CAS & Latitude

Hi all! Just booked my first ever cruise through CAS. I’ve been compulsively reading the boards and have gotten so much great info. I travel often (just never by boat up until now) so naturally I wanted to check out any rewards programs available. I’m going to sign up for Latitudes but I was curious how that plays with CAS? I know often one program will nix the benefits of another. Will there be any Latitude benefits to look out for with this trip or is it really only beneficial further down the line with higher status?

Latitudes and CAS are two separate programs.

You earn latitudes points with every cruise on a ship. On your second cruise with NCL, you will have some benefits (e.g., free bottle of campaign).

If you give your room key to a dealer or place it in a slot machine, you earn CAS points (like a land-based casino program). Depending on how many point you earn on a cruise, you may get some perks on your next cruise. Depending on how much you spend and how long you play, you may get a comped cruise directly through CAS next time.

Hi all! Just booked my first ever cruise through CAS. I’ve been compulsively reading the boards and have gotten so much great info. I travel often (just never by boat up until now) so naturally I wanted to check out any rewards programs available. I’m going to sign up for Latitudes but I was curious how that plays with CAS? I know often one program will nix the benefits of another. Will there be any Latitude benefits to look out for with this trip or is it really only beneficial further down the line with higher status?

As BirdTravels notes - two separate programs.

Latitudes Rewards is a program by NCL to reward its frequent cruisers

I’m going to sign up for Latitudes - you don't need to sign up for it - the program awards points

after the completion of your first cruise and everyone thereafter. It is automatic this LINK explains it a bit further:

https://www.ncl.com/latitudes-rewards-program

how that plays with CAS

CAS (Casinos At Sea) is separate agency that books space on a cruise much like a TA (Travel Agent) would

do for a group - in this case it is an affinity group of gamblers. You still earn Latitudes points from NCL but

also receive perks promos and other incentives when booking with CAS. If you gamble big time and travel

frequently CAS may comp your cabin and other amenities.

LINK to CAS information:

https://www.ncl.com/why-cruise-norwegian/casino-cruise

Hope the defines the two programs.

When you check in for your cruise and after tendering you luggage at the pier to a porter look for the CAS

signage or a greeter to direct you to a separate check-in registration counter - there may or may not be a

separate boarding que for embarking - the CAS people will take it from there !

Just adding something else to the good info given above. If you plan to continue to cruise NCL and get more comped cruises through CAS, look at picking up CruiseNext certificates. Their net cost is half of the $250 it is worth towards your CAS fees of $20 per person per day. If you are comped a Balcony or above, at the present time you can use two of the 250 certificates towards your fees if you book 6 months or more in advance. We always put 500 of certificates (our cost 250) towards the next cruise.

If you cruise more than once a year and play in the casino onboard it isn't too hard to reach a higher Tier status with CAS. These give you guaranteed OBC (onboard credit) plus some other perks. Their club year for earning Tier status goes from April 1st to March 31st.

We are now Platinum Plus with NCL and Ruby with CAS cruising four times per year.

Heading out for the next cruise tomorrow morning:cool:

Also check out promotions from your casino. I just got off the Pearl and Harrahs had a promo, your CAS points would be matched with your Harrahs tier points.

Hi all! Just booked my first ever cruise through CAS. I’ve been compulsively reading the boards and have gotten so much great info. I travel often (just never by boat up until now) so naturally I wanted to check out any rewards programs available. I’m going to sign up for Latitudes but I was curious how that plays with CAS? I know often one program will nix the benefits of another. Will there be any Latitude benefits to look out for with this trip or is it really only beneficial further down the line with higher status?

You still will not be traveling by boat. You will be traveling by ship! :)

Thank you all for the great explanations. You’ve helped me to get a much better understanding of these two programs. I wasn’t aware of the CruiseNext certificates but that’s certainly an excellent tip! As long as I love my first journey on this beautiful *ship* (;)) I will surely be taking advantage of that!

So if I a higher status with a land based casino rewards program (TR) can I use that to my benefit with the CAS program - such as point or status matching like BlueLineGal mentioned? If there’s a better place to ask these types of questions I apologize. Still figuring this place out!

