Revamped NCL Casinos at Sea program benefits

[BirdTravels]

I do t recall any rules changing with FDR. Most of the current belt tightening came with Harry in charge of NCLH. NCLH missed projections last quarter, so expect more belt tightening and cost increases. 

[cruiseny4life]

On 5/4/2024 at 9:02 AM, itsnotjustme said:

Oddly, on the NCL web site all the OV and balcony cabins were guarantee only.  With my travel agent, I could pick my cabin.

This happens a lot! I'm glad you knew to talk with a travel agent so you could select the cabin you wanted. 

[kessdarln]

How do you find out about NCL CAS offers?
I never get email or mail offers from NCL CAS but they sometimes have one if I call.

Someone said there is a 3rd party site I could show my RC JS & MSC YC offers, anyone know?
I have my eye on a particular 10 day cruise and the offer that just ended was for 9 nights. Does NCL allow paying for the extra night like MSC would? 
You'd think I'd just throw that money at a cabin instead of the slots 😜😜😜😱 EDIT: I think I'll just do that and avoid the casino, I have $1500 already towards a cruise ❤️ 

Edited June 9 by kessdarln
update

[Nola26]

Your best bet is to call CAS. They will look to see if you have an applicable offer or provide a discount option. I haven't been able to use a certificate on a 10-night but we've scored a discount for our upcoming 12-night Baltic cruise. More expensive than usual, but we're going and plan to enjoy ourselves.

 

If there are any other FCCs or discounts already on your account they'll apply those as well. We had a 10% discount due a previously cancelled cruise. Both the CAS discount and that one was applied. We also made our deposit with two Cruise Next certificates we bought so that's another discount (pay $250 for certificates valued at $500).

 

You'll also be eligible for the Free At Sea package, so depending on cabin type you'll be able to accept Shore excursion credits, Internet minutes, Specialty Dining and Drink package.

[DrUrsula]

On 6/8/2024 at 11:32 AM, havoc315 said:

Which directly contradicts the website:

 

 

On 4/25/2024 at 11:57 AM, Always Cruising said:

I called CAS yesterday and after about 20 min hold time, reached a rep, who told me when pressed that Kim had "left the company."  I asked if I'd been assigned a new person, and she said that whomever answered my call would be my new rep (meaning her).  Doesn't seem like CAS values their loyal customers, and that things are really tightening up.

Kim is gone??? Oh- dang!!

She always got us such great deals. We are low-rollers and still amazing prices .

that's a shame.

[kessdarln]

On 6/9/2024 at 6:57 PM, Nola26 said:

Your best bet is to call CAS. They will look to see if you have an applicable offer or provide a discount option. I haven't been able to use a certificate on a 10-night but we've scored a discount for our upcoming 12-night Baltic cruise. More expensive than usual, but we're going and plan to enjoy ourselves.

 

If there are any other FCCs or discounts already on your account they'll apply those as well. We had a 10% discount due a previously cancelled cruise. Both the CAS discount and that one was applied. We also made our deposit with two Cruise Next certificates we bought so that's another discount (pay $250 for certificates valued at $500).

 

You'll also be eligible for the Free At Sea package, so depending on cabin type you'll be able to accept Shore excursion credits, Internet minutes, Specialty Dining and Drink package.

TY. Called, they offered 9 nights and no option to pay for the 10th, or 20% off. With a $1000 off MyVegas and cruise first it is doable. 😁 The hope was to keep the time I already scheduled off for a Carnival UK cruise, without going on Carnival.🤣😜. I'll save that for Cabo. MSC and RC all have UK cruises as comps too.  ICYWW, MSC has up to 70K tournaments. I sent them my RC offers and they sent me a list of tournaments. MSC Meraviglia is a fun amazing ship with a fun casino team that happily took my money and now I have great offers. the need to step up their game on late night food, that's all. (the need The Local). 🤗😁🙏

[Nola26]

So glad you were able to get through and got your answers. Enjoy your cruise!

 

When I call CAS they often have offers I didn't realize I had. They also can book cruises that didn't show on my list from the land based casino. 

 

I've used offers from NCL, Celebrity and Holland America for Alaska. I'd consider each of them again. Carnival and MSC don't seem like the brands for me.

