Tell Me About NCL "Casinos At Sea"?

[UKstages]

6 minutes ago, drumming cruisers said:

Where on MYNCL does it show my CAS status? I was Ruby last year on 2 cruises we went on, and Casino host came to me with a book of 3 choices of treats. I think we received $550 OBC from CAS.

 

Thanks

 

i don't believe it states your status on the website. you'll have to call for that info. if you earned ruby last year, then you're ruby this year, too. if you only earned ruby in 2021 for the year 2022 and didn't play enough last year to earn ruby again, then your status will have changed.

 

if they gave you $550, some or all of that may have been discretionary comps. the $400 OBC ruby tier status benefit is placed in your folio you when you board. there should be a notification card in your cabin, along with your player's card and other notifications.

Edited March 24, 2023 by UKstages

[smillerholmes]

12 hours ago, UKstages said:

he also told me something i had never heard before and which i seriously doubt is true. he said NCL looks at your play during the last three years to determine offers.

 

 

and then he told me something else i had never heard: ruby players (and higher) can upgrade as a solo guest and only pay for a solo upgrade. if true, and he insisted that it was, that's a pretty good unpublished tier benefit. i hit ruby on my last cruise and so i have no prior experience traveling as a ruby player. anybody else ever hear of this 1X upgrade fee benefit for solo CAS guests?

I am taking just my 2nd CAS cruise in a few weeks.  When I called last month to see what might be available for later this year I was only offered Insides, but he also dropped the same info about looking at the last 3 years of play - I thought it was odd too considering the pandemic, but I decided to wait until I get back from my cruise in May to see what will be available at that point.

 

As for the Ruby Upgrade Perk - I had not heard this, but not surprising.  I hope to make Ruby on my upcoming cruise so perhaps I will be able to offer some feedback on that soon.

[BirdTravels]

1 hour ago, smillerholmes said:

I hope to make Ruby on my upcoming cruise so perhaps I will be able to offer some feedback on that soon.

Looks like you're cruising in April. All tier points go to zero on April 1st. So, you would qualing for Ruby on that cruise. 

[smillerholmes]

38 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

Looks like you're cruising in April. All tier points go to zero on April 1st. So, you would qualing for Ruby on that cruise. 

Hmmm...I just joined CAS in September 2022.  They told me my current point accumulation/designation  was good through March 31, 2024.  I asked twice about the 2024 date.  I am going to be really annoyed if I was flat out lied to.  Thanks for the info - maybe I will give them a call tomorrow to try to reverify.

[BirdTravels]

8 hours ago, smillerholmes said:

Hmmm...I just joined CAS in September 2022.  They told me my current point accumulation/designation  was good through March 31, 2024.  I asked twice about the 2024 date.  I am going to be really annoyed if I was flat out lied to.  Thanks for the info - maybe I will give them a call tomorrow to try to reverify.

 

It is the same as any land-based casino program with a earning period starting on April 1 of each year. It's the same as an airline frequent flyer program or hotel frequent stayer program,,, you need to requalify every year for your tier status. 

 

Your play between April 1, 2022 - March 31, 2023 earned tier points and determines your tier level through March 31, 2023. Whatever tier level you are on Friday, March 31, 2023, you retain through March 31, 2024. 

 

On April 1, 2023 (next Saturday), your points go back to zero and you start earning tier points for the next period. Your April cruise does not add to your points prior to that. It goes to qualifying for the next year. 

 

If you are playing at a near-Ruby level for a single cruise last September, CAS will comp your room from this point forward. And hopefully better than an inside room. 

 

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

The annual tier evaluation period is April 1 - March 31. Tier levels are based on points earned within the 12-month evaluation period. For purposes of tier evaluation, all members will start with zero points on April 1st. Points earned April 1 - March 31 will determine the tier level for the subsequent year. Tier levels may be upgraded during the year based on point earnings. Tier levels are re-evaluated on an annual basis. Bonus and adjusted points are not considered in tier evaluation.

Edited March 25, 2023 by BirdTravels

[dbrown84]

5 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

 

It is the same as any land-based casino program with a earning period starting on April 1 of each year. It's the same as an airline frequent flyer program or hotel frequent stayer program,,, you need to requalify every year for your tier status. 

