Casino Discount explained to me by HAL

[NCTribeFan]

This solo could get interested in taking up gambling as a participation sport for those kinds of rates!

Question, though: were you able to book a specific cabin, or did you have to book guarantee? And while I'm asking questions: how far in advance of sailing do these offers appear?

 

I believe I received the mailing in August last year. I know it covered a range of dates because I wanted to go in mid-December rather than early January but the partners wouldn't let me switch.

 

Yes, I was able to select my cabin (great J cabin on Zuiderdam - huge for a solo).

 

One thing - HAL did NOT give me my shareholder OBC. Now, I realize that I was sailing at a deeply-discounted fare, but on Carnival, people going on free cabins through the casino still get their OBC, so I was a bit disappointed. I told my PCC that those funds would've have gone straight back to the casino, so it was not wise to deny the credit.

 

I'm going to submit my SH info sometime next month and I'll be disappointed if I'm denied again since my fare this time around isn't nearly as much of a discount.

 

I used to get more perks when I only played the slots because that play is automatically calculated. Now that I play Roulette almost exclusively, it seems my play isn't enough to be recognized by the pit boss. I'm going to change my technique a bit next time and start out with more cash at the beginning and cash out earlier, cash in my chips, go back with cash...

 

Trust me, this subject has been beaten to death on the Carnival board. No one truly knows why some people get the perks and others don't. I'm pretty sure I got mine because I'd taken those Premier cruises on Carnival and had only been on the one HAL cruise. They were trying to entice me to return. It worked!

[RuthC]

I believe I received the mailing in August last year. I know it covered a range of dates because I wanted to go in mid-December rather than early January but the partners wouldn't let me switch.

Thanks for your entire post. The information was very helpful in understanding how this works.

If the time frame between offer and embarkation is a mere four months or so, that isn't very much. But at least now I know.

[zookiebird]

I spent time in front of machines talking! I talked to the Casino Manager, hostess, bar staff, other people .. I spent more time talking than gambling.

 

I still am floored that my piddly amount spent on slots earned such a great discount.

 

I'm definitely going to keep playing!

 

Hi Denise, We had so much fun with you, Sis and Mom this past Feb on our partial Panama Canal cruise (especially in the piano bar). Would love to sail with you guys again.

 

Martie & Doug

[IndyDenise]

I spent time in front of machines talking! I talked to the Casino Manager, hostess, bar staff, other people .. I spent more time talking than gambling.

 

 

 

I still am floored that my piddly amount spent on slots earned such a great discount.

 

 

 

I'm definitely going to keep playing!

 

 

 

Hi Denise, We had so much fun with you, Sis and Mom this past Feb on our partial Panama Canal cruise (especially in the piano bar). Would love to sail with you guys again.

 

 

 

Martie & Doug

 

 

 

Martie and Doug! How are you , my sexy trivia queen! We are going on a 12 Med Cruise Barcelona-Venice in April! Join us. Really, really enjoyed hanging out with you guys!!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[IndyDenise]

I only see the reduced price when I actually go to book. It doesn't show on the screen where it has all of the stateroom choices/prices

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[DaveOKC]

I wonder if your gambling in and based casinos have anything to do with getting a casino rate? I know that Harrahs often gives free cruises on NCL for example.

[Nieuwuser]

I wonder if your gambling in and based casinos have anything to do with getting a casino rate? I know that Harrahs often gives free cruises on NCL for example.

Could be ? I have a Caesars Total Rewards card and a Hard Rock Rewards card.

I would consider myself a Low Roller:)

[kazu]

I wonder if your gambling in and based casinos have anything to do with getting a casino rate? I know that Harrahs often gives free cruises on NCL for example.

 

Not in my case. I only gamble on cruises. Never on land ;)

[Lady Arwen]

I think that we're talking about two different deals here. The casino rate that HAL offers to some clients is a 30% discount on virtually all cruises across the board. I can't even find one that doesn't offer it to me. These prices are revealed online after you put in your mariner number.

 

There is also a promo where HAL sends an email/phone call to select people for specific cruises that are offered to casino players. Sometimes the prices are drastically reduced and sometimes "free". These would be the promos that are possibly linked to your on land casinos working with the cruiseline.

 

I've never received one of these emails, but I've qualified for the casino rate of 30% discount for quite a long time. My HD and I are really low rollers, but we use the casino everyday/night. These two promos are probably not available together and certainly not offered to everyone who uses the casino onboard.

[mfanderso]

I just booked a cruise and my TA told me I had a casino rate. The discount on a Neptune Suite was only 15% but the discount on an Inside Cabin was 30%. My husband and I don't spend a lot in the casino but do visit it daily. On our last cruise, my husband got a letter at the end of the cruise that if he booked another cruise within 30 days I believe and sailed within 6 months, he would get some casino cash. I didn't gamble as much that cruise and didn't get a letter but we didn't book a cruise within that timeframe anyway. Even though we didn't get the 30% discount that is being discussed here, I was happy with the 15% discount.

[kazu]

I think that we're talking about two different deals here. The casino rate that HAL offers to some clients is a 30% discount on virtually all cruises across the board. I can't even find one that doesn't offer it to me. These prices are revealed online after you put in your mariner number.

 

There is also a promo where HAL sends an email/phone call to select people for specific cruises that are offered to casino players. Sometimes the prices are drastically reduced and sometimes "free". These would be the promos that are possibly linked to your on land casinos working with the cruiseline.

 

I've never received one of these emails, but I've qualified for the casino rate of 30% discount for quite a long time. My HD and I are really low rollers, but we use the casino everyday/night. These two promos are probably not available together and certainly not offered to everyone who uses the casino onboard.

 

You are right - we are. I am just talking about the casino discount.

