Casino VIP

[elizabeth612]

While booking a new cruise, I was informed that I was a Casino VIP. I've only been on HAL one time before and only spent a couple hundred on board. I don't go to casinos much either, so can anyone explain how this is?

[KirkNC]

While booking a new cruise, I was informed that I was a Casino VIP. I've only been on HAL one time before and only spent a couple hundred on board. I don't go to casinos much either, so can anyone explain how this is?

 

That's a new one on me. Who informed you? HAL or someone else?

[elizabeth612]

When I went to redeem my bingo certificate over the phone, they told me I was Casino VIP and should have received something in the mail. I didn't as far as I could tell, maybe I threw out thinking it was junk mail?

[Krazy Kruizers]

This is the first time I have ever heard of a person becoming a Casino VIP.

Hope someone comes along and knows something about this.

[olson99]

If you find out, please post. We have done 3 cruises so far on HAL in 2014 and on each cruise spending hundreds of dollars in the casino and we have never been told we are casino VIP.

[sail7seas]

I've never heard of it but I certainly would not be a casino VIP as I stopped playing in HAL casinos when they switched to the coinless system on slot machines.

 

I'd be amazed to hear that someone who played a couple of hundred dollars would fit that category. I would imagine that is 'small potatoes' in the scheme of big spenders :) but who knows? Maybe......

 

If you find out, please let us know.

 

Edited August 2, 2014 by sail7seas

[Pote2006]

No big deal, I just received this also.

 

Book a trip between July 10th and August 25, 2014 and they give you $100. in casino cash.

 

Just another marketing tool. Sent to people who have sailed before and may have played in the casino. I am a club 21 member, so I figure that is why it was sent.

 

Just so happened that we were booking a 11 day trip to Alaska then :D so just a little perk on top. Also received a upgraded at no cost.

 

We leave August 13th and are starting to pack.

[sail7seas]

No big deal, I just received this also.

 

Book a trip between July 10th and August 25, 2014 and they give you $100. in casino cash.

 

Just another marketing tool. Sent to people who have sailed before and may have played in the casino. I am a club 21 member, so I figure that is why it was sent.

 

Just so happened that we were booking a 11 day trip to Alaska then :D so just a little perk on top. Also received a upgraded at no cost.

 

We leave August 13th and are starting to pack.

 

 

 

Thanks for explaining.

Have a great cruise. :)

 

[Laminator]

While booking a new cruise, I was informed that I was a Casino VIP. I've only been on HAL one time before and only spent a couple hundred on board. I don't go to casinos much either, so can anyone explain how this is?

 

HAL utilizes several marketing tools for Club 21. There are so many mailings it is hard to keep up sometimes. They offer deals where if you book any cruise between such and such dates you'll receive a cash amount from the casino.

 

They also offer Club 21 sponsored events. These are cruise specific invites where a sail away party, raffles, gifts and other special events outside of a normal cruise are involved. I can tell you these are a lot of fun. The next one is Aug. 30th on the Zuiderdam.

 

Starting last year they also began offering a once a year Club 21 event with, I believe, a $25,000 Slot Tournament. This was on a Canada New England cruise. I am 99% sure they are offering this year also. Once again there are too many promotions to keep track of.

 

These are not events that take over the whole ship. The most cabins I have ever seen is 75. They are usually in the 30 to 40 area. The casino is not big enough to handle a large number of Club 21 cruisers.

 

Your player rating determines what you are offered. Players can receive a small discount on a room, a discount plus cash, a free verandah cabin, a free verandah cabin and cash. It is based on your player rating.

 

Next Year HAL is offering 11 Club 21 sponsored events.

 

If you do consider yourself a decent player make sure you voice your opinion to one of the hosts on the ship. They can track your play and make a determination. I know at the minimum a Club 21 VIP player receives free drinks inn the casino.

 

I am surprised that the poster received a VIP designation for only a few hundred dollars also. But with HAL increasing their Club 21 marketing campaign it's possible they have made their base Club 21 VIP program easier to obtain.

[Laminator]

I've never heard of it but I certainly would not be a casino VIP as I stopped playing in HAL casinos when they switched to the coinless system on slot machines.

 

I'd be amazed to hear that someone who played a couple of hundred dollars would fit that category. I would imagine that is 'small potatoes' in the scheme of big spenders :) but who knows? Maybe......

 

If you find out, please let us know.

 

 

I, like you, am fond of the old coin system. However on a cruise ship where spread of disease prevention is key the coins were causing nightmares. Too many hands touching the coins. As it stands now the chips need to be washed regularly onboard for prevention. And I am sure everyone who spends a decent amount of time in the casino sees casino staff constantly wiping down the machines including the buttons, the handles and the keypad.

[sail7seas]

I, like you, am fond of the old coin system. However on a cruise ship where spread of disease prevention is key the coins were causing nightmares. Too many hands touching the coins. As it stands now the chips need to be washed regularly onboard for prevention. And I am sure everyone who spends a decent amount of time in the casino sees casino staff constantly wiping down the machines including the buttons, the handles and the keypad.

