Casino Comps

[Giffer12]

On 12/2/2023 at 8:09 AM, tvo7 said:

I had a friend who suggested this idea and I was wondering if anyone has experience with it. 

 

I used to be a comp counter in Vegas.  Meaning I would just play to break even but rack up points to get free shows, food, and rooms. 

 

I was thinking of playing on the ship casino, break even with my play, lets say 100 dollar a hand on baccarat.  

 

I then get free cruises which then adds to my quest to get Pinnacle level.  Also get any other benefit with gambling.  

 

Anyone have an opinion with this?

I've tried something similar, and it can work! I used to play conservatively in Vegas just to accumulate points for comps. The key is to stick to a strategy where you break even or come close, just like you mentioned with $100 bets. It’s all about maximizing those points for perks.

[Cruise for vacation]

On 12/2/2023 at 5:47 AM, leisuretraveler223 said:

There are a lot of people (like the OP) who will happily regale people with stories about all the things they've gained by gambling.

 

They are gamblers.  They don't talk about their losses.  No one ever consistently "wins" either at the gambling or by gaining the comps.  When people claim they do, they are lying.  You are always better off paying for what you want than getting it as a comp.

 

If you want to gamble and you don't mind losing, then it's cool.  And yeah, you get some comps thrown your way, and occasionally you win. It's fun!  Hell, I've been doing it in Vegas for 20 years.  But I'm at least honest enough to admit I'm not actually ahead as a result.  I would have been better off not gambling and just paying for anything I got.  But it was fun.

 

Anyone who tries to tell you otherwise is lying.  And planning to "break even" with your play is BS.

I guess it depends on the individual. Yeah u win and lose that’s why it’s called gambling.  I play to get the free cruises.  For example booked a comp cruise for Dec.  $6,000 price for a JS and only paid $250 taxes total for two people.  I made up my loss in one cruise.  Not to mention won $3.000 on that cruise getting my points. 

[andrewwilliamnewman]

How does the Annual Cruise Certificate work when you are Prime?

[birdofsong]

1 hour ago, andrewwilliamnewman said:

How does the Annual Cruise Certificate work when you are Prime?

You are given a list of cruises (it's a big list) to choose from. There are a lot of excluded cruises, but for example, we're prime, and we're going on a cruise in two weeks leaving out of Rome and going to the Greek Isles.  There are plenty of great choices. There's a number to all to book after you made your choice. You just have to pay the taxes and port charges.  

[Sunshine3601]

1 hour ago, andrewwilliamnewman said:

How does the Annual Cruise Certificate work when you are Prime?

You can book almost any 7 night cruise for any interior cabin.   They do publish a list of excluded sailings.

 

 Casino year runs from April 1st to March 31st.  

You must sail on or before March 31st.

 

You can pay to upgrade.  Upgrade cost is at casino rate which is usually cheaper than prices on royals website.

 

[Roybthered]

Both my DW and I are prime, we like (mostly her) to play on the slots whilst we cruise, a few years ago we learnt about the points system and getting to prime enabling us to get instant certificates and also a tier cruise the following April after hitting Prime. When we cruise we have a set amount of money to spend in the casino and we have most times spent it however a few times been a few Dollars up putting it off our on board account.

Now do we spend a lot of money? No but enough to enjoy our trip and get us to Prime over a couple of cruises. We are UK based and have done 2 cruises this year to date ( a 7 night Med and a 9 night Spain/Portugal ) and have another 7 night booked in the Med in Sept. All 3 are comps, two tier and one instant, now the 2 tier are from last years Prime and the instant from the 9 night cruise where I hit prime again. We have spent about $3k this year in the casino and about $1.k last year getting to Prime and having these offers, and my DW looked at how much we would have spent to pay for these cruises and it would have been around £25-30K (6 over the 2 years). So to us it is a no brainer, go on a cruise, play in the casino (win/lose, never that much down) and get lots of offers, yes most are for the US but there are a few for the UK and Europe. 

[PhillyFan33579]

10 hours ago, birdofsong said:

You are given a list of cruises (it's a big list) to choose from. There are a lot of excluded cruises, but for example, we're prime, and we're going on a cruise in two weeks leaving out of Rome and going to the Greek Isles.  There are plenty of great choices. There's a number to all to book after you made your choice. You just have to pay the taxes and port charges.  

The list they provide contains the cruises that are not eligible to be used with your certificate for being prime. If the cruise isn’t on the list, and it is 7 days or less, you can use your prime certificate for it (assuming the cruise hasn’t used all its allocated casino cabins). 

[Ken at the beach]

FYI

 

There was a change today to the comp program where select members who have no showed for a comp cruise or cancelled last minute will now be required to pay a $200 deposit that will be refunded as OBC provided they show or cancel at least 7 days prior to the sailing.

