Please be honest about your casino offers. I am curious.

[kangforpres]

I'm a 4 star Mariner and have spend tens of thousands of dollars being a loyal customer. I also gamble on every cruise, usually my budget is $200 per night. I've won once or twice for the entire length of the cruise, broke even 5 or 6 times and lost 8-10 times.

 

I've only been getting really generous offers from Club 21 on HAL cruises since they have resumed cruising since Covid-19. By generous I mean a free cabin, some casino money, drinks in the casino. Free slot or black jack tourney entries.

 

And even if I don't get an offer I get the Casino Discount fare or private fare when logging onto the HAL website and shop for cruises.

 

-Paul

[albingirl]

1 minute ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

What?  That is not anything the same.  Please point me to one thread where a multiple star mariner got thousands off something.  Clearly I've missed that.  $10 off here and there in no way amounts to a free cruise in the world I live in.

True, true.  Some people just want to argue.  Life is too short.  She's off the mark.

[albingirl]

Important to note relative to "bragging" by 4 and 5 star mariners, I am in the camp that believes they have paid many thousands of dollars for every tiny little perk coming their way.  And there aren't many.  

[RynoWally]

This thread got hilarious and unproductive so fast. I almost feel like it is the greatest Bait and Switch thread ever. The headliner says please be honest about your Casino Offers. And then it turns into a bash session about people, being annoyed at people talking about their casino offers. Words of advice if you are annoyed by people getting casino offers, maybe don't click on the thread that says "Be honest about your casino offers" Too Funny

[albingirl]

5 minutes ago, RynoWally said:

This thread got hilarious and unproductive so fast. I almost feel like it is the greatest Bait and Switch thread ever. The headliner says please be honest about your Casino Offers. And then it turns into a bash session about people, being annoyed at people talking about their casino offers. Words of advice if you are annoyed by people getting casino offers, maybe don't click on the thread that says "Be honest about your casino offers" Too Funny

I have honestly thanked everyone who gave me an honest answer.  Those comments from the peanut gallery are worthless.

[Brentt_M]

Just to add my experience to this. I generally gamble enough (a lot?) on a HAL cruise to receive a come back and play offer while still on board.  That offer has to be booked within 30 days of the current  trip and must sail within the next year.  The offer is usually for at least a  verandah cabin on cruises up to 14 nights and comes with $500 or more in free play.

 

However, I have never ever received an email or regular mail offer that shows a list of free or reduced rate casino cruises like I see shared on the board regularly.

[RynoWally]

6 minutes ago, albingirl said:

I have honestly thanked everyone who gave me an honest answer.  Those comments from the peanut gallery are worthless.

Agree with both statements

[daisy-mae]

3 minutes ago, albingirl said:

I have honestly thanked everyone who gave me an honest answer.  Those comments from the peanut gallery are worthless.

Well this little peanut apologizes again for going off track.

 

In answer to the original question, we are not big gamblers, don't smoke and don't frequent the bars other than to order a refreshment or two when sitting around the pool. Nor do we spend thousands on our cruise fare.

 

Yet early this year we received a casino offer for a free obstructed view cabin on a limited number of sailings. Ours is not to question why..... (And I promise not to start yet another casino cruise thread)

 

 

[DaveOKC]

1 minute ago, Brentt_M said:

Just to add my experience to this. I generally gamble enough (a lot?) on a HAL cruise to receive a come back and play offer while still on board.  That offer has to be booked within 30 days of the current  trip and must sail within the next year.  The offer is usually for at least a  verandah cabin on cruises up to 14 nights and comes with $500 or more in free play.

 

However, I have never ever received an email or regular mail offer that shows a list of free or reduced rate casino cruises like I see shared on the board regularly.

IMO, given that you are receiving those good offers while still onboard you should be getting free cabin offers via email.  We never get free cabins while onboard (just $100-250 in freeplay) but we are now getting free cabin offers via email.  These free cabin email offers started just after we made 5 Star, so perhaps that is the reason.  It could also be due to the slow bookings post Covid.  Or both.  Either way, we are going to enjoy them while they last, as we are definately not large enough gamblers to justify these deals.

[Brentt_M]

6 minutes ago, DaveOKC said:

IMO, given that you are receiving those good offers while still onboard you should be getting free cabin offers via email.  We never get free cabins while onboard (just $100-250 in freeplay) but we are now getting free cabin offers via email.  These free cabin email offers started just after we made 5 Star, so perhaps that is the reason.  It could also be due to the slow bookings post Covid.  Or both.  Either way, we are going to enjoy them while they last, as we are definately not large enough gamblers to justify these deals.

Dang straight! Enjoy them for as long as possible.

