Changes - Casino at Sea Program

[SuiteCruiser]

Rochelle, could you go into more detail about the dinner at Cagneys and the wine with dinner? I used to be offered dinner for 2 at a restaurant of my choice and receive a bottle of wine. Is that now gone? If so, when did it happen? I most recently received it on the Breakaway in January 2015.

 

I'm not Rochelle, but CAS has taken away the bottle of wine from the dinner for two. I can't imagine why, since it costs them next to nothing, but that's the decision that's been made.

 

It began April 1st when they made the other changes.

Edited September 10, 2015 by SuiteCruiser

[SuiteCruiser]

Something else that's new is you can't use you CAS drink card for anything other than water if you have the UBP. It's not a huge deal except I hate having to sign for every drink. I'd much rather have them scan the card, bring the drink, I tip them and move on. Every drink is a major production now.

 

I prefer to think of it as a problem with their system, rather than me ordering too many drinks, but it's still annoying :)

[Moby0215]

Something else that's new is you can't use you CAS drink card for anything other than water if you have the UBP. It's not a huge deal except I hate having to sign for every drink. I'd much rather have them scan the card, bring the drink, I tip them and move on. Every drink is a major production now.

 

 

 

I prefer to think of it as a problem with their system, rather than me ordering too many drinks, but it's still annoying :)

 

 

Wow that will get annoying.

 

 

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[rochelle_s]

Rochelle, could you go into more detail about the dinner at Cagneys and the wine with dinner? I used to be offered dinner for 2 at a restaurant of my choice and receive a bottle of wine. Is that now gone? If so, when did it happen? I most recently received it on the Breakaway in January 2015.

 

As SuiteCruiser pointed out the removal of the free bottle of wine with dinner is at whichever venue you choose. Looking back I see how I wrote my post could be lead to a misunderstanding. The loss of the Cagney's perk I was referring to was the breakfast and lunch at Cagney's for those Golden level and higher.

 

Sorry about that, I could have been more clear. :)

 

 

Rochelle

[rochelle_s]

Something else that's new is you can't use you CAS drink card for anything other than water if you have the UBP. It's not a huge deal except I hate having to sign for every drink. I'd much rather have them scan the card, bring the drink, I tip them and move on. Every drink is a major production now.

 

I prefer to think of it as a problem with their system, rather than me ordering too many drinks, but it's still annoying :)

 

I was told on the Jade that this was because the casino department has to pay for each of those beverages. With all the UBP's this actually saves the casino department a ton of money. That's not to say that you won't hear a different explanation from someone else but that is what was told to me by the casino manager on the Jade.

 

 

Rochelle

[clcjdn]

I was told on the Jade that this was because the casino department has to pay for each of those beverages. With all the UBP's this actually saves the casino department a ton of money. That's not to say that you won't hear a different explanation from someone else but that is what was told to me by the casino manager on the Jade.

 

 

Rochelle

 

I also heard this from the staff on the Breakaway in June. I was able to get Red Bull, coffees, etc with the CAS drink card when I wanted, but I was at the bar playing most of the time.

[CruiseWithUs64]

Something else that's new is you can't use you CAS drink card for anything other than water if you have the UBP. It's not a huge deal except I hate having to sign for every drink. I'd much rather have them scan the card, bring the drink, I tip them and move on. Every drink is a major production now.

 

I prefer to think of it as a problem with their system, rather than me ordering too many drinks, but it's still annoying :)

 

Sorry I just came off a cruise and I didn't sign for anything. They still just scan the card.

[Moby0215]

Sorry I just came off a cruise and I didn't sign for anything. They still just scan the card.

 

 

Did you have the UBP?

 

 

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[CruiseWithUs64]

Unfortunately you are correct. It does make it harder to reach and certainly maintain those higher levels. I think for the vast majority who might cruise once or twice a year and gamble a fair bit, it will be still be difficult to reach and maintain above the Hot level.

 

If I am right in my estimation I would hope that CAS would really up the perks at those higher levels making them worth attaining. We have been told about the 'exciting' changes coming to the program for well over a year now. The only changes I have seen are definitely not in favour of the player. Things like the removal of the Cagney's perk or the wine with dinner.

 

I started this year as Golden and on my first cruise of the new year I made my HOT status for next year. Other than a $150 spa credit I see no extra benefits of reaching Golden again. Those additional 10,000 of points require a minimum of $50,000 in slot play, double that for video poker and I can't imagine what it means for play on the tables.

 

That's a lot of play for a spa credit. :eek:

 

 

Rochelle

 

How did you come up with that $50,000 number for 10,000 pts?

