Booking through Club Royale Changed

[scorpluvsdolphins]

Has anyone who normally books through the casino tried to book since last week?

 

 

 

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[Shippy]

Not since last week.

We booked our upcoming September, Harmony cruise through them a few months ago. Very easy. Hope that does not change.

But I did call them about a week ago. We had a category GS and I saw where one in what I considered a better location opened up. I called them and they switched our cabin with no problem.

[scorpluvsdolphins]

Not sure if I like the changes.

They won't let you use your $100 - $500 off casino certificate with casino rates.

 

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[coops]

Not sure if I like the changes.

They won't let you use your $100 - $500 off casino certificate with casino rates.

 

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My husband and I could use both our casino certificates with the casino rates for next April with no problem.

 

 

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[scorpluvsdolphins]

Did you book it in the last six days?

 

 

 

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[Spurschick]

I had heard that there were lots of complaints that people that were getting the lower value certificates were also getting the same discounts on cabins as the high end gamblers getting free certificates with choice of free cruise or trade in value.

 

I agree that someone getting a $100 certificate for 400 points should not get the same cabin discount as someone that gets over 2400 and only gets an extra $400 off. 2000 points at $5 played which is $10,000 played for $400 was not fair.

 

 

Sorry if you don't like the loss of discount but under the old program you wouldn't have even been invited to the club if you were only getting 400 points. They tried opening it up to the masses which was not without issues. Yes it made it great for low level players but for higher level players no it was not fair. It was realized with all the complaints it needed to be fixed. Sounds like they finally got round to doing it.

If you get a high enough certificate then yes they will be combinable.

Edited July 5, 2017 by Spurschick

[canuckcruiselover]

There seem to be some misconceptions about the new casino rules. We were on the Anthem last week. My husband, who plays the minimum on penny machines and played with less than $500 in 6 days, accumulated 2,400 points and a certificate for a free cruise (inside stateroom on Freedom class and below, with a trade-in value of $500). He did spend many hours on just a couple of machines. I played larger denominations and earned a free cruise (balcony stateroom on the Quantum class and below with a trade-in value of $1,000) plus an OBC credit. And, in spite of the casino host telling me that the offers cannot be combined, it states very clearly on the certificates that they can be combined for up to a Junior Suite. And even though the certificate states that cruises must be booked within 30 days of the issue date, our recent cruise was booked 8 months after the last certificate "expired".

[Spurschick]

There seem to be some misconceptions about the new casino rules. We were on the Anthem last week. My husband, who plays the minimum on penny machines and played with less than $500 in 6 days, accumulated 2,400 points and a certificate for a free cruise (inside stateroom on Freedom class and below, with a trade-in value of $500). He did spend many hours on just a couple of machines. I played larger denominations and earned a free cruise (balcony stateroom on the Quantum class and below with a trade-in value of $1,000) plus an OBC credit. And, in spite of the casino host telling me that the offers cannot be combined, it states very clearly on the certificates that they can be combined for up to a Junior Suite. And even though the certificate states that cruises must be booked within 30 days of the issue date, our recent cruise was booked 8 months after the last certificate "expired".

 

I think the OP is not questioning whether two people with certificates can combine their certificates but whether they can get a discounted cabin and apply an additional discount for the value of the certificates.

 

Whenever we book we get a casino rate for the cabin, which is quite heavily discounted, and then apply both mine and DH's coupons to that casino rate. It is rare for us to be able to sail on the cruises listed due to our daughter being in school and peak sailings are not normally offered.

 

The OP is saying that now if you have a low value certificate you do not get the discounted cabin as well.

[canuckcruiselover]

I think the OP is not questioning whether two people with certificates can combine their certificates but whether they can get a discounted cabin and apply an additional discount for the value of the certificates.

 

Whenever we book we get a casino rate for the cabin, which is quite heavily discounted, and then apply both mine and DH's coupons to that casino rate. It is rare for us to be able to sail on the cruises listed due to our daughter being in school and peak sailings are not normally offered.

 

The OP is saying that now if you have a low value certificate you do not get the discounted cabin as well.

