Casino Activity = Free Cruises: What's the formula?

[IntrepidFromDC]

I have heard some say it's the amount of money you spend in the casino, and others say it's more about time gambling x some factor related to your average bet = "points" and the more points you earn during a cruise the more likely you'll get anything from free drinks while playing on up to a free cruise for two.

 

This summer I received a free cruise while ON A FREE CRUISE and it blew me away. The offer mentioned "Players Club" so I'm pretty sure it's just related to the casino activity. I do spend two or three hours in the casino, usually late night when it's less smoky. I play blackjack or Hold'em only and limit my bet to the table minimum. I have lost money both of the last trips, but under $400 each trip. I don't see how that equates to a free cruise for TWO.

 

Does anyone know the formula? I'd like to keep track, to be sure that if I'm close to a free cruise that I can actually get it, because after two in a row I'm spoiled.

[JaneyLynn]

If there is a formula they're not sharing it. It's been hit or miss with me on the free cruises (they're called bounce back offers but I've read they've stopped giving them)

 

One cruise I had over 8k points on my card and I was expecting a bounce back offer... but I didn't receive one. The cruise before that one I only had 5k and received one.

 

I do get casino offers in my VIFP section and many premier cruise offers.

[JaniceB]

It would be nice to know.

[cb at sea]

No matter how you cut it, it's HOW MUCH YOU'RE GAMBLING that they base your level of play on...... How much that is???? Don't know. If you start with, say $1000, and win, say, $3000, and keep playing, they consider you've bet $4000....they really don't care if you win or lose (although losing IS the better odds!)...as long as you are willing to gamble a bundle!

[winddawn]

I have heard some say it's the amount of money you spend in the casino, and others say it's more about time gambling x some factor related to your average bet = "points" and the more points you earn during a cruise the more likely you'll get anything from free drinks while playing on up to a free cruise for two.

 

This summer I received a free cruise while ON A FREE CRUISE and it blew me away. The offer mentioned "Players Club" so I'm pretty sure it's just related to the casino activity. I do spend two or three hours in the casino, usually late night when it's less smoky. I play blackjack or Hold'em only and limit my bet to the table minimum. I have lost money both of the last trips, but under $400 each trip. I don't see how that equates to a free cruise for TWO.

 

Does anyone know the formula? I'd like to keep track, to be sure that if I'm close to a free cruise that I can actually get it, because after two in a row I'm spoiled.

I booked my 3rd free cabin bounceback offer of this year last month. I had 1500 points on my last cruise which was 6 nites. My PVP told me the shipboard casino staff cannot offer you a bounceback if you already have another cruise booked; however, land-based casino staff can. So call when you get home if you think you qualified for a bounceback offer and did not get one.

Edited December 12, 2016 by winddawn

[Jamericannn]

I have heard some say it's the amount of money you spend in the casino, and others say it's more about time gambling x some factor related to your average bet = "points" and the more points you earn during a cruise the more likely you'll get anything from free drinks while playing on up to a free cruise for two.

 

This summer I received a free cruise while ON A FREE CRUISE and it blew me away. The offer mentioned "Players Club" so I'm pretty sure it's just related to the casino activity. I do spend two or three hours in the casino, usually late night when it's less smoky. I play blackjack or Hold'em only and limit my bet to the table minimum. I have lost money both of the last trips, but under $400 each trip. I don't see how that equates to a free cruise for TWO.

 

Does anyone know the formula? I'd like to keep track, to be sure that if I'm close to a free cruise that I can actually get it, because after two in a row I'm spoiled.

 

 

Just do the same exact thing you have been doing. Sleep on the same side of the bed, wear the same clothes, book the same room, and so on. I don't think there is a formula. Maybe your stars were aligning right.

[May1cruiser]

Just do the same exact thing you have been doing. Sleep on the same side of the bed, wear the same clothes, book the same room, and so on. I don't think there is a formula. Maybe your stars were aligning right.

