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Comparing casino programs among different cruise lines


Daghis
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Wow Barbara that seems complicated. I love being able to call NCL and ask what I qualify for. Usually a balcony room on any cruise. So far we did inside room for Alaska and balcony is booked for Caribbean. We hardly gambled on the first cruise so that’s why we got the inside room on Alaska. They also threw in drink cards for both of us even though we aren’t at that level. It was nice and painless.

 

 

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Thanks, Karima. From reading this thread, sounds like my family and I will probably have to switch to Norwegian. Complicated is putting it nicely :). When we initially introduced ourselves to the Assistant Host and asked about the program, she couldn't have been more unwelcoming. We both felt as though we were annoying her by asking a simple question, we couldn't understand her behavior since it was so unlike any casino host I've ever known. I even asked for the host and assistant host's name in another thread prior to sailing because I fully intended to earn the free cruise and always like to give the hosts a thank you gift. I still don't get it, but thank you for the insight on Norwegian. Have a good day.

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  • 3 weeks later...

No mention of Princess Cruises here...

 

I'm a small stakes blackjack player (with the concessional Video Poker run), In 15 Princess cruises I've only had one casino offer for a discounted cabin. It was a mass mailing, not a specific offer for me. The offer amounted to about 50% off my best normal booking rate.

 

Since the casinos on the last two ships I've sailed have gone to 6-5 Blackjack (some with $6 minimum... do the math!) for under $25 tables (which were rarely open) I have not played on my last two trips.

 

I'm curious about incentives offered to others on Princess.

Does Princess offer huge comps for the top-tier players? Not-so-top tier players?

Is it worth it for me to go to the $25 tables?

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Only play at the level you are comfortable with - I am not a high roller, quarter video poker and low limit blackjack tables put I do play pretty much every night and usually go on long (14 - 21 day cruises). I always get an offer the next to last day of the cruise for a "casino cash" offer. Discounted interior room with ability to up sell and usually $400 to $600 cash when I get to the casino on that cruise.

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How are the slot machines on NCL?

 

Celebrity has replaced quite a few slot machines and I didn't see one 1099 hand out. Not to mention, those that I played with on and off during the cruise were also not too happy with the machines. Especially with the small payouts getting smaller and less frequent after day two. Very noticeable if you play every day and for good amount of time :( Does anyone know if something changed with the craps table? It's usually a big event around the table...very, very quiet this cruise. :confused:

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How are the slot machines on NCL?

 

 

 

Celebrity has replaced quite a few slot machines and I didn't see one 1099 hand out. Not to mention, those that I played with on and off during the cruise were also not too happy with the machines. Especially with the small payouts getting smaller and less frequent after day two. Very noticeable if you play every day and for good amount of time :( Does anyone know if something changed with the craps table? It's usually a big event around the table...very, very quiet this cruise. :confused:

 

 

 

I had three handpays on my most recent Celebrity cruise in May.

 

 

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I had three handpays on my most recent Celebrity cruise in May.

 

 

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Just coming back to say - I felt the end of the cruise goodies were much improved.

 

Sadly, this is the second cruise this year where I did not see one payout...or even hear whoops and hollers from another area.

 

May I ask...casino only...do you prefer Celebrity or NCL? Thanks!

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Just coming back to say - I felt the end of the cruise goodies were much improved.

 

 

 

Sadly, this is the second cruise this year where I did not see one payout...or even hear whoops and hollers from another area.

 

 

 

May I ask...casino only...do you prefer Celebrity or NCL? Thanks!

 

 

 

Celebrity, for now. We did NCL from 2008 to 2011 and got some really great deals through Casinos at Sea for discounts on cruise fare; not so much with onboard perks. But after our 2011 cruise on Epic they were giving us really measly offers so we moved on and tried Celebrity. They've been pretty good with the cruise fare offers and their new tiered program has added on a lot of great onboard perks.

