Free Cruise Casino Offer

[DaveOKC]

2 hours ago, VTcruisenut said:

I apologize if my post has offended anyone, that was not my intent.  But truthfully, is $958 chump change for anyone?   Wouldn't you feel a bit put out if you found out you could have saved $958 only 5 days earlier?  It's a bit like making a major purchase one day and finding out the item is drastically on sale the next!   Again, I'm sorry if you  missed my point.  The thing about free speech is we all have the right to voice our opinions  Yours doesn't have to agree with mine or mine with yours.  I will enjoy the cruise we have booked with our friends, it is a blessing!  I hope all of you can embark on yours soon or in the near future plan one!  Have a great day and above all, be grateful.

A couple of things too know about those FREE casino cabins.  First, they only go to the biggest gamblers (thus they are most likely paying for the "free" cabins with their losses - not always, but most of the time). 

 

Second, the free cabin OFFERS are generally for Inside cabins and maybe sometimes for Oceanviews, but either way they are only Guarantees and only for the lowest level in that category.  If you want to select your cabin or even raise the level within your category, you are going to pay alot more.

 

Third, you may not be able to add other perks to your booking, such as stockholder OBC.  Be sure to check before booking.

 

Fourth, we ONLY qualify for casino RATE, which can vary from 5-30% (I am told) discount on your fare, but booking with this is just like a normal booking - select you cabin and category, use appropriate perks, etc.  We like this deal as we are picky about our cabin location and category, plus we make good use of available perks.

 

Yes, FREE is good - but know the restrictions before you book.

[VTcruisenut]

1 hour ago, DaveOKC said:

A couple of things too know about those FREE casino cabins.  First, they only go to the biggest gamblers (thus they are most likely paying for the "free" cabins with their losses - not always, but most of the time). 

 

Second, the free cabin OFFERS are generally for Inside cabins and maybe sometimes for Oceanviews, but either way they are only Guarantees and only for the lowest level in that category.  If you want to select your cabin or even raise the level within your category, you are going to pay alot more.

 

Third, you may not be able to add other perks to your booking, such as stockholder OBC.  Be sure to check before booking.

 

Fourth, we ONLY qualify for casino RATE, which can vary from 5-30% (I am told) discount on your fare, but booking with this is just like a normal booking - select you cabin and category, use appropriate perks, etc.  We like this deal as we are picky about our cabin location and category, plus we make good use of available perks.

 

Yes, FREE is good - but know the restrictions before you book.

Thank you for the info   The offer I received was for a free inside cabin, and we could pay greatly reduced rates for the other categories.  We are by no means "big gamblers"  I play slots only and usually penny slots and on our last cruise in 2015, I won enough to pay for all our shore excursions, gratuities, drinks, photos, etc.  end of cruise bill was zero.  So I don't know how they actually select who gets these offers, but it is a marketing strategy I am sure!  We aren't fussy about our  cabin as we are hardly ever in there, just to sleep and shower/change.  always book an inside anyway. We don't have any stock, s no OBC there.   I did see I got a Casino rate on our existing booking which may be why our fare is a bit lower than our friends. I will keep my eye out for future offers for sure! 

[mudscraper]

1 hour ago, DaveOKC said:

A couple of things too know about those FREE casino cabins.  First, they only go to the biggest gamblers (thus they are most likely paying for the "free" cabins with their losses - not always, but most of the time). 

 

Second, the free cabin OFFERS are generally for Inside cabins and maybe sometimes for Oceanviews, but either way they are only Guarantees and only for the lowest level in that category.  If you want to select your cabin or even raise the level within your category, you are going to pay alot more.

 

Third, you may not be able to add other perks to your booking, such as stockholder OBC.  Be sure to check before booking.

 

Fourth, we ONLY qualify for casino RATE, which can vary from 5-30% (I am told) discount on your fare, but booking with this is just like a normal booking - select you cabin and category, use appropriate perks, etc.  We like this deal as we are picky about our cabin location and category, plus we make good use of available perks.

