How much will a free cruise cost me?

[American Bear]

Ok you pay 3-4 grand on a room, I will pay 300 and use my extra money that I am not paying for the same room to gamble, why is that so hard for a non gambler to understand?

Do you get free drinks?

Do you get spa passes?

Do you get dinners & wine?

Do you have money removed from your onboard charges?

I do.

A gambler always does better on a cruise then a non gambler, just do the math.

 

 

 

Plus you might win!:D

[American Bear]

Since Nov 2013 I did (6) 1 nighters, (1) 12 nighter, (1) 7 nighter, (1) 2 nighter and I only lost money on 2 cruises. I also have (3) 2 nighters, & (2) 7 nighters booked at the moment. People can make fun of us gamblers all they want,

but I will laugh all the way to the port....

:D

 

 

As soon as you tell a non-gambler on the ship the price you paid, they're always jealous!:eek:

[Mrs. Squirrel]

I don't gamble, but my DS and I are going as a passenger on a free cruise my aunt and mom received from Carnival. We paid just port charges and taxes. Since it was free and my sister may be cancelling, I am tallying up the total to include my DH in her place. I am at $4152 and this doesn't include food on travel days or pre-cruise spending on pop/waters, etc.

 

I don't understand how people say they only pay taxes, fees & DSC for a cruise. What trip is ever that cheap? Transport costs, hotels, pet sitters, baggage tips, shuttle tips, insurance, souvenirs, excursions, parking, rental cars, meals, and other incidentals all add up. I am sure I am forgetting some possible expenses.

Edited December 11, 2014 by Mrs. Squirrel

[Casino Comp Chick]

A few examples:

 

goodies delivered to my room 3 times during the cruise, of which I always choose a dozen shrimp cocktail,

 

 

Harriet

 

Morning Harriet, this one is a new one for me, I always just took whatever they sent to my room, who do you contact to get the shrimp cocktail? The casino host onboard, CAS directly or the room steward? I would much prefer that over the hardly ever eaten canapés and candy they send. Thanks in advance.

[Casino Comp Chick]

 

I don't understand how people say they only pay taxes, fees & DSC for a cruise. What trip is ever that cheap? Transport costs, hotels, pet sitters, baggage tips, shuttle tips, insurance, souvenirs, excursions, parking, rental cars, meals, and other incidentals all add up. I am sure I am forgetting some possible expenses.

 

Transport costs for me $0.00 live 20 minutes from port, always get a ride

Hotel costs for me $0.00 see above

Pet sitter for me $0.00 barter system, I watch brothers pets, he watches mine

Tips overall about $100-$150 per week if not in suite, $300-$350 in suite (this includes baggage, steward, waiters, waitresses and/or butler & concierge)

Shuttle tips $0.00

Insurance $0.00 (got screwed once won't buy again)

Souvenirs $0.00 I always give away the 5 plus bottles of wine I get from NCL and CAS

Excursions $30.00 but varies by port, the last few have only been bus/ferry passes in Bermuda

Parking $0.00

Rental cars $0.00

Meals $0.00

Bar bill $100.00 I get them free in casino but I'll say that for a few pool days

Incidentals $12.00 for suntan oil

Possible expenses $casino cash

 

I live in NYC and where else can you get a weeks vacation for that? You can't.

As an example I paid $82.80 (taxes) plus $24.00 DSC ($106.80 total) on each 2 nighter (Fri-Sun) coming up in Jan/Feb which includes room, food, specialty dining, wine, treats in room, spa passes, entertainment etc. can you find that in Manhattan for a Friday or Saturday night? Hell a nice dinner with tips in NYC will cost you more then that and that is for 1 meal.

Edited December 11, 2014 by iimmie

[hpecorari]

Morning Harriet, this one is a new one for me, I always just took whatever they sent to my room, who do you contact to get the shrimp cocktail? The casino host onboard, CAS directly or the room steward? I would much prefer that over the hardly ever eaten canapés and candy they send. Thanks in advance.

