Revamped NCL Casinos at Sea program benefits

[dbrown84]

23 minutes ago, Bliss1 said:

It starts April 1 which is why they are saying yes for today

 

Huh???  Saying yes to what?

[TheycallmeFlip]

I called the Casino at Sea reservation number 877-742-9524 and spoke with a representative that told me that they have updated the awards and that Pearl ranked players will be receiving $75 in OBC.  Not budging on the free drinks in the casino though.

[snorklinbarb]

Probably redundant but I take it there's no way to "earn" drinks package through points like before?

[Bliss1]

35 minutes ago, snorklinbarb said:

Probably redundant but I take it there's no way to "earn" drinks package through points like before?

you can earn premium pkg

 

[montecarloss]

Do any other cruise lines offer free drinks in their casinos?  Do other cruise lines have a program similar to CAS?

[Belletora]

16 minutes ago, montecarloss said:

Do any other cruise lines offer free drinks in their casinos?  Do other cruise lines have a program similar to CAS?

Carnival has a program that is superior in every way. I know some people end up with drinks only in the casino but it is my understanding that is not the norm. My offers all have drinks everywhere on the ship for myself. My husband’s offers include drinks everywhere for him and a companion. 
 

attached is a sample of one of my current offers through carnival. 

[Red-Sol]

2 hours ago, Belletora said:

Carnival has a program that is superior in every way. I know some people end up with drinks only in the casino but it is my understanding that is not the norm. My offers all have drinks everywhere on the ship for myself. My husband’s offers include drinks everywhere for him and a companion. 
 

attached is a sample of one of my current offers through carnival. 

Thanks for that...I was already in the process of applying for Carnivals program but this served as a reminder that I should sign my wife up as well which I just did.

 

I have also done a status match on MSC and will possibly sail on them as well.

 

The three main advantages that NCL always held for me were:

The CAS program

Onboard Entertainment

Many and varied cruises out of NYC

Well it seems to me that they are cutting all those things drastically so sadly it may be time to try other cruise lines The Carnival and MSC ships (Venezia and Meraviglia) that are sailing out of NYC both look very nice. And both very much appreciate their casino passengers.

[mking8288]

FWIW, our best cruise friends that sailed sometimes using CAS offers with us got one more booked on NCL as their land-based (AC, NJ) deals had switched to Royal/Celebrity in 2023 ... got us a discounted offer to sail with them this Fall, very nice deal ... surprised that Royal doesn't charge an administrative fee, port taxes-fees-charges are lower on a 9 days vs. NCL's 7 days, and DSC is more reasonable at $18 p/p p/d instead of we know who.  We will be joining them and will get to, hopefully, visit Sydney, NS this time in addition to the missed stop at Halifax ... with a 3rd cabin linked to the booking, looking forward to dining together & perhaps, Chops (their surcharged steakhouse - without 18% or 20%) for lunch. 

 

NCL abandoning 50% of their NYC market share of the last 2+ decades, regardless of reasons or rationale, meaning that MSC, Carnival and Royal doesn't have to try hard to "poach" and come after higher-rated casino players that cruise.   While we aren't leaving NCL (yet) but getting ready to do MSC match, and check out their entertainment, pizza, dining and perhaps ... YC ... playing "The Price is Right" for real.  

[BirdTravels]

6 hours ago, Red-Sol said:

Thanks for that...I was already in the process of applying for Carnivals program but this served as a reminder that I should sign my wife up as well which I just did.

 

I have also done a status match on MSC and will possibly sail on them as well.

 

The three main advantages that NCL always held for me were:

The CAS program

Onboard Entertainment

Many and varied cruises out of NYC

Well it seems to me that they are cutting all those things drastically so sadly it may be time to try other cruise lines The Carnival and MSC ships (Venezia and Meraviglia) that are sailing out of NYC both look very nice. And both very much appreciate their casino passengers.

Just remember, you should status match on MSC just before making your reservation. If you don't sail with them, your one-time status match will eventually be cancelled. The MSC casino program really has no perks. Just a comped cruise based on the number of points you earn each cruise. 

[BirdTravels]

On 3/24/2024 at 1:34 PM, Bliss1 said:

It starts April 1 which is why they are saying yes for today

 

Yes, if your cruise starts before Monday, you will get a drinks card. 

[snorklinbarb]

On 3/27/2024 at 4:28 PM, TheycallmeFlip said:

I called the Casino at Sea reservation number 877-742-9524 and spoke with a representative that told me that they have updated the awards and that Pearl ranked players will be receiving $75 in OBC.  Not budging on the free drinks in the casino though.

