Tell Me About NCL "Casinos At Sea"?

[UKstages]

6 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

(Unless you are satisfied being a Gold player until you requalify late in that year... you spend a year at the back of the line). 

 

not only would one have to wait till "whenever* in the year to accrue 150K points to resume one's prior status, but in the year prior, while one is so busy not playing, one's comped rooms and other offers would dry up after two or three "no play" visits. so how would one visit the casino to reestablish oneself without a significant cash outlay for food and rooms?

[texasreb]

Since we have some gamblers here. This morning there was a shooting at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Lake Tahoe. One killed. The shooter and hid girlfriend caught on Hwy 50 California side.

[goldmom]

14 hours ago, smillerholmes said:

OMG - you guys have been busy while I was taking a nap!

 

Thanks to @BirdTravels@UKstages @dbrown84 for all the detail.  As previously stated this is only my 2nd CAS cruise and I *think* my misunderstanding was just a language/wording thing as opposed to being flat out lied to.

 

So, if I understand the program, I will remain "Sapphire" through 03/31/2024 with no chance of moving up to Ruby; points will start at zero for my cruise on 04/21/2023.  Whatever is accumulated between 04/2023 and 03/31/2024 will define my tier beginning 04/2024?

 

 

@UKstages - FYI it was a Casino Host onboard the Getaway that explained that to me when I went from Jade to Pearl.

 

Just trying to make sure I understand how this whole thing works.

 

 

 

If you earn enough points during this year to qualify for the next level (Ruby or whatever) they will upgrade your card immediately and you wouldn't have to wait until April 1, 2024 to be at the next level.  You would just have to earn the entire amount of points required for that level.

[egurbi]

Would some kind soul let me know what the Sapphire OBC benefit is and freeplay benefit [if you cruise during your birthday month?].  Thank you.

[BirdTravels]

5 hours ago, egurbi said:

Would some kind soul let me know what the Sapphire OBC benefit is and freeplay benefit [if you cruise during your birthday month?].  Thank you.

Pearl $100. Sapphire $200. Ruby is $400. Elite is $1000. 

 

Birthday gift is $100 free play. 

Edited March 26, 2023 by BirdTravels

[BirdTravels]

7 hours ago, goldmom said:

If you earn enough points during this year to qualify for the next level (Ruby or whatever) they will upgrade your card immediately and you wouldn't have to wait until April 1, 2024 to be at the next level.  You would just have to earn the entire amount of points required for that level.

Yeah,,, you can tier-up during a cruise, but most of the perks (maybe with the exception of the drink card) would not be in effect until the next cruise. If you tiered up from sapphire to ruby during a cruise, you could ask the hosts for an Ultra drink card. 

Edited March 26, 2023 by BirdTravels

[UKstages]

regarding the ultra drink card... has anybody had any success getting veuve clicquot at the casino bar?

 

every time i have asked, they said they don't stock it in the casino, which seems odd to me.

 

i get mostly sparkling water from the casino with my drink card, and often take back a bottle or two of pellegrino to the room.  i'm not a big drinker at all, but i do enjoy champagne, although i rarely drink when i'm playing.

 

when i do drink, i enjoy vodka, tequila and champagne. and sweet drinks like pina coladas and daiquiris.  any suggestions for maximizing the value of the ultra drink card in the casino? what could i be asking for?

[smillerholmes]

2 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

Pearl $100. Sapphire $200. Ruby is $400. Elite is $1000. 

 

Birthday gift is $100 free play. 

Whaaaaat is this awesomeness about a birthday gift?  Is this written somewhere?  

[Always Cruising]

I asked about the birthday gift on my December Prima cruise (my birthday month) and was told by casino manager that it wasn't done anymore 

[Always Cruising]

I also received nothing from the casino in my cabin, other than the 3 items that Ruby level guests can order (bottles of wine, shrimp cocktail, chocolate covered strawberries).  And I played (&lost) a lot.

