Blue Chip Casino Offer

[dallasdan]

That makes sense.  Maybe I gambled more than I thought.  We are looking at booking the 11-29 Edge Sailing.  Would love to do the 12 Equinox, but already have a September cruise with Carnival scheduled.  So don't have enough vacation days.

 

 

[WanderLuster101]

I booked the 9/4 Millennium Alaska sailing - taking my dad along.  I'm not certain it will happen given everything, but cautiously optimistic.   I've never cruised Celebrity before so very much looking forward to it.  I booked through an independent host (urcomped) and my offers from them usually vary from inside to oceanview to (very rarely) balcony depending on the cruise line, itinerary, and date, so a Verandah cabin on Celebrity was definitely a generous offer for my play level.

 

I have a couple of questions for all of you Celebrity comped casino cruise experts:

 

My understanding is that drinks are free in the casino while playing and maybe also at the casino bar when not playing - does anyone have any experience with this?  Is it OK to walk out of the casino with a comped drink.  I've done this on Royal, but not sure of the rules on Celebrity.  I'm debating whether we should still get alcohol packages anyway as my dad is a big drinker, so any clarity here would be really helpful.

 

Also, on Royal they have very clear point earning thresholds for getting future comped cruises (something like XXX points for an inside; xxxx for an oceanview; xxx for a balcony); does Celebrity have anything like this?

 

Thanks in Advance!

 

[kwokpot]

5 minutes ago, WanderLuster101 said:

I booked the 9/4 Millennium Alaska sailing - taking my dad along.  I'm not certain it will happen given everything, but cautiously optimistic.   I've never cruised Celebrity before so very much looking forward to it.  I booked through an independent host (urcomped) and my offers from them usually vary from inside to oceanview to (very rarely) balcony depending on the cruise line, itinerary, and date, so a Verandah cabin on Celebrity was definitely a generous offer for my play level.

 

I have a couple of questions for all of you Celebrity comped casino cruise experts:

 

My understanding is that drinks are free in the casino while playing and maybe also at the casino bar when not playing - does anyone have any experience with this?  Is it OK to walk out of the casino with a comped drink.  I've done this on Royal, but not sure of the rules on Celebrity.  I'm debating whether we should still get alcohol packages anyway as my dad is a big drinker, so any clarity here would be really helpful.

 

Also, on Royal they have very clear point earning thresholds for getting future comped cruises (something like XXX points for an inside; xxxx for an oceanview; xxx for a balcony); does Celebrity have anything like this?

 

Thanks in Advance!

 

Attached is a chart describing the tiers. 

https://www.celebritycruises.com/bccbenefits

 

Edited April 30, 2020 by kwokpot

[WanderLuster101]

1 minute ago, kwokpot said:

Attached is a chart describing the tiers. 

01-21-SP-Casino-BCC-Chart-Update.pdf 749.73 kB · 4 downloads

 

 

Thank you!  Do you happen to know if the drink packages at Sapphire and above are only in the casino or good throughout the ship? 

[winslow050]

5 minutes ago, WanderLuster101 said:

 

 

Thank you!  Do you happen to know if the drink packages at Sapphire and above are only in the casino or good throughout the ship? 

Drink packages for Sapphire and above are good on the entire ship for the cruise.

[dallasdan]

We ended up booking the 12 Day Southern Caribbean Cruise on the 11-27.  Between my September Cruise and this one I hope we sail on at least one.  To answer the questions about the drinks, I ordered drinks when I was in the casino and not playing from one of the servers that knew I was gambling.  Didn't try to order a drink at the casino bar.  I would think those would not be free. 

[poffles]

On 4/20/2020 at 1:39 PM, dallasdan said:

If both my wife and I received the offer, could we book 2 rooms on the same cruise and bring another couple?

 

OR ... if you got offers of two sailings that run back to back, one books one cruise the other books the following one.  Did this with my friend on the Edge last year.  Was awesome 14 day cruise and even had them put us in the same room for each so didn't even have to move our stuff!

 

And as someone mentioned above, they knew what we were doing as we passed the phone back and forth and got the same room 🙂

Edited May 1, 2020 by poffles

[NutsAboutGolf]

12 minutes ago, WanderLuster101 said:

My understanding is that drinks are free in the casino while playing and maybe also at the casino bar when not playing - does anyone have any experience with this?  Is it OK to walk out of the casino with a comped drink.  I've done this on Royal, but not sure of the rules on Celebrity.  I'm debating whether we should still get alcohol packages anyway as my dad is a big drinker, so any clarity here would be really helpful.

 

Also, on Royal they have very clear point earning thresholds for getting future comped cruises (something like XXX points for an inside; xxxx for an oceanview; xxx for a balcony); does Celebrity have anything like this?

