Casino Program Changes

[Life is Good Cruising]

Linda - I assume you are going .... is that an Andy performance?

I am not as we have family travel weekends (our wonderful grandchildren in California). Grands take priority over everything ... Have not been able to take advantage of the invites from CR this year. We are cruising Greek Islands in May. (Not a CR event but will be a great trip).

 

 

Surprisingly, no, there are 2 more Golf events on Anthem this year that we booked, so I'll see Andy then :D

But, we are leaving Sunday for Anthem and meeting some dear friends of ours from the Explorer days. Our sailing will have one of my favorite Tribute bands onboard *Wanted*, so I'll be happy :D

 

I understand the grandkids are a priority.

 

Have a wonderful time on another great itinerary you guys are taking :)

[NewfieGuy1972]

Hey folks,

 

I mentioned I'd report back when I got off the boat (Navigator, Feb 17th-26th) about my experience with the casino program. As soon as I sat at a table and handed my sea pass to be rated, the pit boss took myself and my wife's card to the host, and have gave us each a "Casino VIP" sticker on it (This must have been based on previous play as I had yet to play this cruise. My understanding is that this sticker entitles you to free drinks and they waive the 5% fee for cash on your see pass card (which I did utilize 4 times, to the tunes of 1k each)!

 

I finished up with 6500 points on my card at 2450 on my wife's. My play was split between tables (anywhere from $50 to $150 avg bet per session, I asked) and slots....at least $5/spin..most times more like $18/spin. Talked to the host and I only earned about 700 points for my table play, and the rest of the 6500 (5800) came from slots...The table points were added on to the slot points on the last day, as the host told me they would be.

 

I was "awarded" a free balcony cruise, and my wife was awarded the basic "free cruise". I was told by the host that they do NOT issue certificates for anything higher than a balcony room, so I stopped using my card and used my wife's,(in the slot machines), so that's how she got to 2400, lol!

 

Any questions feel free to ask!

 

Cheers....Brian

[OTownNick]

Hey folks,

 

I mentioned I'd report back when I got off the boat (Navigator, Feb 17th-26th) about my experience with the casino program. As soon as I sat at a table and handed my sea pass to be rated, the pit boss took myself and my wife's card to the host, and have gave us each a "Casino VIP" sticker on it (This must have been based on previous play as I had yet to play this cruise. My understanding is that this sticker entitles you to free drinks and they waive the 5% fee for cash on your see pass card (which I did utilize 4 times, to the tunes of 1k each)!

 

I finished up with 6500 points on my card at 2450 on my wife's. My play was split between tables (anywhere from $50 to $150 avg bet per session, I asked) and slots....at least $5/spin..most times more like $18/spin. Talked to the host and I only earned about 700 points for my table play, and the rest of the 6500 (5800) came from slots...The table points were added on to the slot points on the last day, as the host told me they would be.

 

I was "awarded" a free balcony cruise, and my wife was awarded the basic "free cruise". I was told by the host that they do NOT issue certificates for anything higher than a balcony room, so I stopped using my card and used my wife's,(in the slot machines), so that's how she got to 2400, lol!

 

Any questions feel free to ask!

 

Cheers....Brian

Well done. You can combine those certificates onto a single booking with your wife and most likely get a GS cheap or free.

[Cruise for vacation]

Hey folks,

 

I mentioned I'd report back when I got off the boat (Navigator, Feb 17th-26th) about my experience with the casino program. As soon as I sat at a table and handed my sea pass to be rated, the pit boss took myself and my wife's card to the host, and have gave us each a "Casino VIP" sticker on it (This must have been based on previous play as I had yet to play this cruise. My understanding is that this sticker entitles you to free drinks and they waive the 5% fee for cash on your see pass card (which I did utilize 4 times, to the tunes of 1k each)!

 

I finished up with 6500 points on my card at 2450 on my wife's. My play was split between tables (anywhere from $50 to $150 avg bet per session, I asked) and slots....at least $5/spin..most times more like $18/spin. Talked to the host and I only earned about 700 points for my table play, and the rest of the 6500 (5800) came from slots...The table points were added on to the slot points on the last day, as the host told me they would be.