 

As far as winning though. I never won anything on NCL but with Celebrity I usually get about 3-4 handpays per cruise. I've never come home from any cruise ahead of the game (the odds are against you when sailing for 10-14 nights and playing everyday) but with Celebrity (and Princess) I've at least come home several times with a chunk of my money still left. NCL always wiped me out.

 

We are trying NCL again in January via a special rate we got through a local casino so we'll see how they rate 7 years later. Already have 3 Celebrity cruises reserved over the next 14 months though so will still be loyal to them for awhile.

 

 

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Celebrity, for now. We did NCL from 2008 to 2011 and got some really great deals through Casinos at Sea for discounts on cruise fare; not so much with onboard perks. But after our 2011 cruise on Epic they were giving us really measly offers so we moved on and tried Celebrity. They've been pretty good with the cruise fare offers and their new tiered program has added on a lot of great onboard perks.

 

As far as winning though. I never won anything on NCL but with Celebrity I usually get about 3-4 handpays per cruise. I've never come home from any cruise ahead of the game (the odds are against you when sailing for 10-14 nights and playing everyday) but with Celebrity (and Princess) I've at least come home several times with a chunk of my money still left. NCL always wiped me out.

 

We are trying NCL again in January via a special rate we got through a local casino so we'll see how they rate 7 years later. Already have 3 Celebrity cruises reserved over the next 14 months though so will still be loyal to them for awhile.

 

 

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Thanks! Interested in what / if any changes have improved on NCL.

 

Wishing you many payouts in the next 14 months!!!!

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WOW!!!! I really have to look into NCL. Will they recognized a player from another cruise line? Thnx!

 

Do you have any status with CET (Caesars/Harrahs casinos)? They give cruise discounts to players with Platinum/Diamond or SevenStar status. That would get you onboard as a CAS invited guest and I believe they would even start you with the free drinks in casino card.

 

From CET's website, Call Norwegian Cruise Line’s Casino Reservation Center at 877-742-9519 to book and be sure to provide your Total Rewards number to receive your discount.

 

NCL also shares the Casino at Seas Reward program with Oceania and Regent Seven Seas if you have ever cruised with them. Here is a link to the CAS program page:

 

 

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

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Do you have any status with CET (Caesars/Harrahs casinos)? They give cruise discounts to players with Platinum/Diamond or SevenStar status. That would get you onboard as a CAS invited guest and I believe they would even start you with the free drinks in casino card.

 

From CET's website, Call Norwegian Cruise Line’s Casino Reservation Center at 877-742-9519 to book and be sure to provide your Total Rewards number to receive your discount.

 

NCL also shares the Casino at Seas Reward program with Oceania and Regent Seven Seas if you have ever cruised with them. Here is a link to the CAS program page:

 

 

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

Thanks! Sadly, not a member of either. :(

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Celebrity's Blue Chip Club just changed their system back in April to become more like a land-based casino with different tiered levels. Based on your play with them going back 18 months they determined a rating for you as of April. You remain at that level until June 2018 when they will do another assessment based on your play since the new program started. My husband and I each qualified for Sapphire level based on prior play which is the second highest. It entitled us to all sorts of nice benefits while onboard including: $1000 each in free play, 1 free specialty meal for 2 each, free unlimited internet each, free classic beverage package each, $100 spa credit each, $50 laundry credit each, access to Michael's Club, priority embark and debark, shoreside concierge service, 20% off for friends and family reservations, welcome gift in cabin, fees waived for cash advances, VIP tender tickets, plus the standard ability to turn points earned during the cruise into free play. Since we cruise in suites, often in upper level suites, many of these benefits overlap and aren't always useful to us.

 

Also, at the end of each cruise the Casino Manager will evaluate your play and may make an offer to you for a future cruise. We took a 10 night cruise this past May (casino only open 9 nights of the cruise) and based on our combined play we earned a free 7 night cruise in a Sky Suite. There are no restrictions on which cruise you take but the cruise must depart within one year from the certificate date of issue. You are just responsible for port charges and taxes. There are no admin fees. Now you can upgrade to a different cabin category or to a different cruise length but when you do your offer reverts to a monetary value that gets deducted from the overall cruise price. The Sky Suite value is only $1750 per person based on what a Blue Chip agent told me which was ridiculously low. You can earn certificates for a higher number of nights, I know there was definitely 10 nights that was a reward possibility, not sure if there was above that. Sky Suite is the highest cabin category you can earn though. But maybe that was the limits for Sapphire category which we were in. Perhaps you can earn higher rewards if you are in the top category, Ruby.

