Jump to content

High casino tier: Celebrity Sapphire vs ncl Ruby


fstuff1
 Share

Recommended Posts

Celebrity Sapphire is equivalent to ncl ruby.

I am celebrity Sapphire and am a few thousand points away from ncl Ruby.

 

Comparison:

1) Celebrity Sapphire gets:

-$500 Freeplay

-Unlimited internet

-Classic drink package for all bars and restaurants

-Items taken off your bill (based on your play)

-But all slots are set at the minimum 85% payback. 😞

-blackjack pays 6:5 unless you bet at least $25.

-craps is 2x odds unless you bet at least $25, then it becomes 3/4/5x odds

 

2) ncl ruby gets:

-$400 obc but not good in the casino. (I used it for massages and gift shop booze to bring home.)

-400 min internet

-Ultra drinks package at the casino bar. (Johnny Walker blue?)

-Extra obc based on play, given on last night of cruise: +$100 if 5k points, +$300 if 10k points, +600 if 15k points.

-But ncl gives less points on table games: for ultimate Texas holdem, they credit you with only 50% of the ante bet. Celebrity counts 100% of your ante bet.

 

My take:

If you're a boozer, then you should go for ncl.

Else I think celebrity Sapphire's benefits are better.

it's soooooooo much more convenient to have drinks/water/soda at any bar when the casino bar is closed because we're in port.

And the unlimited internet is great on long cruises.

Also, I prefer the casino free play vs the obc. Massages are overpriced at $2/min and I don't drink that much at home.

 

On the plus side for ncl, you know how much extra obc you are getting at the end of your cruise based on your points vs guessing what celebrity takes off your bill. 

 

I've earned 30k points on celebrity twice this year.

On the Edge, I got laundry comped.

On the summit, I got cabin tips and a couple of other comped.

It's not consistent.

 

Edited by fstuff1
  • Like 1
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

We haven't tried Celebrity so I find your comparison very interesting as I am Ruby with CAS.  The 400 minutes of Wifi is close to 'unlimited' for what I use😉    But it would be nice to get those comped drinks in any bar on-board.  (We have chosen to not pay the 20% fee on the promo UBP.  We have plenty of OBC to buy what we want outside the casino.)  

 

I'm wondering how you came up with the additional CAS comps formula I copied below.  Is it based on anything a host told you  or your own observations?    It's somewhat close to what I've experienced, but I've never had a 'formula' for it before.  I have a pretty good idea of what they will comp but then I  check with host the last night and they tell me how much more I can spend.  Then I run to the stores to charge more more jewelry or cosmetics to my on-board account.

 

"Extra obc based on play, given on last night of cruise: +$100 if 5k points, +$300 if 10k points, +600 if 15k points".

Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, Sand and Seas said:

We haven't tried Celebrity so I find your comparison very interesting as I am Ruby with CAS.  The 400 minutes of Wifi is close to 'unlimited' for what I use😉    But it would be nice to get those comped drinks in any bar on-board.  (We have chosen to not pay the 20% fee on the promo UBP.  We have plenty of OBC to buy what we want outside the casino.)  

 

I'm wondering how you came up with the additional CAS comps formula I copied below.  Is it based on anything a host told you  or your own observations?    It's somewhat close to what I've experienced, but I've never had a 'formula' for it before.  I have a pretty good idea of what they will comp but then I  check with host the last night and they tell me how much more I can spend.  Then I run to the stores to charge more more jewelry or cosmetics to my on-board account.

 

"Extra obc based on play, given on last night of cruise: +$100 if 5k points, +$300 if 10k points, +600 if 15k points".

 

by personal experience for 5k and 10k points, backed up by talking to others who earned similar points.

a friend of mine always plays around 15k each cruise and gets $600, backed up by over hearing a casino host telling someone on one of my cruises who also earned around 15k.

 

$ amounts are approx. 

sometimes i get a little more.

and the 1 time earning only 4k points only got me an extra $25. :classic_sad:

 

whats your experience with extra obc from the NCL casino?

 

Edited by fstuff1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I really love starting with the guaranteed $400 OBC from NCL.   I like to have an idea of what I can spend before that final bill!

 

I've usually (see note below) had CAS comp an additional $400 to sometimes $600 for 10,000 points.  For my 14,000 and above cruises (just 3 of them) I've had $600 to $800.  

