Casinos at Sea - Complimentary Stateroom Offer

[LaCal]

We are taking out first cruise on NCL and it was comped by Harrahs/CAS...

 

Booked it for 4/30 Mexico on the Star....We Upgraded (Paid Extra) for a Mini-Suite and with Taxs/Port charges etc....

 

Came to alittle over $1,000 for 2 people.....STILL A GREAT SAVINGS.....

 

PLUS THE FREE DRINK CARD SAVES US ATLEAST $500 FOR THE WEEK:D...

 

Now all we have to do is hit it big in the Casino......I Won :eek:$5,000 awhile back on a Video Poker Jackpot on Princess....

 

But we mainly play 3-card poker, Texas Holdem, Craps, Blackjack and then some slots....:eek:

[LaCal]

Question about rate of play. I know that this was answered earlier to some degree, but I still have a few questions. The last cruise I was on with NCL I LIVED in the casino. I spent hours a day at the blackjack tables with moderate bets. However, CAS did not seem to credit me too much for how much time I spent in the casino. That being said I didn't really lose any money. I started with $100 dollars the first night that I never lost. At times I would bring my chips back to the table with me without having cashed them in. I am wondering if that hurt my rate of play? If I should have cashed in my chips every time I left the table and then sat down with cash instead of already having chips. Any information on this would be helpful!

 

I've Found and been told(FROM A DEALER WHO LIKED US) that its always better to cash in your chips and come to the table with cash....

 

They Think That you pulling more and more $$ out of your pocket hence Losing when you may not actually be...

 

Also Found First Hand that in doing this compared to just bringing chips to the table We've ALWAYS GOTTEN MORE COMPS THIS WAY BY THE TIME THE CRUISE IS OVER...:)...This has been on Princess and Carnival...Were taking out first NCL Free Cruise on 4/30

[raetay]

Is their another company that operates the casinos on NCL? I have seen references to Harrah's. Does Harrahs operate the casinos on NCL?

[Fishbait17]

Is their another company that operates the casinos on NCL? I have seen references to Harrah's. Does Harrahs operate the casinos on NCL?

 

No Harrah's does not run the NCL casinos. They are related in that Apollo Management Group has made large investments in both NCL and Harrah's Entertainment Group. They have also invested heavily in Claire's stores, which explains the cheap jewelry they sell at the "$10 Sale".. :p;):D

 

Robin

Edited April 5, 2011 by Fishbait17

[slotaddict]

My last 4 NCL cruises have been comped by CAS...I have been comped inside and outside cabins and have always upgraded to a balcony. My last trip on the Jewel cost me $400.00 per person that included taxes and the upgrade, which is next to nothing...

 

Our next cruise on the Epic, I was comped...my husband did not gamble enough on the Jewel...So what the agent did was give me a free berth in a balcony and charged my husband for his berth....we have an aft balcony and paid 1050.00 for the both of us....so his fare was somewhere around 799.00, still a great deal...he promised to gamble more this time, I haven;t been on the Epic yet, but feel the need to go back on her already..the free drink cards are great..I do spend quite a bit of time in the casino...

[MikeandAmy]

If you all dont mind me asking, how much do you guys gamble to get these kind of perks? My wife and I are MGM members and we are always getting offers to back to Vegas with comp nights and meals, but airfares have been outrageous.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

By booking our 2/26/11 Epic sailing (our second cruise with NCL) via CAS we received about $1,200 off a CV thanks to a 3 night sailing on the Sky the previous year.

 

As a result of my play on the Epic, I was able to book the Epic again for later this year - this time CAS managed a $2,000 discount on the same cabin.

 

On the Epic they have somewhat more advanced tracking methods at the table apparently. Each time you buy in for more the dealer keys it in right there by his side. They seem to come around frequently and make updates to your level of play. When I asked CAS about my rating, they were very close to the correct figures. I played two hands at once, thus (the way they do the math) they had me down as playing $87/hand for 31 hours. That was really a total playing time of 1/2 that (16.5 hours) at about $87 per hand (thus putting about $175 in play each deal). I was fortunate to walk away with about $3,000 in winnings (their estimate on that was VERY close as well)!!

 

I wish that I could say that the $3,000 was enough to negate my losses on that 3-day Sky sailing, but it was WAY less than what I needed for that! :eek:

 

 

Tom

[sjbdtz]

If you all dont mind me asking, how much do you guys gamble to get these kind of perks? My wife and I are MGM members and we are always getting offers to back to Vegas with comp nights and meals, but airfares have been outrageous.

 

 

Well...for context, we get offers from Harrah's to go to most of their properties, airfare included.... but we have not yet taken them up on any.

 

 

The rate of play expected for table games is $100/hand, 4 hours / day that the casino is open.

 

That apparently qualifies you for a balcony.

 

 

 

Our last cruise we didn't spend as much time in the casino, because the casino was NASTY to us (at the end of the cruise they comped us about $1200 in on-board charges....so you can guess how bad it was!)

