NCL CAS booking question

[eldrima]

Has anyone ever booked two advance CAS cruises, traveled on the first one, then been able to get CAS to upgrade the room for the 2nd one after returning from the first one (accumulated enough points to be eligible for a better offer)?

 

I'll be taking my first cruise booked through a CAS promotion on the Escape sailing 2/13. The offer came directly from CAS and not through Harrah's/Caesars. We were offered a inside for certain ships/dates on the mailer, called, and they said they extended the offer for a inside on the Escape for President's Day week. I then paid to upgrade to a balcony.

 

I'm thinking about calling CAS to book a cruise in August so I can take advantage of the current "Pick 2" promo. I'd like to upgrade to a spa suite or mini suite and was hoping they would offer that after I've gamed with them on the upcoming cruise. If I later changed room categories, would I lose the Pick 2 and be subject to whatever promo they are running at that time?

[VideoTech]

We always cruise through CAS, but have never done that. However, I don't see why you shouldn't try it. On your first cruise, find out how long it typically takes for the data on your play from the ship to reach corporate CAS. Then call and ask. Worst case, if they say no, you can always pay for an upgrade.

 

As for the Pick 2 promo question, can't really help you with that.

 

Has anyone ever booked two advance CAS cruises, traveled on the first one, then been able to get CAS to upgrade the room for the 2nd one after returning from the first one (accumulated enough points to be eligible for a better offer)?

 

I'll be taking my first cruise booked through a CAS promotion on the Escape sailing 2/13. The offer came directly from CAS and not through Harrah's/Caesars. We were offered a inside for certain ships/dates on the mailer, called, and they said they extended the offer for a inside on the Escape for President's Day week. I then paid to upgrade to a balcony.

 

I'm thinking about calling CAS to book a cruise in August so I can take advantage of the current "Pick 2" promo. I'd like to upgrade to a spa suite or mini suite and was hoping they would offer that after I've gamed with them on the upcoming cruise. If I later changed room categories, would I lose the Pick 2 and be subject to whatever promo they are running at that time?

[Pappion]

I can't answer about the comped upgrade part, but last time (on the Getaway, not the recent Escape cruise) I upgraded from a regular balcony to an aft and I kept the promotion I booked with. I can't guarantee they'll do the same thing for you every time, but I was actually kind of bummed because there was a better promo out when I upgraded.

[cruise4kicks]

Also keep in mind that their points year runs from April 1st to March 31st. I don't know how much difference it would make that your first cruise is 2/13, and the next one you want is in the next points year.

 

My motto: You don't ask, you don't get. Give it a try! All they can say is "No." <ouch>

[eldrima]

Also keep in mind that their points year runs from April 1st to March 31st. I don't know how much difference it would make that your first cruise is 2/13, and the next one you want is in the next points year.

 

My motto: You don't ask, you don't get. Give it a try! All they can say is "No." <ouch>

 

Should not make a difference. The only other NCL cruise I took was back in January of 2015 and I played BJ on the Star. So no points earned on the current points year. I'm guessing they base it off your loss or theo loss from your last NCL cruise.

 

I think my window of opportunity has passed. The pick 2 promo ends tomorrow and I don't think CAS booking is open over the weekend. I suspect I will play more on this next cruise than I did last time and hope that they run the pick 2 again in the future. On top of that, I read that the pick 2 pertains to Oceanviews and higher so booking a free inside right now would have only yielded a pick 1.

 

Thanks for all the recommendations!

[CasinoCruzGirl]

Has anyone ever booked two advance CAS cruises, traveled on the first one, then been able to get CAS to upgrade the room for the 2nd one after returning from the first one (accumulated enough points to be eligible for a better offer)?

 

I'll be taking my first cruise booked through a CAS promotion on the Escape sailing 2/13. The offer came directly from CAS and not through Harrah's/Caesars. We were offered a inside for certain ships/dates on the mailer, called, and they said they extended the offer for a inside on the Escape for President's Day week. I then paid to upgrade to a balcony.

