Casino Rate: How much do I need to gamble?

[RecoveryDude]

Hi! I will be on a carnival cruise in a few weeks. It's been 10 years since I cruised Carnival. I see now they have "casino rates" and promos now (Smart, enticing gamblers!) --- I do like to play craps and also the slots. Just curious if anyone can give me an idea how much gambling I need to do to be included on one of those promotions? Can anyone give me an idea of how much they gambled and what kind of rates they got???

 

Thanks!

 

Jeff aka Recovery Dude

[jcearth]

I believe that it is 2500 points to be eligible for the Bounce Back offers - this is for slot and video poker play. For table games, they use a complex formula involving average bet, length of play, what you ate for breakfast that morning, what particular mood the casino host is in that day, and then make some calculations on an abacus to determine eligibility.

 

Bounce Backs are usually "free" offers - $100 plus port charges and receive $100 OBC for interior rooms (with the ability to upgrade for additional $), and I believe have to be booked within 60 days of returning - not sure, my parents do these, not me.

 

In addition, there are Premiere cruises that happen from time to time. Depending on your level of play, you receive a different offer code for these. Some could be free interior with $100 in casino cash, while others could be free balcony with $1000 in casino cash. They will also sometimes include a "Drinks on us" card at the beginning of the cruise.

[Vitamin_Sea]

For table games, they use a complex formula involving average bet, length of play, what you ate for breakfast that morning, what particular mood the casino host is in that day, and then make some calculations on an abacus to determine eligibility.

 

.

 

I know at the table games on Splendor, your S & S card is swiped and entered into the system. Then they check you out when you leave the table.

More accurate system it looks like

[NCTribeFan]

OP, I don't believe anyone knows for sure. They (the Players Club) isn't going to broadcast their Secret Formula given how info is so easily shared online these days.

 

I've never received a Bounce-back offer even though I've had well over 2,500 points. Some have suggested that it was because I already had at least one more cruise booked at the time (which, to me, is just wrong; if you meet the criteria, you should receive one). Others have said it's 5,000 points (which I haven't quite reached but when you play tables, you don't really know how many points you've accumulated).

 

I have started receiving the Premier offers (past two cruises were Premier and my 11/29 will also be). However, my offers have NOT been for free cabins. I get a discounted rate (not a lot; not remotely close to free) and my casino cash has never been more than $300. Still, if I'm planning on cruising (I had already booked the 11/29 Sunshine Journeys when the Premier offer came out and was able to switch the rate), booking a Premier just makes sense. The casino cash plus Drinks on Us card help with the costs, especially if I'm solo.

 

Just received a new round of Premier offers but I can't sail from January to mid-April.

 

There are quite a few threads on here about this subject. If you search for them, you'll find lots of varying thoughts and theories.

[springs741]

I wrote this but got distracted before I could post and now see some of the info is already posted but for what it is worth:

I wonder sometimes if anyone really knows how these offers are determined. I can share a few bits of information that I have saved over the last couple of years. For example in December of 2014 John Heald post on his social media site:

“Carnival Players Club Premier players are players who have accumulated at least 7,500 points during the last 12 months.” I cannot tell you if that is a calendar year or 12 month of personal cruises.

I know from experience that on the slots it takes $2.50 to earn one point. Remember you win a little and play it back into the machine. I cannot help with table games.

Bounce back offers are extend the last or next to last night of a cruise. There are a limited number of those cruises. They start from the highest points players and moving down. This offer is usually a free room with no additional comps. You pay port fees and taxes and can pay to upgrade to a higher category. It is capacity controlled. Usually these are not offered to people that already have a cruise booked. Again all of these statement are subject to change or alteration by the Players Club

Edited September 1, 2015 by springs741

[1midsun]

I am not sure how they determine the Casino Rate.

 

I received a 40% discount on a cruise with a Casino rate, and I never get close to even getting the drinks on us card (1500 points in a sailing)

 

I do go to the casino every day though. Spend 40 - 60 per time.

