Blue chip email? Is it a scam?

[mahdnc]

23 minutes ago, PhillyGuy03 said:

 

Isn't Solstice S class? 

 

6 minutes ago, gold1953 said:

they are cruising on an S class ship so this photo is not correct for them

 

Yes, I am sorry about that.  The correct link has been provided in an earlier follow up post.

[blueskadoo]

Hello all- quick question- if they sent me the invoice with a booking number. Do I need to pay the taxes so my reservation doesn't get cancelled? Or put down a deposit? This is our first free blue chip club offer. Calling them is such a long ordeal that if I can avoid it, I want to! Thank you!

[kwokpot]

41 minutes ago, blueskadoo said:

Hello all- quick question- if they sent me the invoice with a booking number. Do I need to pay the taxes so my reservation doesn't get cancelled? Or put down a deposit? This is our first free blue chip club offer. Calling them is such a long ordeal that if I can avoid it, I want to! Thank you!

Yes, you should just pay the whole bill. If you didn't upgrade it's $279

[Fly and Sail]

Not sure if this recent email blast is overwhelming them but I'm trying for two days to get a hold of BCC to modify something on an upcoming booking and can't get a hold of anyone. Regular reservations say they can't touch my booking. What a disaster, maybe they should first staff their call center properly before sending out thousands of free cruise offers to people.

[lhsail]

3 hours ago, Fly and Sail said:

Not sure if this recent email blast is overwhelming them but I'm trying for two days to get a hold of BCC to modify something on an upcoming booking and can't get a hold of anyone. Regular reservations say they can't touch my booking. What a disaster, maybe they should first staff their call center properly before sending out thousands of free cruise offers to people.

Well, every cruise line call center is under staffed. When the call is first answered you should get two options, 1 for new bookings and 2 for existing reservations. After selecting option 2, I was on hold for about 30 minutes to make my cabin upgrade. The rep was very helpful. 

[OrcaGirl]

6 hours ago, Fly and Sail said:

Not sure if this recent email blast is overwhelming them but I'm trying for two days to get a hold of BCC to modify something on an upcoming booking and can't get a hold of anyone. Regular reservations say they can't touch my booking. What a disaster, maybe they should first staff their call center properly before sending out thousands of free cruise offers to people.

 

Depending on the complexity of the modification, perhaps try emailing them?

 

I called and did the long wait to get my booking, but didn't have my guest's birthdate on hand. Instead of calling back the next day to add her to my reservation, I emailed them at bluechipclub@celebrity.com with the information; it took them a couple of days to reply, but they handled the request easy-peasy.

 

[Fly and Sail]

7 hours ago, OrcaGirl said:

 

Depending on the complexity of the modification, perhaps try emailing them?

 

 

 

It's about a cabin change and a transfer modification. My preferred cabin location midship was not available when I booked in May and someone must have cancelled. I saw one pop up on Friday and would like to change to that one. I did email them, lets see when/if they reply.

[kwokpot]

For those that might not have realized,BCC has been utilizing the 3rd party Cruise Casino hosting company URcomped to help with fulfillment for these new rash of comped cruises on the Solstice to the Mexican Riviera. 

[ORV]

We had originally filled out the form, but after a few days of no contact decided to call. Got a cruise, not exactly our first choice, but they're all about the same in the MR, so we were ok with it. Sunday got a email that the cruise we originally selected on the form was confirmed. This was around 10-11 days since we sent it in.  I checked wife's account on Celebrity and they have a courtesy hold on it. The hold is good until 8/31, which surprised me. We'll go ahead and let it run out. 

 

It's probably nothing to do with this, but prior to our last cruise we had pre purchased some casino credit with OBC for the extra 10%. Just wondering if any others had done that and might possibly be one of the triggers to be included in this offer. I know some people said they don't spend any in the casino. 

 

We did our flights with miles and a Hilton room with points, so far it's a pretty cheap cruise. 

[Baseball fan]

I received the blue chip free cruise offer for Mexico, which is fine with me.  No airfare required.  I barely gamble and last cruise was Apex in April.

l called (on hold about 30 min) and was told it is for a unobstructed balcony, good for Sept 22 to March 23 (depending on availability), upgrade availability and cost of upgrade depends on date picked.  Taxes are about $318 for 2.

 

Questions….

if I book solo, can I add someone later?  Or better off booking for 2 and name change, cancel, or no show the 2nd person?

 

I need to book by end of this month.  I will probably book and worry about the details later.

 

thanks for your input.

 

[neverlaysup]

On 8/12/2022 at 5:45 AM, PhillyGuy03 said:

I didn't want to wait on hold for so long, so I filled out the form. I didn't hear back for almost 10 days and didn't think they were ever going to respond, but surprisingly a reservation confirmation showed up in my email last night. 

 

One thing I was very confused is that I'm booked in an ocean view room. Likely most of you, I got the offer for a veranda statement. 

 

However, when I looked at the deck plan, 7288 seems to have a balcony. Am I missing something? 

 

 

Same issue for my wife and her mother. They are just above you on the hump and it says Deluxe Oceanview as well. It definitely is not, enjoy the hump balcony.

