Casino players promo

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

for sharing your experience. My DH is in the same range then - he will start out with a base bet then increase it depending on how the cards are coming out. Very often he will split - last cruise out he was playing 4 hands on a split and it just happened to be when he had a very large bet out. Thankfully he won 2 lost one and broke even on the 4th. He will talk about that round for years to come ;) He doesn't play two hands often but does on occasion. If there is room at the table. He loves it when it's just he and the dealer as can happen late night. However, ALWAYS plays basic BlackJack rules and splits and doubles down ALWAYS when appropriate. He is the risk taker in the family - I don't have the courage to do what he does LOL. He always tips the dealer's when he wins. And, doesn't drink while playing. Maybe he's just to quiet.

 

I had to snap a quick pic of this hand 3-4 years ago. You can see the dealers hand starting to move across the table (saying "no photos"). I started with just one hand and got a pair of 7's. Dealer shows a 5 or 6 (same difference). Split.. re-split.. etc. Ended up with two doubles after the photo was taken. Dealer pulled to a 20 or 21, all my hands were JUNK - lost it all.

 

... but, I still talk about that hand! :D

 

 

Tom

Edited October 20, 2015 by Tom-n-Cheryl

[hugger]

I bet your heart was pumping a bit faster - like my DH's - he just reminded me that three of his 4 hands in the split I mentioned were double downs too!

 

AMAZING that you were able to get that picture and KEEP it NICE

 

You know that is what makes a cruise for my DH. I have a feeling it may be up their in your list of enjoyable reason's to cruise too.

Edited October 20, 2015 by hugger

[DaveOKC]

for sharing your experience. My DH is in the same range then - he will start out with a base bet then increase it depending on how the cards are coming out. Very often he will split - last cruise out he was playing 4 hands on a split and it just happened to be when he had a very large bet out. Thankfully he won 2 lost one and broke even on the 4th. He will talk about that round for years to come ;) He doesn't play two hands often but does on occasion. If there is room at the table. He loves it when it's just he and the dealer as can happen late night. However, ALWAYS plays basic BlackJack rules and splits and doubles down ALWAYS when appropriate. He is the risk taker in the family - I don't have the courage to do what he does LOL. He always tips the dealer's when he wins. And, doesn't drink while playing. Maybe he's just to quiet.

 

Sounds like your DH plays BJ like I do. 1. ALWAYS know the correct percentage play and play it accordingly. 2. NEVER drink and gamble. 3. Tip the dealer after a good win. 4. NEVER bet more than you can afford to lose. 5. KNOW the rules of the table and casino before you place your first bet.

 

Years ago I used to do some small time card counting when in Vegas. Never won or lost very much at it, but did get alot of play in and earned some good comps. Now-a-days the casinos have negatively impacted the game with new rules, multiple decks and lower payouts for getting a BJ. So, its very hard to even play "about even" like I used to.

Edited October 20, 2015 by DaveOKC

[hugger]

My Dh agree's with you on all points!

[Cruise Junky]

I booked Koningsdam today (med cruise) and surprisingly got a casino rate of about $500-600 off per person Cdn. I've only cruised with HAL once for 7 days in 2009 and don't remember dropping that much in the casino. I'm certainly not complaining, just pleasantly surprised. It's not possible it's tagged to my Princess cruises is it?

[doublebzz]

I booked Koningsdam today (med cruise) and surprisingly got a casino rate of about $500-600 off per person Cdn. I've only cruised with HAL once for 7 days in 2009 and don't remember dropping that much in the casino. I'm certainly not complaining, just pleasantly surprised. It's not possible it's tagged to my Princess cruises is it?

 

What is not clear is who offered you the casino rate; Ocean Players Club, HAL or your travel agent? I thought one had to book through the Ocean Players Club to get a special rate. Regarding your question, it is entirely possible since the Ocean Players Club manages the casinos for all Carnival Company ships.

[Cruise Junky]

What is not clear is who offered you the casino rate; Ocean Players Club, HAL or your travel agent? I thought one had to book through the Ocean Players Club to get a special rate. Regarding your question, it is entirely possible since the Ocean Players Club manages the casinos for all Carnival Company ships.

 

I had my TA do the quote so she was the one that told me it was a casino rate. When I logged into HAL the price on the initial price screen dropped about $550 pp Cdn once it took my password. I have had offers from Princess before at casino rates.

