Casino rate on Holland

I have been reading on this board about people getting a casino rate. On one of these posts. they were saying that you could see the casino rate on the HAL website, once you input your Mariner number. I wanted to share my experience today with this issue.

First, I did a trial booking on both the old and new HAL websites (with and without using my Mariner number) and came up with the same fare for the same cabin. So, I called my HAL PCC to book. She informed me that when she loaded up my request, a casino rate (10 percent discount) appeared. So, I went ahead and booked with the lower rate. Everything else was the same (Ready Set Sail promotion used).

In addition, I just received a Private sale offer from HAL last week. When I compared the fares on a different cruise I was looking it, it was cheaper once I input my Mariner number (and a small symbol appeared on the first pricing page next to the different category prices).

I asked my PCC about this and she said that she could not see which cruises I would get a casino rate on, that it only showed up when she started a booking.

If you get a casino mailer from HAL, things might be a bit different, but otherwise the casino rate cannot be seen by the customer when doing a trial booking.

One more thing - my new reservation confirmation on page 2 shows that a casino rate was used.

I hopes this helps clarify the casino rate issue.

Thanks for sharing this. It's good to have information like this.

Are people getting the casino offers as a result of hitting a certain gambling threshold? Is there any data on how much of a high roller one must be to qualify for such offers?

Now, that is interesting Dave.

I've always seen my price with the casino rate when I did my dummy booking.

That's a disappointment if you have to call to see the "real" pricing now.

thanks for the heads up.

Thanks for the information, Dave. It's interesting to me the Ready Set Sail promotion is combinable with casino fares.

Are people getting the casino offers as a result of hitting a certain gambling threshold? Is there any data on how much of a high roller one must be to qualify for such offers?

I don't think you need to be a high roller...we are not 'high rollers' by any stretch of the imagination and we have qualified for casino rates on all but our first HAL cruise.

While many dedicated slot players are probably on the list because their activity is very easy to track, we are table players and the system they use now (swiping your card and entering the dollar amount you put on the table for chips) tracks table play better. In addition, we get to know the pit bosses and dealers as we will usually spend time every day/evening in the casino, even if its just 30-45 minutes at a time.

We are careful gamblers, treating it as pure entertainment...but the methods we use tend to preserve our gaming budget pretty well. We always bring cash in, and sometimes we end up playing with the same $100 we started with all day long (going up, going down, etc.) but we always cash out before we leave...so it may seem like we've 'spent' $200-300 a day in the casino when it's really the same $100.

We also play in the blackjack tournaments every trip. It's only $20 to enter, and that's another way they get your name.

Our last HAL cruise I happened to see a spreadsheet on one of the computers on the floor that the pit boss was updating. Names, times, bet tracking...all statistics that I'm sure are submitted to track how likely you are to leave some of your vacation dollars at the casino.

We've seen savings of up to 20% on our fares, and have also received the mailers that offer free cruises in the Caribbean in an inside stateroom and significantly reduced for other categories. I've seen Neptune suites on 7-day cruises for only $700.

This is very helpful. We are returning to HAL after a very long absence. I will be sure to have some fun in the casino. Thank you!

I'm trying to understand the different types of HAL casino offers. Does anyone else get other perks along with their casino fares? My last couple casino offers show they come with, "VIP boarding and disembarkation privileges, personalized service with a dedicated VIP host, Bon Voyage VIP-only welcome aboard party, complimentary beverages while playing in the casino, complimentary entry for the slot and blackjack tournaments, private VIP-only farewell party and prize drawing, and $500 casino cash," and there was a list of ships/sailings to pick from. When I look at fares on HAL's website, on some ships/sail dates, I see the following, "This special pricing is not available to the general public. Special pricing may not be combinable with other promotions," and those ships/sail dates were not included in the list of ships/sail dates HAL sent me in snail mail. The casino offer I booked recently also shows that language online when I do a mock booking. I wish HAL would provide more information online about what type of "special pricing" I'm viewing when I look at fares.

I'm trying to understand the different types of HAL casino offers. Does anyone else get other perks along with their casino fares? My last couple casino offers show they come with, "VIP boarding and disembarkation privileges, personalized service with a dedicated VIP host, Bon Voyage VIP-only welcome aboard party, complimentary beverages while playing in the casino, complimentary entry for the slot and blackjack tournaments, private VIP-only farewell party and prize drawing, and $500 casino cash," and there was a list of ships/sailings to pick from. When I look at fares on HAL's website, on some ships/sail dates, I see the following, "This special pricing is not available to the general public. Special pricing may not be combinable with other promotions," and those ships/sail dates were not included in the list of ships/sail dates HAL sent me in snail mail. The casino offer I booked recently also shows that language online when I do a mock booking. I wish HAL would provide more information online about what type of "special pricing" I'm viewing when I look at fares.

