Casino cruise Rates

[mra9955]

Typically how discounted are rooms booked through the casino program? Specifically two bedroom suites.

 

 

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[mk-ultra]

Depends entirely on your play (how much you've spent in the casino). I've never used a casino certificate for a free cruise (i.e., the list of cabin category & cruise dates that are completely comped). There's also a $ value on the cert that can be applied to any cruise. I keep pretty tight track of my casino spending. On a 7 day cruise, spending (losing) around ~$3500 playing blackjack, I'll get a cert worth $750 that I can use toward any cruise.

 

Some of the cruise discounts can be combined. I can use that $750 off a cruise that also has a BOGO discount, but it resets OBC discounts. I used my cert on a cruise I'd already booked that had a $300 OBC, but lost that and got a $100 OBC credit using my cert via the Club Royale # (the only way to use it) for a net gain of $550. RCI's rules about using these certs are totally opaque. You have to call the Casino Royale # to apply them to a booked cruise. The rules are opaque, but it's always been a net savings for me.

 

If you're using the cert for cash value, it doesn't really matter what category of cabin you're booking. Unless that specific category and date is totally comped, you're going to be using the cash value.

Edited May 6, 2018 by mk-ultra

[fla gang]

I just got $300 off on a 5 day cruise. Never have gotten a free cruise certificate and My coin in usually runs 3-4k. Sometimes Qualify for free drinks in the casino, but casino perks have became fewer in the last couple of years

[mra9955]

Thanks. I wasn’t asking about the free cruise certificate or cash in value. If I want to book through the casino how much off the published rate are casino rates? Typically take two cruises a year and donate a few thousand each cruise to the casino n

 

 

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[lazydayz]

We were to snag a Crown Loft Suite on Allure in mid September for less than half price. Only full suites available more than six months in advance were the CLS and an Owners Suite.

[scorpluvsdolphins]

When did you book? They stopped most casino rates unless you are a super high roller. They only use the promotions going on at the time with a casino certificate you earned.

 

 

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[lazydayz]

I think it was in March. Switched out Freedom for the Allure. Had a free balcony and was able to upgrade at a good price.

[11madmic]

Thanks. I wasn’t asking about the free cruise certificate or cash in value. If I want to book through the casino how much off the published rate are casino rates? Typically take two cruises a year and donate a few thousand each cruise to the casino n

 

 

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Casino Royal just recently changed their program, you would get zero discount or casino rate unless you earn it, which means they either send a physical discount certificate to your room, or they contact you in some manner to tell you that you are in a tier of their program that entitles you to discounts/free cruises. Also, you may receive emails/mailings for free/discount cruise.

 

if you do a few thousand each cruise (assuming its in slots) for 2 cruises a year, you probably would make it into the tier that entitles you to some perks (2,500 points--- this tier gives you free drinks in the casino and 1 free cruise a year). if you are purely tables games, that might be a stretch as they earn way less points. Again, you would be contacted in some manner if they casino royal program lets you use them for any form of discount bookings.

[TeeRick]

I received an email today from RCCL saying I had qualified for Casino Rates. And got a discount code to use when booking. We spend a few dollars in the casino every cruise but nothing major. Is this a gimmick? How much is the discount?

[CruisingHusker]

I received an email today from RCCL saying I had qualified for Casino Rates. And got a discount code to use when booking. We spend a few dollars in the casino every cruise but nothing major. Is this a gimmick? How much is the discount?

 

The only casino rate discounts I have been offered lately is 5%. I am spending more than ever. Before this new program I was getting around 30% off so I started sailing in suites. Now with only 5% off there is no way I’m going to continue that. I’m going to start looking into other programs.

[RFerrington]

The only casino rate discounts I have been offered lately is 5%.

 

This is the same casino discount that I have been quoted since the new program took affect. The days of 45 - 60% off are long gone.

 

There are 4 ways to save money through Club Royale if you are a Prime member or higher. (1) Free annual cruise for all Club Royale members, Prime level or higher (2) Certificates earned through play while on board (3) Casino discount (currently only 5% for me as a Prime member. Could be higher for higher CR levels. I have no way of knowing), (4) Random casino offers delivered via email and snail mail.

 

If there are other ways, I am unaware.

[orkaren1]

I have been offered discount rates via email from Club Royale. Unfortunately they are usually only good on specific cruises that are generally a few months out. My husband needs an accessible room and every time I look into these rates there are never any accessible rooms available on the ship. It is very unfair to anyone requiring an accessible room.

[bighairtexan]

My B/F and I are in a 2 bedroom Grand Suite on Liberty, leaving this coming Sunday, and I paid approximately 50% of the going rate.

[CruisingHusker]

My B/F and I are in a 2 bedroom Grand Suite on Liberty, leaving this coming Sunday, and I paid approximately 50% of the going rate.

 

I’m curious as to when you booked it. Before the new program took effect?

[bighairtexan]

I just checked my original invoice. I booked April 1 2018. I originally booked a balcony through the casino. At that time there were no suites available. I kept checking and when a 2 bedroom grand became available I called ASAP to ask what the upgrade cost would be. Total price was half of what I could have booked it for on the RCI site.

[maryjaden]

I have also found the days of good casino rates are gone. I have had better luck booking a JS and upgrading just prior to sailing .

