Casino Loyalty Program

[jcarter4551]

I recently booked a casino comp cruise on Virgin and noticed that Deep Blue Extras wasn’t showing up. This will be my 5th VV cruise and 4th through the casino. I had DBE on each of the prior cruises despite being a casino “comp” cruise. 
 

After I inquired, I was told DBE no longer applies to casino comp cruises. Most interestingly, I was told the casino is rolling out their own loyalty program on Virgin cruises. I don’t have other information aside from this, but this sounds promising. 
 

When we sail RCL or other lines on casino comp cruises, our loyalty status is still recognized and the casino comp cruise counts towards loyalty points and reaching the next level. Thus, I was a little concerned that we weren’t building loyalty through virgin casino comp cruises. So, I was happy to hear it’s because they are rolling out their own loyalty program and benefits. 
 

Now, DBE is only nice for us for the priority boarding and extra bar tab, but it’s a nice gesture by Virgin. 

[CineGraphic]

12 minutes ago, jcarter4551 said:

So, I was happy to hear it’s because they are rolling out their own loyalty program and benefits.

 

I'd be surprised if anyone gets loyalty points on comped cruises.

 

Edited February 19 by CineGraphic

[jcarter4551]

1 hour ago, CineGraphic said:

 

I'd be surprised if anyone gets loyalty points on comped cruises.

 

If they want to compete with other cruise lines they will offer loyalty points. I know with Southwest when I use points for free flights I don’t earn points. But, the cruise lines operate differently, or at least NCL, RCL and Carnival give you points towards loyalty status. 
I guess for me as a gambler, I don’t care about loyalty so much as the perks offered (free drinks, free shows - not applicable to cruises, free upgrades, spa treatments, etc.) 

[garycarla]

Yes, others still count. I had many "almost free" on NCL and reached Plat level.  And they often had separate lines for casino checkin.  They should at least allow us early boarding if you have status.

[kwokpot]

On 2/19/2024 at 6:57 PM, CineGraphic said:

 

I'd be surprised if anyone gets loyalty points on comped cruises.

 

ALL the mainstream cruiselines, Royal, Celebrity, NCL, Carnival, MSC, Princess counts fully comped cruises in their loyalty programs and any benefits that comes with your status you receive on fully comped casino cruises on all those lines.  

[-The-True-North-]

Does playing with Sailor Loot count towards getting a comp or discounted rate?

 

Or is it just real cash in? Also do you have to apply or does virgin voyages reach out?

[Alegeeter]

I used my sailor loot on my last cruise and got a comp offer

[garycarla]

1 hour ago, Alegeeter said:

I used my sailor loot on my last cruise and got a comp offer

 

To be fair - I would assume you also played with real cash as well.   So - hard to say if they counted the play with sailer loot or not.

 

[Alegeeter]

6 hours ago, garycarla said:

 

To be fair - I would assume you also played with real cash as well.   So - hard to say if they counted the play with sailer loot or not.

 

You still earn points on spending the loot. I doubt anyone would have enough loot to play through to earn enough points for a cruise. If at tables, once you play free play chip and win a hand you get a real chip. Same with slots.  I never reached into my wallet for cash I came with. I turned my loot into cash and played with that for the remainder of the cruise.

[-The-True-North-]

We do both video poker and craps. 

 

Use loot and once it turns to real cash. Once we are all real, we cash out.

 

Never expect a free cruise but maybe a discount.

 

Just wasn't sure if I needed to "sign up" for anything or if Virgin would reach out if they deemed we were eligible.

 

Thank you all.

[Alegeeter]

The casino host found my sister on the last day and gave her a certificate for a comped cruise. The host couldn't offer me anything at the time but told me to call the casino line for discounts. No one reached out to me. I called the casino line and that's when they told me they could offer me a comp as well. 

 

Give them a call them. I wouldn't assume they'll reach out to you.

[-The-True-North-]

6 hours ago, Alegeeter said:

The casino host found my sister on the last day and gave her a certificate for a comped cruise. The host couldn't offer me anything at the time but told me to call the casino line for discounts. No one reached out to me. I called the casino line and that's when they told me they could offer me a comp as well. 

 

Give them a call them. I wouldn't assume they'll reach out to you.

Would you mind if I ask the ballpark of what you typically paid, or your sister played over the voyage to get a comp room?

 

I.e.

$500

$1000

$2500

$5000

[jcarter4551]

I have gotten my comps 3 ways:

 

1) The casino host had me fill out a form in google docs that created a certificate. I still had to call the casino department;

2) The last cruise, the host told me to just call the casino department and gave me the number; and;

3) I received an email out of the blue from Virgin casino department offering me a free cruise out of Barcelona. I again had to call the casino department.

 

I only play table games and no slots. My budget is $5k for a cruise, or 1k max per day. I play 25/hand/roll minimum up to several hundred. However, if I get up on their money, I will cash those chips in so it appears I am putting more cash in play. I don't know what their thresholds are, or what my average is, but I have received 5 free cruises from them. 

 

For perspective, my wife plays about 300/day and bets way lower than me (thankfully!). She has never been offered a free cruise though she benefits from my comps. 

[Alegeeter]

15 hours ago, -The-True-North- said:

Would you mind if I ask the ballpark of what you typically paid, or your sister played over the voyage to get a comp room?

