"New" CAS Program..Any Updates from recent curisers ?

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Were their casinos as much fun as NCL? They have many more ships... and lots more destinations....

 

Not leaving NCL, but I am a little annoyed that Mr. Sheehan ignored my last 3 emails....

 

 

.

 

Fun.... hmmm... that's a hard one to quantify. They deal BJ out of CSM's - for some that's a deal breaker - for me, it really matters not. Their ships don't have the number of specialty restaurants that NCL does. No buffalo wings... no suite perks... If those things are not critical to your enjoyment, you might give them a try.

 

If you sail with them and give strong play, talk it up some with the host and manager and kind of let them know some of your dissatisfaction with another line previously... and you never know what might come your way.

 

HERE'S a link to a thread I started regarding the changes in Carnival's casino program.

 

I am curious to see how I end up getting rated next week on the Breakaway and how this whole "levels" and "points" thing works out.

 

Tom

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

...

I am curious to see how I end up getting rated next week on the Breakaway and how this whole "levels" and "points" thing works out.

 

Tom

 

Just returned yesterday. I'm going to give it until next week before I call CAS (and wait on the phone for 30-40 minutes). By that time they should have all the info into their system from our sailing.

 

Points wise all that I know is I earned just over 1,000 points on the first night for a couple hours of play - never checking again. I noticed on my statement that the casino credited me just over $400 on the last night. The most time (in a day) that I put in was on the last night. I had planned on spending 2 hours in there but stayed for 5 as I won back most of what I had lost every other night. I was just pleased to get back to ALMOST even (from where I had been ;))!

 

Tom

[Nightengale212]

I had planned on spending 2 hours in there but stayed for 5 as I won back most of what I had lost every other night. I was just pleased to get back to ALMOST even (from where I had been ;))!

 

Tom

 

Would have loved to break even on my June Breakaway cruise but I could not hit the side of a barn door on their slots :( After that cruise I decided to give my tired fingers and bank book a rest from all casinos. August rolls around and in comes a flyer from Foxwoods with my September offers. Normally I would have tossed the flyer aside because past offers were never that great plus I have not been to this casino in over a year, but "something" prompted me to look at the flyer and the offers nearly knocked me off my chair!!!

 

My offers included a significant amount of weekly free play and some very nice gifts which included a $500 Macy's gift card. Some of these offers you have to register for online or in person, and since I had forgotten the password to my player's card needed to register for these offers and could not reset it online, hubby and I decided to take a ride to the casino the last day of August to reset my password. So our plan was to go reset the password and leave right after, but "something" told me to throw my card in a machine to see if I had any free play for August. Much to my delight out comes a ticket for $1,100. Happy as a clam I proceed to play my free play, and after all was said and done, I won back ALMOST all I had lost on the Breakaway :)

[unboringuy]

My last NCL cruise was in October; the Epic TA. I did not book through CAS, and thus did not have a drink card. My primary play in the casino was at the $25 minimum blackjack tables. I gave them a decent amount of action and I also am a "George" (ie, a generous tipper). My experience was that any drink I wanted, top shelf, was comped for me. In fact, all of the casino bartenders knew this and knew me and brought me whatever I wanted. So under those circumstances, the drink card was irrelevant (I did qualify for one, but never needed or used it).

 

I don't know if my experience was unique or not.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

My last NCL cruise was in October; the Epic TA. I did not book through CAS, and thus did not have a drink card. My primary play in the casino was at the $25 minimum blackjack tables. I gave them a decent amount of action and I also am a "George" (ie, a generous tipper). My experience was that any drink I wanted, top shelf, was comped for me. In fact, all of the casino bartenders knew this and knew me and brought me whatever I wanted. So under those circumstances, the drink card was irrelevant (I did qualify for one, but never needed or used it).

 

I don't know if my experience was unique or not.

 

We had a HOUSE drink card as a function of my LUCKY status and booking through CAS. I played at both the $25 and $50 minimum tables last week. The $25 was in a non-smoking area (a plus for us), but was a CSM game with the dealer hitting all 17's. The $50 game was in a smoking area but was a shoe game where the dealer stands on S17. I was playing the same at both tables: always played two spots of same amount bets (ranging from $75/spot up to a couple of hundred).

