Revamped NCL Casinos at Sea program benefits

[Bliss1]

8 minutes ago, Russiamomm said:

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.

so when i get onboard as an elite i cant upgrade or get drink package??  then how do i not have to pay upgrade before just like free excursion  you have to pay on board then the casino comps it ??

 

[Russiamomm]

9 minutes ago, Bliss1 said:

so when i get onboard as an elite i cant upgrade or get drink package??  then how do i not have to pay upgrade before just like free excursion  you have to pay on board then the casino comps it ??

 

I’m not sure your situation.   If you’re elite it may be different.  I’ve never been there and likely never will be.  😂. As has been stated before, it looks like they are no longer giving free drinks in the casino to CAS bookings.  I believe that’s all levels.  At the Ruby level it appears there’s a complimentary upgrade to the premium package.  But in order to get an “upgrade” the implication is that you already have the basic package.  But no one really knows at this point.  You can’t get the FAS price for the basic package ($21.80 pp/pd) once you’re on the ship.  You need to buy it beforehand, and it can’t be paid with OBC.

 

Maybe others have a different take.

[smillerholmes]

1 hour ago, Russiamomm said:

I’m not sure your situation.   If you’re elite it may be different.  I’ve never been there and likely never will be.  😂. As has been stated before, it looks like they are no longer giving free drinks in the casino to CAS bookings.  I believe that’s all levels.  At the Ruby level it appears there’s a complimentary upgrade to the premium package.  But in order to get an “upgrade” the implication is that you already have the basic package.  But no one really knows at this point.  You can’t get the FAS price for the basic package ($21.80 pp/pd) once you’re on the ship.  You need to buy it beforehand, and it can’t be paid with OBC.

 

Maybe others have a different take.

 

Did I miss something?  When did the drink package discounts changetbased on latitude level???

 

[Bliss1]

4 minutes ago, smillerholmes said:

 

Did I miss something?  When did the drink package discounts changetbased on latitude level???

 

not lattitude   cas

[Russiamomm]

3 minutes ago, smillerholmes said:

 

Did I miss something?  When did the drink package discounts changetbased on latitude level???

 

The screenshot you posted are Latitudes levels.  Completely different from CAS levels, the subject of this thread.

[smillerholmes]

4 minutes ago, Russiamomm said:

The screenshot you posted are Latitudes levels.  Completely different from CAS levels, the subject of this thread.

Sorry.  I hit enter before I could explain further.  I called CAS and it is indeed as you suspected; the basic package has to be purchased and the "upgrade to premium" is complimentary for Ruby/Elite.  That is what led me back to this thread.  

 

Also another change noted - the "internet package" is now one device unlimited for both Ruby/Elite.

 

So, my original question stands - when did they change the drink package discounts based on latitude level?

[Andoria]

Funny I was upset by the perks even before this. I made quite the donation on my last cruise and I got a 6 pack of Diet Coke. On Carnival, I would've had free goodies and upgrades all week.

 

 

 

[Russiamomm]

1 hour ago, smillerholmes said:

Sorry.  I hit enter before I could explain further.  I called CAS and it is indeed as you suspected; the basic package has to be purchased and the "upgrade to premium" is complimentary for Ruby/Elite.  That is what led me back to this thread.  

 

Also another change noted - the "internet package" is now one device unlimited for both Ruby/Elite.

 

So, my original question stands - when did they change the drink package discounts based on latitude level?

I can’t answer that.  it’s my understanding that those discounts on the drink package are pretty useless because it’s on the full price of the drink package, which virtually nobody pays.  It’s cheaper to take the FAS package and just pay the gratuities.  Again, I may be wrong.  I always take the FAS package and have never upgraded to the premium package.

[MoCruiseFan]

23 hours ago, Russiamomm said:

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.

Literally?  WOW!

[MoCruiseFan]

5 hours 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.

 

Actually 1700 could easily be below the threshhold for a hand pay and a  1099.  In most casinos the criteria is NOT the amount won but the odds of hitting that prize.

[IAcruising]

4 minutes ago, MoCruiseFan said:

In most casinos the criteria is NOT the amount won but the odds of hitting that prize.

 

Excuse me?

 

[Russiamomm]

23 minutes ago, MoCruiseFan said:

Literally?  WOW!

