While I obviously don’t know any of the specifics of this particular situation, generally free cruises are given away by casinos at mass events to groups of players. They require advance reservations, and as sometimes happens, if the event doesn’t fill, they’ll drop down a tier to give all the cruises away. And many times, there’ll be two events, one high, one low, with different packages to each group. So, if there were a Diamond event that didn’t sell out, they could very well drop down to a few Gold tier players. Or it could just be a promo to top of the Gold players.
Now the jackpot may or may not have factored in; it is possible that a host interacted with the very nice lady, remembered her, and got her an invite. But the one thing (or maybe two things) to think about: an unsold cabin, at any price even a so-called “free” one, does not generate any additional revenue for NCL, such a pictures, tours, cover charge dining, drinks, jewelry, art works, bingo, scratch-offs, "Let’s Make a Deal cards, etc. So NCL wants every cabin filled. And there is an interlocking relationship between NCL & CET. And while I’ve never had it confirmed, I’m certain as I can be that the casino giving away the cruises gets some remuneration from NCL for providing players for the onboard casino.
The amount you end up paying for the free cruise is approximately half of the best price you’d be able to get anywhere else, online, travel agent. And if NCL has a full ship when you want to get the cruise booked, they’ll just tell you “Sorry, pick another trip”. But they love having the free cruisers come along, because it’s another cabin filled, at a price that at least covers their fixed costs plus some, and they have the opportunity to sell the free cruiser many, many, many, many things.
Certainly the game is rigged. Don’t let that stop you; if you don’t bet, you can’t win. -Lazarus Long
In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. But, in practice, there is. -Yogi Berra
There is no such thing as luck. There is only adequate or inadequate preparation to cope with a statistical universe. -Robert Heinlein
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From: “bob.berg…@…net [vpFREE_Cruises]” <vpFREE_Crui…@…com>
To: vpFREE_Crui…@…com
Sent: Friday, May 22, 2015 10:13 PM
Subject: [vpFREE_Cruises] Free NCL Cruises Question
We were on the NCL Breakaway a few weeks ago from NYC to Bermuda. I met a very nice lady and her very nice mother in the casino who told me she got the cruise for free from Harrah’s AC. I asked what her tier level was, expecting her to say Seven Stars, but no, she is Gold. In our discussion the only thing that was a possible reason for the free cruise was that she did hit a $48,000 jackpot at Harrah’s AC. Would Harrah’s award a free cruise to a Gold Tier player because they hit a sizable jackpot?
Thanks,
Bob B.