 

 

On the BBC site, they say changes are coming, unsure what those are.  Previously:

1)  Drinks are not automatically free while playing until you get hit a certain tier

2)  The pitboss, or host can greenlight a drink

3)  X has run multiple promos on select sailings where drinks are free while playing in the casino, various data points ranging from the first sea day only - the entire sailing

4)  Casino bar does not give free drinks; some ships have VP and some don't

5)  No one will care if you leave with a comped drink now perhaps if you do this several times a day over multiple days, they'll talk to you.

6)  With "XXX points = stateroom type" X isn't as clear cut as RCL, you generally need to call; since they laid off a bunch in the BCC call center, perhaps this will be more transparent as before you generally had to call/email the BCC dept

[NutsAboutGolf]

15 minutes ago, poffles said:

 

OR ... if you got offers of two sailings that run back to back, one books one cruise the other books the following one.  Did this with my friend on the Edge last year.  Was awesome 14 day cruise and even had them put us in the same room for each so didn't even have to move our stuff!

 

And as someone mentioned above, they knew what we were doing as we passed the phone back and forth and got the same room 🙂

 

Great idea, could also do different ships/itineraries

[poffles]

3 minutes ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

On the BBC site, they say changes are coming, unsure what those are.  Previously:

1)  Drinks are not automatically free while playing until you get hit a certain tier

2)  The pitboss, or host can greenlight a drink

3)  X has run multiple promos on select sailings where drinks are free while playing in the casino, various data points ranging from the first sea day only - the entire sailing

4)  Casino bar does not give free drinks; some ships have VP and some don't

5)  No one will care if you leave with a comped drink now perhaps if you do this several times a day over multiple days, they'll talk to you.

6)  With "XXX points = stateroom type" X isn't as clear cut as RCL, you generally need to call; since they laid off a bunch in the BCC call center, perhaps this will be more transparent as before you generally had to call/email the BCC dept

 

Where do you see that changes are coming?   

[NutsAboutGolf]

2 minutes ago, poffles said:

 

Where do you see that changes are coming?   

 

https://www.celebritycruises.com/things-to-do-onboard/casino

[poffles]

2 minutes ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

https://www.celebritycruises.com/things-to-do-onboard/casino

 

Thanks ...must have been a refresh thing on my browser because I was seeing a different screen when I was going there but yours link took me to this ... interesting.    Be good to see what might be changing.

[NMTraveller]

Just curious.

 

How much do you need to gamble to qualify for these offers?  How do they count?  Is it by time or dollars spent or something else?

[NutsAboutGolf]

For the next roughly year, I predict big free play offers with a minor shuffle of tiers and benefits

 

2 minutes ago, NMTraveller said:

Just curious.

 

How much do you need to gamble to qualify for these offers?  How do they count?  Is it by time or dollars spent or something else?

 

"Something else" = Four parts, Oversimplified Numbers, Gaming Accrual, Sailing Redemption and Partnership Bonus:

1) Oversimplified Numbers: On a seven night cruise, I can confirm five hours of $100 bets will get you a free cruise

2)  Gaming Accrual: The more boring answer, how it really works is  ADT or theoretical loss (theo).  They generally prefer you gamble for at least a consecutive hour, they then "rate" your average bet.

3) Sailing Redemption: Its still by fare, if your play gives you a $5K comp, its your choice if you want the suite life in the 5 nighter or a OV in a 20+ nighter (for example).

4) The Partnership Bonus, RCL/X, has a partnership with MLife which is nationwide but predominately in Vegas; MLife send there info to X's casino dept quarter and can offer "comped" cruises on a quarterly basis.  If you play enough at MLife, you'll receive RCL/X offers quarterly.

[CruisingBrian]

On 4/30/2020 at 5:43 PM, winslow050 said:

Drink packages for Sapphire and above are good on the entire ship for the cruise.

 

Hi - 

I am Sapphire and eligible for the "Classic" Beverage Package. That's great.

However, I don't drink alcohol.

My preferred bev is bottled Perrier (or San Pelligrino - which has more salt) and three /four lattes every day. Neither are included in the "Classic".

The first thing I do when I get on board is find the host and ask him/her to put a premium beverage sticker on my SeaPass Card.

After the first night, all the servers know that I drink sparkling water and they offer one every time they see me. Or just bring me one.

I also tip them in cash, which is obviously their incentive. 

As Sapphire I can also go into Michael's Club and The Retreat and get all the bottled water I want. I take that back to my stateroom.

I've run into butlers I've had in the past and they will send a couple of six packs to my room, even tho I don't travel in suites anymore - too expensive. And I travel solo - doubly expensive!