Note:  I did only get only $226 additional comped on a 10,000 point cruise two years ago.   I was on a Caesars Nation Host sponsored cruise.  The on-board hosts never talked to me....only to the Caesars host.  I think the host got her & her families Thanksgiving cruise for free and part of our comp went to that!   I was definitely the low-roller in that group.  We did get VIP disembarkation🤨

 

I was Sapphire (starting with $200 OBC) for a couple of years and have been Ruby the last 2 years.  What surprised me when I went up in Tier?  They don't seem to take into consideration that I was already given $400 OBC when they compute my comps.  I still get a nice amount of additional comp not reduced by the larger starting amount.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, pcakes122 said:

I just got the notice that Blue Chip is adding another tier - Sapphire Plus!  Looking forward to seeing the perks on that one.  (I'm Ruby on NCL but only Amethyst on Celebrity because I only did one cruise with them.)

 

can you post it here?

i would like to read it! ie: when does it start? now? or jan 1?

(im going on a 12day cruise tomorrow and wondering if i should bring more $?)

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, fstuff1 said:

Can you post it here?

So not much info on the new tier structure yet -  but I was happy to see that they still consider me Amethyst and are making me offers considering I have not sailed with them in almost 3 years!

 

Bon voyage on your cruise!

 

 

20191130_190754.jpg

20191130_185107.jpg

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

17 hours ago, pcakes122 said:

So not much info on the new tier structure yet -  but I was happy to see that they still consider me Amethyst and are making me offers considering I have not sailed with them in almost 3 years!

 

Bon voyage on your cruise!

 

 

20191130_190754.jpg

20191130_185107.jpg

 

Interesting. I'm Sapphire and my "Exclusive offer" is $125/day off any cabin on those sailings. Feels like your offer is better. 

 

After the last change to the BlueChip program 18 months ago, now I'm worried what we'll see in January. Now it says there's a "casino premium beverage package" and it's available at any bar and 15% off for BlueChip members. No idea what that means but they better not be taking away the free classic package and wifi package for Sapphire which I planned to use for an upcoming May cruise.

 

Having a tier between Sapphire and Ruby is something I suggested in a survey they sent earlier this year but it would be nice to know now how many points it is. I'm around 160k and have a 15 day cruise in a couple weeks. If it's 200k, shouldn't be a problem. 250k would take some work. Over that and I might as well just sit in my cabin. Again, would be nice to know now. I'll ask on board in a couple weeks but if anyone else finds out, post it here. 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, Paulras said:

 

Having a tier between Sapphire and Ruby is something I suggested in a survey they sent earlier this year but it would be nice to know now how many points it is. I'm around 160k and have a 15 day cruise in a couple weeks. If it's 200k, shouldn't be a problem. 250k would take some work. Over that and I might as well just sit in my cabin. Again, would be nice to know now. I'll ask on board in a couple weeks but if anyone else finds out, post it here. 

 

 

100k Sapphire, 1M for ruby.

Im thinking 350k points for Sapphire+.

1/3 of the way to Ruby

 

Edited by fstuff1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I made us a handy-dandy comparison chart to see how the cruise lines compare.  Based on this, I wouldn't be surprised if Sapphire Plus was 500K (to be consistent with Elite & Masters on the other lines.)

 

Keep me honest if I made any boo-boos!

 

 

Cruise Casino Tiers.jpg

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, JFontaine said:

From what I understand:  Celebrity Sapphire Plus - starts in January 2020:  500,000 points to qualify (Sapphire is 100,000 and Ruby is 1 million).  Main benefits are premium beverage package and more casino credit.

 

Surprised it's that high given only slightly improved benefits.

 

Premium beverage package really doesn't matter.

I tip the casino waiter $1 and he gets me any drink available at the casino bar.

Of course if you want premium beverages at a restaurant then that's different.

As for additional casino Freeplay, it depends on how much.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The other very nice benefit of sapphire on Celebrity is access to The Retreat.  You almost don’t need a beverage plan - can just stop by and have a drink.  Btw, took advantage of one of the cruises on the Blue Chip offer - heading to Bermuda/Newport in July.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, CTSandy said:

Also had to add that I much prefer the quality of Celebrity cruises to NCL but I realize that’s subjective.

 

well, people are paying more $ for a celebrity cruise and it shows with better food and better overall cruise experience.

while NCL  is constantly nickle and diming you. it seems every quarter, the nickle and diming increases. 😞

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 12/5/2019 at 7:09 PM, CTSandy said:

The other very nice benefit of sapphire on Celebrity is access to The Retreat.  You almost don’t need a beverage plan - can just stop by and have a drink.  Btw, took advantage of one of the cruises on the Blue Chip offer - heading to Bermuda/Newport in July.

