Breakaway CAS questions

[MotherofTrips]

I was told that you get priority boarding when a CAS guest. Prior to boarding do you wait in a different area?

 

If I already have the UBP, then the drink cards are really of no use to us. Do you think they would possibly give the 3rd passenger (my son) a soda card if I asked?

[Sand and Seas]

I was told that you get priority boarding when a CAS guest. Prior to boarding do you wait in a different area?

 

If I already have the UBP, then the drink cards are really of no use to us. Do you think they would possibly give the 3rd passenger (my son) a soda card if I asked?

 

There isn't a special waiting area for CAS guests, but usually a shorter line when you are checking in.

 

All of our cruises are with CAS, but we still choose UBP so that we can enjoy all of those fun frozen drinks, martinis and free soda all over the ship....and we don't really drink that much;) In the casino, we use the CAS drink card to get bottled water to take to the beaches as you can't get that on the UBP. You can't get ALL kinds of drinks with the drink card in the casino unless you are higher tiered (Golden or above).

[rochelle_s]

When you enter the terminal you will first fill out the health questionnaire after which you will get in line to check in. There should be a separate line for CAS guests which is usually much shorter. If you check in early you will likely get an earlier boarding slot too.

 

It is unlikely the casino will give you a soda card for your son. The drink cards from the casino are meant for beverages in the casino while you are gambling.

 

Don't discount the value though of the casino drink card even if you have the UBP. There are certain drinks that are not available with the UBP that you will be able to receive complementary in the casino. These include bottled water, soft drinks in a can and red bull. (No doubt there are others). I have never had a problem getting an unopened water or canned soda in the casino, that I can take back to my room for another time. I like to have a bottle of water on the nightstand.

 

Hope you enjoy all your beverages wherever they may come from! :D

 

 

Rochelle

[SuiteCruiser]

There isn't a special waiting area for CAS guests, but usually a shorter line when you are checking in.

 

All of our cruises are with CAS, but we still choose UBP so that we can enjoy all of those fun frozen drinks, martinis and free soda all over the ship....and we don't really drink that much;) In the casino, we use the CAS drink card to get bottled water to take to the beaches as you can't get that on the UBP. You can't get ALL kinds of drinks with the drink card in the casino unless you are higher tiered (Golden or above).

 

This is correct. When you're in the casino, they will use your UBP for your drinks, instead of the casino drink card. This allows you access to most cocktails, whereas the CAS card is kind of limiting.

 

I don't think they would give you a soda package.

[MotherofTrips]

Thank you all. Great to know about the bottled water and red bull!

[TraJon9]

When we have gone on the Breakaway they did end up sitting the CAS together separate from others.. We boarded after Haven.

[monkeybone]

When we have gone on the Breakaway they did end up sitting the CAS together separate from others.. We boarded after Haven.

 

Ditto

[bbryan5]

I didn't realize CAS gets priority boarding, and my last few cruises were with CAS. Good to know :D

Edited November 29, 2015 by bbryan5

[BirdTravels]

I was told that you get priority boarding when a CAS guest. Prior to boarding do you wait in a different area?

 

 

 

If I already have the UBP, then the drink cards are really of no use to us. Do you think they would possibly give the 3rd passenger (my son) a soda card if I asked?

 

 

Last few times I was in NY, there was a CAS checkin line as well as a special CAS waiting area (avoiding the normal boarding group process). It's been about a year, but we definitely had a priority boarding waiting area for the casino. And I have only seen this in NY.

 

 

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[Cruising4me]

You do wait in a separate area for CAS guests when sailing out of New York. As for the casino drink card yes they do use your UBP card for drinks while in casino, but use your casino drink card while playing to get bottled water and energy drinks since they aren't covered by the UBP

[CasinoCruzGirl]

Last few times I was in NY, there was a CAS checkin line as well as a special CAS waiting area (avoiding the normal boarding group process). It's been about a year, but we definitely had a priority boarding waiting area for the casino. And I have only seen this in NY.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

 

You are correct. Separate CAS checkin and separate CAS waiting area for breakaway in NY terminal. The poster who said no separate waiting area was incorrect.

 

Geri

[MaryLS]

You are correct. Separate CAS checkin and separate CAS waiting area for breakaway in NY terminal. The poster who said no separate waiting area was incorrect.

