CAS booking on Bliss- opinions appreciated!

Just booked Bliss for 9/2018 to Alaska through CAS for 2! We were comped ocean view and we upgraded to a handicapped balcony category BD (I have MS). We received 2 free offers -approx. cost is $1650 with insurances, taxes and admin fees.

I am wondering if this is a decent deal for a new ship with a later sailing? I know this is a subjective question. Online NCL booking showed about 4k. Just new to casino offers and I am comfortable with what I booked but looking for feedback/comments.

This booking didn't include any OBC. This will be my 3rd NCL cruise, only one with no OBC. Is this because of the Alaskan tour or is this common with CAS?

Thanks-

One more question...we are booked in stateroom 14860 and the current diagrams show a white blank behind this cabin. Any ideas what would be there?

link to deck plan: http://www.cruisemapper.com/deckplans/Norwegian-Bliss-1454/deck14-4278

When I called CAS to ask about Bliss for Alaska I found I was offered a lower cabin type (ocean-view) than what they usually offer me. Very popular ship and destination! I decided to wait another year before booking it for Alaska. Instead of that OV I will have my first Bliss cruise from Miami in a great cabin. I could have had a Mini-suite but chose to go with a Large Balcony that will fit a couple of loungers for the warm weather in the Caribbean. For the week I booked I was also given $100 OBC in addition to the choice of two promos.

The total price you got sounds like a great deal for an upgrade to a nice balcony cabin. Alaska is an expensive cruise if you were trying to book it without CAS.

When you get back from this cruise, give CAS another call and see what they can offer you for another cruise. You can also watch for weeks that come with more promos like additional OBC or the just ended Tax Free Sale. That one saved you alot but was not offered on the Bliss at all. Zero for port fees is a fabulous deal with a CAS offer. We did get to book an Encore for January 2020 from Miami with it.) Generally you can get 'better' offers if you a choosing a less popular cruise and week.

Hope you enjoy your cruise:cool:

I’m on in June comped spa balcony. OBC depends on current offerings has nothing to do with CAS. Type of cabin comped depends on play, losses, cruise history etc. My brother is coming with us and price for this cruise is 6k with a 10% discount. You got a great deal.

Just booked Bliss for 9/2018 to Alaska through CAS for 2! We were comped ocean view and we upgraded to a handicapped balcony category BD (I have MS). We received 2 free offers -approx. cost is $1650 with insurances, taxes and admin fees.

 

I am wondering if this is a decent deal for a new ship with a later sailing? I know this is a subjective question. Online NCL booking showed about 4k. Just new to casino offers and I am comfortable with what I booked but looking for feedback/comments.

 

This booking didn't include any OBC. This will be my 3rd NCL cruise, only one with no OBC. Is this because of the Alaskan tour or is this common with CAS?

 

Thanks-

One more question...we are booked in stateroom 14860 and the current diagrams show a white blank behind this cabin. Any ideas what would be there?

 

link to deck plan: http://www.cruisemapper.com/deckplans/Norwegian-Bliss-1454/deck14-4278

my 'free' CAS 8day mexican Riviera on bliss (per person):

admin fee: $160

upgrade from inside to balcony: $400 :o

taxes/port fees: $145

sdp tips: $14

prepaying general tips: $112

-----------

Total: $831

im guessing your upgrade from Ov to balcony was $200 per person?

and you chose the alcohol package as one of your 2 perks? (inside only gets 1 perk, even if upgrading to balcony)

i chose the dining package instead of alcohol because i dont drink that much and CAS cruises get a free drink card at the casino bar

This is a great price. CAS on Bliss will be more $$ than some other ships because they don't comp as often/Bliss is very popular. Enjoy your cruise!

my 'free' CAS 8day mexican Riviera on bliss (per person):

admin fee: $160

upgrade from inside to balcony: $400 :o

taxes/port fees: $145

sdp tips: $14

prepaying general tips: $112

-----------

Total: $831

 

im guessing your upgrade from Ov to balcony was $200 per person?

and you chose the alcohol package as one of your 2 perks? (inside only gets 1 perk, even if upgrading to balcony)

 

i chose the dining package instead of alcohol because i dont drink that much and CAS cruises get a free drink card at the casino bar

In case you were not aware, the casino drink card only includes your standard mixed drinks, not the specialty drinks. It was surprise to me this past December on my first CAS cruise. .