[SusieKIslandGirl]

Do any of you who receive casino offers book through the big box store travel agency? I'm wondering if that's why I've never received an offer. We generally cruise at least twice a year on longer cruises and spend a few hundred $ in the casino-not a lot but more than just a bit.  Thanks!

[RynoWally]

16 minutes ago, SusieKIslandGirl said:

Do any of you who receive casino offers book through the big box store travel agency? I'm wondering if that's why I've never received an offer. We generally cruise at least twice a year on longer cruises and spend a few hundred $ in the casino-not a lot but more than just a bit.  Thanks!

I have only booked directly through HAL.

[roxybear135]

30 minutes ago, SusieKIslandGirl said:

Do any of you who receive casino offers book through the big box store travel agency? I'm wondering if that's why I've never received an offer. We generally cruise at least twice a year on longer cruises and spend a few hundred $ in the casino-not a lot but more than just a bit.  Thanks!

We booked our Alaska cruise last August through one of them.  It was my fiance's first cruise and after that he started receiving casino offers, so we have booked the last two cruises directly through HAL.  He spent a lot of time at the blackjack table on that first cruise, so I'm guessing that's why he started getting offers right away.  His mom came with us on our last cruise and gambled quite a bit but didn't get any casino offers, so who knows how they decide who to send them to.  She booked directly through HAL.

[lazey1]

I have always booked with a small  independant tour agency. My agent never knows about the casino offers until I ask her to check it out. The offers are direct from HAL via e-mail. I have opted in for all notifications under my account.

 

 

[OlsSalt]

Actually, it is pretty embarrassing admitting how much we had to "pay" to finally get free laundry. 🤑

(But loved, loved, loved everyone of our HAL cruises - priceless)

[albingirl]

15 minutes ago, OlsSalt said:

Actually, it is pretty embarrassing admitting how much we had to "pay" to finally get free laundry. 🤑

(But loved, loved, loved everyone of our HAL cruises - priceless)

Exactly. But I can promise you, next time I speak with my PCC, I'm going to ask for a free Neptune suite while we are on the phone.  Why not.  I'll be sure to report back.

[liketraveling]

I play in the casino with a budget.  If I lose I quit.  If I win I play on their money.
 

I play enough to get a letter at the end of the cruise for a$100-150 free play for a cruise that needs to be booked within 30 days of the current cruise and taken within a year.  I keep the letter for a month and then toss it.   I have never been offered a free cabin in one of those letters.

 

During the pandemic I started receiving letters for free inside cabins with play money and free drinks in the casino.

 

i also had 3 Future Cruise Deposits on file with one expiring in May 2022, which means you have to sail by then.  I received an offer for several cruises with a free verandah, play money with play money and free drinks in the casino.  The free room types will show up on your Mariner Acct as $200.00. When I logged into my account the free verandah’s we’re gone but at a discounted verandah was available  
 

After a few days the price reduction was gone.  About a week later they came back.

 

I am retired so I can go whenever I want and I tend to be a last minute cruisers.  There is not a whole choice of cabins when you choose to be a last minute cruisers.

 

I think some of these letters are a marketing ploy to get people back on the ship.  The prices I am seeing about the upgrades from the free cabins are what I pay within 1 to 2 months sailing.  The only exception is you have to go with a guarantee.

 

I got a Panama Canal balcony at a price I would pay for 1-2 months before sailing.  The cruise is in November. They extended my future Cruise deposit to November that took care of expiring Future Cruise Deposits.  I still have two on file that expire in May 2023.

 

 

 

I also buy a thermal pass suite pkg, an internet pkg accept Alaska, a 50-250 drink card depending on the length of the cruise.  I don’t drink liquor so Have it all pkg does not work for me.  I also purchase about 2-3 shore excursions while in the ship.

I also play bingo that is run by the casino.  Last few cruises I have slowed down in that because it got boring and got more expensive.

 

I believe marketing people are looking at people’s spending habits and what type of cabins they have booked in the past with the amount they are willing to pay.

 

Before the pandemic I never received letters like I am receiving now.  I know people who don’t use the casino but go to the spa get casino discounts.

 

I starting cruising with my father in 2008 after my mom passed and he received all kinds of discounts that I cruised on.  Only I was in the working world and could not go when I wanted.  He doesn’t spend money on the ship except for his gratuaties. 

 

I believe Allot of this is a marketing ploy since all the letters I have been receiving are coming from my PCC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[albingirl]

3 hours ago, RynoWally said:

Been to Vegas twice in my life and never really gambled there. I would say I gamble about 100-200 a week while on a cruise. On the 4 cruises i have been on with HAL, i have never lost money. I have know idea why they send me free cabin offers as I don't seem to fit any criteria, maybe at some point I will end up losing. But as long as they are emailing me offers, I will keep taking advantage of them, and then upgrading my cabin with an upsell, the wife and I are about to jump on board HAL for 28 days on B2B where we paid around 1400 for port fees and taxes and will have a total of 800 (400 is from the volendam B2B cancellation) a piece in onboard credit plus 500 to gamble in casino and free drinks while playing. We used miles for our flights, the only expense we will incur is any excursions and specialty restaurants (which will be alot), It's a no brainer! A deal is a deal.

