Port fees and taxes are usually not included. I know on Carnival these fees are usually covered. Wife and I are going on European cruise at end of August 2024. We got 2 connecting balcony cabins. Total cost of both cabins is just under $700. Regular price for both cabins would be over $6k. This is a casino comped cruise.
Casino play is the best way to get the comps! I’m at a level now with carnival where I get free rooms mostly an ocean view and free drinks too. I just took a cruise with celebrity that I won thru hard rock Tampa and while I was on that one I played triple stars a lot in the casino and with the great kickbacks I won another cruise by the time that I left the ship. I don’t get a lot of jackpots but spending a few hundred dollars in the casino is way cheaper than paying for that future cruise as well as subsequent offers as well. Once you get on their list you really never have to pay full price for another cruise again. Great way to travel and completely unwind. Have a wonderful time and thanks always for the great content Mark!
Thanks, Marc! Hope Jodi and you have an AWESOME cruise - a GREAT time, and great luck on the trip! It will go rapidly, so make the most of it! Celebrate!
Hi Marc Good video topic! I actually have a comp cruise booked in October that I got back in the spring from Wind Creek in Pennsylvania.... This will be my 1st time going on a cruise through a Casino offer, the first thing I learned was you must pay the taxes & fees, but I know you will definitely spend $$$ & rack up MORE charges once you get ON the cruise ship... Like you said, everything from drinks, shopping, to shore excursions & gratuities!!! 😯
Thank you for this. I looked into the "free" cruise and it got expensive quick. My main complaint is that they only had one if that from the local port. All the others involved transportation and possible hotel stays. The base cruise amount on many is pretty cheap if the "free" was not involved and zero hassle so I'd likely go that way. (mainly the local port makes it all so much easier)
Don't forget about that 1099-G they will present you with at the end. You received a 'benefit' and therefore, Uncle Sam will get his due. Winstar sent a friend of mine on a trip to HR in Miami. Comped airline tickets, hotel stay, food, etc. At the end, they presented him with a tidy 1099-G for $10k. Bon Voyage!
We travel on our european passports for this reason. Not out of the US though hence we only take canadian / european cruises as it's not reported. They don't even take down your details when you win.
I have taken 16 comped cruises since 2005, and all taxes for comped cruises just like self pay ones are paid upfront by the recipient of the cruise comp at the time of booking. You will receive at the end of a cruise be it a comped one or self paid for one a W2 form for any hand pays greater than $1200 since these are reported to the IRS and you have to claim these hand pays as income. You can with Federal taxes write off your gambling losses if they are equal to or greater than your wins.
Gotta disagree on the comped room and beverage W2G we use all the time an never got a tax form hand pays YES an we have never taken a cruise with them but have received concert tix and no W2G 🤷♂️
Wow, working on your vacation? Please provide a detail vlog on how much everything cost you when you complete your cruise. I've never been on a cruise, but get offers all the time.
I haven’t paid for a cruise on Carnival or Princess for several years now. I view it not as “free” as much as a discount program. I set my gambling budget as what I would have paid retail for the cruise. I have a set bankroll that I divide into daily sessions. I set win and loss limits AND when I am ahead, I go to the purser/guest services and put the winnings towards my bill. My goal is to get off the ship with a zero balance. (And, yes, it has happened!). When you get on board, find the casino host and introduce yourself to him/her. Ask to be rated. Ask how the comps work. Depending on your level of play you may be offered speciality meals, spa credit, etc DURING your cruise along with a cruise offer at the end of your cruise (depending on how many points you accrue). Each cruise line is different.
I have a free cruise booked for November from the Carnival Player's Club. Free drinks for me not my sailing partner though. Taxes, port fees and gratuities came in at just under 600 for an 8 day cruise. Not too shabby if you ask me.
I’m going on my first comped cruise next month on Celebrity. Yes, it’s still expensive but it’s cheaper than any other week long vacation I could take!
Another great video. I've only sailed on MSC and I've never paid a port charge from a free cruise that I earned from playing in their Casinos. Also, while the gratuities are automatically added you can have them removed and take care of the staff that served you personally. Word of warning on the drink packages: (on MSC at least) all persons in the cabin must pay for the same drink package so if only one person drinks, it may be cheaper to just pay as you go. Playing in the casino? Ask for a free drink or bottles of water. $5 tip goes a long way in being remembered.
Since I went to Reno and stayed at a Caesar's hotel, Caesar's has been sending me free offers of airfare and hotel stays to Reno and Laughlin. I handedness tried to book one of these yet, but I'm imagining them to be similar to a comped cruise.
Can’t believe how much I’m loving that Hawaiian shirt and those shades! Hope you all have a fantastic time! Now stop thinking about the channel and have a great time!😎
Enjoy the cruise. Free is never free. Good thing you mentioned to go with the Shore Excursions sponsored by ship. I have heard of people not getting back in time when going with a private company and the ship has left without them. Nice to hear about the Gambling comps.
