How does one get a Princess Casino Offer?

[memoak]

I think there may also be something to gambling history. My wife and I gamble about the same however in 2023 I came down with Covid so I could not gsm or for 5 days on a Panama cruise. Since then she gets free balconies and $600 free play while I get free interiors and $250. 

[Globaler]

30 minutes ago, karatemom2 said:

 

The table game question is and shall remain a mystery - it seems very subjective. My husband only plays Craps, and occasionally he will spend a bit of time at the three card poker table game or blackjack during the day when the Craps table isn't open if he can get a seat. He never plays slots.

 

He plays consistently the same on all of our cruises and yet his offers vary from cruise to cruise. What we have found on our cruises out of Southampton, he tends to be among a group of very few Craps players and his play is quite significant by comparison to other players. On those cruises the come back offers were for free balconies with $600 casino cash. On both of these trips he was also able to get noticed by the casino host and develop a good rapport. He tries to do this on all of our trips, but it is easier on cruises with less table players.

 

However, on cruises where there are a lot of high rolling Craps players, like our Mexican Riviera cruises on Discovery, the offers are generally less. His worst ever was on our recent New Year's Eve cruise where the Craps table was packed the whole time and he felt like he was having a hard time even getting his play monitored and he couldn't get any face time with the casino host. It didn't help that he got COVID the second to last day and missed that all important last night before the offers are developed. 

 

So, just based on his experience since he pretty much spends the same amount of time at the tables and invests about the same amount of dollars every cruise, he has come to believe that the rewards and offers are very subjective and perhaps driven by a curve or comparison with other table players, as well as the discretion of the casino host. 

 

We are back to Southampton this summer for a Norway cruise and he is hoping for a similar outcome in terms of better offer as our cruises these past two years.

Thanks for the info - I also tend to play craps later in the evening and on our transatlantic cruise last year there were not many players some nights and when I showed up the table was closed down. which was disappointing but when I did play I did get to develop a rapport with the crew. They were also very knowledgeable which isn’t always the case.

[mattR]

10 hours ago, Steelers36 said:

Still, though, it takes working $54,000 to amass 18,000 points!!  🤪

That doesn't sound like a free cruise to me it sounds like a potential expensive cruise? If the slot machine pays out 95% then the cruise still costs $2700.

[memoak]

11 minutes ago, mattR said:

That doesn't sound like a free cruise to me it sounds like a potential expensive cruise? If the slot machine pays out 95% then the cruise still costs $2700.

Then you hit a jackpot and everything is taken care of the last few cruises we have hit jackpots between $2,000 and $7,000

[Globaler]

38 minutes ago, mattR said:

That doesn't sound like a free cruise to me it sounds like a potential expensive cruise? If the slot machine pays out 95% then the cruise still costs $2700.

That is out of my league. It’s entertainment for me. I have consolidated my gambling funds and now go on 2 to 3 cruise trips a year, most over 14 days. I play and get what I get - I’m not chasing a comp.

Edited March 8 by Globaler

[20165]

14 hours ago, mattR said:

That doesn't sound like a free cruise to me it sounds like a potential expensive cruise? If the slot machine pays out 95% then the cruise still costs $2700.

Exactly my thinking and im not sure i would want to risk $54k in hopes of a free cruise.

Also, if you play $3 per slot pull, it would take you roughly 15 hours to put in $54k if you assume 3 seconds per slot play.  I think i did the math correctly...  

[bjkTX]

On 3/6/2024 at 10:49 AM, Steelers36 said:

Interesting how you can play penny slots - if that's your game - but need to bet considerably more for each round of Blackjack.

We play the penny slots to kill time - and DW enjoys it after dinner.  On our cruise that ended this Weds she won a "mystery jackpot" for $900 playing 34 cents a pull.   So I enjoyed it as well 🙂

[jwattle]

On 3/7/2024 at 6:06 PM, Globaler said:

That is out of my league. It’s entertainment for me. I have consolidated my gambling funds and now go on 2 to 3 cruise trips a year, most over 14 days. I play and get what I get - I’m not chasing a comp.

 

On 3/8/2024 at 7:41 AM, 20165 said:

Exactly my thinking and im not sure i would want to risk $54k in hopes of a free cruise.

Also, if you play $3 per slot pull, it would take you roughly 15 hours to put in $54k if you assume 3 seconds per slot play.  I think i did the math correctly...  

$54,000 is the total played through, not the amount that the player actually "lost" or put in of their own money.

[Globaler]

30 minutes ago, jwattle said:

 

$54,000 is the total played through, not the amount that the player actually "lost" or put in of their own money.

Indeed but I wouldn’t put that much money in a slot machine. I’d rather play craps.

[jwattle]

30 minutes ago, Globaler said:

Indeed but I wouldn’t put that much money in a slot machine. I’d rather play craps.

And I would happily be at the slots...plink, plink...DING, DING, DING!🥰

[Globaler]

51 minutes ago, jwattle said:

And I would happily be at the slots...plink, plink...DING, DING, DING!🥰

👍🍻😎

[Catbert234]

It is all about the points you earn onboard, consistency of play, hours of play and average bet. Table games are rated by time at the table and average wager (hence the mystery). With slot play it is easy to see your points increase...it is right on the screen.