 

I was "awarded" a free balcony cruise, and my wife was awarded the basic "free cruise". I was told by the host that they do NOT issue certificates for anything higher than a balcony room, so I stopped using my card and used my wife's,(in the slot machines), so that's how she got to 2400, lol!

 

Any questions feel free to ask!

 

Cheers....Brian

 

 

What slot machine is $18 a pull?

[Skyesong]

How do you join the Casino program? We've booked our first cruise for December and I plan on playing on the tables. Do you join before you go, or will they sign you up when you first play?

[gaylemh]

What slot machine is $18 a pull?

 

 

I've seen $25 a pull on Anthem, some of them are even higher.

[Cruise for vacation]

I've seen $25 a pull on Anthem, some of them are even higher.

 

 

I guess I am too focused on the penny machines :')

[cruzingduo]

Surprisingly, no, there are 2 more Golf events on Anthem this year that we booked, so I'll see Andy then :D

But, we are leaving Sunday for Anthem and meeting some dear friends of ours from the Explorer days. Our sailing will have one of my favorite Tribute bands onboard *Wanted*, so I'll be happy :D

 

I understand the grandkids are a priority.

 

Have a wonderful time on another great itinerary you guys are taking :)

 

 

Linda, then we'll see you on Sunday :)

[NewfieGuy1972]

What slot machine is $18 a pull?

 

 

3 line Super Times Pay, double double bonus video poker at the $1 level!

 

Cheers...Brian

[SamTimeDining]

I've seen $25 a pull on Anthem, some of them are even higher.

 

 

Generally on Vision and Radiance class ships, the most you can spend on one slot pull is $10 ($2 times 5 lines). On Voyager and larger classes, I have seen up to $75 a pull ($25 one line x 2-3 credits). I have heard Oasis and Quantum class ships have actual "high limit" rooms, so I'd imagine $100+ a pull is doable there. Never been on anything larger than Indy/Liberty.

[sellwingri]

How do you join the Casino program? We've booked our first cruise for December and I plan on playing on the tables. Do you join before you go, or will they sign you up when you first play?

 

 

There's no real club to join. I would talk to the casino host on your first evening after playing for a few hours and introduce yourself, telling him/her what you play. If you play long enough and in good amounts, you may receive an offer and the host may pay more attention to you.

[NewfieGuy1972]

Forgot to mention....when the casino host was looking up my name to issue a free cruise certificate, my name was 4th on the list (I had just over 6500 points), and my wife's name was in the middle of page 2. I'm guessing each page contained 30 names or so.

 

My guesstimate Is that there were about 60 free cruise certificates issued.

[nolimits]

Ask ask them to rate your play the minute you start to play,If you rate the host will approach you as far as tables go

[nolimits]

My wife doesn't gamble but does like to play 5/6 dollar table when I sit with her I tell them don't watch me.I learned the hard way one day my average bet was cut in half for an hr keeping my wife company.

[NewfieGuy1972]

My wife doesn't gamble but does like to play 5/6 dollar table when I sit with her I tell them don't watch me.I learned the hard way one day my average bet was cut in half for an hr keeping my wife company.

 

 

This also happened to me, they had me at a $15 avg bet for a 2 hour session...I'm like, "Did you lower the limits on the $25 tables or something?", lol....

[cherylroslyn]

Hey folks,

 

I mentioned I'd report back when I got off the boat (Navigator, Feb 17th-26th) about my experience with the casino program. As soon as I sat at a table and handed my sea pass to be rated, the pit boss took myself and my wife's card to the host, and have gave us each a "Casino VIP" sticker on it (This must have been based on previous play as I had yet to play this cruise. My understanding is that this sticker entitles you to free drinks and they waive the 5% fee for cash on your see pass card (which I did utilize 4 times, to the tunes of 1k each)!

 

I finished up with 6500 points on my card at 2450 on my wife's. My play was split between tables (anywhere from $50 to $150 avg bet per session, I asked) and slots....at least $5/spin..most times more like $18/spin. Talked to the host and I only earned about 700 points for my table play, and the rest of the 6500 (5800) came from slots...The table points were added on to the slot points on the last day, as the host told me they would be.