 

When I called to book another one, they said that based on PLAY, I qualified for an inside, but because of the extent of my losses, they would give me a balcony. :(

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

By booking our 2/26/11 Epic sailing (our second cruise with NCL) via CAS we received about $1,200 off a CV thanks to a 3 night sailing on the Sky the previous year.

 

As a result of my play on the Epic, I was able to book the Epic again for later this year - this time CAS managed a $2,000 discount on the same cabin.

 

On the Epic they have somewhat more advanced tracking methods at the table apparently. Each time you buy in for more the dealer keys it in right there by his side. They seem to come around frequently and make updates to your level of play. When I asked CAS about my rating, they were very close to the correct figures. I played two hands at once, thus (the way they do the math) they had me down as playing $87/hand for 31 hours. That was really a total playing time of 1/2 that (16.5 hours) at about $87 per hand (thus putting about $175 in play each deal). I was fortunate to walk away with about $3,000 in winnings (their estimate on that was VERY close as well)!!

 

I wish that I could say that the $3,000 was enough to negate my losses on that 3-day Sky sailing, but it was WAY less than what I needed for that! :eek:

 

 

Tom

 

 

Make that 15.5 hours! :o

 

...

 

Our last cruise we didn't spend as much time in the casino, because the casino was NASTY to us (at the end of the cruise they comped us about $1200 in on-board charges....so you can guess how bad it was!)

 

 

Judging by the $1,000 I received back from my slaughter on the Sky, I would guess your loss was in excess of $10,000 !! :eek:

 

 

Tom

[sjbdtz]

 

Judging by the $1,000 I received back from my slaughter on the Sky, I would guess your loss was in excess of $10,000 !! :eek:

 

 

Tom

 

 

*sigh* :mad:

 

 

The cruise before that, we got $1500 back... :eek:

[JFontaine]

Question for first time comped cruisers - how did you get them interested in you? My mom is a black card/high rated player by both Wynn and Borgota. I called Casino at Sea today and they told me to join a junket for the first cruise, but they wouldn't give me a name. Last junket my mom was on was before computers tracked gamblers. I have no doubt they will like her churn rate. Thanks for the advice.

Edited April 7, 2011 by MLevine

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Question for first time comped cruisers - how did you get them interested in you? My mom is a black card/high rated player by both Wynn and Borgota. I called Casino at Sea today and they told me to join a junket for the first cruise, but they wouldn't give me a name. Last junket my mom was on was before computers tracked gamblers. I have no doubt they will like her churn rate. Thanks for the advice.

 

After I had already booked the Epic, we went on the 3 night Sky to "get noticed". It was a COSTLY "initiation" - but I got in the door, and had our previously booked Epic sailing switched to CAS. I really thought it would have been a LARGER % off, but they hold all the marbles! :D

 

Tom

[VideoTech]

Question for first time comped cruisers - how did you get them interested in you? My mom is a black card/high rated player by both Wynn and Borgota. I called Casino at Sea today and they told me to join a junket for the first cruise, but they wouldn't give me a name. Last junket my mom was on was before computers tracked gamblers. I have no doubt they will like her churn rate. Thanks for the advice.

 

If you're not a Harrah's Total Rewards member, then the only way will be to take a cruise, join CAS, and play in the casino. Then for your next cruise, you book through CAS and see what they'll give you based on your play on the first cruise.

 

Being a high-rated player at any other casino chain besides Harrah's will not help you on NCL. You'll need to establish your play level with them on a cruise first.

Edited April 7, 2011 by VideoTech

[VideoTech]

After I had already booked the Epic, we went on the 3 night Sky to "get noticed". It was a COSTLY "initiation" - but I got in the door, and had our previously booked Epic sailing switched to CAS. I really thought it would have been a LARGER % off, but they hold all the marbles! :D

 

Tom

 

You will never get comp'd highly on the Epic. It's their newest, most popular, most in-demand ship, and they have no pressing reason to discount the cabins for you. If you want a good cabin comp, book one of the older, smaller ships.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

You will never get comp'd highly on the Epic. It's their newest, most popular, most in-demand ship, and they have no pressing reason to discount the cabins for you. If you want a good cabin comp, book one of the older, smaller ships.

 

Yep - some others have indicated that same point. Yet, I hear the sirens song.... :eek:

 

Tom

[Journey11]

Question for first time comped cruisers - how did you get them interested in you? My mom is a black card/high rated player by both Wynn and Borgota. I called Casino at Sea today and they told me to join a junket for the first cruise, but they wouldn't give me a name. Last junket my mom was on was before computers tracked gamblers. I have no doubt they will like her churn rate. Thanks for the advice.

 

CAS would not give you a name and I cannot remember the name of one, but if you google or "bing" junkets for your city, you may be able to find one. Those junket organizations often have the the ability to assess your land based casino play (with your authorization) and then negotiate a comp or discounted cruise for you even if you have not cruised with NCL before. They can also negotiate comps at other casinos that are not associated with the casinos at which you currently play. There even used to be an option when you call CAS, to connect to the junket area. But I assumed that was for the junket representative. Hope this helps. Good luck.