Thank you all for the great explanations. You’ve helped me to get a much better understanding of these two programs. I wasn’t aware of the CruiseNext certificates but that’s certainly an excellent tip! As long as I love my first journey on this beautiful *ship* (;)) I will surely be taking advantage of that!

 

So if I a higher status with a land based casino rewards program (TR) can I use that to my benefit with the CAS program - such as point or status matching like BlueLineGal mentioned? If there’s a better place to ask these types of questions I apologize. Still figuring this place out!

Hello Bex Dev: You are correct, lots of great help here. I'm not sure that I can with any authority answer your question about status matching from Total Rewards. But I'm a Total Rewards Diamond (and have been for more years than I've been cruising with NCL) and I've not seen any matching. That doesn't mean there isn't any, only that my first cruise was a Casino at Seas cruise through Total Rewards and many since then (see my signature) have been also. And I've never heard of any matching.

I took a look at the Total Rewards website and what I see (and use) is the discount TR Platinum and above members get calling the "special" number and providing their TR number. (10%/20%/30%) https://www.caesars.com/total-rewards/tr-partners/norwegian-cruise-line And, of course, any of the "free" cruises that the Total Rewards Casinos periodically offer.

Maybe I'll learn something more about the TR/NCL deal if others chime in here.

Enjoy your cruises!

MD

Thank you all for the great explanations. ....

 

 

 

So if I a higher status with a land based casino rewards program (TR) can I use that to my benefit with the CAS program - such as point or status matching like BlueLineGal mentioned? If there’s a better place to ask these types of questions I apologize. Still figuring this place out!

My 7* status gets me nothing on the ship. My platinum latitude or CAS card status would. Your TR status probably got you on the ship though. So, no need to flash your TR card on the ship.

Btw, depending on what and how much you play on the ship, you can call CAS for future cruise offers that can be better than you got from TR.

My 7* status gets me nothing on the ship. My platinum latitude or CAS card status would. Your TR status probably got you on the ship though. So, no need to flash your TR card on the ship.

 

Btw, depending on what and how much you play on the ship, you can call CAS for future cruise offers that can be better than you got from TR.

That’s pretty much what I expected. I actually got the cruise offer from a different casino program. Looks like I’ll be pretty much starting over with the CAS card. Here’s to hoping I love cruising as much as I love casinos and can work that status up quickly for some benefit on future trips.

Thank you all for the great explanations. You’ve helped me to get a much better understanding of these two programs. I wasn’t aware of the CruiseNext certificates but that’s certainly an excellent tip! As long as I love my first journey on this beautiful *ship* (;)) I will surely be taking advantage of that!

 

So if I a higher status with a land based casino rewards program (TR) can I use that to my benefit with the CAS program - such as point or status matching like BlueLineGal mentioned? If there’s a better place to ask these types of questions I apologize. Still figuring this place out!

There is generally no point matching between TR and CAS. There was, briefly, a promotion that TR was running this year that did provide some TR points for CAS points earned during a certain period. That promo only ran through Aug 31 - when I checked a few days ago, it was already gone from the TR website. That's the first time I've EVER, in all my years of being a TR player and an NCL CAS cruiser, seen a direct points linkage between the programs.

I'm hoping perhaps TR and CAS might be considering doing this more. Some cruise lines do have linkages between their cruise casino loyalty programs and land based casinos. For instance, Celebrity casino points can be credited to your MGM M life account.

Basically, though, your TR status & points mean nothing to CAS other than a standard % discount on the price of your cruise. Once you have established a play history with CAS on the ships, they will use that play history to decide on future comp cruise offers.

As a note, there is a "Cruise Casinos" board here, way down the the main page under "Cruise Conversations." It covers all the cruise lines casino programs.

Also check out promotions from your casino. I just got off the Pearl and Harrahs had a promo, your CAS points would be matched with your Harrahs tier points.

That TR promo ended Aug 31. Be nice if they'd do it again, or make it permanent!

