Club Royale - Casino VIP ?'s

[Cruise for vacation]

So we are off the Harmony in Nov 2016, I played in the casino two nights of the cruise. I was not aware of the Club Royale or Casino Royale just having fun on the cruise. We never received any certificates in our room, not sure if it is because I never play the first night. However about a month later I received an email from Casino Royale stating that I was entitled to a complimentary interior stateroom and provided me with a list of cruises to select from. The following day I received a call from Senior Club Royale Representative stating that she was my representative and to contact her with any questions or future bookings.

 

My questions are as follows:

1) How do you become a VIP - with me having a representative to call is this VIP?

2) Would the certificates be something different than the email that I received?

3) Once you are a part of this club do you remain in it?

4) We are on the Independence March 2017, DH purchased the drink package. If we were to go to the casino on the first night to see if we are eligible for the drink sticker. Could we cancel his drink package?

5) If we are entitled to certificates on the March cruise could we use them towards our August of December cruise currently booked.

 

Thank you in advance for your comments

[RFerrington]

Maybe I misunderstand what you are saying..... We had cruises already book through NextCruise, more than a year out. We were able to use CR to reduce our rate. Not sure how that applies to repricing and use.

 

I had this in the past too, Troy, but the last Time I tried to apply certs to an existing cruise, they would have made us reprice at current rate so it would not have been a savings even with the certs deducted. This is a very recent change (past 2 weeks). Believe me, I tried everything and they would not budge.

 

I'm sitting on the (lovely) balcony of my ATS as I'm writing this - a cruise where I WAS able to apply 2 certs to an existing, previously booked casino rate - but it seems this is no longer allowed. More power to you if you can get someone to do it but I was not.

[RFerrington]

I don't think you can combine a certificate on top of a casino rate on a room. Basically to us, the certificates are worthless. We have our own rep that we can book at anytime with the Casino Rate just as long as we continue to cruise and play.

 

Not true, Troy. I just did it last week.

 

While you can no longer apply the value of a cert to an existing booking (and keep the original price), you can apply the value of multiple certs to a booking using a casino rate. They remove the "personal additional discount" and substitute the value of the cert.

 

So the resulting price will be casino rate -value of certs.

[troykahack]

I had this in the past too, Troy, but the last Time I tried to apply certs to an existing cruise, they would have made us reprice at current rate so it would not have been a savings even with the certs deducted. This is a very recent change (past 2 weeks). Believe me, I tried everything and they would not budge.

 

I'm sitting on the (lovely) balcony of my ATS as I'm writing this - a cruise where I WAS able to apply 2 certs to an existing, previously booked casino rate - but it seems this is no longer allowed. More power to you if you can get someone to do it but I was not.

 

I'm guessing here, but I suspect it has to do with the length out you book. Typically, we seldom book more than 6-12 months out. Right now we are looking for 3 nighters in May and July timeframe. I just has to do with SO schedule. I am guessing you already have a highly discounted rate because you booked so far in advance.??????

 

Enjoy your cruise.... and play some more...

[RFerrington]

True, you will lose previous OBC but CR "may" award OBC as well, if you have been a good player. We have NEVER used the Certificates I get from the Casino. Our discounts are much higher than the certificate.

 

I suppose if you "additional personal discount" is greater than the value of the certificate then it wouldn't work out for you. The APD (term that I have made up) is an additional discount that each person gets on top if their casino rate and is based entirely upon their play on their most recent cruise. It changes after every cruise ( as their tier level can too).

 

I've never had CR give me OBC (since the old cash rebate program ended last year). I'm sure my tier level isn't high enough.

[RFerrington]

I'm guessing here, but I suspect it has to do with the length out you book. Typically, we seldom book more than 6-12 months out. Right now we are looking for 3 nighters in May and July timeframe. I just has to do with SO schedule. I am guessing you already have a highly discounted rate because you booked so far in advance.??????

 

Enjoy your cruise.... and play some more...

 

Yes, that's what exactly th case, Troy.

[troykahack]

Yes, that's what exactly th case, Troy.

