CLUB ROYALE - CLARIFY FREE CRUISE OFFER RULES

[NJ&Ozzie]

Hi,

 

Just spoke to a Casino Royale cruise rep about our free cruise offer.   We thought there were only specific cruises you can choose from but were told you can choose any cruise eight nights or less.  If cruise is over eight nights or during a blackout period (Christmas, Thanksgiving, etc.), then you can redeem for money (eg. $500, 750, etc.) towards cruise.  

 

In addition, we're only responsible for port charges/ taxes.  Rep said we're not responsible for gratuities but we can prepay if we choose.  This is different from what we were told originally.

 

Rep said we can also book free cruise (or any other Casino Royale offer) through our own travel agent & still get same pricing/benefits.  

 

Is this the correct understanding of the Casino Royale program?

Cheers,

NJ 

[Mikew0805]

You can use the value of the cruise (Prime is $500 I believe) for any cruise. You are not required to PRE PAY gratuities, they will still be charged daily to your account once you board. 

 

I have not tried a TA.. not sure what benefit it would be to them, as there would be nothing commissionable on a free cruise. Maybe they were referring to if you used the discount instead. 

[cruisegirl1]

There are several types  of free cruises offered by the casino, and  some have different rules. 

 

One is a few cruise certificate by gambling on ONE  cruise.  Some number of points ON ONE CRUISE gets  you a certificate for a specific type  of  accommodations  and on specific sailings.  I cannot offer any other info on this type of free cruise as we have never obtained  the necessary points. 

 

The next is a promotion  free cruise award emailed/mailed by the casino for a variety of sailings, or maybe just one sailing.  This offer may also include a value you can apply to a cruise not listed.  It may be for an interior or other accommodations, may be for a BOGO, may be $$ off or may be for what they call "special casino pricing".  There are all kinds  of mailings.  Some people get lots of them, and others do not.  No one can figure out the system. 

 

Then there is the PRIME few cruise that one earns because of points earned over a one year period.    The cruise accommodation  depends   on the casino program level.   This cruise is ANY up to 8 night sailing as long as it is not over any holiday.  The holiday  list includes, Christmas, New Years, Thanksgiving, July 3, Memorial Day, Easter, Holy Week, Labor day, President's day.   If you select the minimum accommodations  offered, then there is no additional  charge except for taxes  and fees. 

 

The traveler is ALWAYS responsible for GRATUITIES  and any other on board expenses.  

 

Most travel agents don't want to book a free cruise as there is no commission to them. 

 

I hope this helps    

Edited April 21, 2019 by cruisegirl1

[NJ&Ozzie]

4 minutes ago, cruisegirl1 said:

There are several types  of free cruises offered by the casino, and  some have different rules. 

 

One is a few cruise certificate by gambling on ONE  cruise.  Some number of points ON ONE CRUISE gets  you a certificate for a specific type  of  accommodations  and on specific sailings.  I cannot offer any other info on this type of free cruise as we have never obtained  the necessary points. 

 

The next is a promotion  free cruise award emailed/mailed by the casino for a variety of sailings, or maybe just one sailing.  This offer may also include a value you can apply to a cruise not listed.  It may be for an interior or other accommodations, may be for a BOGO, may be $$ off or may be for what they call "special casino pricing".  There are all kinds  of mailings.  Some people get lots of them, and others do not.  No one can figure out the system. 

 

Then there is the PRIME few cruise that one earns because of points earned over a one year period.    The cruise accommodation  depends   on the casino program level.   This cruise is ANY up to 8 night sailing as long as it is not over any holiday.  The holiday  list includes, Christmas, New Years, Thanksgiving, July 3, Memorial Day, Easter, Holy Week, Labor day, President's day.   If you select the minimum accommodations  offered, then there is no additional  charge except for taxes  and fees. 

 

The traveler is ALWAYS responsible for GRATUITIES  and any other on board expenses.  

 

Most travel agents don't want to book a free cruise as there is no commission to them. 

 

I hope this helps    

 

Thanks for the info.  Ours is the Prime free annual cruise offer.  We accumulated points last year over several cruises.  I wanted to clarify what this particular C.R. rep stated as it was a little different from what we originally were told last year.  It's great that there is no specific "list" to choose from - it's wide open.  We have no problem being responsible for the gratuities as normal.  We were just surprised as we thought it was a requirement that they be prepaid along with the taxes.

 

The C.R. rep said if you book an offer through your T.A. then you would have two people working for you.  Not quite sure how that would work or if even a real benefit.  Agree, not sure why our T.A. would be interested.