 

 

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I was talking to the Casino Host on the Allure last week and she mentioned that Royal is looking to go to a system like this soon. Guess they are letting their sister company try it first to see how it works.

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I have been offered a "free" cruise from Foxwoods on NCL. Wondering what charges to anticipate having to pay? It is a 3 hour trip to the casino and I was unable to get a comped room on the night that I must pick up the certificate. It is for an inside room so obviously I am not a high roller and only visited Foxwoods 2x this year and this is the first offer. Would love to pick up certificate if it seems worthwhile.

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I have been offered a "free" cruise from Foxwoods on NCL. Wondering what charges to anticipate having to pay? It is a 3 hour trip to the casino and I was unable to get a comped room on the night that I must pick up the certificate. It is for an inside room so obviously I am not a high roller and only visited Foxwoods 2x this year and this is the first offer. Would love to pick up certificate if it seems worthwhile.

 

 

 

On the land-based casino cruise offer for NCL that I am booked on currently the taxes and fees were around $300 per person.

 

 

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For a one week cruise you will pay $20 per person/per day admin fee plus port fees/taxes. You can do a mock booking at NCL.com and see what port fees/taxes are for a cruise you are interested in. The $20 pp/pd are the same for someone comped an Inside or Oceanview or whatever type of cabin.

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  • 1 month later...

Just finished our 2nd MSC cruise thru URCOMPED. It is a great deal. Free=free. No port charges, taxes or administration fees (unlike NCL). It's only a $200/pp deposit which turns into onboard credit . $2.50 to earn a credit in the casino-they are a fair casinos without wins held against you. Now we get offers from MSC too

If you need a MSC or URCOMPED contact person, just let me know

Safe sailing

 

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Just finished our 2nd MSC cruise thru URCOMPED. It is a great deal. Free=free. No port charges, taxes or administration fees (unlike NCL). It's only a $200/pp deposit which turns into onboard credit . $2.50 to earn a credit in the casino-they are a fair casinos without wins held against you. Now we get offers from MSC too

If you need a MSC or URCOMPED contact person, just let me know

Safe sailing

 

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Hi Spidybabe, Thanks for the info, have a couple of questions if you would be so kind. I understand we need to send URCOMPED copies of our offers from other cruise lines. Would a balcony offer on NCL or RCCL, for example, typically equal a balcony on MSC? Based on the $2.50/point, do you know approximately how many points MSC requires to comp an inside, oceanview, and balcony? Thank you.

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I just wanted to give you an upgrade on the points required on board to receive a Free Cruise Certificate or Cruise Discount.

 

o 1,999 Dream Points 30% Cabin Discount

 

o 9`999 Dream Points FFC Interior Stateroom Bella Experience

 

o 14`999 Dream Points FFC Ocean View Stateroom Bella Experience

 

o 19`999 Dream Points FFC Balcony Stateroom Bella Experience

 

o 29`999 Dream Points FFC Suite Stateroom Aurea Experience

 

o 44`999 Dream Points FFC MSC Yacht Club Deluxe Suite

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Just finished our 2nd MSC cruise thru URCOMPED. It is a great deal. Free=free. No port charges, taxes or administration fees (unlike NCL). It's only a $200/pp deposit which turns into onboard credit . $2.50 to earn a credit in the casino-they are a fair casinos without wins held against you. Now we get offers from MSC too

If you need a MSC or URCOMPED contact person, just let me know

Safe sailing

 

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Can you confirm what I have seen on these boards previously, are there no craps tables on MSC ships? (at least the one/one's you have been on).

 

Thank you

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