Got the same info yesterday, OBC down from 100 to $75 for Pearl and it takes 4000 pts to reach Pearl. Since my birthday is in April with 2 cruises booked I also inquired about the birthday free play.  That's gone as well.  

[Sand and Seas]

Just heard from a friend that over on that other site, someone is reporting that they have again tweaked the drink FAS for Ruby/Elite.    I know many of us have been contacting CAS to question why we would need to pay for FAS in order to get the 'free upgrade' to PPlus.   Paying for the FAS fees in order to get PPlus would not be a good deal for someone like me.

 

So....I just called CAS (Arizona) and was told they just got an update about it.   I'm not sure what it will be for Elite, but as Ruby, I was told today I should get FAS regular package all over the ship without paying for the 20% per day fees.  (The other site was reporting Elite would get FAS free, but if they pay for FAS it will upgrade to PPlus.)

 

Since I mainly want it for my Diet Cokes, this works for me.  Maybe a Mango meltdown or two😉

Apparently, as suggested before, if enough of us call CAS to express our feelings it DOES make a difference.   

 

Can't wait to see what is actually posted on April 1st.

[Bliss1]

33 minutes ago, Sand and Seas said:

Just heard from a friend that over on that other site, someone is reporting that they have again tweaked the drink FAS for Ruby/Elite.    I know many of us have been contacting CAS to question why we would need to pay for FAS in order to get the 'free upgrade' to PPlus.   Paying for the FAS fees in order to get PPlus would not be a good deal for someone like me.

 

So....I just called CAS (Arizona) and was told they just got an update about it.   I'm not sure what it will be for Elite, but as Ruby, I was told today I should get FAS regular package all over the ship without paying for the 20% per day fees.  (The other site was reporting Elite would get FAS free, but if they pay for FAS it will upgrade to PPlus.)

 

Since I mainly want it for my Diet Cokes, this works for me.  Maybe a Mango meltdown or two😉

Apparently, as suggested before, if enough of us call CAS to express our feelings it DOES make a difference.   

 

Can't wait to see what is actually posted on April 1st.

i too spoke to someone today saturday  that ruby and elite will get free drinks at casino  no plan needed

 

[texascane]

I cant remember which tier I made on my sailing last year.  Is there a way to find out online?

[Sand and Seas]

31 minutes ago, texascane said:

I cant remember which tier I made on my sailing last year.  Is there a way to find out online?

I've never seen my status online.  Suggest you call CAS.  Any agent should be able to tell you.

[UKstages]

5 hours ago, Sand and Seas said:

Apparently, as suggested before, if enough of us call CAS to express our feelings it DOES make a difference. 

 

i agree. i encourage people to continue to call and write and post by carrier pigeon.

 

4 hours ago, Bliss1 said:

i too spoke to someone today saturday  that ruby and elite will get free drinks at casino  no plan needed

 

that would be status quo... free drinks "in the casino."

 

we have been talking here about NCL eliminating free drink cards in the casino as we have come to know them. that is what has been announced.  but now NCL is rumored to be backtracking a bit and saying that rubys and elites will get FAS drink packages throughout the ship, exempt from paying the gratuities on the package. elites are rumored to be getting the premium plus package. having a truly "free" FAS drink package is very different than just getting free drinks while playing in the casino.

 

3 hours ago, texascane said:

I cant remember which tier I made on my sailing last year.  Is there a way to find out online?

 

your status is listed online in your account. click on the "my account" pull down menu on the upper right side of the page. your casino status will appear just below your latitudes number, however, it often takes months for them to update this. mine still says "ruby" and yet i made "elite" back in early february.

[Wvshimmy]

3 minutes ago, UKstages said:

 

i agree. i encourage people to continue to call and write and post by carrier pigeon.

 

 

that would be status quo... free drinks "in the casino."

 

we have been talking here about NCL eliminating free drink cards in the casino as we have come to know them. that is what has been announced.  but now NCL is rumored to be backtracking a bit and saying that rubys and elites will get FAS drink packages throughout the ship, exempt from paying the gratuities on the package. elites are rumored to be getting the premium plus package. having a truly "free" FAS drink package is very different than just getting free drinks while playing in the casino.

 

 

your status is listed online in your account. click on the "my account" pull down menu on the upper right side of the page. your casino status will appear just below your latitudes number, however, it often takes months for them to update this. mine still says "ruby" and yet i made "elite" back in early february.

Might be different on a phone. 

Mine has never listed casino status, only lats tier and points on android. 

Latitudes also listed by account. 

[UKstages]

yes, indeed.

 

NCL's crack design team has built limited functionality into the mobile web version of their site.

