Did Royal Caribbean insult my intelligence here?!

[cherylroslyn]

Hi we met on the summit cruise that repositioned in San Juan. We had the family aft balcony that was shown during the cabin crawl. How much do you have to guaranty to spend in the casino to qualify on a junket? Is this just for table games or for slots too?. I normally receive $550 - $650 from casino royal, but free cruises and other comps sound much better to me.

Hey how are you!!! You absolutely met me:) That cruise was a lot of fun.... I am doing the April repo in a couple months.

 

I don't guarantee any dollar amount, and if you are getting those kind of refunds you sound like you might be in the right neighborhood:)

 

The junket apparently evaluates you based on your play at your land casino and then decides if they will work with you as a client. I was Sagamore at Mohegan Sun, which is the highest level and they took me. I worried on my first cruise if I would play enough to continue on because I felt my Sagamore status was about to expire....but I did fine and they have been happily booking my cruises since then:)

 

 

Send me an email, seaesquire@gmail.com and I will give you the guy's email and your two can speak directly. He is awesome to deal with and he is cruisecritic member and avid cruiser.... He is the nicest guy in the world.... and I have had four great experiences with the company...I just booked a cruise this weekend Explorer of the Seas 10/23/14 and I booked a New Years cruise on Breakaway out of Manhattan on 12/28/14....... I pay something but it is no-where near what a balcony room would cost......

 

Incidentally, I am in no way affiliated with this junket and I am not trying to get commission or anything like that....I am just relaying my experience because I feel I got jerked around by Celebrity for a long time and was not given anywhere near what I deserved....now ironically I get free rooms and perks by going "around" them and booking the junket.....lol

 

I think it is tables and slots but I do know slots easier for them to track and I believe slot players do better because of that.....and ironically it is not the amount of losses but rather the amount of time that you spend and the bet.....so even if you end up winning what they watch for are the hours at play and the average bet......

[cherylroslyn]

Where do you contact a "junket"?

I can give you the guys email. My email is seaesquire@gmail.com

[Grandpaul]

I also agree about NCL. Best casinos afloat. Always treat me great.

[emerald777]

We've done several of the Caesar's sponsored cruises on NCL. One little tip for anyone hoping to get more comped off their final bill is to make sure you and spouse are under the same credit card for final bill. We've only been married a couple years and usually used separate credit cards. On last night of the cruise when you find out how much they will comp, it was going to be close to 300.00. But when we got the final printout the next morning, we had each only had 30.00 taken off. I managed to track down the casino host and was told that since we had separate credit cards on file that was all she could do. Didn't make any sense to me, but apparently they have separate ways of calculating your comp as single's and couples. So, of course, we make sure to use just one card now.

Edited February 18, 2014 by emerald777

[cherylroslyn]

We've done several of the Caesar's sponsored cruises on NCL. One little tip for anyone hoping to get more comped off their final bill is to make sure you and spouse are under the same credit card for final bill. We've only been married a couple years and usually used separate credit cards. On last night of the cruise when you find out how much they will comp, it was going to be close to 300.00. But when we got the final printout the next morning, we had each only had 30.00 taken off. I managed to track down the casino host and was told that since we had separate credit cards on file that was all she could do. Didn't make any sense to me, but apparently they have separate ways of calculating your comp as single's and couples. So, of course, we make sure to use just one card now.

It has to do with whether you are working off the same credit card for your bill. If your room is on one credit card then they allow you to share, but if you have more than one then it is individual.

[LOVINCRUIZIN]

Cancelled my Quantum sailing and booked 30 days this year on Carnival. Helps that 2 of the 4 cruises were free:o

So- we'll see how good Carnival is to us, otherwise I am off to NCL in 2015!

Thanks, all, for the great advice!

[dad604]

Just a couple of thoughts.

 

1. It is not the amount that you have won or lost that determines comps. It is the amount of action that you gave them, the total amount betted, win or lost.

 

2. If RCCL operates the casino 100% without any other partner than they should be more incline to offer you more comps as they do not have to split their high profits with any other company.

[Mikkar]

Cruising through casino offers is new to me; took my first in December on the Epic through an offer I received from Foxwoods. I was comped an inside cabin & free drink card and after playing all week, received $121.00 off my final bill and took home 20% of my gambling budget. Took my second cruise in March on the Breakaway, also with an offer I received from Foxwoods (inside cabin & drink card). Received $300.00 off my final bill and came home with half of my budget. A couple of weeks after the cruise, I read a thread on this site posted by someone on the same cruise as me (thanks GeriC) and she had called CAS and they offered her a comped cabin, so I thought I'd give it a try and they offered me a balcony cabin on the Breakaway so I booked in October. I don't have any experience with other cruise lines, but I'm pretty happy with the way I've been treated by NCL.

LOVINCRUIZIN, I see you're from NY; have you considered a cruise on the Breakaway? The tone of the e-mail that you received from RC would have had me looking for another cruise line that appreciated my business. I think that you would be happy with NCL.

[meatloafsfan]

I'm a slot player.