Spa day Jodes,have fun you guys! Good tips. Very easy to over spend in casino,friends do it all the time. Cruise isn't free if you lose $15,000 in casino.
Have Fun Marc and Jodi on your Anniversary Cruise. Sounds fun but everyone is right it's not really free and if you don't know how to make sure you have the money it can go bad. I'll stay home and live through you and Jodi. Bon Voyage. 🚢
I hope there's a Double Top Dollar in the casino that you can compare to the land-based ones. Enjoy your cruise and don't forget to use your Seapass card!
I have had MGM Platinum status for years and never took the "free" cruise, so I guess I'm not missing out on much when it costs hundreds for that freebie. The cruise lines must be desperate for customers because this year they're comping a cruise and you still get the one for being Platinum, so it's basically two "free" cruises this year.🤣
Love cruising. What ship are you on? I do enough each year to get free drinks in the casino and several offers for “free” cruises. Hope you have a blast.
Nothing's free...u'll pay (something) while u are on ther...but, it could cost more than u probably got it for, so...I call that [somewhat] of a win. Safe travels, hav a great time!👍
Guys check out the latest live stream from Old School Slots where he is getting harassed by staff at NYNY because once again they are not trained properly. He has permission to film but they are giving him a hard time.
Port fees and taxes are usually not included. I know on Carnival these fees are usually covered. Wife and I are going on European cruise at end of August 2024. We got 2 connecting balcony cabins. Total cost of both cabins is just under $700. Regular price for both cabins would be over $6k. This is a casino comped cruise.
Casino play is the best way to get the comps! I’m at a level now with carnival where I get free rooms mostly an ocean view and free drinks too. I just took a cruise with celebrity that I won thru hard rock Tampa and while I was on that one I played triple stars a lot in the casino and with the great kickbacks I won another cruise by the time that I left the ship. I don’t get a lot of jackpots but spending a few hundred dollars in the casino is way cheaper than paying for that future cruise as well as subsequent offers as well. Once you get on their list you really never have to pay full price for another cruise again. Great way to travel and completely unwind. Have a wonderful time and thanks always for the great content Mark!
Thanks, Marc! Hope Jodi and you have an AWESOME cruise - a GREAT time, and great luck on the trip! It will go rapidly, so make the most of it! Celebrate!
Hi Marc
Good video topic! I actually have a comp cruise booked in October that I got back in the spring from Wind Creek in Pennsylvania....
This will be my 1st time going on a cruise through a Casino offer, the first thing I learned was you must pay the taxes & fees, but I know you will definitely spend $$$ & rack up MORE charges once you get ON the cruise ship... Like you said, everything from drinks, shopping, to shore excursions & gratuities!!! 😯
Thank you for this. I looked into the "free" cruise and it got expensive quick. My main complaint is that they only had one if that from the local port. All the others involved transportation and possible hotel stays. The base cruise amount on many is pretty cheap if the "free" was not involved and zero hassle so I'd likely go that way. (mainly the local port makes it all so much easier)
Don't forget about that 1099-G they will present you with at the end. You received a 'benefit' and therefore, Uncle Sam will get his due. Winstar sent a friend of mine on a trip to HR in Miami. Comped airline tickets, hotel stay, food, etc. At the end, they presented him with a tidy 1099-G for $10k. Bon Voyage!
We travel on our european passports for this reason. Not out of the US though hence we only take canadian / european cruises as it's not reported. They don't even take down your details when you win.
I have taken 16 comped cruises since 2005, and all taxes for comped cruises just like self pay ones are paid upfront by the recipient of the cruise comp at the time of booking. You will receive at the end of a cruise be it a comped one or self paid for one a W2 form for any hand pays greater than $1200 since these are reported to the IRS and you have to claim these hand pays as income. You can with Federal taxes write off your gambling losses if they are equal to or greater than your wins.
Gotta disagree on the comped room and beverage W2G we use all the time an never got a tax form hand pays YES an we have never taken a cruise with them but have received concert tix and no W2G 🤷♂️
Wow, working on your vacation? Please provide a detail vlog on how much everything cost you when you complete your cruise. I've never been on a cruise, but get offers all the time.
That would be great to know!
I haven’t paid for a cruise on Carnival or Princess for several years now. I view it not as “free” as much as a discount program. I set my gambling budget as what I would have paid retail for the cruise. I have a set bankroll that I divide into daily sessions. I set win and loss limits AND when I am ahead, I go to the purser/guest services and put the winnings towards my bill. My goal is to get off the ship with a zero balance. (And, yes, it has happened!).
When you get on board, find the casino host and introduce yourself to him/her. Ask to be rated. Ask how the comps work. Depending on your level of play you may be offered speciality meals, spa credit, etc DURING your cruise along with a cruise offer at the end of your cruise (depending on how many points you accrue). Each cruise line is different.