[texascane]

6 minutes ago, UKstages said:

your status is listed online in your account. click on the "my account" pull down menu on the upper right side of the page. your casino status will appear just below your latitudes number, however, it often takes months for them to update this. mine still says "ruby" and yet i made "elite" back in early february.

 

hmm I see where I think you are pointing at but there isnt anything listed.  I went back and looked at a photo from my trip last July and they gave me ruby and the ultra drink card.  Now that I think about it I believe when I boarded last year they didnt have my account right then either - put me into Jade until I asked the host to go back and look at the records.   Very odd since Im sailing on comped cruises.

[Sand and Seas]

18 minutes ago, UKstages said:

yes, indeed.

 

NCL's crack design team has built limited functionality into the mobile web version of their site.

Mine just shows 'Casino-Value'.   I've been Ruby for quite awhile.  This last year I was over double 'Ruby' points.    Maybe it means "you COULD get to Elite if you just pushed it a bit more"

[cygnets]

Ruby in CAS and just checked my three booked cruises and the Free at Sea Plus has been added for the first two guests on all my cruises. Open the booked items on the Summary page to view. After included items it lists purchased items and it shows we have the full everything included Free at Sea Plus, all three cruises and we did not purchase. 

[JGmf]

7 minutes ago, cygnets said:

Ruby in CAS and just checked my three booked cruises and the Free at Sea Plus has been added for the first two guests on all my cruises.

 

This is a nice and valuable added benefit to the CAS program, a definite improvement....

 

....but if this was the intent from day one of their mailer (that I received and originally posted), then what a giant, botched, incompetent roll-out of program changes where they got basic stuff wrong.

[UKstages]

33 minutes ago, cygnets said:

Ruby in CAS and just checked my three booked cruises and the Free at Sea Plus has been added for the first two guests on all my cruises.

 

interesting.

 

i'm "elite" with the CAS ecosystem and i have one booked cruise, at present.

 

no change to my booking. this was booked before all the "improvements" to the program were announced and - for the first time ever - i opted out of the drink package because i don't drink that much and, of course, i knew i had free ultra drinks in the casino. (ha!)

 

they could be slowly rolling the change to booked reservations and it may not yet appear for all.

 

anybody else at ruby or elite that has seen added value in their already booked reservations?

 

33 minutes ago, cygnets said:

it shows we have the full everything included Free at Sea Plus, all three cruises and we did not purchase. 

 

you didn't purchase any FAS? or you opted in to baseline drinks, excursions, dining and internet and paid gratuities and found yourself upgraded to FAS+?

 

22 minutes ago, JGmf said:

This is a nice and valuable added benefit to the CAS program, a definite improvement....

 

it certainly is, if it proves out across all CAS loyalty program members.

 

if i understand this correctly, this would be FAS plus, which goes way beyond a free drink package.

 

22 minutes ago, JGmf said:

....but if this was the intent from day one of their mailer (that I received and originally posted), then what a giant, botched, incompetent roll-out of program changes where they got basic stuff wrong.

 

yeah, well, i don't believe this was their intent from day one. i think they are responding to the backlash (removal of OBC for pearl, removal of free drinks for all, etc.) and in typical NCL fashion, if there is an opportunity to botch a communication, they will seize the moment. and it's still not clear what they have done or what they are promising.

 

Edited March 31 by UKstages

[Bliss1]

8 minutes ago, UKstages said:

 

interesting.

 

i'm "elite" with the CAS ecosystem and i have one booked cruise, at present.

 

no change to my booking. this was booked before all the "improvements" to the program were announced and - for the first time ever - i opted out of the drink package because i don't drink that much and, of course, i knew i had free ultra drinks in the casino. (ha!)

 

they could be slowly rolling the change to booked reservations and it may not yet appear for all.

 

anybody else at ruby or elite that has seen added value in their already booked reservations?

 

 

you didn't purchase any FAS? or you opted in to baseline drinks, excursions, dining and internet and paid gratuities and found yourself upgraded to FAS+?

 

 

it certainly is, if it proves out across all CAS loyalty program members.

 

if i understand this correctly, this would be FAS plus, which goes way beyond a free drink package.

 

 

yeah, well, i don't believe this was their intent from day one. i think they are responding to the backlash (removal of OBC for pearl, removal of free drinks for all, etc.) and in typical NCL fashion, if there is an opportunity to botch a communication, they will seize the moment. and it's still not clear what they have done or what they are promising.

 

Changes don't take effect till Mon the 1st

That's when and if we'll see them

 

[Bliss1]

Nothing yet to my reservations

I'll keep checking