 

My experience has been that you can book any cruise, and any date. It doesn't have to be those listed on the certificate. But a lot depends on the Club Royale agent you speak to. I have had different answers from different agents.

[Spurschick]

My experience has been that you can book any cruise, and any date. It doesn't have to be those listed on the certificate. But a lot depends on the Club Royale agent you speak to. I have had different answers from different agents.

 

Then you have been far luckier than us because both myself and my husband get free cruise certificates and have never been allowed to use for a free cruise on a sailing of our choice. We can use trade in value for any cruise we want but not the free cruise. The free cruises generally are not listed for peak times.

[canuckcruiselover]

Then you have been far luckier than us because both myself and my husband get free cruise certificates and have never been allowed to use for a free cruise on a sailing of our choice. We can use trade in value for any cruise we want but not the free cruise. The free cruises generally are not listed for peak times.

 

Phone a few times. The agents' responses vary considerably. I was told by one agent, whose offer was far better than others, that he had the authority to make changes, which others couldn't.

[Spurschick]

Phone a few times. The agents' responses vary considerably. I was told by one agent, whose offer was far better than others, that he had the authority to make changes, which others couldn't.

D

 

 

I have probably spoken to everyone there! Yes I agree there are some that are more helpful than others. I have 4 cruises booked through them and even on the short ones as they are not listed on the free sailings I have been told no. Now we are getting some wonderful rates and discounts, which is fine, but I have categorically been told no to the free cruise of our choice.

 

It is frustrating because our last cruise I had free cabin certificate and DH had higher free cabin certificate. There was one cruise on his list that caught our eye but it was not on my list on the certificate so they said no we can't combine.

 

With all the inconsistencies in how people are being treated and the lack of a clearly defined program it has made us start looking at other lines.

 

Celebrity recently brought out a very clear and well defined program. The program is clearly stated online with no ambiguity. CR said they were hopeful the new program would be sorted soon. Given they said it would be in place by March 2016 and we still haven't got any info I'm not holding my breath.

[canuckcruiselover]

They really don't have a clear policy . . . even when it comes to having tax withheld. On our last cruise on Explorer, I had to pay tax even though I'm Canadian and lottery and gaming winnings are not taxed here but on the Anthem, my husband didn't have to pay tax because he's Canadian. (He had a hand-pay, even with his small bets)!

[Spurschick]

They really don't have a clear policy . . . even when it comes to having tax withheld. On our last cruise on Explorer, I had to pay tax even though I'm Canadian and lottery and gaming winnings are not taxed here but on the Anthem, my husband didn't have to pay tax because he's Canadian. (He had a hand-pay, even with his small bets)!

 

Exactly, it is inconsistent. On several ships they don't want to withhold taxes as its too much paperwork for them:rolleyes:

[scorpluvsdolphins]

I play the tables and the slots. I have no problem accumulating points on 5 night or longer cruises to earn a free cruise.

The weekend cruises make it difficult to earn the free cruise when you play the tables also.

I just took two weekend cruises in June. No sea days.

The point or question I'm referring to is the new changes as of last week.

I was told by two different agents from casino royale that if there's a promotion going on, you can use your certificate towards the regular price.

They are saying it's a better deal than using the casino rate and NOT using the certificate.

They also said there are changes about booking more than a year out.

 

I'm just glad I already have my 7 cruises booked in the next 16 months. I'm not counting the back to back Bahama cruises for next summer in the 7.

I was able to get incredible rates because of the time I spend in the casino, not just on the slots.

If it doesn't work out in the future, no big deal. I'll just spend less time in the casino.

Royal could only wish that cruisers with the amount of crown & anchor points that I have would book balconies and higher AND play in the casino.

Most of the people that I meet in the CL spend zero dollars in the casino.

Most book inside rooms with a few in JS's or balconies and spend very little to nothing on the ship.

I have heard many people be very excited that they spend nothing while on the ship. I'm happy that they are happy and having a good time.

To each their own while they are on vacation.

Whatever will be will be.

I will adjust my time in the casino based on the price of the cabin in the future.

If I don't get my VIP casino sticker on my card, no problem.

I'm super happy that I booked my JS's before the non refundable deposits took effect. :-)

Thanks for the replies.

