CAS Comp Cruise

[lild428]

For those of you that spend time in the casino and have ever received a call/email from Casinos at Sea for a "free" cruise....

 

We are booked on the 12/8 Pearl sailing. This was our first CAS cruise. At first, I was super excited because paying for just the port and government taxes was going to save us a lot of money. Plus we get free drinks in the casino.

 

I never book directly with NCL.. I usually use sites like Vacations To Go or American Discount Cruises. I find they have much better deals. Especially since we are able to take cruises on a whim since our work schedules allow it. So it's not odd for us to book only a month in advance.

 

Lately, I've been watching the prices drop like crazy on the Pearl's sailings. 11/17 sailing is $269 on VTG! Never really seen it that low. Plus they offer OBC.

 

I'm NOT looking a gift horse in the mouth, but it is a little discouraging to see my savings by getting the "free" cruise from CAS dwindle with each week that goes by. Especially when I booked it and asked if there were any additional discounts (had to ask lol) to be had and they kind of laughed and said isn't a free cruise enough.

 

Has anyone else had a similar experience?

 

*Note: this is for an inside room

Edited November 4, 2013 by lild428

[cruise4kicks]

Do the prices quoted from those other TAs include taxes and port fees? If not, it's like trying to compare apples and oranges.

[lild428]

Do the prices quoted from those other TAs include taxes and port fees? If not, it's like trying to compare apples and oranges.

 

I've done the math lol

 

The other TA sites always quote the cruise fare plus the port charges. The additional charges are the government taxes. Govt. taxes for the Pearl sailing are $139.

 

That was a lesson for me too when CAS was like "oh just pay taxes"... I thought that meant only $139pp... silly me lol

[brookie848]

You can upgrade your inside cabin when using a CAS voucher.

 

We are going on a cruise with my parents in January and they are cruising with a CAS voucher and are in some sort of balcony stateroom. One thing to be aware of -- the prices you see online will not really compare to the price you are quoted for your upgrade.

 

For example, my parents booked a mid-ship balcony when they booked their cruise with CAS. After looking at deck plans and comparing their location to ours, I did some research and suggested my mom change categories and cabins. On NCL's site, the difference between her old cabin and new cabin was $10. When she finally was able to talk to someone in order to upgrade, the price difference was around $150. She made the switch, though, simply because the new location was better for her.

 

You will see it stated that CAS representatives do not have available all of the cabins on the ships. I'm not sure if this is true or not, but before my mom made the call, I gave her a list of cabins to ask about and she was able to book the one I suggested.

 

So, if you want to try for a better cabin, decide what you want and give them a call to see what they will offer you.

[lild428]

You can upgrade your inside cabin when using a CAS voucher.

 

We are going on a cruise with my parents in January and they are cruising with a CAS voucher and are in some sort of balcony stateroom. One thing to be aware of -- the prices you see online will not really compare to the price you are quoted for your upgrade.

 

For example, my parents booked a mid-ship balcony when they booked their cruise with CAS. After looking at deck plans and comparing their location to ours, I did some research and suggested my mom change categories and cabins. On NCL's site, the difference between her old cabin and new cabin was $10. When she finally was able to talk to someone in order to upgrade, the price difference was around $150. She made the switch, though, simply because the new location was better for her.

 

You will see it stated that CAS representatives do not have available all of the cabins on the ships. I'm not sure if this is true or not, but before my mom made the call, I gave her a list of cabins to ask about and she was able to book the one I suggested.

 

So, if you want to try for a better cabin, decide what you want and give them a call to see what they will offer you.

 

I know what you're saying.. I actually did ask them at the time of booking how much it would be to upgrade...

 

To a oceanview was like $80pp extra

To a balcony was $300pp extra

 

Absolutely NO deal there...

[brookie848]

I know what you're saying.. I actually did ask them at the time of booking how much it would be to upgrade...

 

To a oceanview was like $80pp extra

To a balcony was $300pp extra

 

Absolutely NO deal there...

 

Right...really not much of a deal.

 

Did you get your cruise from Saratoga (I see your 25 minutes away from me)? I got one from there a few years ago. We booked, but had to cancel at the last minute (literally the morning we were supposed to fly out) because my mother-in-law passed away. We "lost" the voucher and weren't able to rebook using it.

 

We're trying again this year and hoping for better luck.

[lild428]

Right...really not much of a deal.

 

Did you get your cruise from Saratoga (I see your 25 minutes away from me)? I got one from there a few years ago. We booked, but had to cancel at the last minute (literally the morning we were supposed to fly out) because my mother-in-law passed away. We "lost" the voucher and weren't able to rebook using it.