 

Geri

 

Was on the Breakaway in January 2015 out of NY as a CAS guest; Again on the Gem out of NY in Oct 2015....there was a separate line for CAS check-in but we didn't have any separate waiting area unless there was one and we weren't directed to it.

 

Going on the Gem in January 2016 out of NY as a CAS guest. Where do we find out about the separate waiting area?

[CasinoCruzGirl]

Was on the Breakaway in January 2015 out of NY as a CAS guest; Again on the Gem out of NY in Oct 2015....there was a separate line for CAS check-in but we didn't have any separate waiting area unless there was one and we weren't directed to it.

 

 

 

Going on the Gem in January 2016 out of NY as a CAS guest. Where do we find out about the separate waiting area?

 

 

Sometimes the people directing you are clueless. We were on the breakaway 3 times last time was this past May. The waiting area for CAS is over on the right hand side. Just keep asking until you find someone who actually knows.

 

Geri

[SuiteCruiser]

Was on the Breakaway in January 2015 out of NY as a CAS guest; Again on the Gem out of NY in Oct 2015....there was a separate line for CAS check-in but we didn't have any separate waiting area unless there was one and we weren't directed to it.

 

Going on the Gem in January 2016 out of NY as a CAS guest. Where do we find out about the separate waiting area?

 

I haven't cruised out of NY for a while, but this is a lovely new addition! Once I was directed to the suites area for boarding, I went, but it was kind of awkward leaving them all when they headed for Cagney's. Clearly I was sent to the wrong place :)

[MaryLS]

Sometimes the people directing you are clueless. We were on the breakaway 3 times last time was this past May. The waiting area for CAS is over on the right hand side. Just keep asking until you find someone who actually knows.

 

Geri

 

Geri, I did see that area but just figured it was for suite guests. I will ask in January for our cruise on the Gem. Thanks for the information!

[TraJon9]

Oh yes, most are clueless! The Haven guests are in a little room. This is sectioned off and located by the glass facing the ship. We arrived somewhat early and still given a higher boarding number but when you hit the right person they will tell you to ignore and seated us in the section closer to boarding time. No cookies or anything like Haven. Awesome to have when your trying to claim a vibe pass for the week.

[MotherofTrips]

Does anyone know how many blackjack tournaments they have for a 7 day sailing and what day they usually have them?

[AndyCapn]

Does anyone know how many blackjack tournaments they have for a 7 day sailing and what day they usually have them?

 

On the Breakaway earlier this month there were six-seat satellite tournaments on Monday and Friday for sure (sea days) with the championship on Saturday. There may be have more satellites on Saturday before the final table. $20 per entry, $500 winner-take-all to the champion.

 

By the way, winning a satellite does not ensure a seat at the final table. You must have one of the top six final chip counts (among table winners). My observation from two cruises is that you need to turn your 2000 chips into 8000 to qualify ... and you only have seven hands to do it.

[MotherofTrips]

Thank you Andy. You wouldn't happen to know what time of day they do the qualifying tournaments do you? Just wondering if it will interfere with dinner plans.

[AndyCapn]

Thank you Andy. You wouldn't happen to know what time of day they do the qualifying tournaments do you? Just wondering if it will interfere with dinner plans.

 

For both days the satellites were at 11:30 a.m. and I believe the final table on Saturday was around 1 p.m. Slot tournaments were about an hour earlier.

[mking8288]

I can confirm that CAS guests (actually, land-based casino invitees) were still getting special (dedicated) check-in as recently as last week (Thanksgiving 2015) on the Breakaway, sailing out of NYC.

 

Everyone go thru security screening inside Pier 88 and then ask the NCL "greeters" for the CAS check-in line, they might do a quick check of your e-Docs & will direct you accordingly - arriving early enough will usually yield an early boarding number (by zone) Typically, this is at the far end of the terminal - ship's AFT (further out over the Hudson River). The contracted check-in agents you will be directed to might otherwise be checking in Haven or Platinum pax - and, you will be directed upon completion to a roped off area for CAS guests.

 

Friends of ours had zone #11 and boarded fairly quickly, took the stairs one deck down & were among the first seated in Taste/Savor for a nice sit-down lunch, avoiding the madness in the buffet with the herds.