[Sunshine3601]

56 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

FYI

 

There was a change today to the comp program where select members who have no showed for a comp cruise or cancelled last minute will now be required to pay a $200 deposit that will be refunded as OBC provided they show or cancel at least 7 days prior to the sailing.

To add to that news, I read on another online media site that said anyone who received the email notice has 30 days to pay the $200 deposit that goes into effect September 5th.  

 

Let's hope the people actually receive the email.  I suspect club royale phones will be busy.

[PhillyFan33579]

On 8/20/2024 at 9:56 PM, Giffer12 said:

I've tried something similar, and it can work! I used to play conservatively in Vegas just to accumulate points for comps. The key is to stick to a strategy where you break even or come close, just like you mentioned with $100 bets. It’s all about maximizing those points for perks.

I find it interesting that most people who post online always say they win or are close to breaking even in the casino. Yet on every cruise I go on (I usually cruise twice a month) almost everyone I talk to at the casino bar, which is normally several dozen people by the end of the cruise, is way down for the cruise. 

[watcher_62]

1 hour ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

I find it interesting that most people who post online always say they win or are close to breaking even in the casino. Yet on every cruise I go on (I usually cruise twice a month) almost everyone I talk to at the casino bar, which is normally several dozen people by the end of the cruise, is way down for the cruise. 

I'm probably down $10 to 15k this year. But I've been on 12 comped cruises so far in 2024, and have 10 booked out to next may. It's a mix of 7, 10, 11, 12, 14 and 18 days (two are repositioning transatlantic and transpacific). All are balcony or jnr suite, but I do get a Grand Suite annual benefit that itself can run a good chunk of change. Most also have/had freeplay between $500 and $1000 dollars.  I'm Masters (the silliest title ever) and my wife is prime.  We get free Wifi and priority things like pinnacles do.  We'll both turn pinnacle this year because all comped cruises count towards C and A. Have I made money - no, but I choose to gamble and can afford losses.  But I choose to cruise through our retirement, and I can tell you the costs of our cruising would far exceed my casino loses, so I'm happy to "play to cruise" and enjoy the perks and reduced costs for cruises I want to take and can afford . Now that we'll be getting the same perks at pinnacle, I'll slow (but not cease) my gambling, but the cruise benefits still outweigh the costs of paying for all of them out of pocket. And every so often I get a big win that makes it even more fun, but I play for the benefits, not to make money. It's not for everyone, but it works for us...  

[Giffer12]

On 8/22/2024 at 3:02 AM, Cruise for vacation said:

I guess it depends on the individual. Yeah u win and lose that’s why it’s called gambling.  I play to get the free cruises.  For example booked a comp cruise for Dec.  $6,000 price for a JS and only paid $250 taxes total for two people.  I made up my loss in one cruise.  Not to mention won $3.000 on that cruise getting my points. 

 I recently came across a Mirax casino no deposit bonus at https://casinosanalyzer.com/casino-bonuses/miraxcasino.com, which gave me a chance to play without risking my own money, and I managed to turn that into a decent win. These kinds of bonuses can give you a bit of an edge and sometimes turn things around in your favor. It's definitely worth keeping an eye out for these offers. They might not guarantee wins, but they can make your gambling experience a bit more rewarding and less of a financial gamble.

That’s awesome! I’ve had similar experiences with comps. I once got a free stay at a luxury hotel through points, and it felt like a huge win. It’s a great way to balance out the losses. Just remember to gamble responsibly. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and forget the risks. 

Edited August 29 by Giffer12

[Peter Hill]

On 8/23/2024 at 6:06 AM, PhillyFan33579 said:

I find it interesting that most people who post online always say they win or are close to breaking even in the casino. Yet on every cruise I go on (I usually cruise twice a month) almost everyone I talk to at the casino bar, which is normally several dozen people by the end of the cruise, is way down for the cruise. 

That's how it really is. Online we can write that we won a million. But who needs this nonsense?

[Biker19]

1 minute ago, Peter Hill said:

But who needs this nonsense?

Welcome to CC.

[PhillyFan33579]

1 hour ago, Peter Hill said:

That's how it really is. Online we can write that we won a million. But who needs this nonsense?

I think CC should be a site for accurate information along with opinions on various ships, itineraries, etc. While I don’t discount some people benefit from the casino program, the vast majority of people lose far more money in the casino than if they simply just booked cruises without gambling. The casino program would not exist if this wasn’t the case. 

[Babblespeak]

We just finished a 7 day on the Harmony out of Galveston two weeks ago.  My wife and I were down $1900 in the casino and got an instant cert we used to book the Quantum out of Alaska next May (which saved us about $1900).  So we broke even.  Except, my wife also hit Prime which will give us another free cruise next year and free drinks in the casino across several additional cruises.  We certainly didn’t lose anything because, as degenerates, we would have gambled, drank, and cruised anyway. 