 

Good morning to you too! This was something new to me as well. It wasn't always this way but was for my last two cruises I took. The first time was May 2014 and then again September 2014. When I was at the Casino the Host gave me a card that had different options for 'goodies' to be delivered 3 times during that cruise. One of the options was shrimp cocktail. I was told to fill out what I'd like delivered and return the card to her. I checked off 'shrimp cocktail' and beside it wrote "3 times, please". Both cruises it was delivered 3 times. I, also, rather have this than some of the other options. If the host does not approach you......go to her and ask her for the card!

 

Harriet

[hpecorari]

I don't understand how people say they only pay taxes, fees & DSC for a cruise. What trip is ever that cheap? Transport costs, hotels, pet sitters, baggage tips, shuttle tips, insurance, souvenirs, excursions, parking, rental cars, meals, and other incidentals all add up. I am sure I am forgetting some possible expenses.

 

All the above are costs that anyone would/could have no matter what they pay for the 'cruise itself'.

 

If my CAS cruise in a aft mini suite costs me only $300.00 and it costs me $$ for a flight and hotel, tips, etc. etc. etc. it's still better than if the aft mini suite would have cost me $4,000.00.

 

When people talk about a 'free cruise' we're talking about the cost of the cruise itself. Not all the incidentals.

 

Same as one can use their airlines miles for a free flight. The flight itself is free however, they may still have to pay for their ride to the airport or their parking at the airport, their hotel the night before their flight, their breakfast the next morning, their baggage tips, the cost the airline may charge for their baggage, their food at the airport or on the plane, etc. etc. etc. The flight is free....the rest are incidentals.

 

You're counting the cost of the entire trip/vacation. I'm counting the cost of the cruise itself.

 

Harriet

[TheWulf]

Ok you pay 3-4 grand on a room, I will pay 300 and use my extra money that I am not paying for the same room to gamble, why is that so hard for a non gambler to understand?

Do you get free drinks?

Do you get spa passes?

Do you get dinners & wine?

Do you have money removed from your onboard charges?

I do.

A gambler always does better on a cruise then a non gambler, just do the math.

 

All of these are true. But the house always wins. The reason you get these for free is that the house knows you'll spend more in gambling than what the perks are worth.

 

They just take it out of a different pocket. And that's perfectly fine provided that all parties are good with that arrangement. A *few* gamblers may actually come out ahead once in a while.

 

But overall, the reason all these perks are offered to gamblers is that the cruise lines and casinos know that in the end, they come out ahead no matter what. Land based casinos do the same thing. Why? Because it's profitable, and they know they'll always make more money off a gambler than a non-gambler. They're in the "making money" business and they're very good at manipulating people to do it.

 

 

TL;DR: Gamblers get free stuff because they spend more than non-gamblers on a cruise over-all anyways. Cruise lines and other casinos aren't giving things away out of the goodness of their hearts.

 

 

An interesting note: cruise ship casinos do not have to follow the same payout regulations as land-based casinos, they can payout or not as they choose.

[Mrs. Squirrel]

All the above are costs that anyone would/could have no matter what they pay for the 'cruise itself'.

 

If my CAS cruise in a aft mini suite costs me only $300.00 and it costs me $$ for a flight and hotel, tips, etc. etc. etc. it's still better than if the aft mini suite would have cost me $4,000.00.

 

When people talk about a 'free cruise' we're talking about the cost of the cruise itself. Not all the incidentals.

 

Same as one can use their airlines miles for a free flight. The flight itself is free however, they may still have to pay for their ride to the airport or their parking at the airport, their hotel the night before their flight, their breakfast the next morning, their baggage tips, the cost the airline may charge for their baggage, their food at the airport or on the plane, etc. etc. etc. The flight is free....the rest are incidentals.

 

You're counting the cost of the entire trip/vacation. I'm counting the cost of the cruise itself.

 

Harriet

 

I was responding to the OP who asked what the 'free' cruise was going to cost him.

