Casinos at Sea Players Program

[Cruiser#5]

Seasons Greetings all

 

Has anyone ever called the Casinos at Sea Program to see what you qualify for. If so, please share your views on this.

 

Do you really get any perks or discounts as they indicate on their webpage.

Also, if you have already booked through a TA, do you lose out on the discounts? :confused:

[szdiver]

I called them because they said I would qualify from our last cruise - they said I did not qualify for anything.....big whoop!

[CRUZIN TOM]

The program just get a players card. Depending on how much your bets arein the casino, gets you bonus points worth dollars off your bill. But to get anything it has to be a minimum of a $25.00 credit on the players card. I played blackjack every day on my cruise last year , bets averaged about 10.00 - 15.00 on all my bets. I earned a whopping $12.00.......... credit on the players card. I talked to one person who was a heavy better in the casino, betting at least $25.00-50.00 continuously thru-out the week. He got a $25.00 credit for the week. You can pick up your players card anytime in the casino.:)

 

PS this also works for playing the slots. Put the card in and it registers you. My wife earned all of $8.00......for the week. Therefor no credits on the room bill.....:mad:

[Len3]

Do you cash in the $8.00 or what do you do with it?

[CRUZIN TOM]

You Can't Get Any Cash Back At All. You Only Get A Credit On Your Onboard Account If It Reaches $25.00 Or More.

[johnql]

I have received $25 and $50 credits on my shipboard account on my last two NCL cruises (Star and Dawn). I primarily play BJ, but I have read here on CC that slot play builds up your credits faster. My opinion is that if you're going to be gambling in the casino anyway, it's a worthwhile program. But if the program entices you to gamble when you otherwise wouldn't, then it's not worth it.

[Cosmopolitan]

I have received $25 and $50 credits on my shipboard account on my last two NCL cruises (Star and Dawn). I primarily play BJ, but I have read here on CC that slot play builds up your credits faster. My opinion is that if you're going to be gambling in the casino anyway, it's a worthwhile program. But if the program entices you to gamble when you otherwise wouldn't, then it's not worth it.

 

We received $100 credit on our shipboard account on our last cruise. our credits were from that cruise and the cruise before it.

 

Credits accumulate for up to 18 months. So, if you are sailing twice within 18 months, you can accumulate your credits.

 

You MUST cash in your credit on the day BEFORE the end of your cruise by a certain time. Sorry, I forget what time that was.

They then take the credits off of your Casinos At Sea Card BUT if you are going to gamble the rest of that day make sure you use your card.

It will start accumulating your credits for your next cruise.

 

We also have received a letter from Casinos At Sea and emails when they are running specials.

I'm not sure what $$ amount you have to spend in order to qualify for this.

Our last cruise was 12 days so we had more gambling/at sea days.

 

You can just pick up your card in the casino. You really don't have to set it up ahead of time.

It has nothing to do with using a travel agent or not.

 

Casino hostesses are very helpful ~

 

Have a wonderful cruise:)

[RamblingMan27]

I signed up for the players card as I was walking around the ship getting my bearings on embarkation day. I like to play blackjack and was hoping that I would find a game with decent odds on the NCL Sun. They had 3 or 4 blackjack tables open at peak times, 3 of the tables had automatic shufflers while one was from a six deck shoe and hand shuffled. I have played at casino's before that have the automatic shufflers and I don't really like them to begin with, but these are even different from those you may have previosly encountered. After one round of cards are dealt and the hand is over, the dealer places the played cards back into the shuffler and they are shuffled all over again and the next hand is dealt. So you see it is like playing with a brand new shuffle everytime, I didn't like this. Most of these tables were $5 min bets. There was one table that offered the hand shuffled shoe with six decks for a $10 min, this min was effective in keeping some of the more novice black jack players away. I had success each night there and was able to hit some good runs.

 

As far as the players card goes, I talked to the people that I was gambling with throughout the week and they told me about how many points they had accumulated etc. So after about four days of probably 7 hours of play, I asked the host at the desk to check my play and he had 2 hours recorded with a avg bet of $15. This was completely inaccurate in terms of time and average bet, I was betting two hands $20-$50 each hand for at least 2 hours and the pit bosses were offerering me comp drinks etc. I didn't push the issue with the host or even question him about it, but I think he knew that it wasn't right. The next time I came back and sat down at a table one of the pit crew came over and appologized that the play entered on the card wasn't accurate and that they would keep a more accurate account of it. I thought this was great customer service, eventhough they didn't go back and alter my play they recognized the situation themselves without me having to complain about it. So having said that if you're concerned about your rating I would stay on top of it and if it's not what you think it should be just bring it up to them.

 

All in all I found the casino to be far superior on this ship to what you get on Carnival.

[sjbdtz]

They have an 18% discount for adequately rated players.

 

I also know one guy who was in a Penthouse at no charge...but he lost $10k at the casino.

 

 

This is in addition to any comps you get, and in addition to the shipboard credit based on the number of points accumulated.

[newmexicoNita]

All I can say is the cards are not like what you get in Vegas, etc. I played more than I will mention, kept forgetting my card in the slots or it would come just loose enough to not be building much and figure if I cruise again in 18 monts I might have enough to get the $25 credit. Oh well, it's free and fun. DH plays BJ and craps but not enough there to build up anything either. NMnita

[Cruiser#5]

Well, I called and asked if I would qualify for anything. The good news is I could get 18% off my cruise....the Bad news. is...since I'm already booked its too late:( .

