Players Club Offer

[leerathje]

Well now this is hilarious!  on September 21, I commented in a thread about people not hearing from HAL since COVID.  My comment was that I have NEVER had an offer from HAL.  I've taken a screen clip of my comment.

 

Lo and behold, come home from work today, and I've got mail!  An offer from Players Club for complimentary ocean view room for the Mexican Riviera!  Departures in March, April, October and November 2021.  I see you can upgrade for $199. as well.  First thought was "Is HAL stalking me on Cruise Critic???"  lol...

 

Other offers as well....7 day Caribbean, and then "special fares" from $139. for Alaska and Panama Canal cruises.

 

Has anyone used Players Club promos before?    What have your experiences been?

 

 

[Gigi1977]

I would be willing to try one!   It’s been a long time since we got any mail from HAL. .And NEVER had that kind of offer!   I’d certainly book!   

[leerathje]

This is the offer.

 

L.

 

[BobbiSox]

My husband and I have been using these offers for many years. That's how we are able to cruise so frequently. When I first received an offer, I though it was a gimmick. It wasn't. We booked a Neptune Suite for $199.99 each. I know. It's unbelievable.  Now,  some years later, that suite is $1,999.00, which is still a fabulous price. We always take advantage of these offers, and we are now able to sail three or four times a year IN A SUITE, and we are now only seven days away from five-star mariner status. We enjoy playing in the casino, but it's so much sweeter when we are rewarded (win or lose) with these offers. I haven't seen an offer lately, but the inside rooms used to be no charge at all. We prefer a cabin with a balcony, and for that price, who wouldn't! 

[vswan]

I currently have one of these booked for February 2021. I upgraded to the balcony and bought insurance so it could be cancelled without losing everything if need be. I booked in June figuring covid would be sorted out by then. Now, not so much.

 

Here's my issue. I had a March 2020 cruise cancelled by NCL and used the FCC to book a cruise that debarks on Saturday and would get on the HAL cruise on Sunday. (One flight, two cruises). Some of the proposed safety measures I have seen ask for a covid test several days before departing. I will be on another cruise ship at that point. It wouldn't be possible.

 

At this time I don't really see either of these cruises going. Cruises may have started, but probably shorter cruises at that point. The HAL cruise is a 10 day to the ABC islands which probably won't be open at that point. I've sent my PCC an email asking if there are options to move the "free" cruise to another time period but haven't heard anything back. Know she was still employed after the layoffs, but not sure now. My question is - has anybody needed to move one of these "free" cruises? Is it an option? I'm trying to figure out if I pay the final payment for upgrading to the balcony, taxes, port fees. Don't really want more FCC and do have insurance which would cover 90% of total.

[DaveOKC]

28 minutes ago, vswan said:

I currently have one of these booked for February 2021. I upgraded to the balcony and bought insurance so it could be cancelled without losing everything if need be. I booked in June figuring covid would be sorted out by then. Now, not so much.

 

Here's my issue. I had a March 2020 cruise cancelled by NCL and used the FCC to book a cruise that debarks on Saturday and would get on the HAL cruise on Sunday. (One flight, two cruises). Some of the proposed safety measures I have seen ask for a covid test several days before departing. I will be on another cruise ship at that point. It wouldn't be possible.

 

At this time I don't really see either of these cruises going. Cruises may have started, but probably shorter cruises at that point. The HAL cruise is a 10 day to the ABC islands which probably won't be open at that point. I've sent my PCC an email asking if there are options to move the "free" cruise to another time period but haven't heard anything back. Know she was still employed after the layoffs, but not sure now. My question is - has anybody needed to move one of these "free" cruises? Is it an option? I'm trying to figure out if I pay the final payment for upgrading to the balcony, taxes, port fees. Don't really want more FCC and do have insurance which would cover 90% of total.

I moved a "free" cruise from Jan to March (likely the one you are on!).  I did it while the offer was still good (within the offer timeframe) and was able to get it done, but I did have some issues with getting the HAL insurance moved over (finally got it done after about 2 months).  I too spent the extra for a Neptune, but remember that it is a guarantee.

[leerathje]

3 hours ago, BobbiSox said:

My husband and I have been using these offers for many years. That's how we are able to cruise so frequently. When I first received an offer, I though it was a gimmick. It wasn't. We booked a Neptune Suite for $199.99 each. I know. It's unbelievable.  Now,  some years later, that suite is $1,999.00, which is still a fabulous price. We always take advantage of these offers, and we are now able to sail three or four times a year IN A SUITE, and we are now only seven days away from five-star mariner status. We enjoy playing in the casino, but it's so much sweeter when we are rewarded (win or lose) with these offers. I haven't seen an offer lately, but the inside rooms used to be no charge at all. We prefer a cabin with a balcony, and for that price, who wouldn't! 