 

Yes, FREE is good - but know the restrictions before you book.

Your statement that Free Casino cabins are only offered to the biggest gamblers is a surprise to me.  We get free cabin offers (including two in the last two months) and my wife plays the penny slots and limits her spending (losses) to $25.00 per day. I don't gamble at all.

 

[510picker]

3 hours ago, mudscraper said:

Your statement that Free Casino cabins are only offered to the biggest gamblers is a surprise to me.  We get free cabin offers (including two in the last two months) and my wife plays the penny slots and limits her spending (losses) to $25.00 per day. I don't gamble at all.

 

 

I second this. I spent $300 playing slots in the Koningsdam casino last November. I would be shocked if $300 puts me into the biggest gamblers category. My free offers were for inside cabins, so DaveOKC is correct about that. The offer also included $299 pp upgrade to a verandah and a $799 pp upgrade to a Neptune Suite. Those prices are for a 7 day Caribbean cruise on the Nieuw Statendam in March. 

[travelnap]

5 hours ago, mudscraper said:

Your statement that Free Casino cabins are only offered to the biggest gamblers is a surprise to me.  We get free cabin offers (including two in the last two months) and my wife plays the penny slots and limits her spending (losses) to $25.00 per day. I don't gamble at all.

 

I third that, I am not a big gambler either, but I have received multiple offers for the free and reduced fare cruises for upgrading rooms.  The upgrade price for a suite is still well below current market prices for the same sailing if booked directly with HAL.  They also do offer a discount for casino play but I think that is a different promotion from the free cruises that are offered for inside cabins from time to time.

[orderfire]

I got an offer like this about a week after we got off the NA in December.   I had spent a fair bit of time in the casino and won enough to almost clear our final bill (we only owed about $160.00 final bill).   The offer was for certain sailings - interior rooms starting at $0, Oceanview from $99, Veranda from $299, Vista/Signature Suite from $499 and Neptune Suite from $799.   

We decided "What the hell!" and booked again for the end of March. 

 

I think the timing is really everything.  We've received similar offers that we couldn't take for one reason or another, this one just came at the right time.

[VTcruisenut]

1 hour ago, orderfire said:

I got an offer like this about a week after we got off the NA in December.   I had spent a fair bit of time in the casino and won enough to almost clear our final bill (we only owed about $160.00 final bill).   The offer was for certain sailings - interior rooms starting at $0, Oceanview from $99, Veranda from $299, Vista/Signature Suite from $499 and Neptune Suite from $799.   

We decided "What the hell!" and booked again for the end of March. 

 

I think the timing is really everything.  We've received similar offers that we couldn't take for one reason or another, this one just came at the right time.

I'm glad it worked out for you !   apparently timing is everything..  We will enjoy our cruise and hope they send us another offer another time.

[notladjr]

On 1/5/2019 at 5:11 PM, msmayor said:

 

The free cruise offers for casino players are almost always last-minute deals, after final payment.  They are not always offered on every itinerary and it's always possible that the cruise you booked wouldn't be available.

 

They are designed for people who can cruise last minute and take whatever rooms are left.  

Our offer certainly wasn't last minute. Two weeks after returning from our first HAL cruise in mid December I received an email with an "exclusive casino offer". The list of cruises was extensive and went out to mid year or so. Free inside cabins on a lot of the cruises with fantastic bargains on upgrades to balcony's or suites. We booked a 7 night cruise on HAL's new Nieuw Statendam for April. For longer cruises the inside cabins had a nominal cost but still great bargains.

[notladjr]

On 1/6/2019 at 4:05 PM, 510picker said:

 

I second this. I spent $300 playing slots in the Koningsdam casino last November. I would be shocked if $300 puts me into the biggest gamblers category. My free offers were for inside cabins, so DaveOKC is correct about that. The offer also included $299 pp upgrade to a verandah and a $799 pp upgrade to a Neptune Suite. Those prices are for a 7 day Caribbean cruise on the Nieuw Statendam in March. 

