Revamped NCL Casinos at Sea program benefits

[Russiamomm]

1 minute ago, goldmom said:

Just booked a cruise through CAS today.  My agent said that if you book through CAS you still get the free drinks in the Casino.  We'll see if she's right.

I hope so.  We’ll see.  I board April 14.

[Monica887]

2 hours ago, goldmom said:

Just booked a cruise through CAS today.  My agent said that if you book through CAS you still get the free drinks in the Casino.  We'll see if she's right.

We booked months ago through CAS, trip is in July. Heard today from the CAS person that we will NOT be getting drink cards. I don't drink much alcohol or soda, so I don't get the free at sea...it's always nice though in the evening to have the option of a casino drink! (Yes, I still have the option to purchase, but I probably won't...)

[goldmom]

10 minutes ago, Monica887 said:

We booked months ago through CAS, trip is in July. Heard today from the CAS person that we will NOT be getting drink cards. I don't drink much alcohol or soda, so I don't get the free at sea...it's always nice though in the evening to have the option of a casino drink! (Yes, I still have the option to purchase, but I probably won't...)

That really stinks.  If that's the case then CAS is making a very stupid change.

[Red-Sol]

2 minutes ago, goldmom said:

That really stinks.  If that's the case then CAS is making a very stupid change.

Stupid doesn't even begin to describe it....it would be interesting to see if whatever bean counter thought that would be a good idea is still still with the company once the fallout from this really takes hold. I believe this will really help cause a fatal blow to CAS entirely...their benefits were already on the low end and this convinces me to try other cruise lines now.

[Russiamomm]

6 minutes ago, Red-Sol said:

Stupid doesn't even begin to describe it....it would be interesting to see if whatever bean counter thought that would be a good idea is still still with the company once the fallout from this really takes hold. I believe this will really help cause a fatal blow to CAS entirely...their benefits were already on the low end and this convinces me to try other cruise lines now.

I completely agree.  The program has been denigrated a lot in the last few years.  This could be the final straw.  As much as I love NCL, other lines’ casino benefits are so much better.  

[Red-Sol]

1 minute ago, Russiamomm said:

I completely agree.  The program has been denigrated a lot in the last few years.  This could be the final straw.  As much as I love NCL, other lines’ casino benefits are so much better.  

So true but also so sad. I really want to stay with NCL but the degrading of all the CAS benefits is making it very difficult. My first love is actually cruising out of NYC for many reasons (big one is not needing to fly) but I have already started to look at Carnival Venezia and MSC Meraviglia cruises out of NYC. Both lines do some form of status match.

[Russiamomm]

1 minute ago, Red-Sol said:

So true but also so sad. I really want to stay with NCL but the degrading of all the CAS benefits is making it very difficult. My first love is actually cruising out of NYC for many reasons (big one is not needing to fly) but I have already started to look at Carnival Venezia and MSC Meraviglia cruises out of NYC. Both lines do some form of status match.

I hear you.  I did one cruise on Carnival last August.  I get a new offer literally every day after that one trip.  But it’s Carnival.  😂. Haven’t tried MSC yet.  MY have to look into it.

[Sand and Seas]

8 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

We will be on the Encore on April 1. I’ll stop by the casino host desk and see what they have been told about the implementation. 

Thanks!    The new mailer just brings up questions.  Will OBC for upper tiers stay the same?  Will the internet package be the same as previous?

 

I also wonder about the new Ruby/Elite benefit of 'Upgrade to Premium Plus Beverage Package'.  If we still need to pay the  20%service charge on the regular FAS in order to get the 'upgrade', it really wouldn't be worth it for light-weight drinkers like me🤔

[UKstages]

3 minutes ago, Sand and Seas said:

I also wonder about the new Ruby/Elite benefit of 'Upgrade to Premium Plus Beverage Package'.  If we still need to pay the  20%service charge on the regular FAS in order to get the 'upgrade', it really wouldn't be worth it for light-weight drinkers like me🤔

 

i'm in the same boat (see what i did there?).

 

i booked something today and for the first time opted out of the FAS beverages. i had been planning to do this, as i found on my most recent cruise, i just didn't drink much at all. and when i did, i would stop at the casino before dinner for a glass of pommery rosé. i also recently purchased an annual travel insurance plan, so i opted out of "travel protection," as well.

 

as a newly minted "elite" player within CAS, i am looking forward to the increased OBC and the other modest benefits. when i booked today, there was no mention of reduction in benefits, but i didn't think to ask, either. my decision to opt out of the beverage package, however,  was absolutely predicated on the knowledge that i could get water and adult beverages at the casino for free.

 

so...  looking at the published chart in this thread... it can't be just an accident that "free drinks while playing in the casino" is gone for all tier levels. it's always a dangerous game to guess what NCL was thinking... but it sure does look like they are trying to force all guests into buying a beverage package, albeit with a modest free upgrade for ruby and elite players an "upgrade" is not free drinks... you have to first buy the FAS drink package (pay the gratuities) before you can be "upgraded."