I think the promotions vary. My friend has gotten the one you describe (with all the extras) and sometimes they only get a discount like I just did.

I'm trying to understand the different types of HAL casino offers. Does anyone else get other perks along with their casino fares? My last couple casino offers show they come with, "VIP boarding and disembarkation privileges, personalized service with a dedicated VIP host, Bon Voyage VIP-only welcome aboard party, complimentary beverages while playing in the casino, complimentary entry for the slot and blackjack tournaments, private VIP-only farewell party and prize drawing, and $500 casino cash," and there was a list of ships/sailings to pick from. When I look at fares on HAL's website, on some ships/sail dates, I see the following, "This special pricing is not available to the general public. Special pricing may not be combinable with other promotions," and those ships/sail dates were not included in the list of ships/sail dates HAL sent me in snail mail. The casino offer I booked recently also shows that language online when I do a mock booking. I wish HAL would provide more information online about what type of "special pricing" I'm viewing when I look at fares.

We are not big casino spenders. A few hundred dollars (not more than $300-$400) spent on each cruise. We do visit the casino each and everyday for at least one hour or so, sometimes more if we're winning. In the past two years we've saved at least $6000.00 in the cost of our cruise. I've spoken to people who gamble a lot more than we do and do not get the casino rate. According to our PCC, it's a random choice of people who use the casino regardless of how much is spent. As long as you maintain your casino use on each cruise, you will keep your casino rate.

It's important to note that getting a Casino Offer (specific sailings with some types of perks added, basically a one time offer) and a Casino rate, which applies to just about all sailings (there are some exclusions)on all ships. These Casino rates can be anywhere from a 10% discount and higher. My DH and I have been fortunate to receive a rate that's between 30-35% discount on each and every cruise we book. We just saved $1200.00 (Canadian) on our Koningsdam cruise in 2019.

 

We are not big casino spenders. A few hundred dollars (not more than $300-$400) spent on each cruise. We do visit the casino each and everyday for at least one hour or so, sometimes more if we're winning. In the past two years we've saved at least $6000.00 in the cost of our cruise. I've spoken to people who gamble a lot more than we do and do not get the casino rate. According to our PCC, it's a random choice of people who use the casino regardless of how much is spent. As long as you maintain your casino use on each cruise, you will keep your casino rate.

Thanks for the information. I think the amount of discount is linked to how much you play (coin-in the casinos call it). This shows up as how many "points" you earn. Whether you win or lose does not matter, as the casinos know that if you play long enough they will get your money eventually.

Having said that, we generally are low level players and lose (yes we actually won two cruises ago) less than $500. So, the $700 discount we just received on our next cruise covered our losses on the past two cruises combined. I do not know how they can afford to do this, but who is complaining? My guess is that they want us to increase our gambling with these offers.

I was not aware I was subject to the Casino discount until after booking my cruise yesterday. On the PDF sent in email I see "Casino Discount Included In Fare" in the special services location. I am not going to question it as any discount is a good discount.

I was not aware I was subject to the Casino discount until after booking my cruise yesterday. On the PDF sent in email I see "Casino Discount Included In Fare" in the special services location. I am not going to question it as any discount is a good discount.

Good for you! Now that you qualify for the casino rate, you'll always have it as long you keep gambling on each cruise you book. Stop gambling and you'll lose the special rate.

I normally do visit the casino every time, but the last time I made a point to hand over my card to the pit boss when I got to the table to register. When in Vegas I always do that, but not so much on a cruise.

I think the promotions vary. My friend has gotten the one you describe (with all the extras) and sometimes they only get a discount like I just did.

I have gotten both offers. I also have been offered casino cash through the ocean players club.

Generally I get 25-30% off on a cruise plus $75 to $100 cash from the on board casino. I also took advantage of a low cost 17 day cruise to Hawaii last fall.

I booked our upcoming Baltic cruise through a big box. Using my husband's mariner number was $1,500 cheaper than with mine. I remember the Big Box girl mentioning something about Casino rate. That is a giggle since my husband may spend $100-200 during a week vacation. However, I am thrilled to get the reduced rate. I run a dummy booking most days and its always been $1,500 less than mine every day for the past few months.

I have been reading on this board about people getting a casino rate. On one of these posts. they were saying that you could see the casino rate on the HAL website, once you input your Mariner number. I wanted to share my experience today with this issue.

 

First, I did a trial booking on both the old and new HAL websites (with and without using my Mariner number) and came up with the same fare for the same cabin. So, I called my HAL PCC to book. She informed me that when she loaded up my request, a casino rate (10 percent discount) appeared. So, I went ahead and booked with the lower rate. Everything else was the same (Ready Set Sail promotion used).