Yup.  Not great offers, but the emails come in every day.  Usually a free Oceanview with drinks in the casino.  But it’s Carnival.  😂

[Russiamomm]

14 minutes ago, MoCruiseFan said:

Actually 1700 could easily be below the threshhold for a hand pay and a  1099.  In most casinos the criteria is NOT the amount won but the odds of hitting that prize.

 

9 minutes ago, IAcruising said:

 

Excuse me?

 

I disagree.  US law says any winning over $1200 needs a W-2.  I had my first hand pay on Virgin over New Years and got a W-2.  (Now I just need to remember it at tax time next year.  😂)

 

I have heard this before - that MSC doesn’t issue them.  I think it has something to do with it being an Italian line and their interpretation is that they aren’t subject to US tax rules.  I’m not taking a position one way or another, but this is my understanding of MSC’s interpretation.

[BirdTravels]

6 hours 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

 

MSC winnings are not reported. No W2 regardless of amount. For small jackpots under say $2k, it just gets added to your credits on the machine. Larger jackpots, they hand pay, but just bring you cash and vouchers. 

[dbrown84]

32 minutes ago, MoCruiseFan said:

Actually 1700 could easily be below the threshhold for a hand pay and a  1099.  In most casinos the criteria is NOT the amount won but the odds of hitting that prize.

not in the US.  $1200 is absolutely the threshold  That rule about the odds of hitting is for table games.  

[603NHCruiser]

3 hours ago, smillerholmes said:

 

3 hours ago, smillerholmes said:

So, my original question stands - when did they change the drink package discounts based on latitude level?

 

I wanna say it was added when they introduced the Sapphire and Diamond Latitude levels, however it could have been there before that and I am just not seeing it on older reward breakdowns that I looked at via a google search. I recall when they announced the new levels, the bar package discount was joked about a lot as they had already switched to the full FAS offer instead of the choose one/two/all offer they had prior to the shutdown which was based on your room category. The discount only applies when the full priced package is booked so I would love to hear from someone who has ever exercised the benefit over just pay the grat on FAS

 

[UKstages]

7 hours ago, skeeter195 said:

Being MSC is a family owned Italian line that may have been why. 

 

as i said in my post, outside of the USA, the IRS rules do not apply. where MSC is incorporated is irrelevant. if it was an itinerary that originated in the USA, or called on US ports, they should issued a W2-G.

 

on a side note, there is long overdue movement to legislative action spurred on by two congressmen from nevada who have tried to get the IRS reporting threshold raised from its archaic level of $1200. that's a dollar figure established over 45 years ago when nevada was the only place in the US with legalized gambling and when there were no $1 or $5 machines. people were playing quarter machines and 1K was a huge jackpot!

 

the IRS actually supports this move and recommends the threshold be changed to $5800, which would eliminate paperwork for most jackpots. ($5800 is actually higher than the congressmen recommended!) needles to say, the casino industry supports this change, as well.

 

8 hours ago, JGmf said:

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"...

 

well, at least they found something else to do with the marketing whiz who wrote "for your convenience." glad to see he or she is still gainfully employed!

[IAcruising]

1 hour ago, 603NHCruiser said:

I wanna say it was added when they introduced the Sapphire and Diamond Latitude levels, however it could have been there before

 

No, it's recent, very recent. I have read those tiers a hundred times and I've never seen it before.

 

Or I'm blind, which is possible.

 

 

Edited March 21 by IAcruising

[UKstages]

6 hours ago, Bliss1 said:

so when i get onboard as an elite i cant upgrade or get drink package??  then how do i not have to pay upgrade before just like free excursion  you have to pay on board then the casino comps it ??

 

if you hold the "elite" player level within the CAS loyalty program, and you want the drink package... pay the gratuities on the FAS beverage package before you sail... you'll be upgraded to the premium plus package. whether that's done prior to the sailing so that it prints out on your card when you check-in or whether the shipboard host team has to set that up once you're onboard remains to be seen. to be perfectly frank, i don't know that they've thought these things through. ideally, the "upgrade" should be done by your PCC as you book the cruise. but you might have to have your card recoded and reprinted. as i stated upthread, i booked a new cruise yesterday, but opted out of the drink package, so i didn't ask any questions about the upgrade.

 

i assume that we would be charged gratuities on the standard FAS package... after all, that;'s the one we're ordering. they couldn't possibly charge the gratuities for the premium plus package... or could they? it is NCL, after all.

 

6 hours ago, Russiamomm said:

But no one really knows at this point.

 

no, we do know!  they have eliminated free drinks at all tier levels. 