[Mrs. Squirrel]

Transport costs for me $0.00 live 20 minutes from port, always get a ride

Hotel costs for me $0.00 see above

Pet sitter for me $0.00 barter system, I watch brothers pets, he watches mine

Tips overall about $100-$150 per week if not in suite, $300-$350 in suite (this includes baggage, steward, waiters, waitresses and/or butler & concierge)

Shuttle tips $0.00

Insurance $0.00 (got screwed once won't buy again)

Souvenirs $0.00 I always give away the 5 plus bottles of wine I get from NCL and CAS

Excursions $30.00 but varies by port, the last few have only been bus/ferry passes in Bermuda

Parking $0.00

Rental cars $0.00

Meals $0.00

Bar bill $100.00 I get them free in casino but I'll say that for a few pool days

Incidentals $12.00 for suntan oil

Possible expenses $casino cash

 

I live in NYC and where else can you get a weeks vacation for that? You can't.

As an example I paid $82.80 (taxes) plus $24.00 DSC ($106.80 total) on each 2 nighter (Fri-Sun) coming up in Jan/Feb which includes room, food, specialty dining, wine, treats in room, spa passes, entertainment etc. can you find that in Manhattan for a Friday or Saturday night? Hell a nice dinner with tips in NYC will cost you more then that and that is for 1 meal.

 

I was responding to the OP who asked what the 'free' cruise was going to cost him. I think it's awesome that you can go for so little. Most can't.

[SASA13]

Ok you pay 3-4 grand on a room, I will pay 300 and use my extra money that I am not paying for the same room to gamble, why is that so hard for a non gambler to understand?

Do you get free drinks?

Do you get spa passes?

Do you get dinners & wine?

Do you have money removed from your onboard charges?

I do.

A gambler always does better on a cruise then a non gambler, just do the math.

 

 

HITTING THE LIKE BUTTON :p

[gooch47]

We like to use our "free" CAS cruises out of New Orleans.

 

Free hotel rooms at Harrah's ... check.

 

Free parking at Harrah's ... check

 

Or

 

Reimbursed Airfare from Harrah's (Total Rewards dollars used). Check

 

Free food at Harrah's ... check

 

Taxi .. OK, not free

 

We took seven of these last winter.

 

We know we will gamble anyway, so why not?

[hpecorari]

We like to use our "free" CAS cruises out of New Orleans.

 

Free hotel rooms at Harrah's ... check.

 

Free parking at Harrah's ... check

 

Or

 

Reimbursed Airfare from Harrah's (Total Rewards dollars used). Check

 

Free food at Harrah's ... check

 

Taxi .. OK, not free

 

We took seven of these last winter.

 

We know we will gamble anyway, so why not?

 

Been there.....done that. However, if you ask your host, as I did, they provided a limo for me to get from the hotel to the port.....and since we stayed over the night we returned they provided a limo from the port back to the hotel. Not that it's far and really is walking distance....but who wants to schlep their luggage! And of course, a limo from the airport to hotel and from hotel back to airport.

 

Harriet

Edited December 12, 2014 by hpecorari

[CasinoCruzGirl]

I know nothing about CAS ...how does it work ?what is the minimum you have to gamble in order to be entitled to perks and free cruises.... how do I sign up?

Thanks,mike

 

When u go to the casino ask for a players card u can also use your sail and sign card make sure to always put it into a machine when playing or if your playing tables the dealer will take it to,put it into a rating box. We were on the BA last week my sister only played tables and probably $10 a hand BJ. She played a lot but not big hands she is only entitled to 10% discount. I on the other hand played a lot mostly on machines got a comp mini suite. I wouldn't even think about going on a cruise paying full price for a cabin. Like Harriet and limmie said if we are going to gamble anyway why not use CAS.

Edited December 12, 2014 by FootballParent

[CasinoCruzGirl]

I don't gamble, but my DS and I are going as a passenger on a free cruise my aunt and mom received from Carnival. We paid just port charges and taxes. Since it was free and my sister may be cancelling, I am tallying up the total to include my DH in her place. I am at $4152 and this doesn't include food on travel days or pre-cruise spending on pop/waters, etc.

