Cruise Ship Casino Hosts

[Deckhawk]

What exactly do you use the cruise ship casino hosts for? I have met the ones that are on the ships where I sail, but normally they only setup some drinks and do a lot of smiling.

 

Anyone use the host like a Vegas Casino host (restaurant reservations, Spa, etc.)? Is it just a matter of asking or are these perks extended automatically based on play?

[sailor_jimc]

You know I have asked myself that question so many times.... The most I have seen them do is teach the "how to" play classes, they run the Blackjack and Slot Tournaments and glad hand the guests.

 

I have never attempted to ask them to arrange reservations etc because I consider myself blessed if I can get a free drink once in a while. Never even thought of a meal or spa treatment as a possibility.

 

They must serve a function but I spend more energy talking with the pit bosses as those are the ones that rate my play and get me the drinks....

[brnsnbrws]

You know I have asked myself that question so many times.... The most I have seen them do is teach the "how to" play classes, they run the Blackjack and Slot Tournaments and glad hand the guests.

 

From what I have seen, basically what you posted is what they do.

[VideoTech]

I'd definitely make a point of meeting & greeting to your casino host. They control any onboard comps (dinners, spa) that you're going to get. Of course, these will be based on play, but becoming more than just a name on a computer list to them can't do anything but help.

 

If you are in CAS, or coming in through Harrah's TR, they will already know you're there, of course.

[NJcruisergrl]

I'd definitely make a point of meeting & greeting to your casino host. They control any onboard comps (dinners, spa) that you're going to get. Of course, these will be based on play, but becoming more than just a name on a computer list to them can't do anything but help.

 

If you are in CAS, or coming in through Harrah's TR, they will already know you're there, of course.

 

Do they really know that? I hope so. I emailed OPC and told them my TR status. I hope they keep that in mind for comps. Although they didn't seem too interested.:confused:

[VideoTech]

Do they really know that? I hope so. I emailed OPC and told them my TR status. I hope they keep that in mind for comps. Although they didn't seem too interested.:confused:

 

Sorry, I forgot this was a general (all cruise lines) board. My comment was referring to casino hosts on NCL, which is partly owned by Harrah's. On NCL, they know your TR status *if* you booked through Casinos At Sea (CAS) or via your Harrah's rep through CAS.

 

If you book on your own, through a regular NCL rep or TA, then you probably won't get the TR recognition.

 

I can't tell you how other cruise lines will react to your TR status, but there's no vested interest with them, as there is with NCL.

[NJcruisergrl]

Sorry, I forgot this was a general (all cruise lines) board. My comment was referring to casino hosts on NCL, which is partly owned by Harrah's. On NCL, they know your TR status *if* you booked through Casinos At Sea (CAS) or via your Harrah's rep through CAS.

 

If you book on your own, through a regular NCL rep or TA, then you probably won't get the TR recognition.

 

I can't tell you how other cruise lines will react to your TR status, but there's no vested interest with them, as there is with NCL.

 

Too good to be true, I guess.

[sailor_jimc]

Yes, CCL casino hosts have nothing really to do with your comps. The Pit Bosses seem to track that and they are the ones to get you drinks when your play warrants it. However, every once in a while I run across the more personable host on CCL that if you do introduce yourself and chat with them a bit, have come by when they see me playing and "hint" to the pit boss to get you a drink... so the comment about "it can't hurt" I guess is mostly true...

[Deckhawk]

So I guess the question I have is:

 

1) Has anyone received perks other than free drinks from the casino?

 

2) Are you asking the casino host for these or are they just offering them when you reach a certain level of play?

[AndyTheK]

So I guess the question I have is:

 

1) Has anyone received perks other than free drinks from the casino?

 

2) Are you asking the casino host for these or are they just offering them when you reach a certain level of play?

 

I can only speak for Princess, which is not noted as being particularly generous with comps. Other than drinks, they seem to be fond of chocolate covered strawberries and bottles of water sent to your cabin.

 

The past cruise was the first that I asked to be rated, so I don't know what calling pre-cruise will bring. I'll find out in August.

 

We never asked for anything - drinks were offered to DW and me at the tables, the water and strawberries appeared in the cabin with a note saying it was from the casino.

[VideoTech]

So I guess the question I have is:

 

1) Has anyone received perks other than free drinks from the casino?

 

2) Are you asking the casino host for these or are they just offering them when you reach a certain level of play?

 

1) On NCL, the casino has comp'd us to spa treatments and dinners. They also will provide credits against your final bill when leaving the ship. The NCL Casinos at Sea marketing department will comp rooms for us when we book cruises through them.

 

2) The Casino hosts will contact us and offer them. However, we make a point of meeting & greeting our casino hosts, so we're more than just a name on a sheet of paper to them.

[goldwinger88]

Sailed on the Carnival Fantasy last Sept.

Got to know the Casino host and she took care of me and another player for the cruise with drinks every so often and the last night made sure we and our wives had cashed out to the point of chasing mine all over the ship until they found her and it was only for $20

She did comp me a ballcap that turned out to be worth some good luck at the craps table that night.

