Casino benefits

[mandersen12345]

Hello.  I am looking for experienced advice and guidance on how to maximize casino benefits on NCL.

 

My family and I took our first NCL cruise last month.  5 nights in a Haven suite.  I played in the casino and accumulated 20,072 points.  Other than free well drinks while playing, I received no on-board benefits from the casino.  (And who in their right mind over the age of 25 wants to drink well liquors?!??).  I was expecting to be sent comped speciality dining, my kids arcade charges to be cleared, spa treatments....got nothing.  Not even a bottle of wine sent to the room.  Anyway, fast forward to today where I used the cruise certificate I was given to get basically $2000 off a Haven suite for a future cruise.  No OBC.  No freeplay.  Just the discount (which feels stingy).  The CAS rep who helped me said I would have to proactively reach out to an onboard host about any kind of benefits such as those.  All in all kind of disappointing compared to Royal and land-based casinos but it was my first time on NCL and 20k points isn't a lot I suppose.

 

So for those of you who are much more experienced with NCL and their casino program, how can I on an upcoming NCL cruise (I have 2 booked) get more/better benefits from the casino?  Do I really have to seek out a host and plead my case as the rep on the phone suggested today?  

 

Thanks for the advice.

[dbrown84]

Just now, mandersen12345 said:

Hello.  I am looking for experienced advice and guidance on how to maximize casino benefits on NCL.

 

My family and I took our first NCL cruise last month.  5 nights in a Haven suite.  I played in the casino and accumulated 20,072 points.  Other than free well drinks while playing, I received no on-board benefits from the casino.  (And who in their right mind over the age of 25 wants to drink well liquors?!??).  I was expecting to be sent comped speciality dining, my kids arcade charges to be cleared, spa treatments....got nothing.  Not even a bottle of wine sent to the room.  Anyway, fast forward to today where I used the cruise certificate I was given to get basically $2000 off a Haven suite for a future cruise.  No OBC.  No freeplay.  Just the discount (which feels stingy).  The CAS rep who helped me said I would have to proactively reach out to an onboard host about any kind of benefits such as those.  All in all kind of disappointing compared to Royal and land-based casinos but it was my first time on NCL and 20k points isn't a lot I suppose.

 

So for those of you who are much more experienced with NCL and their casino program, how can I on an upcoming NCL cruise (I have 2 booked) get more/better benefits from the casino?  Do I really have to seek out a host and plead my case as the rep on the phone suggested today?  

 

Thanks for the advice.

yes, you should have gone to the host desk on the last night and they would have taken some charges off your bill.  You had good play so they would have definitely taken care of some of those charges.  BTW, if you earned that many points, you moved up two card levels (to sapphire) in the CAS system.  That alone earned you better drinks.  You could have gone over and got a higher drink card.  You're well on your way to Ruby level (35k points), which is an even better level of drinks

[mandersen12345]

1 minute ago, dbrown84 said:

yes, you should have gone to the host desk on the last night and they would have taken some charges off your bill.  You had good play so they would have definitely taken care of some of those charges.  BTW, if you earned that many points, you moved up two card levels (to sapphire) in the CAS system.  That alone earned you better drinks.  You could have gone over and got a higher drink card.  You're well on your way to Ruby level (35k points), which is an even better level of drinks

is it necessary to go to the host to get charges wiped off?  meaning they don't just do it automatically?

[dbrown84]

Just now, mandersen12345 said:

is it necessary to go to the host to get charges wiped off?  meaning they don't just do it automatically?

yes, you have to go to the host desk on the last night.  It's not automatic 

[dbrown84]

BTW, there is a casino section here on CC (this post may get moved there by an admin).  You can head over there and ready more about cruise casinos in general and specifically about NCL and CAS if you'd like

[drumming cruisers]

@mandersen12345

Take a look at link. You should get a player's card in your cabin with a letter on how much OBC you get, and also the drink card attached. 

 

Casinos At Sea Players Club | Membership Application & Progams | Cruise Casinos (ncl.com)

 

 

\

 

[Davechipp74]

The only winning move is not to play. 

[ChiefMateJRK]

11 minutes ago, Davechipp74 said:

The only winning move is not to play. 

Nonsense.  You just need to gamble the right way.  I've read many reports (even right on this forum) that indicate that if you know what you're doing you will pay for your cruise with winnings every time.

 

disclaimer: that was a joke.  There are two types of gamblers, "losers and liers."

[mandersen12345]

1 hour ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

Nonsense.  You just need to gamble the right way.  I've read many reports (even right on this forum) that indicate that if you know what you're doing you will pay for your cruise with winnings every time.

 

disclaimer: that was a joke.  There are two types of gamblers, "losers and liers."

Gaming is for fun.  You should go into it, if you choose, with an up limit, down limit, and a time limit.

 

I assume that in exchange for the fun I will spend some money.  But I think that way about going to Disney World, Paris, or just the local movies.

 

Sometimes, though, you can get lucky.

