The Our Journey to the NCL $100,000.00 Winner Takes All Slot Tournament

[Sthrngary]

Hello everyone, I thought it would be fun to do a count down to the $100,000.00 Winner Takes All NCL “Casinos at Sea” Tournament.  The cruise is 85 days away. Here is the story. My family and I was cruising on the NCL Joy, November 27 – December 4, 2021.  I got each family member a buy-in ($30.00) in the ships slot tournament.  Prior to my wife playing for the first round, she said,

 

“I hate doing this slot tournament.  It makes me so nervous.”

 

When you do a slot tournament you can see who is leading on your screen until the last 15 seconds.  There was my wife ahead of the pack with me in dead last. Bingo, she wins round one.  This got her in the finals for the ship.  In the finals which pays $500.00, I am watching her play, with a minute to go she was second.  With 15 seconds to go she was first.  Bingo, she wins the ship tournament.  This is so odd.  My wife does not gamble at all.  I filmed her getting the hundred-dollar bills in her hand like they do on YouTube.  She stashed the money as her MAD money, enjoy it for a few months.  She was giddy.

The next thing I know, they hand her a piece of paper which gave her an entry into the “Casinos at Sea” slot tournament finals on the NCL Breakaway, out of New Orleans, on December 4, 2022.  At first, I thought we also won a free cruise.  “Not in my lifetime”, we had to pay for the cruise which was just fine.  Casinos at Sea did give us a 20% discount the fare, so I felt fortunate.  

 

For those of you that read my “Secrets to the NCL Haven VIP Experience” posting here on CruiseCritic.com, I immediately ask for the discount on a Haven Suite. That as a “NO GO”.  You can’t blame me for trying folks.  We did get a Club Balcony Suite (MA) which we are very happy about.  I also, as you might expect, already put in my “Upgrade Bid” for a Haven Suite.  The reality is there is only a handful of Haven Suites left so I have NO real chance of an upgrade.  I would rather it be this way then waiting and getting disappointed at the last minute.

 

Time for Haven Lite: 

 

With a Club Balcony Suite, my lovely bride and I will be doing the now famous “Haven Lite” approach. The first thing I did was book the “Free at Sea PLUS” program.  This just became available just a few months ago.  It includes the Premium Plus Beverage Program, Unlimited Internet (Not Streaming), another $50.00 off excursion (that gives us $100.00 off) and two more Specialty Restaurants (Giving us a total of four).

 

From there I booked a Cabana in the Vibe Beach Club.  This is again, a new thing that you can book the Vibe pre-cruise instead of running for the Vibe desk when you get on the ship.  That used to make me so nervous, so I was thrilled. One of the things I aways do is attempt to create an all-inclusive feeling on an NCL Cruise.  I pre-paid my gratuities, purchased my cruise insurance (We usually cost the insurance company money) and book/paid for a few excursions.

As most of you know, when you are in a Haven Suite you can pre-reserve a specialty restaurant 130 days in advance. Since I am in a Club Balcony Suite it is 125 day in advance so check that box.  There you have it, Haven Lite nailed. 

 

As the time comes closer, I will post again on this thread.  As Casinos at Sea send us information, I will post it.  When I am on the cruise, I will do “Live Postings”.  Wish my lovely bride some luck.  She said we could go on another cruise if she wins, LOL.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

[Viajera7]

 Congratulations!

[weltek]

How fun! I'm so curious how many end up participating in the tournament. I assume not everyone who is invited/qualified will go on this cruise. 

That route is at least usually a cheaper sailing, so hopefully you got a great bargain on your booking. Good luck to your wife!

[Sthrngary]

1 hour ago, weltek said:

How fun! I'm so curious how many end up participating in the tournament. I assume not everyone who is invited/qualified will go on this cruise. 

That route is at least usually a cheaper sailing, so hopefully you got a great bargain on your booking. Good luck to your wife!

@weltekFunny I was hopping for the same thing, low attendance.  I don't think that is going to happen because three months out, the Haven is almost completely sold out.  This is the week after thanksgiving so all I can think is those that won, booked the Haven.  I hope sincerely I am wrong.