 

At any rate, back to the drinks... From the first night we were ordering Grey Goose and Diet Sierra Mist with no issues, tipping at least $5 for each pair of drinks brought our way (one of the reasons I play two spots is so Cheryl can sit at 3rd base with me - she does not play). On the last evening, at the $50 table, it was business as usual - other than I was actually winning! Our "favorite" waiter had gone on a long break and along comes another guy who Cheryl placed our order with. He immediately said "NO, you can't get those drinks with your card". Cheryl told him we had been all week. He said "maybe you were being told you were getting Grey Goose, but you were not". Cheryl said, if I give you this $5, will that be enough to cover the difference (between house brand and Grey Goose). He said "No, I won't do that. I will not serve you. You must go to the bar and get them yourself"! All this while I was betting at the upper end of my range that week. I am sure I could have pulled the pit person into the fray, but decided to let it go. It's not like the drinks are that pricey to begin with. When we were in lounges our preferred drink was all of $6.75 (plus tip).

 

Perhaps this waiter was new, had recently be read the riot act, or thought we were trying to set him up.. either way... WOW! I did not really care as I had several thousand of "their" chips in front of me (which was really mine that I had won back). Won't sweat the little stuff!! :cool:

 

BTW - when our preferred waiter returned he earned a green chip on the next drink order. He was quite pleased to say the least! I won't mention his name, as I don't want to cause him trouble with Miami! ;)

 

Tom

[jaja]

We had a HOUSE drink card as a function of my LUCKY status and booking through CAS.

 

 

Tom

 

 

ah-interesting....as you may recall from previous posts on CAS threads--I mentioned I was told..no drink card for me with new program (booked a year ago)..even though I booked via CAS-because I was Lucky:confused:

[bmwcmu]

ah-interesting....as you may recall from previous posts on CAS threads--I mentioned I was told..no drink card for me with new program (booked a year ago)..even though I booked via CAS-because I was Lucky:confused:

 

I too was told the same thing, no drink card even though I booked though CAS a couple months ago for our December cruise.

Please come back and let me know if you got one or not. It seems like some people get one and some don't even at the same status, which is odd.

[younglegend]

We had a HOUSE drink card as a function of my LUCKY status and booking through CAS. I played at both the $25 and $50 minimum tables last week. The $25 was in a non-smoking area (a plus for us), but was a CSM game with the dealer hitting all 17's. The $50 game was in a smoking area but was a shoe game where the dealer stands on S17. I was playing the same at both tables: always played two spots of same amount bets (ranging from $75/spot up to a couple of hundred).

 

At any rate, back to the drinks... From the first night we were ordering Grey Goose and Diet Sierra Mist with no issues, tipping at least $5 for each pair of drinks brought our way (one of the reasons I play two spots is so Cheryl can sit at 3rd base with me - she does not play). On the last evening, at the $50 table, it was business as usual - other than I was actually winning! Our "favorite" waiter had gone on a long break and along comes another guy who Cheryl placed our order with. He immediately said "NO, you can't get those drinks with your card". Cheryl told him we had been all week. He said "maybe you were being told you were getting Grey Goose, but you were not". Cheryl said, if I give you this $5, will that be enough to cover the difference (between house brand and Grey Goose). He said "No, I won't do that. I will not serve you. You must go to the bar and get them yourself"! All this while I was betting at the upper end of my range that week. I am sure I could have pulled the pit person into the fray, but decided to let it go. It's not like the drinks are that pricey to begin with. When we were in lounges our preferred drink was all of $6.75 (plus tip).

 

Perhaps this waiter was new, had recently be read the riot act, or thought we were trying to set him up.. either way... WOW! I did not really care as I had several thousand of "their" chips in front of me (which was really mine that I had won back). Won't sweat the little stuff!! :cool:

 

BTW - when our preferred waiter returned he earned a green chip on the next drink order. He was quite pleased to say the least! I won't mention his name, as I don't want to cause him trouble with Miami! ;)

 

Tom

 

That's interesting because any time I tried to order a premium label I was denied. I also had the lucky tier and a house drink card.

