CAS comp cruise calculations

[che5904]

You should. Maybe, maybe not on drink. You might have to play enough to earn the drink part.

 

By the way, if you prefer, you can pay the difference and upgrade your room if you want.

 

We're sailing on a land comp. CAS told me when I booked, that we still get the drink card. Not that it matters to me, we rarely use it.

[luvcruzing]

In my experience, all cruises comped through a Caesars land-based casino include a drink card.

[halehana]

In my case, the information I was given from Casinos at Sea for my comped cruise due to my play at my local casino in Pittsburgh included this:

(relevant text highlighted)

 

Can I ask what you mean by "information I was given"? We got a "voucher" at the casino in Vegas with the choices of cruises and a phone number to call. It has Casinos at Sea and Norwegian logos at the top. But it doesn't say anything about drink cards. When I booked the cruise, the agent at NCL said we'd get priority embark/disembark and a card for a free cake for my husband's birthday, but that's all that I know about.

It doesn't really matter if we get a drink card, but it would be nice to have. :)

 

Thanks everyone for your replies.

[bumorgan]

I have 2 comped cruises coming up earned through 2 land based casinos and both cruises will have drink cards for myself and guests in the cabin.:)

 

Dan

[che5904]

Can I ask what you mean by "information I was given"? We got a "voucher" at the casino in Vegas with the choices of cruises and a phone number to call. It has Casinos at Sea and Norwegian logos at the top. But it doesn't say anything about drink cards. When I booked the cruise, the agent at NCL said we'd get priority embark/disembark and a card for a free cake for my husband's birthday, but that's all that I know about.

It doesn't really matter if we get a drink card, but it would be nice to have. :)

 

Thanks everyone for your replies.

 

All that is meant by "priority embarkation" is there is a dedicated line for CAS guests to check in. Sometimes that line is longer than other lines. When you arrive at the terminal there is usually NCL hosts to look at your edocs and point you to either a specialized line or the shortest line. For example there may be one with specified latitude status', balconies, CAS etc.

 

The only ones that get true priority embarkation is suite guests. As for the disembarkation. I've never heard that before and this will be our 3rd land comped cruise. Not that it really matters about disembarkation because you get to choose your own times after suite guests have gotten the times they wanted. Or do self-disembarkation which means you can leave anytime as long as you are carrying your own bags.

Edited January 22, 2014 by che5904

[Daghis]

Can I ask what you mean by "information I was given"? We got a "voucher" at the casino in Vegas with the choices of cruises and a phone number to call. It has Casinos at Sea and Norwegian logos at the top.

I was given a one-page "certificate" that has no specific identifying information; it merely lists the available ships, dates, and cabin categories available to me as part of this promotion between CAS and my local casino. It has pretty much no details.

 

However, on an adjacent table, where people were not directed to go unless they had questions from a CAS representative, there were stacks of 28-page booklets entitled "You're Going Places." from Casinos At Sea that includes a set of FAQs, from which I quoted the one about the free drinks. This booklet appears to be generic, so I'm guessing that they're what they give to anyone getting a land-based casino offer. (The booklet also includes information about onboard amenities, ships, and itineraries, seemingly specific to this Casinos At Sea offer.)

[halehana]

I was given a one-page "certificate" that has no specific identifying information; it merely lists the available ships, dates, and cabin categories available to me as part of this promotion between CAS and my local casino. It has pretty much no details.

 

However, on an adjacent table, where people were not directed to go unless they had questions from a CAS representative, there were stacks of 28-page booklets entitled "You're Going Places." from Casinos At Sea that includes a set of FAQs, from which I quoted the one about the free drinks. This booklet appears to be generic, so I'm guessing that they're what they give to anyone getting a land-based casino offer. (The booklet also includes information about onboard amenities, ships, and itineraries, seemingly specific to this Casinos At Sea offer.)

 

Oh yeah! I forgot all about that booklet! I dug it out, and you're right, it does say "free drinks while playing in the casino." YAY! :D

 

Thanks!

[johnsak123]

exact date and ship

different cabins but theirs is more expensive but discount is less in terms of percentage

[spidybabe]

On comp'ed cabin everybody pays the same taxes and port charges. Then the cabin category price gets added in (with their own special formula). But port charges and taxes are the base price for comp'ed inside cabin. Also NCF -- Non commission fees?? Whatever they are! Also you can call numerous times and receive different answers......