[gizzie]

A little off topic, but does anyone know if you book thru CAS, do you have priority/VIP boarding?? I will be sailing out of Seatlle in May. Thanks

[sjbdtz]

You will never get comp'd highly on the Epic. It's their newest, most popular, most in-demand ship, and they have no pressing reason to discount the cabins for you. If you want a good cabin comp, book one of the older, smaller ships.

 

Never say never. My upcoming suite on EPIC is comped, on our EPIC cruise we both enjoyed 1.5 hours spa services (priced at $580 for the 2), 2 free dinners with wine, and $1500 off our bill.

 

Granted I lost a lot, those last two cruises, but still....the comps / cashback were just as respectible (if not moreso) on EPIC as on the Spirt.

 

 

 

A little off topic, but does anyone know if you book thru CAS, do you have priority/VIP boarding?? I will be sailing out of Seatlle in May. Thanks

 

Yes, you are considered "Casino VIP". If the shore-side people don't understand what that means, just ask to be directed to the Concierge Lounge.

 

 

In New Orleans, the young guy didn't think casino vip = vip, so he went and asked...and a senior person told him in front of us, that all casino "guests" were treated as VIP. The senior person then walked us to the front of the lne for key-card photos, and then walked us direct to the concierge who already had small welcome cards printed out for us.

 

 

 

.

[Coastalbreezes]

Yes, you are considered "Casino VIP". If the shore-side people don't understand what that means, just ask to be directed to the Concierge Lounge.

 

 

In New Orleans, the young guy didn't think casino vip = vip, so he went and asked...and a senior person told him in front of us, that all casino "guests" were treated as VIP. The senior person then walked us to the front of the lne for key-card photos, and then walked us direct to the concierge who already had small welcome cards printed out for us.

 

 

 

.

 

Wow thanks for that tip -- I would not have known that. Appreciate the info!

Tracy

[HouNew2Cruise]

Just yesterday I got an email from Total Rewards offering me a comped balcony stateroom on one of the April Epic cruises on either 4/9, 4/16, 4/23, or 4/30 sailing this month.

 

There is no way I could be able to go this soon.

 

It appears CAS have some rooms to fill.

 

BTW, I have never sailed with NCL or any cruise line. I have scheduled my first comped cruise with CAS for December.

[gizzie]

Yes, you are considered "Casino VIP". If the shore-side people don't understand what that means, just ask to be directed to the Concierge Lounge.

 

 

In New Orleans, the young guy didn't think casino vip = vip, so he went and asked...and a senior person told him in front of us, that all casino "guests" were treated as VIP. The senior person then walked us to the front of the lne for key-card photos, and then walked us direct to the concierge who already had small welcome cards printed out for us.

 

 

 

.

 

Thank You

[Fishbait17]

Question for first time comped cruisers - how did you get them interested in you? My mom is a black card/high rated player by both Wynn and Borgota. I called Casino at Sea today and they told me to join a junket for the first cruise, but they wouldn't give me a name. Last junket my mom was on was before computers tracked gamblers. I have no doubt they will like her churn rate. Thanks for the advice.

 

Hard to be noticed by them when you haven't actually sailed with them. Most of the first cruise comps you read here are due to promotions at Harrah's properties. Unless you get one of these, even Harrah's Seven Stars only get 20% - 30%, depending on cabin type booked, and it takes about 10x the play to earn Seven Star than it does to earn Borgata Black.

 

Have your Mom take an NCL sailing (something cheap with a lot of at sea time to play) and let her churn away, then afterwards, call CAS to see what they offer. Most of us started this way.

 

Robin

[SilentHill]

I think I got ripped on my last CAS visit. I lost in excess of $1,000 of my own money (Not including a few up/down swings in that. It was probably more) in about 4-5 days on my last cruise but it was @ the tables (Let it ride). I went to check my points at the end and it was extremely low. I'm not sure exactly what the total was.

[Fishbait17]

I think I got ripped on my last CAS visit. I lost in excess of $1,000 of my own money (Not including a few up/down swings in that. It was probably more) in about 4-5 days on my last cruise but it was @ the tables (Let it ride). I went to check my points at the end and it was extremely low. I'm not sure exactly what the total was.

 

How low is low? Did you get a quote for a future sailing from CAS? Part of the problem is table ratings - never as good as slot ratings because your odd are better (even on a carnival game like LIR). FWIW, I lose generally 7 times that amount on an average 7 day cruise, and get comped mini suite or balcony on less popular sailings, and I average about 1000 points for every $1000 lost.

 

Robin

Edited April 8, 2011 by Fishbait17

[VideoTech]

Yep - some others have indicated that same point. Yet, I hear the sirens song.... :eek:

 

Tom

 

Oh, don't get me wrong; the Epic is definitely worth a cruise. You'll either love it or hate it when you're done, but it's an interesting ship with many good points.