 

I earned 2500 points on a 3 Night Sky cruise strictly on tables. I didn't even lose $1500. A friend of mine is strictly a slot player and the losses were around $1000 and earned 1900 points.

 

There is a lot of speculation here about how points are accumulated. Playing time is a major factor.

[CruiseWithUs64]

Did you have the UBP?

 

 

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Ah. Reread the post. My bad.:D

[Moby0215]

How did you come up with that $50,000 number for 10,000 pts?

 

 

 

I earned 2500 points on a 3 Night Sky cruise strictly on tables. I didn't even lose $1500. A friend of mine is strictly a slot player and the losses were around $1000 and earned 1900 points.

 

 

 

There is a lot of speculation here about how points are accumulated. Playing time is a major factor.

 

 

Points do not come from losses they come from the amount bet. For example $5 spent in a slot machine gets one point. But you could have won on that $5 and continued to spin and accumulate more points.

 

 

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[rochelle_s]

How did you come up with that $50,000 number for 10,000 pts?

 

I earned 2500 points on a 3 Night Sky cruise strictly on tables. I didn't even lose $1500. A friend of mine is strictly a slot player and the losses were around $1000 and earned 1900 points.

 

There is a lot of speculation here about how points are accumulated. Playing time is a major factor.

 

 

 

As far as the slot and video poker machines are concerned there is no speculation. This is how points are accumulated for the Casinos at Sea program;

 

 

"Getting started is as easy. Just sign up for your complimentary players card onboard at the Casino Players Club and start playing your way to freebies. Use your Players Club card while playing your favorite slot machines and table games. The more you play, the more you get rewarded.

 

TABLE GAMES: Reward Points are based on average bet, session play or hands played and game type.

 

REEL & VIDEO SLOTS: For every $5 coin-in, receive 1 point.

 

VIDEO POKER: For every $10 coin-in, receive 1 point.

 

Redeem your Reward Points for slot and table game play, toward charges off your final bill or save them for your next cruise.*

 

Reward Points can also be transferred from ship to ship. Earned points stay on your account for 18 months if not redeemed.

 

*Rewards Points earned on qualifying slot machines and table games.'

 

 

 

Here is a link to where this information can be found on the NCL website;

 

Casinos at Sea program on NCL

 

 

 

In order to earn 10,000 points you must play through $50,000. Losses do not factor in to the accumulation of points. It can be your money played through the machine or the casinos money, but that is the amount that needs to be played.

 

Playing tables is a whole other ballgame as many factors come into play.

 

 

Rochelle

[Odesitka70]

We were on BA in August. Both of us hot and we had UBP, but still got bottle of wine with diner. When we choose the bottle we wanted, we ask them not to open it and broth it back to the cabin. In the casino they told us to use casino drink card for anything that UBP doesn't cover like water, energy drinks, coffe and juice. They scan our card and never ask to sign anything.

[spidybabe]

We were on the BA Aug 9th, Hot player. No private casino cocktail party (only weak rum punch for all), no meeting the casino staff, no bottle of wine with dinner (when questioned about the change, they said they would give us one from the casino bar, we denied it, because it would be the cheaper one they use that we do not like).

CAS rates you on money played (never buy in at table with chips--it doesn't count anywhere), and time spent in the casino. Many times we have "lost/played" a significant amount of money, but our time in the casino was not long. When we call CAS for our cruises they always say not enough time in casino, then we have them look at amount bet/hand...they usually change their minds, sometimes it needs to be done with a supervisor. So, time and $$ go hand in hand, no matter the level you make. CET/Harrah's same program as CAS $5.00 coin in = 1 point, & $10 on video poker, who the heck knows at the tables (but always ask how you were rated when you leave the table). You earn your tier points in one year and make a level, and then your level remains for the next year, but you need to start accumulating points again from 0. At Harrahs you need to make your level by Jan 1, and then you will have that level for the next year, but your tier goes back to 0. Same at CAS, but in April.

Making a level doesn't def mean you will be comped a cabin. Cabin comps depend on level of play, time of year sailing is, available cabins, length of cruise and ship. Many times we have been offered the Gem (our favorite ship) but couldn't get a comped cruise on the BA, another time we could get a comped cruise on the BA. Comped cruise offers are very changeable.

All in all CAS is changing, as well as NCL, some for our benefit, some changes are not and are about $$. We just wish NCL had better communication with their customers.

Safe sailing

[Rebels82]

In the past I was told to go to cage before I started gambling and tell them what my last NCL cruise was so they could "carry it forward" to the one I was currently on. (table player) Do I still need to do this?

