For (casino) players, Carnival has been upping their game of late!

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Gee, methinks I need to take up this thing called gambling on cruises;);)

 

Glad to hear that Carnival is comping now too, Tom. Welcome back btw!

 

If you're not already "hooked", I'd suggest steering clear. It can be somewhat consuming! I manage to work in plenty of other activities, but there are many who spend a lot more time than I do in there!

 

I had that 8 day sailing booked on the Epic (that you're on), then switched to the Reflection. I've since gone back/forth as what ship/line to sail. At this point we're pretty locked into early/mid January though. HAVE FUN!

 

Tom

[kerrytens]

If you're not already "hooked", I'd suggest steering clear. It can be somewhat consuming! I manage to work in plenty of other activities, but there are many who spend a lot more time than I do in there!

 

I had that 8 day sailing booked on the Epic (that you're on), then switched to the Reflection. I've since gone back/forth as what ship/line to sail. At this point we're pretty locked into early/mid January though. HAVE FUN!

 

Tom

Probably wise advise on not starting to gamble. LOL!

 

Sorry to hear that we won't be sailing together but do have fun on the Reflection - she looks lovely! I noticed that Don booked the Epic a few weeks after we return too so I'll have to wait to sail with both of you for a while longer:D

[dotheyes]

I love roulette and always tip the guy that spins the wheel, but I do not know how to place a bet for him/her. Any hints on how to do this? dot

 

I have sat at roulette all day long on a sea day and would bet that the dealers received less than $50 tips all day. At at typical 2 hour rotation they would cash out 3 or so $1 tips plus my 15. My wife and I were just aghast to watch people come through and play out a few hundred and not even toss a $1 chip to the dealer. But I guess tipping is a personal thing...

[my2monkees]

I am not a big a big player in the casino (I play everyday but have to limit what I spend greatly). I have been on 4 cruises in last 2 1/2 years but I received a letter for casino rate on any cruise. It was such a great discount I booked one with a friend in Jan. when I thought it was over got another letter and booked another cruise with my mom and aunt for March. It was such an unexpected and nice surprise to be offered the better rate.

[Davey Wavey]

I love roulette and always tip the guy that spins the wheel, but I do not know how to place a bet for him/her. Any hints on how to do this? dot

 

Just place your normal bet and put a bet down for the dealer. If it wins, give all of it or split it halfsies with the dealer as a tip. But of all the times I have seen people tell the dealer, "this bet is for you," they have always taken the winnings and walked away and left nothing for the dealer.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Just place your normal bet and put a bet down for the dealer. If it wins, give all of it or split it halfsies with the dealer as a tip. But of all the times I have seen people tell the dealer, "this bet is for you," they have always taken the winnings and walked away and left nothing for the dealer.

 

WOW :eek: - I'd have to say something (I don't mind voicing up when need be).

 

Tom

[dotheyes]

thanks for the info; I hope everyone at the table booed that person

Just place your normal bet and put a bet down for the dealer. If it wins, give all of it or split it halfsies with the dealer as a tip. But of all the times I have seen people tell the dealer, "this bet is for you," they have always taken the winnings and walked away and left nothing for the dealer.

[Mulege]

My wife is a penny slot player. Our last cruise she received a free bottle of wine 3 nights, flowers , and chocolate covered strawberrys. She was given the free drinks the first night. The last night she got the free cruise letter. She lost $200 on the cruise so I think she did well.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

My wife is a penny slot player. Our last cruise she received a free bottle of wine 3 nights, flowers , and chocolate covered strawberrys. She was given the free drinks the first night. The last night she got the free cruise letter. She lost $200 on the cruise so I think she did well.

 

Penny slots... lost only $200... flowers, treats, wine... FREE CRUISE LETTER.

 

Yes, I'd say she did well !!! :D

 

Tom

[pattimelt]

I normally cruise once a year, in January, with my favorite baseball team. It's nothing big, just a 3 day from Long Beach to Ensenada and back. Yes, I gamble. MAYBE play $100 a day, and yes, in the slots. :D

 

I got a letter this past Tuesday that offered me a free cruise!!!!! I had to book within 7 days, but moss doesn't grow under my feet, and I was on the phone to Carnival the next morning booking!!! My letter offered me a free cruise in a 4A (like I said, I don't spend big!!), but hey, it's free, right??

 

After some quick looking at what Carnival had here on the West Coast, my friend and I decided on the Miracle (4 day, same as we usually take, with the addition of Catalina), but the PVP actually upgraded me into a balcony!!!

 

So I'm off on a ship in 39 days.. FREE!!!

