new NCL CAS program april 2024?

[Russiamomm]

2 hours ago, 603NHCruiser said:

Like usual, they promote positive changes while actually taking considerable things away from the lower tiers. Us measly pearl players may now only have to earn 4K points per year to retain our status but from the looks of the mailer they have removed two great perks. The casino drinks, which means no more water, Red Bull or espresso from the casino. And they have also done away with the OBC for Pearl. Yay just in time for my April 5th sailing lol. 
 

Edit: another read shows that there is mention of some sort of “water package” but it will likely just be another bottle of Box water to the room. 

I’m in the same boat as you.  Only Pearl and unlikely to make it any higher.  I’m sailing April 14 and it looks like I’m losing the $100 OBC I was planning on.

 

I think also don’t understand the elimination of the drinks in the casino.  Like most others, I always get a drink package so the only thing I’m losing is the bottled water and espresso.  This is SO shortsighted on the part of NCL.  It’s a perk that most perceive to have some value, even if in reality it doesn’t cost them that much.  Mostly I’m annoyed about the sudden change in the program, with no apparent grandfathering for previously booked trips.  

[dbrown84]

I will really miss the free drinks if they are indeed taken away.  I would decline the FAS drinks because of the free drinks in the casino.  Maybe we'll get luck and they will also get rid of the admin fee, so now taking the FAS drinks will be almost a wash

[itsnotjustme]

Why is the "Stateroom Discount - Norwegian Cruise Line" perk listed in the section for all cruise brands?  Doesn't it belong in the Norwegian Cruise Line section?

  

Edited March 18 by itsnotjustme

[603NHCruiser]

2 hours ago, itsnotjustme said:

Given I always have the FAS drink package, the only thing I used it for was water.... Now I hope the water package is a minimum of 1 liter per person per day (i.e., 14 liters for 2 people on a 7-day cruise).

But it likely is going to be limited to Box water and they will stop allowing Aqua Panna and SP!

[sassyshar]

Pretty vague announcement that was sent out.   From what I see, they removed the tier Jade, which in turn would change the "points" needed for the other levels.  I am currently Sapphire which was 15,000, but think they may lower that and perhaps even Ruby, which was 35,000.  Either way, the status everyone earned up to  4/1/24, should still be honored until 4/1/25, if its not, I'll be cancelling my 2 scheduled cruises.   I do not get the drink package so I enjoy the "free" drinks in the casino. This is only my opinion.      

[BirdTravels]

On 3/10/2024 at 11:29 PM, UKstages said:

there's a tease on the NCL casinos at sea website page that says a "revamped rewards program" will launch in april:

 

"get ready to take your status to the next level with a revamped rewards program launching on april 1, 2024!"

 

tier credits and status both reset on april 1... that's nothing new... but they seem to be implying that the program will have either new tiers or new benefits.

 

has anybody heard anything about this?

Are you missing your limo service and shore ex credit now?  

[JGmf]

17 hours ago, sassyshar said:

 From what I see, they removed the tier Jade, which in turn would change the "points" needed for the other levels.  I am currently Sapphire which was 15,000, but think they may lower that and perhaps even Ruby, which was 35,000.

 

@sassyshar They did indeed cut the Pearl status threshold from 5k down to 4k points.  All the others point levels are the same.  

[Russiamomm]

3 minutes ago, JGmf said:

 

@sassyshar They did indeed cut the Pearl status threshold from 5k down to 4k points.  All the others point levels are the same.  

Yes, but they also took away the perks, primarily the OBC and the drinks.  I finally made Pearl in December and am sailing in April.  It appears I won’t get the OBC.  This is no enhancement to the program, that’s for sure.

[sassyshar]

Maybe too early to ask this, but will the former perks still be in effect after April 1, if you have already booked your next cruises, ie: free drinks in casino, OBC.    I truly love NCL, but RCL is very transparent in their offers and price point is better, so major decisions to be made.  

[JGmf]

As a betting person (like all of you reading this topic!), I'd bet that the new program perk changes take effect April 1, 2024 without any grandfathering-in for previously booked cruises.

 

The casino hosts onboard are seemingly always frazzled.  Can you imagine if they had different benefits for different player levels depending on when they booked the cruise? 

 

I guess we'll know for sure when NCL posts the terms and conditions and/or when our fellow cruisers report-back.

[Russiamomm]

24 minutes ago, sassyshar said:

Maybe too early to ask this, but will the former perks still be in effect after April 1, if you have already booked your next cruises, ie: free drinks in casino, OBC.    I truly love NCL, but RCL is very transparent in their offers and price point is better, so major decisions to be made.  

 

13 minutes ago, JGmf said:

As a betting person (like all of you reading this topic!), I'd bet that the new program perk changes take effect April 1, 2024 without any grandfathering-in for previously booked cruises.

 

The casino hosts onboard are seemingly always frazzled.  Can you imagine if they had different benefits for different player levels depending on when they booked the cruise? 