 

We're trying again this year and hoping for better luck.

 

From Saratoga...? Not sure I know what you mean.

 

We're from Schenectady...

[brookie848]

From Saratoga...? Not sure I know what you mean.

 

We're from Schenectady...

 

 

Sorry...just wondered if you got your cruise voucher from the Saratoga Casino. We received one from them a couple of years ago. We were invited to come to the casino one afternoon and pick up the voucher. It surprised me because I had only gambled there twice in the past year!

 

My parents are regular players at Harrah's and they get their vouchers from Atlantic City.

[lild428]

Sorry...just wondered if you got your cruise voucher from the Saratoga Casino. We received one from them a couple of years ago. We were invited to come to the casino one afternoon and pick up the voucher. It surprised me because I had only gambled there twice in the past year!

 

My parents are regular players at Harrah's and they get their vouchers from Atlantic City.

 

Ohh, nope, this came directly from NCL's Casinos at Sea

[Sheils65]

For those of you that spend time in the casino and have ever received a call/email from Casinos at Sea for a "free" cruise....

 

We are booked on the 12/8 Pearl sailing. This was our first CAS cruise. At first, I was super excited because paying for just the port and government taxes was going to save us a lot of money. Plus we get free drinks in the casino.

 

I never book directly with NCL.. I usually use sites like Vacations To Go or American Discount Cruises. I find they have much better deals. Especially since we are able to take cruises on a whim since our work schedules allow it. So it's not odd for us to book only a month in advance.

 

Lately, I've been watching the prices drop like crazy on the Pearl's sailings. 11/17 sailing is $269 on VTG! Never really seen it that low. Plus they offer OBC.

 

I'm NOT looking a gift horse in the mouth, but it is a little discouraging to see my savings by getting the "free" cruise from CAS dwindle with each week that goes by. Especially when I booked it and asked if there were any additional discounts (had to ask lol) to be had and they kind of laughed and said isn't a free cruise enough.

 

Has anyone else had a similar experience?

 

*Note: this is for an inside room

 

Ok something caught my eye in this. We received a comp cruise from CAS and pd only taxes and port fees as well . You also stated that you receive the free drink card in Casino. Does this mean that because you booked through CAS you automatically get the free casino drink card or do you have the 1300 points and they will use that?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[hpecorari]

Ok something caught my eye in this. We received a comp cruise from CAS and pd only taxes and port fees as well . You also stated that you receive the free drink card in Casino. Does this mean that because you booked through CAS you automatically get the free casino drink card or do you have the 1300 points and they will use that?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

 

1500 points gets you a drink card normally. CAS may give a drink card to one person in the cabin or two people in the cabin at their discretion and it's usually for house drinks....not premium or ultra drinks.

 

Harriet

[Sheils65]

1500 points gets you a drink card normally. CAS may give a drink card to one person in the cabin or two people in the cabin at their discretion and it's usually for house drinks....not premium or ultra drinks.

 

Harriet

 

Oh ok! I thought it was 1300 points, no? I will call to see if I get a free drink card.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[WaldosPepper]

Ok something caught my eye in this. We received a comp cruise from CAS and pd only taxes and port fees as well . You also stated that you receive the free drink card in Casino. Does this mean that because you booked through CAS you automatically get the free casino drink card or do you have the 1300 points and they will use that?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

 

When I made our most recent bookings, it was explained to me by my CAS PCC like this: If you booked through CAS on a full comp, you will receive the drink cards. If you book through CAS and only receive a discount on the sailing, then you will not receive the drink cards. This is regardless of the number of points you have.

 

Bear in mind that although that is the current situation, that could very well change once the new program is a year old. I assume it is currently set up this way to reward those who have a long history with CAS, but who may not have earned their points within the qualifying window when the new program rolled out.

 

I hope that makes sense.

Edited November 5, 2013 by WaldosPepper

[hpecorari]

For those of you that spend time in the casino and have ever received a call/email from Casinos at Sea for a "free" cruise....

 

We are booked on the 12/8 Pearl sailing. This was our first CAS cruise. At first, I was super excited because paying for just the port and government taxes was going to save us a lot of money. Plus we get free drinks in the casino.

 

I never book directly with NCL.. I usually use sites like Vacations To Go or American Discount Cruises. I find they have much better deals. Especially since we are able to take cruises on a whim since our work schedules allow it. So it's not odd for us to book only a month in advance.

 

Lately, I've been watching the prices drop like crazy on the Pearl's sailings. 11/17 sailing is $269 on VTG! Never really seen it that low. Plus they offer OBC.

