Attn: Carnival's Casino Players

Carnival Cruise Line announced today a new partnership with Affinity Gaming which operates a handful of small casinos in locations off the beaten path under mostly little known brands.

Does this excite you as a Carnival casino player?

I'm wondering why since Carnival is a major North American cruise line they are partnering with a small mostly unheard of gaming company.

Why didn't Carnival Cruise Line partner with another major player like Caesar's that operates major casinos in major markets to offer some value to its players and to capitalize on a well known gaming brand audience?

Some of Carnival's decisions the past few years have seemed to me to be out of touch with the cruise line's main audience--North American cruisers. This seems to me to be another one of those out-of-touch decisions. I looked at the websites of Affinity's gaming properties after the announcement, and honestly I'd never heard of them and in looking at them, some of their websites aren't even operational.

To Carnival Cruise Lines loyal gaming customers: What are your thoughts on this partnership?

http://carnival-news.com/2015/06/30/affinity-gaming-and-carnival-cruise-line-form-partnership/

http://www.affinitygaming.com/nevada_properties.php

On a cruise, a gambler is going to gamble no matter what the name of the casino is. It's not like they have a choice of casinos anyway.

I will wait for players feedback after it goes in effect in July before making a decision.

Carnival Cruise Line announced today a new partnership with Affinity Gaming which operates a handful of small casinos in locations off the beaten path under mostly little known brands.

 

Does this excite you as a Carnival casino player?

 

I'm wondering why since Carnival is a major North American cruise line they are partnering with a small mostly unheard of gaming company.

 

Why didn't Carnival Cruise Line partner with another major player like Caesar's that operates major casinos in major markets to offer some value to its players and to capitalize on a well known gaming brand audience?

 

Some of Carnival's decisions the past few years have seemed to me to be out of touch with the cruise line's main audience--North American cruisers. This seems to me to be another one of those out-of-touch decisions. I looked at the websites of Affinity's gaming properties after the announcement, and honestly I'd never heard of them and in looking at them, some of their websites aren't even operational.

 

To Carnival Cruise Lines loyal gaming customers: What are your thoughts on this partnership?

 

http://carnival-news.com/2015/06/30/affinity-gaming-and-carnival-cruise-line-form-partnership/

 

http://www.affinitygaming.com/nevada_properties.php

I think you posed very good questions. We were a bit puzzled too at such a timid relationship being marketed.

One quick observation we had was that Affinities Nevada locations are CA./NV border operations - not real Vegas or Reno houses/operations. There are vast differences. Maybe they are interested in only targeting the most gullible slot players? IDK.

I wouldn't let Caesars run my dishwasher much less a ship-based casino.

I guess we shall see how things will go. Would be nice to see some different tables games on board other than the usual suspects and maybe some branded slot machines like Monopoly, those associated with movies or television shows, etc.

A improved player rating system might not be a bad thing either. With the Ocean Players Club you could spend 20 hours in the casino during the cruise week and then they tell you you don't even qualify for a plate of cookies for your next cruise.

From what I read - and please feel free to enlighten me if I'm mistaken - it appears Affinity Players Club members (top tier) can earn or be awarded free cruises. That's it.

Doesn't seem to have any effect on Ocean Players Club members (cruisers) or actual play in Carnival ship casinos.

So what?

Did I miss something?

From what I read - and please feel free to enlighten me if I'm mistaken - it appears Affinity Players Club members (top tier) can earn or be awarded free cruises. That's it.

 

Doesn't seem to have any effect on Ocean Players Club members (cruisers) or actual play in Carnival ship casinos.

 

So what?

 

Did I miss something?

If that is the case, then never mind, you are correct. Nearly every casino has these. Mine is with NCL.

I figured it was a partnership in which they would come in and operate. I guess I should read the links next time.

From what I read - and please feel free to enlighten me if I'm mistaken - it appears Affinity Players Club members (top tier) can earn or be awarded free cruises. That's it.

 

Doesn't seem to have any effect on Ocean Players Club members (cruisers) or actual play in Carnival ship casinos.

 

So what?

 

Did I miss something?

That's the impression I got from the press release.

I wish they partnered with a casino based out of Louisiana, then my gambling on land could get me cruises. Not that I gamble enough to ever earn those big perks. I'm lucky to get a weekly buffet. lol

I hope their perks on board don't change. The bounce back offers are great if you have the time off and the Pack and Play got us on their boat this past week.

It appears to have nothing to do with Carnival's casino operations at all. They are just getting a steady stream of new customers from the other casino. No worries.

I did not read into the press release that the new partnership has anything to do with changing Carnival's casino operations onboard. It is more about the two groups attempting to benefit from the other's customer base.

What puzzled me the most was when I looked at the location, size, and number of casinos Affinity has, the casinos are small and off the beaten path. It appeared they are not near major airports to provide easy access to them. I don't see why a potential customer would drive for hours to visit a small casino without amenities.

It would have made more sense for Carnival to partner with a land-based casino company closer to major airports or ports that Carnival sails from. I just don't see how this will be of interest to Carnival's gambling customers.

Just like situations such as televising soccer games onboard Carnival's ships instead of North American football games, this Affinity partnership decision seems out of touch with Carnival's customer base.

I did not read into the press release that the new partnership has anything to do with changing Carnival's casino operations onboard. It is more about the two groups attempting to benefit from the other's customer base.

 

 

 

What puzzled me the most was when I looked at the location, size, and number of casinos Affinity has, the casinos are small and off the beaten path. It appeared they are not near major airports to provide easy access to them. I don't see why a potential customer would drive for hours to visit a small casino without amenities.

 

 

 

It would have made more sense for Carnival to partner with a land-based casino company closer to major airports or ports that Carnival sails from. I just don't see how this will be of interest to Carnival's gambling customers.

 

 

 

Just like situations such as televising soccer games onboard Carnival's ships instead of North American football games, this Affinity partnership decision seems out of touch with Carnival's customer base.

Primm Nevada is only 30-40 minutes from Las Vegas and most of their visitors are from LA, Orange County, San Diego and many other SoCal areas which make the trek up the 15 and are very close to many major airports and the LB port.

Looks like Black Hawk is within 60-90 mins of DEN.

Doesn't seem off the beaten path to me. But it isn't the partnership we enjoyed when the Venetian and Carnival were giving free rooms and free play a few years ago!

I wouldn't let Caesars run my dishwasher much less a ship-based casino.

 

I guess we shall see how things will go. Would be nice to see some different tables games on board other than the usual suspects and maybe some branded slot machines like Monopoly, those associated with movies or television shows, etc.

 

A improved player rating system might not be a bad thing either. With the Ocean Players Club you could spend 20 hours in the casino during the cruise week and then they tell you you don't even qualify for a plate of cookies for your next cruise.

I see plenty of branded slot machines on every Carnival ship I have ever sailed on.

And perks are based on money into machines or time and wagers at tables, not how many hours you spend in the casino.

From what I read - and please feel free to enlighten me if I'm mistaken - it appears Affinity Players Club members (top tier) can earn or be awarded free cruises. That's it.

 

Doesn't seem to have any effect on Ocean Players Club members (cruisers) or actual play in Carnival ship casinos.

 

So what?

 

Did I miss something?

That's what I read too, this has no bearing on OPC or how CCL will be running their casinos, just that there will be Carnival perks given to those that gamble at the land based casinos that are mentioned.