Casino Program Changes

[Life is Good Cruising]

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

 

I was told by CR, cash rebates will still be handed out up until 3/15/2016, so you will still be able to get your rebate, lucky you :) Now, things can change, again.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

I was told by CR, cash rebates will still be handed out up until 3/15/2016, so you will still be able to get your rebate, lucky you :) Now, things can change, again.

 

Indeed - change is the constant !

 

Either way, it's all good !! :)

 

Tom

[OTownNick]

I'm on Brilliance now. Instead of cash they gave me some strange CHIPS. Only good for use at the tables! Of course I exchanged them at the table for regular chips, but I guess they are trying to make people play vs. pocketing the cash and leaving.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

I'm on Brilliance now. Instead of cash they gave me some strange CHIPS. Only good for use at the tables! Of course I exchanged them at the table for regular chips, but I guess they are trying to make people play vs. pocketing the cash and leaving.

 

Yes, that was the case Constellation as well. Six of one, half dozen of another - I'm playing with it whether cash or free play/promotional chips. My guess is that they're going to have a similar program with both lines (JUST realized with your post that this is on the Royal Caribbean board, and not Celebrity! :o )

 

Tom

[OTownNick]

Casino host on Brilliance told me whatever rebates you earn now can still be applied on cruises after 3/15/16 as discounts off a future sailing. So we won't be losing the earned rebate, only as cash. But we still can apply it to a discount on a cruise. Makes sense

[OTownNick]

So I got a free cruise certificate on the BR 4 nighter. It's only for an inside cabin. However, there are 17 sailings on the list that already sailed and 11 more that are upcoming in the next 1-4 weeks. Not much to choose from, especially considering I already have 3 cruises booked in next 3 months. I can't add anymore unless something really jumps out at me so I'll end up probably choosing whatever cash rebate I earned. I'm expecting it to be $350 range.

 

Not sure how they figure out what level award you qualify for, but they had me at $50 avg bet (Roulette) and about 2.5 hours per day on a 4 night cruise. I won about $600 on top of the rebate they gave me onboard, so I don't know how that factors in but I'm guessing you get less rebate if you win

[TheTruthCanHurt]

So I got a free cruise certificate on the BR 4 nighter. It's only for an inside cabin. However, there are 17 sailings on the list that already sailed and 11 more that are upcoming in the next 1-4 weeks. Not much to choose from, especially considering I already have 3 cruises booked in next 3 months. I can't add anymore unless something really jumps out at me so I'll end up probably choosing whatever cash rebate I earned. I'm expecting it to be $350 range.

 

Not sure how they figure out what level award you qualify for, but they had me at $50 avg bet (Roulette) and about 2.5 hours per day on a 4 night cruise. I won about $600 on top of the rebate they gave me onboard, so I don't know how that factors in but I'm guessing you get less rebate if you win

 

 

While I can not figure out the math on the rebates I can tell you that

 

1. Play 150 minimum per hand at roulette for an average of 3 to 4 hours per day

2. In march on a 7 night cruise I lost 7k and my rebate was $2650.00

3. In sept on a 7 night cruise I wont 12k and my rebate was $5,000

 

so... it definitely does not have to do with your win/ or loss it's all based on some theoretical stuff.

[OTownNick]

While I can not figure out the math on the rebates I can tell you that

 

1. Play 150 minimum per hand at roulette for an average of 3 to 4 hours per day

2. In march on a 7 night cruise I lost 7k and my rebate was $2650.00

3. In sept on a 7 night cruise I wont 12k and my rebate was $5,000

 

so... it definitely does not have to do with your win/ or loss it's all based on some theoretical stuff.

 

Hmmm. It's as mysterious as can be!

 

I was glad I checked my play time at the end cause I played 3.5 hours in my last session and they had me at 48 minutes! After some discussion and proof I was there that long, they corrected it. Would have affected my rebate if they shorted me those nearly 3 hours.

[OTownNick]

I got a $750 rebate after winning $600 on my cruise last week. Taking the rebate on my NYE cruise instead of a free cruise in an inside cabin. CR verified that any rebates earned that can't be used by 3/15/16 will be preserved to use as a payment toward a future cruise.

Edited December 3, 2015 by OTownNick

[sdear]

That is good to know.

 

Thanks !

[OTownNick]

After returning from my Halloween cruise, I found out they shorted my avg bet and gave me only $175 rebate. I disputed it and eventually elevated it and had them review my "file". After seeing my action, they realized there was an error so they increased my rebate from that cruise to $300. Persistence pays.

 

UPDATE on unused rebates - any rebates hanging out there unused by 3/15/16 can be used as payment towards a cruise beyond 3/15/16 as long as it's before final payment. However- THE FUTURE SAILINGS MUST BE BOOKED BY 3/15/16.

 

Therefore, if you have 2 rebates outstanding by 3/15/16, it may be wise to have or make a couple of bookings by that date so you can use the rebates as payment towards the cruise fare.

Edited December 3, 2015 by OTownNick

[LAcruiser2000]

Hi (not sure if this is the correct place to ask, but...)

In the case of a "comp" cruise thru CR, will that count towards C&A status?

I read somewhere that they would have to charge for the cruise (even $1) to get C&A points, but Im not sure how you would go about arranging to be charged $1 for the cruise. Any thoughts? Thanks!

___________

[OTownNick]

Hi (not sure if this is the correct place to ask, but...)

In the case of a "comp" cruise thru CR, will that count towards C&A status?