 

I'm NOT looking a gift horse in the mouth, but it is a little discouraging to see my savings by getting the "free" cruise from CAS dwindle with each week that goes by. Especially when I booked it and asked if there were any additional discounts (had to ask lol) to be had and they kind of laughed and said isn't a free cruise enough.

 

Has anyone else had a similar experience?

 

*Note: this is for an inside room

 

I just checked for the 11/17 sailing date and the lowest is $299.00 for an inside Guarantee room and it's NOT showing any OBC at all. So, that's $299.99 x 2 people and the total with taxes and port fees add up to $875.82.

 

However, that's not the date you are traveling. For your date 12/8 the least expensive inside cabin is $369.00 pp and that's a guaranteed room. Times 2 = $738.00 plus tax and port charges your total would be $975.82. In the highest inside cabin, since I don't know which type of inside you have the cost is $519.00 pp x 2 = $1,038.00 plus tax and port charges is $1,315.82. Both of these, however, are NOT offering any OBC either.

 

I'm actually not sure but one of them, either the port charges or the tax is already included in the fare we see and then the total includes the other.

 

Either way.......I'm sure what you paid for tax and port charges is MUCH less then what you'd pay if you were just to book the cruise yourself.

 

If you could have gotten the trip cheaper elsewhere......you could have canceled this CAS trip 76 days before the sail date. 76 days before the sale date is when you'd had to have compared prices. Most times the closer to the sale date the cheaper the rooms will go for in order for them to fill up the ship.

 

I, personally, can't see how you can complain.

 

Harriet

Edited November 5, 2013 by hpecorari

[lild428]

I just checked for the 11/17 sailing date and the lowest is $299.00 for an inside Guarantee room and it's NOT showing any OBC at all. So, that's $299.99 x 2 people and the total with taxes and port fees add up to $875.82.

 

However, that's not the date you are traveling. For your date 12/8 the least expensive inside cabin is $369.00 pp and that's a guaranteed room. Times 2 = $738.00 plus tax and port charges your total would be $975.82. In the highest inside cabin, since I don't know which type of inside you have the cost is $519.00 pp x 2 = $1,038.00 plus tax and port charges is $1,315.82. Both of these, however, are NOT offering any OBC either.

 

I'm actually not sure but one of them, either the port charges or the tax is already included in the fare we see and then the total includes the other.

 

Either way.......I'm sure what you paid for tax and port charges is MUCH less then what you'd pay if you were just to book the cruise yourself.

 

If you could have gotten the trip cheaper elsewhere......you could have canceled this CAS trip 76 days before the sail date. 76 days before the sale date is when you'd had to have compared prices. Most times the closer to the sale date the cheaper the rooms will go for in order for them to fill up the ship.

 

I, personally, can't see how you can complain.

 

Harriet

 

I see what you're saying and I've done the math as well. VTG does have the Pearl on 11/17 selling for $269 for a guaranteed inside room with $75 OBC. I know that's not my sailing, I'm just saying that if the trend continues... CAS isn't giving as much as you might think they are if you never checked prices continually.

[cruise4kicks]

I'm just saying that if the trend continues... CAS isn't giving as much as you might think they are if you never checked prices continually.

 

And if you're willing to wait until the last minute to book, you might be able to get those really low prices, too. ;) But so far as I'm concerned, since I'm only paying taxes and port fees, it doesn't much matter when I book through CAS, so long as it's far enough in advance to get the category I want.

[hpecorari]

I see what you're saying and I've done the math as well. VTG does have the Pearl on 11/17 selling for $269 for a guaranteed inside room with $75 OBC. I know that's not my sailing, I'm just saying that if the trend continues... CAS isn't giving as much as you might think they are if you never checked prices continually.

 

But what was their price when you actually booked with CAS?

 

Harriet

[hpecorari]

I don't know anything about the two online TA's you mentioned above, however for an example I'd like to share this with you:

 

I'm taking a cruise May 31st on the Getaway. The price now (as I don't remember what the price was at the time I booked) is $4,747.84 including tax and port charges for an AFT Mini Suite on Deck 10 for a party of 2. The price that CAS charged me was $609.84 which is tax and port charges for a party of 2. Plus I have an OBC of $170.00 from them and another $100.00 OBC from he HSN promo a while back to equal $270.00 OBC.

 

I can't and won't complain.

 

Was your cruise a discounted cruise or a full comp for that inside cabin. Mine was a full comp for the Mini Suite.