 

I'd say Carnival is definitely upgrading the perks.. oh, and my friend also gambles, so she's hoping she gets a letter like I do--she said if she does, she'll call me and take me with her on HER freebie, too!!!!

[aggieastrosfan]

I am happy to hear that Carnival is giving gamblers some more attention. However, I think all it does is frustrate me more.

 

In my first 17 cruises, I was primarily a table player. Aside from the occasional free drinks from the pit boss, I never got anything. I don't play for perks, though, so it never bothered me. My budget was about $100/day on average.

 

Last three cruises I have started playing the slots more, but still played the tables occasionally. July 2012 I ended the trip with about 3,000 points, and got nothing. This past May I ended up with about 8,000. I got the worthless 20% off letter (their sales are always better than 20% off the fun select rate), and a bottle of wine in the steakhouse one night. And $25 from my play on the previous cruise.

 

Earlier this month I ended up with about 3500 points. $50 in casino cash, and drinks on us from day 1. And ended the week with another worthless 20% letter. Tried to use it for an upcoming cruise, and they were going to give me $100 casino cash, but it was still cheaper to book the sale rate (though I'm hoping to call closer to the cruise and still get the $100).

 

Seriously, is it because I've only been playing tables until the past year? Again, I don't play for perks. But the last three cruises my budget has been closer to $200-$250/day (I was a loser on all three cruises, but thankfully didn't lose all of that!).

 

I just wish they would be more consistent in their offers. Not going to lie, it's pretty frustrating that people who spend half of what I spend are getting free cruises, and all I'm really getting is $50 in cash and a drink card (which, let's be real - those drinks have been more than paid for!).

 

All this randomness is doing is enticing the casual spenders to keep coming back, but frustrating those of us who spend a bit more, but aren't really "high rollers".

 

I really don't know why I keep playing. It's definitely gambling in my case, as I rarely come home a winner, or just breaking even. And my crummy luck continues, as I've yet to get any sort of real offer from the casino in 13 years of spending a lot of money on their ships.

 

Again, on its own I don't really consider my play to be worthy of much of anything, I was surprised to even qualify for any casino cash. But when you start seeing how people who play less than you do are getting free cruises..what gives? I would say maybe it's because I've been on so many cruises with them that they know I'll come back, but that theory is blown right out of the water on the first post in this thread!

 

 

Meredith

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[JaniceB]

Tom,

 

The casino perks on this cruise sound great. What kind of steak is pictured, cowboy?

 

My friend was on this cruise solo, offered me a spot but with the government furlough I had to pass. Sounds like I missed a great time, hopefully there will be others.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

I normally cruise once a year, in January, with my favorite baseball team. It's nothing big, just a 3 day from Long Beach to Ensenada and back. Yes, I gamble. MAYBE play $100 a day, and yes, in the slots. :D

 

I got a letter this past Tuesday that offered me a free cruise!!!!! I had to book within 7 days, but moss doesn't grow under my feet, and I was on the phone to Carnival the next morning booking!!! My letter offered me a free cruise in a 4A (like I said, I don't spend big!!), but hey, it's free, right??

 

After some quick looking at what Carnival had here on the West Coast, my friend and I decided on the Miracle (4 day, same as we usually take, with the addition of Catalina), but the PVP actually upgraded me into a balcony!!!

 

So I'm off on a ship in 39 days.. FREE!!!

 

I'd say Carnival is definitely upgrading the perks.. oh, and my friend also gambles, so she's hoping she gets a letter like I do--she said if she does, she'll call me and take me with her on HER freebie, too!!!!

 

Congrats !!

 

...

Again, on its own I don't really consider my play to be worthy of much of anything, I was surprised to even qualify for any casino cash. But when you start seeing how people who play less than you do are getting free cruises..what gives? I would say maybe it's because I've been on so many cruises with them that they know I'll come back, but that theory is blown right out of the water on the first post in this thread!

 

 

Meredith

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

I hear you... without a doubt! I can't come up with a suitable explanation as to why lower level players are getting free cruises (though I think it's great for them) while people risking a grand or two are offered next to nothing. Is Carnival trying to entice the casual player into a higher level of play because "Hey, they gave me a FREE cruise", or (as you said) do they think that some people will keep coming back regardless? It definitely gives me a "wow, really?" moment to see the disparity.

 

Carnival is new to this - and hopefully trying to find a sweet spot.

 

Tom

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Tom,

 

The casino perks on this cruise sound great. What kind of steak is pictured, cowboy?

 

My friend was on this cruise solo, offered me a spot but with the government furlough I had to pass. Sounds like I missed a great time, hopefully there will be others.