What you described was pretty much the offer I got. We booked NS for April.

[CherryG]

I received the casino offer last Friday.  We considered the 11 day Panama for the end of March, but It isn't going to work for us this time, but we have taken advantage of the casino offers.    However, we've always paid a little more and got either the Signature or the Neptune Suite.  Free or not, my husband won't take the inside cabin, and the free one on my letters have always been for the inside, with small charges to upgrade to each level.  It's a great deal if you can take advantage of it.  On our cruise a year ago, we had a Neptune through the casino offer, and someone asked how much.  I told them, and they repeated to someone who was also in a Neptune, and she said she didn't believe me, that there was no way we'd paid so little.  

[CherryG]

I should have added that we are definitely not big gamblers.  I gamble more than my husband (he may lose $25 for a whole cruise!), but still not a big gambler.  We do go down daily and play, but still the $ amount spent is minimal over all.

 

[Crusinsusan2]

The free cruise offers for casino players are almost always last-minute deals, after final payment.  They are not always offered on every itinerary and it's always possible that the cruise you booked wouldn't be available.

 

They are designed for people who can cruise last minute and take whatever rooms are left.

 

Confirming post #33. These offers are not last minute, nor do you have to spend your cruise fare in the casino.  They must however be paid in full at time of booking non-refundable and can not be combined with any promotion.  Depending on the category you choose it has always been a guarantee for us. Luckily we never been disappointed. Booked a neptune guarantee for our upcoming and got our cabin assignment today ended up with an aft wrap and THRILLED. Great travel insurance/cancel for any reason is a must in this case or any cruise for that matter when booking so far ahead.       

[HappiestWhenCruising]

I just got one of these letters yesterday and booked a cruise in November.  So that's not last minute.  We are going with a guarantee inside room.  I kept thinking of upgrading to a suite for 499 each, but I figured I rather use some of that money in the casino so that I can keep getting these offers.  Ive gotten quite a few over the years and wouldnt consider myself to be a big gambler either.  Not everyone makes these lists,but I'm just happy to be on it!  Hope I can stay there.

 

Holland America is the only line Ive been on that offers these deals.  Others will give you a reduced fare for casino players, but never free.  So for all of you that have taken advantage of these deals, I say good for you. Its the best deal going out there that I've come across!

[DaveOKC]

On 1/6/2019 at 12:37 PM, mudscraper said:

Your statement that Free Casino cabins are only offered to the biggest gamblers is a surprise to me.  We get free cabin offers (including two in the last two months) and my wife plays the penny slots and limits her spending (losses) to $25.00 per day. I don't gamble at all.

 

I wonder is the free room deals go to people who are moderate gamblers onboard but give good play to some land based casino systems (like MGM or Caesars).  I know that NCL has a tie in with Caesars and gives free cabins to people who have never even been aboard a ship prior.

[kazu]

16 hours ago, DaveOKC said:

I wonder is the free room deals go to people who are moderate gamblers onboard but give good play to some land based casino systems (like MGM or Caesars).  I know that NCL has a tie in with Caesars and gives free cabins to people who have never even been aboard a ship prior.

 

Not in my case.  I'm siting here with a casino offer and the only time I gamble is when I am on the ships.  Don't gamble or play bingo in normal life 😉 

[510picker]

I hope another one of these offers comes my way. We couldn't commit to going when we previously received them, but now are in the position to book.

[msmayor]

Even when the special offers of free/heavily reduced casino fares are not around, my husband and I have had the benefit of casino fares on our bookings.  For us, we've always been able to combine the casino rate with whatever promotion is currently running.

 

 

[DaveOKC]

2 hours ago, msmayor said:

Even when the special offers of free/heavily reduced casino fares are not around, my husband and I have had the benefit of casino fares on our bookings.  For us, we've always been able to combine the casino rate with whatever promotion is currently running.

