Carnival Ocean Players Club Advice!

[Velvet1153]

I just wanted to tell everyone to be sure and request an email confirming the Carnival Player's Club gift that is to be waiting for you onboard. Otherwise, you may not get it!

 

We spend a bit of time in the Casino when onboard and I called before our Splendor cruise in Dec to inquire for which gift we were eligible. I was told we would receive the Premium Bon Voyage Basket.

 

Once onboard, we received the photo coupon and the 2 large bottles of water, but did not receive the Bon Voyage Basket. I thought maybe it would come later in the evening but by the next afternoon, it had still not been delivered.

 

I then contacted the Casino Host to inquire as to why we didn't receive the basket. She told me she would look into it.

 

At dinner that evening, a Lady from the Bon Voyage Dept came to our table and told us that she had contacted the Carnival Players Club and we did not qualify for a basket. I told her that she was misinformed and that I was told before the cruise that we did qualify, she agreed to check further.

 

This back and forth went on for the entire cruise! They said they were in touch with Miami and had people looking into it and to check back. Although the Casino Host and the Lady from the Bon Voyage Dept were very nice, having to ask them about it daily became quite annoying.

 

Finally, on Friday evening, one day before departing from the ship, the basket was delivered to our room, without even a note of apology for the trouble and the delay. Not the best of Customer Service!

 

The basket was beautiful but we were given no time to enjoy it. We were only able to bring the wine home since fresh fruit isn't allowed to be taken off of the ship. We gave the basket and contents to our Cabin Steward but it would have been nice to have had a bit of time to enjoy it ourselves too!

 

So, this time when I contacted the Players Club to inquire about the Welcome gift, I requested an email with a confirmation that we are once again eligible for the Premium Basket. He did agree to throw in an extra photo coupon for our trouble before! :)

 

So, take my advice and request an confirmation email and print it out and take it with you onboard! The basket is very nice and I don't want anyone else to have the disappointment I had!

 

 

[carncruiser1964]

I just wanted to tell everyone to be sure and request an email confirming the Carnival Player's Club gift that is to be waiting for you onboard. Otherwise, you may not get it!

 

We spend a bit of time in the Casino when onboard and I called before our Splendor cruise in Dec to inquire for which gift we were eligible. I was told we would receive the Premium Bon Voyage Basket.

 

Once onboard, we received the photo coupon and the 2 large bottles of water, but did not receive the Bon Voyage Basket. I thought maybe it would come later in the evening but by the next afternoon, it had still not been delivered.

 

I then contacted the Casino Host to inquire as to why we didn't receive the basket. She told me she would look into it.

 

At dinner that evening, a Lady from the Bon Voyage Dept came to our table and told us that she had contacted the Carnival Players Club and we did not qualify for a basket. I told her that she was misinformed and that I was told before the cruise that we did qualify, she agreed to check further.

 

This back and forth went on for the entire cruise! They said they were in touch with Miami and had people looking into it and to check back. Although the Casino Host and the Lady from the Bon Voyage Dept were very nice, having to ask them about it daily became quite annoying.

 

Finally, on Friday evening, one day before departing from the ship, the basket was delivered to our room, without even a note of apology for the trouble and the delay. Not the best of Customer Service!

 

The basket was beautiful but we were given no time to enjoy it. We were only able to bring the wine home since fresh fruit isn't allowed to be taken off of the ship. We gave the basket and contents to our Cabin Steward but it would have been nice to have had a bit of time to enjoy it ourselves too!

 

So, this time when I contacted the Players Club to inquire about the Welcome gift, I requested an email with a confirmation that we are once again eligible for the Premium Basket. He did agree to throw in an extra photo coupon for our trouble before! :)

 

So, take my advice and request an confirmation email and print it out and take it with you onboard! The basket is very nice and I don't want anyone else to have the disappointment I had!

 

 

 

Read my review from the Legend 2011 cruise about our adventures with not getting the basket. You'll love it. Player's Club has more than made up for their blunder.

[JennLuvs2Cruise]

Sorry you had this kind of experience, OP. I always call about two weeks before our sail date to make sure they put our information in the system since we tend to call the Ocean Player's Club a few months in advance. We have not experienced any incoinvience.

[carib1]

I have always had trouble with the Ocean Players Club. I've been on 5 Carnival cruises and always play in the casino. By no means am I a big spender, but I do spend between 300-500 each cruise. Have never gotten anything...I've called and have never spoke to anyone always have to leave a message and I never get a returned call, I usually email several weeks prior to the cruise and at least once a week leading up to the cruise (usually the last 3 weeks) and never get a reply. Not sure what I'm doing wrong.

