Casino at Sea? Total Rewards perks

[VideoTech]

I am traveling on the Jewel with the CAS program and they said we would get the CAS check in line and free drinks in the casino only we are first time ncl cruisers and they signed us up with a latitude number but said that would only be in effect after our first cruise?

 

CAS and Latitudes are two different things.

 

NCL Latitudes is the "frequent cruiser" rewards program. As you cruise more often with NCL, you will advance in status, and receive various perks and discounts as shown here. You will start working on your latitudes status with your first cruise.

 

NCL CAS is the "frequent gambler" program. You will earn points in the casino as you gamble, and it will entitle you to various perks and discounts the more you gamble, as shown here.

 

Because you are booked onto the cruise through CAS, you will find (in your cabin when you board, usually) a "free drinks" card which can be used only in the casino, and is only good for well drinks. You will also be able to use the CAS check in line in the terminal (if there is one, not all terminals have one), but as others have said, it's often just as long as a regular line. There aren't too many other perks for a first time CAS cruiser, but as you gamble in the casino, make sure you use your CAS card to record your points, and if you gamble enough, you may qualify for more comps. Also, when you get home from the cruise, if they've liked your play, you'll start to get other cruise offers from CAS.

[Fishbait17]

waldospepper, it says twin river casino in top left hand corner and we booked through ncl casino at sea 800 number codes in bold on right are 14wave, meta, ppsrvchg? not a clue what those mean? and the ncl rep said we could use the casino at sea checkin?

 

14Wave is likely the promotion that NCL was having at the time you booked -basically the original cost of your cabin plus any extra promotions that were included at that particular time. Some of these promotional extras are combinable with CAS comped sailings, others are not. It usually doesn't mean much on a comped sailing, just a baseline price for CAS. Here is a link I found for the 14Wave promotion: http://www.ncl.com/promo/wave14?cid=DM_MKD_PAG_N-A_N-A_BKN_N-_WAVE14_20547PR_XXXXXXXX_XXXXXXXX

 

Meta is a CAS rate code, generally referring to their own basic price for the cabin, and their generic upgrade rate for a higher level cabin you might have upgraded to.

 

Ppsrvchg sounds like you have your service charges prepaid by either the casino, a promotion, or by yourself.

 

Yes, as an invited guest of CAS, you will be able to use the CAS checkin at the port. What actually benefits you get with CAS checkin will depend on which port and ship.

 

You were given a Latitudes number (Latitudes is NCL's past cruiser program) for your sailing, but technically you won't become an actual Latitudes member until after your first sailing (when this sailing is credited to you Latitudes account.

 

Hope that makes sense!

 

Robin

Edited March 27, 2014 by Fishbait17

[Alliezona09]

I feel compelled to clarify this a wee bit. The product that comes from a gun is a mixer, not an alcohol.

 

The term "Well" refers to the well, or rail that the lower cost alcohol bottles generally occupy.

 

In comparison "Call" refers to specific brands requested from the "Top Shelf."

 

Bar science is a bit different these days, then it was when these terms were coined, but that is where they originated from. Nowadays, some of the call brands are more frequently ordered, and for convenience purposes they reside in the well, but they are still call brands.

 

Hope that helps.

 

:)

 

And there are some bars that do have a gun that dispenses alcohol~maybe not on the ship I never really pay attention~ but as a former bartender, I have used a gun to dispense alcohol~

[WaldosPepper]

waldospepper, it says twin river casino in top left hand corner and we booked through ncl casino at sea 800 number codes in bold on right are 14wave, meta, ppsrvchg? not a clue what those mean? and the ncl rep said we could use the casino at sea checkin?

 

The answers the others have given are all correct. You may use the CAS line at embarkation day - if there is one. Usually NY Terminal does. After check-in you will be among the earliest to board, after those in wheelchairs, and then the suite guests.

 

Be sure to use your players card any time you gamble, so as to begin earning CAS points, and hopefully receive offers directly from them in the future. Once you have established a history with them, you can also call them to see what, if anything, they will offer you on any future sailings you may select. ;)

 

Latitudes is what will not kick in until you complete your first sailing.

