Russiamomm

I agree that they appear to have listened to all the complaints and are maki g changes. If indeed this is an upgrade to FAS+ it is indeed a major improvement for Ruby and Elite. I’m only a lowly Pearl. I just earned it in December after several cruises during the year. It’s unlikely I’ll retain the status this year. I’m not that heavy of a gambler and only have two NCL/Oceania cruises booked this year and no time on the calendar for any more. My question is that it appears that only Pearl and above qualify for any kind of discount of any kind on new bookings. Jade is gone. This is a change. Even though I’ve never reached Pearl before last year, I have received at least a discount, and the occasional comp, through CAS for years. It looks to me like that’s gone. We’ll see.

This is a little outdated as the terms are changing on Monday, but this gives the basics. There may be more info in Oceania and Regents websites as well. https://www.ncl.com/why-cruise-norwegian/casino-cruise/players-club

No reciprocity between the lines except for the casino. Sorry!

Maybe. But that’s not what’s on the ship. It’s the artificial stuff. They do have half and half in thermoses on the buffet. I suppose one could bring a glass back to the room.

First, the spa is not a public space that is available to everyone. It is available to those who pay for access - same as the Haven, albeit on a smaller scale. On the “in your face” comment, there are limited doors into the Haven area. Usually one or two on two decks. Not sure how that’ll “in your face”. Would you prefer the doors not be marked? On the substance, I’ve been in the Haven four times - soon to be five. Also have been on at least ten NCL cruises when I wasn’t in the Haven, in cabins ranging from a studio to an Oceanview to a balcony and a club balcony. I’ve enjoyed every one of them. Do I love the Haven? Absolutely. But I somehow manage to have fun when I’m not there. And has been stated by others, we’ve worked our entire lives to be able to afford this luxury and it’s our choice how we choose to spend the capital that we’ve spent a lifetime accumulating. I refuse to feel guilty for it. Do you feel the same way about people in first class on an airplane? I’m afraid I’m not seeing the difference.

Thanks for the advice. I’ve been in the Haven three times but never took advantage of this. Took all of five minutes and have preferences noted. Love it!

So glad they seem to be returning to half and half! Around a year ago they moved to only Coffee Mate. Ick. Maybe they heard the complaints!

Not a problem. But generally speaking it’s best to start a new topic as things could have changed. As I said, I loved everything about the Haven on the Joy, but obviously your mileage may vary, as is evident from this and other threads.

I do have to ask why we’re resurrecting a thread that has been dead for two years. But, regardless, personally I love the Joy Haven. Been in it twice and will be again in just over three weeks. I’ve also been in the Haven on the Breakaway and the Epic. The Joy is by far my favorite. In my two previous trios on her, I never had an issue finding an empty cabana, much less a lounger. And the ship was full on both sailings. I love the fact that there are two hot tubs on the sun deck. They don’t exist on the BA or the Epic. Also like the interior elevator that brings you to the sun deck. That doesn’t exist on the BA. And love the Horizon Lounge on the Joy. To each their own, but I love the Joy and its sun deck. I plan to spend lots of time up there in two and a half weeks.😃

Horrible accident. I’ve been over that bridge countless times and just passed through Baltimore twice this weekend. Prayers for all involved. While a minor issue in the big scheme of things, there are two cruise ships that go out of Baltimore - the Carnival Pride and a small RCCL ship. We saw them both this weekend. Who knows now long it will take to allow any ship in or out of Baltimore Harbor, including those two ships which are out to sea at the moment. And freight will be affected up and down the East Coast.

Thank you @UKstages and @Beach Life 1!

That’s good news anyway, if it doesn’t change again. i have a question about the OBC. My April cruise will be the first since I made Pearl in December. Does the casino OBC show up in your account online like the shareholder credit, or does it only post to your folio when you get on the ship?

Thanks for the update. To me it’s unconscionable the way this has been handled. I’ll reach out to my guy in hopes I’ll at least get the $100 OBC for my April trip, but I’m not hopeful. I’m a regular cruiser/gambler, but not a Whale. I guess I don’t count. It’s not about the money. It’s about the way this has been rolled out and the utter disregard for their loyal customers. I simply can’t believe how poorly this has been handled. I’ve had high status with the airlines for years. They would never treat their loyal customers this way.

I disagree. US law says any winning over $1200 needs a W-2. I had my first hand pay on Virgin over New Years and got a W-2. (Now I just need to remember it at tax time next year. 😂) I have heard this before - that MSC doesn’t issue them. I think it has something to do with it being an Italian line and their interpretation is that they aren’t subject to US tax rules. I’m not taking a position one way or another, but this is my understanding of MSC’s interpretation.

Yup. Not great offers, but the emails come in every day. Usually a free Oceanview with drinks in the casino. But it’s Carnival. 😂

I can’t answer that. it’s my understanding that those discounts on the drink package are pretty useless because it’s on the full price of the drink package, which virtually nobody pays. It’s cheaper to take the FAS package and just pay the gratuities. Again, I may be wrong. I always take the FAS package and have never upgraded to the premium package.

The screenshot you posted are Latitudes levels. Completely different from CAS levels, the subject of this thread.

I’m not sure your situation. If you’re elite it may be different. I’ve never been there and likely never will be. 😂. As has been stated before, it looks like they are no longer giving free drinks in the casino to CAS bookings. I believe that’s all levels. At the Ruby level it appears there’s a complimentary upgrade to the premium package. But in order to get an “upgrade” the implication is that you already have the basic package. But no one really knows at this point. You can’t get the FAS price for the basic package ($21.80 pp/pd) once you’re on the ship. You need to buy it beforehand, and it can’t be paid with OBC. Maybe others have a different take.

This would be on the normal Free at Sea beverage package. It has to be purchased and paid for before sailing. If you buy the package onboard you pay full price for the drink package. So, no, you can’t use OBC to pay for the FAS drink package.

Thanks for the additional info @UKstages. Needless to say, none of us are happy about these changes. Another thing just dawned on me. I’ve been booking through CAS for several years. Last year was the first time I made it past Jade, only because I took so many cruises last year (two transatlantics, one ten nighter and two normal seven night trips.). The chances of making Pearl again this cycle are slim. I have always gotten at least a discount on the cabin, and several “freebies”, even as Jade. It looks like that is gone as well since they got rid of the Jade tier. I may book another cruise or two while I have Pearl status, but then I’ll be done with it.

I hear you. I did one cruise on Carnival last August. I get a new offer literally every day after that one trip. But it’s Carnival. 😂. Haven’t tried MSC yet. MY have to look into it.

I completely agree. The program has been denigrated a lot in the last few years. This could be the final straw. As much as I love NCL, other lines’ casino benefits are so much better.

I hope so. We’ll see. I board April 14.

I’m with JGmf. I’m in this situation. Finally made it to Pearl in December and am sailing on April 14. My CAS rep wasn’t sure, but told me not to count on the OBC for the trip. (We booked months ago.). At least the airlines give you more than two weeks notice before they change the terms of the program. Sigh.

Yes, but they also took away the perks, primarily the OBC and the drinks. I finally made Pearl in December and am sailing in April. It appears I won’t get the OBC. This is no enhancement to the program, that’s for sure.