New Pricing Policy for CAS?

[MaryLS]

I called today to make final payment on my cruise. Before I made the payment, I asked the CAS rep to check if the price went down since I originally booked. (I was comped an oceanview and upgraded to a mini-suite). Since I booked, I see that the difference in pricing on the NCL website has changed. The Rep told me that doesn't matter. He told me there is a set rate to upgrade from an oceanview to a mini-suite, no matter what the NCL site shows on pricing.

 

I've never experienced this before. There have been times when the pricing has changed and I've saved a few dollars prior to final payment.

 

Has CAS changed their pricing policy?

[sjbdtz]

I haven't heard that before. There's usually a delta between your comp & your upgrade, which can change from time-to-time as either price changes...either the comp value goes up & closes the gap, or the upgraded suite comes down more than the comp decreases...thereby closing the gap.

 

 

It's possible this rep simply didn't understand the question you were asking - I've found it hit & miss there. They may have thought you were simply trying to negotiate down - and they were telling you it was non-negotiable.

 

Did you check the prices online to see what the differential was?

 

 

.

[MaryLS]

I did check the pricing and the difference between an oceanview and a mini-suite went down since I booked. That's why I was asking him the question. He clearly knew what I was asking and still insisted it is a flat price between the categories.

[FraudBroad]

I recently called CAS regarding my upcoming Getaway sailing. Even though the price difference between an ocean-view and a balcony was only $50 they told me it would be over $200 per person to upgrade. Said "It's casino pricing..." In other words, it doesn't matter what NCL is charging everyone else for the sailing, you pay what you pay when you book through CAS.

[EyeSeaEwe]

I have ALWAYS been told and heard that it is a set price based on the cabin you are moving from/to and it is not related to the pricing on the NCL web site in any form what-so-ever.

[Nola26]

I recently called CAS regarding my upcoming Getaway sailing. Even though the price difference between an ocean-view and a balcony was only $50 they told me it would be over $200 per person to upgrade. Said "It's casino pricing..." In other words, it doesn't matter what NCL is charging everyone else for the sailing, you pay what you pay when you book through CAS.

 

You have the option to relinquish your CAS reservation and book direct. Chances are the CAS rate is still better. CAS will apply the CAS offer/rate and current promotion which I find to be generous. I took an inside for two and travelling with 3rd person free and a modest OBC. I paid for an cabin upgrade, but an amazing deal without that expense and an extra nice experience with a balcony cabin.

 

I can find reasons to complain about NCL, but CAS promotions won't be one.

Edited July 24, 2015 by Nola26

[MaryLS]

I didn't say I was complaining about CAS. I was questioning whether the policy changed because I never experienced this flat rate policy before. In the past, I have received an additional discount through CAS because of NCL pricing differences after my initial booking but prior to final payment.

 

What experience did the rest of you have with pricing through CAS and have you experienced a change in policy?

[redfantum]

On my previous cruises I was comped insides and offered flat rates to upgrade. Upcoming I was comped a balcony so left it as is. On your previous successful discounts were you sailing in a discounted room or a comp?

[Nola26]

I didn't say I was complaining about CAS. I was questioning whether the policy changed because I never experienced this flat rate policy before. In the past, I have received an additional discount through CAS because of NCL pricing differences after my initial booking but prior to final payment.

 

What experience did the rest of you have with pricing through CAS and have you experienced a change in policy?

 

Didn't mean to suggest that anyone was complaining, just that I think I got a very good deal on the CAS offer and NCL promotion. I can complain at times, but this isn't one time I have a complaint. I was told the upgrade price was set when the offer is made and doesn't change. Sounds like CAS is following that path.

[Crusin-Suzan]

Just call again and talk to,another person!!! Different answer every time. Wait until you get the answer you want to hear!!! Funny but very true!!!

[sjbdtz]

That is weird. I usually get comped mini-suites MA and upgrade to a suite...and for example, on my upcoming South America trip...when I first booked, there was a $4500 difference between the MA & the suite, Per person.

 

 

Recently (I posted about it, but don't recall when it was exactly) I noticed the price differential was down to about $1200 pp, so I called and the adjusted it (and included DSC as well!).

 

 

All told, it's like a free 14 day cruise to South America! :)

 

 

 

Stephen

 

 

.

[MaryLS]

Yes Stephen, that is exactly what has happened to me in the past. Unfortunately my final payment was due today and I didn't have a lot of time to be calling back for the best answer. I just wanted to know if it was a change in policy but it sounds like it is not. I will know for the next time.

[Sand and Seas]

Just call again and talk to,another person!!! Different answer every time. Wait until you get the answer you want to hear!!! Funny but very true!!!

 

I found that if you call early morning Monday-Friday you usually get a more knowledgeable and experienced agent. I've had good luck....or I just call another time:cool:

[gl1200a]

CAS has been consistent with their answer to me regarding upgrading a comp.

It's a flat rate. Website prices do not matter. This has been the answer to me for the past three years.

 

Now when it comes to last minute up-sells, your comp is treated the same as if you paid for it.

[fstuff1]

I called today to make final payment on my cruise. Before I made the payment, I asked the CAS rep to check if the price went down since I originally booked. (I was comped an oceanview and upgraded to a mini-suite). Since I booked, I see that the difference in pricing on the NCL website has changed. The Rep told me that doesn't matter. He told me there is a set rate to upgrade from an oceanview to a mini-suite, no matter what the NCL site shows on pricing.

 

I've never experienced this before. There have been times when the pricing has changed and I've saved a few dollars prior to final payment.

 

Has CAS changed their pricing policy?