[WaldosPepper]

And there are some bars that do have a gun that dispenses alcohol~maybe not on the ship I never really pay attention~ but as a former bartender, I have used a gun to dispense alcohol~

 

You are correct. I should have been more specific and said... "on the ships." Many bars on land do use a computer-controlled liquor dispensing system that utilizes guns.

[garycarla]

Most of the answers were correct.

 

As to getting free wine, etc to your room. Yes, and no.

As to getting dinner from the casino host. Yes, and no.

As to getting a drink card in your room. Yes, and no.

As to getting invited to a cocktail party. Yes, and no.

 

The first two are specifically tied to your level of play.

 

The drink card comes with most, but not all deals. Sometimes you have to reach 1,500 points before getting the drink card.

 

The cocktail party seems to be hit and miss, and the level of invites as well.

[sjbdtz]

 

It would be nice if the perks could more generous, considering we are a somewhat "captive audience" once on board the ship ... but the perks are adequate and the CAS hosts and hostesses are very nice and accommodating.

 

Janie

 

 

The fact that you are captive audience, is precisely why the comps aren't better. They don't have to be.

 

 

 

 

I cruised NCL Jewel in late December and was appalled at the rake they took for the blackjack tournament, which they tried their best to cover up.

 

Total money in prize pool: $1080

Total prizes awarded: $500 (single prize for first)

 

Awful. That's well over a 50% house rake.

 

Even worse, they kept holding additional "qualifying rounds" when the final table was supposed to start, just to take in more money (when the $500 prize was already maxed out, thus making it pure profit for the house).

 

Even by cruise ship standards, this was bad.

 

When I tried to ask them about the house rake before the tournament, they pretended not to know and gave nonsensical answers. When I figured it out on my own, they still pretended not to understand before quietly admitting that, yes, the rake is usually over 50%.

 

For a pro, you sure seem to have terms mixed up.

 

A rake is something that applies to a commission-based game liketexas hold'em where the casino isn't actually playing in the game, but still provides the electricity, table, cashiering, dealer, etc.

 

A tournament isn't even a game at all. It's like a lottery ticket. You buy your ticket and you have a chance to win the prize(s). Somebody always wins the full value of the prize(s).

 

What you are mistakenly calling a rake, is in fact the profit which the casino makes in exchange for hosting the tournament. That means the setting-aside of tables which could otherwise be used to generate revenue, the dealers at each of those tables, the accounting functions which enable them to keep track of the winners, the marketing leading up to the tournament, and the host who calls the tournament throughout.

 

You're saying that for all of that investment, they only made $500? Seems to me like they're undercharging....and that if this was a free-standing operation, the tournament would be considered a cost centre rather than a profit center. But it isn't free-standing, it's designed to support the overall casino, by enticing lower-level gamblers to enjoy the thrill of the game with no financial risk beyond the entry fee(s).

 

 

 

Stephen

 

.

[ladytravlr2]

Just got home from Jewel cruise. The casino host said to make sure on your first day of a cruise to check in the casino desk to have your prior cruise points transferred over to your current account, if you want them to accumulate with your current cruise points. We didn't know that, and they said points are only good for 18 months, but you have to ask to have them kept or transferred. I was able to plead innocent...LOL...and got her to get two prior cruise's points transferred, but it was near the end of the current cruise...so she said she would try..and it worked. Then those points were accredited to on board account towards my bill. Other wise I might have lost some of those points without any benefit.

 

I can't say it would always work out that way, but since I had enough for credit on my bill, it was worth it.

 

Also, for the first time on an NCL cruise, we had a complimentary dinner to any of the specialty restaurants and chose Teppenaki...it was great and came with a bottle of wine. I don't remember if the comp was from CAS or Latitudes. We had chocolates one night and choc. strawberries one night. Cocktail party, a welcome party, and that is about all I think. This was our 6th NCL cruise so I guess it just all finally amounted to something.

[monkeybone]

Who do you ask to transfer the points? Do you ask the first night of your cruise or when you book another cruise?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk