Went out on a 9-day Caribbean Cruise on the NCL Gem, a ship we’ve sailed on 4 times prior and like very much. The cruise, as always, was wonderful, stopping in San Juan, St. Thomas, St. Martin and Tortolla. The food and service on board were great. But the casino was the best:
The
first night out, I was playing deuces for $2 as opposed to my usual $1 because we were headed off to a show in about a half-hour, and I figured
for the short session, what the heck. I got AKJ10 of clubs, and up popped the Q on the draw for the $8K RF. That changed my entire play for
the trip to the $2 level, and, unbelievably, I got quad deuces 4 times for $2K each, out of a total of ten quads altogether, with the other six
coming on BPDlx. I wouldn’t even try to figure out what the odds of getting that many deuces are.
The
interesting thing is that the bride & I only heard 2 other jackpot hits the whole time we were in the casino. And we were in there quite a bit, not only for playing, but just getting drinks, sodas and bottled water since that’s all free as opposed to the ridiculous onboard charges. So it wasn’t like they were cranking out W2G’s left and right. But unlike land-based casinos, you don’t get 86-ed for hitting jackpots,
they just treat you better actually.
Already looking forward to my next NCL ‘freebie’!
Certainly the game is rigged. Don’t let that stop you; if you don’t bet, you can’t win. -Lazarus Long
In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. But, in practice, there is. -Yogi Berra
There is no such thing as luck. There is only adequate or inadequate preparation to cope with a statistical universe. -Robert Heinlein
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From: “GURU PERF gurup…@…net [vpFREE_Cruises]” <vpFREE_Crui…@…com>
To: “vpFREE_Crui…@…com” <vpFREE_Crui…@…com>
Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2015 5:05 PM
Subject: Re: [vpFREE_Cruises] Ncl casinos at sea
My experience has been similar: NCL will usually offer you a better deal than the casino’s “free” cruise deal, because they’re basing it on your experience playing on board. The casino is giving away a block of cabins, perhaps over 2 giveaways, one for mid-level players, one for their upper levels. The first would get inside cabins or MAYBE an oceanview, while the latter would get balconies or perhaps a suite.
NCL recognizes that you won’t be cruising as often as you go to a land-based casino, and while casinos can adjust staffing and other expenses for slow periods, an empty cabin on any cruise will never be sold or produce revenue, and the crew will be on board anyway, because they generally have six-month or longer contracts. The entertainers will be giving the same show whether they have a packed house or a half-empty one.
I will use a casino offer depending on the itinerary: Canada/New England in the fall really doesn’t benefit from a balcony because it is too cold to be sitting out there anyway. Whether I have an inside or oceanview is immaterial on that cruise, so an inside casino offer is fine. On the other hand, Florida/Bahamas or a Caribbbean allows you to use the balcony a lot, so if that’s what NCL is offering, I’m there.
When you reach Gold level with NCL, you really don’t have to depend on snail mail offers, but you can contact them at any time and get a room. We’re headed out to the Eastern Caribbean on 3/18 in a nice balcony room. I’m looking forward to getting away from the snow.
Certainly the game is rigged. Don’t let that stop you; if you don’t bet, you can’t win. -Lazarus Long
In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. But, in practice, there is. -Yogi Berra
There is no such thing as luck. There is only adequate or inadequate preparation to cope with a statistical universe. -Robert Heinlein
From: “Misscraps misscr…@…com [vpFREE_Cruises]”
<vpFREE_Crui…@…com>
To: vpFREE_Crui…@…com
Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2015 4:29 PM
Subject: [vpFREE_Cruises] Ncl casinos at sea
Actually I had an interesting experience when I received one of those “free” and NCL certificates from Caesar’s I decided to call casino at sea and see if I could do any better. Sure enough they gave me a balcony cabin For the same cruise and the same price for taxes as the “free” Caesars offer which had been only for a inside cabin.
Once I hit the “hot” level at casinos it sea I started getting more offers in the mail from them. The offers don’t specify which kind of cabin and
That varies from time to time on which cruise ship you’re taking… I believe even if you don’t receive mailings from them (snail mail) but have played on an NCL ship very well may qualify for the casinos at sea discounts or freebies, so call them.