[WinnipegCruiser]

Everyone seems to think they deserve the special treatment from the casino. The truth is in the points you accumulate.

 

The Ocean Players club gets a bunch of phone calls asking for free stuff.

 

Let me say this: Get the points and the rewards will come.

 

They don't see very many real gamblers on the ship. When they do have one, they are happy to shower them with rewards.

[Velvet1153]

Read my review from the Legend 2011 cruise about our adventures with not getting the basket. You'll love it. Player's Club has more than made up for their blunder.

 

Hi Michelle! I just read all the way through your fabulous review. I loved all of your insights and pictures. I am sorry you had such a tough time with David and the Casino staff. I fully understand your frustration and I think it was very smart of you to let John Heald know. It is only right that they treat you as the high roller that you are! Glad to know they finally got their act together on your following cruise! Of course, our experience wasn't nearly as bad as yours and we did finally get our basket.

 

You spoke of the good Casino Host that you had in Lorraine. We also have a very good Casino Host a couple years ago. Her name was Precious and she made EVERYONE feel so welcome and appreciated. She came over and introduced herself and bought us several drinks throughout the cruise. We keep hoping we will find her on another cruise. She was the best we every had! :)

 

I have always had trouble with the Ocean Players Club. I've been on 5 Carnival cruises and always play in the casino. By no means am I a big spender, but I do spend between 300-500 each cruise. Have never gotten anything...I've called and have never spoke to anyone always have to leave a message and I never get a returned call, I usually email several weeks prior to the cruise and at least once a week leading up to the cruise (usually the last 3 weeks) and never get a reply. Not sure what I'm doing wrong.

I would think that you definitely earned some type of gift with that amount of gambling. I waited on hold for about 10 min today before anyone took my call. Don't leave a message, that is too easy for them to ignore! I have tried emailing and never receive responses so I always call at least a month in advance. I will also call a week in advance to confirm. I don't know if that will help prevent problems but I will give it a try!

[Velvet1153]

Everyone seems to think they deserve the special treatment from the casino. The truth is in the points you accumulate.

 

The Ocean Players club gets a bunch of phone calls asking for free stuff.

 

Let me say this: Get the points and the rewards will come.

 

They don't see very many real gamblers on the ship. When they do have one, they are happy to shower them with rewards.

 

If the Ocean Players Club is giving out rewards for gambling, and we gamble enough on each cruise to qualify for that reward, why shouldn't we think we deserve it? :confused:

We have gambled for years and not received anything so I think it is nice that they now reward us for spending our money in the Casino! If we don't hit a big jackpot, at least we have the little gift in the cabin to help ease the pain! :)

[Rosefloater]

Same thing happened to us in Jan.

 

We called a few weeks before our cruise and were told we would get a premium package and 2 regular packages (there were 3 in our cabin). We requested an email confirmation but never received it.

 

When we got on the Inspiration, there was nothing in our cabin from OPC. We called the next day (while in Catalina), Michael apologized and were assured our packages would be in our cabin. We only received the premium package and 1 regular package. :mad:

 

Fast forward a few weeks later and the 3rd person in our cabin goes on a weekend cruise (Inspiration) and again she doesn't receive a regular package that she was told she would be getting. :mad:

 

We now email Michael directly. He got back to us in about 4 days.

[chasinraynbowz]

Last cruise, I qualified for the standard bon voyage package and I received it with no problem at all. I did have the email printed out though... just in case! lol (I have a notebook and have everything pertaining to our cruise and excursions printed out and put in the notebook).

[WinnipegCruiser]

we gamble enough on each cruise to qualify for that reward

 

That is subjective isn't it. For you that might be $1000. For someone else maybe it is only $200.

 

In most casinos today they take the subjective out of the equation. The slots show you the points earned. Until you earn the points, they don't really know what kind of player you are.

 

They keep track of the points you earned the last cruise you were on. It is called "being rated". I think it expires after two years of not cruising.

 

 

 

 

 

Not pictured: Three bottles of wine at dinner, courtesy of the casino. A coupon for $15 off a picture from the photo gallery.

