Casino Program Changes

[jd10367]

I haven't been in the program long enough to know all the perks, or to really miss anything. The only thing I hope I don't loose is the free drinks and the nice discount. Maybe a night in a speciality rest.

[OTownNick]

I haven't been in the program long enough to know all the perks, or to really miss anything. The only thing I hope I don't loose is the free drinks and the nice discount. Maybe a night in a speciality rest.

 

The discounts on many of the cruises are not as good anymore. I can come close and often BEAT the casino rates thru my TA -Cru-something.

[bighairtexan]

I book thru the same cru something and the casino WIPED the floor w/ their offer. Through the casino I got a GS going for $5K for a touch over $3K. Transferred it to Cru something and got their perks. It IS a bit of a hassle b/c you're either dealing w/ the casino first and then having to get the transfer form faxed. Or in my case I booked with cru something, then got the bright idea to call Casino Royale where it was just about $2K cheaper, but they couldn't book it for me since I went thru a TA so I then had to call the TA, who then had to call the Casino club.

In other words, go thru the Casino FIRST then see what your TA will give you for a transfer (I got free grats and dinner for 2).

[jd10367]

We usually book on board. We had a TA for the first 2 cruises but he was

an ass and not very helpful at all. Not to mention as you said it's a hassle. We like being able to book and change whatever whenever without needing to go through a 3 rd party. We usually travel off season or on bookends when it's cheaper anyway. Next year we are booked on Anthem so the discount was only 200 or so. We will probably book. Harmony while on board in May. Otherwise we will take a late Canada cruise next year as well. The discount for that hopefully will be great. We live in RI, so we really don't care about the leaves, it's about being on a ship.

[OTownNick]

I book thru the same cru something and the casino WIPED the floor w/ their offer. Through the casino I got a GS going for $5K for a touch over $3K. Transferred it to Cru something and got their perks. It IS a bit of a hassle b/c you're either dealing w/ the casino first and then having to get the transfer form faxed. Or in my case I booked with cru something, then got the bright idea to call Casino Royale where it was just about $2K cheaper, but they couldn't book it for me since I went thru a TA so I then had to call the TA, who then had to call the Casino club.

In other words, go thru the Casino FIRST then see what your TA will give you for a transfer (I got free grats and dinner for 2).

 

Wow that's interesting.

[vettecruiser1]

Just off the ship this morning, none of the casino host or casino manager had any news of casino royal perks changing. Talked to them about mlife and they did not have a clue. With that being said they now track all play with the new system on tables. They use touch screens and were very keen on tracking the craps play. With different times asking people around the table to verify their names to make sure they had them in the right spot.

[PompeySailor]

Just off the ship this morning, none of the casino host or casino manager had any news of casino royal perks changing. Talked to them about mlife and they did not have a clue. With that being said they now track all play with the new system on tables. They use touch screens and were very keen on tracking the craps play. With different times asking people around the table to verify their names to make sure they had them in the right spot.

 

 

Do agree the tracking system on Navigator was a lot more transparent by swiping card through a reader at all tables.

Hopefully we will start to get news in April on New program changes.

Happy Days!

Edited March 15, 2015 by PompeySailor

[Life is Good Cruising]

Just off the ship this morning, none of the casino host or casino manager had any news of casino royal perks changing. Talked to them about mlife and they did not have a clue. With that being said they now track all play with the new system on tables. They use touch screens and were very keen on tracking the craps play. With different times asking people around the table to verify their names to make sure they had them in the right spot.

 

Do you know if Helen (casino host) and Alan (casino mgr) were the people you spoke to on board your sailing? We board Quantum again April 12 so hopefully by then either the Casino Host or Casino Mgr will know something or anything about these new benefits.

[cruzingduo]

Helen is gone from Quantum and Adrain is leaving to go to Oasis soon, definitely before April 12. I am also on that sailing.

[Life is Good Cruising]

Helen is gone from Quantum and Adrain is leaving to go to Oasis soon, definitely before April 12. I am also on that sailing.

 

Thank you :) I'll call CR before we sail to ask who the Casino Hosts will be for our sailing. I know they have two Hosts and couldn't remember Adrian's name when I posted.