 

Yes.. the steak!!

 

This was on the second "Cruise Elegant" evening. The chef was already aware that the one thing I missed from the main dining room menu was Prime Rib. He went WAY over the top and took a smaller piece of one of their PRIME GRADE rib roasts (28 day dry aged) and prepared it as "Prime Rib"! While it came out slightly rarer than I'd like (it was REALLY rare), thanks to the prime grade aged beef - it was VERY tender. I demolished it.. along with an ample portion of some of the horseradish I bring along on each cruise! (yes... I know..!) :o

 

Tom

[sheshasmomma]

It has to do with time spent playing I believe. My husband who is a big black jack player (I won't say how much partly because I think he's nuts) will put a number in his head lets say he's willing to lose 1,000 for that night after he loses it he's done with that, no more money comes out of his wallet. but he also puts a number in his head if he wins 2,000 more than his 1,000 he's up and out. He can win or lose in a matter of minutes or hours. This past cruise was really good for him, he hit them hard and fast. Empting the dealers tray more than once, but was still in bed by 10pm every night. Guys he played with were there all day & all night betting half the amount as him (still a nice amount of money), they lost in the long run from what they said. He got offered 20% on a 3 to 5 day, guys (2 of them) sitting at the same table each got free 7 day cruises. In reality they are paying for our daughter's sweet 16 cruise (with a few of her friends along for the ride). He just got LUCKY this last cruise, I'm sure he'll be offered a free cruise after this one coming up. He's going to hide from the girls in the casino ;-)

[jeff4la]

I also received a players club free cruise offer last week. booked the 8 day Splendor out of NYC in balcony on October 24. Very excited! First free cruiseever!!!!!!

 

Sent from my SCH-I905 using Forums mobile app

[caseymorgan]

I received the post card with discount cruise pricing and $25 free play for our next cruise in September. I'm just hoping to get some free drinks out of them. Any idea what level play is needed for drinks? (I play craps and BJ).

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

I received the post card with discount cruise pricing and $25 free play for our next cruise in September. I'm just hoping to get some free drinks out of them. Any idea what level play is needed for drinks? (I play craps and BJ).

 

That's one of the best things about a Premier cruise - no questions about play level for drinks. On all other sailings there are a few factors. It depends on the pit people, sometimes a manager or host. It depends on how long you're playing, and how often. The biggest factor is your average bet. On rare occasions I've seen them offer up drinks for people playing below $25 - but that, or higher for hours of time, is usually required. When I'm playing black chips for hours on end, the drinks are rarely in question. Also, if you're seen regularly tipping the dealer - that does not hurt either! :)

 

Tom

Edited August 23, 2013 by Tom-n-Cheryl

[JaniceB]

Yes.. the steak!!

 

This was on the second "Cruise Elegant" evening. The chef was already aware that the one thing I missed from the main dining room menu was Prime Rib. He went WAY over the top and took a smaller piece of one of their PRIME GRADE rib roasts (28 day dry aged) and prepared it as "Prime Rib"! While it came out slightly rarer than I'd like (it was REALLY rare), thanks to the prime grade aged beef - it was VERY tender. I demolished it.. along with an ample portion of some of the horseradish I bring along on each cruise! (yes... I know..!) :o

 

Tom

 

Very nice. I didn't realize they didn't serve horseradish on the ship.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Very nice. I didn't realize they didn't serve horseradish on the ship.

 

They do, though its "potency" tends to vary widely. We like to bring something that we know will have a KICK!

 

We'll add it to the cocktail sauce that comes with shrimp as well. :)

 

Tom

[Ships R Great]

We were offered, and took, a "casino" lower price for our next sail. Does that mean we have any perks coming on that cruise?

[mikel24m]

We were offered, and took, a "casino" lower price for our next sail. Does that mean we have any perks coming on that cruise?

 

You may .Just call the players club or send an email

[mikel24m]

They do, though its "potency" tends to vary widely. We like to bring something that we know will have a KICK!

 

We'll add it to the cocktail sauce that comes with shrimp as well. :)

 

Tom

 

I love horseradish too. My wife knows whatever im eating is good when im sweating and crying lol

[Ships R Great]

You may .Just call the players club or send an email

 

How do I call them? Sorry I seem dense. (I guess I am about some things!)

 

DH does roulette. How do they keep track of how much he playa?

Edited August 26, 2013 by Ships R Great

[mikel24m]

How do I call them? Sorry I seem dense. (I guess I am about some things!)

 

http://www.oceanplayersclub.com/