 

It's been 2 years since we've been on NCL and seems like there are plenty of changes we'll get to experience. We're pretty good about rolling with things and have found the NCL crew very responsive. We plan to have a memorable time. 

Edited June 12 by Nola26

[cuterlmt]

We are getting ready to sail next week on the NCL Sun. I believe I should be Ruby so hopefully will get the drink package when we board. We never buy it because we only drink in the casino and drink very little and had the drink card for the casino. But I'm kind of looking forward to experimenting a little bit. Anyone had recent issues with getting the "free upgrade"? 

[Sand and Seas]

7 hours ago, cuterlmt said:

We are getting ready to sail next week on the NCL Sun. I believe I should be Ruby so hopefully will get the drink package when we board. We never buy it because we only drink in the casino and drink very little and had the drink card for the casino. But I'm kind of looking forward to experimenting a little bit. Anyone had recent issues with getting the "free upgrade"? 

I would suggest you call CAS and verify they have you listed as Ruby for your upcoming cruise.  Also, you could ask them to send you an updated amenity invoice that should show you as having the beverage package.  Like you, we do not drink much but did enjoy trying a few different drinks during our cruise.  Also nice to be able to get complimentary diet cokes with our meals.

 

I am Ruby and when we checked in for our cruise both of our pre-printed keycards showed the UB for the beverage package.    Hope you have a great cruise😎

[Bliss1]

Yes. On my 4th cruise since new  program 

Excellent 

Get my canned soda. Fresh juice. Real bottle water

[Sand and Seas]

54 minutes ago, Bliss1 said:

Yes. On my 4th cruise since new  program 

Excellent 

Get my canned soda. Fresh juice. Real bottle water

Did you get canned soda with the Ruby FAS regular drink package?  Or was it the Elite Premium Plus package?

 

We used to get canned sodas from the casino bar with the prior program, but we haven't seen the canned soda available with the new.  I would love it if they will give us the cans of Coke Zero.

[Bliss1]

I have elite pkg

[kessdarln]

On 6/21/2024 at 10:41 AM, Bliss1 said:

I have elite pkg

What is elite pkg?

[Sand and Seas]

2 hours ago, kessdarln said:

What is elite pkg?

It is a Tier level in the Casinos at Sea rewards program.  

Here is a link to the details:

https://www.ncl.com/why-cruise-norwegian/casino-cruise/players-club

 

[Grandmafreddie]

On 3/19/2024 at 3:52 PM, goldmom said:

Just booked a cruise through CAS today.  My agent said that if you book through CAS you still get the free drinks in the Casino.  We'll see if she's right.

Just spoke to ncl consultant and no drinks in casino after April 1 2924 have to be higher than pearl to get it

[Sand and Seas]

1 hour ago, Grandmafreddie said:

Just spoke to ncl consultant and no drinks in casino after April 1 2924 have to be higher than pearl to get it

Slight correction.   Sapphire and Pearl do not get drinks from CAS.  Ruby gets the regular Free at Sea Unlimited Open Bar drink package for  anywhere  on ship without paying 20% fees.  Elite gets  Premium Plus FAS for  anywhere  on board without  fees.  Your keycard  should  be preprinted with code.

 

All four tiers get water package  delivered to room.  

[Red-Sol]

My big problem with CAS really isn't so much not getting free drinks in the casino (Not a tea totaller but not a big drinker either) but they have changed the formula as to what they will offer folks with regards to comps. After donating multiple thousands on a cruise to then be offered a 10% discount on a cruise for me is an insult and time to say adios! 

[Wvshimmy]

3 hours ago, Sand and Seas said:

Slight correction.   Sapphire and Pearl do not get drinks from CAS.  Ruby gets the regular Free at Sea Unlimited Open Bar drink package for  anywhere  on ship without paying 20% fees.  Elite gets  Premium Plus FAS for  anywhere  on board without  fees.  Your keycard  should  be preprinted with code.

 

All four tiers get water package  delivered to room.  

Worked seamlessly in early May.

Saved a nice amount with beverage pkg refunds on other bookings. 

 Side note 

Other lines are also tweaking benefits as well as land casinos. 

