Princess Casino Comps

[AndyPanda]

We play a lot of blackjack. Usually 2-3 hrs/night & some during sea days.

Start at $10 and go up when winning.

NCL often gives free drinks & sometimes cash back at end of cruise.

Will we be wasting our time to check w/ pit boss &/or dealer each time we play on Princess?

Thanks, Andy

[SwissDave]

Depending on level of play they may offer you a free drink or 2, but there is no 'standard' way of getting those. Never seen cashback, but have had other gifts sent to my cabin, bottle of wine, chocolate strawberries etc.

[Woobstr112G]

I've never seen or heard of any substantive comps being offered in the casino.....:):):)

 

Bob

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

I have seen the pit boss do things ..

[IdahoCruises]

They comped our drinks for several days on our 15 day cruise.

 

Was pretty unexpected....

[jean s]

My dh spends a lot of time in the casino...some winning and mostly giving donations. He said in the past 10 years he can only remember getting free drinks twice.

[Ethel5]

I play slots-not a great amount of money but a lot of time. I got a free drink twice.

[AndyPanda]

Thanks, all, for the rapid responses.

One other question:

Do we need to use a "casino card" each time we play, or will they simply recognize us as "regulars"?

Thanks again

[CantSwim63]

Thanks, all, for the rapid responses.

One other question:

Do we need to use a "casino card" each time we play, or will they simply recognize us as "regulars"?

Thanks again

 

They ask for your cruise card when you buy in and "track" your play. I don't know how you interact with the dealers and pit bosses but after the first night in the CB's casino they were calling me by name and I was offered at least one drink a night. I didn't ask about other comps.

 

So the answer is kinda yes and assuming you are friendly yes they will recognise you.

 

RR

[beg3yrs]

Friendly players who play a lot get more comps than unfriendly players ... just sayin'.

[Loonbeam]

You don't need your cruise card other than to draw funds. They don't rate you automatically for table games. In my experience if the pit boss or casino host gets to know you, they will keep an eye on you and that's where the gifts/comps come from. You can also request to be rated.

 

From the Princess website:

 

Playing in a Princess Casino

 

Players with points accumulated via slot play or table play will be awarded various benefits onboard, depending on the level of play.

Slot Players

 

Slot players can earn points as they play by placing their cruise card in the card reader on the machine every time they play*. Slot players may also receive complimentary beverages while playing**, free gifts and other onboard benefits dependant upon their level of play. Please see the casino host on your cruise for details.

*This promotion is currently available only on select vessels.

** RSA policies apply.

Table Players

 

Table players can be rated when playing at most of the table games. Please advise the pit personnel every time you play if you wish to be rated.

Table players may receive complimentary beverages while playing*, free gifts, and other onboard benefits dependant upon their level of play. Please consult the casino host or casino staff onboard for more details.

[Mrterryl]

You need to call princess players club and give the information for your last cruise. Then they will review your play and tell you if you have a cash comp for your next cruise. I leave next Saturday and have 300 cash waiting for me in the casino.

[nickopbna]

I received $375 in casino cash today! Various sailings from Jan to Nov this year. Free drinks for me and guest. I was on a Crown Princess April 2012 for 26 nights, I'm sure I spent a small fortune :)

[pusywillow]

I got a free cruise from playing in the casino in 2012. They have now tightened their comps. On my next cruise in June they are giving me $150 in free slot play. You would need to be playing longer and bigger than you are now to get any comps. Go to the CC section named cruise casinos for more info.

 

It is easier to get free cruises on NCL.

[bhopal21]

We have gotten free drinks and on a few occasions a dinner in a specialty restaurant.

 

Don't worry about being recognized as the casino host pretty much knows how much you are playing.

 

Mike:)

[mina]

Friendly players who play a lot get more comps than unfriendly players ... just sayin'.

 

Also, those players who tip the dealers or bet for the dealers seem to be recognized and get free drinks more. I am amazed at how many people hit big and do not tip the dealer!

[AndyTheK]

Also, those players who tip the dealers or bet for the dealers seem to be recognized and get free drinks more. I am amazed at how many people hit big and do not tip the dealer!

Tipping does a lot more than most people think. My mantra is "take care of them and they will take care of you!"

Strike up a good relationship with the floor people and the casino host. A smile goes a long way.

Yes, the size of your bets does count but is not the only factor. Playing time counts for a lot.

We've been comped cash (based on your last cruise action), drinks on the house once a night or so for each of us, two specialty restaurant dinners on a 14 day cruise, wine in the cabin, and a bag of "goodies" souvenirs at the end of the cruise.

 

Good luck. Andy.

[long cruiser]

I worked in the casino business for thirty years and I can tell you right up front there is no such thing as a comp.You pay for it over time.

Also,if you say a $200.00 dinner comp in a casino you still have to leave a $20.00 to $40.00tip.

long cruiser

[bhopal21]

I worked in the casino business for thirty years and I can tell you right up front there is no such thing as a comp.You pay for it over time.

Also,if you say a $200.00 dinner comp in a casino you still have to leave a $20.00 to $40.00tip.

long cruiser

 

Of course you pay for comps through your play and Princess only has $25 dinner comps.

 

I have never left a specialty restaurant on Princess without leaving a tip whether comped or not.

 

Mike:)

[djefferis]

Honestly - $10 a hand for 3 hours isn't going to excite any casino manager, they may toss you a couple of free drinks-but cash/OBC, no.

 

The hold on "21" is around 3% assuming your not getting 6:5 B J payout like many cruise casinos offer....50 hands an hour 3 hours a day equals expected profit of 45 dollars and that's before the rents paid and salaries. Now variable betting can make you a more valuable customer...but when you only bump bets when your up-they will see this and rate accordingly.

 

Slots play is where the profits are for a casino, followed by poker with high cuts..table games are more for show and to draw both sides of a couple in with hopes of keep one person busy at the tables while the other plays slots.

 

As to tipping, does it help...sure, if your in Vegas or Macau and playing for a grand or more a hand. Who are you going to tip on a cruise that matters? Typically only one person serving as manger/host unless it's a gambling specific cruise...and usually "she" (high percentage of these persons are female ) is unlikely to be impressed with a 20 dollar tip in exchange for a comp (salary 65-150k depending on how much revenue they bring in). Dealers don't determine your rating or do much of anything than turn the cards and collect the lovers and pay the winners.

[unboringuy]

I think tipping and friendliness definitely help. I was on the NCL Epic transatlantic about 14 months ago. I had not played in their casinos for quite some time and therefore had not amassed sufficient credits to be eligible for the "free drinks" card which gets you free house brand drinks.

 

I played minimum $25 per hand blackjack, 2-3 hours a day, and was a generous tipper. The entire cruise I received unlimited free top shelf drinks in the casino. All of the bar servers in the casino knew to comp me and it did not even require any action from any casino supervisors (I'm sure they set that up for me, however).

[karatemom2]

DH is a regular at the Craps table every cruise and has noticed that the comps have really improved recently. He has received the free drink comp regularly and had a cash comp for use in the Casino of $400 waiting for him on the current cruise. We have also received champagne and chocolate covered strawberries and a bag of nice gifts from the onboard Casino in the past.

[azbirdmom]

On the Caribbean Princess last week, I was surprised when I didn't get the usual $10 in free play after accumulating 1000 points on the slots. Although it's not a lot, I asked the casino host about it and he said they have a new promotion where you will get $240 in cash on your next cruise if you earn 3000 points on the slots in 6 days. You either need to have a booked cruise or book one within 30 days and cruise within 210 days. There are additional comps beyond that if you earn more, but I didn't get the info on the required thresholds for those rewards.