 

I don't understand how people say they only pay taxes, fees & DSC for a cruise. What trip is ever that cheap? Transport costs, hotels, pet sitters, baggage tips, shuttle tips, insurance, souvenirs, excursions, parking, rental cars, meals, and other incidentals all add up. I am sure I am forgetting some possible expenses.

 

Will have someone drive me to port in NYC

No hotel needed

Pet sitter - sons friend throw him $50

Baggage porter tip $20 (both ways)

Tips $100 give or take a few bucks for meals, bartenders, cabin steward, etc.

DSC $86

No shuttles needed

I don't get insurance

Don't buy souvenirs

Never did a paying excursion

No need to park

No rental cars needed

Meals are included got specialty and wine from casino

 

Aren't YOU also paying for these things PLUS full cost for your cabin? So what you spend on your cabin I'm playing with in the casino doing exactly what I like to do with MY money...rest my case.

Edited December 12, 2014 by FootballParent

[maywell]

Will have someone drive me to port in NYC

No hotel needed

Pet sitter - sons friend throw him $50

Baggage porter tip $20 (both ways)

Tips $100 give or take a few bucks for meals, bartenders, cabin steward, etc.

DSC $86

No shuttles needed

I don't get insurance

Don't buy souvenirs

Never did a paying excursion

No need to park

No rental cars needed

Meals are included got specialty and wine from casino

 

Aren't YOU also paying for these things PLUS full cost for your cabin? So what you spend on your cabin I'm playing with in the casino doing exactly what I like to do with MY money...rest my case.

 

 

Honestly, how much you spend at gambling to get a free cruise? Just curious; if it cheap in my eyes, I might gamble myself. :p

[djmess]

Transport costs for me $0.00 live 20 minutes from port, always get a ride

Hotel costs for me $0.00 see above

Pet sitter for me $0.00 barter system, I watch brothers pets, he watches mine

Tips overall about $100-$150 per week if not in suite, $300-$350 in suite (this includes baggage, steward, waiters, waitresses and/or butler & concierge)

Shuttle tips $0.00

Insurance $0.00 (got screwed once won't buy again)

Souvenirs $0.00 I always give away the 5 plus bottles of wine I get from NCL and CAS

Excursions $30.00 but varies by port, the last few have only been bus/ferry passes in Bermuda

Parking $0.00

Rental cars $0.00

Meals $0.00

Bar bill $100.00 I get them free in casino but I'll say that for a few pool days

Incidentals $12.00 for suntan oil

Possible expenses $casino cash

 

I live in NYC and where else can you get a weeks vacation for that? You can't.

As an example I paid $82.80 (taxes) plus $24.00 DSC ($106.80 total) on each 2 nighter (Fri-Sun) coming up in Jan/Feb which includes room, food, specialty dining, wine, treats in room, spa passes, entertainment etc. can you find that in Manhattan for a Friday or Saturday night? Hell a nice dinner with tips in NYC will cost you more then that and that is for 1 meal.

 

All the above are costs that anyone would/could have no matter what they pay for the 'cruise itself'.

 

If my CAS cruise in a aft mini suite costs me only $300.00 and it costs me $$ for a flight and hotel, tips, etc. etc. etc. it's still better than if the aft mini suite would have cost me $4,000.00.

 

When people talk about a 'free cruise' we're talking about the cost of the cruise itself. Not all the incidentals.

 

Same as one can use their airlines miles for a free flight. The flight itself is free however, they may still have to pay for their ride to the airport or their parking at the airport, their hotel the night before their flight, their breakfast the next morning, their baggage tips, the cost the airline may charge for their baggage, their food at the airport or on the plane, etc. etc. etc. The flight is free....the rest are incidentals.

 

You're counting the cost of the entire trip/vacation. I'm counting the cost of the cruise itself.

 

Harriet

 

Everything you guys say, i know you are being honest and truthful in your circumstances.

 

The OP asked the cost, which IMHO is everything involved.

 

I'm not a gambler. Maybe $20-$50 total in a week if that. But all the people talking of their "Free" cruise are not telling us how much the are putting in during a weeks long cruise. And I'm. Not asking. I'm not going to earn a few thousand points to get a drink card by spending $20. Do you put in $1000 to get 1000 points. I have no idea, im just sorta asking. So if i put $1000 in gaming and didnt win, then to me the cruise is not free. I hope i said this right.

