Offers received from Club Royale (Royal Caribbean)

[Smiley4]

Just found out that Lucinda, most recently on the Oasis of the Seas, is going to bring out the Harmony of the Seas as their casino host. She's excellent with a great personality. She'll be good for all of us degenerate gamblers lol.

[RFerrington]

Dear XXXX,

 

You have a casino rebate in the amount of $?,000.00 from your sailing onboard the Anthem of the Seas on 11/30/2015.

 

You can have your rebate applied toward cash in the casino until March 15, 2016, or as a cruise discount on your next cruise vacation departing no later than December 31, 2016. After that date, all unredeemed rebates will be considered expired and invalid for use.

 

If you have any questions or if we can assist you with a reservation, please feel free to contact us at 1-866-561-2234. We are available 8:00am to 10:00pm Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, and 10:00am to 7:00 pm Saturday and Sunday. You can also reach us by email at ClubRoyale@rccl.com.

 

We look forward to welcoming you onboard a Royal Caribbean ship soon!

 

Please do not respond to this email. Send all casino related correspondence to ClubRoyale@rccl.com .

 

This is exactly what the CR CSR told me yesterday when I called to book Empress. As it turns out, the D+ C&A discount far exceeded the CR discount. That's the first time this has happened to me.

[Life is Good Cruising]

This is exactly what the CR CSR told me yesterday when I called to book Empress. As it turns out, the D+ C&A discount far exceeded the CR discount. That's the first time this has happened to me.

 

The same thing was said to me by CR yesterday for the first time. I called them to have my November rebate applied to my January sailing and also, to get a price for an Anthem sailing in March in a Studio Solo balcony for 1 guest. I was told by CR, the C&A D+ & BOGO discount was much better than the CR rates. Realized final payment for this sailing is in 2 weeks, so that could have been the reason for no CR discount at the moment. My other Anthem sailings that are already booked, all have CR rates.

 

CR also said that they will not be mailing out their 2016 Event Schedule. Instead, they will advise certain players based on their play by email and snail mail, a month or two before a sail date, that they are eligible for specific Event sailings. That doesn't give us players much time to make air and hotel reservations if we are eligible for an Event sailing.

 

Was also advised the same thing as "Happy Bee" above:

 

You can have your rebate applied toward cash in the casino until March 15, 2016, or as a cruise discount on your next cruise vacation departing no later than December 31, 2016. After that date, all un redeemed rebates will be considered expired and invalid for use.

 

Patiently waiting if and when these new CR changes will really happen for 2016 or will they extend the cash rebates again for another year, time will tell.

[OTownNick]

The same thing was said to me by CR yesterday for the first time. I called them to have my November rebate applied to my January sailing and also, to get a price for an Anthem sailing in March in a Studio Solo balcony for 1 guest. I was told by CR, the C&A D+ & BOGO discount was much better than the CR rates. Realized final payment for this sailing is in 2 weeks, so that could have been the reason for no CR discount at the moment. My other Anthem sailings that are already booked, all have CR rates.

 

CR also said that they will not be mailing out their 2016 Event Schedule. Instead, they will advise certain players based on their play by email and snail mail, a month or two before a sail date, that they are eligible for specific Event sailings. That doesn't give us players much time to make air and hotel reservations if we are eligible for an Event sailing.

 

Was also advised the same thing as "Happy Bee" above:

 

You can have your rebate applied toward cash in the casino until March 15, 2016, or as a cruise discount on your next cruise vacation departing no later than December 31, 2016. After that date, all un redeemed rebates will be considered expired and invalid for use.

 

Patiently waiting if and when these new CR changes will really happen for 2016 or will they extend the cash rebates again for another year, time will tell.

 

Hi Linda! Looking forward to cruising with you guys again!! Hopefully soon :)

 

When I was booking my summer cruise on Allure- there were NO CR rates for 99% of them, and the one where there WAS a casino rate, you couldn't get the promo 28 points if you booked a suite. We ended up booking regular rates and got the $350 OBC promo (plus another $100 from the TA). The OBC was in lieu of the C&A balc discount which was not combinable with the OBC offer. Since I didn't get the C&A balc discount, I'm going to request the $100 shareholder benefit and see if they allow it. It's worth a shot lol

Edited December 23, 2015 by OTownNick

[Daghis]

CR also said that they will not be mailing out their 2016 Event Schedule. Instead, they will advise certain players based on their play by email and snail mail, a month or two before a sail date, that they are eligible for specific Event sailings. That doesn't give us players much time to make air and hotel reservations if we are eligible for an Event sailing.