Hi all! Just booked my first ever cruise through CAS. I’ve been compulsively reading the boards and have gotten so much great info. I travel often (just never by boat up until now) so naturally I wanted to check out any rewards programs available. I’m going to sign up for Latitudes but I was curious how that plays with CAS? I know often one program will nix the benefits of another. Will there be any Latitude benefits to look out for with this trip or is it really only beneficial further down the line with higher status?

As you continue to cruise, your Latitudes status and CAS status will work independently of each other, but you'll get the combined benefits.

For instance, at a certain Latitudes level you get one or two free specialty restaurant dinners at certain of the restaurants during your cruise. Since you'll likely also have the free dining package (that's an NCL thing not a CAS thing) you may have trouble finding enough nights to use all the dinners!

At the same time, as you gamble, you're earning CAS points on that cruise. At the end of the cruise the CAS points will be converted to a credit against your final on board bill. The amount of the credit will vary depending on your play and the casino manager. But to continue the example, if you happen to have also bought any specialty dinners, you may find those costs go away due to your casino credit on your final bill.

As a final note: The CAS year and the Latitudes year do not run in sync. The CAS points accumulation year is March to April. I'm pretty sure the Latitudes year is a calendar year. Your CAS status resets at the end of each CAS year. Your Latitudes status does not.

Just got back from another great CAS cruise and was able to chat with people who have different CAS Tiers to verify the OBC benefit. This is non-refundable OBC that is on your account when you step onboard. In addition to this OBC you can still earn additional credits to your account based on your onboard play.

If you are Pearl with 5000 points during the earning period of April 1st to March 31st, you will receive $100 of OBC for each cruise that and the following year.

For Sapphire status of over 15000 points, you will get $200 OBC.

For Ruby status of over 35000 points you will get $400 OBC and 400 minutes of Wifi. Your drink card in the casino for Sapphire and Ruby is upgraded from the standard 'well drinks'. Ruby says 'Ultra' drinks and I all I know is the casino bar manager said I could have anything I wanted. We don't bother to choose the UBP any more as any drink we might want outside of the casino is covered with our OBC. Sapphire and above can also request un-opened cans of soda from the casino bar to take back to your room....which is rare onboard!

Can't tell you how much Elite earns in OBC but perhaps someone will chime in.

For us, we find real benefit in concentrating our cruise casino playing to NCL where we walk onboard and know what can be comped. We also know we can call CAS after a cruise and be comped a great cabin on any ship (except Pride of America- no casino).

Just got back from another great CAS cruise and was able to chat with people who have different CAS Tiers to verify the OBC benefit. This is non-refundable OBC that is on your account when you step onboard. In addition to this OBC you can still earn additional credits to your account based on your onboard play.

 

If you are Pearl with 5000 points during the earning period of April 1st to March 31st, you will receive $100 of OBC for each cruise that and the following year.

For Sapphire status of over 15000 points, you will get $200 OBC.

For Ruby status of over 35000 points you will get $400 OBC and 400 minutes of Wifi. Your drink card in the casino for Sapphire and Ruby is upgraded from the standard 'well drinks'. Ruby says 'Ultra' drinks and I all I know is the casino bar manager said I could have anything I wanted. We don't bother to choose the UBP any more as any drink we might want outside of the casino is covered with our OBC. Sapphire and above can also request un-opened cans of soda from the casino bar to take back to your room....which is rare onboard!

 

Can't tell you how much Elite earns in OBC but perhaps someone will chime in.

 

For us, we find real benefit in concentrating our cruise casino playing to NCL where we walk onboard and know what can be comped. We also know we can call CAS after a cruise and be comped a great cabin on any ship (except Pride of America- no casino).

Same here CAS treats me really great so I stay loyal. I hardly do any land based gambling these days as I'd much rather gamble on a comped cruise where I'm getting something more for my money. Win lose or draw the kids and I are getting a great vacation and that's priceless.

