Jump to content
Cruise Critic Community

Casino Program Changes

seaofwonder
 Share

Recommended Posts

tomko2

tomko2

Posted
Posted

I was on the Liberty April 2 - 6th. I am at the low end of the program and usually get a cash back of $225. - $300.00. Sticker was put on my car and I got the voucher for 5 drinks (he said to come back if I needed another voucher). I don't drink but good for soda etc. On the last evening the Host went said to see him before I left; others were told the same. I waited (discreetly) behind a man decked out in heavy gold jewelry. After a bit of discussion the Host retrieved a certificate newly printed out from the back -- free cruise for the man. I knew I was nowhere in that league especially since I didn't do well on the cruise which hampers my ability to keep playing longer. Anyway, we talked for a bit and he studied the computer. Finally he said I didn't qualify for a cruise but would likely get $200 or so cash rebate on my next cruise.

So who knows.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
jd10367

jd10367

Posted
Posted

Uggg... They give you 5 drink coupons? But , say you can come back for more ? Also, I always buy the soda package anyway. If they give me a sticker for a soda package will I get reimbursed for mine? Is it for in the casino only? Like the vouchers for drinks? My last cruise I limited to what I could get to drink ( no frozen stuff). This sounds like it's starting to suck.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
nolimits

nolimits

Posted
Posted

The coupons have been around for awhile not part of new program,Although the free drink coupons are free they effect you rebate.When you have the sticker they keep track of your drinks also.I have a friend in program as well as I am,He drinks Johnny Walker Black,he can drink a bottle in a few hrs of Gambling,On day 3 before the first drink The hosts told him his drinking was running more than his rebate and they couldn't serve him more till he built up some credits.When I asked the host about it He explained that the casino has to pay the hotel division for each drink.We now buy drink package and our rebates have gone way up LOL.We both play tables so we bet better than requirements of Casino Royale's minimums

The new free cruise certificates are very limited if you need to schedule vacations,so in most cases it seem a little like a scam.We gave you a free cruise sorry you can't make it.

I have recieved and took 2 free cruise from CR but both times I had 6 mths to plan.I Thank them for that.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
PompeySailor

PompeySailor

Posted
Posted
The coupons have been around for awhile not part of new program,Although the free drink coupons are free they effect you rebate.When you have the sticker they keep track of your drinks also.I have a friend in program as well as I am,He drinks Johnny Walker Black,he can drink a bottle in a few hrs of Gambling,On day 3 before the first drink The hosts told him his drinking was running more than his rebate and they couldn't serve him more till he built up some credits.When I asked the host about it He explained that the casino has to pay the hotel division for each drink.We now buy drink package and our rebates have gone way up LOL.We both play tables so we bet better than requirements of Casino Royale's minimums

The new free cruise certificates are very limited if you need to schedule vacations,so in most cases it seem a little like a scam.We gave you a free cruise sorry you can't make it.

I have recieved and took 2 free cruise from CR but both times I had 6 mths to plan.I Thank them for that.

 

IMO what you drink does not affect your rebate, in our case anyways.

DW and I are never without a drink when in Casino, and rebates are the same as they have been since year Dot.

Maybe just us, but then again we are not typically drinking top shelf liquor.

(beer, wine, water, coffee, Piña Coladas)

 

Will try and drink more in a few months time and see if my rebate decreases, I doubt it very much;)

 

Reasoning: after first night in CR, in our experience we do not use sticker or vouchers or tickets.

And for sure they never ask for Seapass card, so other than servers keying into system manually

how could they track what we drink.

YMMV!

 

RC consistent inconsistency:)

 

Happy Days

Link to comment
Share on other sites
PompeySailor

PompeySailor

Posted
Posted (edited)

For those who may not of received

Just got invite in snail mail:)

 

Have received these before, but wondering if offerings are more varied with New Program roll out.

We might do the Liberty one:D

 

50% off stateroom for 2 guests

1 complimentary tournament entry for each of the cruises, so invited to all 3

Complimentary cocktails

Welcome back cocktail party.

(guess these won't be affecting my rebate either:p)

 

$10K slot pulls, 3 sailings

Adventure 16th May 2015

Indy 9th August 2015

Liberty 17th October 2015.

 

Sorry image not too good.

Hopefully someone can take advantage of these if eligible.

Happy Days!

image.jpg1_zps4cqsxjp2.jpg

Edited by PompeySailor
Link to comment
Share on other sites
bighairtexan

bighairtexan

Posted
Posted (edited)

I'm also under the impression that what/how much you drink doesn't affect the rebate. Though I've heard that mentioned before as a possibility. I've asked the hosts/hostess and was told NO.