 

handwriting... meet wall.

[dbrown84]

so, I don't see Jade on the list, but I'm guessing it still exists.  Or will you just be "nothing" until you reach 4000 points?  I've never been anything but jade, and honestly I don't know if it came with any benefits at all.  I never paid attention.  Looking forward to hearing from those of you sailing after april 1st to see if the free drinks are indeed gone.

[itsnotjustme]

The thread title should have the word reduced inserted.  

[cruiseat50]

We were on the Jade on NYE cruise and didn't get a drink card in our cabin (OS) so when we went to the casino we went to the desk to ask why not.  They told me that since we got a discount on our cabin that we wouldn't be getting one.  We are not big drinkers - I may have one or two at most and DH only drinks about 3-4 beers so it's not like it's a big deal but just another downgrade among the many.  I am glad to hear that other cruise lines have better benefits as we have been disappointed in not only CAS but NCL quality has sunk to low levels (and this is from a disillusioned NCL cheerleader). We are thinking of trying RC or maybe another Princess.

[skeeter195]

15 hours ago, Red-Sol said:

So true but also so sad. I really want to stay with NCL but the degrading of all the CAS benefits is making it very difficult. My first love is actually cruising out of NYC for many reasons (big one is not needing to fly) but I have already started to look at Carnival Venezia and MSC Meraviglia cruises out of NYC. Both lines do some form of status match.

 

 

We did an MSC Meraviglia 9 day cruise from NYC in January and loved it.  While there was a status match for cruise line loyalty(think latitudes) there was no casino match for us.  We have been getting comped up through Haven on NCL for years with no rhyme or reason as to which comp we will get next.  We started at the lowest level in the casino on MSC.  We earned enough points for 10 day balcony on a future cruise.  We took it for January 2025 and upgraded to the Yacht Club in the best room for a total of $2520 for two.  This includes everything from taxes, fees, admin fees(if any) and even daily service charges.  To upgrade to a room like this on NCL from a balcony comp would be an additional $8-12 thousand dollars.  NCL seriously needs to look at what MSC is doing or they will be left farther behind then they already are.  I am still loyal to NCL for a little while longer but I will not be if they no longer take care of me as a bigger player.

 

Key items MSC does to make a player feel appreciated:

-no 3% charge to take money from slots or tables

-we only paid $400 total for all fees, taxes, etc.  as apposed to $1100 on NCL 

-no W-2's.  I hit a $1700 slot spin and there was no hand pay or paperwork.  We are all responsible for our own taxes, LOL.  

[Red-Sol]

6 minutes ago, skeeter195 said:

 

 

We did an MSC Meraviglia 9 day cruise from NYC in January and loved it.  While there was a status match for cruise line loyalty(think latitudes) there was no casino match for us.  We have been getting comped up through Haven on NCL for years with no rhyme or reason as to which comp we will get next.  We started at the lowest level in the casino on MSC.  We earned enough points for 10 day balcony on a future cruise.  We took it for January 2025 and upgraded to the Yacht Club in the best room for a total of $2520 for two.  This includes everything from taxes, fees, admin fees(if any) and even daily service charges.  To upgrade to a room like this on NCL from a balcony comp would be an additional $8-12 thousand dollars.  NCL seriously needs to look at what MSC is doing or they will be left farther behind then they already are.  I am still loyal to NCL for a little while longer but I will not be if they no longer take care of me as a bigger player.

 

Key items MSC does to make a player feel appreciated:

-no 3% charge to take money from slots or tables

-we only paid $400 total for all fees, taxes, etc.  as apposed to $1100 on NCL 

-no W-2's.  I hit a $1700 slot spin and there was no hand pay or paperwork.  We are all responsible for our own taxes, LOL.  

Thanks very much for that...all in all it sounds pretty sweet! 🙂

[smillerholmes]

I sail April 22nd - After my first CAS cruise I began rejecting the drink package.  I am Ruby so we will see about the OBC and "Upgrade to Premium Plus" Drink package. Perhaps it will only apply to cruises booked AFTER April 1???  Curious minds want to know.  

 

 

[UKstages]

2 hours ago, skeeter195 said:

I hit a $1700 slot spin and there was no hand pay or paperwork.  We are all responsible for our own taxes, LOL. 

 

that was either a mistake... a very serious mistake... or perhaps you hit for a total of $1700 in two independent actions? the machines are programmed to "lock up" at jackpots of $1200 and above.  i have never seen a machine that didn't, except outside of the USA. that just doesn't make sense. it can't possibly be an MSC corporate policy.

 

as for the matter under discussion and the topic of this thread...