 

The ship is about the same as other.  The 20% off I got from Casinos at Sea was very welcomed.  Thank you for the good luck.  I asked my wife what would she purchase first.  She said, I have NO IDEA.  I have some idea's for her though.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

[Sthrngary]

We just received the agenda for our Casinos at Sea Slot Tournament Finals. The cruise is in 80 days.  The agenda looks like:

 

$100,000 Winner Take All Slot Tournament - Norwegian Breakaway

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

 

Sunday, December 4^th | Welcome Cocktail Party & Registration

Bliss Lounge from 4:00PM – 5:00PM

 

Monday, December 5^th | Session 1

Breakaway Casino starting at 10:00AM

 

Thursday, December 8^th | Session 2

Breakaway Casino starting at 6:00PM

 

Friday, December 9^th | Beach Party in Cozumel, Mexico

Meet in Breakaway Casino at 9:15AM

Disembark ship at 9:30AM

Depart to Playa Mia at 9:45AM

Depart back to ship at 2:30PM

 

Saturday, December 10^th | Pre-Finale Cocktail Party

Bliss Lounge from 4:00PM – 5:00PM

 

Saturday, December 10^th | $100,000 Winner Take All Finale

Breakaway Casino at 5:00PM

 

We have NO idea how many folks will be in the finals.  I do not think everyone that won the slot tournament on an NCL Ship will attend.  This cruise we NOT complementary.  I am hoping many players just skip it allowing for better odds.  The fact of the matter is the Haven Suites are almost sold out.  With 80 days until the cruise, that is a bit unusual.  That tells me, there might be some competition in this contest. 

 

FYI, I am sharing this information because there is so little information on this event.  I will also do live posting on the ship focused on the Tournament and cruising "Haven Lite".  We have done the "Free At Sea PLUS" upgrade, booked a Cabana in the Vibe Beach Club, have upgrade bids for the Haven and Balcony Spa Suite.  My wife and I have gone to these ports before, we have not booked any excursions as of yet.  The Tournament provides one excursion in Cozumel, Mexico. I may splurge on the Beach Villa on the Private Island if I can find some folks that want to go in with us due to the cost.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

 

 

 

 

[Bronx12]

19 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

 

19 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

Sunday, December 4^th | Welcome Cocktail Party & Registration

Bliss Lounge from 4:00PM – 5:00PM

 

Monday, December 5^th | Session 1

Breakaway Casino starting at 10:00AM

 

Thursday, December 8^th | Session 2

Breakaway Casino starting at 6:00PM

 

Friday, December 9^th | Beach Party in Cozumel, Mexico

Meet in Breakaway Casino at 9:15AM

Disembark ship at 9:30AM

Depart to Playa Mia at 9:45AM

Depart back to ship at 2:30PM

 

Saturday, December 10^th | Pre-Finale Cocktail Party

Bliss Lounge from 4:00PM – 5:00PM

 

Saturday, December 10^th | $100,000 Winner Take All Finale

Breakaway Casino at 5:00PM

Why is it saying Bliss lounge on December 4 & 10, aren't you going on Breakaway?

Edited September 15, 2022 by Bronx12

[ggTexasGal]

5 minutes ago, Bronx12 said:

Why is it saying Bliss lounge on December 4 & 10, aren't you going on Breakaway?

Bliss Ultra Lounge Go clubbing till the wee hours where the glowing walls and bar intensify the energy. Exclusively on Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Jade, and Norwegian Pearl. 

[Sthrngary]

10 minutes ago, Bronx12 said:

Why is it saying Bliss lounge on December 4 & 10, aren't you going on Breakaway?

@Bronx12 The full name of this lounge is the Bliss Ultra Lounge.  It is located on Deck 7.  It is just the name of this bar.  Similar the the "A List Bar" on the NCL Joy.  

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

[Bronx12]

5 minutes ago, ggTexasGal said:

Bliss Ultra Lounge Go clubbing till the wee hours where the glowing walls and bar intensify the energy. Exclusively on Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Jade, and Norwegian Pearl. 

Thank you, I feel so silly 😞

 

[Sthrngary]

Just now, Bronx12 said:

Thank you, I feel so silly 😞

 

@Bronx12 Oh stop now.  It was a good question.  Never feel bad about the questions you ask.  All are fair.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

[ggTexasGal]

Just now, Bronx12 said:

Thank you, I feel so silly 😞

 

Many of these types of things are easy to overlook! 😃

[Yesimapirate]

@SthrngaryNot sure what they're charging for the beach cabanas now on Harvest Cay but the $600 (including $400 onboard credit) was well worth.   Wife and i absolutely loved it.  Go splurge!