 

I was "awarded" a free balcony cruise, and my wife was awarded the basic "free cruise". I was told by the host that they do NOT issue certificates for anything higher than a balcony room, so I stopped using my card and used my wife's,(in the slot machines), so that's how she got to 2400, lol!

 

Any questions feel free to ask!

 

Cheers....Brian

 

I'm heading there on Friday. Any good machines that you recommend?

 

I'm on a comp as well through the casino.

 

Were the casino hosts nice?

 

Did they offer anything else like spa or specialty dinning?

 

I don't think I have ever gotten that on Royal, but I have on Celebrity and NCL.

 

Glad you had a good time!!!!

[nolimits]

Something to know they R tracking every bet especially on the newer ships They have technology that tracks you just not the dealer and pit boss

[NewfieGuy1972]

I'm heading there on Friday. Any good machines that you recommend?

 

"Good" is relative...I mostly only play machines I enjoy, it's all about getting value for money though, if your favorite game is being a hoover then switch it up ;)

 

I'm on a comp as well through the casino.

 

Awesome Congrats!

 

Were the casino hosts nice?

 

Host...There is only one and he is a great guy!

Did they offer anything else like spa or specialty dinning?

 

They DO NOT comp services/dining anymore, however he said based on my actual loss he will review my folio at end of the trip.

 

I don't think I have ever gotten that on Royal, but I have on Celebrity and NCL.

 

Glad you had a good time!!!!

 

 

If you remember, please say hello to Julia (Casino Server) from Brian and Jennifer...she is an Amazing server!

[Daghis]

Here are some tidbits I learned from Adela onboard Freedom of the Seas this week.

• Cruise certificates:
  
  • 400 points - $100 off
    
  • 800 points - $200 off
    
  • 1,200 points - $300 off
    
  • 1,600 points - $400 off
    
  • 2,000 points - $500 off
    
  • 2,400 points - Free cruise (from a selected list) in inside cabin or $500 off
    
  • 3,600 points - Free cruise (from a selected list) in oceanview cabin or $750 off
    
  • 4,800 points - Free cruise (from a selected list) in balcony cabin or $1,000 off
    

  [*]The free cruise certificates now contain selected sailings for cruises up to 7 months in advance! My certificate has a couple sailings listed that sail at the end of October 2017.

  [*]Qualifying status:

  • Permanent VIP status is completely gone. Status must be re-earned every cruise.
    
    • If you qualified for status on your last cruise, you must earn 1,000 points in order to qualify for status on your next cruise.
      
    • If you didn't qualify for status on your last cruise, you must earn 1,500 points in order to get status on the current and next cruise.
      

    [*]When booking a cruise with a free cruise certificate (or related dollars-off), not only does the Club Royale member get a sticker, but so does the other person(s?) in the cabin.

  [*]Drink coupons are pretty much gone except for exceptional circumstances. Most free drinks are done by a sticker on the SeaPass.

  [*]Points earned during the cruise are automatically redeemed for onboard credit on the last day at a rate of $20 per 1,000 points, with 1,000 points earned at a minimum. They did redeem to the closest whole dollar, rounded down, e.g., 1,870 points would get you $37.

Adela did send a bottle of wine to my cabin. It was a red wine (Estancia - Pinot Noir). I thanked her for the wine and mentioned that we'd find someone to share it with. She asked if I liked red wine, and I let her know that I drink white wine. She said that they'd be glad to exchange the bottle at the casino bar for a white wine, and in addition, she'd send a bottle of white whine to the cabin. A couple of days later, another bottle of the same red wine showed up in the cabin. :rolleyes:

 

I did get a certificate for a free balcony cabin. I should be able to use this certificate pretty much as specified in its terms and conditions for a change. The certificate must be used (cruise booked) within 30 days and the sailing must be within one year. The certificate is dated March 11, 2017. We're sailing on Oasis of the Seas on March 11, 2018! Woohoo!

[maryjaden]

Marc, thank you for the information. I find it interesting that all in the cabin get a sticker.