 

unless they reverse this dumb decision, you must pay FAS gratuities to get drinks in the casino. or purchase them outright on an individual basis, and elite members need to have paid gratuities on standard FAS beverage package in order to get "upgraded" to premium plus.

 

the first line on the internal memorandum reads "free drink cards are gone."

 

3 hours ago, MoCruiseFan said:

Actually 1700 could easily be below the threshhold for a hand pay and a  1099.  In most casinos the criteria is NOT the amount won but the odds of hitting that prize.

 

no, absolutely not. the IRS policy is that slot machine jackpot winnings of $1,200 or more require that a W2-G tax form be issued to the winning player and that the earnings are reported to the IRS.

 

casinos are not allowed to set their own rules nor do they issue tax forms based on the odds of hitting a particular jackpot. you may be confusing this with a rule that says paperwork must be issued if the winnings are greater than $600 and 300 times the amount wagered.  if you are in a poker tournament the threshold for reportable winnings is $5000.

 

also, 1099 forms are not issued for ordinary slot jackpots... you'll get a W2-G for that. 1099s are issued for miscellaneous earnings such as contest prizes, gifts and slot tournaments.

 

3 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

MSC winnings are not reported. No W2 regardless of amount. For small jackpots under say $2k, it just gets added to your credits on the machine. Larger jackpots, they hand pay, but just bring you cash and vouchers. 

 

thanks, bird, and others who have educated me on this. i had no idea. i do think they're running afoul of US tax law and will have to eventually start issuing paperwork for winnings... but for now, looks like i'll be seeing if i can get an MSC status match or i'll be working through... oops, i can't say the name because it is technically a travel agency, but all this particular company does is book players on comped cruises and land-based casino stays... based on your offers with other casinos and cruise lines.

[603NHCruiser]

1 hour ago, IAcruising said:

 

No, it's recent, very recent. I have read those tiers a hundred times and I've never seen it before.

 

Or I'm blind, which is possible.

 

 

@BirdTravels @UKstages either of you recall when the discount on the full cost Bev package was added to latitude rewards? I seem to remember it being at least a year or too, and possibly when they added Sapphire and Diamond. It doesn’t really matter as it is a useless benefit unless they ever do away with FAS, but now curiosity’s gotten the best of me. 

[dbrown84]

1 hour ago, UKstages said:

 

if you hold the "elite" player level within the CAS loyalty program, and you want the drink package... pay the gratuities on the FAS beverage package before you sail... you'll be upgraded to the premium plus package. whether that's done prior to the sailing so that it prints out on your card when you check-in or whether the shipboard host team has to set that up once you're onboard remains to be seen. to be perfectly frank, i don't know that they've thought these things through. ideally, the "upgrade" should be done by your PCC as you book the cruise. but you might have to have your card recoded and reprinted. as i stated upthread, i booked a new cruise yesterday, but opted out of the drink package, so i didn't ask any questions about the upgrade.

 

i assume that we would be charged gratuities on the standard FAS package... after all, that;'s the one we're ordering. they couldn't possibly charge the gratuities for the premium plus package... or could they? it is NCL, after all.

 

 

no, we do know!  they have eliminated free drinks at all tier levels. 

 

unless they reverse this dumb decision, you must pay FAS gratuities to get drinks in the casino. or purchase them outright on an individual basis, and elite members need to have paid gratuities on standard FAS beverage package in order to get "upgraded" to premium plus.

 

the first line on the internal memorandum reads "free drink cards are gone."

 

 

no, absolutely not. the IRS policy is that slot machine jackpot winnings of $1,200 or more require that a W2-G tax form be issued to the winning player and that the earnings are reported to the IRS.

 

casinos are not allowed to set their own rules nor do they issue tax forms based on the odds of hitting a particular jackpot. you may be confusing this with a rule that says paperwork must be issued if the winnings are greater than $600 and 300 times the amount wagered.  if you are in a poker tournament the threshold for reportable winnings is $5000.

 

also, 1099 forms are not issued for ordinary slot jackpots... you'll get a W2-G for that. 1099s are issued for miscellaneous earnings such as contest prizes, gifts and slot tournaments.

 

 

thanks, bird, and others who have educated me on this. i had no idea. i do think they're running afoul of US tax law and will have to eventually start issuing paperwork for winnings... but for now, looks like i'll be seeing if i can get an MSC status match or i'll be working through... oops, i can't say the name because it is technically a travel agency, but all this particular company does is book players on comped cruises and land-based casino stays... based on your offers with other casinos and cruise lines.