[Sthrngary]

3 minutes ago, Yesimapirate said:

@SthrngaryNot sure what they're charging for the beach cabanas now on Harvest Cay but the $600 (including $400 onboard credit) was well worth.   Wife and i absolutely loved it.  Go splurge!

Please clarify the $400 OBC part of your statement.  That was confusing to me.  Thank you.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

[ChiefMateJRK]

Thanks for another interesting thread Gary.  While I do play the slots on NCL ships, it is only the penny slots and that just for fun.  I've never won or lost more than a dollar or two in any given day (probably lost a dollar most days 🤣).  That said, I do enjoy reading about your wife's big adventure.  It will be fun to hear how it turns out.😎

[Yesimapirate]

11 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

Please clarify the $400 OBC part of your statement.  That was confusing to me.  Thank you.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

We used the OBC we had to pay for the cabana. 

[BermudaBound2014]

We are all cheering for your wife!! 

[UKstages]

not all tournament participants will be finalists from other tournaments held on board other ships throughout the year.  some will be "invited guests," which is casino parlance for "qualified players," who generally get a free cruise as well as the tournament entry. i received an invitation for this, but will probably not go, even though the offer is tempting. (while i enjoy the breakaway, the casino is small and smoking is allowed throughout, which i don't enjoy. i also did this itinerary last december.)

 

the prize structure for this tournament - and here it appears that there is just one prize of 100K - is based on a minimum of 75 participants. i played a similar (17.5K) tournament two weeks ago on the joy and the prize structure was also based on 75 participants, but there were about 140 who came onboard for the tournament. i finished first in each of my first two rounds, which means nothing because many other people finished first with much higher scores than i had. my third round was a bust. that tournament had prizes that ranged from 7.5K in cash down to $100 in free play.

 

they did allow up to two "rebuys" for $30 each. (i declined.) a rebuy round lets you replace a bad score with a better score, if you get a better score the second time around. the tournament your wife is playing in on the 12/4 breakaway cruise allows two rebuys per participant as well... for $150 each! it's a money grab for sure, but if you have two strong rounds, it might be worth ponying up for a rebuy if your third round is less than stellar.

[skeeter195]

I goy an invite for this as well.  The numbers may in fact be low and that is why the invites are going out.  Also that is the same week as the poker finals cruise on the Encore out of Miami.  There will be 500 plus poker players on that cruise.  Some of these players and or wives/husbands may have like to go on the slot tx on the Breakaway.  So if you are looking for lower numbers you may just get it.  Wow, 76 entrants would be nice for you and your wife.  

 

Good luck

[cruisequeen4ever]

Exciting! Good luck to your wife!

[Sthrngary]

OK, 55 days away.  Time to check on all my Pre-Cruise preparation.

 

Add-On's Purchases:  My goal is always to make my cruises as all-inclusive as possible.  Knowing when you can schedule or book something is all part of the game.  Specialty Restaurants were reserved 125 day prior to cruise; Vibe Beach Club Cabana was booked about the same time when NCL opened up the pre-cruise booking for it; Purchased the "Free At Sea PLUS" program as soon as I saw it was available; I upgraded the "Unlimited Internet" to Unlimited Streaming Internet on the FAS+ program for $70.00; I have several upgrade bids for both the Haven and Spa Suite; Gratuities are all pre-paid; and Third Party Travel Insurance including cancellation clauses paid for months ago.

 

My wife and I are on our customary diet prior to any cruise.  My Microsoft Excel homemade calendar for the week of the cruise was completed.  My Pre-Cruise Hotel in New Orleans is booked and paid for; my parking that the pier is complete.  

 

Letters To NCL Executives:  I send out emails to four NCL executives prior to my NCL cruises.  I give them an overview of the positive and negative issues pre-cruise.  They always email me back.  I never ask for anything from them and never have gotten so much as a box of candy.  The purpose of my emails is to let them know what real guests feel about their brand. 