 

Ok, that makes sense then.... We stay in GS, so the discount is typically higher than a $1000 certificate. Interested in seeing the difference on 3 nighters.... a $1000 might be more....

 

We also received OBC on our last couple of bookings though CR. Haven't tried since Phase IV but we really don't worry about OBC. We transfer our CR bookings to our TA and also get OBC from them as well.

[slotmomma3]

I don't think you can combine a certificate on top of a casino rate on a room. Basically to us, the certificates are worthless. We have our own rep that we can book at anytime with the Casino Rate just as long as we continue to cruise and play.

You absolutely can use a certificate for $$$ amount off casino rate through a Casino Royale representative. I do it all the time. I get the casino rate which is about 48% off regular price, then I get $1000 off for the balcony certificate I always get on board and then an additional $750-$1000 off for whichever certificate my husband gets onboard. We always book suites and they wind up cheaper than sale prices for balconies.

[ZoeyVictoria]

I received an email months ago offering a casino rate on a specific sailing of the Allure. I will be retiring very soon and already had several cruises booked, so I didn't take advantage of the offer. Then another email for a free inside on the Empress, which I did take. Another email for a free inside on 28 different sailings; there was only one after my retirement date, so I booked that one. Recently there was an email offering a casino rate on the 5-night Independence on April 3, the week I retire and move. Plus an email offering $125 casino cash on a selected summer sailings. I have never received a certificate, free drinks, or anything in person, just the email offers. I am happy with the offers but curious as to where I stand. My guess is that I am barely on their radar and may or may not receive future offers. What do you think?

[EuroDate20]

DH and I would like to know if we can join and earn points towards CR with playing Texas Hold Em. We have played for hours in the past cruises and haven't been offered. What's the secret? Thanks in advance!

 

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[txcowboy10]

I do not know the correct answer to this one. I have never taken one of the "free" cruises...but it's a great question. Let us know what you find out.

 

YES you will receive C&A points using free cruise certificates...double in JS and above. Solo sailings will get you triple points in JS and above. Since you always have to pay taxes/fees on certificate redemption it's really not a "free cruise" per se...you've paid consideration, thus you earn C&A points.

 

 

Mark

[troykahack]

DH and I would like to know if we can join and earn points towards CR with playing Texas Hold Em. We have played for hours in the past cruises and haven't been offered. What's the secret? Thanks in advance!

 

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Yes and No secret. Just make sure you get to know the dealers, pit boss, and Casino Host. The host has a list of players that are on the ship. Just make sure they track your play.

 

If you play minimum bets, points don't rack up as quickly. Play $50 or more per hand, for 4 hours or more a day, points rack up quicker.

 

 

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[starfish216]

Wow... if that were true, one would get a free cruise in a balcony cabin after gambling just $96! :D

 

Every $5 played earns you 1 point.

 

According to the Allure of the Seas sign posted above, 250 points may be cashed in for $5 in free slot play.

 

This is the way I understood it to be. Every $5 played earns you 1 point when playing slots. Every $10 played earns you one point when playing Video Poker.

Edited February 15, 2017 by starfish216

[Noreen411]

Hi

 

I wanted to come back and give everyone an update on what I found out when I called Club Royale...

In our case we knew we unfortunately would not be able to use one of the free cruises listed so ideally would use the values towards the cruise we have booked already. We also didn't think we'd be able to squeeze in another cruise between the ones we already have booked.

 

 

It was no problem to apply the value of both certificates (the $1,000 and the $750) to our previously booked cruise. However, since we booked it via our regular travel agent, it needed to be repriced to put it as a casino rate booking. While this did add a few hundred dollars to the original price, deducting the $1,750 after made it worth it We are currently booked in a D1 for our next Anthem sailing and after our last sailing in a JS (12 nights on Anthem) were thinking of upgrading to a JS again. The casino rate to upgrade was still less than our original booking in the D1. However since we'll be traveling with family who are all in regular balcony rooms, we wouldn't really take advantage of the JS perks so we decided to stick with our D1. The family cruise is 5 nights to Bermuda on Anthem. Since it was booked with my travel agent, I conferenced her into the call with Club Royale and it was easy to do.

