Casino Program Changes

[TheTruthCanHurt]

actually Nick,

your 300 rebate is exactly the scenario when the free cruise instead of the rebate makes perfect sense. And I have heard of them doing that.. However, as others have stated. it's usually the deal where you have to sail in the next 60 days and not a huge list of cruises.

[OTownNick]

actually Nick,

your 300 rebate is exactly the scenario when the free cruise instead of the rebate makes perfect sense. And I have heard of them doing that.. However, as others have stated. it's usually the deal where you have to sail in the next 60 days and not a huge list of cruises.

 

Hmm that would be good, especially if I had the flexibility of taking a free cruise in the next 60 days...

[tinatark]

Glad the program change has been delayed! Sailing on the 9/12 Oasis W. Caribbean - the week before a huge slot tournament, but we prefer the W. itinerary! Had a free balcony cabin for Aug 8, but can't sail then! Boo!

 

Carnival was doing the free cruise certificates the last time I sailed with them - they're a no brainer for the staff - people onboard started talking about their "free cruise letters" - more people ended up in the casino!

Edited July 18, 2015 by tinatark

[cruiseclues]

Thank you for the interesting thread. :):):):)

[Esmerelda]

Ok, so I have read through most of this thread. We play blackjack most of the time and they do ask for our card. When we asked if we were accumulating points (this was May of 2015 on the Oasis) we were told no, not yet?

 

We have received emails about casino rates and deleted them because we knew nothing about this program. I think we have really missed out somehow. How did you all get 'in' to this program? We always gamble when we sail. As I said, usually 50% blackjack and 50% slots for the most part.

 

Thanks for any help,

E

[tinatark]

Ok, so I have read through most of this thread. We play blackjack most of the time and they do ask for our card. When we asked if we were accumulating points (this was May of 2015 on the Oasis) we were told no, not yet?

 

We have received emails about casino rates and deleted them because we knew nothing about this program. I think we have really missed out somehow. How did you all get 'in' to this program? We always gamble when we sail. As I said, usually 50% blackjack and 50% slots for the most part.

 

Thanks for any help,

E

 

I would call the the players club - 1.866.578.3667 and see if you are already a member.

[swiss2619]

The cert I got on our cruise the end of June had dates through the end of October but we have to book within 30 days. Also has a cash value for ships not listed if booked within 30 and sail by the end of October. It even had some Alaska cruises in it, I just can't go. :)

 

I really think they're just throwing these free cruise certificates out there to try and keep us placated until they roll out 'the new program' - they kind of give you the impression that you are going into a new tier system so you feel as though you should keep your play consistent awaiting the new rating system. I am just a bit annoyed with the whole thing. They just keep putting off announcing the new program and the current casino rates are not that great for future cruises. Every time I speak to a Casino Royale rep, I get a different answer. At least that's consistent! :)

Swiss

[Esmerelda]

@Tina, thanks so much. I will call them on Monday. I'm still kicking myself for deleting those emails a few months back. Lesson learned. :)

[Life is Good Cruising]

@Tina, thanks so much. I will call them on Monday. I'm still kicking myself for deleting those emails a few months back. Lesson learned. :)

 

Even though you deleted your emails, don't worry about it as CR will still have listings of cruises you are eligible for a discount or a free cruise.

 

A CR member did start another thread due to many of us not receiving their emails, see below.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2225432

 

 

 

I agree with that, you would think that after all this time they would be able to tell us something, maybe this is the new casino program and they just have forgotten to tell us.

 

I agree with you and we should have some idea of these new benefits as they have been working on this new program for over a year now. The new program will have tier levels (possible 3 tiers) should roll out March 2016. The longer this new program takes to roll out, the longer we can still get cash rebates, so I'm in no hurry for the new program to start. I do know they have been offering free cruises all year long now on selected sailings and the best deals I have been given have been on the cruises below.

 

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

Edited July 19, 2015 by Life is Good Cruising

[TheTruthCanHurt]

Ok, so I have read through most of this thread. We play blackjack most of the time and they do ask for our card. When we asked if we were accumulating points (this was May of 2015 on the Oasis) we were told no, not yet?

 

We have received emails about casino rates and deleted them because we knew nothing about this program. I think we have really missed out somehow. How did you all get 'in' to this program? We always gamble when we sail. As I said, usually 50% blackjack and 50% slots for the most part.

 

Thanks for any help,

E

 

 

I would definitely call club royale. It's odd to me that "if you were not invited into the program" why you are even getting casino mailings at all?

[Life is Good Cruising]

If anyone is going to be on Liberty of the Seas 10/3/15 Club Royale Golf event sailing, here is some info I received from CR.

 

 

10/3 - Embarkation: Welcome & Pairings Party (Meet and Greet with Port Royal Golf Director) Location: The Sphynx Lounge at 5PM-7PM

 

The event will be held at the Port Royal Golf Course.

 

10/5- Bermuda, Meet in the casino at 11 AM, transfer to the course at 11:30 shotgun start at 1 PM -5:30,

 

10/5 Tournament includes: transportation, green fees, cart, food and beverages Club Rental Fees: $40 p,p. Shoe Rental $15 p.p.