[sjbdtz]

This is correct, but you start back at zero April 1st and need to re-earn those points in the next year. For instance, I was Golden March 31st and dropped to Hot April 1st as some of my Golden points were from 13-18 months before. I am now still HOT, but need to earn another 15000 points between April 1 to March 31 to become Golden this year, not just the difference that was earned at 13-18 months the year before.

 

I hope I have this wrong, but I believe it's correct.

 

Unfortunately you are correct. It does make it harder to reach and certainly maintain those higher levels. I think for the vast majority who might cruise once or twice a year and gamble a fair bit, it will be still be difficult to reach and maintain above the Hot level.

 

If I am right in my estimation I would hope that CAS would really up the perks at those higher levels making them worth attaining. We have been told about the 'exciting' changes coming to the program for well over a year now. The only changes I have seen are definitely not in favour of the player. Things like the removal of the Cagney's perk or the wine with dinner.

 

I started this year as Golden and on my first cruise of the new year I made my HOT status for next year. Other than a $150 spa credit I see no extra benefits of reaching Golden again. Those additional 10,000 of points require a minimum of $50,000 in slot play, double that for video poker and I can't imagine what it means for play on the tables.

 

That's a lot of play for a spa credit. :eek:

 

 

Rochelle

 

 

That's not entirely my experience. Let me see if I can explain:

 

 

2013 cruises in Feb, put me over the threshold for Golden, which I enjoy from Apr 1 - March 31 2014. My other cruises in 2013 up until March only earn me 14,800 points and I miss Golden for 2014 - 2015.

 

 

My first cruise in 2014 (post-April 1) earns 500 points, which is enough (added to the Apr 2013 - 2014 balance of $14,800) to bring me back up to Golden again.

 

So I have to re-earn it each year, but I don't reset to 0....instead I go back to the level I qualified for Apr 1 - Mar 31, but the points remain, and as soon as I hit the next threshold, they apply for the remainder of that year.

 

 

That's what has happened with me each year.... last time I missed Golden by a smallish number of points, but since I was staying in a spa-suite anyway, and at the time the spa credit was just 2 days.... they gave me the upgraded drink card after I re-hit the threshold, plus the bonus points, and I didn't lose anything.

 

 

So you level-down based on earnings, but it's not a reset-to-zero.

 

 

Stephen

 

 

.

[Casino Comp Chick]

That's not entirely my experience. Let me see if I can explain:

 

 

2013 cruises in Feb, put me over the threshold for Golden, which I enjoy from Apr 1 - March 31 2014. My other cruises in 2013 up until March only earn me 14,800 points and I miss Golden for 2014 - 2015.

 

 

My first cruise in 2014 (post-April 1) earns 500 points, which is enough (added to the Apr 2013 - 2014 balance of $14,800) to bring me back up to Golden again.

 

So I have to re-earn it each year, but I don't reset to 0....instead I go back to the level I qualified for Apr 1 - Mar 31, but the points remain, and as soon as I hit the next threshold, they apply for the remainder of that year.

 

 

That's what has happened with me each year.... last time I missed Golden by a smallish number of points, but since I was staying in a spa-suite anyway, and at the time the spa credit was just 2 days.... they gave me the upgraded drink card after I re-hit the threshold, plus the bonus points, and I didn't lose anything.

 

 

So you level-down based on earnings, but it's not a reset-to-zero.

 

 

Stephen

 

 

.

 

As of April 1st 2015 all tier scores were set to zero. If you tier up between April 1, 2015 and March 31, 2016 that tier will remain through March 31, 2017 BUT on April 1, 2016 your tier points will start again at zero. You will have to bring your points back up again for 2017-2018 tier.

Tier points no longer carry past March 31st of ANY year. Every April everyone reverts to zero again

Edited September 10, 2015 by iimmie

[rochelle_s]

As of April 1st 2015 all tier scores were set to zero. If you tier up between April 1, 2015 and March 31, 2016 that tier will remain through March 31, 2017 BUT on April 1, 2016 your tier points will start again at zero. You will have to bring your points back up again for 2017-2018 tier.

Tier points no longer carry past March 31st of ANY year. Every April everyone reverts to zero again

 

Yes I agree as this has been my experience.

 

I cruised in May on the Jade and my tier level in terms of perks is Golden for this year April 1/15 till March 31/16. This is because of what I earned in the period from April 1/14 till March 31/15.

 

In the past my points would carry over for 18 months and I could build upon them. The change, as I was told from a couple of people from CAS, is that my points set to zero on April 1st.

 

My current points are exactly what I earned on the Jade in May, everything I earned prior is gone.

 

Stephen, have you cruised since April 1st of this year? You should call CAS and see how many points you have. If you have not cruised since 1/04/15 then it is most likely they will tell you that you have zero points, but could still have a high tier level in terms of perks.