 

So, nothing is really free. Those that gamble have spent a bit of money. Yes there are perks, but everyone cant be ahead of the game or there wouldnt be a CAS program or casino business

[CasinoCruzGirl]

Honestly, how much you spend at gambling to get a free cruise? Just curious; if it cheap in my eyes, I might gamble myself. :p

 

 

I really rather not say out here on the Internet

[CasinoCruzGirl]

Everything you guys say, i know you are being honest and truthful in your circumstances.

 

The OP asked the cost, which IMHO is everything involved.

 

I'm not a gambler. Maybe $20-$50 total in a week if that. But all the people talking of their "Free" cruise are not telling us how much the are putting in during a weeks long cruise. And I'm. Not asking. I'm not going to earn a few thousand points to get a drink card by spending $20. Do you put in $1000 to get 1000 points. I have no idea, im just sorta asking. So if i put $1000 in gaming and didnt win, then to me the cruise is not free. I hope i said this right.

 

So, nothing is really free. Those that gamble have spent a bit of money. Yes there are perks, but everyone cant be ahead of the game or there wouldnt be a CAS program or casino business

 

Debbie I'm a mediocre gambler. My point is I don't do excursions, pay for specialty dinners, those kind of things so I'm guessing I spend the same amout gambling included when I get a CAS comp cabin. Instead of my money going for a full price cabin, drinks, excursions, photos, specialty dinners, UBP those types of things my guess is Im spending the same amount you are, and doing what I like to do...gamble...soMe people like those things I don't so it's kind of the same thing money spent but on differnt things. Only thing is my way I have a CHANCE however small a chance but still a chance to make money. Buying a UBP, a UDP, paying full fare for a haven suite, etc you have NO chance to make money on,y spend money but that's ok if that's your thing it's just not mine. As the saying goes...to each their own.

Edited December 13, 2014 by FootballParent

[gooch47]

Been there.....done that. However, if you ask your host, as I did, they provided a limo for me to get from the hotel to the port.....and since we stayed over the night we returned they provided a limo from the port back to the hotel. Not that it's far and really is walking distance....but who wants to schlep their luggage! And of course, a limo from the airport to hotel and from hotel back to airport.

 

Harriet

 

Not sure we're that big a rollers. Never asked. Since we are Platinum and get free laundry, we don't have much luggage to schlep.

 

We don't gamble much on the ship. Don't have to. We get our free drink card up front. I guess technically we could just go sit at a machine and play really cheap and drink. We don't do that but we do limit ourselves because it is unlikely we'd ever play enough on the ship to earn a high rating. As long as the offers keep coming we will take them.

[justhere]

Aren't YOU also paying for these things PLUS full cost for your cabin? So what you spend on your cabin I'm playing with in the casino doing exactly what I like to do with MY money...rest my case.

But how much have you spent getting rated so that you even get the offer of a free cruise? Waaaaay more than the cost of the "free" cruises I'd think. Unless you just happen to be one of the luckiest people on the planet.

 

I really rather not say out here on the Internet

Because it's more than the cost of the cruise if not booked through CAS?

 

What the gamblers in this thread seem to be failing to mention is how much they spent getting to this point. Comparing one cruise's cost to a CAS cruise and saying that you still spend the money but in the casino is a little misleading. I'm certainly not a big gambler, not even a little gambler but I will hit the tables when I'm in Vegas. I know that I don't gamble enough money or often enough to get rated. I've gotten free dinners, etc but that's it. And I don't expect anything more than that because I just don't gamble often enough.

 

If however, it was as simple as "spend $4000 for a cruise" or "get a free cruise (let's say taxes, etc are $600) and spend the other $3400 in the casino", who in their right mind wouldn't do that? It's just not that simple. You have to have gambled enough to get the offer in the first place.

