New Cas perks now

[Casino Comp Chick]

Was speaking with my CAS PCC just yesterday and asked about the rumoured upcoming changes, and I was obviously misinformed as she said there were no changes pending.

 

With what has been reported here and if you are Platinum Latitudes there is very little additional benefit for being either Golden or VIP, other then getting a spa credit and the waiving of convenience fees.

 

Such a shame as it seems the 'changes' are just the removal of some of the perks rather than a real revamping of the program. perhaps there is more to the new program and perhaps harriet or iimmie can shed some light on the matter after their cruises.

 

Here's hoping the benefits are not as watered down as it first appears.

 

Rochelle

 

I am leaving on the 2 nighter BA Friday, I will report back Sunday

[hpecorari]

Sorry... I read this as a general $300 credit towards any/all cruise expenses, not just Spa type stuff.

 

(hell is thawing out-lol)

 

No problem. Lol

 

Glad hell is thawing out....as long as the snow stays away from Philadelphia!

 

Harriet

[tel2]

In my opinion, I think the only REAL changes are 1) the elimination of the Cagney's perk; 2) less certainty to the customer in terms of what they will be comped; and 3) more discretion to the casino manager in determining what to comp. I am VIP. Husband is gold. So I got the spa passes (which I understand now will be a credit that can be used to buy a spa pass or get a treatment), I got the soda package, I got the ultra drink card, I got the VIP room amenities (shrimp all three times). We each got our specialty dinner. Those were all comped under CAS.

 

My husband still smokes. He went to the bar every day, sometimes more than once a day, and got a pack of cigs. They were all on our bill. We ate in specialty restaurants 5 times -- two were comped up front by CAS, the other three were on our bill. Went to the spa and had a massage twice, and once had a facial. All on my bill. Booked 3 excursions, all were on my bill. Bought a few bottles of liquor, a few cartons of cigs, perfume, face cream and an inexpensive bracelet in the gift shop. I would have purchased all those things whether or not they were going to be comped. But in fact, on the last night, the casino comped all of the charges. Everything. I think this is the way it should be. They know your level; they watch your play; and they reward you at the end of the cruise based on your play.

 

Terry

[hpecorari]

In my opinion, I think the only REAL changes are 1) the elimination of the Cagney's perk; 2) less certainty to the customer in terms of what they will be comped; and 3) more discretion to the casino manager in determining what to comp. I am VIP. Husband is gold. So I got the spa passes (which I understand now will be a credit that can be used to buy a spa pass or get a treatment), I got the soda package, I got the ultra drink card, I got the VIP room amenities (shrimp all three times). We each got our specialty dinner. Those were all comped under CAS.

 

My husband still smokes. He went to the bar every day, sometimes more than once a day, and got a pack of cigs. They were all on our bill. We ate in specialty restaurants 5 times -- two were comped up front by CAS, the other three were on our bill. Went to the spa and had a massage twice, and once had a facial. All on my bill. Booked 3 excursions, all were on my bill. Bought a few bottles of liquor, a few cartons of cigs, perfume, face cream and an inexpensive bracelet in the gift shop. I would have purchased all those things whether or not they were going to be comped. But in fact, on the last night, the casino comped all of the charges. Everything. I think this is the way it should be. They know your level; they watch your play; and they reward you at the end of the cruise based on your play.

 

Terry

 

I agree with everything you said.

 

Harriet

[rochelle_s]

They know your level; they watch your play; and they reward you at the end of the cruise based on your play.

 

Terry

 

 

I have no problem with them running their comps this way as it appears to be a fair and equitable process. But where is the incentive to work towards the higher tier levels? Comps, awarded as you had outlined, could be given to anyone at any tier level. It all comes down to the play on the particular cruise and little to nothing to do with overall play during their April to March time frame as currently set up.

 

 

Rochelle

[skeeter195]

I am just off the Gem last week and here is my take and experience. A little backround on myself. I am a bigger than average player and in fact on this cruise, I was the biggest player at the tables($50-100 min) with more than a few table max bets. I played alone every single time except once when I played with another gentleman for about 10 minutes. I take very good care of the dealers, tipping out over $1000 again this trip. When we walk into the casino, every pit boss and most dealers say hello to me as I walk by. I do not play every day in the casino, but when I do I average about 2000 points per day.