[EllaDuChien]

Marc,

Thank you so much for this info! We loved Adela on our last Freedom cruise, I hope she stays on for the Mediterranean season!

Good to know about the 1000 vs 1500 points. Guess I have to make sure I earn at least 1000 a cruise. Not usually a problem, but wasn't planning on spending much time in the casino during the Mediterranean cruise just due to time in port.

 

Now just waiting for the Freedom San Juan itineraries to come out!! 🤞🏻

[Happy Bee]

Here are some tidbits I learned from Adela onboard Freedom of the Seas this week.

• Cruise certificates:
  
  • 400 points - $100 off
    
  • 800 points - $200 off
    
  • 1,200 points - $300 off
    
  • 1,600 points - $400 off
    
  • 2,000 points - $500 off
    
  • 2,400 points - Free cruise (from a selected list) in inside cabin or $500 off
    
  • 3,600 points - Free cruise (from a selected list) in oceanview cabin or $750 off
    
  • 4,800 points - Free cruise (from a selected list) in balcony cabin or $1,000 off
    

  [*]The free cruise certificates now contain selected sailings for cruises up to 7 months in advance! My certificate has a couple sailings listed that sail at the end of October 2017.

  [*]Qualifying status:

  • Permanent VIP status is completely gone. Status must be re-earned every cruise.
    
    • If you qualified for status on your last cruise, you must earn 1,000 points in order to qualify for status on your next cruise.
      
    • If you didn't qualify for status on your last cruise, you must earn 1,500 points in order to get status on the current and next cruise.
      

    [*]When booking a cruise with a free cruise certificate (or related dollars-off), not only does the Club Royale member get a sticker, but so does the other person(s?) in the cabin.

  [*]Drink coupons are pretty much gone except for exceptional circumstances. Most free drinks are done by a sticker on the SeaPass.

  [*]Points earned during the cruise are automatically redeemed for onboard credit on the last day at a rate of $20 per 1,000 points, with 1,000 points earned at a minimum. They did redeem to the closest whole dollar, rounded down, e.g., 1,870 points would get you $37.

Adela did send a bottle of wine to my cabin. It was a red wine (Estancia - Pinot Noir). I thanked her for the wine and mentioned that we'd find someone to share it with. She asked if I liked red wine, and I let her know that I drink white wine. She said that they'd be glad to exchange the bottle at the casino bar for a white wine, and in addition, she'd send a bottle of white whine to the cabin. A couple of days later, another bottle of the same red wine showed up in the cabin. :rolleyes:

 

I did get a certificate for a free balcony cabin. I should be able to use this certificate pretty much as specified in its terms and conditions for a change. The certificate must be used (cruise booked) within 30 days and the sailing must be within one year. The certificate is dated March 11, 2017. We're sailing on Oasis of the Seas on March 11, 2018! Woohoo!

 

 

 

Thank you for all info above :) We will be on Brilliance in 49 days :) and never know that my DH also can get sticker ... Are you sure 100% on it?

[Daghis]

Sigh... Cruise Critic's security proxy ate my reply. :(

 

Short summary of my formerly longer post...

 

No, I'm not completely sure. She mentioned that my friend was in her "log", which I gathered was the list of registered casino players on this sailing. She seemed to say that he was in the "log" because of how I had booked the cabin. I'm not sure what the key factor was, though, whether I had a casino rate or that I had used a previously earned $1,000-off casino certificate. I'm guessing that it was the certificate.

 

My friend is not much of a casino player. He earned 21 points during the cruise, so whatever privileges he's getting is somehow related to my record.

[ZoeyVictoria]

When booking a cruise with a free cruise certificate (or related dollars-off), not only does the Club Royale member get a sticker, but so does the other person(s?) in the cabin.

 

 

I have never received a cruise certificate, but I do receive email offers. Several were for casino rates on specific sailings, but twice I was offered a free cruise (4-5 nights) from a list of sailings. Do you think there are stickers involved, or should I just be grateful for the cruise (I am!) and not expect anything else? On the first free offer, the sticker was mentioned, but not on the next one.

[Skyesong]

How are the 'points' calculated? I'm going on my first cruise later this year and plan on playing roulette.