Casino Program Changes

[Smiley4]

Also, I'm anticipating the new program to be more in line with MGM's tier levels. Currently, you're in Club Royale or you're not. Going forward I'm thinking there will be different tier levels, like MGM has, for higher discounts and better rewards. Mgm has Sapphire, Pearl, Gold, Platinum and Noir which is by invitation only.

[itching2cruiseagain]

I just spoke with them a couple of days ago. The person I spoke with was very nice, but didn't have too much information about the new program. She did confirm that it will be a tiered system.

My husband and I just sailed in December and have large rebates to use by March 15th. We usually take it as cash in the casino, but we asked about using it to pay for a cruise. The reply, the cruise must also be completed by March 15th. It is a catch-22 because if we cruise before March 15th, we will earn another rebate that we won't be able to collect on. Her response was that our play will count towards the new tiered system. That's all well and good, but without knowledge of what the new system is, I feel very frustrated with the situation.

[Diamond Cruiser]

There was always a one year time frame within which to use to use the rebate. Club Royale is changing their program to be like the land based casinos. Am told more info coming this month and that balances would be applied towards the new program.

[Lionesss]

Nice.

 

I usually donate my fair share to the casino.

 

It would be nice to get something more than the trinkets now offered.

 

Eagerly awaiting the new news.

 

Safe travels.

[sellwingri]

I spend a lot of time in the casino on all of my cruises, usually playing 3 card poker, and have never gotten anything but a couple of free drinks the last night. Granted, I don't play $25 per hand but I do play at least 2 hours a night and much more than that on sea days. I've both won and lost my share. I am a MPerk member but am also Diamond on RCI and was told that my diamond benefits are much better than my MPerk benefits.

 

Guess that and $8 will get you a drink.

[Life is Good Cruising]

Don't know if the trinkets will change. What is changing are the program benefits for their Club Royale VIP members in which there will be no more cash back $ effective 3-15-15. Those that are CR VIP members, Club Royale does have a partial listing of their 2015 sailings at the casino rate if interested. Was also told by CR they will be having tier levels like land casinos and the new benefits will be much better for their players.

[American Bear]

It seems to me that they have a strong need to make some significant changes in order to be competitive in this particular space.

 

I went on my first NCL cruise last year. As a result of my time there, they're offering me a "comped" 7-night cruise in a balcony cabin, even for a cruise on one of their newest ships. "Comped" still costs $310/person in "non-commissionable fare" and "taxes and fees", but that's still a great price. Even with that, it's still a savings of about $2,000 from today's price for that cabin.

 

As a result of my last cruise on Royal Caribbean, I got a $325 rebate applied to the cost of my next cruise (which is sailing right before the end of the rebate offer, so I'm thankful to be getting something).

 

There's a significant disparity between the two. I would imagine that the upcoming changes to Club Royale will align themselves to be more like the competition.

 

 

 

We used to get a lot of cruises on RCL, (balconies), through the casino club for port fees and taxes also. But things began to change a few years back, so we contacted the Casino Club.

In a conversation with the Casino Club a few years ago, they stated that on the larger ships, like Allure, etc., they were only given 14 cabins to give out for port fees and taxes, which certainly limits the biggest benefit to the club!

So we went from taking 4-6 cruises a year on RCL to one every couple years!

They got cheap, and we responded!:D

So leaving our D+ benes. behind, we explored the other cruise lines and we've become Carn. Plat., NCL Plat, and MSC Gold, and have thoroughly enjoyed it!

[jd10367]

I called CR yesterday to look into prices for our cruise in May. We originally booked an ocean view, since it was departing from Denmark we knew airfare would kill us. I checked to see what balconies were available and the one I still wanted was available. I got the upgrade for 50/ person more Whoo hoo.. Originally when asked it was 300/ person more. So here is my question. The guy I spoke to said, " it's all booked for the D1 balcony. I'm going to email you a new invoice. The invoice is going to be much higher then the rate I just gave you. Umm yeah $2000 higher lol. But trust me your only paying the rate I gave you." Ok he tried explaining it to me but can someone give me simple explanation, so hubby doesn't flip out. Lol.