 

I found earning points to be very difficult on tables. Slot play is much much easier. It does seem that time played is a weighted much more than average bet with this system.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

That's interesting because any time I tried to order a premium label I was denied. I also had the lucky tier and a house drink card.

 

I found earning points to be very difficult on tables. Slot play is much much easier. It does seem that time played is a weighted much more than average bet with this system.

 

What was the minimum bet level at the table you were at, and were you playing above that level? Not sure how all that plays into things. I usually buy in for $1,000 to start, with $125 per spot (times two). With luck I don't have to buy in for more, though at that level if luck does not find you quickly, you're soon to be reaching back into your pocket! I also, early on, place a few $5 side bets for the dealer - I think that helps.

 

Of course, the waiter is not aware or concerned with that - that's more for the benefit of not only the dealer, but the pit people..."pre-purchasing" some goodwill if you will. :)

 

Tom

[younglegend]

What was the minimum bet level at the table you were at, and were you playing above that level? Not sure how all that plays into things. I usually buy in for $1,000 to start, with $125 per spot (times two). With luck I don't have to buy in for more, though at that level if luck does not find you quickly, you're soon to be reaching back into your pocket! I also, early on, place a few $5 side bets for the dealer - I think that helps.

 

Of course, the waiter is not aware or concerned with that - that's more for the benefit of not only the dealer, but the pit people..."pre-purchasing" some goodwill if you will. :)

 

Tom

 

Good points. I typically played at the $50 min. tables with the shoe

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[jaja]

I too was told the same thing, no drink card even though I booked though CAS a couple months ago for our December cruise.

Please come back and let me know if you got one or not. It seems like some people get one and some don't even at the same status, which is odd.

 

Will do.;)

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Just returned yesterday. I'm going to give it until next week before I call CAS (and wait on the phone for 30-40 minutes). By that time they should have all the info into their system from our sailing.

 

Points wise all that I know is I earned just over 1,000 points on the first night for a couple hours of play - never checking again. I noticed on my statement that the casino credited me just over $400 on the last night. The most time (in a day) that I put in was on the last night. I had planned on spending 2 hours in there but stayed for 5 as I won back most of what I had lost every other night. I was just pleased to get back to ALMOST even (from where I had been ;))!

 

Tom

 

Well, the "numbers" are in. I managed to earn just shy of 12,000 points. Not too bad I suppose, starting from -0-. They indicated that my theo for that sailing was $3200. Fortunately I did not donate quite that much.

 

That cruise was a fully comped aft corner suite. While I played (more hours/higher bet) than I did on the 3-night Sky sailing which "earned" us the free cruise, I fortunately did not hemorrhage like I had on that short cruise --- therefore they merely discounted our May sailing (same cabin) on the Getaway by about $2,500 rather than a full comp.

 

We might sneak in a quickie on the Sky before the end of March so that I can top the 15,001 point and be "Golden" for the Getaway. It's my understanding that my points, at the end of March, will zero out again - but the tier level I reach by that point is good until the end of the next period (3/31/15), correct?

 

Tom

[sjbdtz]

It's my understanding that my points, at the end of March, will zero out again - but the tier level I reach by that point is good until the end of the next period (3/31/15), correct?

 

Tom

 

 

Yes, I think you're right. In my case I'm Golden now, but have to earn a bunch on my next Breakaway to keep Golden, because some of my currently-counted play was from Feb'13, before they start counting for 2014.

 

It's too bad that you don't earn it during a period, and get to enjoy it for the full next period PLUS the remaining portion of the current period.

 

That's what Starwood does with hotel tier.

 

 

.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Yes, I think you're right. In my case I'm Golden now, but have to earn a bunch on my next Breakaway to keep Golden, because some of my currently-counted play was from Feb'13, before they start counting for 2014.

 

It's too bad that you don't earn it during a period, and get to enjoy it for the full next period PLUS the remaining portion of the current period.

 

That's what Starwood does with hotel tier.

 

 

.

 

If they had had the casino open 7 nights instead of 5 (darn Bermuda... but at least changes are in the works), I'd probably have made it to Golden. This is where the Sky might come in handy!!