 

I was Golden with over 30,000 points for 2 cruises. I was checked in as a VIP(staying in an aft balcony room) and then escorted onboard to Cagneys. My name was on the list, but I was not allowed entry. The hostess called the assistant concierge and she said OK, but the hostess said no, there were changes from corporate. So I pulled the ass conc into Moderno to clear things up. She made a call and then told me that in fact my VIP status for being Golden with CAS had lost the Cagneys perk. I was livid, not just for losing the perk, but because on Wednesday before we left I called CAS and was told that the perk was still there. I then went to speak to a casino host. I wanted an explanation as to what was going on and why was I told 2 days before that the Cagneys perk was still there. I asked if she could call headquarters(she told me to instead) to see if something could be done. She then basically told me too bad and leave me alone. WOW, at this point we were ready to get off the ship, she then tells me that I can not leave the ship without letting her know, yeah right. Finally after about ten minutes of this she asks my name. I have an old Golden card and toss it on the counter and leave saying "I think the first thing that you should have asked was my name". Anyway the assiatant HD now tracks me down to explain the new system, I am now calmer. We stay aboard with no explanation as to what the perks are as there was nothing in writing that the casino had from corporate yet. Apparently there were very few(I think I saw 3 on the list) Golden and VIP CAS players. There was not even a cocktail party the first night, just a 1/2 rum punch party in the casino before it opened. The last 2 cruises on the Gem we were on had awsome cocktail parties. Anyway, we go to the casino the first night and I was found right away by the casino manager and offers me a few things to try and make up for the lost Cagneys perk, a nice gesture that fell short. At this point I feel like an outcast in the casino. I change my whole attitude towards the casino hosts on this ship now. I am still friendly with the dealers and pit bosses. The week goes on and I do my normal bets and tip the dealers well. I check my points after four days and I have 1400 points, sad. I now know that I am not being fairly rated at the tables. I jump on a VP poker machine and play $25 a hand for about 15 minutes and earn about 400 points, the points are working here.

 

Anyway, my casino experience was a big let down this trip. I should have earned about 15000 points as my last 2 days I had about an 800 ave for about 8 hours. I earned a total of just under 5k for the trip. I came out a few k ahead, but that does not make up for the bad customer service both on the ship and from corporate before we sailed. Maybe I am taking this over the top, but I really like the cagneys perk for breakfast. The buffet or dining room is just not good IMO. Honestly the reason I kept checking with CAS was because of the perk. I was going to book a suite as it was only going to cost me an extra $1200 if that perk was taken away. I do need any of the other suite perks so that is why we did not. Oh well, sorry for the rant

[hpecorari]

I am just off the Gem last week and here is my take and experience. A little backround on myself. I am a bigger than average player and in fact on this cruise, I was the biggest player at the tables($50-100 min) with more than a few table max bets. I played alone every single time except once when I played with another gentleman for about 10 minutes. I take very good care of the dealers, tipping out over $1000 again this trip. When we walk into the casino, every pit boss and most dealers say hello to me as I walk by. I do not play every day in the casino, but when I do I average about 2000 points per day.

 

I was Golden with over 30,000 points for 2 cruises. I was checked in as a VIP(staying in an aft balcony room) and then escorted onboard to Cagneys. My name was on the list, but I was not allowed entry. The hostess called the assistant concierge and she said OK, but the hostess said no, there were changes from corporate. So I pulled the ass conc into Moderno to clear things up. She made a call and then told me that in fact my VIP status for being Golden with CAS had lost the Cagneys perk. I was livid, not just for losing the perk, but because on Wednesday before we left I called CAS and was told that the perk was still there. I then went to speak to a casino host. I wanted an explanation as to what was going on and why was I told 2 days before that the Cagneys perk was still there. I asked if she could call headquarters(she told me to instead) to see if something could be done. She then basically told me too bad and leave me alone. WOW, at this point we were ready to get off the ship, she then tells me that I can not leave the ship without letting her know, yeah right. Finally after about ten minutes of this she asks my name. I have an old Golden card and toss it on the counter and leave saying "I think the first thing that you should have asked was my name". Anyway the assiatant HD now tracks me down to explain the new system, I am now calmer. We stay aboard with no explanation as to what the perks are as there was nothing in writing that the casino had from corporate yet. Apparently there were very few(I think I saw 3 on the list) Golden and VIP CAS players. There was not even a cocktail party the first night, just a 1/2 rum punch party in the casino before it opened. The last 2 cruises on the Gem we were on had awsome cocktail parties. Anyway, we go to the casino the first night and I was found right away by the casino manager and offers me a few things to try and make up for the lost Cagneys perk, a nice gesture that fell short. At this point I feel like an outcast in the casino. I change my whole attitude towards the casino hosts on this ship now. I am still friendly with the dealers and pit bosses. The week goes on and I do my normal bets and tip the dealers well. I check my points after four days and I have 1400 points, sad. I now know that I am not being fairly rated at the tables. I jump on a VP poker machine and play $25 a hand for about 15 minutes and earn about 400 points, the points are working here.

