new NCL CAS program april 2024?

[BirdTravels]

On 4/18/2024 at 9:41 PM, Sand and Seas said:

We just returned from a 11 day cruise.   

This week on Joy a bit better. 476 guests with 7R and 2E. 

 

[Buckeye10640]

Can anyone sailing on a land-based casino comped cruise post 4/1 advise if the 'free drinks in casino' benefit has in fact been discontinued?  We have 3 currently booked and declined FAS drinks on all as the  occasional drinks from casino bar has always been sufficient for us. Thanks

Edited May 24 by Buckeye10640

[Sand and Seas]

On 5/24/2024 at 6:23 AM, Buckeye10640 said:

Can anyone sailing on a land-based casino comped cruise post 4/1 advise if the 'free drinks in casino' benefit has in fact been discontinued?  We have 3 currently booked and declined FAS drinks on all as the  occasional drinks from casino bar has always been sufficient for us. Thanks

On our April cruise, I did not see any 'free drinks in casino' cards.  We were on a CAS comped cruise, not land-based casino comp and had the FAS beverage package paid for by the casino due to Ruby CAS status.  Heard many grumbles from those that missed the old 'free drinks' card.

 

If you want to get more answers from someone who has cruised recently on a land-based certificate, I would suggest you post this question in the NCL forum.

[hachtely]

Whether you get your drinks comped while in the casino is based on your play on previous (or current) cruises.  I don’t remember how many points you have to earn.   If you don’t (didn’t) get a card for free drinks in your room with your players card - once you reach the required points - you’ll get free drinks.  

[hachtely]

I apologize, I last sailed on NCL in March  2024.  The new benefits went into effect April 1 and it looks like comped drinks in casino may have been eliminated and OBC for Pearl may also have been dropped.   Try googling “NCL casinos on sea benefits”. 

[dbrown84]

On 5/26/2024 at 4:28 PM, Sand and Seas said:

On our April cruise, I did not see any 'free drinks in casino' cards.  We were on a CAS comped cruise, not land-based casino comp and had the FAS beverage package paid for by the casino due to Ruby CAS status.  Heard many grumbles from those that missed the old 'free drinks' card.

 

If you want to get more answers from someone who has cruised recently on a land-based certificate, I would suggest you post this question in the NCL forum.

Hopefully someone with actual experience responds, but I do believe it's gone.  I would also decline the fas drinks, but I recently booked my next cruise using a land based comp, and the rep NCL rep working the certificate pickup confirmed it was taken away.  When I actually booked, the cas rep also confirmed the same.  I went ahead and took the fas drinks.  After taking all 9 of my previous cruises on NCL, I'm now giving MSC (next month) and carnival (in November) a shot.  In addition to neither charging an admin fee, MSC also don't charge you for port fees and taxes.  If I'm impressed with either, it could be the end of NCL with me.  The one I booked isn't until January so I have plenty of time to cancel 

[JGmf]

On 5/27/2024 at 5:35 PM, dbrown84 said:

After taking all 9 of my previous cruises on NCL, I'm now giving MSC (next month) and carnival (in November) a shot.  In addition to neither charging an admin fee, MSC also don't charge you for port fees and taxes.  If I'm impressed with either, it could be the end of NCL with me

 

I'm of the same mind.  I'll be on the Joy in 4 days, but not going to chase any comps* or casino action anymore as the NCL offer ROI of spending time/money in the casino just isn't there anymore.  I've pivoted to Princess, but since I'm out of NY, I'm looking at MSC as well.

 

(Yes, we all know we should never chase comps, but after a lot of NCL cruising, there's always that little devil on your shoulder telling you to maintain or advance your level so you can score the next cruise at a big discount).

[Sunseeker810]

My biggest issue with CAS is the $20 daily "administrative fee".  I used to think that it covered my free drinks in the casino, but not anymore!

[SplashOfWater]

14 hours ago, Sunseeker810 said:

My biggest issue with CAS is the $20 daily "administrative fee".  I used to think that it covered my free drinks in the casino, but not anymore!

We moved over to Royal Caribbean, and only pay port fees and taxes on casino comp cruises.

[BirdTravels]

On 5/27/2024 at 5:35 PM, dbrown84 said:

I'm now giving MSC (next month) and carnival (in November) a shot.  In addition to neither charging an admin fee, MSC also don't charge you for port fees and taxes.  If I'm impressed with either, it could be the end of NCL with me.  

 

Didn't MSC have you pay the $400 non-refundable deposit? Yes, it turns into $400 non-refundable OBC, but it's $400 that I would not really spend. MSC also has no other perks other than getting points for your next cruise. 

 

You need to earn a lot of points on one cruise to get their drinks package

[dbrown84]

9 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

 

Didn't MSC have you pay the $400 non-refundable deposit? Yes, it turns into $400 non-refundable OBC, but it's $400 that I would not really spend. MSC also has no other perks other than getting points for your next cruise. 

 

You need to earn a lot of points on one cruise to get their drinks package

yes, I had to put a $400 deposit, which will cover my hotel fees and I'll cash out the rest if I don't use it.  As for drinks, they are included, which is what NCL just took away