 

i just called CAS. with the full understanding that you can often get different responses from different team members, here is what the rep confirmed, in many cases reading verbatim from the internal memo:

 

jade tier is gone.

 

pearl is now lowest tier.

 

drink cards are gone... all tier levels. no grandfathering and no exceptions for cruises booked prior to 4/1/24. the only way to get drinks in the casino will be by having a FAS package or by purchasing them.

 

yes, ruby and elite will be upgraded to the premium plus drink package, provided they have paid FAS drink gratuities, and that benefit will follow them throughout the ship, not just in the casino. (my take on this is that it's actually a legitimate perk and more in keeping with traditional casino benefits on land... that your status follows you about the property. of course, for folks who don't drink much or who opt out of the drink package and were counting on water and an occasional casino beverage, this is devastating news.)

 

yes, a "water package" has been added. he had no details. (whatever it is, it ain't gonna be the same as picking up a carton of water - or a bottle of pellegrino for ruby and elite players - every night on your way back to the cabin.)

 

he had no details about the "behind the scenes tour," either, but he guesses that it's the same as the platinum and above tour. (so for you platinums and above, expect even more competition on embarkation day when you try to book.)

 

OBC for pearl is gone.

 

OBC remains at $200, $400 and $1000 for sapphire, ruby and elite respectively. (so that's a modicum of good news in an otherwise absurd announcement from CAS.)

 

my suggestion is to call CAS if you are unhappy with these changes. NCL uses speech analytics software in their call centers, so make sure you use words like "disappointed" and "crazy" and "cancel" and "outrageous" and that you drop the names of competitors like "MSC" and "carnival" and "royal caribbean" and "virgin." use phrases like "ridiculous admin fee" and  "you can't do this" and "you've taken away benefits without notice" and "that's unfair." if you use words and phrases like that, they'll be picked up via their "sentiment" tracker. and will be discussed in c-suite meetings. and execs will demand to know what is being done to mitigate the customer discontent.

 

(unless they really don't care and they think they know better than any other casino on land or sea as to how casino comps work and how players should be rewarded.)

 

also, reach out to every cruise vlogger and blogger that you have ever watched. there's a story here... especially about the benefits removal with no notice. get some media coverage around this issue. write letters to corporate. decisions do get reversed when they are so clearly indefensible.

 

players are funny. we will drop hundreds or thousands of dollars in a machine or at a table... but charge us for drinks and we will walk.

 

and that is indeed my final piece of advice... if the program is no longer working for you... walk! forget about your status. it can be easily matched or earned with another cruise line. take your business elsewhere. take your "free" cruise and relax. don't give them the same play you used to. enjoy your (limited) benefits while onboard. and then say goodbye.

 

Edited March 20 by UKstages

[dbrown84]

14 minutes ago, UKstages said:

 

that was either a mistake... a very serious mistake... or perhaps you hit for a total of $1700 in two independent actions? the machines are programmed to "lock up" at jackpots of $1200 and above.  i have never seen a machine that didn't, except outside of the USA. that just doesn't make sense. it can't possibly be an MSC corporate policy.

 

as for the matter under discussion and the topic of this thread...

 

i just called CAS. with the full understanding that you can often get different responses from different team members, here is what the rep confirmed, in many cases reading verbatim from the internal memo:

 

jade tier is gone.

 

pearl is now lowest tier.

 

drink cards are gone... all tier levels. no grandfathering and no exceptions for cruises booked prior to 4/1/24. the only way to get drinks in the casino will be by having a FAS package or by purchasing them.

 

yes, ruby and elite will be upgraded to the premium plus drink package, provided they have paid FAS drink gratuities, and that benefit will follow them throughout the ship, not just in the casino. (my take on this is that it's actually a legitimate perk and more in keeping with traditional casino benefits on land... that your status follows you about the property. of course, for folks who don't drink much or who opt out of the drink package and were counting on water and an occasional casino beverage, this is devastating news.)

 

yes, a "water package" has been added. he had no details. (whatever it is, it ain't gonna be the same as picking up a carton of water - or a bottle of pellegrino for ruby and elite players - every night on your way back to the cabin.)

 

he had no details about the "behind the scenes tour," either, but he guesses that it's the same as the platinum and above tour. (so for you platinums and above, expect even more competition on embarkation day when you try to book.)

 

OBC for pearl is gone.

 

OBC remains at $200, $400 and $1000 for sapphire, ruby and elite respectively. (so that's a modicum of good news in an otherwise absurd announcement from CAS.)

 

my suggestion is to call CAS if you are unhappy with these changes. NCL uses speech analytics software in their call centers, so make sure you use words like "disappointed" and "crazy" and "cancel" and "outrageous" and that you drop the names of competitors like "MSC" and "carnival" and "royal caribbean" and "virgin." use phrases like "ridiculous admin fee" and  "you can't do this" and "you've taken away benefits without notice" and "that's unfair." if you use words and phrases like that, they'll be picked up via their "sentiment" tracker. and will be discussed in c-suite meetings. and execs will demand to know what is being done to mitigate the customer discontent.