 

Anyway, my casino experience was a big let down this trip. I should have earned about 15000 points as my last 2 days I had about an 800 ave for about 8 hours. I earned a total of just under 5k for the trip. I came out a few k ahead, but that does not make up for the bad customer service both on the ship and from corporate before we sailed. Maybe I am taking this over the top, but I really like the cagneys perk for breakfast. The buffet or dining room is just not good IMO. Honestly the reason I kept checking with CAS was because of the perk. I was going to book a suite as it was only going to cost me an extra $1200 if that perk was taken away. I do need any of the other suite perks so that is why we did not. Oh well, sorry for the rant

 

According to the person I spoke with at the casino said they got an email from corp that it was to start Febrcuary 1st. That was the first they new about the changes. She said to thank the new management. Kevin.......come back!

 

Harriet

[hpecorari]

I have no problem with them running their comps this way as it appears to be a fair and equitable process. But where is the incentive to work towards the higher tier levels? Comps, awarded as you had outlined, could be given to anyone at any tier level. It all comes down to the play on the particular cruise and little to nothing to do with overall play during their April to March time frame as currently set up.

 

 

Rochelle

 

And this is where I have a problem. My understanding and agreement was what I earned was good until March 31st NOT January 31st. I've basically been screwed out of 2 months. I wonder how much money they are saving on no breakfast and lunch and no cigs for those two months on everyone that paid to play to reach that tier.

 

Harriet

[skeeter195]

Changes are changes and that is fine. The problem is that when the right hand does not know what the left is doing problems arise. Then when a problem does come up because of the right left thing, the rules need to be bent. Again I am not a whale, but I am willing to put 5k per day at risk. I was a little upset when I was told by the casino host that the people who spend alot of money on suites were complaining about having to "share cagneys" with non suite people. A host should know that being a Golden or VIP casino guest with only 1cruisehas the potential to pay for a garden villa a couple of times over.

[jusstice]

I've been expecting these changes for several months, since they were first mentioned on the board.

 

I am surprised that they made the changes as of Feb 1 though. I mean, why not put it in effect with the yearly evaluation period (which is only a difference of like two months). I wonder when NCLs fiscal year ends. Maybe that's why Feb 1 is the date?

 

The reduction in the VIP treatment perk was supposedly a result of the Hotel-side of the business. So maybe the bitchin suite guests did play a part.

 

While I enjoyed the Cagney's perk, I will not be booking suites just for the privilege. I would much rather spend my excess funds in the casino and on excursions. I am partial to O'Sheehans anyway, so I guess I will have to adjust.

[tel2]

I asked a couple of people, including the hotel manager, why the Cagneys perk was being eliminated (I didnt know it was happening on Feb 1 -- I was led to believe it was going to happen on April 1) but never really got a good answer. It couldnt cost that much -- I mean, the casino players all have to eat anyway, and it isnt as though the food there is much more expensive -- it is the ambiance that we all like. One casino manager told me told me that they were told it was over-taxing Cagneys and they could not handle the additional people. My reaction was that is BS. We have been on 4 cruises in last 8 months, and always have breakfast there every day, and lunch there a couple of times a week, and I have NEVER seen it even close to full. Not on the Gem, not on the Pearl, not on the Jewel and not on the Dawn. One day last week on the Dawn, when we went for breakfast there were exactly 4 other people in the entire dining room.

 

I think NCL just concluded that it diminished the value of the suites they are trying to sell at premium pricing to give non-suite dwellers a perk that is highly touted and coveted by suite dwellers. And I think there were people like me that previously almost always booked a suite, and then after I reached both platinum and CAS VIP tier and got concierge service and the Cagneys perk booked a number of cruises at balcony or mini-suite level since they are the two suite perks that are most important to me (the third being the Lavazza coffee pot). Ive noticed that for platinum latitudes guests that they have ceased "advertising" the concierge perk, and you no longer get a letter in your room saying you have access to the concierge, but so far, they do not seem to be affirmatively cutting it out. Bet that is coming too...

