Casino Rate?

[DaveOKC]

On another topic several of us are discussing HAL's Casino Rate and I thought it might be better to start a separate topic on it.

 

A number of people have reported getting some nice discounts (or even free) cruises on HAL, after playing in the casino. Some people report very minimal play to get these deals. We are small players and never have gotten a "casino rate" or casino offer.

 

From what I know from my land based casino experiences, the casinos do not give out deals (comps) based on how much you won or lost, but rather on how much you play. On slots, they use a point system which is based on the amount you bet per "pull" plus of course the number of pulls. On HAL you can see this on your casino account as "points", as you play. I suspect that there is a number of points that you need to earn per cruise (or per day) to get the casino rate deals.

 

So, I was wondering if any casino players have an experience on how many Points it takes to earn a casino rate deal from HAL? Or any other thoughts would be helpful as well.

[MB320]

Leaving on a 7 day Veendam cruise on Wednesday (1/10) with a casino discount. If I recall correctly the discount offer was 30% for inside, 25% for outside, 20% for balcony, and 15% for suite. I am sailing solo and was charged a 50% solo supplement rather than the usual 100% supplement. In the past, I have been given free inside stateroom and/or significant casino cash. For the last several years, I have received no offers for free staterooms, just discounts, but the discounts have been available for almost any cruise I choose. Sometimes I get a mailer for casino cash and discounts for cruises on specific dates and itineraries. I usually play mostly table games and very limited slot play. Princess offers have been more generous recently even though I am 4 star on HAL and platinum on Princess.

Edited January 7, 2018 by MB320
correct date of sailing

[Lady Arwen]

My DH and I are part of that fortunate group that receives a HAL casino rate. This is not the same as receiving a cheap cruise or free cruise that is related to a players club, usually related to a land based casino. Our casino rate is across the board, with few exceptions. At the moment we do not appear to get this rate on any of the Nieuw Statendam sailings, including the inaugural. Every other ship and sailing is at the discounted price.

 

We are Canadian and our discount is shown in Canadian dollars and is very generous. A couple of months ago (I believe it was the Cyber Sale) we looked at a 12 night Prinsendam cruise for April 2019, which in Canadian dollars was $2795.00 per person for interior cabin without our discount. I decided to just take a look at what we could get it for and signed in indicating our Mariner numbers. Our price was $1663.00 (ca) per person with free gratuities and a $50.00 beverage card! We saved about $1100.00 per person plus the cost of free gratuities. We booked it!

 

Our recent cruise to the Med on Koningsdam was also priced at unbelievable savings. This will be our third cruise offering us approximately 35-40% off the regular price. I've asked HAL reps many times how this discount is determined and who receives it. I was consistently told that HAL randomly chooses casino players regardless of the amount played as long as you played most days of the cruise. We spend time in the casino every evening but rarely spend more than $200-$300 each cruise. Often we break even. I think the casino discount is similar to the upgrade fairy......some get it....most don't.

[bleacher04]

... I've asked HAL reps many times how this discount is determined and who receives it. I was consistently told that HAL randomly chooses casino players regardless of the amount played as long as you played most days of the cruise. We spend time in the casino every evening but rarely spend more than $200-$300 each cruise. Often we break even. I think the casino discount is similar to the upgrade fairy......some get it....most don't.

Our HAL PCC told me that the casino discounts are determined by the company that manages the casinos (Club 21?), and not by HAL; for reasons no one has been able (or willing) to explain to me, a flag just appears on your file one day. It apparently has no relationship to Mariner status; we started receiving the discounts when we were 3-star, and when I made bookings for all of the family (some 4- and 5-star), I was told that the rest of the party was not eligible, because they had no flag against their name.

 

I don't think it's based on points, like a land-based casino, because while we are regulars, we are not big spenders. Mind you our discounts have been modest too, and we have never received an offer for a free cruise or emails offering cruises at discounted casino rates.

[Lady Arwen]

Our HAL PCC told me that the casino discounts are determined by the company that manages the casinos (Club 21?), and not by HAL; for reasons no one has been able (or willing) to explain to me, a flag just appears on your file one day. It apparently has no relationship to Mariner status; we started receiving the discounts when we were 3-star, and when I made bookings for all of the family (some 4- and 5-star), I was told that the rest of the party was not eligible, because they had no flag against their name.

 

I don't think it's based on points, like a land-based casino, because while we are regulars, we are not big spenders. Mind you our discounts have been modest too, and we have never received an offer for a free cruise or emails offering cruises at discounted casino rates.