I was able to get a Balcony on Bliss for June from CAS. Im sure it was due to past casino play. Just paid the taxes and other usual fees.

In case you were not aware, the casino drink card only includes your standard mixed drinks, not the specialty drinks. It was surprise to me this past December on my first CAS cruise. .

yup, i knew that.

im a simple drink guy.

bourbon + coke, screwdriver, scotch/ice cubes, or just beers.

what specialty drinks did you want?

 

The total price you got sounds like a great deal for an upgrade to a nice balcony cabin. Alaska is an expensive cruise if you were trying to book it without CAS.

 

When you get back from this cruise, give CAS another call and see what they can offer you for another cruise. You can also watch for weeks that come with more promos like additional OBC or the just ended Tax Free Sale. That one saved you alot but was not offered on the Bliss at all. Zero for port fees is a fabulous deal with a CAS offer. We did get to book an Encore for January 2020 from Miami with it.) Generally you can get 'better' offers if you a choosing a less popular cruise and week.

Hope you enjoy your cruise:cool:

Thanks- It is so different to me than going to Vegas! I used RCL and while their comped cruises are cheaper, I found that I enjoy NCL casinos and ships more. I am definitely going to try a smaller ship next! Hope you get plenty of sun and fun on Encore!

I’m on in June comped spa balcony. OBC depends on current offerings has nothing to do with CAS. Type of cabin comped depends on play, losses, cruise history etc. My brother is coming with us and price for this cruise is 6k with a 10% discount. You got a great deal.

I thought so too but this is new to me! Thanks for your input-hope your brother wins something to bring that cost down ;)

my 'free' CAS 8day mexican Riviera on bliss (per person):

admin fee: $160

upgrade from inside to balcony: $400 :o

taxes/port fees: $145

sdp tips: $14

prepaying general tips: $112

-----------

Total: $831

 

im guessing your upgrade from Ov to balcony was $200 per person?

and you chose the alcohol package as one of your 2 perks? (inside only gets 1 perk, even if upgrading to balcony)

 

i chose the dining package instead of alcohol because i dont drink that much and CAS cruises get a free drink card at the casino bar

Pretty close! $300/person. I was questioning decision to upgrade, but I am hoping to get great views off my balcony and blankets are closer, if needed:')

Yep, chose alcohol and dinner package. I like having drinks everywhere and it's just easier for us to not worry about that. I tend to play slots and service at slots tends to be spotty, even though I tip.

I've been pretty spoiled on land based casinos, I guess. But honestly much less pressure and I feel I spend less money on cruises then I do in Vegas!

This is a great price. CAS on Bliss will be more $$ than some other ships because they don't comp as often/Bliss is very popular. Enjoy your cruise!

Thanks! That was what I thought but wasn't sure!

I was able to get a Balcony on Bliss for June from CAS. Im sure it was due to past casino play. Just paid the taxes and other usual fees.

LOL- I guess I should bump up my bets or play! Have a great time and thanks for your feedback. Hope the casino will be kind to us both;p

In case you were not aware, the casino drink card only includes your standard mixed drinks, not the specialty drinks. It was surprise to me this past December on my first CAS cruise. .

That stinks- if you're playing, you should drink whatever you like for free!

The level and number of comps available from CAS is always tied to the popularity of the ship, the itinerary, and the cruise dates. Bliss is a brand new ship, with plenty of interest from cruisers, which means NCL won't have to work hard at all to fill the ship for the next few years. It's much like trying to get an airline seat with your frequent flier miles...mileage seats to Paris or London are few and far between and cost a ton of miles.