I don't like the limited time for notice. It's rare that I can make last-minute plans. I've already got my cruise schedule booked already through March 2017.

[Life is Good Cruising]

Hi Linda! Looking forward to cruising with you guys again!! Hopefully soon :)

 

When I was booking my summer cruise on Allure- there were NO CR rates for 99% of them, and the one where there WAS a casino rate, you couldn't get the promo 28 points if you booked a suite. We ended up booking regular rates and got the $350 OBC promo (plus another $100 from the TA). The OBC was in lieu of the C&A balc discount which was not combinable with the OBC offer. Since I didn't get the C&A balc discount, I'm going to request the $100 shareholder benefit and see if they allow it. It's worth a shot lol

 

Hi Nick

 

Would also love to see you guys again on a cruise, you were the best *fan* LOL.

 

Sorry to hear no discount for your cruise, hopefully, they'll give you the shareholder benefit. I can understand if you booked a suite and they were to give you 28 points, no CR discount. Since you didn't take the offer/promotion, I don't know why there was no CR rates for your cruise.

Nick, I would try calling CR back after the promotion is over which will be on Dec 31 and ask again about CR rates for your cruise, you have nothing to lose, but time on the phone. Since that cruise is not until August, another phone call during the year wouldn't hurt, provided the rates don't go up.

 

I guess we'll just continue to post and advise other CR members here of offers we receive from CR as some members do receive emails and others, like myself, receive snail mail only.

 

Wishing you the best of luck in the casino on your NYE cruise!!!

 

Keith and I want to you wish you both a very "Happy New Year"!!!

[Life is Good Cruising]

I don't like the limited time for notice. It's rare that I can make last-minute plans. I've already got my cruise schedule booked already through March 2017.

 

Hi Marc

 

I agree with you, not a lot of people can take last minute cruises, especially if they are still working and also for people that need to book flights. It may be that CR wants to wait until after final payment on these Event sailings before they notify us. Not liking what I'm hearing from them about some perks.

 

They keep saying their program will be in line to land casino programs. With land casinos I get free rooms and slot play money. It seems that after March 15, 2016 CR wants you to use your rebate towards discounted room rates, spa services, shore excursions, specialty dining, etc, which I've been told, but there's been no mention of any slot play or table/chip play for the members.

 

When we were on our 11/30/15 sailing on Anthem of the Seas, they were no longer giving out cash rebates to anyone at the Cashier. If you had a cash rebate, they asked you whether you wanted chips (different color chips) or a voucher for slots, which was called a purchase voucher and not a "cashout" voucher. I selected the vouchers (you can ask for any denomination amount for each voucher). I was able to insert each voucher into a slot machine and then immediately cash them out. I can see CR changing this voucher process again, where they would want you to play down that money in a slot machine, just like land casinos.

 

I have no idea what is taking CR so long to roll out their new program, I wouldn't be surprise if CR extends the cash rebates again for another year.

 

All in all, I am thankful for any kind of CR perk they want to give me.

 

Hopefully we can meet up again on another cruise. Time went so fast on the 5 Nighter and was looking forward to the Sunset Cruise that we were all booked on that was cancelled due to weather.

 

Good Luck in the casino on your next cruise!

 

Wishing you and yours a very Happy New Year!!!!

[somerandomidiot]

When we were on our 11/30/15 sailing on Anthem of the Seas, they were no longer giving out cash rebates to anyone at the Cashier. If you had a cash rebate, they asked you whether you wanted chips (different color chips) or a voucher for slots, which was called a purchase voucher and not a "cashout" voucher. I selected the vouchers (you can ask for any denomination amount for each voucher). I was able to insert each voucher into a slot machine and then immediately cash them out. I can see CR changing this voucher process again, where they would want you to play down that money in a slot machine, just like land casinos.

 

They just converted the chips from the cashier for me at the table. I didn't really see a point to switching from cash to chips unless it's just to tempt you by forcing you to go to a table. I'm not sure how they could stop you from converting and then taking the regular chips right back to the cashier to get cash.

[OTownNick]

They just converted the chips from the cashier for me at the table. I didn't really see a point to switching from cash to chips unless it's just to tempt you by forcing you to go to a table. I'm not sure how they could stop you from converting and then taking the regular chips right back to the cashier to get cash.