Edited March 15, 2015 by Life is Good Cruising

[Shippy]

I book thru the same cru something and the casino WIPED the floor w/ their offer. Through the casino I got a GS going for $5K for a touch over $3K. Transferred it to Cru something and got their perks. It IS a bit of a hassle b/c you're either dealing w/ the casino first and then having to get the transfer form faxed. Or in my case I booked with cru something, then got the bright idea to call Casino Royale where it was just about $2K cheaper, but they couldn't book it for me since I went thru a TA so I then had to call the TA, who then had to call the Casino club.

In other words, go thru the Casino FIRST then see what your TA will give you for a transfer (I got free grats and dinner for 2).

 

....through the casino on the Oasis in August...no agency could touch the price. They will have our $$ rebates waiting for us at the cashier :O)

To me, the room discount is the biggee. It allows us to get suites. That is the one perk I hope the do not eliminate in the new program.

[bighairtexan]

I agree. At the time I booked the GS was over $5K and it's not worth it TO ME (YMMV). But at the price the Casino was running on that category, it was definitely a good deal. And they were only discounting certain categories when I called. BUt I did like that I could keep or transfer the booking to a TA to get additional perks. BUt as you said, my TA which often discounts the fare a LOT due to group booking blocks on many RCI and Celebrity sailings, couldn't come close to what the Casino offered. Win win. (yeah sometimes I think it's the ONLY way I'm going to win when it comes to a casino :D )

[OTownNick]

I never check rates for ,,GS but it's easy to see how CR can beat TA prices since those are expensive to begin with. In any event I usually don't go higher than a balcony. Even with a sizable discount on a GS it would still cost me hundreds more than a balcony which is not worth it to me as my own tolerance for cruise costs. I also cruise 5-7 x per year so it all adds up. I will have to start checking those suite prices now to see.

 

But that is helpful to know about transferring bookings. I wasn't sure that was possible but now I know.

[bighairtexan]

Normally a TA rate is exactly the rate that you book online. I've never seen it any higher but usually lower as they can buy blocks of cabins and pass the reduced rate down to the clients. They can't "discount" but can make you part of their group. So you wind up paying less or paying the same and getting perks. If you're paying HIGHER through a TA all I can say is :eek:

 

 

But the casino was able to beat even the group rate. By quite a bit. After I had my reservation and called the casino, I asked if they had a better price on my balcony. They weren't running a "special" on that category, but that's when they said they had a good deal on the GS, which is why I got that instead. I probably do balconies 2/3 of the time, suites otherwise. This was the 1st cruise booked with the casino so I don't know how the balcony pricing is. Maybe someone else could speak to that. I'd be curious.

Edited March 16, 2015 by bighairtexan

[OTownNick]

Normally a TA rate is exactly the rate that you book online. I've never seen it any higher but usually lower as they can buy blocks of cabins and pass the reduced rate down to the clients. They can't "discount" but can make you part of their group. So you wind up paying less or paying the same and getting perks. If you're paying HIGHER through a TA all I can say is :eek:

 

 

But the casino was able to beat even the group rate. By quite a bit. After I had my reservation and called the casino, I asked if they had a better price on my balcony. They weren't running a "special" on that category, but that's when they said they had a good deal on the GS, which is why I got that instead. I probably do balconies 2/3 of the time, suites otherwise. This was the 1st cruise booked with the casino so I don't know how the balcony pricing is. Maybe someone else could speak to that. I'd be curious.

 

 

Balcony prices at casino rates are ok, but most of the time not that great compared to my D+ balcony discount I would get orherwise. It seems most of the time I book thru casino I get inside or Oceanview. So far haven't booked a balcony with them cause usually its better thru a TA with my balcony discount and OBC.

 

Anyone going on the Dec 5 BBQ Beach Bash on Indy? I'm going

[jd10367]

Damn.. This took 11 pages to find. So... I only have 1 CR VIP cruise under my belt. I also did lousy in the casino. I was there for several hours a day but never really went ahead just held my own. Our next cruise is May 16. How can they rate my play for the new tiers with only 1 cruise? I hope this is going to be something you can advance up in and not go back down if you don't happen to be able to cruise as often as others.