[American Bear]

I called CR yesterday to look into prices for our cruise in May. We originally booked an ocean view, since it was departing from Denmark we knew airfare would kill us. I checked to see what balconies were available and the one I still wanted was available. I got the upgrade for 50/ person more Whoo hoo.. Originally when asked it was 300/ person more. So here is my question. The guy I spoke to said, " it's all booked for the D1 balcony. I'm going to email you a new invoice. The invoice is going to be much higher then the rate I just gave you. Umm yeah $2000 higher lol. But trust me your only paying the rate I gave you." Ok he tried explaining it to me but can someone give me simple explanation, so hubby doesn't flip out. Lol.

 

 

Can't, don't remember getting an invoice and being told to ignore it!:eek:

[brotheranddoramae]

I know when I had my credit balance applied as an on board credit, the email they sent said one dollar. They explained that it would be the $300.00 that I earned but there system could not show it. It was $300.00 when I arrived on the ship. If you have a RCI account online, you can always log in and check your balance owed or call the Crown and Anchor Society.

[Petroplex]

I just called Club Royale and they could see my MLife status and that it was earned rather than comped. That did not result in any special offers beyond the standard freebies for a Gold; apparently I was not on a list for new quarterly offers that just came out.

 

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[PompeySailor]

New program information.

Have just been informed of a few pieces of information regarding the New CR VIP program.

 

All members will be emailed of program changes in March.

 

Tier level will be calculated from all previous CR VIP Casino $$$ cruise history.

Basically a full Win/loss statement of play since you were invited into the program.

 

Depending on tier, comps will be dining, free drinks, cruises etc, no data on if there will still be any cash rebates.

 

Tier level achieved will still be for life, unknown if this will be an up & down scenario. Grey area this one, so time will tell.

 

No news on if existing members will be grandfathered at top tier level.

 

Tier level will be more than likely as is with M-Life, or along the lines of

Gold, Platinum, Diamond & Pinnacle.

 

This information is from a valid source, however as we all know with RC, subject to change.

Looking forward to the official roll out, which will get my attention in June.

 

Happy Days!

[tomko2]

New program information.

Have just been informed of a few pieces of information regarding the New CR VIP program.

 

All members will be emailed of program changes in March.

 

Tier level will be calculated from all previous CR VIP Casino $$$ cruise history.

Basically a full Win/loss statement of play since you were invited into the program.

 

Depending on tier, comps will be dining, free drinks, cruises etc, no data on if there will still be any cash rebates.

 

Tier level achieved will still be for life, unknown if this will be an up & down scenario. Grey area this one, so time will tell.

 

No news on if existing members will be grandfathered at top tier level.

 

Tier level will be more than likely as is with M-Life, or along the lines of

Gold, Platinum, Diamond & Pinnacle.

 

This information is from a valid source, however as we all know with RC, subject to change.

Looking forward to the official roll out, which will get my attention in June.

 

Happy Days!

 

Thank you for the update. Looking forward to the roll-out especially with respect to be grandfathered.

[jd10367]

My level of play is based on how much I win. I can be in and out in. 20 min or I can be the last one there. When you say grandfathered in to top tier, do you mean since we are already in the program? Because when I asked while booking a cruise they said we were already in it for life. We won't be kicked out to have to be invited back. Or do you mean something totally different? If you mean different sorry I got confused.

 

Can you book shore excursions or speciality resturants through CR and is there any advantage to doing so?

 

Anxious to see the new program since I'm a very new inductee.. ( just last year) and how what perks will be on place for my May cruise.

 

Thanks...

[bighairtexan]

I believe that once "tiers" are initiated, the question was, would previously invited CR members be grandfathered in at the top tier.