 

Tom

[Fishbait17]

Yes, I think you're right. In my case I'm Golden now, but have to earn a bunch on my next Breakaway to keep Golden, because some of my currently-counted play was from Feb'13, before they start counting for 2014.

 

It's too bad that you don't earn it during a period, and get to enjoy it for the full next period PLUS the remaining portion of the current period.

 

That's what Starwood does with hotel tier.

 

 

.

 

It actually works out a lot better for me than Starwood (and other "normal" loyalty programs like TR, United, AA, etc - I have been Plat SPG since its inception and top level on UA/legacy CO for more than 24 years). I only had a single sailing in CAS's "evaluation" period 2012-2013 year with about 8000 points, so was HOT on my BA sailing this new evaluation year(2013-2014), where I earned another 12,000 points. I am now Golden (with 20,000 points because the two were combined) until at least May 2014, instead of just Hot with 12,000 points toward Golden (which is where I would be if it worked like standard loyalty programs). And I have until next May to bump up to VIP. As long as I earn at least another 3000 points by next May, I will stay Golden for another year. Good deal for me. I'm not complaining because it looks like your qualifying CAS points last for two years instead of one right now. But if they would set some threshold for "lifetime" status like standard loyalty programs, I'd be thrilled! Lol

 

Now, if I could only sail soon! I have money burning a hole in my pockets :D. Been stuck in the house since June taking care of an ill family member...

 

Robin

[hpecorari]

" 's my understanding that my points, at the end of March, will zero out again - but the tier level I reach by that point is good until the end of the next period (3/31/15), correct?

Tom

 

I get confused here because here at this website:

http://www.ncl.com/freestyle-cruise/casinos-at-sea/players-club

at the bottom it says:

 

HOW DO THE TIER ELEVATIONS WORK?

Tier elevations are based on reward points earned within 12 months. The evaluation period is April 1 – March 31.

 

But then under it says:

 

EARNING YOUR POINTS IS EASY.

 

Tier elevations are based on reward points earned within 12 months, and are valid for 18 months from date of earning.

So my take on this is that since I jumped from Golden to VIP on my Breakaway cruise last June that my date of earning VIP is June 2013. According to what is above my Tier of VIP is good for 18 months from June 2013 since that was my date of earning VIP.

 

I spoke to CAS and they said as of March 31 my current Tier will no longer be valid unless I've earned the tier again during the 12 month evaluation period.

 

Yet, it says that 'tier elevations are valad for 18 months FROM DATE OF EARNING.

 

So, I'm confused. No, that's not true. I understand what it means......CAS seems confused! LOL

[loopy]

How can I find out my casino status? I'm not a high roller but I have spent some money in there on a few cruises.

 

Also, do they work with the Harrah's casino card? I thought I read somewhere that they do.

[hpecorari]

How can I find out my casino status? I'm not a high roller but I have spent some money in there on a few cruises.

 

Also, do they work with the Harrah's casino card? I thought I read somewhere that they do.

 

You need to call CAS and give them your latitudes number and they can tell you what your status is.

 

None of your play on the cruise ships go towards your Harrah's card/points and none of your Harrah's play goes towards your CAS card.

 

I wish they were intertwined and all points were mingled together!

 

Harriet

[Fishbait17]

How can I find out my casino status? I'm not a high roller but I have spent some money in there on a few cruises.

 

Also, do they work with the Harrah's casino card? I thought I read somewhere that they do.

 

If you used a CAS card to track your play, you can call or email CAS to get your points and tier level. CAS doesn't really work at all with Harrah's (now Caesar's) Total Rewards. You can get a discount (or possibly a comp if you are Seven Star or pick up an NCl certificate when you are offered one) on NCL cruises based on your TR tier level by looking at your TR account online or calling your TR host, but otherwise they don't share any benefits. Too bad, lol, I am a high level Diamond in TR and Golden (soon to be VIp I hope!) in CAS, combining would probably bring me to Seven Star in an average year!:D lol

 

 

Robin

[sjbdtz]