[OTownNick]

Damn.. This took 11 pages to find. So... I only have 1 CR VIP cruise under my belt. I also did lousy in the casino. I was there for several hours a day but never really went ahead just held my own. Our next cruise is May 16. How can they rate my play for the new tiers with only 1 cruise? I hope this is going to be something you can advance up in and not go back down if you don't happen to be able to cruise as often as others.

 

Good question. The qualifying period has been extended to some unknown time but you're right- someone who cruises more often will get better rating. I'm sure u will be able to move up. Probably not down though unless u haven't cruised for some extended time (just guessing).

 

There's so much that isn't known, but they say in April they may be sending out details.

[Life is Good Cruising]

Good question. The qualifying period has been extended to some unknown time but you're right- someone who cruises more often will get better rating. I'm sure u will be able to move up. Probably not down though unless u haven't cruised for some extended time (just guessing).

 

There's so much that isn't known, but they say in April they may be sending out details.

 

 

After speaking with CR yesterday, April may now be changed to June or the end of the year before we hear about the new program changes. I have to call CR again next week so if I hear anything different, I will advise.

[jd10367]

I need to call them also about applying my rebate to this upcoming cruise. I also need to ask about the Nov slot cruise on Allure.

[Life is Good Cruising]

I need to call them also about applying my rebate to this upcoming cruise. I also need to ask about the Nov slot cruise on Allure.

 

Here's their listing of events for 2015.

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/content/en_US/pdf/Casino_Cruises_Itinerary.pdf

[somerandomidiot]

Here's their listing of events for 2015.

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/content/en_US/pdf/Casino_Cruises_Itinerary.pdf

 

How do these events work?

 

I just noticed that I'm booked on the same cruise as:

 

CLUB ROYALE TOP 100 VIP

HOLIDAY PARTY

Anthem of the Seas

12-Night Western Caribbean

From Bayonne, FL

November 30, 2015

 

Is it invite only? I think it's safe to assume I'm not even in the CR TOP 1000 but I'd be interested in seeing what happens at one of these things.

[OTownNick]

After speaking with CR yesterday, April may now be changed to June or the end of the year before we hear about the new program changes. I have to call CR again next week so if I hear anything different, I will advise.

 

Thanks. The story keeps changing. I've never seen that list of events. I did the Jan 30 on EN and am planning to the the BBQ Beach Bash on INDY Dec 5. That was a lot of fun last year.

 

Wow- I didn't realize they have a top 100 CR VIP. That must be a comp. trip for those folks. Yeah, I would be surprised if I am in the top 1,000 too lol.

[OTownNick]

How do these events work?

 

I just noticed that I'm booked on the same cruise as:

 

CLUB ROYALE TOP 100 VIP

HOLIDAY PARTY

Anthem of the Seas

12-Night Western Caribbean

From Bayonne, FL

November 30, 2015

 

Is it invite only? I think it's safe to assume I'm not even in the CR TOP 1000 but I'd be interested in seeing what happens at one of these things.

Crash the party and let us know what they do :)

 

Some people are lucky enough to get invites for some of these events for FREE. Orherwise u can just book thru CR and you can participate. BBQ Beach Bash is the best one

Edited March 20, 2015 by OTownNick

[PompeySailor]

Thanks. The story keeps changing. I've never seen that list of events. I did the Jan 30 on EN and am planning to the the BBQ Beach Bash on INDY Dec 5. That was a lot of fun last year.

 

Wow- I didn't realize they have a top 100 CR VIP. That must be a comp. trip for those folks. Yeah, I would be surprised if I am in the top 1,000 too lol.

 

You might be surprised Nick, where you are rated.;)

DW got the invite for that one, we were unable to make the dates for that one

As we get off Liberty the day before it sails:cool:

[OTownNick]

You might be surprised Nick, where you are rated.;)

DW got the invite for that one, we were unable to make the dates for that one

As we get off Liberty the day before it sails:cool:

 

Bummer. Although I am doing the 12/5 Beach Bash, it's not comped :(((