The guy on the phone indicated, the only way to get this discount was to make the reservations through him. I asked if there was anything else I can get and his reponse was No:( :( :( :( .

 

oh well I guess I know for my next trip.

[sjbdtz]

Well, I called and asked if I would qualify for anything. The good news is I could get 18% off my cruise....the Bad news. is...since I'm already booked its too late:( .

The guy on the phone indicated, the only way to get this discount was to make the reservations through him. I asked if there was anything else I can get and his reponse was No:( :( :( :( .

 

oh well I guess I know for my next trip.

 

 

I made a rez, THEN called Casinos At Sea....they just had the rez transferred over.

 

Then I got my TA involved, and that's A whole other story.

[jsaadat]

Im a rated player... and have never gotten any upgrades from NCL. Carnival and RCCL have treated me great with room upgrades and some other perks.Best Casino perks I get on NCL is some free drinks....... which really isnt a bad deal considering they are $7 to $8 each. One of the keys is to really let the hosts know you are there. I forget my card all the time , but they still knew when and what I was playing.

 

The new Texas hold-em tables are fun ;)

[Cruiser#5]

I made a rez, THEN called Casinos At Sea....they just had the rez transferred over.

 

Then I got my TA involved, and that's A whole other story.

 

Sjbdtz, Thanks for your advice. I got myself in a real mess with my bookings through a transfer.

 

quick summary...We booked our cruise through our TA in a AE (Mini Suite) with hopes of an upsell, she couldn't get us a flight at that time and it was the only cabin available so we took it. My DH kept checking the NCL website and found a AC (Penthouse) came up within the next few days and he grabbed booking it online..now we have two cabins and no flight:eek: .

We advised our TA, and she tried to get NCL to transfer the bookings to her but they wouldn't do this without our consent, We eventually got NCL, TA and ourselves the phone and it was done. Now our TA indicated that she will not be able to get any commission on this cruise as a result of what we did. I feel really bad for her now.

 

So getting back to having the Casino take this over via a transfer, seems quite a lot of hassle,

 

I'm going to phone again in hopes of getting another person (the person on the line kept putting me on hold as if he was reading a script, didn't really get a good feeling from talking to him ) ..

[Maryfrei]

The world's upside down, cruiser#5. Looks like you should be buying your TA the gift!!!:rolleyes:

[sjbdtz]

Sjbdtz, Thanks for your advice. I got myself in a real mess with my bookings through a transfer.

 

quick summary...We booked our cruise through our TA in a AE (Mini Suite) with hopes of an upsell, she couldn't get us a flight at that time and it was the only cabin available so we took it. My DH kept checking the NCL website and found a AC (Penthouse) came up within the next few days and he grabbed booking it online..now we have two cabins and no flight:eek: .

We advised our TA, and she tried to get NCL to transfer the bookings to her but they wouldn't do this without our consent, We eventually got NCL, TA and ourselves the phone and it was done. Now our TA indicated that she will not be able to get any commission on this cruise as a result of what we did. I feel really bad for her now.

 

So getting back to having the Casino take this over via a transfer, seems quite a lot of hassle,

 

I'm going to phone again in hopes of getting another person (the person on the line kept putting me on hold as if he was reading a script, didn't really get a good feeling from talking to him ) ..

 

 

1. I just realized you're in Toronto too! :)

 

2. Your TA should be able to get commission on a regular booking transfer, they are now the responsible party for the booking.

 

3. My TA fought for my right to benefit from both the Casinos at Sea program, AND having a TA. Ultimately, Casinos At Sea (CAS) sent my TA a cheque to be held in trust in MY name, for the 18% discount. Once the booking goes final payment, my TA applies that 18% cheque as a form of payment. This way, the TA maintains the rez (which I originally made online with NCL), and I get the benefit of the CAS program.

 

NOW....this wasn't easy to do!!!!! My TA spent several weeks, as she put it....talking to everybody at NCL, to make this happen.

 

I followed up with a description of the tortured process to Mr. Veitch, but as yet have not heard a reply (this was just last week).

 

It is my contention that even if they only pay commission on the reduced amount, NCL will still benefit from having their TAs be aware of the benefit for highly rated players.

 

They might end-up increasing the threshold for what is considered high-rated, in order to compensate....but that's not a big deal.

 

So don't give up! 18% of an AC is over $1000 discount. My commission is only 10% :cool: :eek: :D

 

Stephen

[Cruiser#5]

Hello Neighbor..pretty chilly out today

 

I'm not going to give up. I will call again and hopefully somone will be able to assist me. I really don't know if I want to do another transfer to CAS and then have it transferred back to my TA, but we shall see.

 

I like your humour 10% commission :)

 

the last time I spoke with my TA she indicated that since she will not get any commission, she hopes that another cabin will become available so we can cancel the one we have and she can grab the new one. But to be honest, we love the one we have now.

 

It sounds like you have a great TA. Good for you!. I hope Mr. Veitch responds to your note soon.

 

Anyway, thanks for your advice. Have a great weekend.