 

I.e.

$500

$1000

$2500

$5000

It's more about what you bet and how much you played more than overall losses or winnings. We sat at the $50 minimum blackjack table every night  for a few hours. She would often play two hands at $100 each as well as some slots for her to get the offer on the last day. They said for this you need to accumulate 8000 points for the automatic comp generation and this is way easier to earn on slots than tables- 1 point for every dollar put through a machine.

[Anastasia3]

On 3/4/2024 at 11:08 PM, Alegeeter said:

It's more about what you bet and how much you played more than overall losses or winnings. We sat at the $50 minimum blackjack table every night  for a few hours. She would often play two hands at $100 each as well as some slots for her to get the offer on the last day. They said for this you need to accumulate 8000 points for the automatic comp generation and this is way easier to earn on slots than tables- 1 point for every dollar put through a machine.

If you get a cruise comp do you get to bring a friend for free in your cabin?

Do they offer comps for something other than a whole cruise. Discount/free alcohol/other.

[jcarter4551]

Yes - the comp I have received is always for me +1. You just pay port fees and taxes. For Ibiza/Rome this summer, I got an XL Terrace for $218 for both of us for the week. Add in my losses for the last cruise and I guess we are even lol. 

 

For your other question, every night they would send me $200 worth of wine/cocktails on the casino. Thus, say I was eating at Wake. The server would come over and say "the casino has offered you $200 towards a bottle of wine." They also comp'd my wife's spa treatments at the end of the cruise.

 

I was gambling in casino every night though and putting at least 1-2K in play for reference. 

[Janthere]

7 hours ago, jcarter4551 said:

Yes - the comp I have received is always for me +1. You just pay port fees and taxes. For Ibiza/Rome this summer, I got an XL Terrace for $218 for both of us for the week. Add in my losses for the last cruise and I guess we are even lol. 

 

For your other question, every night they would send me $200 worth of wine/cocktails on the casino. Thus, say I was eating at Wake. The server would come over and say "the casino has offered you $200 towards a bottle of wine." They also comp'd my wife's spa treatments at the end of the cruise.

 

I was gambling in casino every night though and putting at least 1-2K in play for reference. 

May I ask were you playing tables or slots? And was that 1-2K per day ? 

[jcarter4551]

All table games. I can’t speak to slots. 

[kwokpot]

On 4/18/2024 at 7:00 AM, jcarter4551 said:

Yes - the comp I have received is always for me +1. You just pay port fees and taxes. For Ibiza/Rome this summer, I got an XL Terrace for $218 for both of us for the week. Add in my losses for the last cruise and I guess we are even lol. 

The Port fees and taxes seem a bit low for 2 passengers. It should be double that unless it's less than a 7 nt itinerary.

[Tyler414]

I was on a Virgin cruise in the Med last summer, a couple that was playing Blackjack every night and betting big, was told at $5000 gambled they would receive a free cruise.  They easily gambled that (and were winning big)  They ended up going on VV Greece cruise later that summer.  

[jcarter4551]

On 4/19/2024 at 9:05 PM, kwokpot said:

The Port fees and taxes seem a bit low for 2 passengers. It should be double that unless it's less than a 7 nt itinerary.

No - it’s 7 nights at 218 all in. Great deal for sure!! 

[kwokpot]

1 hour ago, jcarter4551 said:

No - it’s 7 nights at 218 all in. Great deal for sure!! 

Yes I see that, and it's a great deal, but I don't understand why it's that amount. Since you showed the ship and sail date I duplicated your cruise and as I said the port taxes and fees are slightly less than double that @ $398, which is right. So I'm not sure how they came up with $218.

If I do a 1 person booking it's $199 which is what I would have thought for 1 but still doesn't match your $218. I'm not sure where they're getting the $218 but in any event you lucked out. Congrats!👏

 

Edited April 21 by kwokpot

[MayB5]

I’m finding this interesting in terms of qualifying for a free cruise. My hubby and I are on our first VV cruise soon, previously cruised NCL a few times. He plays some blackjack and I play roulette, we don’t normally bother with slots. Does roulette playing count towards a comped cruise? And is it best to try and play at a table with the same casino host each time so they get familiar with you?

I had thought it would require higher gambling levels to be comped a cruise, maybe $10k plus as a minimum.

[kwokpot]

7 hours ago, MayB5 said:

I’m finding this interesting in terms of qualifying for a free cruise. My hubby and I are on our first VV cruise soon, previously cruised NCL a few times. He plays some blackjack and I play roulette, we don’t normally bother with slots. Does roulette playing count towards a comped cruise? And is it best to try and play at a table with the same casino host each time so they get familiar with you?

I had thought it would require higher gambling levels to be comped a cruise, maybe $10k plus as a minimum.

Yes table games can just towards points accumulation on VV and yes as with any casino it's always a good idea to be known and nice to both the dealers and casino hosts and/or pit bosses.

[jcarter4551]

Maybe they screwed up the cost but I’m not going to correct them lol. 
 

table games count. I play a lot of roulette. I agree that being nice to dealers (tipping even though not required) helps. The casino manager will come to know you if you are there every night and putting money in play. 
 

you also get drinks for free while playing which is huge perk.