It actually works out a lot better for me than Starwood (and other "normal" loyalty programs like TR, United, AA, etc - I have been Plat SPG since its inception and top level on UA/legacy CO for more than 24 years). I only had a single sailing in CAS's "evaluation" period 2012-2013 year with about 8000 points, so was HOT on my BA sailing this new evaluation year(2013-2014), where I earned another 12,000 points. I am now Golden (with 20,000 points because the two were combined) until at least May 2014, instead of just Hot with 12,000 points toward Golden (which is where I would be if it worked like standard loyalty programs). And I have until next May to bump up to VIP. As long as I earn at least another 3000 points by next May, I will stay Golden for another year. Good deal for me. I'm not complaining because it looks like your qualifying CAS points last for two years instead of one right now. But if they would set some threshold for "lifetime" status like standard loyalty programs, I'd be thrilled! Lol

 

Now, if I could only sail soon! I have money burning a hole in my pockets :D. Been stuck in the house since June taking care of an ill family member...

 

Robin

 

Hi Robin, I'm not sure what you mean by the quote in red, above. I got to Golden in July 2013, based on play during the 2012-2013 qualifying period, PLUS play during the 2013 - 2014 qualifying period.

 

I will lose that status on March 31, 2014 unless I re-qualify from April 1 2013 - Mar 31 2013.

 

So it's not 2 years... it's 9 months.

 

With SPG, if I qualified in Feb to Platinum, I would get the benefits immediately, AND they would carry-through over the full next benefit period (close to 2 years).

 

I should get Lifetime Gold at SPG next year, and then working on Lifetime Platinum. :)

 

I agree....NCL should have a Lifetime Golden threshold! :)

 

 

 

 

I get confused here because here at this website:

http://www.ncl.com/freestyle-cruise/casinos-at-sea/players-club

at the bottom it says:

 

HOW DO THE TIER ELEVATIONS WORK?

Tier elevations are based on reward points earned within 12 months. The evaluation period is April 1 – March 31.

 

But then under it says:

 

EARNING YOUR POINTS IS EASY.

 

Tier elevations are based on reward points earned within 12 months, and are valid for 18 months from date of earning.

 

So my take on this is that since I jumped from Golden to VIP on my Breakaway cruise last June that my date of earning VIP is June 2013. According to what is above my Tier of VIP is good for 18 months from June 2013 since that was my date of earning VIP.

 

I spoke to CAS and they said as of March 31 my current Tier will no longer be valid unless I've earned the tier again during the 12 month evaluation period.

 

Yet, it says that 'tier elevations are valad for 18 months FROM DATE OF EARNING.

 

So, I'm confused. No, that's not true. I understand what it means......CAS seems confused! LOL

 

 

Your reward points are valid for 18 months. Your tier elevation is valid during the reward period, based on the immediately-prior qualifying period.

 

 

Stephen

 

.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

...

Your reward points are valid for 18 months. Your tier elevation is valid during the reward period, based on the immediately-prior qualifying period.

 

 

Stephen

 

.

 

So, if I take my (nearly) 12,000 Breakaway points from last month, add in some (February?) points from the Sky --- say 3,500 .... I should become Golden during that Sky sailing. Can I assume I'll keep that Golden status for my May 2014 Getaway sailing and indeed up until 3/31/15??

 

Tom

[hpecorari]

Harriet quoted NCL website: Tier elevations are based on reward points earned within 12 months, and are valid for 18 months from date of earning.

 

 

 

Stephen said:

Your reward points are valid for 18 months. Your tier elevation is valid during the reward period, based on the immediately-prior qualifying period.

 

 

Harriet is now saying: But it doesn't say ONLY reward points are valid for 18 months from date of earning. It says Tier elevations are based on them and are valid for 18 months from date of earning. Okay, explain this to me because I'm still confused.

 

I was Golden in June 2013 when I went on my cruise. I went on the Breakaway and became VIP during that cruise in June 2013. I earned VIP in June 2013 - that would be my date of earning, right? So I should be VIP for the next 18 months after June 2013 as that is when I earned it, right? Or am I only VIP until March 31st, 2014 and not 18 months from June 2013?

 

Are you saying that I'm VIP only until March 31, 2014 and then, depending on my play from April 1st 2013 to March 31, 2014 would determine my Tier Level as of April 1st 2014?