Safe sailing

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[Fishbait17]

exact date and ship

different cabins but theirs is more expensive but discount is less in terms of percentage

 

Percentage of cabin cost doesn't mean much.. For example, I am booked on the Jewel to Alaska later this year. I was comped a mini suite, and upgraded to the Garden Villa. So, for the mini suite, I was given 100% off (less taxes, fees, port charges). But on the Garden Villa, it came to approximately 20% off after paying the upgrade fees. Same credit (approx $4000). Also, CAS uses a different calculator for suites over a certain level (I know on the Gem it's for anything Haven Penthouse and up) - with a different formula for upgrading than on lesser suites, if that applies to your friend's booking.

 

Robin

Edited January 23, 2014 by Fishbait17

[garycarla]

exact date and ship

different cabins but theirs is more expensive but discount is less in terms of percentage

 

BINGO BINGO BINGO

 

The casino group works with the ships sales group. If certain cabins are not selling at all, they may get better pricing. If the balcony cabins are sold out or almost sold out, the casino folks will have to price them higher.

 

Supply and demand at work.

[WolfRiver]

I cruised on NCL for the first time in March 2013 and lost about 5K$ playing mostly pai gow poker (also a little black jack, craps and slots). For that cruise, I got a drink card after the first night, a 500$ credit on my final bill and 2 specialty dinners... I was then comped a mini-suite for 2 in October, where the drink cards were waiting for us in our cabin (we drank for at least 700-800$ in the casino), got a specialty dinner, got a 400-500$ credit and achived Golden Status. Now I am going on a comped cruise in March in a spa suite & haven access... I only lost about 2.5K$ (and only played pai gow) on my second cruise, so I feel like a winner! Can't wait!

[Oldsweets]

I play UTH mostly. Yes, they charge taxes & port fees.

 

 

Terry, of course the next cruise is based on the last one (so you can interpret it as a thank you). What I found most interesting was the manager's use of the word 'reinvestment'. And he was clear that 30 - 35% was the target. I suspect he could have stretched to 40%, but remember that this was in addition to the $1,000 in comp value I got taken off my on board charges.... so by my calcs I spent $8k, got $1k back immediately, and $3k back against my next cruise... = approx. 50% back. Plus free drinks, and a couple of free meals.

 

I must be missing something as we cruise ncl often and had earned drink cards while on the cruise 6 months ago and again a few weeks ago and doubt that we will have a drink card until we once again earn enough points on about day four or five

[Nightengale212]

Just made VIP on the Breakaway. The only perk I get going to this level during my cruise is an upgraded drink card which I had premium drinks now ultra. My niece got to enjoy several Grey Goose martini's last night as auntie is not much of a drinker. All the other perks will come next cruise which is too bad as I have 5 more days on the ship and would have been nice to spend a few more days in the spa, etc. Finally hit a jackpot last night for $1,860 on a penny Kronos machine which softened the loosing blow. Ready to dock in St. Lucia in a few minutes and the weather here is a balmy 85 degrees :)

[Fishbait17]

I must be missing something as we cruise ncl often and had earned drink cards while on the cruise 6 months ago and again a few weeks ago and doubt that we will have a drink card until we once again earn enough points on about day four or five

 

Have you called CAS to find out what level you are? with the new program, if you earn more than 5001 points per "CAS Earning" year, you automatically become "Hot" level and qualify for a drink card. Call CAS and see what level you are and how many points you have earned in the past year. Have you booked your cruise through CAS or just thru regular NCL, and if thru CAS, are you booked with a discount or a comped cabin? If you booked a comped cabin through CAS, you should have the drink card. If you booked a discounted cruise, you might have a drink card. If you have not booked through CAS at all, they dont know you are coming and wont know to give you a drink card even if you have earned one from previous cruise play.

 

This page spells things out pretty clearly. http://www.ncl.com/freestyle-cruise/casinos-at-sea/players-club

 

Robin

[riddle]

If I achieve Golden Status during my cruise next month and have already purchased spa passes will NCL refund my cost of the spa passes?

 

Also, do your points automatically reset to 0 each April 1? That seems unrealistic.

