Bally's and Carnival Cruise Line collaborate on a reward system agreement
In a significant move for the travel and leisure industry, Carnival Cruise Line has announced a partnership with Bally's, a leading casino operator with 15 casinos across 10 states in the US. This collaboration, announced on May 23, 2024, is an example of synergies the cruise industry has long attempted to capitalise on.
The partnership extends the reach of both brands, according to a statement from Carnival. Bally's Rewards members will now be able to earn benefits aboard Carnival's 27 ships, which sail from 14 ports in the US. The partnership is the latest effort by Carnival to better cater to guests who are also bettors.
Bally's Rewards consists of four tiers - Pro, Star, SuperStar, and Legend. Members of the Legend, SuperStar, and Star tier will be eligible for complimentary and discounted cruises on Carnival ships. Meanwhile, Marty Goldman, Carnival Corporation's senior vice president of global casino operations, expressed excitement about the partnership with Bally's.
Interestingly, this partnership comes less than a month after a similar move was announced by TUI Cruises, partnering with Hard Rock International. Hard Rock International is the gaming entity of Florida's Seminole Tribe and is one of the largest Tribal casino operators in the US.
The other cruise company that announced a comparable partnership with Hard Rock International is TUI Cruises. Members of Unity by Hard Rock, Celebrity Cruises' Blue Chip Club, and Royal Caribbean's Club Royale platforms can earn points by betting, dining, shopping, and traveling at any participating Hard Rock venue or when they travel on Royal Caribbean and Celebrity ships.
Carnival has also partnered with Galaxy Gaming to bring progressive table games to its ships, further enhancing the gaming experience for its passengers. However, the press release did not mention if there will be points-sharing or status-matching between the Carnival Players Club and Bally's Rewards.
The last update on the partnership was on November 15, 2024, at 03:57h. As Carnival's nearest rival, Royal Caribbean will be keeping a close eye on this development, as the cruise industry continues to evolve and adapt to meet the changing needs and preferences of its customers.
