Casino Offer Including Free Drinks in Casino/Free play - How Can I Verify its There?

[6045pjp]

I recently booked a casino match offer that included free drinks in casino and a little bit of free play. 
The offer was booked and I received confirmation. It doesn't state anywhere on my reservation that casino drinks/free play are included.

Is this normal, or do I need to do something about it?

Thanks.

[Sunseeker810]

You will need to print the email offer and bring it with you to present to the casino.

[FlorenceItaly]

On page 2 under the Cancellation terms you will see something that says Special Services.  Under this it should state Casino drinks.  Also, print the pages of your offer showing the free play and drinks in case there is any question.  I've had no problem but still carry paperwork.  Once on ship, when casino opens go and they will put a sticker on your card indicating the free drinks.  I typically tip the server $2 each drink.

[6045pjp]

5 minutes ago, FlorenceItaly said:

On page 2 under the Cancellation terms you will see something that says Special Services.  Under this it should state Casino drinks.  Also, print the pages of your offer showing the free play and drinks in case there is any question.  I've had no problem but still carry paperwork.  Once on ship, when casino opens go and they will put a sticker on your card indicating the free drinks.  I typically tip the server $2 each drink.

 

Thanks for the info. I don't see it there on my confirmation.

[Moriah]

Be sure to have the original offer email, either on your phone or printed - it has a campaign number so they can see which offer you are signed up under.  I've never had it appear on my HAL confirmation (probably because it's not a HAL offer per se, but the casino that is giving it to you).

As for tips, I never carry cash on the ship during the cruise, but since the free drinks are from the Casino bar only (on Pinnacle ship there is a dedicated casino bar - on other ships it might be the Billboard or other bar), you will get to know your bar tender, presumably... I usually go up there on the last evening and tip the bartenders for their service during the cruise.  This is because gratuities are not included in this offer - so I assume they are not getting the 18% that they wouldif it was a regular cruiseline drinks package.  But tipping is obviously not mandatory.

[FlorenceItaly]

Just now, 6045pjp said:

 

Thanks for the info. I don't see it there on my confirmation.

Print all the pages of your offer.  You may not need it but if so, you have it.  I just sailed on the Koningsdam on December 5-16 and again on Dec 21 - January 6.  Absolutely no problems.  In fact, on the second sailing my dh was also included in the free drinks and some free play.  A happy surprise.  This was a first.

[Moriah]

2 minutes ago, 6045pjp said:

 

Thanks for the info. I don't see it there on my confirmation.

I've never seen it on a confirmation either, but they've always given me the sticker when I went to casino on first day of sailing. They have a list of all the pax who have each campaign offer.

[6045pjp]

Thanks for all the quick info!

All I see regarding the casino offer is what I attached here - I guess they could hopefully get it off of that.

Will have the original offer email, as well.

 

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Free drinks??

[kazu]

May I ask a casino question please different from the OP’s.  I got a certificate for nice junk of free play on my last cruise.  Reading the casino offers I get it appears you have to use it all up before you can cash out?  You don’t have to play it all at once do you?  And how the heck do you keep track of that?

Thanks if anyone can help and apologies to the OP

[kazu]

1 minute ago, Gail & Marty sailing away said:

Free drinks??

 

In the casino while playing - comes with some casino offers but not all.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Just now, kazu said:

 

In the casino while playing - comes with some casino offers but not all.

Thanks never got it.

[daisy-mae]

7 minutes ago, kazu said:

 Reading the casino offers I get it appears you have to use it all up before you can cash out?  You don’t have to play it all at once do you?  And how the heck do you keep track of that?
 

No, I don't think that you have to play it all at once. You create an account by inserting your cruise card (sorry, forgot the technical term); your balance is tracked and the amount depleted - or if you are lucky, increased - as you play. I suspect that you would not be able to simply register then cash out without playing, but in the course of a week you are likely to use up the "free" money. 

 

[kazu]

1 minute ago, daisy-mae said:

No, I don't think that you have to play it all at once. You create an account by inserting your cruise card (sorry, forgot the technical term); your balance is tracked and the amount depleted - or if you are lucky, increased - as you play. I suspect that you would not be able to simply register then cash out without playing, but in the course of a week you are likely to use up the "free" money. 

 

Thanks kindly.  LOL - I’m sure the free money will be gone all too soon unless I get really lucky. 😉 

[Moriah]

2 hours ago, 6045pjp said:

Thanks for all the quick info!

All I see regarding the casino offer is what I attached here - I guess they could hopefully get it off of that.

Will have the original offer email, as well.

 

 

No, that is really not relevant.  Just the original email offer is all you need.  If you just keep it available on your phone you are good.  You probably won't need it since they have a list by your name and stateroom - just go to casino as said and ask them to give you the free play and drink sticker, and if for some reason they can't find you on the list, show them the original email offer.  You need the "campaign number" which is not in what you've pasted above.

[DaveOKC]

kazu - when you sit down on the machine you have the option to use Promotional Funds.  Select this as its the freeplay.  

Now, if you want to use up your freeplay, you use part of your promotional funds (lets say $20), run it through the machine one time and then cash out the "winnings" (it goes to your main account).  Now, move onto another machine and start over the process, or stay on the first machine and take more money from your promotional account and do the same process.  Otherwise after the freeplay is run through once, the machine will start using your "winnings".

