Tell Me About NCL "Casinos At Sea"?

[BirdTravels]

1 hour ago, cregger57 said:

I am a frequent NCL cruiser and have been a part of their players club since the beginning.  In March of 2020 I was on their last cruise before the pandemic shut us down.  I had just achieved Ruby tier level in the players club.  Then we couldn't cruise for almost 2 years.  Now that we are able to cruise again, I am told everyone is starting back at Jade level.  I find this totally unfair and unacceptable.  I feel we should be grandfathered in at our last level achieved.  Please let NCL know how unfair this is.  I am very disappointed.

Your 2019 tier status is continued through March 2023. So, you will get your $400 OBC, WiFi, wine, treats, and Black (Ultra) Drink Card good for just about any drink the bar can make. 

 

The Jade status is "old news" and was the CAS policy prior to restart. At restart, they were going to extend your 2019 tier status through March 2022 and make everyone requal this year. Since then, in September/August, they updated their policy to extend tier status through March 2023 (you need to requal April 22-March 23 for the April 2023-March 2024 period). All that being said, none of this has ever been written down. Unlike every other travel/entertainment industry company (air, hotel, car rental, land-based casino, other cruise lines), NCL has chosen not to publish their tier extension polices. 

Edited October 31, 2021 by BirdTravels

[goldmom]

9 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

Your 2019 tier status is continued through March 2023. So, you will get your $400 OBC, WiFi, wine, treats, and Black (Ultra) Drink Card good for just about any drink the bar can make. 

 

The Jade status is "old news" and was the CAS policy prior to restart. At restart, they were going to extend your 2019 tier status through March 2022 and make everyone requal this year. Since then, in September/August, they updated their policy to extend tier status through March 2023 (you need to requal April 22-March 23 for the April 2023-March 2024 period). All that being said, none of this has ever been written down. Unlike every other travel/entertainment industry company (air, hotel, car rental, land-based casino, other cruise lines), NCL has chosen not to publish their tier extension polices. 

That is actually pretty generous.  Question though, if you know, during the time they are extending your level, if you cruise and earn points will they count towards your next level?  Are the points starting from zero during the extension period even though you retain your level?  Or are they taking the existing points you had and then any earned points go toward moving you up to the next level?

Hope you understand what I'm trying to ask, it's a bit confusing!

[MoCruiseFan]

On 1/16/2019 at 11:41 AM, tokidoki said:

Just wondering which land based casinos offer free cruises? Here in nyc, neither casino does? Thx

 

Caesar's properties

[MoCruiseFan]

On 4/30/2019 at 4:44 AM, Love my butler said:

It's a giant rip off.  The casino on NCL ships are not regulated so the house has a huge edge compared to Vegas or AC.  You can earn comps but they are peanuts compared to what you will lose to the house.  Lots of people come to these boards and claim to win big, but don't believe them for a second.  CAS is just a faster way for NCL to take your money.   For your convenience of course.

Thats why you never play slots, you play table games where the odds are what they are.  Then you learn the optimal betting strategy for the game of your choice.  Yes in any casino the house always wins in the long run but you can easily minimize the edge.  My son won Over $4,000 by hitting a royal flush at Ultimate.  I hit a straight flush at Let It Ride and won over $10,000.

[MoCruiseFan]

On 5/1/2019 at 6:52 PM, Son of a son of a ... said:

 

Like drinking, smoking, and drugs ... if done in moderation, gambling is fine.  Folks’ opinion of “moderation” differ.  

I won't go into he obvious fallacies of this statement.

[BirdTravels]

4 hours ago, MoCruiseFan said:

I won't go into he obvious fallacies of this statement.

But you’re fighting over a comment posted over 2 years ago. A time when no one knew the word COVID? 

[BirdTravels]

8 hours ago, goldmom said:

That is actually pretty generous.  Question though, if you know, during the time they are extending your level, if you cruise and earn points will they count towards your next level?  Are the points starting from zero during the extension period even though you retain your level?  Or are they taking the existing points you had and then any earned points go toward moving you up to the next level?

Hope you understand what I'm trying to ask, it's a bit confusing!

The qualification periods are still April 1 to March 31.
 

So right now, you are in the 4/1/21-3/31/22 qualification period to Qualify for the 4/1/22-3/31/23 period. You started with 0 points on 4/1/2021. Nothing carried over from 4/1/2019-3/31/20 other than your tier status. 
 