 

(unless they really don't care and they think they know better than any other casino on land or sea as to how casino comps work and how players should be rewarded.)

 

also, reach out to every cruise vlogger and blogger that you have ever watched. there's a story here... especially about the benefits removal with no notice. get some media coverage around this issue. write letters to corporate. decisions do get reversed when they are so clearly indefensible.

 

players are funny. we will drop hundreds or thousands of dollars in a machine or at a table... but charge us for drinks and we will walk.

 

and that is indeed my final piece of advice... if the program is no longer working for you... walk! forget about your status. it can be easily matched or earned with another cruise line. take your business elsewhere. take your "free" cruise and relax. don't give them the same play you used to. enjoy your (limited) benefits while onboard. and then say goodbye.

 

thanks for this info.  so sad to hear about the drinks.  did you happen to ask about the admin fee?

[UKstages]

 

15 minutes ago, dbrown84 said:

did you happen to ask about the admin fee?

 

i didn't ask about the admin fee, per se.

 

but i mentioned it and said how ridiculous it was that they charged it, since their competitors do not. i also told him i had almost a million dollars coin-through last year and i find it remarkable that NCL can't buy me a free drink and doesn't think i'm a good candidate to waive twenty dollars a day in admin fees.

 

if for some reason, they had removed the fee (unlikely, in light of the other changes), he certainly should have said so!

 

Edited March 20 by UKstages

[JGmf]

35 minutes ago, UKstages said:

my suggestion is to call CAS if you are unhappy with these changes. NCL uses speech analytics software in their call centers, so make sure you use words like "disappointed" and "crazy" and "cancel" and "outrageous" and that you drop the names of competitors like "MSC" and "carnival" and "royal caribbean" and "virgin." use phrases like "ridiculous admin fee" and  "you can't do this" and "you've taken away benefits without notice" and "that's unfair." if you use words and phrases like that, they'll be picked up via their "sentiment" tracker. and will be discussed in c-suite meetings. and execs will demand to know what is being done to mitigate the customer discontent.

 

@UKstages Thanks a lot for calling to confirm these serious downgrades in benefits.  I will indeed call to share my utter disappointment with these outrageous changes.

 

The mailer didn't have the fine print that you provided yourself to all of us, but it did have this nutty spin on the changes...."even more premium perks"...

 

 

 

 

 

[skeeter195]

46 minutes ago, UKstages said:

that was either a mistake... a very serious mistake... or perhaps you hit for a total of $1700 in two independent actions? the machines are programmed to "lock up" at jackpots of $1200 and above.  i have never seen a machine that didn't, except outside of the USA. that just doesn't make sense. it can't possibly be an MSC corporate policy.

 

 

There was no mistake.  Also I know what a had pay is.  I do not play a lot of slots but when I do, I get my share of hand pays(up to $100 per spin).  Being MSC is a family owned Italian line that may have been why.  I was fully expecting to wait for a hand pay but the machine just kept going.  I asked the host next day in the casino and she said that they do not issue forms for payouts like mine(whatever that meant) maybe higher they do????  Believe me I was shocked but fine with it.  

[tgloersen]

I'm going on a CAS cruise this Saturday, i'll report back on the drink cards.

[Russiamomm]

Thanks for the additional info @UKstages.  Needless to say, none of us are happy about these changes.  Another thing just dawned on me.  I’ve been booking through CAS for several years.  Last year was the first time I made it past Jade, only because I took so many cruises last year (two transatlantics, one ten nighter and two normal seven night trips.). The chances of making Pearl again this cycle are slim.   I have always gotten at least a discount on the cabin, and several “freebies”, even as Jade.  It looks like that is gone as well since they got rid of the Jade tier. I may book another cruise or two while I have Pearl status, but then I’ll be done with it.  

[dbrown84]

18 minutes ago, tgloersen said:

I'm going on a CAS cruise this Saturday, i'll report back on the drink cards.

I think you should be good this Saturday.  I believe the charges are slated for April 1st. 

[Bliss1]

20 minutes ago, tgloersen said:

I'm going on a CAS cruise this Saturday, i'll report back on the drink cards.

thanks    do we have to pay 20%  gratuity   can we use our obc  or has to be cash   thanks again

[Russiamomm]

9 minutes ago, Bliss1 said:

thanks    do we have to pay 20%  gratuity   can we use our obc  or has to be cash   thanks again

This would be on the normal Free at Sea beverage package.  It has to be purchased and paid for before sailing.  If you buy the package onboard you pay full price for the drink package.  So, no, you can’t use OBC to pay for the FAS drink package.