will book up fast.

If you like specialty restaurants, or would like a balcony, this is also a great opportunity to book your cruise now.

If you are a couple, consider booking two separate solo rooms. That way you both get the excursion credit. If you are platinum status or above you will both get two meals in a specialty restaurant anyway. Or mix it up. Get a solo inside room and a balcony room to maximize value.

What do you do to maximize value? Will you jump on this deal? Do you see a better deal out there?

Happy Cruising!