NCL CAS Drops Another Big "Surprise"

[riddle]

I became golden in November at the end of my cruise. I knew going into my April cruise that I would probably drop to Hot. I also though I could fairly easily make it back to Golden.

 

Now I find out a new change in CAS. Effective April 1 whatever level you are at is the level you will remain that entire evaluation year regardless of what you gamble. Now I cannot make it beyond hot all year from April 1 and frankly, probably never will.

 

We have been loyal to NCL for 17 cruises but this latest attempt to devalue the CAS program leaves us with very bad tastes in our mouths.

 

What will they pull next?

[clcjdn]

I just got off the phone with my CAS rep.....she also said that they were increasing the theoretical loss amounts for comps at all levels.....something about the old threshold was $2,000 for an OV, but it is going up to $2,800 now.....I guess I will see how my June trip runs, but not looking very promising going forward, IMO.....

[funat55]

I just got off the phone with my CAS rep.....she also said that they were increasing the theoretical loss amounts for comps at all levels.....something about the old threshold was $2,000 for an OV, but it is going up to $2,800 now.....I guess I will see how my June trip runs, but not looking very promising going forward, IMO.....

 

Very interesting. I know someone who will want to know about this so I will pass this information along.

[negn]

Glad I already booked my October cruise!

[MagnoliaBlossom]

I called today and was surprised at how much lower my discounts are. We are only Lucky, but usually qualify for a 20% discount. Now they are telling me ten! Although it was not my usual rep, and this young man said he might be able to offer some additional comps. He also said drink cards are only available to OV. We usually book balconies but the young man offered that info.

 

I do wish the requirements for comps were not such a mystery. Anyone else have info like the 2,800 OV threshold?

[CasinoCruzGirl]

Is that a $2,800 run through machine or $2,800 out of pocket ?

[clcjdn]

$2,800 in theoretical loss.....so neither....

[Cuedon]

Is that a $2,800 run through machine or $2,800 out of pocket ?

 

I believe there was another post that said it was 2800$ theo, which would be like 100k played. That number varies a lot based on game though. (And way lower for slots.)

[CasinoCruzGirl]

I believe there was another post that said it was 2800$ theo, which would be like 100k played. That number varies a lot based on game though. (And way lower for slots.)

 

 

$100,000 played for a comp oceanview? Now that's lmaooooooooooooooo

[clcjdn]

Actually on an 80% payback slot, it would be $14K run through.....$14,000 * 20% expected take = $2,800.....or at $5 a point, 2,800 points

On a 95% video poker machine, it would be $56K run through.....$56,000 * 5% expected take = $2,800.....or at $10 a point, 5,600 points

 

My numbers usually fall within this range (4,500 points on last cruise), but was still told my theoretical loss was less than the $2,800 required for an OV.....so she went back one cruise when I complained.....had to have OV to get UBP... :) I will be checking with the host on my next one to make sure I am thinking about this correctly.

[Cuedon]

$100,000 played for a comp oceanview? Now that's lmaooooooooooooooo

 

Actually on an 80% payback slot, it would be $14K run through.....$14,000 * 20% expected take = $2,800.....or at $5 a point, 2,800 points

On a 95% video poker machine, it would be $56K run through.....$56,000 * 5% expected take = $2,800.....or at $10 a point, 5,600 points

 

My numbers usually fall within this range (4,500 points on last cruise), but was still told my theoretical loss was less than the $2,800 required for an OV.....so she went back one cruise when I complained.....had to have OV to get UBP... :) I will be checking with the host on my next one to make sure I am thinking about this correctly.

 

Using my standard land-casino estimates, I ran about 80k CI with 1600 in theo for 954 points. No discretionaries, which meant I was comped at the rate of about .6%. (Which they seemed surprised I'd even dare ask about...) Given numbers like that... should be pretty evident that I'm a table player, not machine. =P

 

Are 95% paytables on VP about what you'd expect? I didn't check what the paytables were on the Star since they were always full, but normally, I don't even sit at VP to kill time at if they're under 98%.

Edited April 1, 2015 by Cuedon

[clcjdn]

Yeah 95% seems standard on the Super Star machines at <$1 denominations.....been the same on the Sun, Getaway, and Epic so far.....will know about the Breakaway after my June trip.

[fstuff1]

Using my standard land-casino estimates, I ran about 80k CI with 1600 in theo for 954 points. No discretionaries, which meant I was comped at the rate of about .6%. (Which they seemed surprised I'd even dare ask about...) Given numbers like that... should be pretty evident that I'm a table player, not machine. =P

 

Are 95% paytables on VP about what you'd expect? I didn't check what the paytables were on the Star since they were always full, but normally, I don't even sit at VP to kill time at if they're under 98%.

 

on my 1st ncl cruise, I got 1000 points playing Craps.

I actually lost $2000. :(

 

I didn't qualify for future comp rooms.

when I called after my trip, I got the standard 20% off my next cruise.

(and with the CAS changes, it's now 10% :mad: )

 

so I stopped caring about points.

 

as for VP, you have 96% at $1 level and 97% at $5.

no 98% at either Gem or Breakaway.

Edited April 1, 2015 by fstuff1

[Casino Comp Chick]

Tier Benefits

Tier benefits are applicable on sailings 3-Days or longer only. Members who tier up during a cruise will receive the elevated tier benefits on their next cruise, with the exception of a one-time tier up points bonus and elevated drink card. Tier benefits are subject to change. Casinos At Sea® is not responsible for any bank imposed fees as a result of utilizing casino services to access funds.

[MagnoliaBlossom]

Called back and got my usual rep and did receive the 20 percent, but he said it was close. He said we now needed to "lose" $1,000 per cabin to stay at that rate. According to him it used to be $800.