If you are a Jade level, you can still level up for next year. If you are a ruby, getting to elite starting with 0 points is going to be hard. 

[goldmom]

11 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

The qualification periods are still April 1 to March 31.
 

So right now, you are in the 4/1/21-3/31/22 qualification period to Qualify for the 4/1/22-3/31/23 period. You started with 0 points on 4/1/2021. Nothing carried over from 4/1/2019-3/31/20 other than your tier status. 
 

If you are a Jade level, you can still level up for next year. If you are a ruby, getting to elite starting with 0 points is going to be hard. 

Thanks for the info!  I think I'm Pearl.  So, even if I don't make enough points for Pearl this year (4/1/21-3/31/22) I would still remain Pearl for the next year. But,  in the period from 4/1/22-3/31/23 I would need to make enough points to reach Pearl level with the point balance dropping back to zero on 3/31/22.

It's a little confusing but I think I've got it now.  Thanks for the explanation!

[BirdTravels]

9 hours ago, goldmom said:

Thanks for the info!  I think I'm Pearl.  So, even if I don't make enough points for Pearl this year (4/1/21-3/31/22) I would still remain Pearl for the next year. But,  in the period from 4/1/22-3/31/23 I would need to make enough points to reach Pearl level with the point balance dropping back to zero on 3/31/22.

It's a little confusing but I think I've got it now.  Thanks for the explanation!

Yup. That's it. 

[Smq123]

On 10/31/2021 at 11:52 AM, BirdTravels said:

Your 2019 tier status is continued through March 2023. So, you will get your $400 OBC, WiFi, wine, treats, and Black (Ultra) Drink Card good for just about any drink the bar can make. 

 

The Jade status is "old news" and was the CAS policy prior to restart. At restart, they were going to extend your 2019 tier status through March 2022 and make everyone requal this year. Since then, in September/August, they updated their policy to extend tier status through March 2023 (you need to requal April 22-March 23 for the April 2023-March 2024 period). All that being said, none of this has ever been written down. Unlike every other travel/entertainment industry company (air, hotel, car rental, land-based casino, other cruise lines), NCL has chosen not to publish their tier extension polices. 

Hi BirdTravels. Is your 1st name Liz? If so, look at my thumbnail photo! You’ll recognize me. 

[cregger57]

I stand corrected.  They have extended our current tier status until 2023.

[cregger57]

I stand corrected.  I was given erroneous information by NCL.  They are, in fact, extending our tier levels until 2023.

[MoCruiseFan]

I have no idea what my status is (I am not a major player in the casino) but the CAS will comp me a balcony cabin on any cruise i want.

 

[BirdTravels]

On 11/4/2021 at 6:09 PM, MoCruiseFan said:

I have no idea what my status is (I am not a major player in the casino) but the CAS will comp me a balcony cabin on any cruise i want.

 

So,,, your tier status is not directly related to your comp. Your tier status controls yoir perks onboard. Your comp is based on your theoreticals and your current bookings. 

[vadersprincess12]

Also, your cabin isn't totally comped.  Most people get an inside cabin and can upgrade for a cost, but there is also an additional "administrative fee" per person, per day that you must pay ~~ so nothing is FREE.  We've been offered casino cruises on Carnival and Royal with no "administrative fees".

 

[kenzie]

On 5/22/2019 at 4:17 PM, Beardface said:

I'm going to go on a limb and say if you gamble enough for Norwegian to comp your room, there is a very small chance you are actually cruising free.  They're getting their money from you one way or another.

And we have fun doing it

 

[kenzie]

My last cruise was discounted by 20%, should I still be granted this discount for my next cruise, (we gambled mostly on 3 card poker for around 5 hours a night $10 min-10 days) will this discount be applied to any class of cabin, including a Haven room?

 

Edited November 9, 2021 by kenzie
additional info

[aubreyc1988]

On 11/9/2021 at 8:55 AM, kenzie said:

My last cruise was discounted by 20%, should I still be granted this discount for my next cruise, (we gambled mostly on 3 card poker for around 5 hours a night $10 min-10 days) will this discount be applied to any class of cabin, including a Haven room?

 

Doubtful to the Haven, everytime I have asked they have said no. 