 

Your play between April 1, 2022 - March 31, 2023 earned tier points and determines your tier level through March 31, 2023. Whatever tier level you are on Friday, March 31, 2023, you retain through March 31, 2024. 

 

On April 1, 2023 (next Saturday), your points go back to zero and you start earning tier points for the next period. Your April cruise does not add to your points prior to that. It goes to qualifying for the next year. 

 

If you are playing at a near-Ruby level for a single cruise last September, CAS will comp your room from this point forward. And hopefully better than an inside room. 

 

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

The annual tier evaluation period is April 1 - March 31. Tier levels are based on points earned within the 12-month evaluation period. For purposes of tier evaluation, all members will start with zero points on April 1st. Points earned April 1 - March 31 will determine the tier level for the subsequent year. Tier levels may be upgraded during the year based on point earnings. Tier levels are re-evaluated on an annual basis. Bonus and adjusted points are not considered in tier evaluation.

I don't know about CAS, but at land based casinos, you don't have to requalify every year.  Your status this year carries over to the next.  So you have to requalify every other year 

[BirdTravels]

7 minutes ago, dbrown84 said:

I don't know about CAS, but at land based casinos, you don't have to requalify every year.  Your status this year carries over to the next.  So you have to requalify every other year 

Which casino do you reach top tier status and keep it the rest of your life? 

[dbrown84]

9 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

Which casino do you reach top tier status and keep it the rest of your life? 

Where do you see "rest of your life" in my post?

[goldmom]

Every casino I have a card for you need to qualify for your upper level tier every year, unless to have the basic entry level that everyone who signs up gets.

If you have a Casino that lets you keep your premium level for more than a year consider yourself lucky!

CAS points definitely reset once a year.  The only time they didn't was during the pandemic when they weren't sailing.  Then they allowed people to stay at their current levels for more that a year.

[BirdTravels]

56 minutes ago, dbrown84 said:

I don't know about CAS, but at land based casinos, you don't have to requalify every year.  Your status this year carries over to the next.  So you have to requalify every other year 

What casino do you not to requalify to get another year’s tier status? And how long does that last if it is not a lifetime?

[UKstages]

14 hours ago, smillerholmes said:

They told me my current point accumulation/designation  was good through March 31, 2024.  I asked twice about the 2024 date.  I am going to be really annoyed if I was flat out lied to. 

 

i don't think the rep intentionally lied to you, but you were given wrong info, most likely because the rep was confused. the rep probably doesn't gamble and may not even have ever been on a cruise. it is confusing if the rep is unfamiliar with tiered loyalty programs that are common in the hospitality industry. the rep probably knew that the march 31/april 1 date meant something, but wasn't quite sure what. the rep probably knew status carried over into the 1st quarter, but got confused about which year.

 

1 hour ago, dbrown84 said:

I don't know about CAS, but at land based casinos, you don't have to requalify every year.  Your status this year carries over to the next.  So you have to requalify every other year 

 

technically, your status DOES carry over into the next year, but not the entire year, unless you've requalified.

[dbrown84]

25 minutes ago, goldmom said:

Every casino I have a card for you need to qualify for your upper level tier every year, unless to have the basic entry level that everyone who signs up gets.

If you have a Casino that lets you keep your premium level for more than a year consider yourself lucky!

CAS points definitely reset once a year.  The only time they didn't was during the pandemic when they weren't sailing.  Then they allowed people to stay at their current levels for more that a year.

Well, I have cards with Caesars, mgm, unity and my choice so I can only speak about those cards.

[dbrown84]

17 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

What casino do you not to requalify to get another year’s tier status? And how long does that last if it is not a lifetime?

With Caesars, if you qualify for 7 stars this year, you are also 7 stars for all of next year and you get all the benefits twice (free cruise, free trip, dinners).  If you want to be 7 stars in 2025, you'd have to earn the points again.  There are plenty of people who do this 

[dbrown84]

12 minutes ago, UKstages said:

 

i don't think the rep intentionally lied to you, but you were given wrong info, most likely because the rep was confused. the rep probably doesn't gamble and may not even have ever been on a cruise. it is confusing if the rep is unfamiliar with tiered loyalty programs that are common in the hospitality industry. the rep probably knew that the march 31/april 1 date meant something, but wasn't quite sure what. the rep probably knew status carried over into the 1st quarter, but got confused about which year.