[sdnich]

I am curious if we get double points since it is the promo on celebrity now and my cruise in March came up as one of the cruise to book. We will become elite plus after this cruise without the double points but just curious?

[NitaBcruising]

5 hours ago, Baseball fan said:

I received the blue chip free cruise offer for Mexico, which is fine with me.  No airfare required.  I barely gamble and last cruise was Apex in April.

l called (on hold about 30 min) and was told it is for a unobstructed balcony, good for Sept 22 to March 23 (depending on availability), upgrade availability and cost of upgrade depends on date picked.  Taxes are about $318 for 2.

 

Questions….

if I book solo, can I add someone later?  Or better off booking for 2 and name change, cancel, or no show the 2nd person?

 

I need to book by end of this month.  I will probably book and worry about the details later.

 

thanks for your input.

 

I filled out the form with the friend I thought would go with me. Got the email saying what day, ship, and cabin we got assigned. My friend can't go, and it was easy to change to my daughter.  So, we are all set! Very cheap vacation! Air with miles or discount, one night hotel, $142 pp for a deluxe balcony!

[gold1953]

14 hours ago, sdnich said:

I am curious if we get double points since it is the promo on celebrity now and my cruise in March came up as one of the cruise to book. We will become elite plus after this cruise without the double points but just curious?

I was told yes when I booked and can only hope! We are also on the verge of elite plus!

[Linda W.]

Do you need to sign up for a Blue Chip account or did using my SeaPass do that when I was onboard last time do that for me?  I haven't gotten anything.....but then again I don't bet much and only am a slot player.

[Fly and Sail]

4 minutes ago, Linda W. said:

Do you need to sign up for a Blue Chip account or did using my SeaPass do that when I was onboard last time do that for me?  I haven't gotten anything.....but then again I don't bet much and only am a slot player.

 

Usually using your Seapass card once will do it for you. And casinos LOVE slot players, they make them the most money. 🙂

[gold1953]

43 minutes ago, Linda W. said:

Do you need to sign up for a Blue Chip account or did using my SeaPass do that when I was onboard last time do that for me?  I haven't gotten anything.....but then again I don't bet much and only am a slot player.

next time you cruise it will say Pearl on your card

[Linda W.]

32 minutes ago, gold1953 said:

next time you cruise it will say Pearl on your card

Great thanks.  Now to figure out what pearl means………

[SFCAcruiser]

24 minutes ago, Linda W. said:

Great thanks.  Now to figure out what pearl means………

Pearl is entry level in Blue Chip casino club. Basically,  one level up from nothing. No meaningful benefits, at least not for me.

[mahdnc]

2 hours ago, SFCAcruiser said:

Pearl is entry level in Blue Chip casino club. Basically,  one level up from nothing. No meaningful benefits, at least not for me.

 

except for the occasional free cruise for some Pearls.

[gold1953]

2 hours ago, mahdnc said:

 

except for the occasional free cruise for some Pearls.

Yes, We are pearl and just got a free cruise!

[Pinboy]

1 hour ago, gold1953 said:

Yes, We are pearl and just got a free cruise!

What exactly is meant by a " free cruise " ?

Are there any fees, gratuities, taxes or other costs to be paid ?

What kind of accommodations are you assigned and can you pay extra and upgrade ?

Are you required to spend X amount of time daily in the casino ?

Is there a minimum bet that you must play ?

I'm always skeptical of " Free" cruises, " Free " trips , and what comes to mind is whether it's just a Timeshare presentation for a week ?

LOL-- Last time on a cruise I asked the Cashier in the casino :

" How much do you have to lose in order to get a free key chain ?   She thought I was serious and said " We don't have any --only the Cruise Director has some for game prizes ".

 

 

 

[gold1953]

9 hours ago, Pinboy said:

What exactly is meant by a " free cruise " ?

Are there any fees, gratuities, taxes or other costs to be paid ?

What kind of accommodations are you assigned and can you pay extra and upgrade ?

Are you required to spend X amount of time daily in the casino ?

Is there a minimum bet that you must play ?

I'm always skeptical of " Free" cruises, " Free " trips , and what comes to mind is whether it's just a Timeshare presentation for a week ?

LOL-- Last time on a cruise I asked the Cashier in the casino :

" How much do you have to lose in order to get a free key chain ?   She thought I was serious and said " We don't have any --only the Cruise Director has some for game prizes ".

 

 

 

A free cruise means the base fare is free so you pay tax, port fees and grats.  I was offered a balcony and got a sunset balcony. I could upgrade to CC class for $10 a night or aqua for $20 a night. This also includes my cabin mate.

No expectations of gambling.

This is a huge bargain! I paid $316 for the 2 of us and we need to pay the grats

We are NOT gamblers but I play the free $5 slot play given on some of my cruises.

[sail2day]

I also received the offer and booked a cruise in February. I was assigned a "hump balcony" so I am very happy. Almost a "free" cruise if you use miles for your airfare.

 

 

[Susanb10567]

Has anyone called to see if one of these free offers were attached to their name even though they didn’t get an email or letter from blue chip.

I’m still surprised they sent this offer to Pearl members. I really wonder how they decide who gets these offers. I recently made it to Onyx but I stopped getting blue chip emails awhile ago.