Interesting email on casino

[dkjretired]

Received an Email today from the Blue Chip Club at Celebrity. Interesting wording about benefits.

 

"Save on cruise fares starting as low as $799†*. Plus, get FREE drinks and up to $300 to spend on board, including in Fortunes Casino, or choose two other FREE perks, like FREE Internet and FREE tips—for a value of up to $2,150*."

 

I find this a bit deceiving since they don't say anything about paying the charge to take the money out of your account. They do in the fine print say not redeemable for cash but no mention of the charge.

[schlimazel_traveler]

Do they charge the fee to issue slot credit or promotional chips? Or only to take out cash?

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

On the Equinox right now - they had (a whole!) $200 awaiting me. They offered it as either cash or promo chips. Since I was going to the table, I just opted for the promo chips. Ran them up to over a grand last night playing BJ before it all went *poof* !

 

I'd think you could ask the powers that be (@ Blue Chip) if you could just have that $ set aside for you at the cage.

 

I used the 6 "free play" coupons from our captain's club sheets... and this time I won FIVE out of SIX !! Those are usually the kiss of death, but not this time (#firstever)!

 

Tom

[az_tchr]

I thought Blue Chip members did not pay the 5% charge for getting cash.

[wrk2cruise]

We sailed in early Feb under the new rules. When we took OBC as slot credit or promo chips no fees were charged.

[hcat]

Someone we met on the unending check in line for EQ in Jan, ...their cruise was fully comped with a nice cabin plus perks.

 

...we saw them around the ship from time to time ...she said she spends alot of time at the Casino and that the freebies come from spending alot of time in the casino but not spending a specific amt of money..

 

She plays Texas Hold Em & we noticed they listed alot of tournaments for that game throughout the cruise...

 

We don't gamble but for someone who does, sounded like a great deal

[Max Bet]

Someone we met on the unending check in line for EQ in Jan, ...their cruise was fully comped with a nice cabin plus perks.

 

...we saw them around the ship from time to time ...she said she spends alot of time at the Casino and that the freebies come from spending alot of time in the casino but not spending a specific amt of money..

 

She plays Texas Hold Em & we noticed they listed alot of tournaments for that game throughout the cruise...

 

We don't gamble but for someone who does, sounded like a great deal

 

We have been Blue Chip Club members for about 7 years and have enjoyed 6 "free" cruises. We just pay port fees and taxes. We get free drinks in the casino bar only, although our last trip they threw in the bev. package for the whole ship. We have always gotten a Veranda room with the exception of our next Pacific coastal in May. They only offered an Oceanview and I'm not willing to cough up $3000 to get a balcony. We are by no means "high rollers" but we do spend quite a bit of time playing the slots. I've won $10,000 on one trip and probably lost the equivalent on the rest.:cool:

Edited March 9, 2016 by Max Bet

[rM3panno]

There has never been a fee for Blue Chip members and when they started enforcing it since other passengers were cashing out OBC the Blue Chip members are still exempt if you show them your card. The promo chips are a whole different discussion that make me crazy. Unless you ask them every hand they will leave the promo chips and only pay the winnings in actual chips. The fine print nowhere says there is a play through minimum on promo chips so they should be swapping the original bet for actual chips for any hands won.

 

Also, pretty decent deals on the European sailings in today's email.

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Edited March 10, 2016 by rM3panno

[Shirley C]

There has never been a fee for Blue Chip members and when they started enforcing it since other passengers were cashing out OBC the Blue Chip members are still exempt if you show them your card. The promo chips are a whole different discussion that make me crazy. Unless you ask them every hand they will leave the promo chips and only pay the winnings in actual chips. The fine print nowhere says there is a play through minimum on promo chips so they should be swapping the original bet for actual chips for any hands won.

 

Also, pretty decent deals on the European sailings in today's email.

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

What is a blue chip member and how do you become one?

[rM3panno]

What is a blue chip member and how do you become one?