[sum1savage]

Sounds like there are some pretty seasoned carnival casino gamblers in here, so i'm going to half thread jack (sorry OP!). I typically spend 3-4 hours per night at the craps table, playing $20 rolls and 3x times odds. In any land based casino, this typically gets me comps of some variety from the casino. It seems that Carnival doesn't really reward, or even recognize, table players. Am I under the correct assumption or does anyone have some better insight? Feel like I should have at least had a few drinks sent my way by now. If not, no biggy, you'll still find me at the craps table every night :D

[WinnipegCruiser]

Feel like I should have at least had a few drinks sent my way by now. If not, no biggy, you'll still find me at the craps table every night :D

 

Unless you make a huge impression (like winning really big, tens of thousands of dollars) you will not get any real recognition.

 

It shouldn't stop you from introducing yourself to the Casino Host right at the start.

 

However they don't give points for craps.

[mikel24m]

I just wanted to tell everyone to be sure and request an email confirming the Carnival Player's Club gift that is to be waiting for you onboard. Otherwise, you may not get it!

 

We spend a bit of time in the Casino when onboard and I called before our Splendor cruise in Dec to inquire for which gift we were eligible. I was told we would receive the Premium Bon Voyage Basket.

 

Once onboard, we received the photo coupon and the 2 large bottles of water, but did not receive the Bon Voyage Basket. I thought maybe it would come later in the evening but by the next afternoon, it had still not been delivered.

 

I then contacted the Casino Host to inquire as to why we didn't receive the basket. She told me she would look into it.

 

At dinner that evening, a Lady from the Bon Voyage Dept came to our table and told us that she had contacted the Carnival Players Club and we did not qualify for a basket. I told her that she was misinformed and that I was told before the cruise that we did qualify, she agreed to check further.

 

This back and forth went on for the entire cruise! They said they were in touch with Miami and had people looking into it and to check back. Although the Casino Host and the Lady from the Bon Voyage Dept were very nice, having to ask them about it daily became quite annoying.

 

Finally, on Friday evening, one day before departing from the ship, the basket was delivered to our room, without even a note of apology for the trouble and the delay. Not the best of Customer Service!

 

The basket was beautiful but we were given no time to enjoy it. We were only able to bring the wine home since fresh fruit isn't allowed to be taken off of the ship. We gave the basket and contents to our Cabin Steward but it would have been nice to have had a bit of time to enjoy it ourselves too!

 

So, this time when I contacted the Players Club to inquire about the Welcome gift, I requested an email with a confirmation that we are once again eligible for the Premium Basket. He did agree to throw in an extra photo coupon for our trouble before! :)

 

So, take my advice and request an confirmation email and print it out and take it with you onboard! The basket is very nice and I don't want anyone else to have the disappointment I had!

 

 

 

My wife and myself are pretty big gamblers and it seems to be hit or miss with gifts from the casino and/or players club.We had a cruise that I printed out the info from the players club saying I was going which offers and the casino host did nothing to make it happen even when I gave him the email,We also were on a cruise with Tatiana as our host and she made everything perfect.Myself I have learned that if we dont get nice things I save money and gamble at home where I know the machines are regulated and we get comped.I wish the players club would recognize the people who play big

[sum1savage]

Unless you make a huge impression (like winning really big, tens of thousands of dollars) you will not get any real recognition.

 

It shouldn't stop you from introducing yourself to the Casino Host right at the start.

 

However they don't give points for craps.

Thanks for the advice. This to me is a sign of a poor program, or poor training of the casino host. There's not a land based casino on the planet that will watch a player cycle $2k/hour and not at least acknowledge the player. I'm not dying for a free drink, as I probably shouldn't be gambling if I am, it's just a bizarre set of circumstances.

[mikel24m]

Unless you make a huge impression (like winning really big, tens of thousands of dollars) you will not get any real recognition.

 

It shouldn't stop you from introducing yourself to the Casino Host right at the start.

 

However they don't give points for craps.

 

Why do they not rate craps.I think your incorrect.I play alot of blackjack and I get rated onboard.Why would one table game get rated and another not

[WinnipegCruiser]

Thanks for the advice. This to me is a sign of a poor program, or poor training of the casino host. There's not a land based casino on the planet that will watch a player cycle $2k/hour and not at least acknowledge the player. I'm not dying for a free drink, as I probably shouldn't be gambling if I am, it's just a bizarre set of circumstances.

 

Again, if you introduce yourself right at the start, they will probably notice you. Cycling $2k/hour is pretty good. They just don't have a way to keep track of it in a measurable way.

 

Yes, this is not a land based casino. On that scale they are a tiny basement operation. Of course that does have it's appeal.

[WinnipegCruiser]

Why do they not rate craps.I think your incorrect.I play alot of blackjack and I get rated onboard.Why would one table game get rated and another not

 

When I was on the Destiny last month they took my card at the blackjack tables, but not at the roulette, poker or craps table.