 

Sailing on Carnival I got the drinks card (last cruise I got it before even earning a single point based on my previous cruise), premier cruise offers (cash, discounts, etc), bottles of wine sent to my MDR table, chocolate dipped strawberries and bottled water in my cabin and just general recognition.

 

On Royal, I've sailed twice and nada. No wine, no single free drink, nothing. Well, I guess I cashed in my points for 9 or 10 free tshirts, a dozen keychains and a couple of polo shirts to give as souveniers to family and friends.

 

I haven't sailed Carnival since October 2012 and am still getting premier cruise offers.

 

Plus I find the casinos on Carnival much nicer than on Royal. They have natural light during the day, more space between rows and a better layout. I find the Royal casinos, cramped, dark and crowded with machines/chairs (no space).

 

For a gambling cruise, I'll stick with Carnival. I'm thinking of (trying) to avoid the casino on my upcoming Celebrity cruises if they give the same comp values as Royal.

[CasinoCruzGirl]

Thanks 3D Beach.

Arrogance is a good word - I think that captures the sour taste the note left with me.

So I am going to try Carnival with my free cruises, and if I'm not satisfied with their generosity, I'll consider NCL. You (and others) are making that option sound very appealing so I am compelled to give it a shot. What do I have to lose:rolleyes: :D :eek:

 

I would definitely try NCL. I received a comp for an inside cabin from a land based casino (taj mahal in Atlantic city). I had not cruised in 10 years and never on NCL. Upgraded to a spa balcony on NCL Breakaway. Lost approximately $1,500 but spent a lot of time in the casino no big jackpots won but many $200 and $400 wins so a lot of coin in. I called CAS and am offered a balcony cabin on a 3 day cruise (upgraded to a suite) and comp oceanview for a 7 day cruise next year on NCL Breakaway. I was also given a comp offer for carnival 2x but am passing on it because I think it's beneficial to stick with one cruise line.

[CasinoCruzGirl]

Cruising through casino offers is new to me; took my first in December on the Epic through an offer I received from Foxwoods. I was comped an inside cabin & free drink card and after playing all week, received $121.00 off my final bill and took home 20% of my gambling budget. Took my second cruise in March on the Breakaway, also with an offer I received from Foxwoods (inside cabin & drink card). Received $300.00 off my final bill and came home with half of my budget. A couple of weeks after the cruise, I read a thread on this site posted by someone on the same cruise as me (thanks GeriC) and she had called CAS and they offered her a comped cabin, so I thought I'd give it a try and they offered me a balcony cabin on the Breakaway so I booked in October. I don't have any experience with other cruise lines, but I'm pretty happy with the way I've been treated by NCL.

LOVINCRUIZIN, I see you're from NY; have you considered a cruise on the Breakaway? The tone of the e-mail that you received from RC would have had me looking for another cruise line that appreciated my business. I think that you would be happy with NCL.

 

 

Great to hear you called and got a comp cruise. Have a great time.

[tel2]

We now stick exclusively with NCL. Probably been on close to 20 cruises, and just hit platimum with NCL. I play video poker almost exclusively, with a few short breaks now and then to toy around at my favorite slot machines. My husband gambles a bit as well, but I am the much mroe active player. We usually bring between 3-5k for gambling on a cruise, and if we win, we usually play more and "recycle" our wins. (Actually, we usually bring about the amount of money the cruise would have cost if it had not been comped). NCL comps have, by far, been better than any other line. By way of example, on our last cruise on the Gem - earlier this month -- we were comped an aft mini. I was at the VIP level in their tier system, so I got free use of the spa for 7 days, as well as ability to eat breakfast and lunch at the suite restaurant (Cagneys) even though I wasnt in a suite, plus priority embarkation, disembaration and tendering. We took 5k to gamble, and came home with 2k of it, but won a few jackpots. We played probably 5-6 hrs a day, more on sea days. We had pre-purchased the ultimate dining package, so instead of free dinners they comped us wine every night with dinner. In addition, at the end of the cruise they comped off about 1400. in charges, including multiple spa treatements, a bracelet from the jewelry store, several perfumes/colognes, and liquor from duty free shop. I just called today to see what offer they would give me on a Western carib cruise out of New Orleans for early next year based on my level of play on the Gem cruise. They comped us a Penthouse suite, which I took. For heavy players, their comp system is the best around, and comes very close to matching some of the land based programs.

 

Terry

[JGB]

Terry you have a real good thing going with NCL..I wish that they had a ship out here on the West Cost. How do you keep your head above water on VP with the pay outs they offer. I am a dollar player but on Carnival "full pay"(by their standards) is with 10 coins in..I can go through 1000 easy in an hour, much less a full day..if I dont hit a royal.aces or minimally duces in 2's wild I am majorly in the dumper.

Last cruise I switched to Keno after a very bad run..hit 7 out of 7 paid for the week and my last cruise:)

John

[tel2]

John

 

We usually play 5 handed .50 double double on Ultimate. I know you pay a fortune for the multiplier, but you only need one decent multiplier to recoup.

 

terry

[JGB]

Terry I wish you continued good fortune with NCL..if the opportunity arises I will surely book NCL

right now I am taking advantage of a CCl offer 7 day Mex Riv balcony $700 cash for me $600 cash for wife.