And those cruises cost me over 10 grand before port charges, taxes ,and insurance. I am very sure we won't be doing that again.  Ever. Too bad Holland America has let the cat out of the bag and thumbed their noses at loyal passengers like us.

[kazu]

2 hours ago, DaveOKC said:

IMO, given that you are receiving those good offers while still onboard you should be getting free cabin offers via email.  We never get free cabins while onboard (just $100-250 in freeplay) but we are now getting free cabin offers via email.  These free cabin email offers started just after we made 5 Star, so perhaps that is the reason.  It could also be due to the slow bookings post Covid.  Or both.  Either way, we are going to enjoy them while they last, as we are definately not large enough gamblers to justify these deals.

 

You SHOULD but you don’t always.  I used to get snail mail casino offers but never for an itinerary I would want to do.

 

Since they stopped snail mailing the offers, I have never received one and yes, like the poster you are quoting, I’ve received the offers if I book within 30 days and sail within the year on board.  

Now the offers are for cruises I would like to do but they have stopped snail mail and I never get email offers (I do have email checked with HAL).  My friend whom I introduced to the casino does.  Weird (and no, she didn’t book with HAL)

 

I do however get the casino discount which I do appreciate in most cases (some cruises don’t qualify).

 

We all pay a pretty penny for our cruises but I have no resentment to those that have the casino offers.  I’m stymied why I don’t get them but it is what it is. 

 

there’s no point in worrying about what other people are paying.  If you are  willing to pay the price for your cruise go and enjoy and if not, don’t book the itinerary.  JMO - I have bigger things to worry about in life than what everyone else is paying .

[kangforpres]

3 hours ago, Brentt_M said:

Just to add my experience to this. I generally gamble enough (a lot?) on a HAL cruise to receive a come back and play offer while still on board.  That offer has to be booked within 30 days of the current  trip and must sail within the next year.  The offer is usually for at least a  verandah cabin on cruises up to 14 nights and comes with $500 or more in free play.

 

However, I have never ever received an email or regular mail offer that shows a list of free or reduced rate casino cruises like I see shared on the board regularly.

Does Club 21 have your email?

[Florida_gal_50]

1 hour ago, albingirl said:

And those cruises cost me over 10 grand before port charges, taxes ,and insurance. I am very sure we won't be doing that again.  Ever. Too bad Holland America has let the cat out of the bag and thumbed their noses at loyal passengers like us.

Exactly, and I’m paying over $4k for my cruise and it’s nothing exotic.  Then I see it on the casino list.  I should be happy though because I get all those awesome perks that I also paid for dearly.

[silversneakers]

4 hours ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

Is there anyone that doesn't like a bargain?  I've yet to hear anyone say I want to pay as much as possible for my cruise.  I pay a pretty penny for my cruises.  I'm still in the workforce so I am limited to when I can be gone so I do have to plan ahead.  I get annoyed to see people pay $50 for something I am paying thousands for and then start multiple threads about it.

Today I encountered a friend that only does Regent cruises.  Although I'd love to be able to sail on them it's not in my budget. However,  I console myself thinking I go to the same places they do so I see basically the same thing (although maybe without as much "hands on" guidance.

[USN59-79]

It is all about the money.  I am surprised that some people state that they usually break even or make money in a HAL casino.  From what I have read cruise about ship casinos the odds are much more against you than a comparable casino in Las Vegas.  I have a degree in math and understand the odds of winning in a casino.  Therefore I just walk through them, appreciating the fact that the money they extract from my fellow passengers just makes my cruise more affordable to me.

Ray

[Laminator]

1 hour ago, albingirl said:

And those cruises cost me over 10 grand before port charges, taxes ,and insurance. I am very sure we won't be doing that again.  Ever. Too bad Holland America has let the cat out of the bag and thumbed their noses at loyal passengers like us.

You need to understand something. NCL, Celebrity, Carnival, Princess are all sending out offers like HAL is. 

[Florida_gal_50]

12 minutes ago, USN59-79 said:

It is all about the money.  I am surprised that some people state that they usually break even or make money in a HAL casino.  From what I have read cruise about ship casinos the odds are much more against you than a comparable casino in Las Vegas.  I have a degree in math and understand the odds of winning in a casino.  Therefore I just walk through them, appreciating the fact that the money they extract from my fellow passengers just makes my cruise more affordable to me.

Ray

I’d hate to see the price if that was true.  You must be getting some fantastic deals that some of us aren’t.