 

Exactly. Last time I was given around $600 in fake chips at the cage and only needed to play with $200 af the table and then when I went back to the cage to cash in some chips, they wouldn't take the fake chips. So next session I exchangd the $400 remaining in fake chips for regular chips and I was good to go. This weekend I will automaticaly buy in at the roulette table with the ful $750 in fake chips they give me even though I shouldn't need to tap into it all (assuming I'm lucky lol) at that time.

[Happy Bee]

Hi Marc

 

I agree with you, not a lot of people can take last minute cruises, especially if they are still working and also for people that need to book flights. It may be that CR wants to wait until after final payment on these Event sailings before they notify us. Not liking what I'm hearing from them about some perks.

 

They keep saying their program will be in line to land casino programs. With land casinos I get free rooms and slot play money. It seems that after March 15, 2016 CR wants you to use your rebate towards discounted room rates, spa services, shore excursions, specialty dining, etc, which I've been told, but there's been no mention of any slot play or table/chip play for the members.

 

When we were on our 11/30/15 sailing on Anthem of the Seas, they were no longer giving out cash rebates to anyone at the Cashier. If you had a cash rebate, they asked you whether you wanted chips (different color chips) or a voucher for slots, which was called a purchase voucher and not a "cashout" voucher. I selected the vouchers (you can ask for any denomination amount for each voucher). I was able to insert each voucher into a slot machine and then immediately cash them out. I can see CR changing this voucher process again, where they would want you to play down that money in a slot machine, just like land casinos.

 

I have no idea what is taking CR so long to roll out their new program, I wouldn't be surprise if CR extends the cash rebates again for another year.

 

All in all, I am thankful for any kind of CR perk they want to give me.

 

Hopefully we can meet up again on another cruise. Time went so fast on the 5 Nighter and was looking forward to the Sunset Cruise that we were all booked on that was cancelled due to weather.

 

Good Luck in the casino on your next cruise!

 

Wishing you and yours a very Happy New Year!!!!

 

Hi Linda,

 

I asked about "I wouldn't be surprise if CR extends the cash rebates again for another year." CR and they said nononono there will be ablsolutly no extention as last year ;-) but we all know how it going .... my hope that ether they will extend it or give info about new program before March 15, 2016 that we can sort out what to do a) w cash rebate b) w certificates c) applying cash rebate toward to the cruise fair ...

By the way what did you book already for next year?

[somerandomidiot]

Exactly. Last time I was given around $600 in fake chips at the cage and only needed to play with $200 af the table and then when I went back to the cage to cash in some chips, they wouldn't take the fake chips. So next session I exchangd the $400 remaining in fake chips for regular chips and I was good to go. This weekend I will automaticaly buy in at the roulette table with the ful $750 in fake chips they give me even though I shouldn't need to tap into it all (assuming I'm lucky lol) at that time.

 

You're lucky you have a cruise planned so that you can get that rebate in chips, even the fake ones. I only have enough vacation time for 4 cruises a year so I have cruises planned out for a year or so. i keep 2 weeks in reserve for other stuff/emergencies, so I can't do this last minute nonsense they seem to be shifting to. my next cruise is 4 days after their march 15 cutoff so I had to apply the roughly 700 bucks to that bill instead. My TA didn't seem to understand what the rebate was and somehow the final payment charged to my card was reduced by roughly 900 not 700ish. I called him up to tell him the numbers were wrong and he blew me off. mumbled something about how someone else in the office was also working on the billing, so I'm just waiting for them to realize that they shorted themselves. was so much easier to just walk up to the casino cage to get cash.

Edited December 29, 2015 by somerandomidiot

[OTownNick]

Hi Linda,

 

I asked about "I wouldn't be surprise if CR extends the cash rebates again for another year." CR and they said nononono there will be ablsolutly no extention as last year ;-) but we all know how it going .... my hope that ether they will extend it or give info about new program before March 15, 2016 that we can sort out what to do a) w cash rebate b) w certificates c) applying cash rebate toward to the cruise fair ...

By the way what did you book already for next year?

 

Whatever the case, they're keeping it a big secret. The reps know NOTHING so far

[OTownNick]

You're lucky you have a cruise planned so that you can get that rebate in chips, even the fake ones. I only have enough vacation time for 4 cruises a year so I have cruises planned out for a year or so. i keep 2 weeks in reserve for other stuff/emergencies, so I can't do this last minute nonsense they seem to be shifting to. my next cruise is 4 days after their march 15 cutoff so I had to apply the roughly 700 bucks to that bill instead. My TA didn't seem to understand what the rebate was and somehow the final payment charged to my card was reduced by roughly 900 not 700ish. I called him up to tell him the numbers were wrong and he blew me off. mumbled something about how someone else in the office was also working on the billing, so I'm just waiting for them to realize that they shorted themselves. was so much easier to just walk up to the casino cage to get cash.