 

 

Blue Chip club is the invitational gambling club of Celebrity for those who frequently spend too much time time, money, or both in the onboard casinos.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[tymike]

Hi all...

I'm so glad to see this thread because I got the same email today.

 

I've only sailed Celebrity once back in 2014 as a result of a 'gift' from the Mohegan Sun casino. Yes, I did spend a lot of time in the casino on the ship and the Casino Host knew I was 'comped' by the casino but I never heard from the Blue Chip Club until this email.

 

When I got the email I was intrigued because I knew of the Blue Chip Club's existence (thanks to CC) so I called about a cruise this summer.

 

The woman I spoke to at first couldn't find me and asked me to forward the email, which I did. Then I was on hold. When she came back it seemed I was 'in' the club and she offered 20% off standard fares. I am now booked to Bermuda in a suite next summer.

 

Suites seem to come with every perk that Blue Chip offers, plus some(free drinks everywhere etc.)

 

Can I ask more experienced Blue Chip members what, if any, perks come with membership?

 

Thanks a bunch!!!

[cheeseheads4ever]

To be a blue chip member how much is a lot of money to spend in casino?do you have to contact celebrity to get any perks?

[Shirley C]

Blue Chip club is the invitational gambling club of Celebrity for those who frequently spend too much time time, money, or both in the onboard casinos.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Thanks.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Hi all...

I'm so glad to see this thread because I got the same email today.

 

I've only sailed Celebrity once back in 2014 as a result of a 'gift' from the Mohegan Sun casino. Yes, I did spend a lot of time in the casino on the ship and the Casino Host knew I was 'comped' by the casino but I never heard from the Blue Chip Club until this email.

 

When I got the email I was intrigued because I knew of the Blue Chip Club's existence (thanks to CC) so I called about a cruise this summer.

 

The woman I spoke to at first couldn't find me and asked me to forward the email, which I did. Then I was on hold. When she came back it seemed I was 'in' the club and she offered 20% off standard fares. I am now booked to Bermuda in a suite next summer.

 

Suites seem to come with every perk that Blue Chip offers, plus some(free drinks everywhere etc.)

 

Can I ask more experienced Blue Chip members what, if any, perks come with membership?

 

Thanks a bunch!!!

 

Their offers, much like those from the casino departments at Carnival and NCL, seem to go through periods where they're generous and then though periods where they're tight. Be it a change in leadership or a reanalysis of the numbers, this change is the constant.

 

Aside from having the fee waived for chips purchased (in my case) in the casino, there's not much else they offer. On the actual Blue Chip sailings (groups of many Blue Chip members), they'll have a cocktail reception, make sure your drinks are covered, and raise the daily limit which you can sign for.

 

After our first Celebrity sailing (4 night on the Century), I received an offer for a free Blue Chip Club event/sailing on the Constellation (10 night, Thanksgiving of 2008). I think that was in a Concierge Class cabin. I went on one additional Blue Chip sailing. Other times I've received offers for free balcony or reduced fare sailings. I don't think I've taken them up on any others - other than just getting the 20% fare reduction... which came to a pretty penny on this sailing... since I'm answering this from the balcony of our Penthouse suite. :)

 

Now, if I could only have a winning night at the BJ tables !! :eek: This is one SLOW sailing as far as the casino activity goes. Of the hours I've spent at the $25 table the last few nights, I can think of 2-3 people who have sat down to play - if only for a few hands or, at most, a shoe. By the way, none of these people were considerate enough to ask (I'd always say yes, with a welcome and a smile) if it's ok to start playing in the middle of an existing shoe.