[Peripatos]

Tier Benefits

Tier benefits are applicable on sailings 3-Days or longer only. Members who tier up during a cruise will receive the elevated tier benefits on their next cruise, with the exception of a one-time tier up points bonus and elevated drink card. Tier benefits are subject to change. Casinos At Sea® is not responsible for any bank imposed fees as a result of utilizing casino services to access funds.

 

So does anyone know what the 4/1/15 benefit changes are to the tier levels? We are leaving next Sunday on the Epic Transatlantic, it will be a long trip without much casino play if they stripped the few remaining cruise benefits away from being Gold and VIP.

 

Dave

[Sand and Seas]

So does anyone know what the 4/1/15 benefit changes are to the tier levels? We are leaving next Sunday on the Epic Transatlantic, it will be a long trip without much casino play if they stripped the few remaining cruise benefits away from being Gold and VIP.

 

Dave

 

I would love to hear this too. The host on board the Dawn (in February) said they were hearing there would be new benefits to replace those we lost (like breakfast & lunch in Cagney's) but nothing has appeared yet on the web-site.

[hpecorari]

I would love to hear this too. The host on board the Dawn (in February) said they were hearing there would be new benefits to replace those we lost (like breakfast & lunch in Cagney's) but nothing has appeared yet on the web-site.

 

Yep, that's what the host on the Sun told me in February....yet I see nothing.

 

Harriet

[Peripatos]

Yep, that's what the host on the Sun told me in February....yet I see nothing.

 

Harriet

 

Yes, last fall they started pulling all the brochures that detailed the benefits of each level and started warning about eliminating VIP Cagney's status and I as I recall the Spa passes and cigarettes/cigars and VIP show seating. I emailed a CAS rep today to get an update on my points and asked about the new benefit summaries and she did the same dodge they have all been doing. She said all she could do is refer me to their web link. It doesn't describe ANY tier benefits and hasn't since last fall when they determined to take away the most popular ones.

 

Dave

[againin13]

Yep, that's what the host on the Sun told me in February....yet I see nothing.

 

 

 

Harriet

 

 

. I'm addressing this directly to you because you sound so knowledgeable on the casino at sea aspects of the cruises.

And I have what I think is probably an unusual question. I know I receive a free dinner for two and A bottle of wine from the casino. And in addition to that I received a dinner for two from latitudes. My question is if you have the unlimited dining package or choose not to use the free coupons for the dinners can that be applied to a different ships service such as spa treatment etc. by no means am I greedy and I am very appreciative of any of the freebies but at the same time I want to utilize the freebies. Thank you for all information I know we are all going to have a fantastic voyage. I can't wait to meet some of you face-to-face

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[againin13]

Sorry

Edited April 16, 2015 by againin13

[hpecorari]

. I'm addressing this directly to you because you sound so knowledgeable on the casino at sea aspects of the cruises.

And I have what I think is probably an unusual question. I know I receive a free dinner for two and A bottle of wine from the casino. And in addition to that I received a dinner for two from latitudes. My question is if you have the unlimited dining package or choose not to use the free coupons for the dinners can that be applied to a different ships service such as spa treatment etc. by no means am I greedy and I am very appreciative of any of the freebies but at the same time I want to utilize the freebies. Thank you for all information I know we are all going to have a fantastic voyage. I can't wait to meet some of you face-to-face

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

There are many here who are more knowledgeable then me and I'm sure they'll chime in .......

 

However, from my understanding the answer to your question is no. You can, however, still bring your Platinum certificate with you to dinner and get the free bottle of wine. If you don't drink wine they will allow the two of you to replace the bottle of wine with two cocktails. Rumor has it that CAS is no longer offering a bottle of wine with their comped dinner but I have no first hand knowledge of that and won't until my June cruise to 'see for myself'.

 

If you don't have the UBP that will help some....and even if you do you can still get the bottle wine and ask them not to open it and bring it back to your cabin to enjoy later.

 

Some have reported that you can bring 'friends' with you and use your comps for them (Platinum and/or CAS) but I don't actually know that for a fact....and I don't think it's *really* permitted.

 

CAS benefits as well as Platinum benefits are 'as is' and can't be exchanged or anything else.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

 

Harriet

[againin13]

Thank you for your response it was pretty much what I expected but didn't have first-hand information I know we're going to have a wonderful time and I am certainly wishing the same for you and yours happy sailing

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Peripatos]

I just compared the listings and these are the changes for April 1, 2015 (ALL downgrades, no added benefits):

 

Gold & VIP - Complementary Spa Access for 2 now just says "Spa Credit", probably downgraded the amount

 

- VIP Royal Treatment (Cagney's Breakfast/lunch on small ships, VIP check-in, Captain VIP M&G)

 

- Cigar & Cigarette Offers

 

- VIP Seating for Shows (1st three or four rows they saved for VIP's/suite holders)

 

 

VIP only Downgrades - Private Transportation to/from ship

 

- They removed the word "Global" from the Cash Advance fee waived benefit which makes me suspicious that we may not get them waived anymore since we cruise more in Europe than US..

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

They didn't add a thing that I can see, so they mirrored their partner Caesars Entertainment and now only do downgrades! From what I see, with just "Hot" (5,000 points) we will get all the benefits we really ever used (a few drinks and the two dinners. So I'm going to go from $1 & $5 to penny's and quarters on this 21 day trip and pocket the savings.

 

BTW, we have never seen or heard of anyone getting a "Special Birthday Offer" in all these years but it is still listed. Anyone know what this is supposed to be?

[hpecorari]

 

BTW, we have never seen or heard of anyone getting a "Special Birthday Offer" in all these years but it is still listed. Anyone know what this is supposed to be?

 

Yes, I can help out with this one. CAS had sent to my room a new Norwegian Bathrobe all packaged up with a birthday card.

 

Harriet