Just wanted to add also with the premium drink card (sapphire level) or ultra drink card (Ruby level) you can get some great specialty coffee's from the servers in the casino. So you can follow that 15 year Glen Fiddich scotch up with a latte :D

Someone above mentioned being a 7 Stars player,,,, if you play “a lot” on a cruise, the casino hosts onboard have a lot of latitude on what they can and are willing to comp (same with most cruise lines). Get to know the executive host and their staff on day one. On the last night of the cruise, see what they will comp (they can’t comp DSC or gratuities or some spa services (acupuncture, medispa, theeth whitening) but could pay for just about anything else on your room bill (shore ex, food, beverage, gift shop).

Just adding something else to the good info given above. If you plan to continue to cruise NCL and get more comped cruises through CAS, look at picking up CruiseNext certificates. Their net cost is half of the $250 it is worth towards your CAS fees of $20 per person per day. If you are comped a Balcony or above, at the present time you can use two of the 250 certificates towards your fees if you book 6 months or more in advance. We always put 500 of certificates (our cost 250) towards the next cruise.

 

If you cruise more than once a year and play in the casino onboard it isn't too hard to reach a higher Tier status with CAS. These give you guaranteed OBC (onboard credit) plus some other perks. Their club year for earning Tier status goes from April 1st to March 31st.

 

We are now Platinum Plus with NCL and Ruby with CAS cruising four times per year.

 

Heading out for the next cruise tomorrow morning:cool:

This is great info. We are sailing on our first comped CAS cruise in October. If we hadn't called, we never would have known that we were eligible! In any case, we booked during a tax-free week and only had to pay tax and the administrative fee of $280 ($20/day x 7days x 2 people)/ We applied 1 of our 2 cruise next certificates and the out of pocket cost was $30!

Just got back from a fun cruise on the Escape and found out a new benefit I never knew before... Free pack of cigarettes everyday for sapphire and above! I'm not a smoker but figured what the heck there free I'll bring them home and give out to friends. In NYC cigs are $18.00 a pack yikes!!!

Anyways this isn't listed anywhere on the CAS benefits page and took me a couple years to discover so hopefully someone else will find it helpful.

Take care of your waiters/waitresses and they will take good care of you ;)

Just got back from another great CAS cruise and was able to chat with people who have different CAS Tiers to verify the OBC benefit. This is non-refundable OBC that is on your account when you step onboard. In addition to this OBC you can still earn additional credits to your account based on your onboard play.

 

If you are Pearl with 5000 points during the earning period of April 1st to March 31st, you will receive $100 of OBC for each cruise that and the following year.

For Sapphire status of over 15000 points, you will get $200 OBC.

For Ruby status of over 35000 points you will get $400 OBC and 400 minutes of Wifi. Your drink card in the casino for Sapphire and Ruby is upgraded from the standard 'well drinks'. Ruby says 'Ultra' drinks and I all I know is the casino bar manager said I could have anything I wanted. We don't bother to choose the UBP any more as any drink we might want outside of the casino is covered with our OBC. Sapphire and above can also request un-opened cans of soda from the casino bar to take back to your room....which is rare onboard!

 

Can't tell you how much Elite earns in OBC but perhaps someone will chime in.

 

For us, we find real benefit in concentrating our cruise casino playing to NCL where we walk onboard and know what can be comped. We also know we can call CAS after a cruise and be comped a great cabin on any ship (except Pride of America- no casino).

$1000 onboard credit, free internet.....limo ride ....at least that is what I remember from LAST year.....I missed it and ended up Ruby by less than 1000 points this last period.....Gonna try hard to get back to Elite soon! lol

$1000 onboard credit, free internet.....limo ride ....at least that is what I remember from LAST year.....I missed it and ended up Ruby by less than 1000 points this last period.....Gonna try hard to get back to Elite soon! lol

Wow....so close to Elite again, they should have given it to you anyway. Now would be the time for the host to come up with extra discretionary comps.

We get a comped balcony room with CAS and upgrade to Haven H4 and pay the difference. Also in June got the Bliss we booked a couple of extra rooms (no discount) with CAS and everyone received free drink card from the casino.

We get a comped balcony room with CAS and upgrade to Haven H4 and pay the difference. Also in June got the Bliss we booked a couple of extra rooms (no discount) with CAS and everyone received free drink card from the casino.

The extra rooms I’ve booked with the discount never received the drink cards