[SUgwoz]

I am currently a little over 1500 pts away from Prime. Is it an accurate statement that if I earn that amount on my next cruise I will get an instant cruise certificate and earn a free cruise via Prime level? 

 

Follow up questions 

Is there a cut off on when they give instant cruise certificate, like not on last night? 

What is typically the limitations of the instant cruise, specific dates/ports like the monthly offers? 

For prime free cruise does that have to be booked and sailed prior to March 31st?

[Babblespeak]

25 minutes ago, SUgwoz said:

I am currently a little over 1500 pts away from Prime. Is it an accurate statement that if I earn that amount on my next cruise I will get an instant cruise certificate and earn a free cruise via Prime level? 

 

Follow up questions 

Is there a cut off on when they give instant cruise certificate, like not on last night? 

What is typically the limitations of the instant cruise, specific dates/ports like the monthly offers? 

For prime free cruise does that have to be booked and sailed prior to March 31st?

Sorry this will be long, but I’m trying to be thorough for you.  There will be a sheet of QR codes at the casino host desk and cashier windows to scan for certificates they will reward for different point levels achieved during that cruise.  They change on each cruise.  Some are money discounts, some are free cruises.  If you accumulate 2500 points across all cruises you take between April 1 of the current year and March 31 of the following year, you will get a separate Prime certificate in mid April of the following year.  That one is valid on most cruises up through 7 days with certain exceptions (ship less than 1 year old, around US holidays, etc.) as described elsewhere in this thread.  As soon as you hit 2500 points during the April-March casino year, you get Prime.  See the casino host and he/she will put a sticker on your sign and sail card.  That gets you free drinks in the casino from that point onward THROUGH March 31st of the next casino year.  So if you earned it today, September 19, 2024, it would be good for free drinks on all cruises you take through March 31, 2026.  Supposedly you’re supposed to be playing in the casino for the drinks, but they don’t really monitor for that.  They know you’ll drop some money here and there.  If you sail with a significant other, play on one card until they get Prime, then play on the other card.  If you both get Prime, you get 2 cruises or can combine the Prime certificates to upgrade from an interior room in your free cruise.  You can also pay to upgrade from an interior room on your Prime cert to a balcony or whatever when you call to book.  Sometimes it’s only $200 or so extra to move to a balcony.  Good luck!

[chfenton]

1 minute ago, Babblespeak said:

Sorry this will be long, but I’m trying to be thorough for you.  There will be a sheet of QR codes at the casino host desk and cashier windows to scan for certificates they will reward for different point levels achieved during that cruise.  They change on each cruise.  Some are money discounts, some are free cruises.  If you accumulate 2500 points across all cruises you take between April 1 of the current year and March 31 of the following year, you will get a separate Prime certificate in mid April of the following year.  That one is valid on most cruises up through 7 days with certain exceptions (ship less than 1 year old, around US holidays, etc.) as described elsewhere in this thread.  As soon as you hit 2500 points during the April-March casino year, you get Prime.  See the casino host and he/she will put a sticker on your sign and sail card.  That gets you free drinks in the casino from that point onward THROUGH March 31st of the next casino year.  So if you earned it today, September 19, 2024, it would be good for free drinks on all cruises you take through March 31, 2026.  Supposedly you’re supposed to be playing in the casino for the drinks, but they don’t really monitor for that.  They know you’ll drop some money here and there.  If you sail with a significant other, play on one card until they get Prime, then play on the other card.  If you both get Prime, you get 2 cruises or can combine the Prime certificates to upgrade from an interior room in your free cruise.  You can also pay to upgrade from an interior room on your Prime cert to a balcony or whatever when you call to book.  Sometimes it’s only $200 or so extra to move to a balcony.  Good luck!

Just to add on to the last thought. Taking my prime cruise on Synchrony and the upgrade from the free interior to Guaranteed balcony was only $26 per person for a 7 night cruise!

[nimbex1970]

For folks that don't understand the point system,it makes sense that they don't understand all the free cruises (have to pay port fees and taxes) that we accrue. Gambling is our pastime and we have a strict spending budget.  We only play off of winnings.  While the slots give the most points compared to tables, we are three card poker folks. We only cruise comped cruises on RCL and NCL.  

 

The casino wins when folks keep putting more money back in and don't have a limit for each night.  