 

 

He told me you can always combine the casino rate with the $ off certificates.

 

 

I was told I will still earn my C&A points for cruises booked through the casino even if I'm using a free cruise certificate. Junior Suite and above gets double points.

 

 

I can continue to use my travel agent and for future cruises - can either book directly with Casino Royale then transfer the booking to her, have her call and book things for me through Casino Royale, or do a conference call like I did today.

 

 

The interesting thing I learned is that with a free cruise certificate, you can also get a slightly discounted rate for one other cabin that may be traveling with you. It doesn't go against your points/credit - it's just a nice thing they do. I asked them to see what they could do with my sister's booking (same sailing). Since she also used my travel agent and we were all on the phone he looked into it. Because he needed to reprice hers she only ended up saving about $80; but any little bit saved is good. This is only for those certificates for free cabins (not just the $ off certificates).

 

 

He also told me that where you used to have to call a week or so before sailing so they can let the casino host know who is sailing to give the sticker the first day for free drinks and no fees for taking $; he said if you are booked through Club Royale they automatically will send that info now.

 

 

I asked about Celebrity's casino program - Blue Chip. He said it's a separate program but I should call them and they should be able to see our recent play and maybe offer us casino rates. I haven't called them yet since our first sailing on Celebrity is next April on the Reflection. I booked a Celebrity Suite (celebrating a big birthday) and the price now for a Sky Suite (kind of like a junior suite) is more than what I paid for my Celebrity Suite. We also received a lot of perks with our offer - Go Best. I'll call them but just haven't done so yet.

 

 

As always, thank you all for all your advice. It made my call with Club Royale go smoother as my questions were more pointed.

 

 

Noreen

[troykahack]

Hi

 

I wanted to come back and give everyone an update on what I found out when I called Club Royale...

In our case we knew we unfortunately would not be able to use one of the free cruises listed so ideally would use the values towards the cruise we have booked already. We also didn't think we'd be able to squeeze in another cruise between the ones we already have booked.

 

 

It was no problem to apply the value of both certificates (the $1,000 and the $750) to our previously booked cruise. However, since we booked it via our regular travel agent, it needed to be repriced to put it as a casino rate booking. While this did add a few hundred dollars to the original price, deducting the $1,750 after made it worth it We are currently booked in a D1 for our next Anthem sailing and after our last sailing in a JS (12 nights on Anthem) were thinking of upgrading to a JS again. The casino rate to upgrade was still less than our original booking in the D1. However since we'll be traveling with family who are all in regular balcony rooms, we wouldn't really take advantage of the JS perks so we decided to stick with our D1. The family cruise is 5 nights to Bermuda on Anthem. Since it was booked with my travel agent, I conferenced her into the call with Club Royale and it was easy to do.

 

 

He told me you can always combine the casino rate with the $ off certificates.

 

 

I was told I will still earn my C&A points for cruises booked through the casino even if I'm using a free cruise certificate. Junior Suite and above gets double points.

 

 

I can continue to use my travel agent and for future cruises - can either book directly with Casino Royale then transfer the booking to her, have her call and book things for me through Casino Royale, or do a conference call like I did today.

 

 

The interesting thing I learned is that with a free cruise certificate, you can also get a slightly discounted rate for one other cabin that may be traveling with you. It doesn't go against your points/credit - it's just a nice thing they do. I asked them to see what they could do with my sister's booking (same sailing). Since she also used my travel agent and we were all on the phone he looked into it. Because he needed to reprice hers she only ended up saving about $80; but any little bit saved is good. This is only for those certificates for free cabins (not just the $ off certificates).

 

 

He also told me that where you used to have to call a week or so before sailing so they can let the casino host know who is sailing to give the sticker the first day for free drinks and no fees for taking $; he said if you are booked through Club Royale they automatically will send that info now.