[BirdTravels]

20 minutes ago, Always Cruising said:

I asked about the birthday gift on my December Prima cruise (my birthday month) and was told by casino manager that it wasn't done anymore 

The offer is from the casino host and not the casino manager. We got the birthday promo on the Prima. Available for Pearl and above. 

 

[TampaGambler]

On 3/24/2023 at 10:41 PM, smillerholmes said:

I am taking just my 2nd CAS cruise in a few weeks.  When I called last month to see what might be available for later this year I was only offered Insides, but he also dropped the same info about looking at the last 3 years of play - I thought it was odd too considering the pandemic, but I decided to wait until I get back from my cruise in May to see what will be available at that point.

 

As for the Ruby Upgrade Perk - I had not heard this, but not surprising.  I hope to make Ruby on my upcoming cruise so perhaps I will be able to offer some feedback on that soon.

I’m not sure what other posters have experienced, but what I’ve found is that your comp can also depend on which casino representative you get on the phone. 
 

I’ve been told no by one or two representatives, then had the third do not only what I was asking but more. For instance, last week I asked if I could use my play to discount my family’s haven cabins, since we pay for them. First two reps, said they could only extend a 10% discount but call back after my cruise in May. The third representative comped all three haven rooms.

[smillerholmes]

10 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

The offer is from the casino host and not the casino manager. We got the birthday promo on the Prima. Available for Pearl and above. 

 

Thank you!

 

[aynt79]

7 hours ago, TampaGambler said:

I’m not sure what other posters have experienced, but what I’ve found is that your comp can also depend on which casino representative you get on the phone. 
 

I’ve been told no by one or two representatives, then had the third do not only what I was asking but more. For instance, last week I asked if I could use my play to discount my family’s haven cabins, since we pay for them. First two reps, said they could only extend a 10% discount but call back after my cruise in May. The third representative comped all three haven rooms.

 

@TampaGamblerDo you think the offers for the other staterooms depends on your play? My husband's/my play got us an offer of an oceanview and we paid the extra to upgrade to Haven. I called to ask if I could get the 10% off another Haven room for other family members wanting to join us, but the rep said the 10% only applied to any "regular" stateroom, not Haven. Wondering if I should keep trying different reps. 

Edited March 27, 2023 by aynt79

[TampaGambler]

3 hours ago, aynt79 said:

 

@TampaGamblerDo you think the offers for the other staterooms depends on your play? My husband's/my play got us an offer of an oceanview and we paid the extra to upgrade to Haven. I called to ask if I could get the 10% off another Haven room for other family members wanting to join us, but the rep said the 10% only applied to any "regular" stateroom, not Haven. Wondering if I should keep trying different reps. 

 

Your play, which they use an average of multiple sailings, definitely goes into the determination of what offers they give or can calculate on the phone. When you use a certificate, the terms are pretty much cut and dry, but if they are giving you an offer based off prior play before a certificate and/or you are combining certificates there can be some subjectivity into what they offer. While I cannot think of a reason to get upset, you always get more bees with honey, so if you are nice and joke/talk with them, some representatives will go the extra mile and maybe give you more than you were technically due. If it is really good, they have to run it up the chain to get it approved, etc. I can tell you the last 2 sailings the initial reps gave me horrible offers and said they couldn't use my play for them. Amazingly, the third, said "no problem, I think I can comp all three."

 

Regarding using both of your play for family, the representatives did tell me that is not customary, but they will do it for bigger gamblers. Regarding the 10% for the haven, I would call back, because I know for a fact you can get the 10% discount off the Haven. I haven't ever been told relatives couldn't get the 10%, even before they took my information and saw my play. 

 

Do not give up, there are a bunch of casino reps in Florida and Arizona, so keep calling back. 

 

Let me know if you have any other questions... 

 

We also go cruise on MSC in the Yacht Club and it is very each to get comps, its also very cheap to upgrade. On MSC its a flat fee, say $399 to upgrade from balcony to jr. suite, then $399 for suite, then $399 for Yacht club. 