John

[LOVINCRUIZIN]

Cruising through casino offers is new to me; took my first in December on the Epic through an offer I received from Foxwoods. I was comped an inside cabin & free drink card and after playing all week, received $121.00 off my final bill and took home 20% of my gambling budget. Took my second cruise in March on the Breakaway, also with an offer I received from Foxwoods (inside cabin & drink card). Received $300.00 off my final bill and came home with half of my budget. A couple of weeks after the cruise, I read a thread on this site posted by someone on the same cruise as me (thanks GeriC) and she had called CAS and they offered her a comped cabin, so I thought I'd give it a try and they offered me a balcony cabin on the Breakaway so I booked in October. I don't have any experience with other cruise lines, but I'm pretty happy with the way I've been treated by NCL.

LOVINCRUIZIN, I see you're from NY; have you considered a cruise on the Breakaway? The tone of the e-mail that you received from RC would have had me looking for another cruise line that appreciated my business. I think that you would be happy with NCL.

 

Very cool that you are getting such great offers:D I am sailing 4 times on Carnival this year (thanks to the two freebies), but am open to change. I was a "loyal royal", but am definitely open to change. And based upon your experiences (and others) NCL seems like it might be a good fit. I will look there for 2015. Thanks and good luck:cool:

[LOVINCRUIZIN]

Leaving on Carnival Splendor in 4 days. Will see what perks come my way. Hopefully drink cards for my August cruise:D

 

One other comment: On RCCL in December (Legend) there was not a let-it-ride table. I thought that was strange. There were many blackjack tables (and many never opened), but yet no LIR and only 1 3-card table.

 

For those lucky NCL fans, do they generally have those games? How about 4-card?

[clcjdn]

LOVINCRUIZIN,

I have seem LIR and 3 Card on NCL. I believe they are pretty standard for them.

[muggo11]

I am a regular blackjack, vp and poker player. But don't really treat my cruises as gambling trips.

Having said that, for the last few Carnival and Princess cruises, i have given myself a $400 per day budget. When I get ahead in BJ by $200, I pay the purser. Sometimes i have no bill at the end of the cruise if I have a series of lucky nights. I generally play two hands at a time for $25 a hand for an hour or two each night.

I won the poker tourney on the last cruise. And have won BJ tournaments a couple of times. And I manage to put enough coin thru the $1 deuces Wild to rack up 1500 to 2000 points per week. I have walked off the ship with $3200 in net winnings and i have racked up $2500 in losses. So i am kind of a medium roller, I guess.

Perks so far? Champagne and chocolate covered strawberries in my room on several evenings, free drinks pretty much all the time, offers of free cruises that i couldn't take and a lot of fun.

[LOVINCRUIZIN]

Free cruise offers are so hard to pass up:o

[LOVINCRUIZIN]

LOVINCRUIZIN,

I have seem LIR and 3 Card on NCL. I believe they are pretty standard for them.

 

 

Thanks. Really have to give them a shot:D

[bobinfl]

Cancelled my Quantum sailing and booked 30 days this year on Carnival. Helps that 2 of the 4 cruises were free:o

So- we'll see how good Carnival is to us, otherwise I am off to NCL in 2015!

Thanks, all, for the great advice!

 

Any updates on how your Carnival cruise went and how they treated you would be greatly appreciated.

[LOVINCRUIZIN]

Hello!

The gambling was fun...but no winning:(

Midway through I earned the drink card, however as a non-drinker, that didn't mean much to me!

I called a month after returning, and the gentleman I spoke to said that since that was a free cruise, I have no further comps for my next cruise, which is in August (and is also a free cruise).

He did indicate that after I returned from the next cruise, I would have something towards my December cruises.

So not much to report, but will let you know late-August what I end up with.

Still thinking about giving NCL a call!

[popsec]

So....regardless of who operates the casino, since I am paying $6400 for my cruise, I don;t drink and am therefore costing them nothing, am I not worth more to them than $250?! That's the insulting part. Carnival hasn't seen me in a while and is eager to have me back. The tone of this email sounds to me like they are ambivelant which cruise I select.

 

Do you share my opinion, or am I personalizing this too much:rolleyes::confused:

 

That's how I felt abt Carnival....for awhile they were giving me great comps. But as I increased my cruises up to 5 or 6 a yr and my casino spending to between $1K and 2K per cruise the offers got lower. We jumped ship and all my cruises have been with NCL. Then out of the blue Carnival's casino offers me a balcony cabin on an 8 day cruise for $100pp+ taxes. Grudgingly I booked it for Aug. Last week I got an email for a free balcony cruise (total I had to pay them was $125pp for port fees and taxes. And this special offer comes with all kinds of perks....private car pick-up to the port, "sundowner cocktails with the casino execs", free shore excursion, etc.

[LOVINCRUIZIN]

THen I guess we will have to play their game.

I have not tried NCL, but think I will.

 

BTW - what cruise are you on IN August?

 

We are doing Splendor 8/12.

 

Maybe we'll see you in the casino ;)