 

Make sense??

[Laminator]

Depending on who books your offer is whether you will see the casino benefits in the special services section. Fortunately for me I have a PCC that is very familiar with booking casino offers as she has been doing them for me since 2007. This shows on my sons booking. He received a free ocean view, $300 in Free Play and the DOU stands for Drinks on us which is drinks in the casino only. 

Edited January 10 by Laminator

[electro]

48 minutes ago, Laminator said:

Depending on who books your offer is whether you will see the casino benefits in the special services section. Fortunately for me I have a PCC that is very familiar with booking casino offers as she has been doing them for me since 2007. This shows on my sons booking. He received a free ocean view, $300 in Free Play and the DOU stands for Drinks on us which is drinks in the casino only. 

Thanks for this.

I have this on my confirmation for my next HAL cruise and I couldn't figure out what the Dou meant.

Now I know 😁

[kazu]

2 hours ago, DaveOKC said:

kazu - when you sit down on the machine you have the option to use Promotional Funds.  Select this as its the freeplay.  

Now, if you want to use up your freeplay, you use part of your promotional funds (lets say $20), run it through the machine one time and then cash out the "winnings" (it goes to your main account).  Now, move onto another machine and start over the process, or stay on the first machine and take more money from your promotional account and do the same process.  Otherwise after the freeplay is run through once, the machine will start using your "winnings".

 

Make sense??

 

 

thanks Dave i have a $750 offer of fre play ( I must have been in the casino too long).Never had i before and the few I got I didn’t use.

 

Certificate says zip - on board.

 

So, I have to stay on the same machine the whole time and somehow figure out how I used it up before I cash out?  I’v had some minor promotional play before and there’s nothing n my certificate.  I’m just going by the emails I get.

 Think I have it - not say I like it (I like to switch(.  I will talk to the casino manager on board. Many tnanks and apologies to theOP.

[DaveOKC]

1 hour ago, kazu said:

 

 

thanks Dave i have a $750 offer of fre play ( I must have been in the casino too long).Never had i before and the few I got I didn’t use.

 

Certificate says zip - on board.

 

So, I have to stay on the same machine the whole time and somehow figure out how I used it up before I cash out?  I’v had some minor promotional play before and there’s nothing n my certificate.  I’m just going by the emails I get.

 Think I have it - not say I like it (I like to switch(.  I will talk to the casino manager on board. Many tnanks and apologies to theOP.

NO - you can switch to any machine as often as you like.  The only restriction is that once you take $X out of a machine (it can be small amount like $5) from the promotional funds, you have to play that amount at least once through the machine.  Whatever you do, DO NOT TAKE THE ENTIRE $750 out of the promotional funds all at once as then you have to play it all through the machine at least once.  If you are not sure how this works, talk to a casino host before you start playing.

 

[oceanbeau10]

Have the casino offers lately, been free or discounted?  I used to get free cruises, but now they're discounted.  Husband thinks it's because I have agreed to pay, and now only occasionally offered a free one.  Just curious.  Thanks for your response.

[kazu]

15 minutes ago, DaveOKC said:

NO - you can switch to any machine as often as you like.  The only restriction is that once you take $X out of a machine (it can be small amount like $5) from the promotional funds, you have to play that amount at least once through the machine.  Whatever you do, DO NOT TAKE THE ENTIRE $750 out of the promotional funds all at once as then you have to play it all through the machine at least once.  If you are not sure how this works, talk to a casino host before you start playing.

 

 

THANk you Dave.  I very much appreciate you insight and advice.

 I really appreciate the help and apologize to the OP.  I’ve never had this big of an offer before and there are no terms and conditions on the form I got on board so I am just trying to figure things out.

 

THANK YOU 🙂

[FlorenceItaly]

5 minutes ago, oceanbeau10 said:

Have the casino offers lately, been free or discounted?  I used to get free cruises, but now they're discounted.  Husband thinks it's because I have agreed to pay, and now only occasionally offered a free one.  Just curious.  Thanks for your response.

It is anyones guess.  I cruised on the Koningsdam Dec 5-16.  I booked an OV for $298, and in the end took an upsell to an obstructed balcony for $99pp.  Later I was offered a free interior on the 16 night Hawaii December 21-January 6 and ultimately took an upsell to an obstructed balcony for $99pp.  There is no rhyme or reason.

[Laminator]

17 hours ago, oceanbeau10 said:

Have the casino offers lately, been free or discounted?  I used to get free cruises, but now they're discounted.  Husband thinks it's because I have agreed to pay, and now only occasionally offered a free one.  Just curious.  Thanks for your response.

With the ships filling up the generosity of the casino offers has declined. There's a group of nearly 5000 HAL casino players that discuss this constantly. 

[ghstudio]

On 1/10/2024 at 6:52 PM, oceanbeau10 said:

Have the casino offers lately, been free or discounted?  I used to get free cruises, but now they're discounted.  Husband thinks it's because I have agreed to pay, and now only occasionally offered a free one.  Just curious.  Thanks for your response.

I'm getting both....free inside cabin offers come by email (one a couple of days ago)...and if I go to book a cruise and then log on before actually booking, the price goes down due to a casino discount (just checked on a cruise today).