 

 

technically, your status DOES carry over into the next year, but not the entire year, unless you've requalified.

It is for the entire year.  Honestly, I didn't know this wasn't normal.  It what I've always been used to.  There are plenty of posts on the Vegas message boards of folks that rotate their play to qualify every other year 

[texasreb]

15 hours ago, smillerholmes said:

Hmmm...I just joined CAS in September 2022.  They told me my current point accumulation/designation  was good through March 31, 2024.  I asked twice about the 2024 date.  I am going to be really annoyed if I was flat out lied to.  Thanks for the info - maybe I will give them a call tomorrow to try to reverify.

Your player card level will remain through March 31,  2024. Your points set to zero April 1, 2023. If you want a higher card level ? You have to play those points in 2023 until March 31, 2024. To keep that card level. It is the same requirement. Prior to COVID I think Royal had a better program. Have done 17 or so NCL. A few less with RCCL. Some Carnival.38 in total.  I was getting Jr Suites, and balconies with RCCL. Lately they have cutback. But my wife and I could not sail until Halloween. Leave again this Sunday. We will see what happens after that trip.  As for land based have been Diam, 7*, Elite, Owners,  Hall of Fame, Ambassador, you name it for almost 20 years. Gaming is not the same as years ago.

 

Edited March 25, 2023 by texasreb

[dbrown84]

5 minutes ago, texasreb said:

Your player card level will remain through March 31,  2024. Your points set to zero April 1, 2023. If you want a higher card level ? You have to play those points in 2023 until March 31, 2024. To keep that card level. It is the same requirement. Prior to COVID I think Royal had a better program. Have done 17 or so NCL. A few less with RCCL. Some Carnival.38 in total.  I was getting Jr Suites, and balconies with RCCL. Lately they have cutback. But my wife and I could not sail until Halloween. Leave again this Sunday. We will see what happens after that trip.  As for land based have been Diam, 7*, Elite, Owners,  Hall of Fame, Ambassador, you name it for almost 20 years. Gaming is not the same as years ago.

 

Yes, this is what I'm used to, at least at land casinos.  Your level carries over for another year.  I'm guessing that is what the rep meant when speaking to the OP.

[UKstages]

23 minutes ago, dbrown84 said:

With Caesars, if you qualify for 7 stars this year, you are also 7 stars for all of next year and you get all the benefits twice (free cruise, free trip, dinners).  If you want to be 7 stars in 2025, you'd have to earn the points again.  There are plenty of people who do this 

 

hmmm...

 

you describe this accurately to a degree, but i'm not entirely sure you understand how it works.

 

i was a seven stars member for many years myself, but gave it up last year, after the eldorado desecration. so i do understand how this works.

 

if you qualify for seven stars for the 2023 membership year, that's because you played enough in the 2022 qualifying year (for 2023 status). the reason you get "double benefits" is because you qualified for seven stars status for both 2022 and 2023... and there is overlap in the calendar year and the membership years. also, the date by which the prior year's benefits must be consumed extends into the next calendar year.

 

your original statement was that "at land based casinos, you don't have to requalify every year."

 

that is simply not correct.

[dbrown84]

1 minute ago, UKstages said:

 

hmmm...

 

you describe this accurately to a degree, but i'm not entirely sure you understand how it works.

 

i was a seven stars member for many years myself, but gave it up last year, after the eldorado desecration. so i do understand how this works.

 

if you qualify for seven stars for the 2023 membership year, that's because you played enough in the 2022 qualifying year (for 2023 status). the reason you get "double benefits" is because you qualified for seven stars status for both 2022 and 2023... and there is overlap in the calendar year and the membership years. also, the date by which the prior year's benefits must be consumed extends into the next calendar year.

 

your original statement was that "at land based casinos, you don't have to requalify every year."

 

that is simply not correct.