 

 

I asked about Celebrity's casino program - Blue Chip. He said it's a separate program but I should call them and they should be able to see our recent play and maybe offer us casino rates. I haven't called them yet since our first sailing on Celebrity is next April on the Reflection. I booked a Celebrity Suite (celebrating a big birthday) and the price now for a Sky Suite (kind of like a junior suite) is more than what I paid for my Celebrity Suite. We also received a lot of perks with our offer - Go Best. I'll call them but just haven't done so yet.

 

 

As always, thank you all for all your advice. It made my call with Club Royale go smoother as my questions were more pointed.

 

 

Noreen

 

 

Getting the $1000 and $750 puts you with the CR VIPS. We find we can travel in GS about what we would pay for a balcony. I would say, I am about even on over the last 12 months and 5 cruises. I enjoy the Casino and it is entertainment to me.

 

 

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[Noreen411]

Hi

 

We look at the casino the same way - it's fun and entertainment

 

 

You end up usually seeing the same people at the same tables or slots and get the know the dealers and bartenders in the casino. We make lots of friends in the casino

 

 

We enjoy it

[datolim]

Getting the $1000 and $750 puts you with the CR VIPS. We find we can travel in GS about what we would pay for a balcony. I would say, I am about even on over the last 12 months and 5 cruises. I enjoy the Casino and it is entertainment to me.

 

 

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For a high end player like you I suggest you play with dead chips or non-negotiable chips. You should get I or 2 percent off the chip purchase. Every thing else should be free including some fancy dinners and wine.

If you really want to impress somebody then I suggest you deposit $100,000 with the casino and ask for a million $ loan or advance from the casino. Subject to their vetting process and approval they will put you in the biggest suite in the ship and treat you like royalty. Don't forget to ask for wangu beef or caviar if you fancy that. They will get it for you no problem.

[FUN33]

Last spring we were on B2B cruises and were given 2 Specialty restaurant meals on each cruise. We are Platinum level on Club Royal. From reading the posts, it sounds like this is no longer being done. Can anyone clarify what is the policy currently in effect?

[troykahack]

For a high end player like you I suggest you play with dead chips or non-negotiable chips. You should get I or 2 percent off the chip purchase. Every thing else should be free including some fancy dinners and wine.

If you really want to impress somebody then I suggest you deposit $100,000 with the casino and ask for a million $ loan or advance from the casino. Subject to their vetting process and approval they will put you in the biggest suite in the ship and treat you like royalty. Don't forget to ask for wangu beef or caviar if you fancy that. They will get it for you no problem.

 

 

They do have Caviar. We had it two weeks ago on Allure in the CK. Notice SO has a lanyard too. The beef was nothing special.

 

 

 

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[epcopres]

So if you get 1 point for every $5 bet in the casino. To get 2400 points you must bet $12,000.00 ? Seems like alot. Am i getting that correct?

[davekathy]

They do have Caviar. We had it two weeks ago on Allure in the CK. Notice SO has a lanyard too. The beef was nothing special.

 

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I hate caviar but I do like your wife's T-shirt.

[Robinhill]

i just wanted to also let everyone know that although i was unable to use my "free certificate for a cruise" within the time frame- i was able to book a solo 9 night cruise on the Grandeur which came to the usual 200% for the solo so it was 1276.50 for an inside with the BOGO 60% off during the wow sale so they discounted off -384 plus they gave me $500 off on my play on my last cruise since i could not use a certificate for a grand total of wait for it- 560.99 including taxes and fees! Not bad for solo inside for 9 nights. $62.33 per day!

[dlclark84]

It has been 4 years sine my husband & I have cruised but we cruised on RCL 3 straight years. My husband always plays in the casino, at the craps table. we never were approched for free drink coupons or discount cruise offers. we had never heard about Club Royal, except on the items we won in a casino game. Are these fairly new or do we need to ask about them? We are cruising on Jewel in March and I'm sure we'll be spending time and money at the tables! LOL.

[FUN33]

If you have a M-Life card from any MGM Casino, just show it to the Casino host and they will enroll you in Club Royal.

[peymas]

Incorrect, you get no C&A points for a free cruise...K.O.

 

Our first and second cruises with Royal were comp rooms (paying grats and port fees) and we received the points for them. Two cruises 16 points. We didn't upgrade them either time.