 

Just my 2 cents.

[RecoveryDude]

 

I do go to the casino every day though. Spend 40 - 60 per time.

.

 

This is the type of information I'm looking for ... so what you are saying is you go to the casino DAILY on the cruise ... and gamble with $40 to $60 per day, and you got a discounted rate?

 

Also, do these casino rates get EMAILED to you ... or do they just pop-up on Carnival.com when you are signed in and try to book a cruise??????

 

Thanks!

 

Jeff aka Recovery Dude

[Bill&Karen]

This is the type of information I'm looking for ... so what you are saying is you go to the casino DAILY on the cruise ... and gamble with $40 to $60 per day, and you got a discounted rate?

 

Also, do these casino rates get EMAILED to you ... or do they just pop-up on Carnival.com when you are signed in and try to book a cruise??????

 

Thanks!

 

Jeff aka Recovery Dude

 

That's basically the story for me too. I usually hit the craps table at least once a day and play with ~$100. When its gone it's gone until tomorrow. Sometimes I lose the whole wad, sometimes I come home with a bunch, up $900 once, up $400-$500 a couple of times. Most of the time, I come within $100 or so either way of what I started with.

 

I always give them the S&S card when I buy chips. By the 2nd or 3rd day, the table crew knows me.

 

I got the same 40% off a balcony cabin a couple of times. It usually comes via email or, once, snailmail.

Edited September 1, 2015 by Bill&Karen

[kublaieod]

OP, I don't believe anyone knows for sure. They (the Players Club) isn't going to broadcast their Secret Formula given how info is so easily shared online these days.

 

I've never received a Bounce-back offer even though I've had well over 2,500 points. Some have suggested that it was because I already had at least one more cruise booked at the time (which, to me, is just wrong; if you meet the criteria, you should receive one). Others have said it's 5,000 points (which I haven't quite reached but when you play tables, you don't really know how many points you've accumulated).

 

I have started receiving the Premier offers (past two cruises were Premier and my 11/29 will also be). However, my offers have NOT been for free cabins. I get a discounted rate (not a lot; not remotely close to free) and my casino cash has never been more than $300. Still, if I'm planning on cruising (I had already booked the 11/29 Sunshine Journeys when the Premier offer came out and was able to switch the rate), booking a Premier just makes sense. The casino cash plus Drinks on Us card help with the costs, especially if I'm solo.

 

Just received a new round of Premier offers but I can't sail from January to mid-April.

 

There are quite a few threads on here about this subject. If you search for them, you'll find lots of varying thoughts and theories.

 

Damn a new offer was posted!! When my last preimier dropped I haven't seen one. Booked on 2 premieres and the 5 December ultra. I did get some kind of "select" offer but was 4/5 day and all during types this fall that I will be on other cruises. Sadface that more got posted and I didn't get one. NOT complaining as I have been treated very well to this point. I wonder if having 3 booked cruises had something to do with not getting another offer.

 

I think I am on a couple of the cruises coming up. SEE you there!!

[Restless24]

I typically play blackjack and sometimes craps, usually at the $5 minimum. I probably average 1-2 hours per day and have gotten casino offers twice. Both times it was a similar offer, about 15% off the lowest rate with $25 in free play chips. Not a ton of savings, but not bad since I would still cruise and gamble even without the offers. I cruised around this time last year and the offers came in a few months after I returned. My experience has been that if I book early saver and the casino rate is lower, I submit the form and get to keep early saver guarantee while getting the casino rate.

[sailor_jimc]

bounce back offers require a lot of points. as stated above, but if you are interested in casino rate offers (just discounted cruises) my daughter has received them and she does not play more than $300 in the casino on a cruise. So it really depends on what level of offer you wish to go after.

[Boozebabe]

Hubby & I spend about $4000. on a 7 day cruise between the 2 of us. Him on slots, me on tables. He got DOU card once on second day and once it was waiting for him the first day. He got $300. slot play money and I've gotten $50 in table players chips. Have received Premier offers that we couldn't take advantage of.