[mikel24m]

When I was on the Destiny last month they took my card at the blackjack tables, but not at the roulette, poker or craps table.

 

Thats really strange.Did you ask the casino manager or pit boss why.I understand them not rating 3 card poker or caribbean stud but roulette and craps thats wierd

[sum1savage]

Again, if you introduce yourself right at the start, they will probably notice you. Cycling $2k/hour is pretty good. They just don't have a way to keep track of it in a measurable way.

 

Yes, this is not a land based casino. On that scale they are a tiny basement operation. Of course that does have it's appeal.

I'm not trying to argue, I'm just a sucker for a good conversation, so let me know if this gets a bit redundant...

I may be wrong on this, but isn't their casino operated by a much bigger land based outfit? Even if it is not, between all the lines under the Carnival umbrella (and I'm fairly confident they all use the same operating company) there is some major money exchanging hands in their casinos. Seems like they'd be capable of recognizing and rewarding players if they had any real interest in doing so.

[mikel24m]

I'm not trying to argue, I'm just a sucker for a good conversation, so let me know if this gets a bit redundant...

I may be wrong on this, but isn't their casino operated by a much bigger land based outfit? Even if it is not, between all the lines under the Carnival umbrella (and I'm fairly confident they all use the same operating company) there is some major money exchanging hands in their casinos. Seems like they'd be capable of recognizing and rewarding players if they had any real interest in doing so.

 

it depends really on which ship.One ships great gives some nice comps like the fruit basket ,choc covered strawberries ,wine at dinner and some give you nothing (not even the free drink) It boggles me why the system is the way it is .

[sum1savage]

it depends really on which ship.One ships great gives some nice comps like the fruit basket ,choc covered strawberries ,wine at dinner and some give you nothing (not even the free drink) It boggles me why the system is the way it is .

That brings me back to my original point; it's not so much the system as it is a lack of training with the casino staff. I have a hard time believing that Carnival has any problem with "recognizing" players with drinks, etc. However, I dont believe they've put the time/money/energy into making sure their casino hosts are trained to give the players a true "casino feel". It really shouldn't take a host too long to introduce themselves to someone playing $160 rolls on a craps table, much less expecting the player to introduce themselves.

Lastly, ship to ship wouldn't be an issue if training was in place. This would create a much more consistent message throughout the fleet.

Edited March 6, 2012 by sum1savage

[WinnipegCruiser]

Seems like they'd be capable of recognizing and rewarding players if they had any real interest in doing so.

 

They are trying, but like I say, everyone thinks they are a big player.

 

It is a small operation, with maybe only 2 casino hosts. They just can't have someone watching everyone all the time.

 

I will say this, if you get rated in Vegas at the Venetian or at the Palazzo it can be transferred to the ship.

[Elaine515]

They usually rate anyone who plays at least $25 a hand and plays at least 4 hours a day. I have a friend of mine who actually cruises for free, in a Suite because if the casino is open, he's there!!!

 

And yes, absolutely always introudce yourself to the Casino Host the first night...it never hurts...

 

And OP, you are correct... my email is already packed and ready for my upcoming cruise... Basically had almost the same thing happen to me cruise before last but I insisted that the Casino Host call Michael on Monday morning and find out where my promised money waiting for me at the Casino Cage was... and it worked!!!

[mikel24m]

They are trying, but like I say, everyone thinks they are a big player.

 

It is a small operation, with maybe only 2 casino hosts. They just can't have someone watching everyone all the time.

 

I will say this, if you get rated in Vegas at the Venetian or at the Palazzo it can be transferred to the ship.

 

It may be a small operation but every cruise I spend minimum of $5k .Players who play a $1000 a day should stand out and we do not .Its crazy

[camper49]

We did not get the "premium" gift as promised on our last cruise. Ecstasy..2/4/2012. I spoke with the casino host and he said he would "take care of it"..Nothing..

Also while in the casino i cashed out to my S&S card and went to play another machine and it showed that i had no $$$$$ I am only talking about $10...but...i went to the casino cage and a very rude guy said i couldn't of. I asked to speak with someone else ( the host wasn't there i was told) but i did speak to a pleasant girl who took the info and said she would "look into it". It wasn't about the $$$..i just knew i was right. On the last night of our cruise we got a phone call in our cabin at 10:30 pm (we retire early so was not happy with the call ). It was the casino..they said they had my $10...and that the machine had "made a mistake".

I have sent an e-mail to the Ocean Players Club.....wonder if i will hear form them???