[UKstages]

agree with much of what @TampaGambler says here.

 

there is a popular notion in customer service advocacy called HUACA... which means, quite simply, if you don't like the answer you're given, or if you know it's wrong, "Hang Up And Call Again."

 

HUACA.

 

as for the question of comps... your baseline room comp, your virtual cruise certificate, is absolutely determined by your play, probably by a computer algorithm that tales into account your average bet, how long you play and the hold of the machines you typically play. other factors may include how long it has been since your last cruise and what your incremental on board spend is. your CAS cruise consultant can't personally change those offers. 

 

what they can do is ask a supervisor (a human being) to evaluate your play and make a decision about some small aspect of your reservation... maybe it's a one category room upgrade or maybe it's letting you take an eleven day cruise when you're only approved for ten days.

 

the 10% haven thing just sounds like a poorly trained agent, a new agent who hasn't encountered that scenario before, or a lazy agent who didn't want to go the extra step.

 

my understanding is that these folks do not work on commission (sometimes i wish they did), but that there stats are looked at it when it comes from performance reviews: quality scores, number of calls taken, number of deposits secured, number of customers who don't sign up for FAS drink package.

 

the challenge with CAS and other cruise lines is that, unlike land-based casinos, your consultant who books your room is not your host and can't really make player development decisions as a host would. even once on board, unless you're traveling on a ship you've been on before, you have no real relationship with the "host" team and have to reestablish yourself each cruise. 

[smillerholmes]

Does anyone know if there is a limit to how many cruises you can have booked through CAS at one time?

[pandncruisers]

I think it is 4

[fstuff1]

24 minutes ago, smillerholmes said:

Does anyone know if there is a limit to how many cruises you can have booked through CAS at one time?

3max,4 with supervisor approval.

If you have free cruise certificates from land casino, Ive had5 booked at one time

Edited April 9, 2023 by fstuff1

[Sand and Seas]

3 minutes ago, fstuff1 said:

3max,4 with supervisor approval.

If you have free cruise certificates from land casino, Ive had5 booked at one time

Same for us.  We usually have four cruises booked with CAS, but currently have a fifth one through a land casino.

[smillerholmes]

You guys are awesome!  Thanks, that allows me to plan accordingly.

[Sand and Seas]

2 hours ago, smillerholmes said:

You guys are awesome!  Thanks, that allows me to plan accordingly.

Just be aware that I've read on this and other forums that some are told they can only have one or two CAS comped cruises booked.   I think that I get more leeway with multiple bookings as I have a long history of steady play with CAS.   Also, they have told me they are limited to comping cruises within the next 18 months. 

 

It never hurts to call and ask.  It can be a good sign if they ask to put you on hold while they check with a supervisor.  If the answer isn't what you think it could or should be, be polite and tell them you will wait to book....then call back another day & ask another agent😉

[smillerholmes]

18 minutes ago, Sand and Seas said:

Just be aware that I've read on this and other forums that some are told they can only have one or two CAS comped cruises booked.   I think that I get more leeway with multiple bookings as I have a long history of steady play with CAS.   Also, they have told me they are limited to comping cruises within the next 18 months. 

 

It never hurts to call and ask.  It can be a good sign if they ask to put you on hold while they check with a supervisor.  If the answer isn't what you think it could or should be, be polite and tell them you will wait to book....then call back another day & ask another agent😉

Yeah, I currently have two booked right now and when I called to book a 3rd that's when I was still only offered an inside based upon my last 3 years of play.  Since I was looking at May 2024 I figured I would just wait until I get back next month.  Now that I have a better understanding of how the eligibility dates and status levels work I should be eligible for more than an inside for my next booking.

[UKstages]

i'm not so sure there is a hard and fast rule that governs all.

 

like everything in a casino - on land or at sea - it may be a play-based rule, meaning that strong play could qualify someone to have more than three trips booked at once.