 

 

Nice thing about the casino fares you mention is that they generally are combinable AND you get to pick your cabin.

 

[CrusinAgain]

On 3/13/2019 at 6:07 PM, HappiestWhenCruising said:

I just got one of these letters yesterday and booked a cruise in November.  So that's not last minute.  We are going with a guarantee inside room.  I kept thinking of upgrading to a suite for 499 each, but I figured I rather use some of that money in the casino so that I can keep getting these offers.  Ive gotten quite a few over the years and wouldnt consider myself to be a big gambler either.  Not everyone makes these lists,but I'm just happy to be on it!  Hope I can stay there.

 

Holland America is the only line Ive been on that offers these deals.  Others will give you a reduced fare for casino players, but never free.  So for all of you that have taken advantage of these deals, I say good for you. Its the best deal going out there that I've come across!

Did your offer you just got yesterday come by mail or email because I always get them as well.  Hoping mine is in the mail.

[HappiestWhenCruising]

1 hour ago, CrusinAgain said:

Did your offer you just got yesterday come by mail or email because I always get them as well.  Hoping mine is in the mail.

I got a letter in the mail.

[waiting2retire]

Does anyone know if the free casino offer can be booked as a solo traveller?  What would the single supplement be on a free cruise???

 

I have never received these offers, but I am thinking it might be worth dropping a few extra $$ in the casino on my next cruise if it gets me on a list.  I don't always travel solo, but would be nice to know if the offer is only for 2+ in a cabin.

 

 

[DaveOKC]

6 minutes ago, waiting2retire said:

Does anyone know if the free casino offer can be booked as a solo traveller?  What would the single supplement be on a free cruise???

 

I have never received these offers, but I am thinking it might be worth dropping a few extra $$ in the casino on my next cruise if it gets me on a list.  I don't always travel solo, but would be nice to know if the offer is only for 2+ in a cabin.

 

 

I doubt that it would matter, as the offers are for two people in a cabin, even if only one gambles.  My wife does the gambling but I get the same fare as she does (but I have to book the cruise under her name with me as the 2nd passenger).  After all, the casino (who is extending you the offer) only cares about the gambler and how much they "put through" the system.

 

Edited March 15, 2019 by DaveOKC

[CrusinAgain]

14 minutes ago, waiting2retire said:

Does anyone know if the free casino offer can be booked as a solo traveller?  What would the single supplement be on a free cruise???

 

I have never received these offers, but I am thinking it might be worth dropping a few extra $$ in the casino on my next cruise if it gets me on a list.  I don't always travel solo, but would be nice to know if the offer is only for 2+ in a cabin.

 

 

Yes its good for solo travel.  You would pay for 2 minus the port fees and taxes for the non existent person.  Offer is only good for 1 cabin.

[geocruiser]

On 1/5/2019 at 5:53 PM, 510picker said:

I received an email back in December with a free offer and yesterday received another offer in the mail. Unfortunately we can’t book right now due to my father-in-law dealing with terminal cancer. 

Very sorry to read about your father-in-law.  My thoughts are with you.

[Djptcp]

I just received the same offer yesterday and not all the cruises are last minute at all. They are mostly for Nov.-Dec. with some spring 2019 cruises in there, too. The free cruises are only Interior which we would never do, but we recently sailed on the Oosterdam in Feb. (booked in early Nov.) with a similar free offer for an Interior and we booked a Neptune Suite for an incredibly cheap price. The bad thing is they are only Guaranteed cabins, you pay the whole fare at booking and the fare is non-refundable. These casino promotions previously were not Guaranteed cabins and we were always able to book specific Neptune Suites, so only having Guaranteed cabins on the Oosterdam was a surprise. The OP might receive another one of these offers this fall as I seem to receive them two or three times a year and she may not have another cruise already booked.