 

This is a great comment! Ha ha.

My sister in law went on a cruise with us, spent less than $40 and was offered a bounce back (8/16)

 

There seems to be no reason or process to these offers,

[winddawn]

This is a great comment! Ha ha.

My sister in law went on a cruise with us, spent less than $40 and was offered a bounce back (8/16)

 

There seems to be no reason or process to these offers,

Have you considered your SIL may not have been telling you the whole truth?

 

People frequently don't like to disclose how much they actually gambled. This sure sounds like a classic case of that.

 

I've been cruising on Carnival and other lines for 20 years and can honestly say there can't be any truth to that.

Edited December 12, 2016 by winddawn

[IntrepidFromDC]

We need the formula! It makes sense that avg bet x time playing may be part of the formula because you could apply that same formula to blackjack and craps (and other games). Surely somebody knows... some disgruntled former Carnival employee who administered the program or coded it or something...

[riclop]

I have heard some say it's the amount of money you spend in the casino, and others say it's more about time gambling x some factor related to your average bet = "points" and the more points you earn during a cruise the more likely you'll get anything from free drinks while playing on up to a free cruise for two.

 

This summer I received a free cruise while ON A FREE CRUISE and it blew me away. The offer mentioned "Players Club" so I'm pretty sure it's just related to the casino activity. I do spend two or three hours in the casino, usually late night when it's less smoky. I play blackjack or Hold'em only and limit my bet to the table minimum. I have lost money both of the last trips, but under $400 each trip. I don't see how that equates to a free cruise for TWO.

 

Does anyone know the formula? I'd like to keep track, to be sure that if I'm close to a free cruise that I can actually get it, because after two in a row I'm spoiled.

 

Just lose enough $$$.

[RMM34667]

On my Nov Regal cruise (received free interior cabin and invite to the invitational slot tournament) a table mate said if you get 10k points you will get a free cruise. On the 2nd to last night I did hit 10k. I got a letter offering a free ocean view for up to 10 nights. Alaska, coastal or Caribbean. But you have to book within 30 days and sail within 6 months. I really wanted to go to Alaska but can't see myself saving enough for that in just 6 months. So doing a 10 day Caribbean. On the Royal. And since there are no ocean view I got an obstructed balcony with very little obstruction (thanks Theo)

[HawkIVette]

Well, I thought I posted here some info on my just received "free casino bounce back offer" but apparently it disappeared.

 

Big brother must be watching. If so, would the moderator please send me an email telling me what was wrong with my post.

[mwsrccl]

I get free trip offers all the time from cruise and land based casinos. I have had many of these discussions with casino hosts that I have become friends with over the years and they all say the same thing. It's a formula based on time played and average bet. It doesn't matter if win or lose because they know the longer you play the greater chance they have to get your money back. I have a free cruise on vista in June and I last cruised carnival over 6 years ago, but I spent a great deal of time in the casino while it was open. I have found that if you try to play only to get a free cruise you will lose a lot and probably could have paid for 2 cruises. Play to have fun and if you qualify great.

[SunDevil77]

I have received four bounce-back offers in the past 2yrs. plus premier free inside room offers. The bounce backs are awesome - balcony cabins, steakhouse comp, shore excursions, in room cookies, chocolate strawberries, etc. I'm not sure of the exact formula on how they give bounce back offers, probably combination of points and action you give them. I spend 4-5 hours a day in the casino, more on sea days. My bets are in the $25-$200per hand (blackjack). I have always believed that the one thing I do that might earn me the offers is I tip very generously...sometimes $100-200 per session.

[Jamericannn]

Well, I thought I posted here some info on my just received "free casino bounce back offer" but apparently it disappeared.

 

Big brother must be watching. If so, would the moderator please send me an email telling me what was wrong with my post.

 

 

Mine disappeared too and I am certain I did not say anything inappropriate.