 

Harriet

Edited November 5, 2013 by hpecorari

[lild428]

I don't know anything about the two online TA's you mentioned above, however for an example I'd like to share this with you:

 

I'm taking a cruise May 31st on the Getaway. The price now (as I don't remember what the price was at the time I booked) is $4,747.84 including tax and port charges for an AFT Mini Suite on Deck 10 for a party of 2. The price that CAS charged me was $609.84 which is tax and port charges for a party of 2. Plus I have an OBC of $170.00 from them and another $100.00 OBC from he HSN promo a while back to equal $270.00 OBC.

 

I can't and won't complain.

 

Was your cruise a discounted cruise or a full comp for that inside cabin. Mine was a full comp for the Mini Suite.

 

Harriet

 

No offense but you can't really compare getting comp'd a mini suite vs an inside room. Obviously CAS will always save you tons of money in your case.

 

If they can let an inside room go for under $300 (okay, $439 after gov't taxes), then it's not much that they're giving me for "free". That was my point. Where I thought CAS was saving me over $500, has now dwindled to $200 (or less if the rates continue to drop). Saving $200 is still great, don't get me wrong.

 

Also, I've never booked directly through NCL. Never. I always find way cheaper prices on Vacations To Go or any of the other big name TA sites. However, I always book inside rooms... We don't spend enough time in the room to justify spending the extra money on a suite or greater.

[Alliezona09]

I don't know anything about the two online TA's you mentioned above, however for an example I'd like to share this with you:

 

I'm taking a cruise May 31st on the Getaway. The price now (as I don't remember what the price was at the time I booked) is $4,747.84 including tax and port charges for an AFT Mini Suite on Deck 10 for a party of 2. The price that CAS charged me was $609.84 which is tax and port charges for a party of 2. Plus I have an OBC of $170.00 from them and another $100.00 OBC from he HSN promo a while back to equal $270.00 OBC.

 

I can't and won't complain.

 

Was your cruise a discounted cruise or a full comp for that inside cabin. Mine was a full comp for the Mini Suite.

 

Harriet

 

Dang~ I'm paying more for a comped inside on the Breakaway with no OBC~! Now I'm wondering how they figure out the fare for comped cruises!! How can you be paying less for an aft mini suite than I am for an inside??? Strange!

[peg013]

Dang~ I'm paying more for a comped inside on the Breakaway with no OBC~! Now I'm wondering how they figure out the fare for comped cruises!! How can you be paying less for an aft mini suite than I am for an inside??? Strange!

 

You're on the Breakaway out of NYC and they are on the Getaway out of Miami. Different ports, different port taxes and fees. NYC is big bucks......

[Alliezona09]

You're on the Breakaway out of NYC and they are on the Getaway out of Miami. Different ports, different port taxes and fees. NYC is big bucks......

 

I know that but if you break down the costs they are only paying $5 more per person for the cruise fare for an aft mini suite than I am for an interior~ yet when we asked about upgrading to a balcony they wanted something like $900~!! :confused: just seems odd to me~

[samiam0403]

I know that but if you break down the costs they are only paying $5 more per person for the cruise fare for an aft mini suite than I am for an interior~ yet when we asked about upgrading to a balcony they wanted something like $900~!! :confused: just seems odd to me~

 

$900 to upgrade to a balcony? Yikes! I got offered a comp of an ocean-view from CAS and paid to upgrade to a family suite for the 3 of us - was around $650 each. After reading through this and other threads, I'm thinking there are just too many variables to fairly figure out the comp system. When you take into account each individuals 'rating' (or whatever you call it) with CAS, the time of year, the ship, the route and the departure port, unless you're comparing the exact same sailing, it seems rather futile. :confused: Either way, I'll just be happy that my next cruise is in about 26 days. :D Happy sailing all, and good luck in the casino!

[hpecorari]

Dang~ I'm paying more for a comped inside on the Breakaway with no OBC~! Now I'm wondering how they figure out the fare for comped cruises!! How can you be paying less for an aft mini suite than I am for an inside??? Strange!

 

I know that the costs and charges are much more expensive in NY than they are in Miami.

 

Also, was yours a full comp or just discounted.

 

Also, maybe it has something to do with your past casino cruise history?

 

Just guessing here.

 

Harriet

[sjbdtz]

I know that but if you break down the costs they are only paying $5 more per person for the cruise fare for an aft mini suite than I am for an interior~ yet when we asked about upgrading to a balcony they wanted something like $900~!! :confused: just seems odd to me~

 

 

Your play levels are different than Harriet's.

 

So they offered you a comp inside, with $900 upgrade. They offered her a comp aft mini-suite.

 

On my upcoming Breakaway out of NYC, I got a comp Spa Suite in exchange for Taxes & Fees of $852 for two people...but this is a 12 day cruise, so not surprising it's a bit higher taxes & port charges.

 

 

 

 

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