Casino offer's, a few questions.

[Florida_gal_50]

1 hour ago, Calnev1 said:

And I just now received another HAL free cabin casino offer with $150 free play and DOU.  The offer includes 85 different HAL cruises through the summer and into the fall.    No evidence here that these offers are drying up.  Happy day!

I’ve seen several people say they are drying up.  I don’t get them from hal so I have no idea.  

[Florida_gal_50]

On 5/1/2023 at 8:47 AM, 00649 said:

Wow thats a great offer. The Amazon is an expensive cruise that they only offer a couple times a year.I would have thought its one cruise that would sell out on its own.Guess not!

Isn’t that cruise usually offered in November or December?  Plenty of time for it to sell out. It’s only may.

[rodndonna]

15 hours ago, Calnev1 said:

I have the same list as you.  HEP2322CS_USD.   We are looking closely at booking the very last one (Boston to Quebec City).

 

We just got that one as well, after a year no offers so was surprised! Thought maybe because they cancelled our December cruise and we didn't rebook with HAL.

 

We've just booked our first "impulsive booking" cruise for June (Montreal to Boston) as we had our dog booked in for boarding for another holiday (which we can cancel). Will be a different cruise for us as we are from Atlantic Canada . so planning on visiting family and/or friends on most ports. Also looking forward to seeing the Zaandam as the smallest HAL ship we have been on was Eurodam (and was our favourite).

 

 

[Mscruisin]

We are booked on a casino offer in June.  "Free" inside cabin, free play, and free drinks while playing in the casino.  How does the casino know how much free play you have and how does that work?

[ACorgan]

11 minutes ago, Mscruisin said:

We are booked on a casino offer in June.  "Free" inside cabin, free play, and free drinks while playing in the casino.  How does the casino know how much free play you have and how does that work?

When I booked mine, the PCC suggested bringing a printout of your original email offer, so that there’s no confusion/miscommunication regarding the amount of free play 

[highscar]

It was on my card when I inserted in the machine.  

[rodndonna]

Any insight on the "free drinks" part? We have had Casino offer before, but always booked HIA as well. Not sure yet if we will book HIA, so assuming not, looking for insight on ordering drinks while in the Casino. Are the drinks for both people in the room or just the one that received the offer.

 

We generally play one slot machine together, so would we pay for one drink and one is free if we order 2 drinks while playing?

[Mscruisin]

My offer is just for free drinks for myself. Husband has to buy his own. 

[Mosaic]

Free drinks can work for just one person or two, depending on offer.  Or, no drinks at all. Also they can be very lame at delivering drinks in a timely fashion.  I was able to have 5 drinks (2 where water) on a very recent 14 day trip....

[Laminator]

If your offer includes the HIA package according to HAL policy it must include both guests in the cabin. They tried that only the invited guest on my last cruise and I called them out on it. Was escalated to the Food and Beverage MGR who agreed. If it includes drinks in the casino only it is for the invited guest only unless it states otherwise.

[Petersonfcu]

1 hour ago, ACorgan said:

When I booked mine, the PCC suggested bringing a printout of your original email offer, so that there’s no confusion/miscommunication regarding the amount of free play 

Definitely bring a hardcopy of your specific offer.  We have had different experiences on different HAL ships - sometimes the casino has a list with your name and benefits and sometimes you have to fight for those benefits.

[hbsurfcitycruiser]

2 hours ago, ACorgan said:

When I booked mine, the PCC suggested bringing a printout of your original email offer, so that there’s no confusion/miscommunication regarding the amount of free play 

100% agree. Had an issue and wish I had screenshot'd or printed the emails out.

[disneyochem]

22 hours ago, Mary229 said:

Can you attach your list?  I got a list today 

 

 

HEP2322CS_USD.pdf 201.42 kB · 60 downloads

This is the list I received this morning.  Unfortunately, not able to use any!  We already on three free HAL cruises this summer and fall as well as a few from Princess Casino!  I know, I know-no one feels sorry for me!  🤣

 

But, this is my experience with these offers and I haven’t been on HAL since last November. I’m a casual gambler—I budget and play $50 a day while on a cruise, hubby NEVER gambles.

[Calnev1]

23 hours ago, Calnev1 said:

I have the same list as you.  HEP2322CS_USD.   We are looking closely at booking the very last one (Boston to Quebec City).

Uggh.  just now tried to book the Zuiderdam Boston to QC and the HAL rep on the phone said the promotion was sold out for that cruise.  Not sure what the takeaway is, other than book as quickly as possible.   I do see on VTG and HAL's website that all cabin categories are still available at everyday rates, so it is a bit irritating that  I did a bunch of preplanning and then was unable to get a cabin at casino rates less than 36  hours after receiving the initial email.

[Mary229]

I got a private sale offering today which actually had some super rates for Alaska this summer.  Offhand I recall a 9 day with Denali for $320, that is cheap.  I guess everyone over bet on Alaska and now they are having trouble filling those ships.  Plus airfares are still very high and seem to be going higher 

[Calnev1]

8 minutes ago, Mary229 said:

I got a private sale offering today which actually had some super rates for Alaska this summer.  Offhand I recall a 9 day with Denali for $320, that is cheap.  I guess everyone over bet on Alaska and now they are having trouble filling those ships.  Plus airfares are still very high and seem to be going higher 

Yup.   Alaska cruises are cheap right now even without the casino offers.  We do already have two Alaska cruises booked this summer on another line so don't think we will be adding a third Alaska cruise thru HAL. Airfares are high as you say.  Another thing I don't like is that a lot of the Alaska cruises leave out of Vancouver.    I find it irritating to fly into Vancouver, go through Canadian customs at the airport, and then have to go through US customs right before boarding the ship in Vancouver.  I understand why they do it, but its just a hassle.

Edited May 4, 2023 by Calnev1

[fkfad]

On 5/3/2023 at 9:03 PM, Florida_gal_50 said:

Isn’t that cruise usually offered in November or December?  Plenty of time for it to sell out. It’s only may.

We are booked on this cruise for February, 2024...

[fkfad]

23 hours ago, Mscruisin said:

We are booked on a casino offer in June.  "Free" inside cabin, free play, and free drinks while playing in the casino.  How does the casino know how much free play you have and how does that work?

I always print the email containing the free play offer.  Our first stop once the ship sets sail is to find the casino host to confirm our free play and any other benefits.  I carry that printed email with me.  We have had confusion at times where the casino host shows we are to receive less than the offer stated, and they always ask to see the email.  The email has always been honored in such circumstances.