 

People get Mariner credits for Players Club offers??  Really? I assumed I wouldn't since they are free/super cheap cruises.

 

L.

 

[DaveOKC]

40 minutes ago, leerathje said:

 

People get Mariner credits for Players Club offers??  Really? I assumed I wouldn't since they are free/super cheap cruises.

 

L.

 

Since this is our first casino OFFER (meaning free or super cheap) I do not know for certain, but I think you do.  However, I do know that when you book with a casino RATE (10-20% off for us) you get Mariner credit, and double credit for booking a suite.

 

[NCTribeFan]

I've only sailed HAL 3 times but have >30 sailings on Carnival.  I get MUCH better casino offers from HAL.  In fact, virtually every mock booking I do shows at least a 30% discount once I log in.

 

I had re-booked my cancelled April 2020 Zaandam sailing for 1/9/21 on NA.  My FCC wasn't much because the Zaandam was a nicely-discounted casino fare.  The re-book wasn't very cheap because it was the All-In offer.

 

One day, I decided to look at fares again, and there was $200 for an obstructed OV.  What?  The fare I'd booked was about $1200 (solo inside) before FCC applied.  Sure enough, the next day I received a mailing showing a FREE obstructed OV for that date.  Except not really free.  I would pay $200 plus Taxes & Fees with $250 casino credit plus DOU in the casino.  Sure, I was losing the All-In perks, but I could live with the free drinks in the casino.  So I switched my original booking PLUS I booked the next week for the same deal.  That's 14 nights for $400 plus taxes and fees (no solo supplement).  I was not able to apply my FCC/OBC to either of these "free" bookings, so I still have that out there available.

 

Sadly, I expect these to be cancelled.  Wonder what sort of offer there will be for FCC on them.  I do so wish HAL didn't leave the Caribbean in April.  I'm a CPA and (in normal years) can't sail until after 4/15 and HAL almost always pulls the ships just before that date.

 

I've never been on a "free" casino fare before, but my deeply discounted Zuiderdam sailing earned Mariner points.

[Love2cruise77]

Let's see if HAL is really stalking you.  I too do not have any offer from HAL.  Come on, it's time to send me one in the mail.  😁

[leerathje]

1 hour ago, Love2cruise77 said:

Let's see if HAL is really stalking you.  I too do not have any offer from HAL.  Come on, it's time to send me one in the mail.  😁

 

Well, up until today, I had never seen a private fare for me either, but hey....there it is! An obstructed verandah fare to Alaska on May 15, 2021 for $798.

 

[VermeulT]

I've NEVER gotten any offer from HAL - only communication like my paperwork is ready to be printed...

hello?  HAL????  I'll spend cash... not my thousands in future credit ... get me back on a ship, please?

[leerathje]

So, just an FYI:  My TA contacted HAL for pricing.  I asked her to find out the upgraded prices for free Mexican Riviera, leaving San Diego on November 21, 2021.  All pricing references is in CAD.  And I have no idea why I didn't ask for Signature Suite pricing!!

 

Oceanview you just pay tax of 146.51  per person

However you need to pay what they are calling a hold charge on top of that of 260 per person.

But that 260 will be given back to you in the form of a 200 US shipboard credit per person.

 

Upgrade to a Verandah suite… extra 246.51 each

Upgrade to a Vista suite…..extra 597.80 each

Upgrade to Neptune suite extra 1596.40 each

 

I also, on a whim, asked for the special fare for Inside passage to Alaska, departing from Vancouver on May 15, 2021.

 

 

Oceanview……..$ 804.21 per person………each gets a 200 shipboard credit

Verandah……….$ 1070.20 per person…..  each gets a 200 shipboard credit

Vista……………….$1203.70 per person……  each gets a 200 shipboard credit

Neptune………….$1736.69 per person…….each gets a 200 shipboard credit.

 

************prices include all taxes for Alaska**********

[BobbiSox]

The casino offers vary, and are separate from the HAL offers. There doesn't  seem to be any rhyme or reason to the system; they just show up occasionally (through the post office, not email). The casino offer ins NOT to be confused with the HAL PRIVATE SALE, as they are completely different offers. We have been taking advantage of the casino offers for many years, and yes, they count as 'days sailed' in the Mariner Club,  regardless of what discount was used for the booking. If you play in the ship's casino, you should be getting casino offers in the post. Most of the HAL booking agents have access to the casino-cruise offers when you give them the 'code' that is somewhere on the offer, usually near the name of the addressee. If you are having a problem getting these offers, may I suggest that you contact Global Casino, which is the company that offers the discounts.