 

It's a "crap shoot" as to how they figure it.

[Halo19]

My dad gambled maybe $200 on his first cruise. He has a casino offer of saving $110 per person off a cruise plus some casino chips.

[dvond]

Has anyone gotten this for poker? The rake is brutal and they are making money hand over fist with the auto machine dealer. I played for about 30 plus hours last cruise and have in the past and never received anything

[shortstop95]

My observations are that if you earn 5,000 points during a cruise you get the Drinks on Us card automatically on the next cruise. Premier cruise offers used to come regularly- but I've been removed from the cycle as I see posts regularly for new offers coming our- but I never receive. On our last cruise I acculumulated over 15,000 points on our 7 day Carnival Pride cruise and felt confident that I would get a bounce back offer- but did not. It would seem that the statement that if you have another cruise already booked - you don't get the bounce back offers. The methods of the Carnival Players Club continue to baffle me- but that won't deter me from continuing to cruise and having a great time. :)

[CocoCandy]

My observations are that if you earn 5,000 points during a cruise you get the Drinks on Us card automatically on the next cruise. Premier cruise offers used to come regularly- but I've been removed from the cycle as I see posts regularly for new offers coming our- but I never receive. On our last cruise I acculumulated over 15,000 points on our 7 day Carnival Pride cruise and felt confident that I would get a bounce back offer- but did not. It would seem that the statement that if you have another cruise already booked - you don't get the bounce back offers. The methods of the Carnival Players Club continue to baffle me- but that won't deter me from continuing to cruise and having a great time. :)

 

Yes, this is correct about the 5,000 points.

 

I just got off the Breeze on Saturday and was curious how many points you need to pre-qualify for an immediate " Drinks on Us" card upon boarding. We asked the casino host and the pit boss on the Breeze and they both confirmed it is 5,000 points earned on your last Carnival sailing to earn an immediate " Drinks on Us" card upon boarding.

Edited September 1, 2015 by CocoCandy

[Tutontow]

One thing for sure do not change your level of play or how you play to chase comps.

 

Continue to play like you always play and if the comps come your way then that is just icing on the cake.

 

Let me add that if you play table games make sure you are friendly, tip the dealers and get to know all of the pit critters, especially the casino host.

 

My wife and I play mostly blackjack and believe me when they switch dealers and the dealer leaving has to get the pit bosses attention in order to put his or her tips in the money box it is noticed. The pit boss always makes a point of looking straight at us and nods his head and says thank you it is appreciated.

 

I have been gambling for over 30 years. I have not changed my betting style at all and I have received more comps from CCL than ever other casino put together.

[Tutontow]

My observations are that if you earn 5,000 points during a cruise you get the Drinks on Us card automatically on the next cruise. Premier cruise offers used to come regularly- but I've been removed from the cycle as I see posts regularly for new offers coming our- but I never receive. On our last cruise I acculumulated over 15,000 points on our 7 day Carnival Pride cruise and felt confident that I would get a bounce back offer- but did not. It would seem that the statement that if you have another cruise already booked - you don't get the bounce back offers. The methods of the Carnival Players Club continue to baffle me- but that won't deter me from continuing to cruise and having a great time. :)

 

I would definitely contact the players club by email. According to the video promoting Premier Cruises you should be getting offers. The Video states 7500 points is the magic number.

 

Here is a link to the video http://www.carnival.casino/premier/?cid=DM_CPC_Sept15_EM1

Edited September 1, 2015 by Tutontow

[Nic6318]

I am not sure how they determine the Casino Rate.

 

I received a 40% discount on a cruise with a Casino rate, and I never get close to even getting the drinks on us card (1500 points in a sailing)

 

I do go to the casino every day though. Spend 40 - 60 per time.

 

Just my 2 cents.