[Fishbait17]

If I achieve Golden Status during my cruise next month and have already purchased spa passes will NCL refund my cost of the spa passes?

 

Also, do your points automatically reset to 0 each April 1? That seems unrealistic.

 

You won't get your benefits for being Goldenuntil the cruise AFTER you make Golden. Sometimes you will get the upgraded drink card right after crossing the threshold, sometimes not. I made Golden on my last sailing on approx day 3, and got no recognition whatsoever for making it, not even the upgraded drink card. On my next sailing, I will get full Golden benefits.

 

Any points you earned prior to April 1, 2013 will be dropped on April 1, 2014. Points you earned from April 1, 2013 thru Mar 31, 2014 will count for your status for 4/1/14-3/30/15. For example, to maintain my current Golden Status, I must make ~4000 points before 3/31/14 to add to the ~11,000 points I earned in May 2013.

 

Robin

Edited January 26, 2014 by Fishbait17

[riddle]

So basically, the whole program works a year in advance so to speak. Sort of like getting vacation after 1 year on the job?

[Fishbait17]

So basically, the whole program works a year in advance so to speak. Sort of like getting vacation after 1 year on the job?

 

Yes and no. Yes, the "past year" counts toward "this year", but also, any points earned "this year" count toward "this year" as well. So, if someone comes in on April 1 with no points from the previous year, he can still earn whatever status for April 1 forward. And any points/status earned from April 1,2014 thru March 31,2015 will carry forward until Mar 31, 2016. So you basically get up to two years out of points earned.

 

Robin

[legaldoll]

Robin:

 

I just read your post and decided to call for my cruise level. What I learned is that, just because I was comped the cruise, does not mean that I qualify for free drinks. I am still ranked at the "lucky" level. What this means is that I will have to earn the "hot" level to benefit from any of the additional perks, such as free drinks in the casino while playing.

 

[Our last cruise was during Sandy in October 2012. Because they evaluate players in April of each year, it may be April before I qualify for the "hot" card and free drinks.]

 

And, on all our previous "free" cruises through CAS, we HAVE had free drink cards in our room when we arrived.

Edited January 27, 2014 by legaldoll

[goldmom]

If you booked thru CAS, you probably will get the free drink card unless they changed things.

 

On our last cruise in June, DH was only Lucky and his card was in the cabin with the free drink card attached. This was on a comped cruise with CAS.

 

I would go not expecting anything and that way if you get the free drink card you will have a nice surprise!:D

[Fishbait17]

Robin:

 

I just read your post and decided to call for my cruise level. What I learned is that, just because I was comped the cruise, does not mean that I qualify for free drinks. I am still ranked at the "lucky" level. What this means is that I will have to earn the "hot" level to benefit from any of the additional perks, such as free drinks in the casino while playing.

 

[Our last cruise was during Sandy in October 2012. Because they evaluate players in April of each year, it may be April before I qualify for the "hot" card and free drinks.]

 

And, on all our previous "free" cruises through CAS, we HAVE had free drink cards in our room when we arrived.

 

I would bet you will likely have a drink card waiting in your cabin when you arrive, simply because you are on a CAS comp, and because thats the way its been working for most people reporting back in a similar situation. If not, as soon as you earn 1500 points on that sailing, you will have one, and if you pass 5001 points, you will have the card on any CAS sailings thru Apr 1, 2015. Good luck!

 

Robin

[samiam0403]

Robin:

 

I just read your post and decided to call for my cruise level. What I learned is that, just because I was comped the cruise, does not mean that I qualify for free drinks. I am still ranked at the "lucky" level. What this means is that I will have to earn the "hot" level to benefit from any of the additional perks, such as free drinks in the casino while playing.

 

[Our last cruise was during Sandy in October 2012. Because they evaluate players in April of each year, it may be April before I qualify for the "hot" card and free drinks.]

 

And, on all our previous "free" cruises through CAS, we HAVE had free drink cards in our room when we arrived.

 

Just another CAS cruiser chiming in and agreeing that you should be fine. I was comped my 2nd NCL cruise while I was still at the Lucky level (700 points shy of Hot!) and still got drink cards for all 3 of us in the cabin. This was last month on the Dawn. :)