 

Golf Tournament Rules: 18-Hole Modified Team Scramble format, teams of 2 players based on random pairings. Team score will be calculated based on the Callaway System. Maximun handicap is 50, Shot gun start, 72 Players, 36 Teams, Best Team Ball Wins Specialty Holes:

 

Beat the Pro #16, Closest to the Pin #3, #8, #13 on a (Par 3), Longest Drive #14, Longest Putt #18 Onboard Activities:

 

 

BBQ at Port Royal immediately finishing the tournament. Specialty hole winners announced. transfer back to the ship 7PM

 

10/6- Awards Ceremony in Sphynx Lounge at 6PM

Edited July 19, 2015 by Life is Good Cruising

[Esmerelda]

@thetruthcanhurt..we may have been but paid no attention to the email promotions. We get so many emails and snail mail things from RC that we both probably ignored them. It probably looked like another 'BOGO' mailing to me and I simply deleted it. (wow, we received a lot of emails about that) Had I not spoken to a friend on our last cruise in May, I would have really had no knowledge of it. She mentioned that she was offered that cruise (Oasis back in May) via this program and I began asking more questions.

 

I'll keep you posted as to what they tell me tomorrow. Thanks

[Esmerelda]

Well, I tried to phone last night. The first call, I held on for over 30 minutes. The 2nd time I called back, I held over 45 minutes?

 

I called the number listed on the MLife/RC page and also the regular RC number. I just had things I had to get done so I had to hang up. I don't think I've ever held that long. I ended up sending an email to RC. Maybe they will answer that sometime this week (or not?).

[homeschoolmama]

They dont have 24 hour service at cr phone number. Also they do not work weekends. Only open normal business hours but if not mistaken they are on pacific standard time

 

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[OTownNick]

Well, I tried to phone last night. The first call, I held on for over 30 minutes. The 2nd time I called back, I held over 45 minutes?

 

I called the number listed on the MLife/RC page and also the regular RC number. I just had things I had to get done so I had to hang up. I don't think I've ever held that long. I ended up sending an email to RC. Maybe they will answer that sometime this week (or not?).

 

Yesterday (Monday) the wait times on hold were unusually HORRIBLE. I waited 38 min and got thru. My TA called twice and was on hold 45 min and 30 min but had to hang up both times before they picked up. It's not usually like that, even on a Monday

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Yesterday (Monday) the wait times on hold were unusually HORRIBLE. I waited 38 min and got thru. My TA called twice and was on hold 45 min and 30 min but had to hang up both times before they picked up. It's not usually like that, even on a Monday

 

I called them a few weeks ago (Monday) and it was over 30 minutes. They told me it gets better throughout the week.

 

Tom

[TheTruthCanHurt]

The monday hold time is always the worst.

I do have to say though, When i do get someone, I usually get great service. And it is not a very big department because I have talked to the same people multiple times...

[Esmerelda]

Thanks everyone. I will give it a try again maybe Thursday or Friday. For whoever asked; I phoned them at 6pm. I'm sure it was within their open hours. They are probably just busy.

[homeschoolmama]

Actually they are only open til 5:30

 

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[Esmerelda]

http://http://www.royalcaribbean.com/contentWithGallery.do?pagename=mgm_partnership

 

This page does not state that they close at 5:30PM.

Edited July 21, 2015 by Esmerelda

[TheTruthCanHurt]

I live in california and I have spoken to them up until 6pm my time

[bestestboss]

we were invited to join club royale by email. they gave us $200 off the cruise and $15 per day play money. so we replied and booked a nov cruise.

then a few months later got another email to join with $350 off the cruise and $75 per day play. said it for new bookings. so I called and was on hold over 35 minutes but for that money it was worth the wait.

 

they honored the new offer and offered my partner $10 in play per day as a bonus. yes the new program changes march 2016 and she said the cash bonus you earn must be used by feb 2016 or you lose it. she explained everything-very helpful.

[gkbiiii]

Any news about the new changes?

[Life is Good Cruising]

Any news about the new changes?

 

No news yet. We're all still patiently waiting for changes to their program which we have been advised will go into effect March 2016.

 

The casino has been handing out free cruise certificates this year which are good on specific ships and sail dates. Certificate can also be traded in and the dollar value indicated on that certificate can be applied to any new cruise of your choice and must be booked within 30 days of the issue date.

 

The only changes we keep hearing is that they are doing away with cash rebates come March 2016 and will have a 3 tier program. Recently advised by another CR member that CR will be be handing out their 2016 Event Schedule on our 11/30/15 Anthem sailing. Hoping they'll inform us on this sailing some of the new program changes, but not counting on it.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

No news yet. We're all still patiently waiting for changes to their program which we have been advised will go into effect March 2016.

 

The casino has been handing out free cruise certificates this year which are good on specific ships and sail dates. Certificate can also be traded in and the dollar value indicated on that certificate can be applied to any new cruise of your choice and must be booked within 30 days of the issue date.

 

The only changes we keep hearing is that they are doing away with cash rebates come March 2016 and will have a 3 tier program. Recently advised by another CR member that CR will be be handing out their 2016 Event Schedule on our 11/30/15 Anthem sailing. Hoping they'll inform us on this sailing some of the new program changes, but not counting on it.

 

No more "cash" come 3/16 huh ? Wouldn't you know it... 3/5/16 is our next Celebrity cruise, and I played enough (read: LOST enough) on our Constellation sailing last week that I'd likely be in line for several hundred greenbacks.

 

Oh well, guess I'll just be happy with the 20% cruise fare discount (~$3,500) I managed for this next cruise (and the next!) and simply accept whatever else comes my way with a smile ! :)

 

Tom