[TeeRick]

I just checked my original invoice. I booked April 1 2018. I originally booked a balcony through the casino. At that time there were no suites available. I kept checking and when a 2 bedroom grand became available I called ASAP to ask what the upgrade cost would be. Total price was half of what I could have booked it for on the RCI site.

 

I currently have a 1-BR GS booked on Harmony. So if I upgrade it they will honor the casino discount? But will they charge me a change fee to offset that?

[RFerrington]

I just checked my original invoice. I booked April 1 2018. I originally booked a balcony through the casino. At that time there were no suites available. I kept checking and when a 2 bedroom grand became available I called ASAP to ask what the upgrade cost would be. Total price was half of what I could have booked it for on the RCI site.

 

Was the original booking through the casino for a "free" room ? I have found that the fully comped rooms are very easy (and affordable) to upgrade.

[RFerrington]

I currently have a 1-BR GS booked on Harmony. So if I upgrade it they will honor the casino discount? But will they charge me a change fee to offset that?

 

If you originally booked with a casino discount, they will apply the same casino discount when you upgrade BUT they will reprice the suite at the current rate.

 

The very best prices I have found since the new program started is when you book a fully comped room from their "list" (regardless of the category...we generally start at interior) and then upgrade it. On our last cruise (Liberty over Labor Day) we started with an inside comp and upgraded all the way to Owner's Suite for just $498. Our "free" annual cruises on Anthem began as inside rooms and I upgraded both of them (B2B) all the way up to Star Class for less than half of what it would have cost to be Star Class on just 1 of those cruises so this seems to be the best deal going at the moment. The actual "casino discount" if you book any random cruise and ask for the casino discount is very poor (as I said, 5% is the best we've gotten since the new program started) but choosing one of the "free" cruises from the list, if you are comped, is easily and affordably upgraded.

[CruisingHusker]

If you originally booked with a casino discount, they will apply the same casino discount when you upgrade BUT they will reprice the suite at the current rate.

 

The very best prices I have found since the new program started is when you book a fully comped room from their "list" (regardless of the category...we generally start at interior) and then upgrade it. On our last cruise (Liberty over Labor Day) we started with an inside comp and upgraded all the way to Owner's Suite for just $498. Our "free" annual cruises on Anthem began as inside rooms and I upgraded both of them (B2B) all the way up to Star Class for less than half of what it would have cost to be Star Class on just 1 of those cruises so this seems to be the best deal going at the moment. The actual "casino discount" if you book any random cruise and ask for the casino discount is very poor (as I said, 5% is the best we've gotten since the new program started) but choosing one of the "free" cruises from the list, if you are comped, is easily and affordably upgraded.

 

Are these a series of upgrades? I am assuming these aren’t upgrades at the time of original booking. I’m curious as to how far out from your sailing you did these upgrades for such good deals. My problem is there are usually 4 of us and we can’t all share a room. It is not pleasant. We prefer 2 bedroom suites.

[TeeRick]

Are you getting hit with change fees every time you upgrade?

[golfpccc]

Are you getting hit with change fees every time you upgrade?

No change fees unless you change the ship and/or date. No fee to change cabin or category.

 

Carla

[bighairtexan]

OK no change fees and I've upgraded through the casino several times.

My cruise this coming Sunday in the 2 bedroom Grand (Liberty) was originally a free cruise. I've also merely called the casino and asked "is there anything you can do for me? I'd like to go on XYZ ship on ZYX date." Usually there's SOMETHING they can do but not always. Also if I haven't cruised (gambled) in over a year, there tends to be a NO GO. In other words my discount is based on my casino action within the year before the cruise date that I want to book (I hope this makes sense).

I don't usually have a gap over a year but I also mostly cruise Celebrity so it happens. I tried to book a cruise via the casino for NEXT year in November and since that's over a year out there wasn't much they could do; I booked anyway. I was told to call if I gamble on a cruise between this November and Next and they could retroactively apply the discount to my already booked 11/2019 cruise.

Now we all know ANYTHING could change between now and then but so far this is what I was told.

And all my "changes" have been cabin category rather than date or ship, hence no change fees.

[MadamG2U]

We are cruising in November I was able to upgrade us from a comp balcony room to the RLS and got a little over 50% off.

[TeeRick]

OK no change fees and I've upgraded through the casino several times.

My cruise this coming Sunday in the 2 bedroom Grand (Liberty) was originally a free cruise. I've also merely called the casino and asked "is there anything you can do for me? I'd like to go on XYZ ship on ZYX date." Usually there's SOMETHING they can do but not always. Also if I haven't cruised (gambled) in over a year, there tends to be a NO GO. In other words my discount is based on my casino action within the year before the cruise date that I want to book (I hope this makes sense).

I don't usually have a gap over a year but I also mostly cruise Celebrity so it happens. I tried to book a cruise via the casino for NEXT year in November and since that's over a year out there wasn't much they could do; I booked anyway. I was told to call if I gamble on a cruise between this November and Next and they could retroactively apply the discount to my already booked 11/2019 cruise.

Now we all know ANYTHING could change between now and then but so far this is what I was told.

And all my "changes" have been cabin category rather than date or ship, hence no change fees.

 

Thank you. We have mostly cruised Celebrity recently and have gambled in the Casino on their ships. Does that count with the RCCL program? Honestly I'm trying to figure out why RCCL offered me a casino discount when I have mostly cruised and gambled on Celebrity.