Casinos at Sea Program

[CasinoCruzGirl]

Hello Football Parent

This information was absolutely 100% correct as of last week on the NCL Getaway. We have the HOT LEVEL CARD and were informed that it only covered drinks for $5. or less.

 

What is your source?

 

My "source" was I called my casino host number on the card she gave me and I spoke to someone in her department. She said its $7.25 not $5. She said she has no idea where I heard it was $5

 

Did u hear that it was $5 from one server or every time u tried to get a drink?

[wallygator21015]

My "source" was I called my casino host number on the card she gave me and I spoke to someone in her department. She said its $7.25 not $5. She said she has no idea where I heard it was $5

 

Did u hear that it was $5 from one server or every time u tried to get a drink?

 

Two different servers!

 

 

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[CasinoCruzGirl]

Two different servers!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

 

Ok me and Harriet are calling two other people right now we are both on hold

[CasinoCruzGirl]

For lucky and hot you can get house brand liquor drinks and golden gets premium and VIP level gets ultra

 

 

She is sending me the list

[monkeybone]

Does anyone have an updated price list for drinks?

[wallygator21015]

For lucky and hot you can get house brand liquor drinks and golden gets premium and VIP level gets ultra

 

 

She is sending me the list

 

OK, but did you obtain the credit level available for each beverage for the Lucky & Hot level cards?

 

As previously stated, we were told it was only for $5. But we could upgrade the beverage and charge it to our room key.

 

Also, did you obtain any information about no longer receiving the FREE bottle of wine with your casino voucher for dinner for two in their specialty restaurants?

 

 

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[CasinoCruzGirl]

OK, but did you obtain the credit level available for each beverage for the Lucky & Hot level cards?

 

As previously stated, we were told it was only for $5. But we could upgrade the beverage and charge it to our room key.

 

Also, did you obtain any information about no longer receiving the FREE bottle of wine with your casino voucher for dinner for two in their specialty restaurants?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

I'm waiting for her to email me the list

 

I didn't ask about the wine

 

I'm only lucky and on my last cruise the host comped me a dinner for two and a bottle of wine. I think it depends on your interaction with the host a little it's up to their discretion in some aspect

[hpecorari]

Okay, I just called CAS - this is what they said -

 

The free bottle of wine is at the discretion of the Casino Host. They can allow it depending on your tier or how much you're playing, how long you're there, what your bet is, or not at all. It's TOTALLY up to the CAS Host.

 

In regard to drinks....I can't get anyone to give me a 'cost' max for each Tier Level. They said it goes by category of drinks.

 

Lucky and Hot can ONLY have House brands

Golden can have House and Premium brands

VIP can have House, Premium and Ultra brands

 

Here's a link of brands that I found on NCL website:

 

http://mrose.org/cc/BeverageBrandsList2013.pdf

 

Harriet

[sjbdtz]

From another thread, someone posted this about the CAS program:

 

At the minimum to maintain Hot you need to gamble $25,000 through the machines for the year, Golden is $75,000 and VIP is $175,000. That is each and every year to maintain those levels.

 

If you are running at this level of play, then you are either spending a lot of time in the casino, playing aggressive, very lucky, or a little of both. Why wouldn't the casino want you to have free drinks? Beverage costs are pennies in the big picture.

 

 

That sucks. I don't play the machines at all. Yet, I'm VIP level...

 

 

 

You CAN top-up your drinks to higher-value.

 

 

As explained to me, and I accept the explanation - too many "Hot" customers were complaining that they could only get 'house' drinks, and that if they wanted to buy something premium they had to pay the full shot.

 

Now, they get a drink 'value' which they can apply toward any drink at the bar. There's still no official limit to how many they can have...and what was explained to me, is that (as usual) the difference would be a candidate for removal at cruise-end during SeaBucks redemption.

 

 

To summarize, it was initially changed, as a customer-service response...not as a cost recapture.

 

 

Stephen

 

 

.

[hpecorari]

There used to be a list of liquors that you could get for basic. Is that still listed anywhere? I like sweet drinks and every drink cost me between $3-$5. In the breakaway, I wasn't charged for Mimosas or bahama mamas, but on the Dawn, I was.

 

http://mrose.org/cc/BeverageBrandsList2013.pdf

 

Harriet

[CasinoCruzGirl]

Okay, I just called CAS - this is what they said -

 

The free bottle of wine is at the discretion of the Casino Host. They can allow it depending on your tier or how much you're playing, how long you're there, what your bet is, or not at all. It's TOTALLY up to the CAS Host.