 

 

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[Petroplex]

So I just got off the Liberty on Sunday (July 2). I only had something like 180 points, because I did not play much slots. However, I played many hours of $25 a hand blackjack, and for most of those hours was the only one on my table (thus playing more hands). I had the VIP sticker placed on my card at some point when I asked for chips at the table. Does anybody know how Royal is factoring in table play to discounted cruise offerings?

[canuckcruiselover]

Can you please tell me if your cruise certificate dates went past Oct of this year? I am wondering if they have refreshed them yet. Thank you

 

Yes, they go up to mid-March, 2018

[scorpluvsdolphins]

So I just got off the Liberty on Sunday (July 2). I only had something like 180 points, because I did not play much slots. However, I played many hours of $25 a hand blackjack, and for most of those hours was the only one on my table (thus playing more hands). I had the VIP sticker placed on my card at some point when I asked for chips at the table. Does anybody know how Royal is factoring in table play to discounted cruise offerings?

 

 

 

Call casino Royale and ask them if they can give you any discounts based on your length of play and the amount you played each hand. Only do this if you have another cruise aalready booked less than a year out or are planning to book a cruise.

 

 

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[RFerrington]

If they are refusing to allow the casino rate + personal additional discount + certificate value combination then this is definitely something new. We have always gotten all of these discounts, including combination of multiple certificates applied to the same casino rate [discounted] cruise. If they are no longer allowing these combinations it will be very unfortunate.

[coops]

Did you book it in the last six days?

 

 

 

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We added it to our already booked cruise from last year. 2 weeks after we got off the ship this past April.

[scorpluvsdolphins]

If they are refusing to allow the casino rate + personal additional discount + certificate value combination then this is definitely something new. We have always gotten all of these discounts, including combination of multiple certificates applied to the same casino rate [discounted] cruise. If they are no longer allowing these combinations it will be very unfortunate.

 

 

 

I did also until I called this past Monday when I got off a three nighter to apply the $ off certificate to one of my casino rate future cruises I have already booked. Nope. I called back yesterday and spoke with somebody different with the same result.

 

 

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[rt1092]

Casino rates now are just another bait and switch. Like the "second passenger 60% off"

I called and was told that you can not combine 2 certificates in the same name. (the casino host told us you could, I would have had my wife use my card on the second cruise) .

Still need a ship and sail date to get a price. We will probably use these 2, then we won't worry about points anymore.

You can go to next cruise and get almost the same discount and don't risk a penny.

[Milwaukee Eight]

Casino rates now are just another bait and switch. Like the "second passenger 60% off"

I called and was told that you can not combine 2 certificates in the same name. (the casino host told us you could, I would have had my wife use my card on the second cruise) .

Still need a ship and sail date to get a price. We will probably use these 2, then we won't worry about points anymore.

You can go to next cruise and get almost the same discount and don't risk a penny.

 

Not in my experience. Just off MJ on Monday. Didn't play first night of 3 nighter. Received $400 off Certificate. This is typical for me playing two nights of three. On 7+ night cruises, generally $1000/free Balcony. I book through Club Royale and am very pleased with the discounts we receive. Not sure CR ever used my Certificates as we have been very happy with discounts.

 

The Casino is Entertainment for us....... a bonus to get a discount.

[lovelife]

I have not seen this posted but I very well could have missed it. Each year I give my son and family a cruise as a Christmas present (not sailing over the holiday). Only hitch is, they have to sail with us!! I have always gotten a casino rate on both cabins but when booking this time was advised we can now only get a casino rate on one cabin per sailing. :(

[Milwaukee Eight]

I have not seen this posted but I very well could have missed it. Each year I give my son and family a cruise as a Christmas present (not sailing over the holiday). Only hitch is, they have to sail with us!! I have always gotten a casino rate on both cabins but when booking this time was advised we can now only get a casino rate on one cabin per sailing. :(

 

 

 

Our experience as well. If two in the cabin it could also apply only to one person, the player. Better rate if all in a cabin play. I tried recently to book for my kids and grands and CR rate could only be applied to my cabin.

 

 

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