Free drinks for all is slowly disappearing everywhere. 

 Even higher land tiers have seen reduced benefits. 

Recent cruises have had packed casinos,  so not everyone is unhappy. 

[dbrown84]

30 minutes ago, Wvshimmy said:

Free drinks for all is slowly disappearing everywhere. 

like where?  NCL is the only place I've seen (land or sea) taking away drinks.  I just took my first MSC cruise, and I'm planning my first carnival cruise since NCL has taken away the drinks. All of my previous cruises (9 total) were on NCL until the change.   At least both MSC and Carnival are still giving free drinks to their casino players.  I've yet to see a land based casino take away free drinks.

[Wvshimmy]

1 hour ago, dbrown84 said:

like where?  NCL is the only place I've seen (land or sea) taking away drinks.  I just took my first MSC cruise, and I'm planning my first carnival cruise since NCL has taken away the drinks. All of my previous cruises (9 total) were on NCL until the change.   At least both MSC and Carnival are still giving free drinks to their casino players.  I've yet to see a land based casino take away free drinks.

Hollywood properties have changed their policies. 

Some have added a caveat for playing xx amount before ordering drinks. 

Caesars properties have definetly reduced benefits,  Diamond lounge being one. 

 I'm really not surprised that ncl trimmed the drinks benefits. 

I've been cruising for quite a long time and booking via cas for over a dozen years. 

Many were sailing via land certs,  playing minimal if any and bragging about their free drinks. 

Just my observations. 

 

 

[dbrown84]

3 minutes ago, Wvshimmy said:

Hollywood properties have changed their policies. 

Some have added a caveat for playing xx amount before ordering drinks. 

Caesars properties have definetly reduced benefits,  Diamond lounge being one. 

 I'm really not surprised that ncl trimmed the drinks benefits. 

I've been cruising for quite a long time and booking via cas for over a dozen years. 

Many were sailing via land certs,  playing minimal if any and bragging about their free drinks. 

Just my observations. 

 

 

ahhh. yeah, I was specifically talking about the drinks, which I haven't seen reduced much.  But even then, I'm a tables player.  You're right, they do now require a xx amount before ordering on the slot machines  so for me, the only big loss I've seen was NCL taking away the drinks, which is why I'm venturing out to different lines.

[lizinvan]

On 6/20/2024 at 11:42 PM, cuterlmt said:

We are getting ready to sail next week on the NCL Sun. I believe I should be Ruby so hopefully will get the drink package when we board. We never buy it because we only drink in the casino and drink very little and had the drink card for the casino. But I'm kind of looking forward to experimenting a little bit. Anyone had recent issues with getting the "free upgrade"? 

 

hi Cuterlmt

 

How did you make out with Casino issues on the Sun?  Did you post a trip report somewhere?  We are booked on the Sun in December for South Pacific but have not sailed with her before.  Have not been on NCL since pre-covid but did enjoy casinos on other ships in the past. Receive casino and other past guest perks from Celebrity, Carnival, Holland America but not MSC or NCL both of which we have around 40-50 nights in the past.

[RugbyKorn]

On 3/18/2024 at 2:39 PM, floridafish said:

I mainly play craps and I've never received one offer from NCL. 

how many points do you have?

[RugbyKorn]

On 8/2/2024 at 6:23 PM, Red-Sol said:

My big problem with CAS really isn't so much not getting free drinks in the casino (Not a tea totaller but not a big drinker either) but they have changed the formula as to what they will offer folks with regards to comps. After donating multiple thousands on a cruise to then be offered a 10% discount on a cruise for me is an insult and time to say adios! 

do they now only offer 10% discounts? I thought they offered much better discounts to specific cruises in the upcoming months.

[Red-Sol]

22 minutes ago, RugbyKorn said:

do they now only offer 10% discounts? I thought they offered much better discounts to specific cruises in the upcoming months.

It isn't a hard and fast rule that they will only offer 10% discounts...that is something based on play and specific cruises...BUT when they only offered us 10% discount on a specific cruise that was unacceptable to us based on our previous play and donations both of which were significant and very much in line with what in the past had always qualified for a balcony comp.