 

I guess we'll know for sure when NCL posts the terms and conditions and/or when our fellow cruisers report-back.

I’m with JGmf.  I’m in this situation.  Finally made it to Pearl in December and am sailing on April 14.  My CAS rep wasn’t sure, but told me not to count on the OBC for the trip.  (We booked months ago.). 
 

At least the airlines give you more than two weeks notice before they change the terms of the program.  Sigh.

[UKstages]

not everybody is following both threads on this topic, so i'm including a link here to my most recent post in that other thread. i've received confirmation from NCL that pretty much everything we have speculated on is true and there are no exceptions for cruises booked prior to 4/1...

 

Edited March 20 by UKstages

[603NHCruiser]

On 3/19/2024 at 3:37 PM, Russiamomm said:

 

I’m with JGmf.  I’m in this situation.  Finally made it to Pearl in December and am sailing on April 14.  My CAS rep wasn’t sure, but told me not to count on the OBC for the trip.  (We booked months ago.). 
 

At least the airlines give you more than two weeks notice before they change the terms of the program.  Sigh.

Was on the phone with CAS for about 45 min this afternoon and confirmed that NO, existing reservations will not be Grandfathered and new benefits immediately take effect fleet wide as of April 1. UK was already kind enough to add a lot of info to the other thread, but I figured I might as well add a second point of data, since we are all aware that you can call three times and get 4 answers.... 

 

• It is still unclear about the status of Jade or entry players before they hit the now lowered 4k threshold. And specifically will that mean that CAS priority embarkation will now only be offered for Pearl and above.
• Drink cards are discontinued. The agent was unsure if land based cert offers would also no longer have them as that was not outlined and is currently a perk. the assumption is that once more talking points come out and the website pages are updated, it will likely be removed.
• the Water package will be boxed water delivered to the room in the same fashion as the Latitude perk. I personally hate the box water so I didn't write it down, but I believe it was 6 boxes for sailings up to ten days, and 10 boxes for sailings over ten days.
• as we know, no more OBC for Pearl.. YMMV, but when I politely expressed my displeasure with this especially given the fact that it takes effect in ten days and Agents are still learning about it at the same time we are, she placed me on a brief hold and came back to tell me that a supervisor was adding a one time $100 OBC credit on sailing departing April 5th. it would not apply to my later reservations, and the supervisor was emailing the ship so that it would be noted upon arrival. I asked for any sort of written confirmation and she said that unfortunately she was unable to provide that, however, at the end of the call I asked for an updated amenity confirmation as I needed it after having my Shareholder OBC added, and to my surprise there was a second $100 OBC credit that stated it was from the Casino. again, YMMV, but sometimes being polite and patient while expressing dissatisfaction can certainly help.

[Russiamomm]

5 minutes ago, 603NHCruiser said:

Was on the phone with CAS for about 45 min this afternoon and confirmed that NO, existing reservations will not be Grandfathered and new benefits immediately take effect fleet wide as of April 1. UK was already kind enough to add a lot of info to the other thread, but I figured I might as well add a second point of data, since we are all aware that you can call three times and get 4 answers.... 

 

• It is still unclear about the status of Jade or entry players before they hit the now lowered 4k threshold. And specifically will that mean that CAS priority embarkation will now only be offered for Pearl and above.
• Drink cards are discontinued. The agent was unsure if land based cert offers would also no longer have them as that was not outlined and is currently a perk. the assumption is that once more talking points come out and the website pages are updated, it will likely be removed.
• the Water package will be boxed water delivered to the room in the same fashion as the Latitude perk. I personally hate the box water so I didn't write it down, but I believe it was 6 boxes for sailings up to ten days, and 10 boxes for sailings over ten days.
• as we know, no more OBC for Pearl.. YMMV, but when I politely expressed my displeasure with this especially given the fact that it takes effect in ten days and Agents are still learning about it at the same time we are, she placed me on a brief hold and came back to tell me that a supervisor was adding a one time $100 OBC credit on sailing departing April 5th. it would not apply to my later reservations, and the supervisor was emailing the ship so that it would be noted upon arrival. I asked for any sort of written confirmation and she said that unfortunately she was unable to provide that, however, at the end of the call I asked for an updated amenity confirmation as I needed it after having my Shareholder OBC added, and to my surprise there was a second $100 OBC credit that stated it was from the Casino. again, YMMV, but sometimes being polite and patient while expressing dissatisfaction can certainly help.

Thanks for the update.  To me it’s unconscionable the way this has been handled.  I’ll reach out to my guy in hopes I’ll at least get the $100 OBC for my April trip, but I’m not hopeful.  I’m a regular cruiser/gambler, but not a Whale.  I guess I don’t count. 

 

It’s not about the money.  It’s about the way this has been rolled out and the utter disregard for their loyal customers.  I simply can’t believe how poorly this has been handled.  I’ve had high status with the airlines for years.  They would never treat their loyal customers this way.