 

 

 

I received a similar "casino rate" that showed up on my VIFP as a special offer that I had to use by the end of Aug. I don't know exactly how much of a discount it was, but it seemed more than fair. I don't gamble very much at all. Maybe $20-$40 a day. I don't win or lose very much. Maybe they just want to encourage me.

 

good luck

Happy cruising

[ptcounselor]

Today, my husband, my 19 year old son, and I each got casino offers. We each spent $100 each on our cruise in May.

[okgirl]

I take 3 or 4 seven day cruises a year and always accumulate more than 5000 points each cruise. The initial comps that I get for contacting the Players Club is usually not more than $75 cruise cash and the DOU card.

 

The only time I get a Bounce Back offer is if I DON'T have a future cruise booked.

 

I don't get Premier Cruise offers anymore (I've been on 2, and got DOU, $300, plus the other normal perks) because I guess they know that I'm going to come back anyway.

 

However, my sister who always sails with me but rarely gets to 2000 points gets at least 2 casino offers a year. I guess it doesn't make any difference because we both get the perks that the person who received the offer gets.

 

The problem with the Bounce Back offer is that you usually have to book within a few weeks (like about 5) after you get the offer and take the cruise within about 5 months.

 

Even though I cruise a few times a year I usually book pretty far in advance and can't fit another cruise in my schedule.

[NCTribeFan]

I actually cancelled a cruise I had booked for next April just so I could sail in November (Premier) without having another cruise booked. It's been forever since I've sailed without having at least one booked.

 

You know, just as an experiment! It's 11 nights so thought if I'm ever going to accumulate enough points, it will be then. Would like to find out if this no-bounce-back-when-another-cruise-booked theory is correct.

 

And now I'm thinking of putting down a deposit that can't wait until December.

 

Decisions, decisions.

 

Never gotten a pack-n-play, either. Or DOU card to start. I believe I had just under 5,000 points on the last cruise and all I'm getting on the next one is $50 casino cash.

 

But I have gotten two free offers from HAL! Couldn't go either time. I sailed HAL once (14 nights Hawaii) and spent quite a lot of time in the casino (8 sea days after all). If I get another...

 

So, if you play the tables, how do you know how many points you have? Do you actually ask the casino host? I'd only played slots up until this past two cruises (both Premier) when I mostly played Roulette. Only reason I have an idea of my points this last time was because I watched the hostess look me up to see if I qualified for the Premier slot pull the last day.

[urbanhawk]

This is the type of information I'm looking for ... so what you are saying is you go to the casino DAILY on the cruise ... and gamble with $40 to $60 per day, and you got a discounted rate?

 

Also, do these casino rates get EMAILED to you ... or do they just pop-up on Carnival.com when you are signed in and try to book a cruise??????

 

Thanks!

 

Jeff aka Recovery Dude

 

At my favorite casino where I live, my host, explained it to me about earning points-part of it is the money you spend (coin in/coin out), but part of it is the time you spend in the casino-not just being in the casino, but actually playing. I would assume this would be part of the formula the ship casinos use, but am unable to confirm this.

 

On my last cruise, I did receive a bounce back offer (but like many others-not been able to take advantage of it, due to the timing/work). I did not have any other future cruises booked. I did compare my points to another passenger who I saw in the casino a lot-he received a bounce back offer for a free 1A interior; I had more points then he earned, and received the offer for a free 4A interior. (Nothing wrong with a 1A-just an observation) Good luck to all, and Happy cruising!:cool:

[PGBSAB]

We usually budget $200 - $300 per cruise and we received the first casino offer earlier this year. It saved us about $450 for the cruise and we received $25 in slot play. You find the offers under the VIFP section on the website and your offers. I check regularly just in case there is something new.

[Tutontow]

 

The only time I get a Bounce Back offer is if I DON'T have a future cruise booked.

 

 

This has been our experience also. I remember one cruise last year we did very well the whole cruise. I mean we were putting out $25.00 chips as tips the last night. I never gambled so much at such a high rate and yet we didn't get a "free" cruise. The only explanation we can think of is we had another cruise already booked.