[msmayor]

We've received the casino offers and would not consider ourselves 'big' gamblers at all. Matter of fact, we rarely bet more than $5 or $10 per hand, and will plan to spend no more than $100-200 per day in the casino...

 

We've NEVER lost that much though, as we have our daily budget and never go beyond. More often than not, we leave the casino at the end of the day with a good portion of our budget or more still in our hands.

 

That being said, on our last HAL cruise we made sure that every time we sat down at a table, we handed our card over to be 'logged' and we watched the dealer also punch in how much actual cash we laid down on the table. If we gave him/her more cash, it was logged...so they always knew how much cash we put into play.

 

We always 'cash out' at the cashier after leaving, even if we intend to return to the casino. We rarely (if ever) put chips back into play, which would NOT get logged.

 

We could be putting the same $100 into play 2-3 times a night, but as far as HAL's system knows its a fresh $100 every time. We think that is why we got tagged as 'casino players' (well, that and I won the blackjack tournament too!) and started getting offers.

 

When I spoke with my PCC about it she told me to call her anytime we were planning a trip and she would check on casino rates for us.

[doublebzz]

We've received the casino offers and would not consider ourselves 'big' gamblers at all. Matter of fact, we rarely bet more than $5 or $10 per hand, and will plan to spend no more than $100-200 per day in the casino...

 

We've NEVER lost that much though, as we have our daily budget and never go beyond. More often than not, we leave the casino at the end of the day with a good portion of our budget or more still in our hands.

 

That being said, on our last HAL cruise we made sure that every time we sat down at a table, we handed our card over to be 'logged' and we watched the dealer also punch in how much actual cash we laid down on the table. If we gave him/her more cash, it was logged...so they always knew how much cash we put into play.

 

We always 'cash out' at the cashier after leaving, even if we intend to return to the casino. We rarely (if ever) put chips back into play, which would NOT get logged.

 

We could be putting the same $100 into play 2-3 times a night, but as far as HAL's system knows its a fresh $100 every time. We think that is why we got tagged as 'casino players' (well, that and I won the blackjack tournament too!) and started getting offers.

 

When I spoke with my PCC about it she told me to call her anytime we were planning a trip and she would check on casino rates for us.

 

There just doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason on who is offered a casino rate. My wife and I gamble a significant amount of money at craps but its rare that we even get offered a free drink. For our upcoming cruise, I've applied for a line of credit; maybe that's the secret.

[msmayor]

There just doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason on who is offered a casino rate. My wife and I gamble a significant amount of money at craps but its rare that we even get offered a free drink. For our upcoming cruise, I've applied for a line of credit; maybe that's the secret.

 

I don't know that I'd expect a free drink as the ship-based casinos don't really operate like the land based. Never used a line of credit either, so maybe you're right...

 

We do get to know some of the dealers and pit bosses when we cruise, since we are in the casino every single day it is open and often 2-3 times. Even if its just passing through to watch table play between dinner and a show, or to grab a drink at the bar, we say hello and get 'face time'.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Two signs that I've spent too much, errrr, time in the casino this weekend! (Gifts from the casino)

 

 

Sent from my Galaxy S4 using Tapatalk 2

[roberts2005]

I did my reservation on the HAL site and then transferred to my TA.

 

I thought I would be getting the OBC from my Amex Platinum card. My agent says I can't have it because I have the Casino rate.

 

I knew my rate was lower than the published rate but assume it was for past Mariner status.

 

As my rate is $ 1,060 better I'll forgo the Amex.

[roberts2005]

Any feed back on combining Amex platinum obc with casino promo

[wyobean]

Went to book a cruise while on our last cruise and the casino rate popped up. No indication where it came from or why. Go to the casino some, but don't spend a lot of money.

[Traveltheglobe]

Any feed back on combining Amex platinum obc with casino promo

 

My TA was told that the AMEX Platinum OBC is not available for cabins with the Casino rate

[doublebzz]

Went to book a cruise while on our last cruise and the casino rate popped up. No indication where it came from or why. Go to the casino some, but don't spend a lot of money.

 

Where did it pop up - on the HAL web site?

[blizzardboy]

My TA was told that the AMEX Platinum OBC is not available for cabins with the Casino rate

 

Your TA might be right as you give up other HAL promos to get the casino rate, however, I still get OBC from my big-box club-retailer TA when I use the Casino promo. Since Amex is an outside vendor, there's an interesting similarity to the TA-supplied OBC. I've posed the question to to my HAL PCC to see if he or his supervisor have run into this question. I'll pass on the answer.

