First time booking thru CAS

[bonniemari]

We got an offer from Harrah's and CAS. Anything special I need to know about? We booked the NCL Star 3/3/13 and upgraded to a balcony from the inside that was included in the certificate from Harrah's.

 

It will be my 5th NCL cruise but I haven't sailed with NCL since October, 2005 when we sailed on the POA Hawaii. I know some things have changed so I guess I need to get busy reading the NCL boards.

[EileenN]

Be sure to introduce yourself at the pier as a "Casino At Sea Guest" when arriving at terminal. You will be boarded as a VIP. Check out if Casino has a Welcome meeting and introduce yourself to the Manager and Hosts. Midway thru you should ask about being treated to dinner at a Speciality Restaurant and they will set it up if you have earned enough credits. Do try a Bailey's Creme Colada before bed.

[cookmg40]

Be sure to introduce yourself at the pier as a "Casino At Sea Guest" when arriving at terminal. You will be boarded as a VIP. Check out if Casino has a Welcome meeting and introduce yourself to the Manager and Hosts. Midway thru you should ask about being treated to dinner at a Speciality Restaurant and they will set it up if you have earned enough credits. Do try a Bailey's Creme Colada before bed.

 

I want to "like" your post. Good info!

[bonniemari]

Thanks for that info Eileen.

[Nalagh]

Here is a bit more info, you might know it already, but if not here it is.

 

drink card,

They must be earned every cruise if you are not entitled to them to begin with. Those that are entitled to the drink card straight away areHarrah’s tiered discount bookings of Platinum or higher or bookings made with certificates or through the casino.

Below are the details of our players program from the web site

Why is our Casinos At Sea Players Club the most rewarding program at sea? Three words... Instant Cruise Rewards.

Oh and as luck would have it... your membership is FREE.

When you add in our amazing destinations, ground breaking entertainment, the widest range of accommodations at sea and the freedom to enjoy it all on your terms with Freestyle Cruising, you'll be sailing towards a hot streak.

Here's how this Players Club can work for you:

 

• Use your Players Club Card while playing your favorite slot machines and table games, and quickly accumulate
  "Casinos at Sea Rewards." The more you play, the more you earn.
  
• Rewards can be redeemed for amenities such as spa treatments, dinners in our specialty restaurants or even for a future cruise.
  
• Gain access to your Casinos At Sea account right at your slot machine, and download points for play.
  
• Table game players earn rewards based on tracked play at most of games. Present your Casinos At Sea Players Club card prior to each gaming session at the tables.
  
• Earn a complimentary drink card in the Casino**
  
  • Earn 1500 Points to be awarded a drink card for all sailings 5 days or greater
    
  • Earn 750 Points to be awarded a drink card for all sailings 4 days or less
    

  [*] Complimentary credit to your onboard folio (restrictions apply)

  • Earn 2500 Points to redeem from folio for all ships with sailings 5 days or greater
    
  • Earn 1000 Points to redeem from folio for all ships with sailings 4 days or less
    

  [*] Points can be transferred from ship to ship

  [*] Based on your play, your Casinos At Sea status level may be upgraded to Bronze, Gold or Platinum for even more casino offers

* Drink card is valid for house drinks

** Points transferred between ships are not included to reach the minimum criteria for each cruise length

Tiered Reward Program

Tier

Color

Seabucks

1st Tier

Purple

 

2nd Tier

Bronze

8,000

3rd Tier

Gold

40,000

Highest Tier

Platinum

200,000

Earn Casinos At Sea Rewards

The more you play, the more rewards you earn

Table Games - Based on Avg Bet/Time/Game

Reel Slots - $5 Coin In = 1 Reward

Video Poker - $10 Coin In = 1 Reward

Tier elevations are based on Seabucks earned within 12 months

Casinos At Sea Rewards are valid for 18 months from date of earning

 

 

 

 

There is also a rum punch party, 5:30 ish the first day. You can get your players card and cash in any casino vouchers or

 

casino credits bought through bonvoyage gifts. (see link below, just scroll down)

 

 

 

Remember that 3% charges apply when you use you on board account for cash at the casino. You may want to bring cash with you, or if you do not with to carry large sums of money, you can wire funds ahead of time.

