Casino rates

[unclerich]

We had a mailing offering deeply discounted casino rates for 7 day Eastern Carib cruise this November. (We're not the biggest gamblers, by far!)

 

Our experience is the following: not combinable with Amex Platinum benefits; not combinable with Shareholder OBC.

 

Granted, it really is deeply discounted - but this is the first time we've had these exclusions.

It still works out for us, but review your options before accepting.

 

Good news - Neptune Suite + retreat cabana :)

 

Richard

[kazu]

We had a mailing offering deeply discounted casino rates for 7 day Eastern Carib cruise this November. (We're not the biggest gamblers, by far!)

 

Our experience is the following: not combinable with Amex Platinum benefits; not combinable with Shareholder OBC.

 

Granted, it really is deeply discounted - but this is the first time we've had these exclusions.

It still works out for us, but review your options before accepting.

 

Good news - Neptune Suite + retreat cabana :)

 

Richard

 

We rarely get offers other than for the Caribbean which is not high on our personal bucket list. (Too hard to get out of here with winter storms).

 

But we have received casino discounts on the itineraries we do want to do. They are much appreciated and they even gave me casino credit to play this time ;) :).

 

I'm not sure when it is a good deal, a great deal and a best deal, but with the discount on a VERY expensive itinerary, we'll happily take it.

[msmayor]

We've done very, very well with the casino discount. I can't wait until we are retired and able to jump on even more of the deals we've been offered.

[English_in_Spain]

How do you get casino deals?

 

Do you have to belong to a casino club to qualify?

 

I usually donate quite a bit to the casino on my cruises so would be interested to know

[blizzardboy]

We had a mailing offering deeply discounted casino rates for 7 day Eastern Carib cruise this November. (We're not the biggest gamblers, by far!)

 

Our experience is the following: not combinable with Amex Platinum benefits; not combinable with Shareholder OBC.

 

Granted, it really is deeply discounted - but this is the first time we've had these exclusions.

It still works out for us, but review your options before accepting.

 

Good news - Neptune Suite + retreat cabana :)

 

Richard

Just curious if it was an actual HAL mailing, or a casino marketer/junket operator? We have never had an issue using the shareholder benefit with casino rates.

If your sailing on the NA, I may see you at the BJ table. Safe travels.

[kazu]

How do you get casino deals?

 

Do you have to belong to a casino club to qualify?

 

I usually donate quite a bit to the casino on my cruises so would be interested to know

 

You don't need to belong to a casino club.

 

Mine have come from my "donations" on board ;)

 

I'm not sure what triggers the qualification - time in the casino, $ spent or a combination thereof.

 

The discount is reflected when you log in and go to book a cruise. If it is an itinerary where the casino discount comes into play, the price will be lower than what you see on the HAL website. Once you have returned from your cruise - if you hit the contact button at oceanplayersclub.com, they will advise you if you are entitled to casino cash as well.

 

I don't consider myself a heavy gambler, but I do spend some time there. It's the only time I visit a casino ;)

[blizzardboy]

How do you get casino deals?

I'm told slot play is tracked automatically, though I've never played. I only play Blackjack. On any table game, you want to hand them your room card before you play. They'll "log you in" and the pit boss will watch a sampling of hands during your play. Length of time played, frequency of sessions, and average bet are the prime components of your "rating". They also keep track of your chip purchases and cash outs. Any HAL casino deals/offers will show up under your Mariner number.

[English_in_Spain]

I'm told slot play is tracked automatically, though I've never played. I only play Blackjack. On any table game, you want to hand them your room card before you play. They'll "log you in" and the pit boss will watch a sampling of hands during your play. Length of time played, frequency of sessions, and average bet are the prime components of your "rating". They also keep track of your chip purchases and cash outs. Any HAL casino deals/offers will show up under your Mariner number.