[doubleduty]

The casino offer which I received was for a 7 day Caribbean on the Maasdam. I selected the Lanai - for both of us the total cost was about $700. I could have selected an interior for less but we wanted a verandah type cabin.

[510picker]

I booked a cruise yesterday on the Nieuw Amsterdam for this November. The usual booking documents were emailed to me and I noticed at the bottom a "Casino Rate" discount was applied. My PCC never mentioned anything about it. Last summer I received an email with casino rate offers and I booked, but I haven't received any offer this year, so I'm not sure where it came from.

[blizzardboy]

I booked a cruise yesterday on the Nieuw Amsterdam for this November. The usual booking documents were emailed to me and I noticed at the bottom a "Casino Rate" discount was applied. My PCC never mentioned anything about it. Last summer I received an email with casino rate offers and I booked, but I haven't received any offer this year, so I'm not sure where it came from.

 

If a casino promo code comes up under your Mariner account, the computer will show your PCC the lowest rate for your cruise, which is the promo rate. Be advised that when major HAL promos like Explore 4 (usually July-Oct) are offered, the Casino price does not include the Exp 4 package. However, the Casino price is usually so much lower that you're better off taking the Casino deal and paying for your drinks etc as you go. You also get the cruise-day spending bonus that way.

Edited March 11, 2016 by blizzardboy

[blizzardboy]

My TA was told that the AMEX Platinum OBC is not available for cabins with the Casino rate

 

Under the Terms and Conditions of the Amex program it says "can't be combined with other offers unless so designated". HAL promos offered to all comers are considered a "full advertised fare" and should be able to be combined with the Amex deal. The casino deal is not offered to all customers so may be excluded. If your casino promo price is lower when compared to the current price offered to the general public after the Amex OBC ($100-300 per cabin) subtracted, take the casino deal.

That being said, I talked to my HAL PCC and he said he has several Amex customers who book their cruise with him after he gives them their pricing options, then he transfers the booking to Amex Travel, or any other TA the customer wishes, for the them to apply whatever benefits they're offering. It's a win, win as you get access to HAL's best deal, then you get your TA's goodies as well.

Edited March 11, 2016 by blizzardboy

[cruzincurt]

Out of the blue we were offered a casino rate in the mail on our upcoming cruise. We haven't sailed with HAL for a couple of years but last year had two casino cruises through Carnival. Perhaps they are linking the casino records?

 

I play craps for a couple of hours each day, my DW plays Let it Ride and she gets the offers.

 

So, those who have taken one of these casino rate HAL cruises, any more perks offered once on board? Such as drinks in the casino? Carnival had a Drinks on Us cards waiting in our cabin.

Edited March 12, 2016 by cruzincurt

[doublebzz]

Out of the blue we were offered a casino rate in the mail on our upcoming cruise. We haven't sailed with HAL for a couple of years but last year had two casino cruises through Carnival. Perhaps they are linking the casino records?

 

I play craps for a couple of hours each day, my DW plays Let it Ride and she gets the offers.

 

So, those who have taken one of these casino rate HAL cruises, any more perks offered once on board? Such as drinks in the casino? Carnival had a Drinks on Us cards waiting in our cabin.

 

I believe Ocean Players Club serves all of Carnival Corp so its not unlikely all of the subsidiary lines have your records.

 

My wife also likes to join me at the craps table and seems to know only one phrase: "press it!"

[blizzardboy]

Out of the blue we were offered a casino rate in the mail on our upcoming cruise. We haven't sailed with HAL for a couple of years but last year had two casino cruises through Carnival. Perhaps they are linking the casino records?

 

I play craps for a couple of hours each day, my DW plays Let it Ride and she gets the offers.

 

So, those who have taken one of these casino rate HAL cruises, any more perks offered once on board? Such as drinks in the casino? Carnival had a Drinks on Us cards waiting in our cabin.

 

All the Carnival Corp lines are under the Ocean Players Club (google it) umbrella and share player ratings. In January, I was comp'd drinks at the Blackjack tables, but it was not automatic. Once they confirmed my level of play the first night, they picked up drinks for myself and my spectating wife every time, but the waiter always got approval from the pit boss. We've been given specialty dining from the casino as well. They pay attention to your wager amount and length of play, so you should give them your room card at every visit to remind them to log your play.

[AliceS]

Going on my first Holland Cruise. I'm a Princess regular and have a question. Does Holland charge for using your card to get cash at the tables or on the machines? Thanks for the info. Alice