 

I started out getting $200 and interior rooms, graduated to a consistent $400 in free play with balcony rooms. Every once in awhile they will throw in Plus in my come back and sail offers. I am jealous of the mini suite upgrade, however...nice!

 

I just got a special "Prestige" offer that is really interesting. Ordinary free play and balcony, but adds plus, a perk package, and some interesting freebies like airport pickup and port parking, etc. 

 

I already had all of my 2024 sailings set, so am using it for two sailings in early 2025. Cannot wait to find out what the prestige offer is all about. I could use the offer up to three times.

[Guest Snaxmuppet]

I am fascinated by all this. I have dabbled in the casino on past cruises but never spent a great deal of time there. I have a number of newbie (to the casino that is) questions... perhaps you can help me out?

 

How long do people spend in the casino to start to get comps. OK, it isn't all about the time and spend is important, but I just want to get a feel for just how much time I would need to spend in there to start to gain sufficient points to start to get comps... is it every day of the cruise for example? How long each day? How much would you spend?

 

How do you get informed you have an upgrade or other comp?

 

What is the smallest level I would need to get the smallest comp (presumably a speciality dining meal???)?

 

I am not going to be chasing comps specifically but I'd like to know how it works 🙂 

 

 

[Cybella1]

On 3/6/2024 at 9:39 PM, Lady Arwen said:

We’ve been getting emails from Princess for years offering free interior and occasionally balcony cabins  on select sailings.  We also get the same emails from Celebrity but always for balconies or higher.  With HAL we get a casino rate on all cruises we choose with an approximate discount of 30%.

 

We are not huge gamblers, but we do spend considerable time in the casino.  Funny though, we haven’t been in a Princess casino in quite some time because of the smoking, and they still offer free cruises and we always get casino OBC wth every booking we make.  Thank you, Princess,

My Princess cruise in Australia had no smoking in the casino. It was bliss.🥰 

[Lady Arwen]

5 hours ago, Cybella1 said:

My Princess cruise in Australia had no smoking in the casino. It was bliss.🥰 

Australia is to be congratulated!  I just wish Princess would embrace the no indoor smoking policy that was implemented by Celebrity years ago.

[JGmf]

6 hours ago, Snaxmuppet said:

How long do people spend in the casino to start to get comps. OK, it isn't all about the time and spend is important, but I just want to get a feel for just how much time I would need to spend in there to start to gain sufficient points to start to get comps... is it every day of the cruise for example? How long each day? How much would you spend?

 

How do you get informed you have an upgrade or other comp?

 

What is the smallest level I would need to get the smallest comp (presumably a speciality dining meal???)?

 

As you properly mentioned, don't play to get comps, b/c invariably, over time, you will lose more than you gain in any comps...and this is coming from a guy that routinely gets balcony and free play offers for 14+ day cruises.

 

That said here's some quick answers based on my experience and observations:

 

Duration in casino to get comps: generally 2 to 3+ hours of play for most (not all) days casino is open.  A pattern of sustained play is a key factor.  The smaller you play, generally, the longer you need to play.  If you're a slot player, you'll see your point accumulation on the screen on the machine.  Anything less than, say 4,000 points, you're likely not on their radar.  Remember, these casinos are packed with a lot of gamblers who spend/lose a lot of money.

 

How do you get informed: (1) if you play enough to earn an offer, on the second to last night or the last day of the cruise, you'll get a "come back and sail":offer delivered to your room on a fancy piece of paper.  These offers are very time-limited and are a giant pain the butt to try to use; (2) if you are indeed on their radar screen, you'll also start getting discount casino email offers and even snail mail invites. These are aggregated on the Princess website on your account, example below; and (3) as long as you are logged-into the Princess website, any casino offer is baked-into the price presented, so if you try to book a cruise that is discounted, it will show the discounted price, also as seen below.

 

Check your "Circle Savings Account" under "My Profile"...

 

 

Here's an example of how the discount price is already applied to the price of the booking.

 

 

Smallest level to receive smallest comp: can't help you there, as it's in their propriety algorithms, but, in my experience, they don't dole-out meals, or spa discounts, etc. unless you get on their radar...and you need to be gambling thousands and thousands of dollars in throughput to get on said radar.

 

Good luck.

 

 

 

 

[Shippy]

I play penny slots every day. Remember the casino is NOT open on port days until 1 hour after you leave port. It is not open before you get to the port.

   The best offers are the ones they leave in your cabin on the last day of the cruise.

I get a mini suite. I get tons of email offers but they are only for outside or balcony cabins.

   Also, you can upgrade these offers. $900.pp seems to be the going rate to upgrade to an s4 penthouse on a 7 day cruise.

   The really incredible part is that for the last year, they have been adding the plus package. That is really worth a lot.

    My husband gets offers for casino cash, no room.. On our last cruise he got one for $500. on the next cruise.  I booked under my offer & they actually added his cash offer to it even thought the fine print says not combinable.

