Two interesting observations from booking a casino deal.

[horseymike]

2 hours ago, Banditswife said:

We don't spend a bunch in the casino, but get the "free guarantee inside" offers.  I think it is a matter of filling the ships.  We still pay port fees, taxes, gratuities, shore x, & beverages on the ship.  We rarely make complaints & are good revenue source due to our onboard spending.  The inside cabins are probably harder to fill, & they might be hoping we upgrade the cabin for a fee.  We do spend time in the casino & get to know the casino hosts. Most of the offers are for unpopular cruises, like 7 day Caribbean or Mexico.  I was truly shocked that we got an offer for a holiday cruise this year-16 days.

Keep in mind, we still need to purchase airfare & incur other expenses.  All these offers have required us to make full payment at time of booking.

As long as they send the offers, we will continue to book them.

 

The cruise line makes no revenue from an empty cabin. You are spot on.

[OlsSalt]

14 minutes ago, horseymike said:

Follow the $$$$$$$

 

My sympathies for HAL and CCL - they do have a massive "covid" debt burden to still overcome.

But destroying a brand in the process, may be penny wise and pound foolish. HAL ships are not really "gambling ships".

 

In fact on the first Maasdam In-depth Cruise the casino was entirely empty throughout the entire first segment. Loneliest people in the room - the smiling attendants who still held their stations, day and night. But maybe that is also why HAL In-Depth cruises were abandoned.  Not enough side money earned,

[Hlitner]

Since we are talking about "observations" regarding casino deals, here is my take.  Cruise lines that are in high demand do not need to offer casino deals, or perhaps limit them to only a few high rollers.  Also consider that some very successful cruise lines (such as Viking Ocean and Disney) do not even have casinos.  On upscale luxury lines, the casinos are rather small, and those lines seldom need to offer casino deals to get folks to book.

 

So now we get back to HAL, which since the post Covid restart, has really been pushing casino deals.  Posters claim they get terrific casino deals even though they are not big gamblers.  One might conclude that this is only happening because HAL cannot sell enough berths at their normal pricing.  And one could take this to the next step and wonder, why are they having trouble filling many of their cruises (hence all the casino deals and other excellent promotions).  Also consider that despite some threads about what HAL should name future new builds, this is one cruise line that, currently, has no new ships (or even acquisitions) on the horizon.  Even if HAL were to decide to enter into a new build phase, it would be many years until there would be a single new vessel.  

 

Fruit for thought.

[Mary229]

I don’t understand the antipathy toward gamblers. Many of them spend a lot of money, far more than the suite set.  Many 4 and 5 star Mariners got there by spending - spending more on a suite, spending more on packages.  
 

Spending is important, it is a business. Thank goodness we have spenders or cruising would get very, very  expensive.

[Hlitner]

9 minutes ago, Mary229 said:

I don’t understand the antipathy toward gamblers. Many of them spend a lot of money, far more than the suite set.  Many 4 and 5 star Mariners got there by spending - spending more on a suite, spending more on packages.  
 

Spending is important, it is a business. Thank goodness we have spenders or cruising would get very, very  expensive.

It is not about "antipathy" but simply business and selling berths.  Cruise lines, as a matter of course, seek to get the highest price per passenger day...for each berth.  But when the normal pricing and marketing do not result in maximum sales, they use other methods to sell the unsold berths..even if they must sell them at a reduced price.  That is where "casino specials,"  "Interline specials,"  etc. come into play.  An empty berth (at sailing) equals "opportunity lost revenue" and this is a no-no.  Selling a berth, even at cost, is better than leaving it empty.

 

Gamblers are a good way to unload excess space because they do enhance the "onboard revenue per passenger day" by "contributing" to the casino :).  But you can be sure that HAL is not giving away so many berths at bargain basement prices out of love for gamblers.  It is likely because they cannot sell them at their current pricing, and lowering prices causes too many other issues (such as many booked folks wanting to get their fares repriced).

 

While it is good business to unload those empty berths, if a cruise line must do it with too many berths they will soon need to find other ways to cut costs or enhance revenue.  Just basic business economics.

 

Hank

[Mary229]

@Hlitner my previous comment was not directed at you.  However do understand that the casinos have operated with this model for many decades and it has proven to be a profitable model. Simply put, it is the get you in the door model. It works

Edited September 6, 2023 by Mary229

[Laminator]

57 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

It is not about "antipathy" but simply business and selling berths.  Cruise lines, as a matter of course, seek to get the highest price per passenger day...for each berth.  But when the normal pricing and marketing do not result in maximum sales, they use other methods to sell the unsold berths..even if they must sell them at a reduced price.  That is where "casino specials,"  "Interline specials,"  etc. come into play.  An empty berth (at sailing) equals "opportunity lost revenue" and this is a no-no.  Selling a berth, even at cost, is better than leaving it empty.