 

In regard to drinks....I can't get anyone to give me a 'cost' max for each Tier Level. They said it goes by category of drinks.

 

Lucky and Hot can ONLY have House brands

Golden can have House and Premium brands

VIP can have House, Premium and Ultra brands

 

Here's a link of brands that I found on NCL website:

 

http://mrose.org/cc/BeverageBrandsList2013.pdf

 

Harriet

 

What's a call brand

[hpecorari]

What's a call brand

 

No idea, CAS says on website:

 

Lucky House

 

Hot House

 

Golden Premium

 

VIP Ultra

 

However, that list is from 2013 so I'm anxious to get the list they're sending you to see if it's been updated/changed, etc,

 

Harriet

[1smudslide]

In this case, if I order a pina colada, wouldn't they use house brand, and shouldn't it be no charge? I think different ships were doing it differently. On the breakaway, the servers were pushing drinks and I was never charged, where the dawn charged me for everything.

[CasinoCruzGirl]

Here is a response I just got

 

I've been informed that we can't send the whole spreadsheet. There is not a set price limit, but the House brands do include Vodka, Rum, Whiskey, Gin, Scotch, Tequila, beer and wine. The free drink includes one liquor and one mixer. If you want a mixed cocktail, frozen drink, or premium brand that's not included with your tier level, you will be given a $5 credit toward the cost of that drink. Let me know if you have a question about any particular brands.

[hpecorari]

I really think the CAS Host has a lot to do with every perk. I've always had the same 2 or 3 people come to me....maybe the Host assigned them to me? I've always received 3 dinners for two with a bottle of wine or cocktails during a 7 day cruise. I've always had my entire bill wiped clean except for CAS, Bingo, and DSC. I've always been asked what I'd like delivered to my room from CAS and I always choose shrimp cocktail so 3 times during a 7 day cruise it was delivered. Again, I really think it has to do with the Host....

or I'm just very lucky and likable! LOL

 

Harriet

[SuiteCruiser]

Epic's been doing this since at least October of last year. I complained about it in my blog for the TA. I had the UBP, so it ended up not mattering, but it annoyed me to sign for everything just because my HOT level (at that time) wouldn't allow me to have a house margarita. They suggested I have lemonade and tequila instead.

 

I reached my Golden level on that cruise, and could have my margaritas then, without signing for them.

 

Did not have that issue on any other ship, but now it sounds like it's fleet wide.

 

Totally ridiculous.

[CasinoCruzGirl]

I really think the CAS Host has a lot to do with every perk. I've always had the same 2 or 3 people come to me....maybe the Host assigned them to me? I've always received 3 dinners for two with a bottle of wine or cocktails during a 7 day cruise. I've always had my entire bill wiped clean except for CAS, Bingo, and DSC. I've always been asked what I'd like delivered to my room from CAS and I always choose shrimp cocktail so 3 times during a 7 day cruise it was delivered. Again, I really think it has to do with the Host....

or I'm just very lucky and likable! LOL

 

Harriet

 

I totally agree Harriet. Like I said. I was lucky on my last cruise and I still got comped dinner for two and wine and chocolate strawberrys to my room. The host seemed to like me. So u are right with what u said.

 

 

Geri

[wallygator21015]

Here is a response I just got

 

I've been informed that we can't send the whole spreadsheet. There is not a set price limit, but the House brands do include Vodka, Rum, Whiskey, Gin, Scotch, Tequila, beer and wine. The free drink includes one liquor and one mixer. If you want a mixed cocktail, frozen drink, or premium brand that's not included with your tier level, you will be given a $5 credit toward the cost of that drink. Let me know if you have a question about any particular brands.

 

Hi Football Parent

 

It appears that NCL is testing different pricing on different ships. For instance, in January of this year I was on the Breakaway and they would give me anything I wanted to drink with my HOT LEVEL CASINO CARD! Also i received the Free bottle of wine in the specialty restaurant.

 

Last week on the Getaway they informed me that there was only the $5. Allowance per drink with the HOT LEVEL CARD.

 

Also, starting LAST WEEK, they informed me that there is no more free bottle of wine with your casino dinner voucher for two?

 

Question - Previously, you mentioned there was a $7.25 drink credit, but now you claim it is only $5. Drink credit? Please explain!

 

Wallygator

 

 

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[hpecorari]

Hi Football Parent

 

It appears that NCL is testing different pricing on different ships. For instance, in January of this year I was on the Breakaway and they would give me anything I wanted to drink with my HOT LEVEL CASINO CARD! Also i received the Free bottle of wine in the specialty restaurant.