 

I'm thinking about calling CAS to book a cruise in August so I can take advantage of the current "Pick 2" promo. I'd like to upgrade to a spa suite or mini suite and was hoping they would offer that after I've gamed with them on the upcoming cruise. If I later changed room categories, would I lose the Pick 2 and be subject to whatever promo they are running at that time?

 

I have 4 CAS comped cruises booked right now. They said I need to come back from the first one before I book another.

 

You do realize you need A LOT of points to get a comp Suite (not mini) but a spa suite. If you gambled enough then I don't see any reason why not.

[eldrima]

I have 4 CAS comped cruises booked right now. They said I need to come back from the first one before I book another.

 

You do realize you need A LOT of points to get a comp Suite (not mini) but a spa suite. If you gambled enough then I don't see any reason why not.

 

I'd be happy getting a comped balcony and then paying the upgrade to spa suite or mini suite. I plan on mixing in some VP and video BJ this time instead of just BJ at the t1ables. I typically like playing BJ at a table without anyone else and often play multiple hands so I doubt the rating is a true reflection of the hourly wagering.

 

All that and a bigger bankroll and I suspect I'll accumulate more points on this trip.

[CasinoCruzGirl]

I'd be happy getting a comped balcony and then paying the upgrade to spa suite or mini suite. I plan on mixing in some VP and video BJ this time instead of just BJ at the t1ables. I typically like playing BJ at a table without anyone else and often play multiple hands so I doubt the rating is a true reflection of the hourly wagering.

 

All that and a bigger bankroll and I suspect I'll accumulate more points on this trip.

 

 

It's fun isn't it lol. Do you play a lot of hours in the casino?

[eldrima]

It's fun isn't it lol. Do you play a lot of hours in the casino?

 

Since the closest decent casinos are all 6+ hours away, I tend to spend a good bit of time playing cards when I do step in one. This cruise, maybe not as many hours since we are bringing the kids along...mostly once everyone is is in bed for the night.

[sjbdtz]

I'd be happy getting a comped balcony and then paying the upgrade to spa suite or mini suite. I plan on mixing in some VP and video BJ this time instead of just BJ at the t1ables. I typically like playing BJ at a table without anyone else and often play multiple hands so I doubt the rating is a true reflection of the hourly wagering.

 

All that and a bigger bankroll and I suspect I'll accumulate more points on this trip.

 

One detail to remember, is that regarding promotions....you GET the promotion for the category you are COMPED, not the category you pay to upgrade to.

 

 

If you get a comp balcony which gives you 1 promo, and you pay to upgrade to a suite which gets 4 promos..... YOU get 1 promo, based on the balcony, even though you're in a suite.

 

 

Also, on the newer ships at least, it's no longer hours-played which make up your rating. Now it's hands-played, and they rely on the sensors built into the table to determine how many hands you are playing. So you could play 7 hands on a table, for 1 hour.....and wind up with the same rating as is you had played 7 hours of only 1 hand per round.

 

 

 

 

Stephen

 

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Edited January 31, 2016 by sjbdtz

[VideoTech]

I'd be happy getting a comped balcony and then paying the upgrade to spa suite or mini suite. I plan on mixing in some VP and video BJ this time instead of just BJ at the t1ables. I typically like playing BJ at a table without anyone else and often play multiple hands so I doubt the rating is a true reflection of the hourly wagering.

 

All that and a bigger bankroll and I suspect I'll accumulate more points on this trip.

 

Remember that VP play doesn't build up your rating as fast; it requires twice the $ in for each point.

[eldrima]

Remember that VP play doesn't build up your rating as fast; it requires twice the $ in for each point.

 

I lose my interest a lot faster playing slots. VP and Baccarat I enjoy for a little while but eventually I lose interest and end up at the BJ table.

 

As every gambler says "I don't gamble for the comps" but at the same time, free vacations and dinners have a value too and help soften the blow when you don't walk out a winner.

[Sand and Seas]

Remember that VP play doesn't build up your rating as fast; it requires twice the $ in for each point.