 

The casino "offers" with cheap cabins are usually Caribbeans I believe which have not as much appeal to us. I'm happy with my 25-30% discount on the itineraries we want.

 

It works for me - and the casino is a spot DH and I have fun in while he tells me to leave the machine, I disregard and then win (sometimes). LOL.

[Boytjie]

I think that we're talking about two different deals here. The casino rate that HAL offers to some clients is a 30% discount on virtually all cruises across the board. I can't even find one that doesn't offer it to me. These prices are revealed online after you put in your mariner number.

 

I tried a couple of bookings with and without my Mariner number and they all had the same prices, no discount. I have been on eight HAL cruises and gambled on all of them. I guess I did not gamble enough.

[richwmn]

I tried a couple of bookings with and without my Mariner number and they all had the same prices, no discount. I have been on eight HAL cruises and gambled on all of them. I guess I did not gamble enough.

Did you do slots or table games. If table game you would have to register by presenting you cabin card otherwise they won't know who you are!

[Lady Arwen]

I tried a couple of bookings with and without my Mariner number and they all had the same prices, no discount. I have been on eight HAL cruises and gambled on all of them. I guess I did not gamble enough.

First, you must remember to insert your cruise card each and every time you use a slot machine and every single time you sit at one of the tables. This is the only way HAL can track your casino use. Honestly, some people who gamble more than we do and use their cruise card religiously still don't receive the casino rate. HAL has a way of deciding who does and who does not. Probably a random computer selection, but who knows. I have never been able to get an answer from HAL!

[RuthC]

I think that we're talking about two different deals here. The casino rate that HAL offers to some clients is a 30% discount on virtually all cruises across the board. I can't even find one that doesn't offer it to me. These prices are revealed online after you put in your mariner number.

 

There is also a promo where HAL sends an email/phone call to select people for specific cruises that are offered to casino players. Sometimes the prices are drastically reduced and sometimes "free". These would be the promos that are possibly linked to your on land casinos working with the cruiseline.

Very informative. Thank you. Your post sure clarified a lot of what I have been reading in this thread.

Appreciated.

[liketraveling]

Just faxed my stock statement for my OBC for my upcoming cruise and the OBC was applied to my booking.

 

I booked a cruise with the Casino rate that comes up under my Mariner number. I have never received email offers for free or heavily discounted cruises for a Holland America cruise. I believe the flyers with Casino discounts do not allow you to use the OBC from the Carnival stock but the rates that come under you Mariner number allow you to use the stock OBC.

 

At least it has been that way for the last three cruises when the Casino rate started appearing under my Mariner Number.

[Boytjie]

Did you do slots or table games. If table game you would have to register by presenting you cabin card otherwise they won't know who you are!

 

More slots than tables.

 

 

First, you must remember to insert your cruise card each and every time you use a slot machine and every single time you sit at one of the tables. This is the only way HAL can track your casino use. Honestly, some people who gamble more than we do and use their cruise card religiously still don't receive the casino rate. HAL has a way of deciding who does and who does not. Probably a random computer selection, but who knows. I have never been able to get an answer from HAL!

 

Isn't inserting your card the only way you can play the slots these days? Anyways, I do use my card at slots and have for as long as it was an option.

[croozen]

More slots than tables.

 

 

 

 

Isn't inserting your card the only way you can play the slots these days? Anyways, I do use my card at slots and have for as long as it was an option.

 

Similarly, every time I sit at black jack table, the dealer asks for room card so it may be swiped. Has never been optional.

[kazu]

<snip>

 

 

 

 

Isn't inserting your card the only way you can play the slots these days? .

 

The slots I have played have the option to insert cash (bills). If you do that, you don't HAVE to put your card in although it is wise to do so, of course ;)

[richwmn]

Similarly, every time I sit at black jack table, the dealer asks for room card so it may be swiped. Has never been optional.

I generally only play cash at the roulette wheel and have never been asked for my cabin card. I started offering it about a year ago after reading here about casino offers - not that I expect to get one.

[Lady Arwen]

More slots than tables.

 

 

 

 

Isn't inserting your card the only way you can play the slots these days? Anyways, I do use my card at slots and have for as long as it was an option.

Since you can use cash in the slots, you do not need to insert your card. I've seen so many people sit down, put in $50.00, lose it all and walk away and never inserted their card. If they did this the entire cruise, they could have missed out on HAL recognising their casino use and offering casino rates in the future. ALWAYS insert your card!

[Lady Arwen]

Very informative. Thank you. Your post sure clarified a lot of what I have been reading in this thread.

Appreciated.

You are most welcome! I could see that this thread was becoming quite confusing.

[Boytjie]

Similarly, every time I sit at black jack table, the dealer asks for room card so it may be swiped. Has never been optional.

 

I may have been asked for my card at the tables but I don't really recall it happening; I think I would have remembered. Will pay more attention next time.

[Boytjie]

Since you can use cash in the slots, you do not need to insert your card. I've seen so many people sit down, put in $50.00, lose it all and walk away and never inserted their card. If they did this the entire cruise, they could have missed out on HAL recognising their casino use and offering casino rates in the future. ALWAYS insert your card!

 

Yes, you can put in cash but I thought you needed to use the card to cash out? Do they still print the receipt to take to the cashier? I have been using my card the last couple of cruises for all the slots I have played.

[ger_77]

Yes, you can put in cash but I thought you needed to use the card to cash out? Do they still print the receipt to take to the cashier? I have been using my card the last couple of cruises for all the slots I have played.

 

Yes, there is a printed receipt to take to the cashier to cash out. One time DH forgot to cash out at the end of the cruise (we obviously weren't on the winning side of the ledger), and a month later received a cheque in the mail for $12.

Smooth Sailing! :) :) :)