I was on the Navigator in this past December and the previous April and I did not have any tickets. I haven't gotten drink tickets for a couple of years. That's why I was surprised they were back. And in the past I was able to get lemon drops w/ the little sticker. The bartender usually took one look at the sticker, got my drink and that was it. It didn't appear that he wrote anything down to track it, but maybe he memorized my name and wrote it down after mixing my drinks. Toward the end of the cruise, even the bar wait staff didn't ask for my card any more.

 

Graham, I agree 100% about inconsistencies. Perhaps other ships had been doing the stickers while some ships were doing tickets. Heck it varies from ship to ship w/in a few months. I attributed it to the new program but as I said, who knows? The hostess? The casino people shoreside? The way the wind blows?

 

PS: I ACTUALLY GOT THAT MAILER TODAY!!! I can't believe it (still never get the emails but that's progress)

Edited by bighairtexan
Link to comment
Share on other sites
PompeySailor

PompeySailor

Posted
Posted
I'm also under the impression that what/how much you drink doesn't affect the rebate. Though I've heard that mentioned before as a possibility. I've asked the hosts/hostess and was told NO.

I was on the Navigator in this past December and the previous April and I did not have any tickets. I haven't gotten drink tickets for a couple of years. That's why I was surprised they were back. And in the past I was able to get lemon drops w/ the little sticker. The bartender usually took one look at the sticker, got my drink and that was it. It didn't appear that he wrote anything down to track it, but maybe he memorized my name and wrote it down after mixing my drinks. Toward the end of the cruise, even the bar wait staff didn't ask for my card any more.

 

Graham, I agree 100% about inconsistencies. Perhaps other ships had been doing the stickers while some ships were doing tickets. Heck it varies from ship to ship w/in a few months. I attributed it to the new program but as I said, who knows? The hostess? The casino people shoreside? The way the wind blows?

 

PS: I ACTUALLY GOT THAT MAILER TODAY!!! I can't believe it (still never get the emails but that's progress)

 

YAY!!! Sharon:)

Postman doing his job properly

 

The way the wind blows gets my vote:)

 

Happy Days!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
traveler301

traveler301

Posted
Posted (edited)

Hi all,

This is the first time I am writing here but long time passive reader.

I had encounter this wonderful thread which added allot of relevant information to me.

 

 

Since it become a very big thread (takes around 20 minutes to go over it) and inside the different comments there are many good tips I thought it might be helpful to try and summarize.

 

New program :

 

 

  • Royal Caribbean started a process to change the Club Royal program to something else.

 

  • The change was planned to start around March 2015 but it seems it will take more time.

 

  • Casino Rebate accumulation and use were extended from March 2015 to March 2016

 

  • The new program will have new tier levels, not clear which levels will be offer and if the entitlement for the tier will expire.

 

  • It seems that for the last few weeks Club Royal offers free cruises certifications for people that reached a certain level of a play during their cruise –

 

 

  • Club Royal are not sending many emails comparing to other spammers :)

 

Club Royal information:

 

 

  • 1. Club Royal phone number – 8885612234

 

 

  • 3. Royal Caribbean M-life offers -

 

 

What you can expect as club royal member for now :

 

 

  • Drink tickets on the big ships (I got them on Allure and Oasis)

 

  • Discount on cruises (Can be different discount per the member activity cruise and stateroom)

 

  • Free cruise for some people (information can sent via email or snail mail) it always a good idea to check in this thread what people got and fine out if you entitle for the same as many people complain they are not getting any emails from club Royal Special events.

 

My thoughts and tips:

 

 

  • · I guess club Royal will sometime send Cruises offers for people that did not cruise lately to try and bring them again to cruise and spend money in the Casino. It might explain why some people are saying they cruise and gamble allot but not receiving offers while some of their friends that cruise less got. Just my thought

 

  • · Try not to play for the tier levels or for the comps, it should come as side benefit, just think , is it worse to spend 500 $ for 50 $ drinks or 5000$ for 1200$ cruise ?

 

  • · Most of the casinos will calculate not how much you lost but how much you played (time and money) also call theoretical lost (after multiply it by the house edge). In other words, in theory if you lost 20000$ in the first hour of a cruise and had to stop gamble will consider less for comps as if you played the same 100$ for few hours each day .for example , if you played 50$ per hand for 4 hours and in average there are 60 hands per hour you played – 50$*60*4= 12000$ , if you play 5 days like that its 12000*5 =60000$ now , if the house advantage in black jack is 1.5% (just an example) your theoretical lost during this week is 60000$*1.5%=900$ , out of it the casino can calculate how much they want to give you back as rebate , comps or any other “gifts” .slots machine the house advantage usually is much more.

 

  • · At Tables which don’t have electronic tracking system for the players, makes sure the host noticed when you start to play and how much you play , otherwise you might not get rated.

