How does casino rate work?

[Curly-Q]

How does the casino rate work.  On my recent cruise I got a $50 in free play in the casino for my next cruise as well and an offer code for a new booking.  But it looks like one must purchase a cruise on HAL's website to get to the payment section before you see what your casino rate perk will total; and I don't purchase on their site, I go through my TA.

 

Does HAL ever email a "casino rate" offer on a particular cruise to you?  

 

Just curious, never had this before nor have I seen other lines offer anything similar.    Thanks for your help!

[Mehroswitha]

Not a casino person myself, but my son constantly receives offers in the (postal) mail for free or greatly reduced-fare cruises on HAL based on his casino play.

 

Usually there's a whole list of choices with interior cabins free or nearly free and the option to upgrade at varying prices. For example, since his girlfriend didn't have vacation time available, he's booked a week-long mother/son Caribbean cruise for us next month in a Neptune Suite at $800 apiece.

 

The booking must be made directly through the number provided on the offer rather than a TA, but the rate is clear up-front.

 

He claims these offers are based on total amount wagered during the cruise (NOT amount won or lost), time spent playing, and behavior. "Behavior" means tipping the dealer whether he wins or loses and generally treating him/her well, clearly enjoying himself while never being rowdy or drinking to excess, and doing whatever he can to enhance the experience of other players. Players who are having fun in the company of others having fun will play longer, which in the long run always means more money for the casino.

 

No inside information here--just his experience. But it makes more sense to me than any other explanation I've seen.

[kazu]

37 minutes ago, Curly-Q said:

How does the casino rate work.  On my recent cruise I got a $50 in free play in the casino for my next cruise as well and an offer code for a new booking.  But it looks like one must purchase a cruise on HAL's website to get to the payment section before you see what your casino rate perk will total; and I don't purchase on their site, I go through my TA.

 

Does HAL ever email a "casino rate" offer on a particular cruise to you?  

 

Just curious, never had this before nor have I seen other lines offer anything similar.    Thanks for your help!

 

There are 2 different casino rates.

 

The first is a discounted cruise with sometimes an offer of free play.

 

The other is a very special listing of cruises that can be free for an inside cabin.  Post #2 is referring to that one.

 

I believe you have received the former (the one I have bolded). 

 

I get those as well.  If you log in to the HAL website you can see the difference in the cruise price since you will receive the casino discount.  You don’t need to purchase the cruise on the website.  You are just starting a dummy booking to see if there is a difference in pricing.  Not all cruises qualify for the discount but a number do. 😉 

 

Alternatively, if you prefer you can ask your TA if the casino discount is on the cruise you are interested in.  The TA’s get the same casino discount and can see it.  Mine will often tell me I have it (even though I have checked) and the HAL confirmation that she sends me actually says on page 2 - casino discount.

 

Hope this makes sense and helps.

[Curly-Q]

Thanks to both posters, definitely provided some good information.  We like playing in the casino, don't really win big, kinda win some then lose some, but it's entertaining.  If it'll get me a better price on a future cruise, then it's a win-win in my book!

[kazu]

1 hour ago, Curly-Q said:

Thanks to both posters, definitely provided some good information.  We like playing in the casino, don't really win big, kinda win some then lose some, but it's entertaining.  If it'll get me a better price on a future cruise, then it's a win-win in my book!

 

It can definitely be a win win, for sure.

You can save a nice percentage and you don’t need to break the bank to get it.  You do need to spend some time and play but it’s all in fun 🙂 

[Balliett]

I agree with the above postings, in that one should check the cruise rate on discount websites to compare with the casino offer price.  The casino offer is not always the best price around.  Also, regarding freeplay offers, DO take the original offer letter to the casino on board.  HAL and the casino on HAL and your TA will have no record of the offer otherwise.  

[mcrcruiser]

With out a casino rate booking last minute ,like 2 weeks before sailing ,we wound up with a balcony cabin guarantee for $1182 total for 2 of us ,  for 7 night cruise & along with our CCL stock we got $325 in OBC .

[Jareds_mommytoo]

We booked a casino discount, i booked directly with HAL first got $1400 inside  Canadian for a week For 3 people on NA, then moved to a veranda with free gratuities for $1700 Canadian then moved it to our travel agent and was given $100 beverage card, dinner at pinnacle and  Canaletto

[Roktory]

when i look up pricing for a cruise before i log in i see one price then after i log in its lower. when i book the cruise  always see a casino discount on the PDF in the same area as the OBC or other perks are listed

[DaveOKC]

My DW does the gambling, so we normally book the cruise with her as the primary so that we get the casino discount (rate).  We do not get it on all cruises, but on most.   If I log in to HAL website on my account I get one price and when I switch over to hers I get a lower price (generally 10-20% less).  Of course, some people get a better discount - depends on your play/rating.  

 

You can use that $50 free play coupon on top of this (mention to your TA or PCC as it should be listed on your booking to qualify).  Then take it to the casino host when you board to get the credit.  As I recall, there are several qualifications you must meet (like book by a certain date, sail by a certain date), so pay attention to that.

 

One nice thing about the casino discount/rate is that you can use it on any cabin category and you can select your cabin if you wish.  On the casino OFFERS (mailer or email), often they are only for guarantee cabins and if you want to select your cabin you pay ALOT more.

[Lady Arwen]

We've been blessed with a 30% discount casino rate.  Every cruise we've booked since 2009 has offered this discount, regardless of ship or cabin category.  The only cruises that did not offer the discount were the inaugural sailing of new ships.  We'v saved thousands of $ over the years.  BTW we are not high rollers at all, we just play everyday of our cruise.