Warning to gamblers sailing rccl/baltimore/grandeur !

[Redbeard the Pirate]

All you gamblers may want to consider rccl new policy does not open the first night on any cruise out of baltimore and closes the last night at 9pm. Really disappointed, as that is why booked it. Also noticed points reward changed. Not what you get, just how long it takes to get there, if you know what i mean. Is there a better casino reward program out there? Also, is the carnival cruise out of baltimore open the first night? Thanks

[sellwingri]

It's not a Royal Caribbean decision, it's some kind of new law in Maryland. It's not just the casino that can't open while in the Chesapeake Bay. All the stores must close as well. This is just a new law in 2017. This has been posted many times in Cruise Critic so Im sorry you didn't see it.

 

Royal Caribbean does pay Bermuda the fee to open at 9pm while in port.

[Herb L.]

casino must be closed while in US waters

[Ourusualbeach]

Royal is following state regulations, Carnival would have to do the same.

[cruisegirl1]

Same thing when a cruise leaves from Tampa. Our cruise left at 8PM so we had no casino the first night. In fact the casino was closed every sea day morning because of an air conditioning problem. (Still same points needed for certificates even though the casino was open fewer hours.)

 

We sailed a cruise out of Dubai that had 2 stops in Oman and the casino was closed for 3 days/nights straight.

 

All ships sailing from the same port will have the same restrictions regarding when the casino can open. Friends sail Norwegian and seem pleased with their casino program.

 

 

M

[Rogueperson]

All you gamblers may want to consider rccl new policy does not open the first night on any cruise out of baltimore and closes the last night at 9pm. Really disappointed, as that is why booked it. Also noticed points reward changed. Not what you get, just how long it takes to get there, if you know what i mean. Is there a better casino reward program out there? Also, is the carnival cruise out of baltimore open the first night? Thanks

 

Its about an 10 - 12 hour transit between the port of Baltimore to international waters. I believe the rule is that the casino and shops can only be open in international waters. That's why when you're in port, the casino is usually closed unless the ship gets permission from the local government.

 

This occurs on Carnival or any cruise ship as well. I think Baltimore has the longest route from port to international waters in the US, but I'm not 100% sure on that.

 

I am fairly certain that when we went through the Panama Canal (I did a full transit), that entire day, the casino and shops were closed.

[jaimevoyager]

On my return from Halifax last week, the casino remained open until 8:00 pm ( when we entered Chesapeake Bay.) Also, I did not gamble anywhere close to the advertised points for a certificate and I found a $100.00 off next cruise certificate in my room that last night.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[Aquahound]

casino must be closed while in US waters

 

This occurs on Carnival or any cruise ship as well. I think Baltimore has the longest route from port to international waters in the US, but I'm not 100% sure on that.

 

For the record, it's state waters, not US waters. Gambling is regulated by the state, therefore the state says whether or not the ship can open their casino. State waters extends 3 miles from the baseline (main coastal shoreline), so 3 miles out is when they can open (in most cases).

 

US waters go out to 12 miles.

[peter1975]

How sad. Now you'll have to get out and enjoy the ship during those hours.

[Redbeard the Pirate]

How sad. Now you'll have to get out and enjoy the ship during those hours.

i did not go to enjoy the rest of the rust bucket, i went to gamble.they invited me. the last time i was on sewer of the seas they opened at 9pm the first night so .............. the last night,late. it would have been nice to have been informed so others could have changed their plans. that was the point of the post to let others know. i guess you thought you were making a funny? imagine that. bless your little heart.

[PlanetX]

If you're not going to do anything else but gamble nonstop, it seems like a trip to Atlantic City or even Maryland Live would be far cheaper.

 

It probably would be better for RCI to communicate better to customers, but most people aren't on the ships solely to gamble for a week, so it's likely not a significant issue. Did you complain to RCI in the post-cruise survey?