 

  • · If you play min 50$ try to play in a table with this minimum , if you play in a table that has less minimum and the host is not pay attention to the way you are playing you might be rated for less than you are playing…

 

  • · Don’t try to impress the host by putting more money when they are looking, some of them really don’t like it.

 

  • · Always good to ask if you entitle for something and you are not sure (if it is the Club Royal or an host).

 

Hope it will help someone

 

Good luck

Edited by traveler301
Link to comment
Share on other sites
OTownNick

OTownNick

Posted
Posted

I got the mailer and email. I am also interested in the Oct 17 Liberty sailing. If my wife can clear her sched. Here's a hint- if u don't mind a PR stateroom you can save about $500 compared to the D-1 balconies they have blocked for CR. I love the PR staterooms so would get one of these. They quoted me $623 for 2, including tax and grats . That's an awesome deal!! Never been to Bermuda and LOVE the shows on LB. Best ice show in fleet and SNF is incredible

Link to comment
Share on other sites
PompeySailor

PompeySailor

Posted
Posted
Hi all,

This is the first time I am writing here but long time passive reader.

I had encounter this wonderful thread which added allot of relevant information to me.

 

 

Since it become a very big thread (takes around 20 minutes to go over it) and inside the different comments there are many good tips I thought it might be helpful to try and summarize.

 

New program :

 

 

  • Royal Caribbean started a process to change the Club Royal program to something else.

 

  • The change was planned to start around March 2015 but it seems it will take more time.

 

  • Casino Rebate accumulation and use were extended from March 2015 to March 2016

 

  • The new program will have new tier levels, not clear which levels will be offer and if the entitlement for the tier will expire.

 

  • It seems that for the last few weeks Club Royal offers free cruises certifications for people that reached a certain level of a play during their cruise –

 

 

  • Club Royal are not sending many emails comparing to other spammers :)

 

Club Royal information:

 

 

  • 1. Club Royal phone number – 8885612234

 

 

  • 3. Royal Caribbean M-life offers -

 

 

What you can expect as club royal member for now :

 

 

  • Drink tickets on the big ships (I got them on Allure and Oasis)

 

  • Discount on cruises (Can be different discount per the member activity cruise and stateroom)

 

  • Free cruise for some people (information can sent via email or snail mail) it always a good idea to check in this thread what people got and fine out if you entitle for the same as many people complain they are not getting any emails from club Royal Special events.

 

My thoughts and tips:

 

 

  • · I guess club Royal will sometime send Cruises offers for people that did not cruise lately to try and bring them again to cruise and spend money in the Casino. It might explain why some people are saying they cruise and gamble allot but not receiving offers while some of their friends that cruise less got. Just my thought

 

  • · Try not to play for the tier levels or for the comps, it should come as side benefit, just think , is it worse to spend 500 $ for 50 $ drinks or 5000$ for 1200$ cruise ?

 

  • · Most of the casinos will calculate not how much you lost but how much you played (time and money) also call theoretical lost (after multiply it by the house edge). In other words, in theory if you lost 20000$ in the first hour of a cruise and had to stop gamble will consider less for comps as if you played the same 100$ for few hours each day .for example , if you played 50$ per hand for 4 hours and in average there are 60 hands per hour you played – 50$*60*4= 12000$ , if you play 5 days like that its 12000*5 =60000$ now , if the house advantage in black jack is 1.5% (just an example) your theoretical lost during this week is 60000$*1.5%=900$ , out of it the casino can calculate how much they want to give you back as rebate , comps or any other “gifts” .slots machine the house advantage usually is much more.

 

  • · At Tables which don’t have electronic tracking system for the players, makes sure the host noticed when you start to play and how much you play , otherwise you might not get rated.

 

  • · If you play min 50$ try to play in a table with this minimum , if you play in a table that has less minimum and the host is not pay attention to the way you are playing you might be rated for less than you are playing…

 

  • · Don’t try to impress the host by putting more money when they are looking, some of them really don’t like it.

 

  • · Always good to ask if you entitle for something and you are not sure (if it is the Club Royal or an host).

 

Hope it will help someone

 

Good luck

 

Interesting

 

Welcome to CC;)

 

For someones very 1st post, a heavy amount of time and effort, with bullets, underlining and paragraphing spent in compiling a summary from 20 pages of posts.

Hell my 1st post on CC, I didn't even know how to add one of these:rolleyes:

 

Agree Lnda,

Drinks don't affect your rebate, welcome back:)

 

Anyone happen to know a CR employee on the boards, anyone, anyone!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
jd10367

jd10367

Posted
Posted

I will be embarking on Serenade in 22 days 2 hrs and 21 min. Give or take a few seconds. After WJ I head to the casino to find the machines I will be parking my butt in front of. Hopefully, the host will have some answers. The ship still has a decent amount of cabins open as of last week. I doubt there will be many other CRs on board with me. Could that be a good thing or a bad thing?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
somerandomidiot

somerandomidiot

Posted
Posted (edited)

I also don't see how they track how many drinks you get if you don't have to swipe your seapass, especially since everything is so inconsistent. The rebate seems to be just about 10% of losses each time so I don't think anything is being deducted, unless I'm not drinking enough for it to matter.