I read somewhere that they would have to charge for the cruise (even $1) to get C&A points, but Im not sure how you would go about arranging to be charged $1 for the cruise. Any thoughts? Thanks!

___________

 

I had a cruise comped earlier this year and I got my points. I think it's cause the cruise is not given free by RCL themselves. Club Royale is actually paying RCL for the cruise, so you get the C&A points.

 

Now for the free cruise via RCL Visa Royal Rewards, I was told they have to leave $1.00 on your invoice as due so you would get the points.

Edited December 3, 2015 by OTownNick

[TrojanUSC]

Hi (not sure if this is the correct place to ask, but...)

In the case of a "comp" cruise thru CR, will that count towards C&A status?

I read somewhere that they would have to charge for the cruise (even $1) to get C&A points, but Im not sure how you would go about arranging to be charged $1 for the cruise. Any thoughts? Thanks!

___________

 

100% - I've made it to Diamond Status on comped suite sailings alone.

[OTownNick]

Please note that the casino rates are not combinable with the 4x points promo for the Oasis and Allure next summer if you book a suite. I.e if you use casino rate you will not get the extra points for the suites (double the double points)

[TrishRip]

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.

 

Actually, you can use the Cash rebate as cash on cruises taken before March 15th 2016. If you do not use before then, you have until Dec 31,2016 to use the amount towards a new cruise booking. Just booked a cruise for 3/26/2016 yesterday with Casino Royale and that is how they explained it. Unfortunately that is the only time we can cruise, so had to put it towards our cruise, rather than have a cash rebate on board :( We much preferred the cash on board, then putting it towards our cruise price, so not a fan of this change. We will see how the rest is when they "announce" the changes after the New Year!

[gkbiiii]

Any news on the upcoming changes?

[OTownNick]

Any news on the upcoming changes?

 

Not yet but I happened to be reading M Life's program setup and I imagine CR will be set up very similar. They keep saying it's going to be better than current program,,,,, but........?

[cruzingduo]

I was told by CR, cash rebates will still be handed out up until 3/15/2016, so you will still be able to get your rebate, lucky you :) Now, things can change, again.

 

Linda, I didn't get your number to give you the information you asked me for.

Joanne

[wolfganghowell]

So.....typical. We heard the changes will be announced in January. It's February. <crickets>

 

While the program might be similar in some ways to MLife, there's a lot more competition and opportunities for land based casinos.

[Life is Good Cruising]

Linda, I didn't get your number to give you the information you asked me for.

Joanne

 

Joanne, you can email me at heartlcrc@aol.com

 

 

So.....typical. We heard the changes will be announced in January. It's February. <crickets>

 

While the program might be similar in some ways to MLife, there's a lot more competition and opportunities for land based casinos.

 

 

I know they keep changing the date on us. CR now said that changes will be coming out in March. Members will be placed into a tier which will be based on their level of play, similar to land casinos/MLife. If interested, CR recently came out with their 2016 Event Schedule. When and if we find out any additional information on the new benefits, it will posted on the following thread.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2225432&page=13

[itching2cruiseagain]

Just spoke with them today. We are leaving Monday and they confirmed we are getting our rebate and anything we earn on this cruise can be used as casino cash if we sail again before March 15, 2016. If not, we must book a cruise before March 15 to sail any time in 2016, then we can use the money towards that cruise payment. Otherwise it is lost.

I asked if they have any more details, and I got the usual reply, "It will be so good, blah blah blah but details aren't firmed up yet".

[EllaDuChien]

I asked if they have any more details, and I got the usual reply, "It will be so good, blah blah blah but details aren't firmed up yet".

 

 

Spoke with them today. Same "blah blah blah" but since I am cruising on 2/26 and we only have until 3/15 to use any rebate, she said to call 1 week past cruise to check rebates. She said that even fit had not "officially" posted, they could pull it up and apply any rebate so I won't lose it.

[jd10367]

I was just on THAT Anthem cruise. There were lots of CR cruisers. I got a VIP sticker on my card. The host told me I'm better off using my Diamond status to get drinks because any drinks I get from the casino would come off my future rebate or cruise discount???? I was at the bar waiting to dismbark Wed night and another cruiser had a Club Royale sticker on my card. I tried to strick up a conversation with her, but she was standoffish. She did mention something about mylife and Vegas. Then asked if I got the drink vouchers, which I did not. So I have a feeling the new program is already out there in the tiered form and we just haven't been told. I know I'd be in a low tier since we can only cruise once or twice a year. I was looking forward to my free drinks. We booked another cruise for Sept of this year, while we were on Anthem, since our 50% off voucher is only good for a year. We learned our lesson about cruising in the winter, unless we leave from Florida. Lol. Once all the refunds go through, I'm going to call CR and apply what I earned this cruise to that payment, and see what type of discount my lowly tier status gets me. I can already tell this new tier status is going to suck for those who can't cruise whenever or really afford suites.

[OTownNick]

Spoke with them today. Same "blah blah blah" but since I am cruising on 2/26 and we only have until 3/15 to use any rebate, she said to call 1 week past cruise to check rebates. She said that even fit had not "officially" posted, they could pull it up and apply any rebate so I won't lose it.

 

Vivian , host on EN, will be able to tell you the last night what rebate you earned and if you got a free cruise.

 

I'm on the same cruise and I plan to apply the rebate to an existing booking May 27 on Majesty. I have 3 other cruises in 2016 I've already applied payment toward including $750 toward my Allure cruise in August.