 

I'll be on the Navigator in April and I'd already booked a balcony thru my and then called to ask if the CR had any offers on any suites. I wound up getting a Grand Suite for approx 2500 less than if I booked thru the RCI website. But since I had booked originally through my TA, they essentially "owned' my booking, so I had to have them immediately contact the CR agent and upgrade to the suite.

 

But I was never told anything about ignoring an invoice that wasn't what I'd be paying. The invoice was exactly what I was going to be billed.

 

I never book ship excursions so can't help w/ that one. As for the specialty restaurants, I usually wait until I'm onboard and the host/hostess usually comps me for at least one specialty dinner for 2.

[Daghis]

New program information.

Have just been informed of a few pieces of information regarding the New CR VIP program.

 

All members will be emailed of program changes in March.

I'm very curious to see when the changes are going to take effect. Since they had announced that the rebate benefit was ending on March 15, 2015, I wonder whether the new program is starting immediately afterward.

 

If so, it works out interestingly for me as I'll be on a cruise that departs on March 14, 2015. I was able to use my rebate as payment toward the cruise (I didn't want to risk anything happening to the rebate like it did on my last cruise :mad:), and perhaps I'll be able also to get benefits under the new program.

 

I guess I'll find out in a few weeks!

[PompeySailor]

I'm very curious to see when the changes are going to take effect. Since they had announced that the rebate benefit was ending on March 15, 2015, I wonder whether the new program is starting immediately afterward.

 

If so, it works out interestingly for me as I'll be on a cruise that departs on March 14, 2015. I was able to use my rebate as payment toward the cruise (I didn't want to risk anything happening to the rebate like it did on my last cruise :mad:), and perhaps I'll be able also to get benefits under the new program.

 

I guess I'll find out in a few weeks!

 

Marc

Looks like you will probably be one of, if not the 1st CR VIP to experience the transition to the new program.

Will await your findings.

Be lucky as always.

Agreed on the March 15th switchover.

 

Happy Days!

Graham

[PompeySailor]

I believe that once "tiers" are initiated, the question was, would previously invited CR members be grandfathered in at the top tier.

 

I'll be on the Navigator in April and I'd already booked a balcony thru my and then called to ask if the CR had any offers on any suites. I wound up getting a Grand Suite for approx 2500 less than if I booked thru the RCI website. But since I had booked originally through my TA, they essentially "owned' my booking, so I had to have them immediately contact the CR agent and upgrade to the suite.

 

But I was never told anything about ignoring an invoice that wasn't what I'd be paying. The invoice was exactly what I was going to be billed.

 

I never book ship excursions so can't help w/ that one. As for the specialty restaurants, I usually wait until I'm onboard and the host/hostess usually comps me for at least one specialty dinner for 2.

 

Agreed on the Granfathered comment, would make perfect sense for all existing members to be enrolled as the most upper tier, as a reward for loyalty and $$$$ spent over the years. Being as we were all invited due to our bankrolls and play.

 

The new program if like M-Life will be available for all to join which is a good marketing ploy on RC's part.

 

I would be dissapointed to see the rebates go away, as this IMO, is and always has been the main reason we have continued to sail with RC and I am sure has been an influential decision for most members to book another cruise to use.

 

Got to love the CR rates on GS and OS, we got all of ours cheaper than the very 1st BOGOHO prices:D

 

To all fellow CR VIP cruisers.. Be Lucky!!

Happy Days!

[seaofwonder]

Will be interested to see announcements. We were able to get them to extend our rebate out to 2016. They will let us move the cruise around, but not past May 2016.

 

If the casino changes are favorable then we'll shift some stuff around and maybe do a spring break 2016 cruise.

 

If not, then we'll push the cruise out further and lose the rebate.