 

My guess is that NCL simply concluded it was costing them money. It isnt as though I will gamble less if I upgrade to a suite.....

 

Terry

[riddle]

I'm not a high roller but I was comped part of my expenses on my last cruise. Not complaining, but I would have liked to have known in advance. I might have spent more time in the casino if I thought I had lost less.

 

One night my husband heard a man talking to the casino staff about his losses for the week being about $2500. He wanted the staff to do something and they said they had already comped his entire bill and they did not know what else they could do. They finally sent him to the shops with an allotment of $ to spend. I did not think that a loss of $2500 was that high and was surprised they did that much for him.

 

I have never asked for anything. Is it normal for someone to ask to be comped that much on that type of loss? Or, perhaps, my husband did not get the whole story and there was more to it. Anyone have similar situations?

[hpecorari]

I'm not a high roller but I was comped part of my expenses on my last cruise. Not complaining, but I would have liked to have known in advance. I might have spent more time in the casino if I thought I had lost less.

 

One night my husband heard a man talking to the casino staff about his losses for the week being about $2500. He wanted the staff to do something and they said they had already comped his entire bill and they did not know what else they could do. They finally sent him to the shops with an allotment of $ to spend. I did not think that a loss of $2500 was that high and was surprised they did that much for him.

 

I have never asked for anything. Is it normal for someone to ask to be comped that much on that type of loss? Or, perhaps, my husband did not get the whole story and there was more to it. Anyone have similar situations?

 

There was one cruise I was on that I didn't spend much. After comping all my expenses minus gambling and DSC from my final bill I was told I actually didn't have enough expenses to equal what they would have removed from my bill. I was told to go to any of the gift shops and purchase up to $400.00 worth of an item or items.

 

Harriet

[tel2]

There was one cruise I was on that I didn't spend much. After comping all my expenses minus gambling and DSC from my final bill I was told I actually didn't have enough expenses to equal what they would have removed from my bill. I was told to go to any of the gift shops and purchase up to $400.00 worth of an item or items.

 

Harriet

 

That happened to me too on a cruise last fall. But I think it depends on the casino manager.

 

Terry

[conandrob240]

At what level should I expect to see things comped from my bill? Or is it more based on the win/loss or points earned on that particular cruise.

[emcelh]

At what level should I expect to see things comped from my bill? Or is it more based on the win/loss or points earned on that particular cruise.

:mad:

I wonder too. I've lost between 1500 and 2000 on our last few cruises and I've never had anything comped over what the points I've earned give, usually less than $50.

[Atlanta07]

skeeter95 - Honestly, if you are playing that much and earn that many points on any given cruise, you should be completely comped for the cruise up front in a suite. Go to a junket club, they will take care of you. FOR SURE.

[oracer]

How much do you have to spend at the casino to actually get this spa credit for 2?

[conandrob240]

:mad:

I wonder too. I've lost between 1500 and 2000 on our last few cruises and I've never had anything comped over what the points I've earned give, usually less than $50.

 

When you are playing and losing this amount, are you traveling as a CAS guest, meaning you booked through them?

[Casino Comp Chick]

How much do you have to spend at the casino to actually get this spa credit for 2?

In any year (April 1st-Mar 31) it would be the equivalent of $75,005.00 on a slot machine and $150,010.00 on video poker

15001 points for Golden (Gets you a spa credit)

Slot is based on $5.00 per point

Video Poker is based on $10.00 per point

Hard to say on a table player because you get rated by the pit bosses.

Edited February 12, 2015 by iimmie

[emcelh]

When you are playing and losing this amount, are you traveling as a CAS guest, meaning you booked through them?

 

Yes, either CAS or total rewards. On some cruises they offer a comped inside but we book suites so taking the discount works out better for us.

[Casino Comp Chick]

Yes, either CAS or total rewards. On some cruises they offer a comped inside but we book suites so taking the discount works out better for us.

 

I agree and I can take advantage of the price drops that way. I wasn't able to add the promos to my H6 because it was an upgraded cabin (from OV) and the price jump would negate any savings. I was able to get a $533.00 drop and add the dining plan for 4 people to my adjoining cabin (only discounted room).