 

Last week on the Getaway they informed me that there was only the $5. Allowance per drink with the HOT LEVEL CARD.

 

Also, starting LAST WEEK, they informed me that there is no more free bottle of wine with your casino dinner voucher for two?

 

Question - Previously, you mentioned there was a $7.25 drink credit, but now you claim it is only $5. Drink credit? Please explain!

 

Wallygator

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

Maybe the $7.95 was for the next tier and not hot, I'm not sure.

 

Harriet

[SuiteCruiser]

Here's the excerpt from my Live From blog from Epic in October:

 

"I ordered a margarita with my "Hot" card from the casino and was told I couldn't have a margarita as it isn't a "house drink". I almost fell off of my chair! I had been on the Sky a month ago and drank margaritas all day long. A friend of mine had told me that on the crossing to Barcelona on the Epic he couldn't get any of his drinks with the card and I thought there must have been a miscommunication. Nope. On the Epic, you can get a tequila with lemonade, but not a basic margarita. One of our favourite casino supervisors from last year is on Epic, she couldn't believe it and said she would take care of it for us, but we told her not to worry, it was just the principle of the thing, as we had the UBP anyway."

[CasinoCruzGirl]

Hi Football Parent

 

It appears that NCL is testing different pricing on different ships. For instance, in January of this year I was on the Breakaway and they would give me anything I wanted to drink with my HOT LEVEL CASINO CARD! Also i received the Free bottle of wine in the specialty restaurant.

 

Last week on the Getaway they informed me that there was only the $5. Allowance per drink with the HOT LEVEL CARD.

 

Also, starting LAST WEEK, they informed me that there is no more free bottle of wine with your casino dinner voucher for two?

 

Question - Previously, you mentioned there was a $7.25 drink credit, but now you claim it is only $5. Drink credit? Please explain!

 

Wallygator

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

Where I think the confusion came in was when you first posted it seemed like you said you could only get drinks that cost $5 and below. And we all know there is nothing alcohol that cost $5 or under. You failed to mention the different brand levels which made everyone freak out. Yiu CAN get a vodka and OJ or a rum and coke or something like that but it will have to be a HOUSE brand liquor. What you stated originally was the $5 rule. And if you look up a basic vodka and OJ drink it's more than $5.

 

It is all very confusing and I really wish NCL would STOP making all these changes weekly as it seems when will it all end? I'm tired of finding out new cut backs every week on here.

 

Geri

[rochelle_s]

If they are going to base everything on your on board play then there really is no perks with the tier system, certainly not at the HOT level. I thought the dinner for two with the bottle of wine was a perk and therefore a thank you for previous play. Now they will give me dinner but I have to earn the drinks to go with it? That sounds awful cheap to me.

 

 

And why come out with these changes now? People have been booking cruises under the Wave promos since December. Many of those CAS players who did make bookings might have chosen a promo other than UBP because they were under the impression they would have drinks free in the casino. Now depending on what their drink of choice is they may only have a card that acts like a discount coupon. If they had had all the correct information when they booked they might have chosen the UBP.

 

When will all this changing nonsense with NCL stop? Make all your changes at once. We can have a big old bitchfest about it and it will be done with. Then we can get back to being informed, booking and enjoying our cruises and knowing exactly what to expect once we board the ship. We have not had a week go by in the last two months where there has not been something. Enough already NCL!!

 

 

Rochelle

[jusstice]

Nothing to add, just wishing there was a big LIKE button for Rochelle's post.

 

Make the changes at once, tell us about them, and let's get on with it.

[CasinoCruzGirl]

If they are going to base everything on your on board play then there really is no perks with the tier system, certainly not at the HOT level. I thought the dinner for two with the bottle of wine was a perk and therefore a thank you for previous play. Now they will give me dinner but I have to earn the drinks to go with it? That sounds awful cheap to me.

 

 

And why come out with these changes now? People have been booking cruises under the Wave promos since December. Many of those CAS players who did make bookings might have chosen a promo other than UBP because they were under the impression they would have drinks free in the casino. Now depending on what their drink of choice is they may only have a card that acts like a discount coupon. If they had had all the correct information when they booked they might have chosen the UBP.

 

When will all this changing nonsense with NCL stop? Make all your changes at once. We can have a big old bitchfest about it and it will be done with. Then we can get back to being informed, booking and enjoying our cruises and knowing exactly what to expect once we board the ship. We have not had a week go by in the last two months where there has not been something. Enough already NCL!!

 

 

Rochelle

 

 

Amen Sistah!!!!

[CasinoCruzGirl]

Does anyone have an updated price list for drinks?

 

Jenn??????