 

Gamblers are a good way to unload excess space because they do enhance the "onboard revenue per passenger day" by "contributing" to the casino :).  But you can be sure that HAL is not giving away so many berths at bargain basement prices out of love for gamblers.  It is likely because they cannot sell them at their current pricing, and lowering prices causes too many other issues (such as many booked folks wanting to get their fares repriced).

 

While it is good business to unload those empty berths, if a cruise line must do it with too many berths they will soon need to find other ways to cut costs or enhance revenue.  Just basic business economics.

 

Hank

For those who are not gamblers you probably don't know the back story to why Carnival's casino division is pushing the casino cruises. From land based casinos I receive at minimum 12 free cruises offered to me every year. Most of these cruises are on NCL. NCL is in bed with most of the large land based casinos. Carnival's casino division is simply trying to catch up. And they are miles and miles behind. 
The offers are not as generous as they were last year but there are still many offers to choose from. As far as HAL is concerned it is the best of both worlds for them as they are filling their ships and the casino division pays HAL for the cabins. 

[Haljo1935]

On 9/5/2023 at 4:14 PM, AryMay said:

We just booked a B2B cruise using a casino rate...our first time for getting an offer. Not sure why we even got the offer since we are never in the casino.

 

I was a little annoyed that even though I have documentation showing we should get both the AARP and Educator credits that our PCC said he couldn't see that they were available. He spoke to a supervisor and called me back and said there was a "glitch" in the system. He asked me to send in proof that we qualify and he will "work on it". 

 

Does using a casino rate disqualify us from other offers? 

AARP OBC is not combinable w/casino rate and you may not be able to add HIA.

[Real NHDOC]

11 hours ago, Mary229 said:

I don’t understand the antipathy toward gamblers. Many of them spend a lot of money, far more than the suite set.  Many 4 and 5 star Mariners got there by spending - spending more on a suite, spending more on packages.  
 

Spending is important, it is a business. Thank goodness we have spenders or cruising would get very, very  expensive.

There is some resentment from people who pay for their cabins being told that despite “never having set foot in the casino” the people sitting next to you are sailing for port fees and taxes. So, I really think the antipathy is not towards true gamblers but those who brag about gaming the system without gambling (no pun intended). I am happy that they recognize they can make some revenue from what would have been otherwise unsold rooms from people dropping $$$ in the casino. It’s the freeloading non gambler who I have a problem with. 

[Mary229]

3 hours ago, Real NHDOC said:

There is some resentment from people who pay for their cabins being told that despite “never having set foot in the casino” the people sitting next to you are sailing for port fees and taxes. So, I really think the antipathy is not towards true gamblers but those who brag about gaming the system without gambling (no pun intended). I am happy that they recognize they can make some revenue from what would have been otherwise unsold rooms from people dropping $$$ in the casino. It’s the freeloading non gambler who I have a problem with. 

Who is gaming the system.  Some of us received them as compensation for other issues, some for gambling (or spouse of gambler) and a very very few were to people in a welcome back campaign after Covid.   
 

 

Edited September 7, 2023 by Mary229

[Mary229]

8 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

AARP OBC is not combinable w/casino rate and you may not be able to add HIA.

I think HIA will be available to all by month’s end if not already.  Keep checking 

[Haljo1935]

3 hours ago, Real NHDOC said:

...I am happy that they recognize they can make some revenue from what would have been otherwise unsold rooms from people dropping $$$ in the casino. It’s the freeloading non gambler who I have a problem with. 

Hm, so drinks, specialty dining, excursions, spa treatments, shop purchases which easily leave thousands of dollars on the ship at the end of a cruise equate to freeloading? Your math and dictionary are different than mine.

[Haljo1935]

11 minutes ago, Mary229 said:

I think HIA will be available to all by month’s end if not already.  Keep checking 

 😁 I will continue to try on the cruise that I've been chasing for months, right up until late Nov when it leaves 🥴 my cabin mate for that cruise sent me a screenshot about HiIA being available, but of course we got the usual "sorry..." answer when we called.

Edited September 7, 2023 by Haljo1935
Typo

[Mary229]

Just now, Haljo1935 said:

 😁 I will continue to try on the cruise that I've been chasing for months, right up until late Nov when it leaves 🥴 my cabin mate for that cruise sent me a screenshot about HiIA being available, but of course we got the usual "sorry..." answer when we called.

I am sure it will show up. Dave got his yesterday.  Who knows if you wait until the last minute you may get a better deal too?!   😉

[DaveOKC]

59 minutes ago, Mary229 said:

I am sure it will show up. Dave got his yesterday.  Who knows if you wait until the last minute you may get a better deal too?!   😉

And I am on a casino promotion (special event).  It was on the first page of my reservation.  You might also be able to find it under PACKAGES (it is there on my reservation).

 

Edited September 7, 2023 by DaveOKC

[PigsCanFly]

10 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

AARP OBC is not combinable w/casino rate and you may not be able to add HIA.