[NLH Arizona]

I am just off the Gem last week and here is my take and experience. A little backround on myself. I am a bigger than average player and in fact on this cruise, I was the biggest player at the tables($50-100 min) with more than a few table max bets. I played alone every single time except once when I played with another gentleman for about 10 minutes. I take very good care of the dealers, tipping out over $1000 again this trip. When we walk into the casino, every pit boss and most dealers say hello to me as I walk by. I do not play every day in the casino, but when I do I average about 2000 points per day.

 

I was Golden with over 30,000 points for 2 cruises. I was checked in as a VIP(staying in an aft balcony room) and then escorted onboard to Cagneys. My name was on the list, but I was not allowed entry. The hostess called the assistant concierge and she said OK, but the hostess said no, there were changes from corporate. So I pulled the ass conc into Moderno to clear things up. She made a call and then told me that in fact my VIP status for being Golden with CAS had lost the Cagneys perk. I was livid, not just for losing the perk, but because on Wednesday before we left I called CAS and was told that the perk was still there. I then went to speak to a casino host. I wanted an explanation as to what was going on and why was I told 2 days before that the Cagneys perk was still there. I asked if she could call headquarters(she told me to instead) to see if something could be done. She then basically told me too bad and leave me alone. WOW, at this point we were ready to get off the ship, she then tells me that I can not leave the ship without letting her know, yeah right. Finally after about ten minutes of this she asks my name. I have an old Golden card and toss it on the counter and leave saying "I think the first thing that you should have asked was my name". Anyway the assiatant HD now tracks me down to explain the new system, I am now calmer. We stay aboard with no explanation as to what the perks are as there was nothing in writing that the casino had from corporate yet. Apparently there were very few(I think I saw 3 on the list) Golden and VIP CAS players. There was not even a cocktail party the first night, just a 1/2 rum punch party in the casino before it opened. The last 2 cruises on the Gem we were on had awsome cocktail parties. Anyway, we go to the casino the first night and I was found right away by the casino manager and offers me a few things to try and make up for the lost Cagneys perk, a nice gesture that fell short. At this point I feel like an outcast in the casino. I change my whole attitude towards the casino hosts on this ship now. I am still friendly with the dealers and pit bosses. The week goes on and I do my normal bets and tip the dealers well. I check my points after four days and I have 1400 points, sad. I now know that I am not being fairly rated at the tables. I jump on a VP poker machine and play $25 a hand for about 15 minutes and earn about 400 points, the points are working here.

 

Anyway, my casino experience was a big let down this trip. I should have earned about 15000 points as my last 2 days I had about an 800 ave for about 8 hours. I earned a total of just under 5k for the trip. I came out a few k ahead, but that does not make up for the bad customer service both on the ship and from corporate before we sailed. Maybe I am taking this over the top, but I really like the cagneys perk for breakfast. The buffet or dining room is just not good IMO. Honestly the reason I kept checking with CAS was because of the perk. I was going to book a suite as it was only going to cost me an extra $1200 if that perk was taken away. I do need any of the other suite perks so that is why we did not. Oh well, sorry for the rant

Wow, all this for access to Cagney's. If it is that important to you, just book a suite, as I'm sure it will be free from CAS, since you gamble so much. Before I reached Golden, I was comped a mini-suite and just upgraded to a real suite. Edited February 12, 2015 by NLH Arizona

[NLH Arizona]

Changes are changes and that is fine. The problem is that when the right hand does not know what the left is doing problems arise. Then when a problem does come up because of the right left thing, the rules need to be bent. Again I am not a whale, but I am willing to put 5k per day at risk. I was a little upset when I was told by the casino host that the people who spend alot of money on suites were complaining about having to "share cagneys" with non suite people. A host should know that being a Golden or VIP casino guest with only 1cruisehas the potential to pay for a garden villa a couple of times over.

I really doubt that people were complaining, because how would they know if you were in a suite or not, unless someone is loudly bragging that they aren't in a suite. I book a suite and also was Golden and to be honest, just by looking at folks, I couldn't tell if they were suite folks or CAS folks. On my November cruise on the Pearl, Moderno (used instead of Cagney's) was never full or even half full for breakfast or lunch. I will be honest, I certainly would want to dine in Cagney's/Moderno with the poster that made such a fuss, because I can imagine the yelling if the breakfast/lunch was not correct. Edited February 12, 2015 by NLH Arizona

[Casino Comp Chick]

Quick follow up for the BA 2 nighter. Old perks in effect. Spa pass 2 ppl/2 days. Cigarettes. No changes but Christina said they would kick in on next cruise.