[SUgwoz]

1 hour ago, Babblespeak said:

Sorry this will be long, but I’m trying to be thorough for you.  There will be a sheet of QR codes at the casino host desk and cashier windows to scan for certificates they will reward for different point levels achieved during that cruise.  They change on each cruise.  Some are money discounts, some are free cruises.  If you accumulate 2500 points across all cruises you take between April 1 of the current year and March 31 of the following year, you will get a separate Prime certificate in mid April of the following year.  That one is valid on most cruises up through 7 days with certain exceptions (ship less than 1 year old, around US holidays, etc.) as described elsewhere in this thread.  As soon as you hit 2500 points during the April-March casino year, you get Prime.  See the casino host and he/she will put a sticker on your sign and sail card.  That gets you free drinks in the casino from that point onward THROUGH March 31st of the next casino year.  So if you earned it today, September 19, 2024, it would be good for free drinks on all cruises you take through March 31, 2026.  Supposedly you’re supposed to be playing in the casino for the drinks, but they don’t really monitor for that.  They know you’ll drop some money here and there.  If you sail with a significant other, play on one card until they get Prime, then play on the other card.  If you both get Prime, you get 2 cruises or can combine the Prime certificates to upgrade from an interior room in your free cruise.  You can also pay to upgrade from an interior room on your Prime cert to a balcony or whatever when you call to book.  Sometimes it’s only $200 or so extra to move to a balcony.  Good luck!

Thank you so much for the thorough breakdown. Does prime internet discount stack with below diamond c&a internet discount?  Also regarding sharing cards with significant other, my spouse biggest fear is the unlikely event of winning a handpay and it being nullified because they have my card in the machine, unsure if that has came up? 

 

Note for others while I am breaking this down mathematically as if rccl is handing out free cruises. I am fully aware that accruing 1500 points theoretically could be at a cost of $7500 in slots or even more depending on how you are rated at tables. I gamble cause I enjoy the activity, however, I also enjoy the game of trying to maximize benefits that come with said activity. 

[Babblespeak]

3 minutes ago, SUgwoz said:

Thank you so much for the thorough breakdown. Does prime internet discount stack with below diamond c&a internet discount?  Also regarding sharing cards with significant other, my spouse biggest fear is the unlikely event of winning a handpay and it being nullified because they have my card in the machine, unsure if that has came up? 

 

Note for others while I am breaking this down mathematically as if rccl is handing out free cruises. I am fully aware that accruing 1500 points theoretically could be at a cost of $7500 in slots or even more depending on how you are rated at tables. I gamble cause I enjoy the activity, however, I also enjoy the game of trying to maximize benefits that come with said activity. 

My wife and I play the slot machines together - we take turns.  So for us, whomever gets a hand pay is just the last person who pushed the button.  I’m not advocating skirting the rules, but only one card can be in a machine at a time, so…  🙂  We separate of course and use our own cards on table games.  As for the internet, I’ve never been able to get the free day to stack with the Diamond discount through the Royal app.  Perhaps they can do it if you go to the Zoom desk or guest services.  It’s just not something we’ve tried, so sorry, I don’t have an answer for you there.  

[crusnbee]

I am seriously thinking of dong this on our next cruise. Since I will be gambling anyway, might as well make the most of it.

 

I did have a conversation with the host a few cruises ago as I found out I had two accounts after I got married. I was playing three card exclusively, several hours daily, min $25/bet. I had only accumulated about 700 points. Host said I should be playing slots as that is the easiest way to get to prime and bonuses...

[SUgwoz]

1 hour ago, crusnbee said:

I am seriously thinking of dong this on our next cruise. Since I will be gambling anyway, might as well make the most of it.

 

I did have a conversation with the host a few cruises ago as I found out I had two accounts after I got married. I was playing three card exclusively, several hours daily, min $25/bet. I had only accumulated about 700 points. Host said I should be playing slots as that is the easiest way to get to prime and bonuses...

Getting rated at tables is more or less a black box situation, while slots is a guarenteed rate. Table games in general have a smaller house edge, sometimes significantly lower than a slot machine along with the analytics they can pull from slot machines it's in their interest to reward slot players more to keep them playing. 

 

I prefer to play craps, specifically the lower house edge bets, which for casinos means I garner little interest, though I was pleasantly surprised at the points they gave me on Icon for a short amount of play. I offset that by playing slots as well to actual churn some points. 

[3red7s]

On 12/2/2023 at 7:47 AM, leisuretraveler223 said:

There are a lot of people (like the OP) who will happily regale people with stories about all the things they've gained by gambling.

 

They are gamblers.  They don't talk about their losses.  No one ever consistently "wins" either at the gambling or by gaining the comps.  When people claim they do, they are lying.  You are always better off paying for what you want than getting it as a comp.

 

If you want to gamble and you don't mind losing, then it's cool.  And yeah, you get some comps thrown your way, and occasionally you win. It's fun!  Hell, I've been doing it in Vegas for 20 years.  But I'm at least honest enough to admit I'm not actually ahead as a result.  I would have been better off not gambling and just paying for anything I got.  But it was fun.

 

Anyone who tries to tell you otherwise is lying.  And planning to "break even" with your play is BS.

I feel exactly the same way.....very well put