 

In addition, I just received a Private sale offer from HAL last week. When I compared the fares on a different cruise I was looking it, it was cheaper once I input my Mariner number (and a small symbol appeared on the first pricing page next to the different category prices).

 

I asked my PCC about this and she said that she could not see which cruises I would get a casino rate on, that it only showed up when she started a booking.

 

If you get a casino mailer from HAL, things might be a bit different, but otherwise the casino rate cannot be seen by the customer when doing a trial booking.

 

One more thing - my new reservation confirmation on page 2 shows that a casino rate was used.

 

I hopes this helps clarify the casino rate issue.

Back to clarify and correct my post.

I originally thought that the casino rate does not appear on the HAL website when you go to book online (since it did not work for me this way). HOWEVER, I thought to try booking using my DW's Mariner number and guess what - the fare was lower by the 10% casino rate than it showed when I tried booking with my Mariner number! Guess who is the bigger gambler in this household??

So, I have to admit to being wrong (once again) - the casino rate does appear online (even though it does not say casino rate that I could see).

Sorry if I mislead anyone.

Back to clarify and correct my post.

 

I originally thought that the casino rate does not appear on the HAL website when you go to book online (since it did not work for me this way). HOWEVER, I thought to try booking using my DW's Mariner number and guess what - the fare was lower by the 10% casino rate than it showed when I tried booking with my Mariner number! Guess who is the bigger gambler in this household??

 

So, I have to admit to being wrong (once again) - the casino rate does appear online (even though it does not say casino rate that I could see).

 

Sorry if I mislead anyone.

Good to hear. No worries Dave. If I want to see if I get a rate I always log in (which automatically adds your Mariner #). Glad to hear that we can still see it.

It's all good :)

I booked our upcoming Baltic cruise through a big box. Using my husband's mariner number was $1,500 cheaper than with mine. I remember the Big Box girl mentioning something about Casino rate. That is a giggle since my husband may spend $100-200 during a week vacation. However, I am thrilled to get the reduced rate. I run a dummy booking most days and its always been $1,500 less than mine every day for the past few months.

We are going on our first HAL in 3 weeks! I’m a craps gal and my husband likes Texas Hold’em. We are conservative gamblers (I’ve been known to milk $100 for a few hours, ha!), but really enjoy the game. We will play each day for sure. Your post gives me hope that we might qualify for casino rates in the future! Fingers crossed! 🤞🏼

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We are going on our first HAL in 3 weeks! I’m a craps gal and my husband likes Texas Hold’em. We are conservative gamblers (I’ve been known to milk $100 for a few hours, ha!), but really enjoy the game. We will play each day for sure. Your post gives me hope that we might qualify for casino rates in the future! Fingers crossed! 🤞🏼

 

 

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In most casinos (on ships and land) it seems that slot players get the most favorable treatment (which makes sense since the odds are better for the casino on slots). Part of the reason is that it is very easy to track slot play. So, just be sure the pit boss is aware of your play each time (I am not sure how they track it).

In most casinos (on ships and land) it seems that slot players get the most favorable treatment (which makes sense since the odds are better for the casino on slots). Part of the reason is that it is very easy to track slot play. So, just be sure the pit boss is aware of your play each time (I am not sure how they track it).

You have to give them your shipboard card and they will keep track of your play and apply it to your account. Without your card, they can't monitor your play like they can on slots.

Thanks! I normally do that in land-based casinos but have not been diligent about doing it on ships. I will now! 16 days until my cruise! Super excited! [emoji456][emoji456]

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One word of warning on booking the special casino fares sent to you by mail. We have gotten some incredible deals from the mailings in the past, but we recently booked a cruise through the mailed offer and within a month the fares have dropped below the special rate. I have tried to get HAL to allow us to go down to the lower fare but everyone at HAL I have talked to says they do not know how to do it. It seems they have never run into this before. If we had not booked a special casino rate we would be compensated, but since we are special casino customers no compensation. I am not very happy with HAL right now. Just something to consider when booking from the mailing

One word of warning on booking the special casino fares sent to you by mail. We have gotten some incredible deals from the mailings in the past, but we recently booked a cruise through the mailed offer and within a month the fares have dropped below the special rate. I have tried to get HAL to allow us to go down to the lower fare but everyone at HAL I have talked to says they do not know how to do it. It seems they have never run into this before. If we had not booked a special casino rate we would be compensated, but since we are special casino customers no compensation. I am not very happy with HAL right now. Just something to consider when booking from the mailing

I had my rate from Oceans Players Club end up being higher than what HAL offered on a “private members sale” and contacted OPC and was told to just cancel the OPC cruise and rebook directly with HAL and send Them the HAL booking number. I did and OPC still provided casino credit for my cruise.