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NCL CAS- How many points for a free cruise?


donnabonna

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I recently went on my first cruise and earned about 700 points on my CAS card at the casino. I will be going on another in February and was hoping that perhaps after that cruise I might qualify for a free cruise? I met so many people in the casino who told me that their cruise was free through CAS. Does anyone know how many points it takes to qualify for a free or discounted cruise on NCL?

 

Thanks for your help!

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Although I am pretty new to this cruise comp thing, from my experience and those of others here that I have read about there seems to be no set formula how comps be they cruises, dinners, etc. are extended by CAS. Even though you have only one NCL cruise under your belt I would give CAS a call now to inquire if you are currently eligible for any cruise comps or discounts. You may be surprised of what they may offer, and even if it is a discount and not a comp, if it is worth it you could transfer your February cruise booking to CAS which will at least get you the free drink card. Good Luck.

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I do not think 700 points will qualify for anything unfortunately. I am pretty sure the discounts(not free) start at around 2500 points.

 

2500 points is the number of points you must accumulate during a cruise to have any of your points applied as a credit towards your final on board bill. That number has nothing to do with future comped cruises.

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I recently went on my first cruise and earned about 700 points on my CAS card at the casino. I will be going on another in February and was hoping that perhaps after that cruise I might qualify for a free cruise? I met so many people in the casino who told me that their cruise was free through CAS. Does anyone know how many points it takes to qualify for a free or discounted cruise on NCL?

 

Thanks for your help!

 

Just to be clear about things, there is no such thing as a "free" cruise through CAS. You are offered a comped cabin, but you must still pay your port charges, service fees, taxes, and of course for your excursions and specialty meals and so on.

 

Unfortunately, 700 points is not going to be enough for any on board comps at all, and even if you get the 700 again on your next cruise, I doubt that will qualify you for a "free" cruise from CAS. Although there are no publicly available sources to confirm this, my feeling after many CAS cruises is that you will need to at least double your points on every cruise to start receiving offers from them.

 

However, all is not lost. If you are a member of Ceasars/Harrah's Total Rewards and gamble regularly at their casinos, you may receive offers for NCL cruises through them. Even if you don't receive a free cruise offer, you are still entitled to a discount based on your TR status. There are also other casinos that seem to work with NCL CAS from time to time.

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  • 2 months later...

I'll be going on my second "free" cruise on NCL next week. I'm not a big spender in any way (I play Let It Ride occasionally and mostly slots at minimum bets). When I got the free cruise last year, I figure it had something to do with cross referencing names with a local casino that was giving away free cruises, nope. We went on the Epic, and loved it, they even included a free drink card that was attached to our CAS card when we got to our room. When I got the postcard this summer for a free cruise, I called to make the reservation and asked why they sent me another one, because I know I didn't spend a ton of money. She told me they rated players two ways, by amount spent and by time spent in the casino. So even by doing minimum bets, I would be in the casino for a couple of hours each night. I can't complain - the taxes/port charges for this next cruise is $250... where else can you get a 7 night cruise for that price!

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  • 1 month later...

donnabonna - I agree with the others that there are many factors that determine if you will be offered a cruise for free. I get offers from Carnival directly now and am also a member of a casino junket. You might want to look for one in your area or I can direct you if you so wish. My junket allows me to book with NCL and RCI for free. I then can choose to upgrade for an additional charge if I don't like the cabin category that they have offered. With NCL they then comp your bill based off your bill with much better comps than going through NCL alone which doesn't make common sense to me - but it somehow works. RCI sends a rebate after the cruise based on your play and hours in the casino like someone else previously mentioned. Carnival simply offers a cabin with their group sailings and often casino cash that you pick up your first night in the casino. With Carnival if it isn't a group sailing and a group offer you simply get a discount - usually about 20%.

 

With all cruise lines I've been offered a drink card for free drinks in the casino. Hope that answers your questions. If you have additional questions - let me know! :)

 

Hans

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donnabonna - I agree with the others that there are many factors that determine if you will be offered a cruise for free. I get offers from Carnival directly now and am also a member of a casino junket. You might want to look for one in your area or I can direct you if you so wish. My junket allows me to book with NCL and RCI for free. I then can choose to upgrade for an additional charge if I don't like the cabin category that they have offered. With NCL they then comp your bill based off your bill with much better comps than going through NCL alone which doesn't make common sense to me - but it somehow works. RCI sends a rebate after the cruise based on your play and hours in the casino like someone else previously mentioned. Carnival simply offers a cabin with their group sailings and often casino cash that you pick up your first night in the casino. With Carnival if it isn't a group sailing and a group offer you simply get a discount - usually about 20%.

 

With all cruise lines I've been offered a drink card for free drinks in the casino. Hope that answers your questions. If you have additional questions - let me know! :)

 

Hans

What is the junket thing you are referring to?

 

I have been offered free cruises on NCL based on my play. I am trying to upgrade but I am totally confused and I am not sure about locking in to an upgrade price and then ending up watching the price of the cruise go down and my "free cruise" becomming worthless. At least when I book and pay I can monitor prices....can this be done when you upgrade through CAS.......maybe I need on of those junket things.......

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What is the junket thing you are referring to?

 

I have been offered free cruises on NCL based on my play. I am trying to upgrade but I am totally confused and I am not sure about locking in to an upgrade price and then ending up watching the price of the cruise go down and my "free cruise" becomming worthless. At least when I book and pay I can monitor prices....can this be done when you upgrade through CAS.......maybe I need on of those junket things.......

 

Junkets are outside casino marketing companies. I am a member of several and book cruises through them based on my play. I've always received amazing deals. Choosing a free cruise offer that you have been offered through NCL depends and watching it disappear depends on what they are offering you to begin with I guess. It sounds like you may benefit from a casino marketing company as you can book with more than one cruise line. Are you a gambler outside of the cruise lines and have status with any other land based casinos? What additional questions do you have?

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Junkets are outside casino marketing companies. I am a member of several and book cruises through them based on my play. I've always received amazing deals. Choosing a free cruise offer that you have been offered through NCL depends and watching it disappear depends on what they are offering you to begin with I guess. It sounds like you may benefit from a casino marketing company as you can book with more than one cruise line. Are you a gambler outside of the cruise lines and have status with any other land based casinos? What additional questions do you have?

Yes I am a Sagamore at Mohegan Sun. I think Mohegan and Total Rewards are doing some things together because I keep getting offers to stay at the casino in AC based on my Sagamore level.......

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Yes I am a Sagamore at Mohegan Sun. I think Mohegan and Total Rewards are doing some things together because I keep getting offers to stay at the casino in AC based on my Sagamore level.......

 

I definitely think you'd get some benefit from a casino marketing company. If you know of one reach out to them or feel free to contact me and I will help any way I can. I don't think I'm allowed to mention the companies on here but feel free to email me. hanscampbell@yahoo.com

Hans

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