Marc, please make a video about the casino on the ship
Enjoy your time together ❤️
I hope you continue to have a great time! Loving the channel, as always!
Have a wonderful time Marc and Jodi!
Travel agent here❤enjoy your cruise! I did great on my last cruise 🎰🎉 have fun
Budgeting and all the tips you guys provide are even stronger on a cruise because you can’t get off until the cruise ends!
Happy anniversary! Have a great time and safe travels.
Enjoy the cruise. You are on a massive beautiful ship. Something everyone should experience at least once in their life.
I have a free cruise booked for November from the Carnival Player's Club. Free drinks for me not my sailing partner though. Taxes, port fees and gratuities came in at just under 600 for an 8 day cruise. Not too shabby if you ask me.
I’m going on my first comped cruise next month on Celebrity. Yes, it’s still expensive but it’s cheaper than any other week long vacation I could take!
Another great video. I've only sailed on MSC and I've never paid a port charge from a free cruise that I earned from playing in their Casinos. Also, while the gratuities are automatically added you can have them removed and take care of the staff that served you personally. Word of warning on the drink packages: (on MSC at least) all persons in the cabin must pay for the same drink package so if only one person drinks, it may be cheaper to just pay as you go. Playing in the casino? Ask for a free drink or bottles of water. $5 tip goes a long way in being remembered.
Since I went to Reno and stayed at a Caesar's hotel, Caesar's has been sending me free offers of airfare and hotel stays to Reno and Laughlin. I handedness tried to book one of these yet, but I'm imagining them to be similar to a comped cruise.
Can’t believe how much I’m loving that Hawaiian shirt and those shades! Hope you all have a fantastic time! Now stop thinking about the channel and have a great time!😎
gotta be in cruise wear!!
Have a fun trip Marc & Jodi
thank you susan!!
That's crazy, I didn't know about the automatic gratuities
It’s different for sure , but you can adjust them to your liking.
Have a great time!
Thank you, I will
Thanks for the heads up, Nothing is free 🕳️🕳️👍👍
Enjoy the cruise. Free is never free. Good thing you mentioned to go with the Shore Excursions sponsored by ship. I have heard of people not getting back in time when going with a private company and the ship has left without them. Nice to hear about the Gambling comps.
Spa day Jodes,have fun you guys! Good tips. Very easy to over spend in casino,friends do it all the time. Cruise isn't free if you lose $15,000 in casino.
Have Fun Marc and Jodi on your Anniversary Cruise. Sounds fun but everyone is right it's not really free and if you don't know how to make sure you have the money it can go bad. I'll stay home and live through you and Jodi. Bon Voyage. 🚢
Imagine if MGM owned every casino and business on the strip, and you couldn't leave for the duration of your stay. That's what a cruise ship is!
I hope there's a Double Top Dollar in the casino that you can compare to the land-based ones. Enjoy your cruise and don't forget to use your Seapass card!
Have a great time
hope you can do some ship casino slots.
I have had MGM Platinum status for years and never took the "free" cruise, so I guess I'm not missing out on much when it costs hundreds for that freebie. The cruise lines must be desperate for customers because this year they're comping a cruise and you still get the one for being Platinum, so it's basically two "free" cruises this year.🤣
Have fun, give us a review of cruise ship casinos.
Great information Marc. Happy Anniversary and Happy cruising.
Are you gonna show us some slot action on the cruise?
Love cruising. What ship are you on? I do enough each year to get free drinks in the casino and several offers for “free” cruises. Hope you have a blast.
You mentioned cruise ships having a very low payout. Do casinos determine the payout on each and every slot machine? And is this regulated?
Nothing's free...u'll pay (something) while u are on ther...but, it could cost more than u probably got it for, so...I call that [somewhat] of a win. Safe travels, hav a great time!👍
Enjoy
Also remember that on sea days the casino is open 24 hrs. It takes will power on longer cruises.
Marc:🙂 ❌ Marc:😎 ✅
Guys check out the latest live stream from Old School Slots where he is getting harassed by staff at NYNY because once again they are not trained properly. He has permission to film but they are giving him a hard time.
Great tips, but a cruise is not for me.
Most are actually “pre-paid” 🤪
It's a 🚢⚓🚢
Nice to see u kicking back abd enjoying yr Anniversary!
Hv a great time and be careful of the sun!
Looking forward to hearing abt yr excursions.
😊💸🛳
Free cruises: you still have to pay, taxes and docking fees, gratuities, excursions, shopping, etc.
I would like to see your eyes rather than the rainbow sunglasses that is disturbing!
Everyone has to pay taxes, fees and tips. It’s still free!
Yup, but a surprising number of people take their first cruise using a comp and they may not be aware of that. :)
There are exactly ZERO authentic table games on cruises.
def not free, will still cost a fortune, but it is heavy discounted by covering room
We were offered a FREE cruise from our resort casino. We declined. Nothing is FREE. Not interested.
hahahahaha free ......