 

I also play blackjack. It has never occurred to me to give them my room card when I start playing. I am sure the amount of time I spent in the casino on my last TA would have earned me some reward - lol

[blizzardboy]

I also play blackjack. It has never occurred to me to give them my room card when I start playing. I am sure the amount of time I spent in the casino on my last TA would have earned me some reward - lol

It adds up. We get a great price on our suite, a couple hundred in casino cash, and I seldom pay for a drink while playing after the first night. I do play for enough to get their attention, which helps lube the perk machine, but I also play well enough to stay ahead of them over time. I knew all that math from my engineering education would get put to some nefarious use at some point!

[Lady Arwen]

My DH and I also receive the casino rate when we book our cruises with HAL. It usually works out to about 30% (Canadian) discount off of the regular online rate. We are not huge gamblers......just slot players. However, we do play everyday/night of the cruise and we usually manage to break even or close, one way or another. We so appreciate this discount, as it works out to be an average savings of $400.00 per person on a one week cruise. Our recent 2 week Koningsdam cruise was $1800.00 total off the regular price.

[DaveOKC]

It adds up. We get a great price on our suite, a couple hundred in casino cash, and I seldom pay for a drink while playing after the first night. I do play for enough to get their attention, which helps lube the perk machine, but I also play well enough to stay ahead of them over time. I knew all that math from my engineering education would get put to some nefarious use at some point!

 

I know what you mean about math skills coming in handy on Blackjack! In my younger days I used to count cards and could normally play all day and win or lose a little bit (in Vegas no less). Hard to do it now with old age, multi-decks and lower payout rules.

[DaveOKC]

It adds up. We get a great price on our suite, a couple hundred in casino cash, and I seldom pay for a drink while playing after the first night. I do play for enough to get their attention, which helps lube the perk machine, but I also play well enough to stay ahead of them over time. I knew all that math from my engineering education would get put to some nefarious use at some point!

 

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[unclerich]

Just curious if it was an actual HAL mailing, or a casino marketer/junket operator? We have never had an issue using the shareholder benefit with casino rates.

If your sailing on the NA, I may see you at the BJ table. Safe travels.

 

 

The mailing was from HAL, including Mariner ID # and not transferable. There were a variety of eligible cruises, varying from 6-17 days. The casino is managed by https://www.oceanplayersclub.com/

All the best,

Richard

[brownie1005]

Here's our experience with casino deals.

A little background...my husband plays tables for about an hour or 2 most evenings, and for sure the first night. He’s not a heavy better, and usually comes out even or ahead. He always gives his room card when he plays, in order for them to track his activity.

We occasionally get email offers from for free cruises, less port fees, (inside room) with VERY, VERY generous room upgrade prices through to nepune suites. Space is definitely limited for each sailing, and you have to jump on them as soon as email hits. For these cruises, we cannot use our CCL stock OBC benefits.

We also get casino discount rates on all of our other cruises. They are substantial, even better than mariner rates, and always include casino spending money, which the amount offered seems to be dependent on his casino activity from our previous cruise. We are always able to use our CCL stock OBC benefits, as well as any other OBC we obtain.

In order to get the best casino benefits, it’s crucial you give the dealer your room card every time you sit down at a table.

[blizzardboy]

The mailing was from HAL, including Mariner ID # and not transferable. There were a variety of eligible cruises, varying from 6-17 days. The casino is managed by https://www.oceanplayersclub.com/

All the best,

Richard

Thanks for the reply. We receive substantial discounts on our suites, and have received offers by mail, but I guess I haven't gotten beyond the available cruises to read the fine print. My bride is still working (yes, I'm a kept man) in a career she enjoys, so we have pretty specific time frames (all in high season it seems) in which to travel due to her schedule. We often have our next cruise booked before we leave on the current journey, which makes me wonder how aggressively they market to us.

[DaveOKC]

Guess we are too low rollers for HAL:

 

"Unfortunately, your level of play does not qualify you for any pre-boarding comps or offers at this time. Please ensure you check-in with your designated casino staff once on board as they will provide you with on-board comps based on your level of play.

We look forward to welcoming you on board."