comparing CAS with MSC casino program

[skeeter195]

We just got back from our first MSC cruise, a nine day cruise on the MSC Meraviglia from NY.  We have 26 CAS cruises under our belt.  MY usual CAS comps are balcony through Haven with very little rhyme or reason as to how comps are working.  Example 4 of our last 6 cruises(2 1/2 years) have been Haven comps with the other 2 balcony.  My play is basically the same but my comps are odd.  I got a Bermuda August Haven comp, then got a  1st week in December Western carr balcony comp.  The Bermuda cruise was about 1.75 times the cost of the Western carr cruise, makes zero sense. Anyway here is my comparison.

 

Points:

Slots-CAS 5 coin in gets 1 point

        -MSC 3 coin in gets 1 point

Tables- MSC was more generous with giving points at the tables, CAS can be like pulling teeth at times.  My average bet is $350 at BJ mostly.

Hosts- The MSC host(s), I only saw one was very nice and checked up on us 3 or 4 times during the cruise.  Sometimes the CAS hosts seem annoyed that you are asking them questions

Charging money to the room- MSC charges 0% at tables or slots.  CAS is 3% unless at the higher tiers

Money off of final bill- MSC, I had less than $500 that the casino picked up.  CAS is about the same

 

On MSC future cruise comps are very black and white.  Earn this many points, get this.  if you want to upgrade, it is very reasonable.  The room that I qualify for next trip will only cost me $280 total for all taxes and fees for a 7 night cruise for 2.  CAS will start at $280($20 per person per day for 2) then add port fees and taxes, drink and dining surcharge and the price now over 1k.  

 

I am loyal to CAS and booked this MSC trip 3 days prior to sail date on a whim just to try something different.  IMO CAS had better take a look at MSC.  Some of what they are doing will make switching to MSC very easy.  

 

As far as our ship experience, it was great.  We stayed in the YC.  Comparing it to the Haven, some things were much better and some things not as good.  Overall I rate it as a tie.  Price wise though, the YC is much cheaper than the Haven.  

[FamilyAtSea.travel]

Any tips with how to get the most comps or otherwise from NCL?

 

Booked a casino comp on NCL (Encore in Alaska) through a 3rd party host and want to make sure we keep getting comps if we like NCL.

 

I love that MSC has automated roulette that awards 1 point per $5 money in, this ends up being a much better than playing with a dealer.

[JGmf]

On 1/19/2024 at 11:45 AM, skeeter195 said:

Sometimes the CAS hosts seem annoyed that you are asking them questions

 

OK, I'm not the only one that feels this way...

[harbourxie]

Would you please talk more about how the table game points are earned on MSC for Blackjack? Thanks,

[skeeter195]

19 hours ago, harbourxie said:

Would you please talk more about how the table game points are earned on MSC for Blackjack? Thanks,

From what I was told and what I experienced your front line bet amount will get you a 5 to1 amount of comp.  Example bet $100 get 20 points.  Now you only earn points on the basic bets.  Example, if you bet $100 on a BJ hand then double, split or double then split you will only earn  comps on the first $100 bet, not the others as they are much more in your favor.  At craps your pass line and place bets get comped not your odds bets.  Basically any bets you make after your initial bet will not be comped.  

[sassyshar]

Thanks Skeeter195 for doing the comparison between programs.  I'm sure a lot of CAS players will be exploring other cruise lines and casino options.