 

 

 

You are certainly correct in all you say but, for me, that took the fun away. I never expected to fund my retirement by slot machine winnings but I play, I expect to have fun and enjoy it. That is my reason to play. Without coins clanking into the hopper, it became so boring and mechanical. The fun was gone for me so my playing totally stopped. DH and I used to play almost ever night after dinner and I often played afternoons when at sea. I haven't played more than 10 minutes in the last 20+ cruises. The smoke in the casino is another factor. No fun AND breathe second hand smoke........ I'm out of there. :D

 

[Laminator]

You are certainly correct in all you say but, for me, that took the fun away. I never expected to fund my retirement by slot machine winnings but I play, I expect to have fun and enjoy it. That is my reason to play. Without coins clanking into the hopper, it became so boring and mechanical. The fun was gone for me so my playing totally stopped. DH and I used to play almost ever night after dinner and I often played afternoons when at sea. I haven't played more than 10 minutes in the last 20+ cruises. The smoke in the casino is another factor. No fun AND breathe second hand smoke........ I'm out of there. :D

 

 

If smoking is still allowed in the casino on the new build I am sure they are taking the second hand smoke problem into consideration. More openness and different location are highly probable. I am sure deck 2 is out of the equation. If smoking is no longer allowed I am sure deck 2 is still out of the equation.

[PathfinderEss]

Thanks for the explanation, I had never heard of the term Casino VIP. Good to know. I have some friends that love to gamble, they like another cruise line as they are run by a well known Casino and they get all sorts of benefits. Like free cruise, all drinks are comp while they gamble, etc.

[Laminator]

Thanks for the explanation, I had never heard of the term Casino VIP. Good to know. I have some friends that love to gamble, they like another cruise line as they are run by a well known Casino and they get all sorts of benefits. Like free cruise, all drinks are comp while they gamble, etc.

 

That other cruise line charges you port fees and taxes. If your friends qualify and it sounds like they may their cabin would be free including the port fees and taxes plus the drinks in the casino.

[RedmondCruiser]

I received a VIP card on a prior cruise. I asked someone in the casino on our last cruise what it meant or was entitled to. They merely shrugged their shoulders and said they knew nothing about it.

[Laminator]

I received a VIP card on a prior cruise. I asked someone in the casino on our last cruise what it meant or was entitled to. They merely shrugged their shoulders and said they knew nothing about it.

 

Normally it is explained to you when you receive the card. Once you receive a VIP card and are planning on booking another cruise call Club 21 in Miami and ask them if you have earned any cabin discount or comp cash for the upcoming cruise you are interested in. It's possible that you have only earned free drinks in the casino. If you have in fact earned a discount on a cabin Club 21 will give you a promo code to use when you book. If you have earned casino cash or free drinks make sure that you have them send you an email with exactly what you have earned. Sometimes there is a disconnect between shore side and the ship. Having that email will help you out.

[kazu]

No big deal, I just received this also.

 

Book a trip between July 10th and August 25, 2014 and they give you $100. in casino cash.

 

Just another marketing tool. Sent to people who have sailed before and may have played in the casino. I am a club 21 member, so I figure that is why it was sent.

 

Just so happened that we were booking a 11 day trip to Alaska then :D so just a little perk on top. Also received a upgraded at no cost.

 

We leave August 13th and are starting to pack.

 

I got one of those too. Sadly, my trips are currently all booked.

 

Wish they would apply it to existing bookings;)

 

Have fun packing and a good cruise

Edited August 3, 2014 by kazu

[elizabeth612]

Thanks for the explanations. I guess I'll wait until Monday and call Club 21 in Miami, maybe they can fill me in as to what certain perk(s) I may be entitled to. I'll take free drinks anytime!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Krazy Kruizers]

No big deal, I just received this also.

 

Book a trip between July 10th and August 25, 2014 and they give you $100. in casino cash.

 

Just another marketing tool. Sent to people who have sailed before and may have played in the casino. I am a club 21 member, so I figure that is why it was sent.

 

Just so happened that we were booking a 11 day trip to Alaska then :D so just a little perk on top. Also received a upgraded at no cost.

 

We leave August 13th and are starting to pack.

 

 

Thanks for explaining this.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thanks for the explanation, I had never heard of the term Casino VIP. Good to know. I have some friends that love to gamble, they like another cruise line as they are run by a well known Casino and they get all sorts of benefits. Like free cruise, all drinks are comp while they gamble, etc.

 

 

That is a good deal.

[kakalina]

We have been Club 21 members ( a part of the Ocean Players Club ) for many years.

One can also access a credit line through OCP for use in the casino on board. The credit lines start at 10K.

 

We call OPC prior to our booked cruise and they tell us how much cash will be waiting for us at the cashier's cage when we board. This is very nice.

 

Our drinks are comped and quite often the casino manager will send out a gift certificate for free meals in the PG or Caneletto. Tee shirts, hats and tote bags are common gifts items also.

We make a lot of use of our status and spend more time in the casino accordingly.

Edited August 3, 2014 by kakalina

[Laminator]

We have been Club 21 members ( a part of the Ocean Players Club ) for many years.

One can also access a credit line through OCP for use in the casino on board. The credit lines start at 10K.

 

We call OPC prior to our booked cruise and they tell us how much cash will be waiting for us at the cashier's cage when we board. This is very nice.

 

Our drinks are comped and quite often the casino manager will send out a gift certificate for free meals in the PG or Caneletto. Tee shirts, hats and tote bags are common gifts items also.

We make a lot of use of our status and spend more time in the casino accordingly.

 

I can tell you're very familiar with how it works.