Carnival Cruise Line explains big changes to its casino program
Carnival Cruise Line has made significant changes to its casino program, leading to dissatisfaction among players. Previously generous offers, including free cruises and drink packages, have been reduced, with some players receiving less favorable deals. The cruise line has not clearly communicated the reasons for these changes, which may be linked to a shift in their comp formula. Carnival now offers three levels of casino perks—Premier, Ultra, and Elite—with adjustments to the Premier experience. Many players are reporting decreased benefits despite unchanged gambling habits.
Carnival Cruise Line has been considered one of the more generous cruise lines when it comes to its casinos.
Gamblers regularly earned free cruises, and some of the bigger players got offers that included suites, free drink packages, and even transportation from the airport.
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Many cruisers have noticed that Carnival, like its chief rival, Royal Caribbean, has gotten tighter with those offers.
Deals may now include interior rooms instead of balconies or suites, and those “drinks on us, anywhere on the ship” offers are either limited to the gambler or gone altogether.
It’s very difficult to understand when a cruise line has gotten less generous with its casino program. That’s because the standards change every month, and while gameplay is a factor, there may be other things the cruise line lines are considering as part of their comp formula.
No cruise line tells players exactly what criteria go into its email offers. Some people believe that if you have too many cruises booked, your offers will slow or go away.
In theory, your offers are directly tied to your average daily theoretical loss. That is, how much money you should’ve lost based on the games you were playing, even if you actually won.
That is probably a big piece of the formula, but where you live, how much you spend elsewhere on the ship, and other factors may apply.
Carnival very rarely specifically comments on changes to its casino program. Brand Ambassador John Heald, however, recently fielded a question on casino comps and got an answer from one of his colleagues in that department.
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Carnival shares one major casino change
Gilda Mack Benton wrote to Heald on his popular Facebook page.
“I’ve noticed a big change in the VIFP casino offerings. I was given an email address to ask about the changes that included sharply decreased perks for rooms and drink packages and received a response from a ‘not so customer service friendly’ young lady. Is there any info as to why such a big change? Just wondering since nothing was communicated,” she wrote.
Heald has long made it clear that he has no insight into the casino program.
“Hello, my knowledge and influence with the casino is limited and not that great. However, other people have asked so this is what a senior casino colleague has told me. Thank you, I’m ever so sorry that I can’t do anything with this except I promised to pass along to the right people. I hope you had a wonderful time and I wish you a very happy Christmas,” he shared.
Heald’s colleague did at least address part of the question without being fully specific.
“We adjusted the way Premier works earlier this year, with guests being able to now book a Premier experience on any sailing, not just as part of a group. However, we still have the Premier groups that guests were able to book previously and indeed through the rest of this year and into early 2025 – on those we continue to offer all the Premier group amenities including the drawings we had before,” they shared.
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Carnival makes casino changes
Carnival offers three different levels of casino offers with different types of perks — Premier, Ultra, and Elite. Each level offers better perks with Elite, including free internet, shore excursions, and airline transportation.
The cruise line appears to be changing how it offers Premier perks.
"For guests who opt for the Premier experience on non-group sailings, they will get some great Premier gifts and recognized as such onboard. There will not be a dedicated drawing for them, but we will have our very popular Heat Wave and Fireball Raffle promotions, where guests who are under the Premier offer will be able to win double the prize money if they are selected," Heald's casino colleague added.
That does not really explain why many passengers on social media are reporting lower levels of perks when they have not changed their gambling style.
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Richard Westdyk shared what he thinks the answer is on Heald's Facebook page.
"Gilda Mack Benton, I believe the reason for the drop off in benefits is they do not need to offer them since Carnival is seeing record bookings well into 2026 at higher prices, so the casino does not need to offer those great offers we were receiving because the gamblers will gamble with or without good offers," he wrote.
Cruise lines never fully share how they determine which players get which offers. Perks are likely impacted by Carnival's record year, but gamblers are a profit center for the cruise line, so free rooms and other benefits remain but may be tighter for lower-level gamblers.
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