I was assured by our PCC that HAL chooses who receives a casino rate NOT any casino company. Not the same as the free/discounted cruises that pertain to a certain ship and a particular sailing. Those are determined by the casino managing company. You are correct, it does not matter what your Mariner status is to receive the discount. I just mentioned this because if you don't sign into the HAL website indicating your Mariner number you will not see the casino rate. Yes, the only people eligible are those that have been chosen by HAL and not anyone else in your party

[bleacher04]

I was assured by our PCC that HAL chooses who receives a casino rate NOT any casino company...

Interesting. Of course it makes much more sense that it comes from HAL, and not the casino company.

 

When you book a cruise, do you have the phrase "Casino Discount Included In Fare" listed under Special Services on page 2 (with other promotions)?

[Lady Arwen]

Interesting. Of course it makes much more sense that it comes from HAL, and not the casino company.

 

When you book a cruise, do you have the phrase "Casino Discount Included In Fare" listed under Special Services on page 2 (with other promotions)?

Yes, that phrase is shown on our cruise summary.

[kazu]

Our HAL PCC told me that the casino discounts are determined by the company that manages the casinos (Club 21?), and not by HAL; for reasons no one has been able (or willing) to explain to me, a flag just appears on your file one day. It apparently has no relationship to Mariner status; we started receiving the discounts when we were 3-star, and when I made bookings for all of the family (some 4- and 5-star), I was told that the rest of the party was not eligible, because they had no flag against their name.

 

I don't think it's based on points, like a land-based casino, because while we are regulars, we are not big spenders. Mind you our discounts have been modest too, and we have never received an offer for a free cruise or emails offering cruises at discounted casino rates.

 

That was my understanding too. Ocean Players Club (of which Club21 is part) does the choosing. They are also the ones that determine if you get "casino cash" or not along with other things.

 

I do think time and regularity are a feature to receive it but it seems like this is as big a secret as the "ugrade/upsell fairy". ;)

[freestyling]

To add some possible clarity:

HAL offers a casino discount rate on cruises. This rate varies by cruise and stateroom chosen. We have found for veranda up to a neptune suite the discount averages 25% off published cruise rate.

 

Club 21 also has casino offers. The offer varies by cruise line, cruise ship within the cruise line and staterooms. These Club 21 offers come directly from them. We received 2 offers a few years ago. Took advantage of one on the NA 21 day Panama Canal cruise 3 yrs ago where cruise was free for a veranda room. We had cruised HAL 3 times the year before this “free” cruise and averaged 4 hrs betting in the casino at a time during each of the 7 day cruises. We both play tables so I dont know how many points but our avg bet amount was $8 us.

 

We no longer spend that duration of time per sitting in the casinos for a number of reasons and the Club 21 offers have stopped. However we do still play in the casino and we do continue to receive the HAL casino discount.

Edited January 7, 2018 by freestyling
misspelling :(

[doublebzz]

Just yesterday I received a card from Carnival offering casino rates on some of their sailings. When I compared the rate with an on-line TA for the same cruise and cabin category, the on-line rate was cheaper. I would be very weary of deals offered by the cruise line versus those offered by the casino company.

[kazu]

To add some possible clarity:

HAL offers a casino discount rate on cruises. This rate varies by cruise and stateroom chosen. We have found for veranda up to a neptune suite the discount averages 25% off published cruise rate.

 

Club 21 also has casino offers. The offer varies by cruise line, cruise ship within the cruise line and staterooms. These Club 21 offers come directly from them. We received 2 offers a few years ago. Took advantage of one on the NA 21 day Panama Canal cruise 3 yrs ago where cruise was free for a veranda room. We had cruised HAL 3 times the year before this “free” cruise and averaged 4 hrs betting in the casino at a time during each of the 7 day cruises. We both play tables so I dont know how many points but our avg bet amount was $8 us.

 

We no longer spend that duration of time per sitting in the casinos for a number of reasons and the Club 21 offers have stopped. However we do still play in the casino and we do continue to receive the HAL casino discount.

 

thank you for the clarification :)

 

So my casino discount on my cruise comes from HAL and my casino cash comes from ocean players club? Or, is that also HAL generated? The letter I got on board told me to contact ocean players club for that. they confirmed my "casino cash" and sent me a letter.

[Lady Arwen]

To add some possible clarity:

HAL offers a casino discount rate on cruises. This rate varies by cruise and stateroom chosen. We have found for veranda up to a neptune suite the discount averages 25% off published cruise rate.

 

Club 21 also has casino offers. The offer varies by cruise line, cruise ship within the cruise line and staterooms. These Club 21 offers come directly from them. We received 2 offers a few years ago. Took advantage of one on the NA 21 day Panama Canal cruise 3 yrs ago where cruise was free for a veranda room. We had cruised HAL 3 times the year before this “free” cruise and averaged 4 hrs betting in the casino at a time during each of the 7 day cruises. We both play tables so I dont know how many points but our avg bet amount was $8 us.

