Casino Rate - What is it and what are the pros and cons if you qualify?

[voljeep]

23 minutes ago, Annmarie58 said:

So I waited 3 and a half hours but finally got thru!!!!!  we are booked for February!!

We also paid to upgrade room . Don't think I can do an inside .

once you got thru … how long were you on with the rep until the transaction was completed ?  might help others ...

[gerig]

3 hours ago, triple7tahoe said:

I received an email last night from Princess Casino with an offer of a free cruise+$500 Casino cash+ Drink, free wifi and grats.

7 different "local cruises offered" any others get this?

Appears too good to be true, but I am going to try to book.  Been on hold for  3 1/2 hours now and still waiting.

[frankdp]

Been on hold 4 hours now....

[gerig]

5 minutes ago, frankdp said:

Been on hold 4 hours now....

I just booked my cruise, but could not upgrade to a balcony today.  Associate informed me that they are now making a list of all those that want to upgrade and they will be receiving call backs on Monday or Tuesday next week.  I asked her why this was happening because I knew people on these boards were upgrading and was informed that alot of the associates didn't know how to provide the correct upgrade price so only those representatives who are experienced will be performing this task next week.

[Annmarie58]

I was on hold 3.5 hours booked Enchanted Princess out of FLL Took about 30 minutes once on phone with Rep,  it took awhile because my credits from the Regal were populating the booking and we are using that for our  November Cruise . So he had to switch them over 

[gerig]

By the way I was only on the phone 5 minutes so I don't know why the wait is so long.  Maybe there aren't that many representatives handling this.

 

[Annmarie58]

3 minutes ago, gerig said:

I just booked my cruise, but could not upgrade to a balcony today.  Associate informed me that they are now making a list of all those that want to upgrade and they will be receiving call backs on Monday or Tuesday next week.  I asked her why this was happening because I knew people on these boards were upgrading and was informed that alot of the associates didn't know how to provide the correct upgrade price so only those representatives who are experienced will be performing this task next week.

Maybe that is why it would not let me book Princess air It said I could book after booking was complete 

Edited April 24, 2020 by Annmarie58

[gerig]

1 minute ago, Annmarie58 said:

I was on hold 3.5 hours booked Enchanted Princess out of FLL Took about 30 minutes once on phone with Rep,  it took awhile because my credits from the Regal were populating the booking and we are using that for our  November Cruise . So he had to switch them over 

That makes sense perhaps alot of people are using credits for payment.

[gerig]

15 minutes ago, frankdp said:

Been on hold 4 hours now....

You're getting close to your turn.

[suekel]

I was offered an Oceanview and $500 in play.  Took 3 hours, upgraded to a balcony for $200pp.  Next February!  

 

When I finally got someone, she said there were 155 people in the queue when she got to work.  She said she didn't know what was happening so I'm thinking Department A is not talking to Department B.  

[gerig]

On 4/20/2020 at 9:58 PM, suekel said:

We gamble quite a bit on our cruises but have come out ahead the last 2 years!  Other years, not so much.    I get a casino discount on every cruise but it's not as much now since they have the new all inclusive package.  it varies by cruise.  On my upcoming TA, should it happen, I got a window suite on the enchanted for not much more than an inside cabin.  Even my travel agent was surprised.  For the 2 cruises I booked after the new deal, I get $400-500 off the listed fare.  Plus I usually get free money to gamble with.  I get emails about VIP cruises but haven't been able to fit them into my schedule.  

I didn't know such a thing existed until a few years ago.  I read about it on here, called my PVP and he said yes, I qualify.  If you book through a travel agent, they can get it for you also.  

I haven't cruised on Princess in over two years, but I did play in the casino and also received offers for discounted cruise but never took advantage.  Two months ago I booked an Alaska cruisetour and reserved the Vista suite and did not notice a discounted rate but they did add on a $300 cruise credit.  

 

Unfortunately the rates have gone up for the 2021 Alaska cruises and cruise tours so if they had to reprice it and give me the 5% suite discount it would probably cost me more money.  

 

Still very happy to receive the offer for oceanview cabin, free tips, drinks, wifi and $500 casino credit.  I will feel better when they call me next week so I can upgrade to balcony.

[gerig]

34 minutes ago, suekel said:

I was offered an Oceanview and $500 in play.  Took 3 hours, upgraded to a balcony for $200pp.  Next February!  

 

When I finally got someone, she said there were 155 people in the queue when she got to work.  She said she didn't know what was happening so I'm thinking Department A is not talking to Department B.  

What time did you call?  I was told that upgrades were to be arranged next week.  I spoke to them around 4:45 EST.

 

[gerig]

So I just reviewed my reservation and it states that I owe $1890 on this reservation.  Nothing notes free beverage pkg, gratuities or free wifi of $500 casino play

 

Is there a lag from the casino department as to the payment for the stateroom?

 

 

[Cuedon]

14 minutes ago, gerig said:

So I just reviewed my reservation and it states that I owe $1890 on this reservation.  Nothing notes free beverage pkg, gratuities or free wifi of $500 casino play

 

Is there a lag from the casino department as to the payment for the stateroom?

 

 

 

If that was a fully comped booking (exclusive of taxes, fees, and deposit), pretty much all my casino department bookings say a balance is owed until about a month or two prior to sailing, when the casino department takes care of it.

 

The closest to sailing that I've gotten the email was about a week prior, barring one case where I got it two months after I got off.