 

 

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[Spurschick]

I called CR yesterday to look into prices for our cruise in May. We originally booked an ocean view, since it was departing from Denmark we knew airfare would kill us. I checked to see what balconies were available and the one I still wanted was available. I got the upgrade for 50/ person more Whoo hoo.. Originally when asked it was 300/ person more. So here is my question. The guy I spoke to said, " it's all booked for the D1 balcony. I'm going to email you a new invoice. The invoice is going to be much higher then the rate I just gave you. Umm yeah $2000 higher lol. But trust me your only paying the rate I gave you." Ok he tried explaining it to me but can someone give me simple explanation, so hubby doesn't flip out. Lol.

 

We have had that happen once. The way it was explained to me is they can see the rates they can offer, but it now has to go to the finance dept to have the reduced rate applied, whereas in the past they used to be able to apply at the time of booking. They send the invoice when they confirm the booking and then after a couple of business days it will have the new rate applied and you can then request the corrected invoice.

Edited February 7, 2015 by Spurschick

[kiyoko]

Will be interested to see announcements. We were able to get them to extend our rebate out to 2016. They will let us move the cruise around, but not past May 2016.

 

If the casino changes are favorable then we'll shift some stuff around and maybe do a spring break 2016 cruise.

 

If not, then we'll push the cruise out further and lose the rebate.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

How were you able to get the rebate out to 2016? Whenever I called, I was told that they expire March 15, 2015. is this some new policy or is it because an exception was made for you? I am very interested to find out since it would be very difficult to make any sailing with RCI before March 15, 2015 for us but I would hate to lose the rebate.

[Smiley4]

Not to be Nancy Negative but it doesn't make sense that all of us currently in Club Royale would automatically be grandfathered into the highest tier. I'm currently a platinum member with m life as well and it takes a ridiculously high amount of play or spending to reach that level. I think they'll go based on your play as a Club Royale member on your recent cruises, probably over the past year and assign tiers that way.

 

The discounts and perks will be assigned based on your tier. The higher your tier, the more you get and the cash back or rebate option won't go away as M life has that with their express comps which are earned faster the higher tier you are. Sapphire, pearl, gold, platinum, noir which is by invitation only. Also, currently in Club Royale the cruise price is the cruise price if you're a member. With the new tiers, the prices will be different based on your tier status. It won't be a 1 size fits all thing.

[Life is Good Cruising]

My level of play is based on how much I win. I can be in and out in. 20 min or I can be the last one there. When you say grandfathered in to top tier, do you mean since we are already in the program? Because when I asked while booking a cruise they said we were already in it for life. We won't be kicked out to have to be invited back. Or do you mean something totally different? If you mean different sorry I got confused.

 

Can you book shore excursions or speciality resturants through CR and is there any advantage to doing so?

 

Anxious to see the new program since I'm a very new inductee.. ( just last year) and how what perks will be on place for my May cruise.

 

Thanks...

 

Yes you can book shore excursions and specialty restaurants through CR. I found there was no advantage, it was just convenient.

[Life is Good Cruising]

How were you able to get the rebate out to 2016? Whenever I called, I was told that they expire March 15, 2015. is this some new policy or is it because an exception was made for you? I am very interested to find out since it would be very difficult to make any sailing with RCI before March 15, 2015 for us but I would hate to lose the rebate.

 

Rebates end March 15 2015, you either use it or lose it by 3-15-15. Just sailed in January, going back in April, was told there will be no rebate for my April sailing. Whatever the new benefits will be, that is what I'll get in April.

[kiyoko]

Rebates end March 15 2015, you either use it or lose it by 3-15-15. Just sailed in January, going back in April, was told there will be no rebate for my April sailing. Whatever the new benefits will be, that is what I'll get in April.

 

I was told March 15, 2015 as the rebate deadline as well. If i'm reading seaofwonder's post correctly, it sounds like he got his rebate extended to May 2016. I'm very interested to hear how that was accomplished since I would like to do the same. Hope he comes back to elaborate how he did it.

Edited February 7, 2015 by kiyoko