Cheers,

NJ 

[sellwingri]

The free cruise the OP is referring to is the free annual cruise of your choice.  As long as you’ve earned 2500 points or more from 4/1 of one year to 3/31 of the next year, your level is Prime and you’re eligible for a cruise of your choice up to 8 nights (not over a holiday) in an inside cabin.    If you earn 25,000 points or more, your level is Signature and you can sail in a balcony.  Over 100,000 points and you can sail in a suite.

 

Contrary to what you were told, you are responsible for gratuities as well as port fees and taxes.

 

The  free annual cruise cannot be exchanged for cash.

 

 

Edited April 21, 2019 by sellwingri

[NJ&Ozzie]

17 minutes ago, sellwingri said:

The free cruise the OP is referring to is the free annual cruise of your choice.  As long as you’ve earned 2500 points or more from 4/1 of one year to 3/31 of the next year, your level is Prime and you’re eligible for a cruise of your choice up to 8 nights (not over a holiday) in an inside cabin.    If you earn 25,000 points or more, your level is Signature and you can sail in a balcony.  Over 100,000 points and you can sail in a suite.

 

Contrary to what you were told, you are responsible for gratuities as well as port fees and taxes.

 

The  free annual cruise cannot be exchanged for cash.

 

 

 

We're at the Prime level for now.  Still debating whether the benefits are worth it.  Guess it depends on the losses.  

 

So now I am confused.  I know we are paying for gratuities. But are grats prepaid along with the taxes when you book the free cruise?  Or do we pay them the usual way - daily on our account?  I'm hearing both ways now.

NJ 

[cruisegirl1]

8 minutes ago, NJ&Ozzie said:

 

We're at the Prime level for now.  Still debating whether the benefits are worth it.  Guess it depends on the losses.  

 

So now I am confused.  I know we are paying for gratuities. But are grats prepaid along with the taxes when you book the free cruise?  Or do we pay them the usual way - daily on our account?  I'm hearing both ways now.

NJ 

You can do the gratuities either way, just like most other RCCL sailings. 

[rt1092]

26 minutes ago, NJ&Ozzie said:

 

We're at the Prime level for now.  Still debating whether the benefits are worth it.  Guess it depends on the losses.  

 

So now I am confused.  I know we are paying for gratuities. But are grats prepaid along with the taxes when you book the free cruise?  Or do we pay them the usual way - daily on our account?  I'm hearing both ways now.

NJ 

My wife and I are both Prime members. We each get a "free" cruise and free drinks in the casino. One of our free cruises is July 12 on the Ovation 7 night Alaska cruise The cheapest inside cabin went for over $3200 for 2. The other is an 8 nighter on the Adventure ABC islands cheapest inside $1500 for 2. Last year we did the Harmony and the Symphony in July for our freebies and upgraded to a JS for $400 and $600 both times. We like to drink a fluffy drink before going to the room. So it saves us at least $100 a cruise. 18 cruises equals $1800. 

We are not high rollers but cruise a lot and it adds up. We actually get back almost as much as more we spend in the casino. We probably spend between $50 and $100 per cruise (entertainment). 

[rt1092]

39 minutes ago, NJ&Ozzie said:

 

We're at the Prime level for now.  Still debating whether the benefits are worth it.  Guess it depends on the losses.  

 

So now I am confused.  I know we are paying for gratuities. But are grats prepaid along with the taxes when you book the free cruise?  Or do we pay them the usual way - daily on our account?  I'm hearing both ways now.

NJ 

Some Casino Royale people try to get you to pay upfront for the tips. But it is not mandatory. Just tell them you will pay later.

[Retired LEO]

The free annual cruise can also be combined. I'm signature and got a balcony cabin. My wife's prime and got an interior. I combined them together for a JS on the Harmony.

[mk-ultra]

My experience with Casino Royale has been, frankly, random to the point that I have no idea how my offers get applied to booked cruises, or future bookings.

 

I've got 23 offers currently: two free balcony cabins, one free interior cabin, one $1000 and one $500 trade-in value offer.  20 $750-$1000 off offers on specific cruises.

 

Here's the weird thing.  I called them to ask what I could apply to an August 2020 Med cruise I'd booked.  I didn't think ANY of the offers could be applied.  A manager applied a 2019 (?!) $1000 off Baseball Event promo for a specific cruise that clearly didn't qualify for the one I'd booked.  It was coded as YHP5 like previous casino discounts I've had.  Not complaining -- that was great -- but there really isn't any sort of consistency to how they handle requests.

 

My takeaway: they've got wide latitude to apply discounts, and your success is largely going to depend on who you talk to.