 

Back in October I sailed on Allure, which was my first cruise in 4 years.  I lost about $2000 but received back $1600 in comps against my bill, a free cruise which I used as a $3000 credit towards a suite, and $2000 in freeplay for that next cruise.  So in my mind I had a lot of fun those 5 days on the ship, hit over 40 hand pays (which is unusual, but it did happen), and feel that I came out ahead.

 

Now on NCL last month I lost about $8000, only had 9 hand pays, and got just $2000 off the next cruise.  This was a losing scenario, and the machines were so tight I did not really enjoy myself much.  But I stayed within my loss limit, which I established before I boarded the ship.  So while I did lose money, the amount lost was acceptable to me (And of course that amount is subjective and could be acceptable or unacceptable to others).

 

 

[ChiefMateJRK]

6 minutes ago, mandersen12345 said:

Gaming is for fun.  You should go into it, if you choose, with an up limit, down limit, and a time limit.

 

6 minutes ago, mandersen12345 said:

Now on NCL last month I lost about $8000, only had 9 hand pays, and got just $2000 off the next cruise.  This was a losing scenario

Honestly, this doesn't sound like anything I would consider "fun."

 

But, to each their own.  On most ships, you can find a handful of penny slots that actually allow you to wager one cent for each pull.  Those are what I play.  On a good day, I'll walk away after an hour or two with a couple of bucks.  On most days, I'll walk away missing a couple of bucks.  Of course, I also sail steerage.... 🤣

[IAcruising]

3 hours ago, mandersen12345 said:

is it necessary to go to the host to get charges wiped off?  meaning they don't just do it automatically?

 

You are not in a Las Vegas casino. You're on a cruise ship that has a casino. You need to make friends with the casino host.

 

[BirdTravels]

4 hours ago, mandersen12345 said:

Hello.  I am looking for experienced advice and guidance on how to maximize casino benefits on NCL.

 

My family and I took our first NCL cruise last month.  5 nights in a Haven suite.  I played in the casino and accumulated 20,072 points.  Other than free well drinks while playing, I received no on-board benefits from the casino.  (And who in their right mind over the age of 25 wants to drink well liquors?!??).  I was expecting to be sent comped speciality dining, my kids arcade charges to be cleared, spa treatments....got nothing.  Not even a bottle of wine sent to the room.  Anyway, fast forward to today where I used the cruise certificate I was given to get basically $2000 off a Haven suite for a future cruise.  No OBC.  No freeplay.  Just the discount (which feels stingy).  The CAS rep who helped me said I would have to proactively reach out to an onboard host about any kind of benefits such as those.  All in all kind of disappointing compared to Royal and land-based casinos but it was my first time on NCL and 20k points isn't a lot I suppose.

 

So for those of you who are much more experienced with NCL and their casino program, how can I on an upcoming NCL cruise (I have 2 booked) get more/better benefits from the casino?  Do I really have to seek out a host and plead my case as the rep on the phone suggested today?  

 

Thanks for the advice.

If you went to the hosts, they would have given you a few hundred in OBC or you could have received four $250 CASNext/CruiseNext certificates for use on a future cruise. ($1000 toward future cruises). 
 

There is a notice in the Freestyle Daily that you need to go and redeem your points. 

 

If you book your next cruise through the casino, you’re likely going to get some sort of comp’ed room. 20K points is ok. Nothing spectacular.  Once you hit 35K total and level up to Ruby, you get “Plus” beverages at the casino bar, $400 OBC and up to 3 bottles of wine on every cruise for the next year. 
 

Once you hit 100K points this year, you get “Plus” drinks, 3 bottles of wine, $1000 OBC, $600 ShoreEx credit, limo service to/from ship, free WiFi, free daily service charge on every cruise for the next year. 

Edited February 3 by BirdTravels

[Sand and Seas]

With 20,000 tier points earned, you can get two $500 CASNext certificates for $1000 off of cruises.  I just used same to pay for my next comped Haven daily service charges and port fees. 

Visit with hosts on board early in cruise.They ask me what wine, chocolates, etc. I would prefer that cruise.  If you are Sapphire you will also have $200 OBC to start with each cruise.  Ruby has $400.  This is prior to last night comps.  If you choose CASNEXT certificates that replaces additional onboard comps.  Since I start with $400 OBC I usually get the CASNEXT certificates now.

[itsnotjustme]

18 hours ago, mandersen12345 said:

Gaming is for fun.  

Agree.  I view it as recreation.  Just like the cruise fare, a concert, theater, etc.

 

Anyone who gambles with the expectation of winning needs to look around.  The gamblers are paying for developing, purchasing, and maintaining machines, casino facilities, casino staff, casino advertising, etc. 

 

My concern becomes "What will it cost me on average per hour?", just like I think about the price of a cruise and what it will cost me per night. 

[itsnotjustme]

18 hours ago, mandersen12345 said:

Now on NCL last month I lost about $8000, only had 9 hand pays

This would far exceed my comfort zone. I could afford it but would be very unhappy with myself for spending enough for another 7-night cruise for two in the casino.