I see you're from NY, so AC isn't far from you.  If you have a high tier card at any of the local casinos (diamond+ at caesars, gold or above at MGM, etc), you can go to Oceans and tier match, which will give you a free cruise on MSC.  I'm giving MSC a try this summer using this comp.  In addition to free drinks in the casino, you won't be charged an admin fee, port fees, or taxes.  I do also see the MSC cruises with the group you're referring, but I don't know the details of their comp

[BirdTravels]

2 hours ago, UKstages said:

 

as i said in my post, outside of the USA, the IRS rules do not apply. where MSC is incorporated is irrelevant. if it was an itinerary that originated in the USA, or called on US ports, they should issued a W2-G.

 

on a side note, there is long overdue movement to legislative action spurred on by two congressmen from nevada who have tried to get the IRS reporting threshold raised from its archaic level of $1200. that's a dollar figure established over 45 years ago when nevada was the only place in the US with legalized gambling and when there were no $1 or $5 machines. people were playing quarter machines and 1K was a huge jackpot!

 

the IRS actually supports this move and recommends the threshold be changed to $5800, which would eliminate paperwork for most jackpots. ($5800 is actually higher than the congressmen recommended!) needles to say, the casino industry supports this change, as well.

 

 

well, at least they found something else to do with the marketing whiz who wrote "for your convenience." glad to see he or she is still gainfully employed!

Regardless of W2 reporting, you are still required to submit a FinCEN form to CBP before leaving the terminal (US port) as you disembark if you are carrying more than $10K. 

[icft]

28 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

Regardless of W2 reporting, you are still required to submit a FinCEN form to CBP before leaving the terminal (US port) as you disembark if you are carrying more than $10K. 

Will the casino give you a check instead of cash? The $10,000 is for cash and you can carry a million dollar check with no problem. Just curious because we will soon be going on a longer cruise and are wiring front money so we don't have to worry about the state or local cops pulling a civil forfeiture on the way to the port or CBP seizing it at the boarding terminal. 

 

Gotta worry more about the government stealing your money than you do about crooks (other crooks).

[BirdTravels]

15 minutes ago, icft said:

Will the casino give you a check instead of cash? The $10,000 is for cash and you can carry a million dollar check with no problem. Just curious because we will soon be going on a longer cruise and are wiring front money so we don't have to worry about the state or local cops pulling a civil forfeiture on the way to the port or CBP seizing it at the boarding terminal. 

 

Gotta worry more about the government stealing your money than you do about crooks (other crooks).

You can carry any amount with proper reporting. 
 

 

CBP: It is legal to transport any amount of currency or other monetary instruments into or out of the United States. However, if you transport, attempt to transport, or cause to be transported (including by mail or other means) currency or other monetary instruments in a combined amount exceeding $10,000 (or its foreign equivalent) at one time from the United States to any foreign country or into the United States from any foreign country, you must file a FinCEN Form 105 (“Report of International Transportation of Currency or Monetary Instruments”) with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. You may file in paper form or file electronically at FinCEN Form 105 CMIR, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (dhs.gov). International travelers entering the United States must declare if they are carrying currency or monetary instruments in a combined amount over $10,000 on their Customs Declaration Form (CBP Form 6059B) and then file a FinCEN Form 105.

[UKstages]

45 minutes ago, icft said:

The $10,000 is for cash and you can carry a million dollar check with no problem.

 

not sure where you got this curious notion, but the bird is correct. it's 10K in any monetary instrument, into or out of the country. your million dollar check is not exempt.

 

50 minutes ago, icft said:

we will soon be going on a longer cruise and are wiring front money so we don't have to worry about the state or local cops pulling a civil forfeiture on the way to the port or CBP seizing it at the boarding terminal. 

 

that's a bit of. a stretch, doncha think?

 

you have not one, but two fantastic notions there.

 

just out of curiosity, how many times have you been pulled over by state and local cops on your way to the cruise terminal? did they suspect you of a crime and initiate a civil forfeiture of all assets in your possession? oh, and CBP is primarily interested in what individual travelers take into the country, not what they remove.

 

if you anticipate needing a large bankroll, the advantage play is to charge casino cash to your room folio. you'll pay 3% for the privilege, but if you're a premium player, the convenience fee will be waived. and if you're dealing with big numbers, you presumably already have an affinity credit card that pays you 3% or greater in rewards and/or points.