 

 

Rochelle

[bumorgan]

I last sailed 6/14 and just booked for 5/16 and CAS gave me 20% off this next cruise. I was quite happy. I usually put 8 hours a day in the casino throughout the cruise which helps.

 

Dan

[spidybabe]

In the past I was told to go to cage before I started gambling and tell them what my last NCL cruise was so they could "carry it forward" to the one I was currently on. (table player) Do I still need to do this?

 

Yes you do. They need to transfer your points, especially if u were on an "away" ship. Sometimes it takes a few days.

Safe sailing

[gl1200a]

Stephen, you are correct under the old system.

As has been said by Rochelle, April 1st EVERYONE was reset to ZERO.

 

Whatever tier score you achieved in the April 1, 2014 until March 31, 2015 earning period, you will be after April 1 2015. However your tier score is ZERO, where in the past you carried over the previous earning period.

 

My last cruise was Dec 2014, when I made VIP. My points earned for the April 1 2014, through March 31, 2015 was somewhere between Golden and VIP so I go on my first cruise of this period in a couple days as Golden, but have ZERO tier points. No carry over from the previous earning period as in the past.

 

I'm curious to see, and I think I know the answer. I'm Golden with ZERO points, when I achieve 5000 points, which if I was a new member I would get the 5000 bonus points. I doubt seriously this happens because I'm Golden even though I have ZERO points. I don't believe there will be a bonus until I earn 35000 points to VIP, which ain't gonna happen in one cruise :eek:

 

Looking in my crystal ball and considering previous play and points earned. I have this cruise in a couple days, possibly another this winter, before the March 31, 2016 deadline. I most likely will be on the cusp of Golden. I have probably a 7000 point per cruise average. This would make me Hot for next year, which I could really care less because with the cuts to Golden and VIP players it isn't really worth pursuing. As long as they don't cut back the category rooms they comp me I can live with it.

 

Do I like the recent cut backs...... No.

But I keep reminding myself for port fees and taxes I can live with it.

Edited September 10, 2015 by gl1200a
Im a dork

[sjbdtz]

Yes I agree as this has been my experience.

 

I cruised in May on the Jade and my tier level in terms of perks is Golden for this year April 1/15 till March 31/16. This is because of what I earned in the period from April 1/14 till March 31/15.

 

In the past my points would carry over for 18 months and I could build upon them. The change, as I was told from a couple of people from CAS, is that my points set to zero on April 1st.

 

My current points are exactly what I earned on the Jade in May, everything I earned prior is gone.

 

Stephen, have you cruised since April 1st of this year? You should call CAS and see how many points you have. If you have not cruised since 1/04/15 then it is most likely they will tell you that you have zero points, but could still have a high tier level in terms of perks.

 

 

Rochelle

 

Hi Rochelle, thanks for re-confirming. I hit VIP in January, which will serve me well for the upcoming 10 day TA, and 14 day S.A. cruises I'm taking before the end of next March.

 

So I guess I need to requalify during these two cruises (or book a 3rd) to keep VIP for next year.

 

 

Thanks,

Stephen

 

.

[rochelle_s]

Hi Rochelle, thanks for re-confirming. I hit VIP in January, which will serve me well for the upcoming 10 day TA, and 14 day S.A. cruises I'm taking before the end of next March.

 

So I guess I need to requalify during these two cruises (or book a 3rd) to keep VIP for next year.

 

 

Thanks,

Stephen

 

.

 

 

Well if you have the time...someone has to fill those cabins. :) Unless of course on your TA you spend oodles of time in the casino. You could set a lofty goal for yourself and then just cap it off when you are on your SA cruise!

 

Sometimes life is rough when we have all these choices to make. :D

 

Enjoy your Transatlantic.

 

 

Rochelle

[Sand and Seas]

Hi Rochelle, thanks for re-confirming. I hit VIP in January, which will serve me well for the upcoming 10 day TA, and 14 day S.A. cruises I'm taking before the end of next March.

 

So I guess I need to requalify during these two cruises (or book a 3rd) to keep VIP for next year.

 

 

Thanks,

Stephen

 

.

 

Please let us know what CAS on-board tells you your status is. Enjoy those cruises too!

[CruiseWithUs64]

Points do not come from losses they come from the amount bet. For example $5 spent in a slot machine gets one point. But you could have won on that $5 and continued to spin and accumulate more points.

 

 

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You might be misinformed. I had 15,000 points from 5 cruises and I sure did not lose $75k.

 

My rep at CAS told me that points on the tables is a mixture between time, bets and losses.