[Wrldviewer]

3.5 hours seems to be the magic amount of time on hold. Once I reached the agent she was able to book an upgraded stateroom - offered a balcony for $315 more and a mini for $595. I needed to pay for the cabin and taxes immediately although the cruise is not until May 1, 2021. I questioned paying in full, and she said she needed to collect it, although the documentation I received shows the current cancellation schedule. It does show a balance due, but as Crudon said in a previous post, I think this rolls off once the casino department contacts the billing department. I received a separate document showing the OBC, wifi, drinks and gratuities so look for 2 emails once you book. 

[suekel]

2 hours ago, gerig said:

What time did you call?  I was told that upgrades were to be arranged next week.  I spoke to them around 4:45 EST.

 

I started my call at 10am central time, they answered around 1.  There was no issue with upgrading.  Odd.  

[suekel]

2 hours ago, gerig said:

So I just reviewed my reservation and it states that I owe $1890 on this reservation.  Nothing notes free beverage pkg, gratuities or free wifi of $500 casino play

 

Is there a lag from the casino department as to the payment for the stateroom?

 

 

My free stuff showed up immediately under the onboard reservations part.  There is nothing about the free play, not sure if that shows up or not so I printed out the email just in case.  The gal I talked to said there might be something under payment due but that's just waiting for the casino to pay.  My issue is not being able to book a flight until my booking is completed, guessing I have to wait for the casino to pay.  Hope the prices don't go up between now and then.  

[frankdp]

I got through after 4 1/2 hours.  No problem booking, upgrade to mini.  Very competent agent.  March 20, eastern Carib on Enchantment.  $500 free play, drinks, grats, internet in a mini suite on a brand new ship for 500 out of pocket.   How did that happen?

[kands6191]

Oh no!  I'm only at 1 hour 43 minutes!  They will be closed before I get through.  

[gerig]

10 minutes ago, kands6191 said:

Oh no!  I'm only at 1 hour 43 minutes!  They will be closed before I get through.  

What time are the hours?  Are they open on weekends?

[gerig]

16 minutes ago, frankdp said:

I got through after 4 1/2 hours.  No problem booking, upgrade to mini.  Very competent agent.  March 20, eastern Carib on Enchantment.  $500 free play, drinks, grats, internet in a mini suite on a brand new ship for 500 out of pocket.   How did that happen?

Evidently I got the agent that could not calculate the difference between the free oceanview and an upgrade to a balconly. so  I'm on a list to be called back to upgrade.  I was informed I would receive a call on Monday.  Just luck of the draw.  I will try calling tomorrow but not sure if they are open on weekends.

[gerig]

20 minutes ago, frankdp said:

I got through after 4 1/2 hours.  No problem booking, upgrade to mini.  Very competent agent.  March 20, eastern Carib on Enchantment.  $500 free play, drinks, grats, internet in a mini suite on a brand new ship for 500 out of pocket.   How did that happen?

Waas your offer for a mini suite, balcony or oceanview?

[BeinKc]

So far I have been on hold for more than 3 hours
 

We got the same offer and after 3 hours 40 minutes we got through and booked for next February. I also wanted to add my 2 cents regarding Princess inside rooms. They are not bad at all, room to walk around the bed on both sides (queen) and the bathroom and closet are separated from the room ( hard to explain).


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[gerig]

15 minutes ago, BeinKc said:

We got the same offer and after 3 hours 40 minutes we got through and booked for next February. I also wanted to add my 2 cents regarding Princess inside rooms. They are not bad at all, room to walk around the bed on both sides (queen) and the bathroom and closet are separated from the room ( hard to explain).


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I did make a reservation but I wish the person I spoke to knew how to calculate the upgrade I wanted.  My offer was for an Oceanview and I wanted to upgrade to a Balcony but I am on a list to upgrade which should be made on Monday.  I'm sure I'll get the balcony because I'm sure most people booked the new ship.  We like the Caribbean princess and wanted to go to St Thomas and St Maarten.  Trying to keep this cruise inexpensive because In May I have a princess alaska cruisetour where we are staying in an aft vista suite.  

[kands6191]

Just got off the phone.  I waited 3 hours.  I also got an agent who doesn't normally work in the casino reservations so she said she would tag my booking and the regular casino rep would call me on Monday or Tuesday to discuss possible upgrades.  I am interested in what they offer but I am very happy just to get the free cruise.  We are sailing on Enchanted Princess on March 27 in an inside room.  The offer included $250 casino credit, wifi, and premier drink package.  It cost $300 for the taxes and port charges, plus a $200 deposit that will be given back in the form of OBC when we board. 

 

I'm not sure why I received this offer.  I haven't sailed on Princess in several years.  We actually just booked a free casino cruise offer on Royal Caribbean for November 1, 2020.  It didn't include drinks or anything but I was able to sail on a newer ship, the Harmony, in an oceanview balcony for $400 taxes and port fees included.  We had just had our March 16 cruise cancelled that we were going on with our adult kids where my son was planning to propose.  We made out well on that as we were able to go from a 5 day in an inside cabin to an 8 day in balconies.  We already had a January 2021 southern Caribbean cruise planned for quite a while with Celebrity.  My husband was a little hesitant to book this cruise on Princess but when I worked out the PTO to show him we would have enough days, and I pointed out that drinks are included, he finally agree we shouldn't pass it up.

 

We haven't sailed in an inside cabin since our honeymoon in 1991 but we won't upgrade unless it is very cheap.  Thank goodness we have hoarded our frequent flier miles since we will have 4 cruises between November and May!  We are very lucky indeed.