 

For those of you who play BJ, let me just pass along my latest "story". First night out - I'm the only player at the table, playing two spots @ 3rd base. I'm playing about $100/hand at the time, and get a 20 and an 8 (pair of 4's). Dealer is showing a 5. Since I split my 4's on the dealer 5 and 6, I split them. I drew another 4. Then I get a 7 (for and 11) and double, pulling a 10 for a 21. On the second 4... same thing (double to a 21)! Third hand, again I pull a 7, and double for a 21 !! So, I've got a 20, and three doubled hands with 21's. Go ahead (again, all you BJ pros), tell me what you think happened next? YOU GOT IT... dealer pulls a 21. :rolleyes:

 

Arriving in St. Maarten at 2pm today and will be over-nighting until 5 pm tomorrow. When I saw the Celebrity Today in our cabin last night, it looks like they're NOT having the casino open tonight. If I put on my optimistic hat, I'd say that will save me a few grand. If I put on the hat I usually wear, I'd say "tonight was the night I would have broke even"!

 

Tom

[Max Bet]

To be a blue chip member how much is a lot of money to spend in casino?do you have to contact celebrity to get any perks?

 

"Officially" in order to qualify for Blue Chip status you must spend 2 hours a day in the casino and slot players must bet $5 a spin. Unofficially it pays to get to know the casino host and make it known to them every time you enter the casino. Membership is by invitation only. ;)

[tymike]

Very silly question...I read above that there is a Blue Chip card. How does a new 'member' get theirs? Do they send it or do you get it when you visit the casino for the first time? And finally, do you actually have to 'flash' it at anytime for anything?

 

Thanks experts for all your answers! :)

[Karynanne]

Their offers, much like those from the casino departments at Carnival and NCL, seem to go through periods where they're generous and then though periods where they're tight. Be it a change in leadership or a reanalysis of the numbers, this change is the constant.

 

 

 

Aside from having the fee waived for chips purchased (in my case) in the casino, there's not much else they offer. On the actual Blue Chip sailings (groups of many Blue Chip members), they'll have a cocktail reception, make sure your drinks are covered, and raise the daily limit which you can sign for.

 

 

 

After our first Celebrity sailing (4 night on the Century), I received an offer for a free Blue Chip Club event/sailing on the Constellation (10 night, Thanksgiving of 2008). I think that was in a Concierge Class cabin. I went on one additional Blue Chip sailing. Other times I've received offers for free balcony or reduced fare sailings. I don't think I've taken them up on any others - other than just getting the 20% fare reduction... which came to a pretty penny on this sailing... since I'm answering this from the balcony of our Penthouse suite. :)

 

 

 

Now, if I could only have a winning night at the BJ tables !! :eek: This is one SLOW sailing as far as the casino activity goes. Of the hours I've spent at the $25 table the last few nights, I can think of 2-3 people who have sat down to play - if only for a few hands or, at most, a shoe. By the way, none of these people were considerate enough to ask (I'd always say yes, with a welcome and a smile) if it's ok to start playing in the middle of an existing shoe.

 

 

 

For those of you who play BJ, let me just pass along my latest "story". First night out - I'm the only player at the table, playing two spots @ 3rd base. I'm playing about $100/hand at the time, and get a 20 and an 8 (pair of 4's). Dealer is showing a 5. Since I split my 4's on the dealer 5 and 6, I split them. I drew another 4. Then I get a 7 (for and 11) and double, pulling a 10 for a 21. On the second 4... same thing (double to a 21)! Third hand, again I pull a 7, and double for a 21 !! So, I've got a 20, and three doubled hands with 21's. Go ahead (again, all you BJ pros), tell me what you think happened next? YOU GOT IT... dealer pulls a 21. :rolleyes:

 

 

 

Arriving in St. Maarten at 2pm today and will be over-nighting until 5 pm tomorrow. When I saw the Celebrity Today in our cabin last night, it looks like they're NOT having the casino open tonight. If I put on my optimistic hat, I'd say that will save me a few grand. If I put on the hat I usually wear, I'd say "tonight was the night I would have broke even"!

 

 

 

Tom

 

 

I had to giggle at your story. Not AT you, but I can't tell you how many times I've had a somewhat similar situation, and the dealer has a 21. Crazy...

[Flatbush Flyer]

What is a blue chip member and how do you become one?