 

 

 

 

http://www2.ncl.com/freestyle-cruise/bon-voyage-gifts

 

 

Cherie

 

[che5904]

Be sure to introduce yourself at the pier as a "Casino At Sea Guest" when arriving at terminal. You will be boarded as a VIP.

 

This information isn't completely accurate depending on what you mean by "boarded as a VIP" It may depend on the port. But both CAS (through Harrahs) cruises I have taken there was a dedicated line for check in for CAS. I was not boarded any different than every other non-suite guest. And I didn't have to introduce myself as a CAS guest to anyone, it was right on my boarding docs that they requested as soon as I went through security, so that may not be necessary.

 

I will agree that the CAS welcome party was very informative if you haven't booked through CAS before.

[bonniemari]

Nice to know I will get a drink card to use when I am playing in the casino. Not that big of a drinker but it's nice to sip on a drink while playing. I was told that my spouse would get the drink card also. I am Diamond with Harrah's and he is Platinum but the offer from Harrah's mine, so I don't know if him getting the drink card is true or not.

 

I am so used to doing traditional dining (28 Carnival cruises) that the freestyle is going to be so different for me. I know we will try at least a couple of the specialty restaurants.

[che5904]

Nice to know I will get a drink card to use when I am playing in the casino. Not that big of a drinker but it's nice to sip on a drink while playing. I was told that my spouse would get the drink card also. I am Diamond with Harrah's and he is Platinum but the offer from Harrah's mine, so I don't know if him getting the drink card is true or not.

 

I am so used to doing traditional dining (28 Carnival cruises) that the freestyle is going to be so different for me. I know we will try at least a couple of the specialty restaurants.

 

You or your spouses status at Harrahs means nothing to CAS except Harrahs has offered you the cruise because of your status. Yes your spouse will also get a drink card to be used while playing in the casino.

 

Nothing to get used to with freestyle if you ever eat in land based restaurants works the exact same way.

 

Freestyle dining is the same as land based restaurants. You walk to whichever main diningroom you choose during open hours (posted in your dailies), go to the host/hostess and asked to be seated. You will be seated at a table suited for the number in your party. Or make reservations at a specialty, additional pay restaurant during the hours they are open (again posted in your dailies) go to the host/hostess give your name and again be seated at a table suited for the number in your party. Or another option is go to the light meal restaurant (24 hr dining venue) for some wings as your apetizer, walk to one of the main dining rooms for your entree and grab some ice cream from the buffet for desert

[Abear2]

Whoever you booked with you will also have a drink card waiting in your room. It is usually with all the other papers/envelopes on your bed when you arrive! You should also have a plate of cookies from the casino in your room! Just thought I would add that lil bit of info! :) I always book through Casino marketing, But when I get my Harrah's free cruises, it all works the same! Have a great cruise!

[geneticfreak]

The VIP boarding is port dependent. In New York, after going through the much shorter dedicated check in line, they held us in a separate room and we boarded before the suite guests. In Southampton, they had no idea what I was even talking about.

 

 

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[jaja]

The VIP boarding is port dependent. In New York, after going through the much shorter dedicated check in line, they held us in a separate room and we boarded before the suite guests. In Southampton, they had no idea what I was even talking about.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

 

On recent NYC sailing..went to VIP boarding line..did NOT go to separate room ....BUT was given boarding #1 card...(though I do believe all numbers were boarded after suite PAX)

[riddle]

Not all ships have a special greeting - we just sailed on the Epic through a free CAS cruise and there was no meeting. Same for Latitudes. I heard it was because the number of passengers was too large.

 

We did receive candy one day and cookies another day from CAS. We have received more in the past but that was not when we were on a free cruise so I am certainly not complaining.

 

By the way, the casino on the Epic can get quite crowded. A little hint - I play mostly video poker and the seat at the bar are farther from the noise and not as close together and the bartender keeps the drinks coming. They were great bartenders by the way.