[greendragongirl16]

I earned Pearl status on my last cruise. While on that cruise I booked another with CruiseNext. Is my casino status tied to my latitudes number? Will I get the drink card and other perks automatically on any cruise booked, or do I need to book through CAS? Can I use the casino embarkation line fir a cruise I booked myself? 

The website is a pretty vague on how to access the reward level perks. Thanks in advance for any help/explanations 🙂

[Sand and Seas]

1 hour ago, greendragongirl16 said:

I earned Pearl status on my last cruise. While on that cruise I booked another with CruiseNext. Is my casino status tied to my latitudes number? Will I get the drink card and other perks automatically on any cruise booked, or do I need to book through CAS? Can I use the casino embarkation line fir a cruise I booked myself? 

The website is a pretty vague on how to access the reward level perks. Thanks in advance for any help/explanations 🙂

If you have Pearl status, you should have the casino drink card in your stateroom when you board.  If you do not, just visit the casino host desk and they will take care of you. 

 

You should also call Casinos at Sea to see if you have earned a discount on that booked cruise, or possibly a 'comped' cruise.

[KarimaJ]

My 2 cents: Hubby is the slot gambler, I do a little slots and craps. We have both won jackpots on slots on NCL and Crystal. There has been one NCL cruise he didn’t win anything on and one Carnival cruise. he has his “kitty” which he sticks with and doesn’t gamble the mortgage money 😁.

 

We call NCL when ready to book and have to pay taxes/fees. So it isn’t “totally free”, usually costs about $600 for balcony or mini suite. Booking through Urcomped on other cruise lines (Crystal, celebrity, RCL) is cheaper. 
 

[BirdTravels]

3 hours ago, greendragongirl16 said:

I earned Pearl status on my last cruise. While on that cruise I booked another with CruiseNext. Is my casino status tied to my latitudes number? Will I get the drink card and other perks automatically on any cruise booked, or do I need to book through CAS? Can I use the casino embarkation line fir a cruise I booked myself? 

The website is a pretty vague on how to access the reward level perks. Thanks in advance for any help/explanations 🙂

You may have to stop by and chat with the casino hosts on embarkation day. 
 

BUT,,, if you have status with CAS, paying full retail price for a cruise is a mistake. Call CAS and see what they can offer you for the same cruise. 
 

The casino checkin line is for guests of the casino. But they rally don’t check, so use the line. 

Edited December 21, 2021 by BirdTravels

[Russiamomm]

3 hours ago, greendragongirl16 said:

I earned Pearl status on my last cruise. While on that cruise I booked another with CruiseNext. Is my casino status tied to my latitudes number? Will I get the drink card and other perks automatically on any cruise booked, or do I need to book through CAS? Can I use the casino embarkation line fir a cruise I booked myself? 

The website is a pretty vague on how to access the reward level perks. Thanks in advance for any help/explanations 🙂

I would call CAS and see what they can do for you.  They will likely be able to beat what you paid and will simply move the reservation over to a CAS booking.  That’s what I did with one of my sailings last fall.  When I booked my January cruise I was stunned that I was able to use a CruiseNext to help cover the taxes and fees owed for the “free” cruise.

[midgetcoach]

      My wife and I  are avid players and have played on many different ships of all the major cruise lines.

The casino on the NCL Jewel, its staff and dealers were fine but stay away from the casino if you are a slots player. 

     After playing multiply sessions and  talking with other slots players it was evident the machines were set very low and there were no winners and no one was getting any extended play at all. After our third session we reduced our buy-in by sixty percent and by the end of the week we stopped playing. 

It was a disappointing waste of time and money.

     The cruise itself was great but stay out of the casino !!!

[cruiserbear55]

2 hours ago, midgetcoach said:

      My wife and I  are avid players and have played on many different ships of all the major cruise lines.

The casino on the NCL Jewel, its staff and dealers were fine but stay away from the casino if you are a slots player. 

     After playing multiply sessions and  talking with other slots players it was evident the machines were set very low and there were no winners and no one was getting any extended play at all. After our third session we reduced our buy-in by sixty percent and by the end of the week we stopped playing. 

It was a disappointing waste of time and money.

     The cruise itself was great but stay out of the casino !!!

    Had the same experience on the Pearl in April. The slots were the tightest I have ever enc