Sailing on the Fantasy again next month and will have the cap with me...

[nolimits]

On RC oasis the host does sp restaurants 'shows and such comped and not comped

[2morecruises]

Here are my experiences with Celebrity.

 

About 4 years ago they made me a member of their "Blue Chip Club". Since then every time that I've sailed, the Casino Manager (not the host) would introduce him/herself during the 1st day of play (craps) & let the pit bosses know who I was & that the drinks were on the house. He/she would also inform me of any "cash back" that was waiting for me to be picked up at the cage. (a surprise amount each time, DW turned those in massages & spa trips ).

 

It also helps to run into the same Casino Manager 3 different times & share the same 1st name. :D

 

About every other day a bottle of "real" champagne or their best chardonnay (Far Niente) would be waiting in the stateroom on ice. (That's what balconies are for, right?)

 

Twice when reviewing our stateroom charges we noticed a credit of $35 that erased the specialty restaurant charge for Morano.

 

Being a Blue Chip member also alleviates the 3% cash advance fee.

 

I am not a high roller by any stretch of the imagination. But I'm a very happy camper with the way they treat us. :)

[meatloafsfan]

I was sent bottles of wine in the main dining room for dinner and a plate of strawberries on my Carnival Dream cruises from the casino.

[Eddington910]

I mid-roll in Vegas, and tend to play a lot on cruises as well. Here's a breakdown of what I get from Carnival and Celebrity. There's not a ton of info out there, so I hope this helps!

 

Carnival:

 

I have sailed with them the most (7 or 8 cruises) and I tend to take approx. $8k and put a LOT of coin-in through slots as well as tables. I also make a point of introducing myself to the hosts, and I am friends with an exec in their casino marketing office in Miami (met him on a cruise). I get VIP offers from them (last one was a free 7-night cruise for two, $850 cash at the cage, and a reception, as well as free drinks while gambling). I have also gotten free drinks in the casino on a non-VIP cruise...no system existed for this, so the host took me around to each of the 12 servers, introduced me, and explained that while I was gambling, all drinks were on him. I don't remember much about that cruise.... ;)

 

The problem that I have with Carnival is the smoking...truly, the last two cruises I've been on, I felt horrible the week after leaving because of the after-effects of the smoke. Vegas has gotten bad as well in some places, but the confined space in the casinos, put the fact that everybody smokes in there, really has made the Carnival casinos into smoke city. Many passengers have been chased from lounges, etc. which are now non-smoking, and come to the casino bar to smoke even while they aren't gambling! I know that smoking and gambling go together just like smoking and drinking. I am fine with that...it's a downside for me, because I'm sensitive to it, but that's my problem and not anyone else's. Fortunately I'm a believer in market solutions, and therefore I also have experience with...

 

Celebrity:

 

Celebrity has a non-smoking casino on their ships. I love this. When I was on the Summit, it was pre-changeover, so they didn't have ticket-in, ticket-out (TITO) on their slots. It was fun, kind of annoying when I emptied out the slots but all in all a good problem to have. But we're talking about comps so...

 

Comps on Celebrity were very good to me. I took approx $8k again. I played mainly $100 BJ and $25/$25/$25 blind three-card poker on the first night. This was intentional, because I wanted to get on their radar as a player, and I wanted into their Blue Chip Club. The second night, I had a pre-printed invitation and a Blue Chip number, and a dinner for two (they offered for four, but I couldnt find another couple last minute) at the Normandie restaurant. Very nice perk! My drinks are now comped in Celebrity Casinos now as well. I get the Drink Package though, so my drinks are pre-paid anyway, but it's still a nice gesture. I got a second comp Normadie dinner out of the hosts on another night as well.

 

I also get a cash rebate based upon a percentage of my theoretical loss. This is cash with my name on it at the cage, just for showing up...how nice is that? If you call ahead and let the Blue Chip rep. know that you are coming, they will set it all up for you. One minor compliant is that my Blue Chip rep is never in the office. It's best to call months in advance, if possible, in order to avoid a potential loss of a benefit.

 

Anyway, those are my experiences. The comps onboard are nothing compared to what you can get in Vegas casinos for the same amount of play, but any little bit helps, and on-board, I believe that there is more discretion given to the hosts and staff, whereas Vegas is more formula-driven. In short: know your hosts, don't be afraid to ask for a benefit, and have fun!

 

-Sam

[LaCal]

Weve been Comped Cash each Cruise by Princess, Free Drinks by NCL, Wine and Cheese, Strawberrys and Bottles of Wine on Carnival....

 

Not Anything Big but the Cash Comps on Princess are Nice....Next Cruise on Nov 9th I get $250 and the DW gets $150.00......

 

I figure the $250.00 will pay for 4 of my Texas HoldEm Tournament Entry Fees....Now Lets Hope I Win or atleast come in Second in a few...;)