It will be nice if they allow you onto the Summit’s Retreat sun deck. They have not been clear about that.   July 19? 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I’m not sure what the deal is with the Retreat sundeck - when I was on Summit in May, Rihanna (host in Retreat Lounge) said I should check out the sundeck, however, I had read somewhere that only suite guests could use it so I never went up there.  I’m not crazy about being in an area with limited shade, so I didn’t feel bad about missing it.  Yes,  I’m doin the July 19 Bermuda cruise😊

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Two key updated/additional points for the comparison. 

1. I just disembarked Celebrity Edge and they have taken the change to 6 to 5 Blackjack too far. Now you must play the $50 tables or higher in order to get 3 to 2 blackjack payoffs. The $25 tables on Edge pay 6 to 5, unfortunately.

2. The Celebrity casinos are all smoke free, unlike NCL. For those of us who are very sensitive to cigarette smoke, that is a big deal.

Edited by edgee
clarity
Link to comment
Share on other sites

15 minutes ago, edgee said:

Two key updated/additional points for the comparison. 

1. I just disembarked Celebrity Edge and they have taken the change to 6 to 5 Blackjack too far. Now you must play the $50 tables or higher in order to get 3 to 2 blackjack payoffs. The $25 tables on Edge pay 6 to 5, unfortunately.

2. The Celebrity casinos are all smoke free, unlike NCL. For those of us who are very sensitive to cigarette smoke, that is a big deal.

That's crazy. Were the $50 tables crowded?

 

I have seen in the past where there was a special casino junket with very high rollers on board and they've done things like that. Even had $100 and $500 minimum tables open for them. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

13 minutes ago, Paulras said:

That's crazy. Were the $50 tables crowded?

 

I have seen in the past where there was a special casino junket with very high rollers on board and they've done things like that. Even had $100 and $500 minimum tables open for them. 

No special junket on this Celebrity Edge cruise. Only 3 consistent high roller players on a full ship. One super high better who had a reserved table, and two others who played $50 table and occasionally the $100 table. Some others played the $50 table a couple of evenings, but not much. So, I am afraid that $25 blackjack with 6 to 5 BJ payoffs is a trend on Celebrity. I have not even seen this in land based casinos.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

6 hours ago, edgee said:

..... The Celebrity casinos are all smoke free, unlike NCL. For those of us who are very sensitive to cigarette smoke, that is a big deal.

If you go back to NCL, try the Bliss or Encore.  They have used glass walls to enclose the smoking area of the casino leaving about 70% or so smoke-free.   We didn't notice any smoke in the rest of the casino.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

34 minutes ago, Sand and Seas said:

If you go back to NCL, try the Bliss or Encore.  They have used glass walls to enclose the smoking area of the casino leaving about 70% or so smoke-free.   We didn't notice any smoke in the rest of the casino.

Thanks. Will consider them. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 11/30/2019 at 7:12 PM, pcakes122 said:

So not much info on the new tier structure yet -  but I was happy to see that they still consider me Amethyst and are making me offers considering I have not sailed with them in almost 3 years!

 

Bon voyage on your cruise!

 

 

20191130_190754.jpg

20191130_185107.jpg

 

so i got home from my 21day cruise and picked up my mail.

i did not get this. 😞

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 12/1/2019 at 1:22 PM, Paulras said:

 

Interesting. I'm Sapphire and my "Exclusive offer" is $125/day off any cabin on those sailings. Feels like your offer is better. 

 

After the last change to the BlueChip program 18 months ago, now I'm worried what we'll see in January. Now it says there's a "casino premium beverage package" and it's available at any bar and 15% off for BlueChip members. No idea what that means but they better not be taking away the free classic package and wifi package for Sapphire which I planned to use for an upcoming May cruise.

 

Having a tier between Sapphire and Ruby is something I suggested in a survey they sent earlier this year but it would be nice to know now how many points it is. I'm around 160k and have a 15 day cruise in a couple weeks. If it's 200k, shouldn't be a problem. 250k would take some work. Over that and I might as well just sit in my cabin. Again, would be nice to know now. I'll ask on board in a couple weeks but if anyone else finds out, post it here. 

 

 

for this promo, is there a code?

or do you just call blue chip  saying i received this in the mail and they look up your acct?

Edited by fstuff1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, fstuff1 said:

 

for this promo, is there a code?

or do you just call blue chip  saying i received this in the mail and they look up your acct?

I don't remember but you have to call or have your travel agent call the Blue Chip Club

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share

  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...