Actually, you just proved that what I wrote was indeed correct.  You just wrote exactly what I said.  When you earn 150k points in 2022, you do not revert back to gold in 2023.  You remain 7 stars for all of 2023 even if you don't place a single bet all year.  You do not have to requalify in 2023 to maintain 7 stars for 2023.  You would no longer be 7 stars as of February, 2024.  So I understand exactly how it works

[UKstages]

1 minute ago, dbrown84 said:

You do not have to requalify in 2023 to maintain 7 stars for 2023.

 

um, the reason you don't have to "requalify" for 7 stars status in 2023, for 2023, is because you've presumably already qualified for 7 stars status for 2023 in 2022.

 

you might think that somehow means you can requalify "every other year," or somehow skip a year, but you're mistaken.

 

you can only skip a year if you've taken care of requalifying before that year begins.

 

you still have to requalify in 2023 for 2024, however, if you intend for your status to continue beyond 2023.

[dbrown84]

9 minutes ago, UKstages said:

 

um, the reason you don't have to "requalify" for 7 stars status in 2023, for 2023, is because you've presumably already qualified for 7 stars status for 2023 in 2022.

 

you might think that somehow means you can requalify "every other year," or somehow skip a year, but you're mistaken.

 

you can only skip a year if you've taken care of requalifying before that year begins.

 

you still have to requalify in 2023 for 2024, however, if you intend for your status to continue beyond 2023.

It's all good bro.  It looks like the confusion is over "requalify".  I only used that word because it was used in the post I was quoting.  I didn't mean how you're interpreting the word.  You're correct, you are qualified for both years.  What I was correcting was the statement that tier status resets each year.  Now I see that we're saying the same thing.  When I say skip a year, I mean you can earn the required points every other year which qualifies you for that year and the next 

[itsnotjustme]

47 minutes ago, dbrown84 said:

When I say skip a year, I mean you can earn the required points every other year which qualifies you for that year and the next 

That is correct - with the caveat that at the start of the next year, you will drop to the basic (or whatever you earned) tier.  Once you earn all the points needed, your status will upgrade as soon as you earn the points, and be there for the remainder of teh current year, and the following year.

 

Of course I have never made it beyond Jade or whatever the NCL basic tier is......

[smillerholmes]

OMG - you guys have been busy while I was taking a nap!

 

Thanks to @BirdTravels@UKstages @dbrown84 for all the detail.  As previously stated this is only my 2nd CAS cruise and I *think* my misunderstanding was just a language/wording thing as opposed to being flat out lied to.

 

So, if I understand the program, I will remain "Sapphire" through 03/31/2024 with no chance of moving up to Ruby; points will start at zero for my cruise on 04/21/2023.  Whatever is accumulated between 04/2023 and 03/31/2024 will define my tier beginning 04/2024?

 

 

@UKstages - FYI it was a Casino Host onboard the Getaway that explained that to me when I went from Jade to Pearl.

 

Just trying to make sure I understand how this whole thing works.

 

 

 

[dbrown84]

1 hour ago, itsnotjustme said:

That is correct - with the caveat that at the start of the next year, you will drop to the basic (or whatever you earned) tier.  Once you earn all the points needed, your status will upgrade as soon as you earn the points, and be there for the remainder of teh current year, and the following year.

 

Of course I have never made it beyond Jade or whatever the NCL basic tier is......

Actually, the tiers at Caesars reset on Feb first.  So you could earn the needed points in January to never lose status 

[BirdTravels]

5 hours ago, dbrown84 said:

I don't know about CAS, but at land based casinos, you don't have to requalify every year.  Your status this year carries over to the next.  So you have to requalify every other year 

So, you need to requalify every year to maintain your 7-Stars status. Every year you have to earn 150K Caesars tier points to maintain your 7-Star status. And your Caesars tier points go to zero in February every year. (Unless you are satisfied being a Gold player until you requalify late in that year... you spend a year at the back of the line). 

 

This is the exact thing that the poster is talking about. The poster thought that they could earn more point on their April cruise to tier-up to Ruby (Caesars Diamond equivalent). The answer is no, you need to requalify every year and the poster will start with zero points on their next cruise. 

Edited March 25, 2023 by BirdTravels

[UKstages]

oh, my goodness.

 

within the context of "requalifying" status for another year (and that's what this discussion was about) you most certainly can not "skip a year." this implies that you get a "free ride" every other year. you do not.