 

But a $100 goes much further in VP than slots for me. For me, I can earn a lot more points and last MUCH longer since I get to make decisions on what cards to hold. Suggest you check all denoms on your VP games as some have better pay tables than others. Not great pay tables on the ships, but last longer pay tables....and maybe get lucky:rolleyes:

[Sand and Seas]

 

As every gambler says "I don't gamble for the comps" but at the same time, free vacations and dinners have a value too and help soften the blow when you don't walk out a winner.

 

Exactly! Each year I track what I spend at Vegas or gambling on the ship. I also list what I received for gambling-- 'free' cruises, great suites in Las Vegas, and some other things that make it fun to me.

[eldrima]

Exactly! Each year I track what I spend at Vegas or gambling on the ship. I also list what I received for gambling-- 'free' cruises, great suites in Las Vegas, and some other things that make it fun to me.

 

I agree! I'm going to spend the money on vacations and I enjoy gambling, visiting Vegas, and cruising. If I win money then great, if not, I still had fun doing it and got a free vacation out of it.

[eldrima]

But a $100 goes much further in VP than slots for me. For me, I can earn a lot more points and last MUCH longer since I get to make decisions on what cards to hold. Suggest you check all denoms on your VP games as some have better pay tables than others. Not great pay tables on the ships, but last longer pay tables....and maybe get lucky:rolleyes:

 

Amen to that! Not a huge VP player but have learned basic strategy on JOB to help extend the play longer. Hit my first Royal in October in Vegas. My wife and I were in the Aria sports book watching our team play football and decided I wasn't going to pay $15 for another glass of wine for her. Told her I was going to sit and play VP at the bar top outside long enough to get a comped drink. I was shocked when I held a queen of hearts and then got dealt the other 4 to the royal. Luck seems to find you when you are not necessarily looking for it. A LOT of VP hand played without a royal prior to that one.

[eldrima]

One detail to remember, is that regarding promotions....you GET the promotion for the category you are COMPED, not the category you pay to upgrade to.

 

 

If you get a comp balcony which gives you 1 promo, and you pay to upgrade to a suite which gets 4 promos..... YOU get 1 promo, based on the balcony, even though you're in a suite.

 

 

Also, on the newer ships at least, it's no longer hours-played which make up your rating. Now it's hands-played, and they rely on the sensors built into the table to determine how many hands you are playing. So you could play 7 hands on a table, for 1 hour.....and wind up with the same rating as is you had played 7 hours of only 1 hand per round.

 

 

 

 

Stephen

 

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All really good info...wasn't aware that's how they determine your promo.

 

Also interesting to hear they are tracking the table play that way. Are they using the RFID technology that also tracks your chip denomination and can determine exactly how much you have wagered? If so, do you know if it is for all chips or higher denomination chips?

[margie1221]

Has anyone ever booked two advance CAS cruises, traveled on the first one, then been able to get CAS to upgrade the room for the 2nd one after returning from the first one (accumulated enough points to be eligible for a better offer)?

 

I'll be taking my first cruise booked through a CAS promotion on the Escape sailing 2/13. The offer came directly from CAS and not through Harrah's/Caesars. We were offered a inside for certain ships/dates on the mailer, called, and they said they extended the offer for a inside on the Escape for President's Day week. I then paid to upgrade to a balcony.

 

I'm thinking about calling CAS to book a cruise in August so I can take advantage of the current "Pick 2" promo. I'd like to upgrade to a spa suite or mini suite and was hoping they would offer that after I've gamed with them on the upcoming cruise. If I later changed room categories, would I lose the Pick 2 and be subject to whatever promo they are running at that time?

 

Hello!! Just wanted to mention that there's a pretty active Roll Call for the 2/13 Escape cruise - Meet & Greet and Slot Pull planned - if you're interested...

[sjbdtz]

All really good info...wasn't aware that's how they determine your promo.

 

Also interesting to hear they are tracking the table play that way. Are they using the RFID technology that also tracks your chip denomination and can determine exactly how much you have wagered? If so, do you know if it is for all chips or higher denomination chips?

 

 

No, average bet is still documented by the supervisor.

 

 

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