Brian

[CruisingBrian]

On 5/1/2020 at 12:35 AM, NutsAboutGolf said:

For the next roughly year, I predict big free play offers with a minor shuffle of tiers and benefits

 

 

"Something else" = Four parts, Oversimplified Numbers, Gaming Accrual, Sailing Redemption and Partnership Bonus:

1) Oversimplified Numbers: On a seven night cruise, I can confirm five hours of $100 bets will get you a free cruise

2)  Gaming Accrual: The more boring answer, how it really works is  ADT or theoretical loss (theo).  They generally prefer you gamble for at least a consecutive hour, they then "rate" your average bet.

3) Sailing Redemption: Its still by fare, if your play gives you a $5K comp, its your choice if you want the suite life in the 5 nighter or a OV in a 20+ nighter (for example).

4) The Partnership Bonus, RCL/X, has a partnership with MLife which is nationwide but predominately in Vegas; MLife send there info to X's casino dept quarter and can offer "comped" cruises on a quarterly basis.  If you play enough at MLife, you'll receive RCL/X offers quarterly.

 

Well said, "Nuts"!

[CruisingBrian]

RE: Comp Cruise Offers

 

Offers to me have been sporadic. Sometimes I get an email (the last one was in November 2019) and sometimes I get a glossy mailing. Usually I pick a cruise I want and call Miami to see if they can comp it. And usually I am booking too far out (I'm a planner!) so they make the reservation minus the 20%, try to get me an additional perk (I prefer gratuities), and take a deposit.

Then I call back sporadically to see if they've gotten a casino rate for the cruise I'm booked on. That sometimes works since I book + one year in advance.

Finally, before final payment is due I call and ask to apply any applicable comps I have to the reservation. Bam. Complimentary cruise, with a 90% success rate.

 

But BCC has been very good to me. I always asked for Renata (or emailed her directly) when I called. And if I was looking for something specific, I would contact Macie. Both were always busy (there must be a lot of us!) but in the end it always worked out.

Unfortunately they are both gone now. So we are (pun intended) in unchartered waters.  Sad.

[CruisingBrian]

Question:

I always send a thank you card to the representative that helped me book when my cruise is over.

Twice I've done cruises with extended family and I've sent a photo along with the card to show them what joy they helped bring.

And to my regular representatives in Miami I send flowers on birthdays and a basket of goodies for the holidays.

Wondering if other people do this? Is this standard?

No judgement ... I've just always wondered.

Brian

[poffles]

4 hours ago, CruisingBrian said:

 

Hi - 

I am Sapphire and eligible for the "Classic" Beverage Package. That's great.

However, I don't drink alcohol.

My preferred bev is bottled Perrier (or San Pelligrino - which has more salt) and three /four lattes every day. Neither are included in the "Classic".

The first thing I do when I get on board is find the host and ask him/her to put a premium beverage sticker on my SeaPass Card.

After the first night, all the servers know that I drink sparkling water and they offer one every time they see me. Or just bring me one.

I also tip them in cash, which is obviously their incentive. 

As Sapphire I can also go into Michael's Club and The Retreat and get all the bottled water I want. I take that back to my stateroom.

I've run into butlers I've had in the past and they will send a couple of six packs to my room, even tho I don't travel in suites anymore - too expensive. And I travel solo - doubly expensive!

Brian

 

Lattes are included in Classic on Celebrity.  I've had the Classic package as an offered booking perk and have always indulged in these for free, lattes and cappuccino's  ... yum.

[fluffybunny22]

My husband gambles a couple of hundred dollars per cruise. It's probably been 3 years since our last Celebrity cruise. We've gotten a couple of Blue Chip offers for free veranda rooms on select sailings. Some of the sailing are holiday sailings. Are these legit? With almost all of our planned travel for this year canceled we do have some vacation time available and we have been wanting to go away for Christmas for a while so this kind of fits our needs. TIA

 

 

Edited May 9, 2020 by Host Kat
Threads merged.

[Georgia_Peaches]

I gamble in the casino frequently..win some, definitely lose some.  Have never received a casino offer...

[39august]

My husband usually gambles a few $$ on every cruise. Never got such an offer.

[omeinv]

I got the offer yesterday (May7).  Someone else on here reported having received it as well.

 

Harris

Denver, CO

[fluffybunny22]

41 minutes ago, omeinv said:

I got the offer yesterday (May7).  Someone else on here reported having received it as well.

 

Harris

Denver, CO

I got the email yesterday. I also got one in April. Maybe my husband is gambling more than I'm aware of. I still think we've come out ahead because my son has won bingo on our last 2 cruises.

[kwokpot]

Also received an offer and definitely legit. Actually one of the cruises listed, the Apex departing on November 14th is one we're already booked on from a prior Blue Chip Club (Celebrity's Casino Program) offering. We're going to monitor the whole situation and if the virus issues have not emerged in any meaningful way and prior cruises have been OK I would like to sail on this Apex cruise.