 

Ha! Well I hope they don't discover their screw up...but I have a feeling they eventually will

[PraetorianGuard]

I'm new to this program. Got signed up on my last cruise in November. How do you guys book your cruises. Do you book through a Travel Agent and get discounts applied or do you book straight through with Royal Caribbean.

[PraetorianGuard]

Could I book through the travel program I use and have them work with the Royal program.

[somerandomidiot]

Could I book through the travel program I use and have them work with the Royal program.

 

Yes, but after your reservation is assigned to your TA, you'll have to conference them into the CR rep or have them call CR to make any changes.

[maryjaden]

I have generally booked through CR. However with the new program that may change. The one time I used a TA, I had to call CR and authorize my TA to discuss my available discounts and/or rebates. I just called CR and had them put the name of the TA on my account authorizing CR to give her any info she needed.

[Life is Good Cruising]

Spoke to CR today, still no updates on their new program. :( CR said, there's a possibility they may not know anything for months. :eek: They did mention assigning tier levels based on our level of play in the past 12-18 months, I like that one. :)

 

Also, anyone that received cruise certificates in December, CR is extending the sail by date to 5/30/16.

 

I also book directly with CR, like to have control over my bookings.

[OTownNick]

Spoke to CR today, still no updates on their new program. :( CR said, there's a possibility they may not know anything for months. :eek: They did mention assigning tier levels based on our level of play in the past 12-18 months, I like that one. :)

 

Also, anyone that received cruise certificates in December, CR is extending the sail by date to 5/30/16.

 

I also book directly with CR, like to have control over my bookings.

 

Good to know. Accoriding to a rep yesterday,, they are definitely ending the rebates Mar 15.

 

I got another free cruise cert. for a balcony on this last trip, and the host said she would deliiver it Ro my cabin the last night but I never received it. I'll probably end up applying the rebate anyway cause I can't add anymore cruises. Or I may apply as payment to an existing booking post March 15

Edited January 6, 2016 by OTownNick

[Daghis]

I think this new program is going to chase some of us to another line that give better room rates and such. We have been waiting for over a year to know what is in it.

 

 

I think you're right. I've only got experience with Royal Caribbean's and Norwegian's casino programs, and NCL's Casinos at Sea seems to be far superior in terms of what they offer and, perhaps more importantly, a better understanding by players of what they're able to get.

 

Even at the most basic level, I look at the offers I receive. From Club Royale, I get just about nothing either because I'm not qualified for anything interesting or because their systems don't seem to be able to send them to me. From Casinos at Sea, I regularly get free cruise offers.

 

On that face alone, which do you think that a player would choose?

[OTownNick]

I was under the impression that if you get a free cruise cert, you can either use THAT OR take the rebate but not both. I was wrong. Got a rebate with a free cruise cert on my 12/31 cruise and I applied the rebate toward my 11/18/16 sailing as payment and they tell me I can ALSO use the free cruise cert on another sailng before May 30. So I booked the April 29 Enchantment of the Seqs final sailing out of PC. Since my cert was only valued at $750 on a cruise I chose I had to pay $56 to upgrade to 8600, one of the deck 8 panoramic oceanviews. So now that I know, I have 2 more sailings before March 15 I can gain more rebates AND free cruises.

 

BTW, on Enchantment they gave me cash at cage and not the fake chips

Edited January 11, 2016 by OTownNick

[maryjaden]

Good to know. I was under the impression that it was one or the other. I wish they would roll out the new program so there is a consistent set of benefits and rules.

[OTownNick]

Good to know. I was under the impression that it was one or the other. I wish they would roll out the new program so there is a consistent set of benefits and rules.

 

Well while I had the guy (Josh) on the phone, I didn't want to lose the opportunity in case he was wrong lol. Someone else may have given me a different story.

 

Mary I was under the same impression based on casino hosts telling me, but for now maybe this is the correct way

[cruisejess]

We are leaving on the Anthem Friday, and I have a cash rebate. We are sailing again on March 12, so my question is what happens with my comps from the January sailing? Will I get anything for the March cruise? This program is very confusing :)

Thanks

[Happy Bee]

I spoke w CR they said free cruise or cash rebate ...will call one more time ...but it doesn't matter for me bec I am planning to go again on Anthem Oct 29 probably...need to make decision by March 15th :)