Edited April 21, 2019 by mk-ultra
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[NJ&Ozzie]

18 minutes ago, mk-ultra said:

My experience with Casino Royale has been, frankly, random to the point that I have no idea how my offers get applied to booked cruises, or future bookings.

 

I've got 23 offers currently: two free balcony cabins, one free interior cabin, one $1000 and one $500 trade-in value offer.  20 $750-$1000 off offers on specific cruises.

 

Here's the weird thing.  I called them to ask what I could apply to an August 2020 Med cruise I'd booked.  I didn't think ANY of the offers could be applied.  A manager applied a 2019 (?!) $1000 off Baseball Event promo for a specific cruise that clearly didn't qualify for the one I'd booked.  It was coded as YHP5 like previous casino discounts I've had.  Not complaining -- that was great -- but there really isn't any sort of consistency to how they handle requests.

 

My takeaway: they've got wide latitude to apply discounts, and your success is largely going to depend on who you talk to.

 

That's great.  Do you know if you earn points for the annual free cruise?  Or does it not count?

NJ 

[Retired LEO]

5 minutes ago, NJ&Ozzie said:

 

That's great.  Do you know if you earn points for the annual free cruise?  Or does it not count?

NJ 

Points are earned for all casino cruises.

[mk-ultra]

Just now, NJ&Ozzie said:

 

That's great.  Do you know if you earn points for the annual free cruise?  Or does it not count?

NJ 

 

The whole points system is really confusing right now as well.  I'm a table-games-only player (blackjack), and I'll usually put out $1000 a night and play for ~4 hours at $25-$100 a hand, often playing two spots for double that when things are slow.

 

Until a year or so ago, table play was scored pretty well.  I've been Prime for a long time with Casino Royale.  That's changed though.  On my last two cruises on Allure and Oasis... I didn't get a single point for playing the tables.  I received 170 points for the incidental (i.e. just killing time) money I spent on a few slot machines.  Got demoted from Prime to Select recently.

 

Natch, it's really not a big deal.  If I'm on a ship, I'm playing for fun.  The perks did take some of the sting out of this though, and if you're a table player, they're pretty much gone.

 

[rt1092]

18 minutes ago, mk-ultra said:

 

The whole points system is really confusing right now as well.  I'm a table-games-only player (blackjack), and I'll usually put out $1000 a night and play for ~4 hours at $25-$100 a hand, often playing two spots for double that when things are slow.

 

Until a year or so ago, table play was scored pretty well.  I've been Prime for a long time with Casino Royale.  That's changed though.  On my last two cruises on Allure and Oasis... I didn't get a single point for playing the tables.  I received 170 points for the incidental (i.e. just killing time) money I spent on a few slot machines.  Got demoted from Prime to Select recently.

 

Natch, it's really not a big deal.  If I'm on a ship, I'm playing for fun.  The perks did take some of the sting out of this though, and if you're a table player, they're pretty much gone.

 

To check your table points you have to go to the Casino Hosts desk It will not show on the machines (unless the hosts convert them) It sounds like you got a promotion to Signature  there is no select. Check with Casino Royale at casinoroyaleoffers.com put in you C&A number and your name. You probably have a free balcony cruise waiting for you. Plus a lot of other offers..

 

[mk-ultra]

2 minutes ago, rt1092 said:

To check your table points you have to go to the Casino Hosts desk It will not show on the machines (unless the hosts convert them) It sounds like you got a promotion to Signature  there is no select. Check with Casino Royale at casinoroyaleoffers.com put in you C&A number and your name. You probably have a free balcony cruise waiting for you. Plus a lot of other offers..

 

 

Oh, I have a ton of offers.  I probably mis-named my  demoted tier (Select instead of Signature), but the reality is that the level of play I've had for the last decade playing table games no longer bumps me into Prime.  I've never had to approach a casino host to have my table-play rated.  This last year or so is the first time I've never been credited with table-play.  I'm counted in and counted out at start and end of play.  CR has had a lot of changes recently.  I've got a September cruise this year on Allure.  It'll be interesting to see if it's scored any better.

 

[rt1092]

10 minutes ago, mk-ultra said:

 

Oh, I have a ton of offers.  I probably mis-named my  demoted tier (Select instead of Signature), but the reality is that the level of play I've had for the last decade playing table games no longer bumps me into Prime.  I've never had to approach a casino host to have my table-play rated.  This last year or so is the first time I've never been credited with table-play.  I'm counted in and counted out at start and end of play.  CR has had a lot of changes recently.  I've got a September cruise this year on Allure.  It'll be interesting to see if it's scored any better.