 

I am an active recreational gambler (slot machines) for many years.  I almost always (99+% of the time) play the minimum "full" bet (none of this one-line stuff).  Generally, between 40 cents and $1 per spin.  .  I have never had a hand-pay in my life.  My two biggest wins are actually on NCL, one of $1,100 (years ago) and the other $862 (last cruise)  

[UKstages]

34 minutes ago, itsnotjustme said:

I could afford it but would be very unhappy with myself for spending enough for another 7-night cruise for two in the casino.

 

have you considered that is exactly what @mandersen12345 has done? he essentially "prepaid" his next cruise. any of us who spend a considerable amount of time in the casino embrace this concept. 

 

win or lose, whether you put on 15K points, or 25K points or 40k points during a sailing, you are essentially paying for your next cruise.

 

 

[itsnotjustme]

13 minutes ago, UKstages said:

he essentially "prepaid" his next cruise.

At what tier level do you get a free cruise?  I reached Pearl on my last cruise after a 16-night and B2B 7-night cruises. I leave for the airport in 3 hours for my last cruise this earning period, a 12-night, so I might make Sapphire.

[dbrown84]

1 hour ago, itsnotjustme said:

At what tier level do you get a free cruise?  I reached Pearl on my last cruise after a 16-night and B2B 7-night cruises. I leave for the airport in 3 hours for my last cruise this earning period, a 12-night, so I might make Sapphire.

you can get free cruises at any level.  I've never been higher than Jade and I get free cruises.  Just call CAS and ask.  You probably already qualify for free cruises

[BirdTravels]

3 hours ago, itsnotjustme said:

At what tier level do you get a free cruise?  I reached Pearl on my last cruise after a 16-night and B2B 7-night cruises. I leave for the airport in 3 hours for my last cruise this earning period, a 12-night, so I might make Sapphire.

 

Your tier level determines the casino perks you get onboard. It has nothing to do with discounted or comp’ed rooms. 
 

After any cruise that you spent time in the casino, you can call CAS direct and see what comps or discounts they will offer you. 

[Shidah]

If you didn’t turn your points into free play, they will still be there.  Check in with the host at the beginning of your next cruise, and they can possibly move them to your current one.  But if you turned them into free play on the cruise, they are gone.  To get charges wiped off your bill, never convert to free play.

[mandersen12345]

1 hour ago, Shidah said:

If you didn’t turn your points into free play, they will still be there.  Check in with the host at the beginning of your next cruise, and they can possibly move them to your current one.  But if you turned them into free play on the cruise, they are gone.  To get charges wiped off your bill, never convert to free play.

I did convert points to free play.

 

Is the amount of free play the points are worth more or less equal to what they will take off the bill if you don't turn the points into free play?

[Sand and Seas]

6 minutes ago, mandersen12345 said:

I did convert points to free play.

 

Is the amount of free play the points are worth more or less equal to what they will take off the bill if you don't turn the points into free play?

I don't know what their calculations are, but I do know a friend that had about 2500 points which would have been $25 of FreePlay but they gave her about $90 off her bill.   It can depend on what type of items you have charged to your onboard account.  I believe it's easier for them to comp something like food charges but many of us have been sent to the gift shop for an additional $XXX for them to comp.  I have gotten  jewelry, watches, handbags and cosmetics comped that last evening.  

 

If you have 5000 points, that is $50 Freeplay or a $250 CasinoNext certificate.  It is usually noted in the FreeStyle Daily that you can convert 2500 or more points to comps off your bill and 5000 or more points to CasinoNext certificates.

[Shidah]

I always come ahead taking the comps versus free play.  And I was told by a host that they will sometimes do it automatically especially if on a casino comp cruise.  But if you took the free play that could explain why that didn’t happen. Usually, we don’t have any charges on our bill to comp, so I am typically sent to the gift shop/jewelry/cosmetic store which is always fun!

[nhtravels]

@Shidah are you from NH by any chance?  I noticed the "Live free or die".  If so, hello neighbor!

[UKstages]

 

5 hours ago, Shidah said:

But if you turned them into free play on the cruise, they are gone.  To get charges wiped off your bill, never convert to free play.

 

huh?

 

no, no, no.

 

if you want to self-fund your own comps by applying your point balance to your folio, then, sure, don't convert your points to free play. you can apply them to your cabin charges right at a machine. you don't need a host for that.

 

i routinely convert ALL my points to free play. and then i see a host on the last day of the cruise to "settle up." and the host gives me a play-based comp or a comp based on loss, whichever is greater. it can be applied to my folio or it can be used in the shops, typically until 11 PM.

 

4 hours ago, mandersen12345 said:

Is the amount of free play the points are worth more or less equal to what they will take off the bill if you don't turn the points into free play?

 

the fact that i converted points to free play has nothing to do with settling up nor does it impact the dollar value of the comp awarded by the host at the end of the cruise. if i still have a point balance, that can be "cashed out," too and either applied incrementally to my folio, added to my spendable onboard credit or converted to cash.