 

We no longer spend that duration of time per sitting in the casinos for a number of reasons and the Club 21 offers have stopped. However we do still play in the casino and we do continue to receive the HAL casino discount.

This is always a source of confusion.......casino discounts by the casino management company and a casino rate offered by HAL. Completely different concepts. We receive the HAL casino rate. This rate is across the board for all HAL sailings......all ships, all dates, with very few exceptions. You only see this rate if you are perusing a cruise online or by calling HAL. Occasionally, some people will receive an email offering a casino discount on a specific cruise. This would be from the casino management company through HAL.

[Lady Arwen]

thank you for the clarification :)

 

So my casino discount on my cruise comes from HAL and my casino cash comes from ocean players club? Or, is that also HAL generated?

A casino RATE is from HAL. Your casino cash is from players club.

[kazu]

A casino RATE is from HAL. Your casino cash is from players club.

 

thanks :) Nice to understand how it works at least. ;)

[Sea42]

Just yesterday I received a card from Carnival offering casino rates on some of their sailings. When I compared the rate with an on-line TA for the same cruise and cabin category, the on-line rate was cheaper. I would be very weary of deals offered by the cruise line versus those offered by the casino company.

Our online TA gave us our casino discount in addition to their lower fare.

[doublebzz]

To add some possible clarity:

HAL offers a casino discount rate on cruises. This rate varies by cruise and stateroom chosen. We have found for veranda up to a neptune suite the discount averages 25% off published cruise rate.

 

Where do you see this? I don't see any casino rate when I log in to HAL. On Carnival, it is linked to your Mariner number for those eligible.

[msmayor]

We have received casino rate fares ever since our first HAL cruise was completed, and I know our eligibility didn't come from 'points' since we rarely play any slots (occasional video poker...that's it). The majority of our casino play is at the tables.

 

HAL swipes our card and records the cash we put down at each table and then tracks how much time we are at said table(s) once we cash out. I also believe that the pit boss is tracking betting action as they get to know the regular players; while at the Zuiderdam casino this past March I saw the pit boss entering information on a large spreadsheet open on his computer that appeared to have names and dollar values listed. We received 'bounce back' letters on the last day of our cruise for booking our next cruise within the following 3-6 months.

[kazu]

Where do you see this? I don't see any casino rate when I log in to HAL. On Carnival, it is linked to your Mariner number for those eligible.

 

The only way I have found to find my casino rate is to log into the HAL website and do a dummy booking, then, the real price appears. Hope this helps.

[freestyling]

Kazu is correct..that’s the only way i see mine. Once booked it is on page 2 of our booking confirmation as casino discount under special services.

[Lady Arwen]

Where do you see this? I don't see any casino rate when I log in to HAL. On Carnival, it is linked to your Mariner number for those eligible.

Very few people receive this rate, chosen randomly by HAL. The only way you will see this rate is if you are one of those people. Go online and choose a cruise. The rate will change to a much lower rate once you choose a cabin. You MUST input your mariner number, which dictates if you receive the special rate. You can also call HAL and ask if you are one of these chosen people (my goodness that sounds so darn pretentious, sorry). They will look it up using your mariner number, which will be flagged. Do not be disappointed if you don not get this rate, as most people do not. We are low rollers, but frequent the casino daily.

[freestyling]

Msmayor:Club 21 operates all the casino’s for HAL. So the person swiping your card is a Club 21 employee and Club 21 is offering you Casino Cash or any

Casino discounts. Glad your getting the discounts!!

[ChinaShrek]

 

Do you know if TAs can see the Casino Rate? My PCC says she is the only one who can "see" the rate?

[Lady Arwen]

Do you know if TAs can see the Casino Rate? My PCC says she is the only one who can "see" the rate?

Quite sure your travel agent can see this rate based on your Mariner number. If not, they can call HAL and ask. If you do a mock booking on the website, you can also see the rate, as long as you are logged in with your Mariner number.

[*Miss G*]

This is something which has always been confusing to me so forgive me for trying to get some clarification. When I log in and see special mariner pricing, that is NOT the casino rate. Correct? If I am reading this correctly, the only way to see a casino rate is if I choose a cabin?

[doublebzz]

Thanks for your responses. My dummy booking does not come up with a casino rate. I guess I am not one of the chosen few although my wife and I spend a lot of time in the casino and often that ends up more expensive than the cruise fare. Interesting, though, that I get a casino rate on Carnival ships, but not on HAL although we have gambled considerably more on HAL. As a few posters have said, "no rhyme or reason".