 

Signature is not a demotion it's a promotion Prime = 2500 points  to achieve Signature = 25,000 points to achieve. Prime gets an inside cabin (once),  and then an internet discount (every cruise). Signature gets a balcony cabin (once) and free internet (every cruise). Both have free drinks in the casino.

You don't have to approach the host to be rated, just to find out how many points you have earned. The points are there whether you go to the host or not. But if you play like you say you are leaving at least $100 in free play on the table by not contacting the host.

The only other tier is Master (not counting choice which gives you nothing) for that you get a Suite.

 

Edited April 21, 2019 by rt1092

[rt1092]

12 minutes ago, mk-ultra said:

 

Oh, I have a ton of offers.  I probably mis-named my  demoted tier (Select instead of Signature), but the reality is that the level of play I've had for the last decade playing table games no longer bumps me into Prime.  I've never had to approach a casino host to have my table-play rated.  This last year or so is the first time I've never been credited with table-play.  I'm counted in and counted out at start and end of play.  CR has had a lot of changes recently.  I've got a September cruise this year on Allure.  It'll be interesting to see if it's scored any better.

 

I'd gladly trade my prime for your Signature if they would let us.

[sellwingri]

I’m sure he means Choice, not Signature. 

 

I play Ultimate Texas Holdem and Three Card Poker and know it’s hard to earn points.  I would make sure you talk to the Casino Host so he/she knows you.  It usually helps to make sure they know you want your points tracked.  I’m Signature, which is above Prime, so I know it can be done.

 

Edited April 22, 2019 by sellwingri

[cruiseluva62886]

On 4/21/2019 at 4:54 PM, mk-ultra said:

My experience with Casino Royale has been, frankly, random to the point that I have no idea how my offers get applied to booked cruises, or future bookings.

 

I've got 23 offers currently: two free balcony cabins, one free interior cabin, one $1000 and one $500 trade-in value offer.  20 $750-$1000 off offers on specific cruises.

 

Here's the weird thing.  I called them to ask what I could apply to an August 2020 Med cruise I'd booked.  I didn't think ANY of the offers could be applied.  A manager applied a 2019 (?!) $1000 off Baseball Event promo for a specific cruise that clearly didn't qualify for the one I'd booked.  It was coded as YHP5 like previous casino discounts I've had.  Not complaining -- that was great -- but there really isn't any sort of consistency to how they handle requests.

 

My takeaway: they've got wide latitude to apply discounts, and your success is largely going to depend on who you talk to.

 

what level are you? and i see what they did..they basically took that baseball event and applied a $1000 discount to your cruise that you paid for and wasn't comped i assume?  i have that baseball offer too but i'll never use it, wonder if they would apply it to a future cruise too of mine, but i only have taxes and gratuities for mine

[mickeychicky]

Does anyone know if you add a THIRD person (I know they wouldn't be free) to the FREE cruise offers they send?   I have several waiting to be used but I know my son would not go without his girlfriend, which makes three of us.

[nelblu]

59 minutes ago, mickeychicky said:

Does anyone know if you add a THIRD person (I know they wouldn't be free) to the FREE cruise offers they send?   I have several waiting to be used but I know my son would not go without his girlfriend, which makes three of us.

Call. The Casino Royal desk. 

[SoFlaAtty]

4 hours ago, mickeychicky said:

Does anyone know if you add a THIRD person (I know they wouldn't be free) to the FREE cruise offers they send?   I have several waiting to be used but I know my son would not go without his girlfriend, which makes three of us.

When you call, realize that if your comped cruise offer code does not provide for a cabin category that supports 3 people in your cabin, then to add a third person, you will have to pay an upgrade fee to be placed in a cabin that does support 3 passengers. 

[nelblu]

47 minutes ago, SoFlaAtty said:

When you call, realize that if your comped cruise offer code does not provide for a cabin category that supports 3 people in your cabin, then to add a third person, you will have to pay an upgrade fee to be placed in a cabin that does support 3 passengers. 

Many times if you get a good agent the upgrade to a 3rd maybe minuscule.

I recently exercised an offer of a trade in up to $500.  When I redeemed the offer on line I asked for a balcony cabin. 
Got the offer accepted, but when I looked at invoice it was a virtual balcony on Anthem. 
Called the CR desk and explained. He told me that he will see what was available with the offer. After 10 minutes, he told me that there would be additional cost. I was shocked and pleased that the amount was a mere $5. 
 

Bottom line, sailing on Anthem 8 nites from my backyard for a total of $227. 🤣🤣

So it helps to call. 

[soremekun]

How much does someone have to lose / donate to the Royal Caribbean executive bonus pool in order qualify for a free cruise?