 

What is Left: 

1. Picking a Dining Reservation for the Night Before the cruise in New Orleans
2. Online check-in 21 days prior to the cruise.
3. Daily checking as it relates to changes in Covid/Health Restrictions
4. Packing

 

Cruise well everyone and enjoy every minute. 

[Sthrngary]

This upcoming cruise is effecting my preparation differently then in the past.  I am doing all the same crazy things, just know to the level as I have before.  Part of my issue is I was hoping some friends and family could and would join us for this tournament.  For what ever reason that did not happen.  This cruise is designed as a "Haven Lite" experience and the preparation is pretty easy.  

 

My favorite cruises are the once where you take friends and family that have never cruised before with you.  You show them the ropes if you would.  You watch the look of excitement and adventure when they walk on a huge cruise ship for the first time.  It is kind of like, we are tour guides with all the secrets and we have guests that we see getting the "Cruise Vacation Bug".  

 

This cruise is one of the first I have not pre-booked excursions with the exception of the one that is part of the slot event. One of two things is going to happen.  First, we will have an unbelievable time because we did not clog the vacation up with to many details; two, we will spend most of our time in the Vibe Beach Club chilling and reading a book.    

 

Either way, not to bad a plan.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

[jengwen71]

On 9/15/2022 at 3:44 PM, Sthrngary said:

We just received the agenda for our Casinos at Sea Slot Tournament Finals. The cruise is in 80 days.  The agenda looks like:

 

$100,000 Winner Take All Slot Tournament - Norwegian Breakaway

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

 

Sunday, December 4^th | Welcome Cocktail Party & Registration

Bliss Lounge from 4:00PM – 5:00PM

 

Monday, December 5^th | Session 1

Breakaway Casino starting at 10:00AM

 

Thursday, December 8^th | Session 2

Breakaway Casino starting at 6:00PM

 

Friday, December 9^th | Beach Party in Cozumel, Mexico

Meet in Breakaway Casino at 9:15AM

Disembark ship at 9:30AM

Depart to Playa Mia at 9:45AM

Depart back to ship at 2:30PM

 

Saturday, December 10^th | Pre-Finale Cocktail Party

Bliss Lounge from 4:00PM – 5:00PM

 

Saturday, December 10^th | $100,000 Winner Take All Finale

Breakaway Casino at 5:00PM

 

We have NO idea how many folks will be in the finals.  I do not think everyone that won the slot tournament on an NCL Ship will attend.  This cruise we NOT complementary.  I am hoping many players just skip it allowing for better odds.  The fact of the matter is the Haven Suites are almost sold out.  With 80 days until the cruise, that is a bit unusual.  That tells me, there might be some competition in this contest. 

 

FYI, I am sharing this information because there is so little information on this event.  I will also do live posting on the ship focused on the Tournament and cruising "Haven Lite".  We have done the "Free At Sea PLUS" upgrade, booked a Cabana in the Vibe Beach Club, have upgrade bids for the Haven and Balcony Spa Suite.  My wife and I have gone to these ports before, we have not booked any excursions as of yet.  The Tournament provides one excursion in Cozumel, Mexico. I may splurge on the Beach Villa on the Private Island if I can find some folks that want to go in with us due to the cost.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

 

 

 

 

Thanks for adding this!  I have been trying to get details and no one seems to know anything. Did Casinos at Sea send it to you? Cozumel is the only port we haven't booked an excursion for yet, so that works out nicely.

[Sthrngary]

4 minutes ago, jengwen71 said:

Thanks for adding this!  I have been trying to get details and no one seems to know anything. Did Casinos at Sea send it to you? Cozumel is the only port we haven't booked an excursion for yet, so that works out nicely.

I sent Casino at Sea an email for the information. That is what they sent.  I have done all of these ports.  The only excursion I loved was the Beach Villa on the private island.  I did not do it this time because it is to pricy for two people.  Long story short, the only excursion we have is Cozumel and a cabana in the Vibe Beach Club.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

[jengwen71]

I did find out the agenda is also posted on the website now: https://www.ncl.com/winnertakeall

[Sthrngary]

35 minutes ago, jengwen71 said:

I did find out the agenda is also posted on the website now: https://www.ncl.com/winnertakeall

Thank you so much.  I is great seeing it is real, lol.  Thanks again.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.