  Usually on about the third day, a casino host will come up to a machine I am playing & ask if we would like a complementary specialty restaurant. They make the reservation right then.

 

[20165]

Ok so all you math wizards out there, how many $3 slot plays would $1k get you? Example, 333 when you run through the first round with your $1k, but assuming you get paid back 95%, i think someone said that is the pay back on the slots, then the next round would get you roughly 316 $3 slot plays and so on.  Can anyone think of the formula off the top of your head that would give you the total plays for that $1k assuming a 5% loss per run through of that money?  Sorry, its early and hurting my head thinking about it...

[karatemom2]

Just a note to say that if you are playing in the Casino, you should be choosing to do so because you find it fun and entertaining- win or lose, comps or no comps. DH would play Craps whether it netted him any cruise benefits or not because he really enjoys it. The cruise perks are a nice added benefit. 
 

Whatever game of choice - slots or table, ultimately the odds are not in your favor. You will likely invest more than you net, so ultimately you are paying for the benefits you might receive in cruise credit. If you go in understanding that and have fun playing as a source of enjoyment then you will be less frustrated then if you are always chasing a win or a comp. 

[Catbert234]

Just now, karatemom2 said:

Just a note to say that if you are playing in the Casino, you should be choosing to do so because you find it fun and entertaining- win or lose, comps or no comps. DH would play Craps whether it netted him any cruise benefits or not because he really enjoys it. The cruise perks are a nice added benefit. 
 

Whatever game of choice - slots or table, ultimately the odds are not in your favor. You will likely invest more than you net, so ultimately you are paying for the benefits you might receive in cruise credit. If you go in understanding that and have fun playing as a source of enjoyment then you will be less frustrated then if you are always chasing a win or a comp. 

100% and ALWAYS ALWAYS have a set budget, and NEVER wager more than you can afford to lose. I allocate a daily limit, and stick to it like glue.

[Guest Snaxmuppet]

Thanks everyone. 

 

No... not chasing comps. I am in the casino because it is fun. We set a budget and when it is gone we walk out. Has to be that way. 

 

But I could see myself spending more time in there than we have on previous cruises. I want to learn craps but no idea yet so I'll have to get onto YouTube to learn how to play... there are lots of vids to help 🙂 

[HotRoot]

Something like 10 years ago we cruised on Princess.  My husband won big in the casino.  Back home he was offered a free cruise.  We took it.  He did not gamble much.  No more offers of a free cruise but on every Princess cruise (still today) he gets $100 OBC from the casino.

[Globaler]

5 minutes ago, Snaxmuppet said:

Thanks everyone. 

 

No... not chasing comps. I am in the casino because it is fun. We set a budget and when it is gone we walk out. Has to be that way. 

 

But I could see myself spending more time in there than we have on previous cruises. I want to learn craps but no idea yet so I'll have to get onto YouTube to learn how to play... there are lots of vids to help 🙂 

Please do spend some time learning the game. Players will help to a point. But if you show no knowledge and haven’t done some research then you will get the cold shoulder. Craps is a community game and I always develop several friends (male and female) during a 2 week cruise. 

[Shippy]

2 hours ago, 20165 said:

Ok so all you math wizards out there, how many $3 slot plays would $1k get you? Example, 333 when you run through the first round with your $1k, but assuming you get paid back 95%, i think someone said that is the pay back on the slots, then the next round would get you roughly 316 $3 slot plays and so on.  Can anyone think of the formula off the top of your head that would give you the total plays for that $1k assuming a 5% loss per run through of that money?  Sorry, its early and hurting my head thinking about it...

  Cannot do your math but on my last trip, I was UP...then DOWN.....then UP....then DOWN<DOWN<DOWN.

Luckily for me on the last night, I hit a $1350. progressive....yes, I had to fill out a tax form 

[roxievegas]

1 hour ago, Snaxmuppet said:

Thanks everyone. 

 

No... not chasing comps. I am in the casino because it is fun. We set a budget and when it is gone we walk out. Has to be that way. 

 

But I could see myself spending more time in there than we have on previous cruises. I want to learn craps but no idea yet so I'll have to get onto YouTube to learn how to play... there are lots of vids to help 🙂 

You don't have to spend a ton of money - hopefully you win enough to keep playing and accumulating points.

We don't get as great of offers as we did and we continue to gamble the amount that we would have spent for the cabin. ie.  if we get a free balcony and it would have cost $1599 ea then we have a budget of $3,000 - total between the two of us to gamble.  If the cabin is not free, we would have spent the $3,000 anyway.

 

We now get free interior cabins and free play.  We have one cruise booked for 2025 a

17 day Ultimate Alaska

cost when I booked it back in Fall of 2023, the cost from the Princess website was

interior $2398, OV $3598, balcony $4248, mini suite $5398

we got the interior for free, but paid $1200 (total) to get an ocean view that has the full length window on Deck 14.  So the cost of the OV would have been $7200, but we paid $1200.

the cost has gone down on that cruise now, but once you book it you are locked in.