We were told by our PCC when we booked that we were not able to use HIA on either half of our b2b on Zuiderdam.  We are casino players, but the rates we got did not include Casino discounts.  I believe the HIA restriction was due to the discounts we did receive.  We were fine with that sincs we do not get the drink package anyway.  I have seen the HIA listed as available on nearly every page of any cruise planning we do, so maybe we would be able to get it.  We purchase the soda package (for 3 of us) and the premium internet.  We were able to add the AARP OBC to each leg.

[Mary229]

2 hours ago, PigsCanFly said:

We were told by our PCC when we booked that we were not able to use HIA on either half of our b2b on Zuiderdam.  We are casino players, but the rates we got did not include Casino discounts.  I believe the HIA restriction was due to the discounts we did receive.  We were fine with that sincs we do not get the drink package anyway.  I have seen the HIA listed as available on nearly every page of any cruise planning we do, so maybe we would be able to get it.  We purchase the soda package (for 3 of us) and the premium internet.  We were able to add the AARP OBC to each leg.

As mentioned earlier Gus sent out an email just last week saying that HIA will be available on all sailings .  It will take a while for this info t9 trickle down. If it is on your manage your cruise page buy it if you want it. 

[Lido deck main]

On 9/6/2023 at 3:20 PM, Real NHDOC said:

In a slap in the face to all of us who worked to earn priority boarding through the mariner program or who pay for a neptune suite it now seems like casino guests are given priority boarding in addition to their steeply discounted or free fares! This was at our embarkation today in Copenhagen and resulted in combining the typical priority boarding with Casino guests in one line for check in. 

We embarked Copenhagen as well yesterday.  Could not believe that sign. 

[NCTribeFan]

My experience has been that when I book my "regular" sailings, I still always get a casino discount (usually 20-30%).  On those bookings, I've received my CCL OBC.

 

When I book a free or deeply-discounted casino rate, I do NOT get my CCL OBC.

 

When I asked to have the AARP OBC applied to my two upcoming cruises (Eurodam in January and Rotterdam next October), it was applied to the Rotterdam sailing but not Eurodam.  Eurodam was not a deeply-discounted casino fare, so I'm not sure why.  Both booking confirmations show a casino discount, but neither was a "almost fee" fare.  Oh well.  Consistency is not a strong point with any cruise line I've sailed!

 

I have no experience/knowledge regarding the fares (veteran/educator/etc).

 

Yes, the Priority Check-In is only for "special" casino cruises  Those are not frequent.  And it doesn't say Priority Boarding, does it?  On Carnival's special casino sailings, those folks get priority check-in and board AFTER the Diamond/Platinum loyalty members, after Suite pax, and after those who "buy" their priority via Carnival's Faster to the Fun program.  So, it really isn't much of a perk.  Boarding Envy is not an attractive trait! 😄

[DaveOKC]

If you are 5 Star, staying in a Neptune, with Club Orange and on a Casino Promotion, I wonder which line you go to??? HA-HA

 

[Haljo1935]

14 hours ago, DaveOKC said:

And I am on a casino promotion (special event).  It was on the first page of my reservation.  You might also be able to find it under PACKAGES (it is there on my reservation).

 

HIA does show as you say; however, when I click on it, there are no names like you would usually see and there is no rate showing.

That's always the 1st hint that it's not going to be able to be added - no rate. 

[cwd79]

You can call and have it added. I’ve done several casino cruises within the past two years and see same thing online. Doesn’t allow me to add. I called and had it added no problem. 

[Haljo1935]

2 hours ago, cwd79 said:

You can call and have it added. I’ve done several casino cruises within the past two years and see same thing online. Doesn’t allow me to add. I called and had it added no problem. 

Yes that usually works, but not on this one. It's been escalated to Supervisors who have not been able to add it, either. They say HIA is not combinable with that cruise rate.

[Bostonjetset]

1 hour ago, Haljo1935 said:

Yes that usually works, but not on this one. It's been escalated to Supervisors who have not been able to add it, either. They say HIA is not combinable with that cruise rate.

I’m not a big drinker so never get the HIA but if you are on a free casino cruise you’ll likely get free drinks whilst gambling anyway. That is what my mum got with her casino cruise on Koningsdam. It was only good at the casino bar but it’s food for thought. 

Edited September 8, 2023 by Bostonjetset

[albingirl]

On 9/7/2023 at 3:27 AM, Real NHDOC said:

There is some resentment from people who pay for their cabins being told that despite “never having set foot in the casino” the people sitting next to you are sailing for port fees and taxes. So, I really think the antipathy is not towards true gamblers but those who brag about gaming the system without gambling (no pun intended). I am happy that they recognize they can make some revenue from what would have been otherwise unsold rooms from people dropping $$$ in the casino. It’s the freeloading non gambler who I have a problem with. 

Bragging is the key word here. No need to rub it in guys.  But, just think.  Pretty soon, all of us 4 and 5 stars, and the gazillion  other priority guests can maybe shift over to the non-priority lines.  They will surely be shorter if HAL keeps this up!