[angela12345]

Jamericannn and HawkIVette, please just repost your comments. It's possible when you went to post it didn't post all the way. I'm sure if you actually did something to have your post removed, you would have a private message in your UserCP (in upper left of page in the yellow bar). If you don't have a message, then it was likely just a system glitch.

[Jamericannn]

Jamericannn and HawkIVette, please just repost your comments. It's possible when you went to post it didn't post all the way. I'm sure if you actually did something to have your post removed, you would have a private message in your UserCP (in upper left of page in the yellow bar). If you don't have a message, then it was likely just a system glitch.

 

I think it was a system glitch last night because it went through. It happened on a couple other forums where I got email that someone replied to a post. I saw the reply in the email but when I went to the board the reply is not there.

[HawkIVette]

Jamericannn and HawkIVette, please just repost your comments. It's possible when you went to post it didn't post all the way. I'm sure if you actually did something to have your post removed, you would have a private message in your UserCP (in upper left of page in the yellow bar). If you don't have a message, then it was likely just a system glitch.

 

Basically, I had to comment on the post where they thought the BB offers were not given out any more.

Yes, they are. I just got one last Saturday after getting off the Conquest. Was good for up to 15 day cruise, to be booked in the next 2 weeks, and sail from now until June 8, 2017. What I found was that there are very limited sailing to book. I prefer the Premier cruises offerings as they are discounted, with many perks.

 

I had also commented about the point system. It has nothing to do about how much you lose, but how much you play. I have had 4 BB offers and sometimes I have lost for the week and others I have won. This last week on the Conquest, I brought home $1,800+, but played about 3-4 hrs a day, maybe more and made bets (Craps player only) in the $44-$110 range per shooter.

No one knows exactly how they figure the point system, but making $5 bets at BlackJack, it will take you a long time to get to the "free cruise" level, only to find out that there aren't any sailings to pick from.

My advice, is to go for the Premier cruises. You will love them.

[sailingawaysoon]

We have been on Carnival a number of times (not sure how many, but it is in my signature below). We have only paid for one cruise, our first cruise. Every cruise after was given to us from the Players Club. We spend about 3 hours in the morning and 3 or 4 in the evenings in the casino playing slot machines only. We typically do max bet ($3-$5). We have come home with money before, and lost before. I know my husband typically has about 13-15 thousand points on his card when we are done and the free cruise offer is under the door on the last night of the sailing. Now when we cruise he automatically is given the free drinks in the casino (doesn't have to earn the 1,500) and they give them to me also. They also have sent us to specialty restaurants (2 on a sailing) and sent goodies to our room. We used to be loyal to royal, but carnival has definitely been treating us better when we return.

[angielawton]

Just wondering how you see how many points you have at any given time?

 

Thanks in advance for the info!

[Davey Wavey]

Just wondering how you see how many points you have at any given time?

 

Thanks in advance for the info!

 

Slot points and table points are separate. To see slot points, put your card in a slot machine. Table points you cannot see. You can ask a host and they will sometimes tell you something, but I generally use receiving the free drink card at 1,500 points as a gauge of how I am progressing towards a free cruise on table games.

 

And here is my often repeated post on the "formula" for getting a free cruise.

 

----------------------------------------------------

Originally Posted by sassy5683

so if i'm doing my math right you have to spend $12,500 to get 5000 points to get offered a "free" cruise???

----------------------------------------------------

Originally Posted by Davey Wavey

Yes, correct!!!!

 

BUT, that $12,500 is $12,500 PLAYED, not necessarily LOST. Let's do some casino math for the shocked and awed crowd. I'll use roulette since that is what I am most familiar, and this will be some loose math based on average statistics.

 

Carnival's roulette wheel (zero and double zero) has a house edge of 5.26%, meaning for every $100 I bet (using the 1 in 38 chance to win) the casino will end up with $5. So, if I start with $100 playing $10 per spin and keep replaying my winnings I should play $500 and end up with $75 left. If I keep playing my $75 I should play $375 and end up with $56. If I keep playing my $56 I should play $280 and end up with $42...and on and on. If I keep playing until my original $100 is all gone, I should have played $1835.

