Royal Caribbean gives casino players a surprise gift
The cruise line has done something that many frequent casino gamblers will be very happy with.
Cruise ship casino players like to talk about the changing perks offered by the various cruise lines.
Sometimes they're happy about a new offer or annual tier perk, but usually they're upset that a cruise line has taken away something it once offered.
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Celebrity Cruises Blue Chip casino program members, for example, are losing automatic free play at all levels, and Sapphire and higher players no longer get a free Classic Drink Package when the casino year ends. That could change, of course, as many gamblers have complained. But cruise lines have been doing very well, so they may not need to incentivize players quite so much.
Royal Caribbean offers two ways to earn free cruises. The first are "Instant Certificates." These are earned based on onboard play on a single cruise.
In each Royal Caribbean casino players can scan a QR code to see how many points they need to earn in order to claim a free cruise. More points equals better ships and itineraries, more freeplay, and nicer rooms.
It's a very clear system where you know exactly what it takes to earn the trip you want.
The second type of free cruise, Targeted offers, are a little more murky.
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Royal Caribbean makes a generous offer
Targeted offers are a bit more murky. These are sent via email and postcard and to your Club Royale Offers account.
In theory, they are based on your previous play, but the cruise line does not share its formulas. Sometimes the offers include the newest ships, and in other cases, it's only older ones or very select sailings.
My offers tend to include balconies on most ships, aside from Icon and Star of the Seas. Offers on the newest-class tend to be scarce, and I did get one for Star on 4-day sailing in August and one on Icon for a week in January.
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These offers are for two people, and they're legitimately free, aside from taxes and port fees. That allows me to take a guest in my cabin, but since my son works and my wife does not cruise, I generally go alone (or with friends who have their own offers).
One of my newer Royal Caribbean offers, however, offers me something I have never seen before. It's titled "2025 Double Your Luck: Two stateroom offer."
This special deal, which includes select sailings on Wonder of the Seas, offers me two cabins where all I pay is taxes and port fees. That will allow me to bring friends who otherwise might never have sailed.
It's an incredibly kind offer that many of my cruise gambling friends have received.
Why do cruise lines offer free cruises?
Royal Caribbean and other cruise lines want gamblers onboard because they spend (and lose) money. No business offers free product simply to be generous.
In this case, Royal Caribbean has calculated the value of having each gambler onboard. It knows that if it gives me a free cabin, it will make enough profit off of me in order to justify the gift.
Sometimes, casino players get free offers to fill up challenging sailings. Pretty much every Royal Caribbean gambler I know, for example, has an offer for a three-day cruise from Florida that ends in Panama.
That's a very challenging cruise ship to fill because flights back from Panama are not cheap.
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In most cases, though, Royal Caribbean does not need gamblers to fill its ships, especially the newer ones.
"We continue to be thrilled by the reception of our spectacular new ships. The enthusiasm for Star of the Seas, our second Icon Class ship, and Celebrity Xcel, the latest addition to the Edge-class lineup, have exceeded expectations, driving strong pricing and load factors," said CEO Jason Liberty during Royal Caribbean's first-quarter earnings call.
He expects the market to remain strong.
"As we look at our current and potential consumers, we remain encouraged. While broader consumer spending moderated, vacation spend continued to grow as consumer sentiment around leisure vacations remained positive. Our customers continue to be engaged and excited about vacations," he added.
(The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.)
Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me's Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@postcardtravelplanning.com or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