 

been doing CAS cruises since last year.

upgrades are set pricing, regardless of ncl.com price.

 

ie: I'm comped an Inside. OV is +$70/person, balcony is +$280/person

[janpo]

We were comped an inside and upgraded to an OV. It was $90 pp. This was two weeks ago.

Edited July 26, 2015 by janpo

[chery4lbooks]

We were comped an inside and upgraded to an OV. It was $90 pp. This was two weeks ago.

 

Was this through land based casino certificate or directly from NCL Casino.

[sjbdtz]

been doing CAS cruises since last year.

upgrades are set pricing, regardless of ncl.com price.

 

ie: I'm comped an Inside. OV is +$70/person, balcony is +$280/person

 

 

I've been doing CAS cruises for many years (listed below). It is not a set price.

 

I have had detailed conversations with the CAS rep where we have dissected the upgrade price. I've had the same conversation with more than 1 rep. because I like to know what the parameters of my deal are.

 

I was told: MA is $x,xxx and the SE is $ x,xxx and the NCF is $ xxx. So if the difference between the SE and the MA changes downward, we can re-price.

 

And it happened in real-life on my 2016 cruise. Nearly a 75% reduction because the suite prices dropped, but the mini-suite prices didn't....

 

So I repriced and have my new confirmation.

 

 

Stephen

 

.

[fstuff1]

Was this through land based casino certificate or directly from NCL Casino.

 

mine was through a land based casino.

OV and balcony upgrades were set prices.

all of my free cruises through that casino have been like that.

 

 

I've been doing CAS cruises for many years (listed below). It is not a set price.

 

I have had detailed conversations with the CAS rep where we have dissected the upgrade price. I've had the same conversation with more than 1 rep. because I like to know what the parameters of my deal are.

 

I was told: MA is $x,xxx and the SE is $ x,xxx and the NCF is $ xxx. So if the difference between the SE and the MA changes downward, we can re-price.

 

And it happened in real-life on my 2016 cruise. Nearly a 75% reduction because the suite prices dropped, but the mini-suite prices didn't....

 

So I repriced and have my new confirmation.

 

Stephen

 

I guess upgrade pricing depends on the terms and conditions of your free cruise.

ie: the contract the casino has with CAS

 

and holy.. CAS giving you a free Penthouse on a 14day cruise! :shock:

Edited July 26, 2015 by fstuff1

[janpo]

Was this through land based casino certificate or directly from NCL Casino.

 

 

 

Directly from Ncl casino.

[ks]

I've been doing CAS cruises for many years (listed below). It is not a set price.

I have had detailed conversations with the CAS rep where we have dissected the upgrade price. I've had the same conversation with more than 1 rep. because I like to know what the parameters of my deal are.

I was told: MA is $x,xxx and the SE is $ x,xxx and the NCF is $ xxx. So if the difference between the SE and the MA changes downward, we can re-price.

And it happened in real-life on my 2016 cruise. Nearly a 75% reduction because the suite prices dropped, but the mini-suite prices didn't....

 

Have been booking with CAS for many years and my experience has been the same. We have been comped a Penthouse Suite on every cruise and several times have upgraded to a 2-BR Villa. The price has been the difference between the two categories at the time of booking.

 

The only time I was quoted a set price for an upgrade was when I booked a cruise through CAS as a Caesar's Seven Stars Player. That was many years ago and I only book through CAS now as one of their players. I have found that CAS is more flexible booking with them directly rather than with a Certificate from a Land Based Casino or as a Caesar's Total Rewards Player.

 

Just upgraded from a Penthouse to a 2-BR Villa on the Escape for Feb. 2016 and got the 3rd & 4th passengers free. Paid the difference for the 1st & 2nd passenger between a PH and a 2-BR at the day of booking.

Edited July 26, 2015 by ks

[Champster]

I guess that I got lucky. Booked my first CAS cruise last week for Bermuda. Got spa balcony for free plus tax and fees! Used a 250 cruise credit from my december 14 cruise so the total plus UBP and insurance, came to $694.00. Only downside is its room 14748 which is ner the elevator but from what I have read that's not much of an issue!

[Nola26]

I guess that I got lucky. Booked my first CAS cruise last week for Bermuda. Got spa balcony for free plus tax and fees! Used a 250 cruise credit from my december 14 cruise so the total plus UBP and insurance, came to $694.00. Only downside is its room 14748 which is ner the elevator but from what I have read that's not much of an issue!

 

Congrats on the offer! Are you being charged for the UBP? If so call back and ask if the current promotion applies that would allow you to have it as your Free option (unless you've selected another option).

 

We're sailing with a free inside offer and were able to add the then current promotion of $25 OBC and 3rd person free to our CAS booking. I paid to upgrade to a balcony, but only the inside promotion applies because that was my original offer. When the promotion changed I tried to add UBP, but would have lost 3rd person free so we're happy with the $25 OBC as were not drinkers and will have the CAS beverage card anyway.

Edited July 27, 2015 by Nola26

[chery4lbooks]

Our recent "free" Inside offer wasn't so free through land based certificate. We were charged a non commissionable rate of $184pp plus port fees and taxes. That was to stay in the inside room.If upgrade to balcony its $320pp more and mini suite would be $500pp. We are a group of 8 with 4 separate rooms and we all were quoted the same prices booking over a 2 week span. Anyone else charged non commissionable rate with land based certificate?

Edited July 27, 2015 by chery4lbooks

[khaide612]

The "free" offers usually do not include taxes and fees (or the noncommissionable rate) whether they are direct from CAS or from land-based.