 

Based on that, to reach $12,500 of PLAY, I should have spent $700. So, in this example a 5000 point free cruise is NOT $12,500 of cash out your pocket, but $700 (assuming you get the average number of wins and losses). So it is entirely possible for people to say they only had $100 and ended up $200 ahead and still got a free cruise. It's also possible for someone to play $10,000 and be horribly horribly unfortunate and lose every time and not get a free cruise. It's not the win and loss that the casino counts but the amount of PLAY.

 

Please note this is based on a bunch of established averages and individual results WILL vary.[\QUOTE]

[sailingawaysoon]

Just wondering how you see how many points you have at any given time?

 

Thanks in advance for the info!

Play with your sea pass in the machine and it shows your total points. In order for them to keep track of your play on the slots you need to have your sea pass inserted in the machine.

[sailingawaysoon]

Slot points and table points are separate. To see slot points, put your card in a slot machine. Table points you cannot see. You can ask a host and they will sometimes tell you something, but I generally use receiving the free drink card at 1,500 points as a gauge of how I am progressing towards a free cruise on table games.

 

And here is my often repeated post on the "formula" for getting a free cruise.

 

----------------------------------------------------

Originally Posted by sassy5683

so if i'm doing my math right you have to spend $12,500 to get 5000 points to get offered a "free" cruise???

----------------------------------------------------

Originally Posted by Davey Wavey

Yes, correct!!!!

 

BUT, that $12,500 is $12,500 PLAYED, not necessarily LOST. Let's do some casino math for the shocked and awed crowd. I'll use roulette since that is what I am most familiar, and this will be some loose math based on average statistics.

 

Carnival's roulette wheel (zero and double zero) has a house edge of 5.26%, meaning for every $100 I bet (using the 1 in 38 chance to win) the casino will end up with $5. So, if I start with $100 playing $10 per spin and keep replaying my winnings I should play $500 and end up with $75 left. If I keep playing my $75 I should play $375 and end up with $56. If I keep playing my $56 I should play $280 and end up with $42...and on and on. If I keep playing until my original $100 is all gone, I should have played $1835.

 

Based on that, to reach $12,500 of PLAY, I should have spent $700. So, in this example a 5000 point free cruise is NOT $12,500 of cash out your pocket, but $700 (assuming you get the average number of wins and losses). So it is entirely possible for people to say they only had $100 and ended up $200 ahead and still got a free cruise. It's also possible for someone to play $10,000 and be horribly horribly unfortunate and lose every time and not get a free cruise. It's not the win and loss that the casino counts but the amount of PLAY.

 

Please note this is based on a bunch of established averages and individual results WILL vary.[\QUOTE]

 

Very nicely stated!

[lele100]

Ok here is a question, how and who pays attention on lets say roulette of how much you bet and how long you stayed. but mostly with how much you played. The Roulette table is usually packed. So how does a worker pay attention to all these peoples bets and keep them straight?

[HawkIVette]

Ok here is a question, how and who pays attention on lets say roulette of how much you bet and how long you stayed. but mostly with how much you played. The Roulette table is usually packed. So how does a worker pay attention to all these peoples bets and keep them straight?

 

Very easy. They use a computer.

 

Note the next time you sit down and they ask you for your S&S card.

 

The dealer will swipe the card and then enter your buy in amount. I have seen them at the BJ table and the Craps table also enter the size of your bet. On both the Roulette table and the Craps table, there is a counter that keeps track of the spins/ throws and the computer does the rest.

 

When you leave the dealer/ pit boss simply clocks you out and the computer calculates how much you bet over the spins/ throws to give you a point rating.

Edited December 18, 2016 by HawkIVette