 

On oasis last month, they said they no longer used the tickets so all I did was show my seapass with the sticker. I never had to show my card to the folks bringing the drinks to you more than once during the cruise. They remembered my first name and would randomly stop by. I didn't have to go to the bar. I was drinking bottled water, pina coladas, mudslides and beer so nothing particularly expensive.

 

On allure in december, the barstaff wouldn't give out drinks without the tickets, but I had a pile of them from prior cruises so I was using those as well as the ones issued during the current trip. If someone was counting, the totals for tickets issued sure as heck wouldn't have matched tickets used.

 

Hopefully, the "free" drinks on Liberty next month will still cover the pina coladas and mudslides.

Edited by somerandomidiot
Link to comment
Share on other sites
jd10367

jd10367

Posted
Posted

I wonder if it's ship to ship? Brilliance in Oct piña coladas and mudslides weren't included. Or how many CRs are on board. Or lack of knowledge by the bar staff. I always went to the bar to get it. One bartender made the toasted almond much better then others.

 

I'm still curious if I get a sticker for soda/water will they refund my already paid for soda package.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Spurschick

Spurschick

Posted
Posted (edited)
I wonder if it's ship to ship? Brilliance in Oct piña coladas and mudslides weren't included. Or how many CRs are on board. Or lack of knowledge by the bar staff. I always went to the bar to get it. One bartender made the toasted almond much better then others.

 

I'm still curious if I get a sticker for soda/water will they refund my already paid for soda package.

 

No. Soda package you can use anywhere on the ship. Coupons are for use in casino only. If they paid for package it defeats the purpose of free casino drinks;)

 

One ship we were on they gave us a price limit, but I only recall it being on one ship.

After thought.

You can cancel package and just get drinks in casino if desired.

Edited by Spurschick
Link to comment
Share on other sites
traveler301

traveler301

Posted
Posted

Thanks PompeySailor's , I just used word and copy paste over here :-)

 

Good to hear that they are using stickers now on most of the big ships seems easy than carry the coupons and need to ask when they are gone.

 

I do not think they are deducting the drinks from the rebate although there is some payments the casino needs to pay for each drink to the bar (for sure not the ridiculous price we are being asked to pay for).

I guess that to protect themselves the host might say something like that .

Link to comment
Share on other sites
jd10367

jd10367

Posted
Posted

Does the sticker have or in the shape of CR by any chance? Next person who goes on a cruise try and see who has a drink package and what their sticker looks like. Why do I have the feeling it's the same sticker. Has anyone tried using the sticker in a non casino bar? The vouchers have casino royale on them so those need to be in the casino.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
OTownNick

OTownNick

Posted
Posted
Does the sticker have or in the shape of CR by any chance? Next person who goes on a cruise try and see who has a drink package and what their sticker looks like. Why do I have the feeling it's the same sticker. Has anyone tried using the sticker in a non casino bar? The vouchers have casino royale on them so those need to be in the casino.

 

Last month on AL, it was a gold sticker that said "Casino VIP'

Link to comment
Share on other sites
EllaDuChien

EllaDuChien

Posted
Posted
Does the sticker have or in the shape of CR by any chance? Next person who goes on a cruise try and see who has a drink package and what their sticker looks like. Why do I have the feeling it's the same sticker. Has anyone tried using the sticker in a non casino bar? The vouchers have casino royale on them so those need to be in the casino.

 

I had both the drink package and the CR sticker on my last FOS cruise in August. They were not the same size/type of sticker. I still have my seapass so I will try and take a picture and post it when I get home tonight.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
EllaDuChien

EllaDuChien

Posted
Posted
Curious if anyone knows what ship 'Vivian' Casino Host is on these days... She was our favorite!

 

Kyle

 

The folks at the Casino Royal phone line will know. We always check with them before we go to see who our host will be. They currently have the schedule through July 2015.

 

We love Bryan who was our host on Freedom last time!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Foosguy

Foosguy

Posted
Posted
The folks at the Casino Royal phone line will know. We always check with them before we go to see who our host will be. They currently have the schedule through July 2015.

 

We love Bryan who was our host on Freedom last time!

 

Yeah, I ask everytime I call they usually tell me they don't know. Just figured I'd ask here as well. Eventually I'll find out.

 

Kyle

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Cruise Critic News & Features
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...