 

Harriet

[Fishbait17]

Hi Robin, I'm not sure what you mean by the quote in red, above. I got to Golden in July 2013, based on play during the 2012-2013 qualifying period, PLUS play during the 2013 - 2014 qualifying period.

 

I will lose that status on March 31, 2014 unless I re-qualify from April 1 2013 - Mar 31 2013.

 

So it's not 2 years... it's 9 months.

 

With SPG, if I qualified in Feb to Platinum, I would get the benefits immediately, AND they would carry-through over the full next benefit period (close to 2 years).

 

I should get Lifetime Gold at SPG next year, and then working on Lifetime Platinum. :)

 

I agree....NCL should have a Lifetime Golden threshold! :)

 

Stephen

 

.

 

That's not the way I see it working, or how its working for me.. First, qualifying in Feb for SPG would be like qualifying in May for CAS because of the "earning period" being off from the calendar year - and not many people qualify for Plat that early in the year with SPG (although I know a few who do lol - sad, no time at home! :)) it's just a matter of how their "qualifying years" fall.

 

So, by qualifying for Hot in Feb 2013, you are guaranteed that Hot level until March 31, 2014 - the rest of the qualifying year that ends 3/31/13 plus a whole year that ends 3/31/14, just like SPG works in the calendar year (which is the same as their earning year ). If you had earned that Hot status in May 2013 instead of February, it would be good for 23 months, almost two years, just like SPG - all of the rest of the qualifying year ended 3/31/14, plus the whole next year that ends 3/31/15. Hope this makes sense so far.

 

Using me for an example - I earned 8000 points in May 2012 and that's all that counted toward my status for this year (my Feb 2012 sailing did not count at all, and there was no grandfathering). If the program had been in place in May 2012, I would have earned Hot status for all the rest of that "year" (4/1/12-3/31/13) plus all of this "year" (4/1/13-3/31/14) - just like SPG.

 

Then I sailed in May 2013, in a whole new "year" for CAS. I earned 12,000 new points on that sailing. By SPG standards, I would have be Hot level still, with 12,000 points this "year" toward upping my status, and already insuring my Hot status until 3/31/15.

 

But instead, CAS has given me a bluebird. They added my qualifying points from the previous year, and now I have Golden status, even though I have not earned the full 15,000 points yet this year, only in a combination of TWO qualifying years. The Golden status is a bluebird, not actually earned in one year alone, and is incentive to sail again to maintain it. If I don't sail again until next May, my status will drop back to "Hot" on 4/1/14 (and stay the until 3/31/14), which is exactly what I have earned this qualifying year, I won't drop back to nothing.. If I sail again before 3/31/14, and earn only 3000 more points (making 15,000 earned in the correct qualifying year), I get to keep that Golden status until 3/31/15. That's more than fair in my book!

 

If you earned enough points for Hot between 4/1/13 and 3/31/14, you will maintain that Hot level all the way through 3/31/15. Same with Golden. Giving you a minimum of one year at that status. You won't lose what you earned this year, only what was added in from the year before, to give you the "bump up" bonus. Your Golden may drop down to Hot, but only if you didn't qualify for Golden in full this year anyway.

 

Hope this makes sense! I don't want CAS rethinking this too much, I like my little bluebird!

 

Ps. LOVE SPG, and was thrilled when they added lifetime levels a couple years ago - we have 22 more nights til Plat for life!

 

Robin

[Fishbait17]

Are you saying that I'm VIP only until March 31, 2014 and then, depending on my play from April 1st 2013 to March 31, 2014 would determine my Tier Level as of April 1st 2014?

 

Harriet

 

Harriet, that is EXACTLY how it was explained to me after a long conversation with a CAS Supervisor.

 

Robin

[Fishbait17]

So, if I take my (nearly) 12,000 Breakaway points from last month, add in some (February?) points from the Sky --- say 3,500 .... I should become Golden during that Sky sailing. Can I assume I'll keep that Golden status for my May 2014 Getaway sailing and indeed up until 3/31/15??

 

Tom

 

Again, that's the way it was explained to me.

 

Robin