Casino Slots

[soft69]

I just returned from a Panama Canal Cruise and I would like to hear some of your opinions on the casinos on board Princess Ships. In the past I have enjoyed the casinos on board the Princess Ships, but it seems the slots have gotten tighter and tighter. I spent in excess of a thousand dollars in slot play on the Island Princess and my winnings were very, very few. Now I know this is why it is called gambling but many times I played for hours ($40 - $50 on each slot) without hitting anything. I chatted with fellow passengers and we all pretty much agree that the slots have got so tight that maybe we should all stop playing them for the first two days of a cruise to let princess know that we want the same chances we get at any other casino.

What are your feelings on tight slots?

[Toto2Kansas]

It's one of those things. I have walked into the casino and lost on one night, the following night, I hit on every single machine I played.

I have noticed the larger jackpots don't seem to hit as often as they used to, and I spend a lot of time in the casino. But it all just boils down to luck I think.

 

Our last cruise on the Pacific, I lost for three days straight, then won for four days straight, so it just all depends on luck with the slots at that given time.

[dhn]

We were on the IP on the Nov 20 cruise to Panama. First night my wife won $400 on a 2 cent slot machine. During the trip, she also had a couple of other $100 wins on a 1 cent machine.

 

Yeah, she returned a reasonable chunk back (:D) but she still was quite a bit ahead at the end of the trip.

[Minoushka]

Princess Casino has old machines and are quite small. No one around me ever won .Not enough penny machines lots of more expensive machines not used so useless Everyone hounded the penny machines.Not impressed . Casinos need to be made larger with bigger NOnsmoking section and with more fun penny machines!!!

[highflyingrealtor]

I doubt if the cruiseline has to declare this and it probably varies by machine but does anyone know the % payback. :confused:

[kiawahdon]

I know at various times cruise lines have partnered/hired Vegas casinos to run the casino operations. One example was when Crystal partnered with Ceasars Palace. During this period, oit was advertised that Nevada regulations (slot odds) would be in place. This gave players some comfort.

Today, however, I am not aware of any regulation or oversight of ship casinos. Thus it is player beware if the slots are tweeked tight. If there are any regulations, I would be interested in learning about them.

[flamomo]

My success in the ship's casinos has varied from winning $2400 one trip and $1600 another cruise, to losing everything.

But that pretty much mirrors what happens in Vegas. I just got back from Vegas yesterday, and the payoff stink there too. The most I got on one win was $200, with varying smaller payouts over a 5 1/2 day period.

I agree that the Princess ship's casinos in general have tightened up considerably over the past couple of years. I understand that the machines are controlled by random number generators, but the slot techs have control over the settings, as directed by the cruiseline / casino operators.

[houch]

On my last cruise on the Royal Princess I visited the casino most every day. Played the penny slots for full amount most of the time. I put my $20 in and if it went quickly I walked away. If I won some on a machine I would keep playing till I got bored or back down to my original $20, then I would cash out and return to play later. I don't play for the BIG jackpot, just to have some fun. I did have fun and for the 12 days spent less than $200. For me that is a win.

[NotWthOutablcony]

I would have to agree with a previous poster, so many quarter and dollar slots, not to mention poker machines, that aren't used, its a waste of space, Penny machines are far more popular these days, they really need to update their casinos. It would be great if they could expand them, I never win in on board casinos, lol, I expect it:D

[caribill]

People who gamble with a one cent bet on a slot machine should not expect to win thousands of $$$ with one spin.

[cpj]

The slots are tight. Where else are you going to go. Penny slots have the lowest payback. Dollar slots payback are better. This is true on ships or in most casinos in Las Vegas. The payback for all slots are usually lower on cruise ships on all lines. There still will be winners but you have a better chance of winning or playing longer in land casinos where there is competition. Cruise lines need to make money and the casino is one place where they can do that. No need for them to be compete. They have a captive audience. That does not mean you cannot win but the odds are not in your favor.

[6MonthsHere6MonthsThere]

Princess Casino has old machines and are quite small. No one around me ever won .Not enough penny machines lots of more expensive machines not used so useless Everyone hounded the penny machines.Not impressed . Casinos need to be made larger with bigger NOnsmoking section and with more fun penny machines!!!

 

 

 

NEW machines on the Crown and the Ruby:) and loads of PENNY slots.

[Crzn-Life]

We were on the Island 11/20 and I played the slots. I lost quite a bit. None of them seemed to paying off much.

 

When we were on the QM2 in July I hit big. They report any winnings on the slots over $1200 to the IRS but they don't report anything on table winnings. I think this is unfair, but..... What made it worse, was QM2 doesn't have the key card slots so there was no record of the losses. At least the Island has a record so I got them to print it out and now I have a record of losses to offset my winnings! Guess it all worked out, but it would have been nice to win on the Island too!