[CasinoCruzGirl]

But how much have you spent getting rated so that you even get the offer of a free cruise? Waaaaay more than the cost of the "free" cruises I'd think. Unless you just happen to be one of the luckiest people on the planet.

 

 

Because it's more than the cost of the cruise if not booked through CAS?

 

What the gamblers in this thread seem to be failing to mention is how much they spent getting to this point. Comparing one cruise's cost to a CAS cruise and saying that you still spend the money but in the casino is a little misleading. I'm certainly not a big gambler, not even a little gambler but I will hit the tables when I'm in Vegas. I know that I don't gamble enough money or often enough to get rated. I've gotten free dinners, etc but that's it. And I don't expect anything more than that because I just don't gamble often enough.

 

If however, it was as simple as "spend $4000 for a cruise" or "get a free cruise (let's say taxes, etc are $600) and spend the other $3400 in the casino", who in their right mind wouldn't do that? It's just not that simple. You have to have gambled enough to get the offer in the first place.

 

Like I said I am a mediocre gambler I am NOT a heavy hitter gambler. I play nickel keno at 80 cents max per game. So you tell me I'm spending more than your full price cabin and UBP and UDP and photos and excursions, and I'll tell you your wrong. I would estimate normal everyday non gambling people spend about $3,000 for everything on a cruise (haven suite people excluded) because that would be even more. I'm spending less than that including my casino money I did not spend your $4,000 suggested amount not even close And I'm doing what I enjoy in the process. And why would you think someone would divulge the exact amount of money they gambled or spent on an open internet. That's not gonna happen. I got my first comp cruise certificate from a land based casino.

Edited December 13, 2014 by FootballParent

[gooch47]

What you're not getting is that we don't gamble just to get free cruises. They are an extra added attraction, not the goal.

[djmess]

Debbie I'm a mediocre gambler. My point is I don't do excursions, pay for specialty dinners, those kind of things so I'm guessing I spend the same amout gambling included when I get a CAS comp cabin. Instead of my money going for a full price cabin, drinks, excursions, photos, specialty dinners, UBP those types of things my guess is Im spending the same amount you are, and doing what I like to do...gamble...soMe people like those things I don't so it's kind of the same thing money spent but on differnt things. Only thing is my way I have a CHANCE however small a chance but still a chance to make money. Buying a UBP, a UDP, paying full fare for a haven suite, etc you have NO chance to make money on,y spend money but that's ok if that's your thing it's just not mine. As the saying goes...to each their own.

 

I 100% get what you are saying. I was trying to say to others that someone that maybe receives a "free" cruise, whether from a land casino or the cruiseline, you guys have probably put a good amount into that casino. You are special guests to them, so they will give you perks.

 

In the end many of us (suites excluded) may spend a similar amount but in different ways. There is something for everyone on a cruise!!!!

[cantthinkofanythingfun]

You folks should be thanking the gamblers on board. Not only are they getting perks, but they are lowering the fare for your cruise. Look at the one popular cruise line that does not have casinos, Disney. Their cruises are about 3 times the price of other lines for comparable rooms. Is their experience three times better? Their overhead is actually less than other cruise lines. They only have 4 ships. NCL and RCI pump out ships like Toyota pumps out Camrys. Disney has these amazing characters and experiences, but they own all of that IP. NCL writes a fat check to Nickelodeon as does RCI to Dreamworks.

 

The gamblers are going to gamble anyway. On the sailings that NCL give away, they would have empty rooms if they didn't give them away, but their staff is under contract and there regardless of capacity. It makes perfect sense to give away that space to someone that may drop some money in the casino. That makes rates less for those that may not be inclined to gamble. Nobody is gambling to get more free cruises. Cruise lines know you have a lot of options now with gambling. They have an advantage in that they have you captive on the ship, and you can't walk to a casino next door, so they can really lower their payouts on slots. Table games are kind of hard to toy with, but I do see things on cruise ships that you rarely see in land casinos. Little things like constant shuffling of a 6 deck shoe in blackjack.

 

Like it or not, gambling makes cruising more affordable, provides newer ships, and more activities on board. Smile when you walk through that casino.