Just booked Bliss for 9/2018 to Alaska through CAS for 2! We were comped ocean view and we upgraded to a handicapped balcony category BD (I have MS). We received 2 free offers -approx. cost is $1650 with insurances, taxes and admin fees.

 

I am wondering if this is a decent deal for a new ship with a later sailing? I know this is a subjective question. Online NCL booking showed about 4k. Just new to casino offers and I am comfortable with what I booked but looking for feedback/comments.

 

This booking didn't include any OBC. This will be my 3rd NCL cruise, only one with no OBC. Is this because of the Alaskan tour or is this common with CAS?

 

Thanks-

One more question...we are booked in stateroom 14860 and the current diagrams show a white blank behind this cabin. Any ideas what would be there?

 

link to deck plan: http://www.cruisemapper.com/deckplans/Norwegian-Bliss-1454/deck14-4278

In case you were not aware, the casino drink card only includes your standard mixed drinks, not the specialty drinks. It was surprise to me this past December on my first CAS cruise. .

As you advance up the tiers of CAS cards, your available drink options improve.

 

I've been pretty spoiled on land based casinos, I guess. But honestly much less pressure and I feel I spend less money on cruises then I do in Vegas!

I totally agree! We used to go to Vegas ten or more times a year. Now I'm going to Vegas four or five times and cruising with CAS 4 times a year. We do spend less on a cruise than we do in Vegas. We still have no problem getting great suites in Las Vegas or New Orleans and continue to enjoy all the perks of SevenStar status with Caesars properties.

It was interesting this year that the annual SevenStar NCL cruise perk allowed a Balcony on any* 7 day cruise except the Bliss to Alaska. Just shows you how popular this first year to Alaska is. (*No comped cruises on Pride of America as it has no casino.)

With CAS, I have reached Ruby tier which comes with lots of nice onboard perks like $400 OBC, more Wifi minutes than I can use and Ultra premium drinks in the casino. Last year I was Sapphire which included $200 OBC for each cruise.

We are no longer using Caesars to book our cruises as we get better cabins directly with CAS. However, we now use the annual SevenStar trip with free airfare to go to New Orleans where we enjoy a couple of days before going on another NCL cruise:cool:

I totally agree! We used to go to Vegas ten or more times a year. Now I'm going to Vegas four or five times and cruising with CAS 4 times a year. We do spend less on a cruise than we do in Vegas. We still have no problem getting great suites in Las Vegas or New Orleans and continue to enjoy all the perks of SevenStar status with Caesars properties.

 

 

 

 

 

It was interesting this year that the annual SevenStar NCL cruise perk allowed a Balcony on any* 7 day cruise except the Bliss to Alaska. Just shows you how popular this first year to Alaska is. (*No comped cruises on Pride of America as it has no casino.)

 

 

 

 

 

With CAS, I have reached Ruby tier which comes with lots of nice onboard perks like $400 OBC, more Wifi minutes than I can use and Ultra premium drinks in the casino. Last year I was Sapphire which included $200 OBC for each cruise.

 

 

 

 

 

We are no longer using Caesars to book our cruises as we get better cabins directly with CAS. However, we now use the annual SevenStar trip with free airfare to go to New Orleans where we enjoy a couple of days before going on another NCL cruise:cool:

Same here I never use the 7* cruise because I get better CAS offers Another tip for OP your drink card in Casino gets you water Perrier and Red Bull while drink package does not.

The level and number of comps available from CAS is always tied to the popularity of the ship, the itinerary, and the cruise dates. Bliss is a brand new ship, with plenty of interest from cruisers, which means NCL won't have to work hard at all to fill the ship for the next few years. It's much like trying to get an airline seat with your frequent flier miles...mileage seats to Paris or London are few and far between and cost a ton of miles.

The casino pays for the cruise they comp. They evaluate your theoretical losses against the cost of the cruise they are paying for you. Alaskan itinerary on a new ship cost (retail) a lot more than a Caribbean cruise. So, they can pay for a balcony in the Caribbean but only a ocean view to Alaska or a inside on a 14 day canal cruise.