 

 

Don't fall victim to the sham that is intermittent reinforcement.

[Andy]

To be a blue chip member how much is a lot of money to spend in casino?do you have to contact celebrity to get any perks?

 

As others have said, it's by invitation only, so there's no point in calling, if you have not been invited.

 

If we only knew how someone gets invited - especially for table play, it would be helpful. It's like this huge veil of secrecy. On our last Celebrity cruise, we were in the Casino quite a bit for every night of the cruise. One supervisor who we knew from past sailings, said we would surely be invited, and to check with him on the last night of the cruise. I even reminded him about it the night before. On the last night - he seemed to have the evening off, as we never saw him. I asked one of the other supervisors. He said he would get back to me, and never did. All in all, it was a total waste of time. On the bright side, we had fun.

 

It's really a peculiar system, and I have no plans to ask again, when we sail in Eclipse in 3 weeks. If it happens, it happens.

Edited March 11, 2016 by Host Andy

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Don't fall victim to the sham that is intermittent reinforcement.

 

You mean the carrot on the stick which is always just out of reach? ;)

 

Play for fun. Play for excitement... don't chase comps (or losses)! If they come as a result of what you're doing anyway, then enjoy - otherwise you're paying for them. BOY, are you paying for them! Some of the most expensive dinners and drinks I've enjoyed were "free"! :eek:

 

Tom

[Karynanne]

As others have said, it's by invitation only, so there's no point in calling, if you have not been invited.

 

If we only knew how someone gets invited - especially for table play, it would be helpful. It's like this huge veil of secrecy. On our last Celebrity cruise, we were in the Casino quite a bit for every night of the cruise. One supervisor who we knew from past sailings, said we would surely be invited, and to check with him on the last night of the cruise. I even reminded him about it the night before. On the last night - he seemed to have the evening off, as we never saw him. I asked one of the other supervisors. He said he would get back to me, and never did. All in all, it was a total waste of time. On the bright side, we had fun.

 

It's really a peculiar system, and I have no plans to ask again, when we sail in Eclipse in 3 weeks. If it happens, it happens.

 

 

Andy, in your next cruise, find the Casino Host at the beginning of your cruise, and tell him/her that you would like to be rated. Hopefully, they'll follow your play during your cruise.

[Flatbush Flyer]

You mean the carrot on the stick which is always just out of reach? ;)

 

 

 

Play for fun. Play for excitement... don't chase comps (or losses)! If they come as a result of what you're doing anyway, then enjoy - otherwise you're paying for them. BOY, are you paying for them! Some of the most expensive dinners and drinks I've enjoyed were "free"! :eek:

 

 

 

Tom

 

 

Not "always" out of reach. Rather the seemingly random bite of the carrot that, in the end, costs more than what you get. That's the "intermittent" reinforcement that strangles the weak-willed.

 

I agree that it can be fun - but that's about it. IMO, if you just want to have fun (but limit your losses) play craps and bet with "the house."

[rM3panno]

Andy, in your next cruise, find the Casino Host at the beginning of your cruise, and tell him/her that you would like to be rated. Hopefully, they'll follow your play during your cruise.

 

 

Their publications say a minimum of $50 average bet for at least 2 hours per day. The new system now in use on allot their tables tracks your play when they swipe your room key and manually type in your first bet amount and buy in.

 

I can tell you that you don't have to bet $50/hand. I rarely do unless I get on a hot streak but almost always play multiple hands and for many more than 2 hours/day. Ymmv, but it's not terribly difficult to be a "member" but the staff does play a big role in your invite and I truly believe how you are rated. I have had great casino hosts and some less than great, however the dealers and managers are always friendly and generally great people.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Regarding how to get the "invite" to become a Blue Chip Club member... my guess is that the following contribute:

 

> Consistent green or black chip action

 

> A pleasant and friendly demeanor

 

> Your willingness to tip (both bar waiters and dealers)

 

(losing several thousand does not "hurt" your chances either!)

 

Tom