 

[dbrown84]

3 hours ago, 603NHCruiser said:

The agent was unsure if land based cert offers would also no longer have them as that was not outlined and is currently a perk.

[Red-Sol]

12 hours ago, Russiamomm said:

Thanks for the update.  To me it’s unconscionable the way this has been handled.  I’ll reach out to my guy in hopes I’ll at least get the $100 OBC for my April trip, but I’m not hopeful.  I’m a regular cruiser/gambler, but not a Whale.  I guess I don’t count. 

 

It’s not about the money.  It’s about the way this has been rolled out and the utter disregard for their loyal customers.  I simply can’t believe how poorly this has been handled.  I’ve had high status with the airlines for years.  They would never treat their loyal customers this way.

 

[Red-Sol]

12 hours ago, Russiamomm said:

Thanks for the update.  To me it’s unconscionable the way this has been handled.  I’ll reach out to my guy in hopes I’ll at least get the $100 OBC for my April trip, but I’m not hopeful.  I’m a regular cruiser/gambler, but not a Whale.  I guess I don’t count. 

 

It’s not about the money.  It’s about the way this has been rolled out and the utter disregard for their loyal customers.  I simply can’t believe how poorly this has been handled.  I’ve had high status with the airlines for years.  They would never treat their loyal customers this way.

 

This is spot on! It's not the fact that I can afford to actually buy a drink in the casino if I want one...but it is all about how they value people that are really keeping some of these cruise lines afloat (no pun intended) NCL is showing disdain for some of their most loyal customers and me thinks it is not going to end well for them.

[beau11]

Since they are watering down/eliminating perks, I wonder if they will give more/higher value cabins to us loyal cruisers to make up for this "exciting news".

OK...a girl can dream.

[travelingtink]

Well if this isn’t clear as mud!?

 

I will be taking my first ever CAS cruise (thanks to MyVegas) boarding on Mar 31. I have zero status with CAS or any other cruise line casino program. I didn’t even know about the April 1 restart rule until seeing this thread. If you board prior to April 1, do the perks that were available on your embarkation continue throughout the cruise? Or does everything reset on the 1st?

 

The two perks I was counting on were the separate CAS checkin and using the drink card for water and soda. Neither are a deal breaker but now wondering if I want to upgrade my FAS basic package. 
 

 

[UKstages]

as a CAS guest, you can use CAS check-in. it's a modest benefit of minimal value, but it's something.

 

as for cruises embarking on 3/31... strictly speaking, that ain't april 1st. but nobody knows what they will do. my best guess is they will not provide a drink card or free drinks (including water and soda) since almost the entire cruise takes place during the new window.

 

they basically could do three things...

 

• give you free drinks for the entirety of the cruise

• give you one day of free drinks and revoke the privilege on april 1st

• give you no free drinks

 

i'm not a betting man (see what i did there?), but my best guess is that they will go with the third option.

[itsnotjustme]

10 hours ago, UKstages said:

my best guess is that they will go with the third option.

I go the other way and think they will go with option #1 or #2, and I favor #2 over #2.  Of course, my casino host when I made Pearl told me I would have free drinks until 1 Apr 2025.

[CalLuvsCrusingToo]

On 3/25/2024 at 8:46 PM, itsnotjustme said:

I go the other way and think they will go with option #1 or #2, and I favor #2 over #2.  Of course, my casino host when I made Pearl told me I would have free drinks until 1 Apr 2025.

Thats pretty tight if you only get drinks for One day.

[itsnotjustme]

p.s. That should have said #2 over #1.

[Sand and Seas]

They are tweaking the program again.  I just talked to CAS (in Arizona) and they got a change today.  He verified that Ruby will not have to pay 20% fee and will receive FAS drink package all over the ship.  Elite has changed too, but he didn't explain that to me.  (Someone on the other site said Elite could get FAS free, or pay for FAS and get PremPlus) 

 

I wonder if anything else will change by April 1st🤔

Edited March 30 by Sand and Seas

[UKstages]

april 1st is the day they say they were just kidding... april fool's.

 

as an elite member, i am curious as to what the changes are. sounds like i can count on a "free" baseline drink package. i mean, if they're giving it to ruby, i assume it'll go to elite as well.

 

interesting that it sounds like they will require a purchase of the drink package in order for elites to enjoy the premium plus package. that suggests they really don't know how loyalty programs work. or casinos, for that matter. if they really wanted to differentiate between ruby at 35,000 tier and elite at 100,000 tier (representing a minimum of $500,000 coin through, but closer to $1,000,000 coin through for video poker players who dabble in slots), they should just give premium the plus drink package to elites. very minimal exposure... there are not a heckuva lot of elites... and - whether they realize it or not - by making the benefit the same at 35K and 100K, they are giving players few compelling reasons to play beyond 35K.