[DaveOKC]

9 hours ago, leerathje said:

So, just an FYI:  My TA contacted HAL for pricing.  I asked her to find out the upgraded prices for free Mexican Riviera, leaving San Diego on November 21, 2021.  All pricing references is in CAD.  And I have no idea why I didn't ask for Signature Suite pricing!!

 

Oceanview you just pay tax of 146.51  per person

However you need to pay what they are calling a hold charge on top of that of 260 per person.

But that 260 will be given back to you in the form of a 200 US shipboard credit per person.

 

Upgrade to a Verandah suite… extra 246.51 each

Upgrade to a Vista suite…..extra 597.80 each

Upgrade to Neptune suite extra 1596.40 each

 

I also, on a whim, asked for the special fare for Inside passage to Alaska, departing from Vancouver on May 15, 2021.

 

 

Oceanview……..$ 804.21 per person………each gets a 200 shipboard credit

Verandah……….$ 1070.20 per person…..  each gets a 200 shipboard credit

Vista……………….$1203.70 per person……  each gets a 200 shipboard credit

Neptune………….$1736.69 per person…….each gets a 200 shipboard credit.

 

************prices include all taxes for Alaska**********

At these prices (I assume CAD) I would skip the Signature and go with the Neptune.  Only negative is that they are only for guarantee cabins only and the Neptune SC has a couple on deck 10 forward.

[NCTribeFan]

I just checked pricing on a brand new Carnival ship TA sailing from London (because I'm going to cancel my NCL Escape TA for April 2021) Nov 2022.  My casino fare was a whopping $20 less than their Early Saver fare and the NR deposit is higher.  And the ES fare has an OBC.

 

It's just annoying when the same Casino group gives me much better offers on a line I don't sail as often.  Is it because they're trying to entice me to sail with them?  Well, it works!  Does Carnival's casino not give me better offers because they know I'm going to continue to sail with them?  I keep trying to quit Carnival but I have a Med/TA in Oct 2021 (because 2020 was cancelled), then Australia quasi B2B in Feb 2022 (both casino offers).  And if I book this new ship, well, when am I going to fit in my HAL sailings?  And I have a Cruise Next certificate I need to use for NCL?  And I want to sail MSC again!

 

I should've been retired by now but if I retire, I may not have the funds to do all the travelling.  Catch 22 - work and have funds to travel; retire but not be able to travel as often.  I know.  First world problem, right?

 

Anyway, going to go log in and see if I have any great offers.  Haven't been interested in Alaska but I could be convinced if the price is right!

 

EDIT:  nope - don't see any cheap offers.  Maybe because I currently have the 2 freebies booked.

Edited October 8, 2020 by NCTribeFan

[Cruzmama]

I just booked this offer on the Koningsdam from San Diego for November 2021.  Surely by then, we'll be sailing, right??  There were no oceanviews available, so we booked an obstructed Verandah for $199 more for each of us.  The total for the entire cruise for both of us is $1,018 plus we get $400 OBC from the $200pp we put up front.  With the casino cash, we figured it was a great deal!  If you book, be sure to bring the flier you got in the mail with you to present to the Casino guy.  It says that in small print.  Let us know what you decide.  My TA said it's a legit!

[Longstraw]

I, too, have used the casino offers for several years. The best one I ever got had a 30 day sailing with a free inside cabin among  other offerings with upgrades to the next levels running about 99$ per level. A Neptune suite was something like 499. Sadly, both my husband and I were both still working at the time and couldn't coordinate to use any of them. I have never seen one quite that good since but they are far and away better deals than I have seen elsewhere.

 

In fact, I have the eleven day wayfarer to the Caribbean booked for January on one of these offers (and paid for an upgrade to verandah) but see little prospect of that one going forward. One of the other nice things about these offers is that I don't have to pay a solo supplement if I use them by myself as long as I take the inside cabin. Once you start upgrading, you do have to pay the additional upgrade fees for both your own and the second spot but even then, they are still amazing deals.

[Longstraw]

Oddly, enough while I haven't heard from or cruised Carnival for at least eight years  (haven't been back since we discovered HAL) .....since COVID hit, I've been receiving free inside cabin offers from them at least once a week by email and sometimes two or three times a week.