Has anyone ever won a free cruise while onboard?

[luv2cruise4ever]

While on my recent cruise on the Allure I was lucky and won a free cruise for 2 playing bingo. :) I'm looking to hear from anyone who's actually had experience redeeming theirs as I have a few questions.

 

Thanks!

[Clarea]

I had a friend who won a "free" cruise by winning the slots tournament. He had to book through the Casino department and pay taxes and non-commissionable fees. He was able to pay extra and upgrade from an OV to a JS.

[luv2cruise4ever]

This one is being handled thru the Comp dept most likely as that's the email address listed on the certificate. I've already sent it in with our list of ships/dates but wondered how long it'll be before I hear if we get one of our choices. Between the blackout dates, our work schedules, etc we're fairly limited as to when we can sail.....we were already planning on going again and taking the teenagers with us so we'll either upgrade or get an additional cabin(which I marked on the paperwork).... I'd prefer to start planning but can't until I know the date, etc...not to mention needing to make arrangements for the time off, etc.

 

I selected dates for next May/June so I'm hoping they don't wait until closer to sail date to notify me. I think I'll just call and see if I can start getting some answers. Am hoping someone here has dealt with this and can give me some ideas what to expect.

[luv2cruise4ever]

Plus yes, we're aware we'll have to pay taxes/fees, etc....but it's better than paying for the whole thing!!

 

Thanks for your quick reply!

[katiel53]

Lucky you! Having played Bingo and entering the slot tournaments and even playing in the casino, I have never gotten a free cruise,. I think I would pass out if I won one! Congrats

[Clarea]

Plus yes, we're aware we'll have to pay taxes/fees, etc....but it's better than paying for the whole thing!!

 

Thanks for your quick reply!

Just wanted to prepare you for the taxes and fees. They will be significantly higher than what RC's website shows as taxes.

[somerandomidiot]

This one is being handled thru the Comp dept most likely as that's the email address listed on the certificate. I've already sent it in with our list of ships/dates but wondered how long it'll be before I hear if we get one of our choices. Between the blackout dates, our work schedules, etc we're fairly limited as to when we can sail.....we were already planning on going again and taking the teenagers with us so we'll either upgrade or get an additional cabin(which I marked on the paperwork).... I'd prefer to start planning but can't until I know the date, etc...not to mention needing to make arrangements for the time off, etc.

 

I selected dates for next May/June so I'm hoping they don't wait until closer to sail date to notify me. I think I'll just call and see if I can start getting some answers. Am hoping someone here has dealt with this and can give me some ideas what to expect.

 

 

I've won two via bingo. I don't remember the processing taking very long. Both times the lady I spoke with gave me my top choice out of the three I picked from the cert. You can also have them price an upgrade for you.

[luv2cruise4ever]

Interesting that the taxes are higher...hmm....hopefully we'll still come out ahead!

 

I never win anything, ever. I did start screaming...and the 2 people with me had mixed emotions about it :p ...no, they were really happy for me but like all of us, I'm sure they wish it had been them!

 

Thanks for the replies and fingers crossed that I can call and get it on the books asap! The teenagers were extremely jealous so getting a date nailed down might give me some peace and quiet!

[John Reid]

When cruising Oasis in May, we won a 2-day, semi-inaugural cruise on Harmony in November. It was at a special Ticket to Adventure drawing that was part of the usual spa drawings before setting sail. When announced, it was stated as a "cruise on Harmony." We were ecstatic when our stateroom number was called, but a bit disappointed that it was for two days. We have since heard that these are a blast. We are going! Fare, taxes, gratuities, transfers all included.

[Newcruiser2012]

Congrats on wining a free cruise! While we have not "won" any free cruises, we have taken advantage of free cruise offers that DH receives through the casino. We have only had to pay taxes, port charges and gratuities and they are exactly the same as everyone else pays. You can generally also pay the difference to upgrade to a higher category (if your free cruise is in an inside stateroom you can pay the difference to upgrade to oceanview, balcony, etc.)...

 

Enjoy :D

[richnorto]

I won a 7 day cruise for 2 with Bingo although it was on Holland, not RCCL. The taxes and fees must have been at the full retail price as we paid as much for the cruise as we would have for the discounted rates offered at the time. I was very disappointed. It is also an inside guarantee room BTW - not ideal.

[shonandsuzie]

We won one once. It was the best feeling ever. We were afraid there would be some catch but there wasnt. We just called and they were super helpful. We booked the basic free one and then later called back and upgraded the cabin because we wanted to see the free-ness first! Lol.

Congratulations! Enjoy.

 

Sent from my SM-G900T using Forums mobile app

[csnarpy]

Won once with RC and once with Ncl. Poker tourney cruises. Sold the NCL on board and the RC one to a buddy. Not sure about the NCL one but the RC one was all in, my buddy just paid for his upgrade..

[starfish216]

I wouldn't actually call this winning a free cruise but we have "earned" a free cruise through the casino.

 

We sailed on the Anthem on May 2016 and at the end of our cruise we were given a certificate for a free cruise on select sailings or we can receive additional $$$ off any sailing of our choice. My sister also received the same certificate and so did my dad. We had three different cabins.

 

Since we live 20 minutes from Cape Liberty the free cabin offer would have cost us airfare and hotel to fly somewhere so we decided to take the extra discount option.

 

When we returned I called the number on the certificate and not only did we receive a discount at the casino rate, RC then applied the value of the free cruise certificate to our selected cruise.

 

So in the end my family was able to book a 7 night cruise on the Anthem, the prices I posted include taxes and fees:

 

D7 Balcony for two $870

D7 Balcony for two $730

M Virtual Balcony for one $750

 

So we have 5 adults in three cabins sailing for 7 nights for a grand total of $2350 which is a pretty good deal for us. In the past we paid more than that for just one cabin.

 

BTW recently we have been receiving offers for additional free cruises (select sailings) but again we need to fly and get a hotel so we just pass those up. Yea I know we are gambling but we set a budget and that's what we use. Sometimes we come out a ahead sometimes RC comes out ahead.

[Mjasp]

I just got off of FOS and won a free 4-6 night cruise at Bingo.

 

Does anyone know if we can pay the difference in the upgrade and sail on a 7 night cruise?

[DISFANS3]

Nothing free for me yet...