[setsail]

Do people book cruises to loose money?:cool:

[Havingfun2010]

i did not go to enjoy the rest of the rust bucket, i went to gamble.they invited me. the last time i was on sewer of the seas they opened at 9pm the first night so .............. the last night,late. it would have been nice to have been informed so others could have changed their plans. that was the point of the post to let others know. i guess you thought you were making a funny? imagine that. bless your little heart.

 

Honestly, most people don't go on a cruise only to sit in the casino. Plus, the laws you are referencing actually happens in every port. Just some ports, like most in Florida, the ship is outside the territory waters within 30 minutes except Tampa. The casino is closed until outside the territorial waters later. I'm not sure why the ship would inform everyone prior a cruise, since it's common knowledge. That's why most ports, the casino is closed. Unless you are a first time cruiser and gambler, than this should be known fact. Were you planning to change you plans on the ship, like going to a show instead? Because the daily paper also list the open and close times of the casino. You could always make you daily gambling plan based on that info. Now if you mean you would have cancelled the cruise because you have 6 hours less gambling time, than maybe you could take a nap instead, and stay up late to make up for it?

[TOMXGRACE]

Carnival pride opens thier casino as soon as they clear the key bridge. Royal caribbean does not want to pay the taxes. On the carnival pride you do pay sales tax on anything brought in the bay including drinks.

[Biker19]

Do people book cruises to loose money?:cool:

No, but they apparently can overlook being on a rust bucket to feed their gambling addiction.

[Merion_Mom]

All you gamblers may want to consider rccl new policy does not open the first night on any cruise out of baltimore and closes the last night at 9pm. Really disappointed, as that is why booked it. Also noticed points reward changed. Not what you get, just how long it takes to get there, if you know what i mean. Is there a better casino reward program out there? Also, is the carnival cruise out of baltimore open the first night? Thanks

When I was on in February, they closed the casino and shops at FIVE p.m. on the final night. So at least you got four extra hours. :D

[Merion_Mom]

i did not go to enjoy the rest of the rust bucket, i went to gamble.they invited me. the last time i was on sewer of the seas they opened at 9pm the first night so .............. the last night,late. it would have been nice to have been informed so others could have changed their plans. that was the point of the post to let others know. i guess you thought you were making a funny? imagine that. bless your little heart.

 

I'm inferring from your post that you received this cruise as a GIFT from Casino Royale?

 

If so, well, a certain rude phrase is coming into my head right now, that starts with S....................

 

:confused:

[Jarmo]

Honestly, most people don't go on a cruise only to sit in the casino. Plus, the laws you are referencing actually happens in every port. Just some ports, like most in Florida, the ship is outside the territory waters within 30 minutes except Tampa. The casino is closed until outside the territorial waters later. I'm not sure why the ship would inform everyone prior a cruise, since it's common knowledge. That's why most ports, the casino is closed. Unless you are a first time cruiser and gambler, than this should be known fact. Were you planning to change you plans on the ship, like going to a show instead? Because the daily paper also list the open and close times of the casino. You could always make you daily gambling plan based on that info. Now if you mean you would have cancelled the cruise because you have 6 hours less gambling time, than maybe you could take a nap instead, and stay up late to make up for it?

This is a recent change for Baltimore. Until recently, common knowledge for sailing from Baltimore would have had the casino open at around 5 the first night and open until late the final night. Now, on the 5 night to Bermuda, the casino is only open 3 of 5 nights. Not blaming RC by any means, but it is a pretty big change.

[voyager70]

I'm inferring from your post that you received this cruise as a GIFT from Casino Royale?

 

If so, well, a certain rude phrase is coming into my head right now, that starts with S....................

 

:confused:

 

I think you're being too kind.

[critterchick]

I'm inferring from your post that you received this cruise as a GIFT from Casino Royale?

 

If so, well, a certain rude phrase is coming into my head right now, that starts with S....................

 

:confused:

 

It's hardly a gift. One has to gamble (and presumably lose) enormous amounts of money (by my cheap $20/night habit) in order to get that kind of invitation. Just a different pricing method.

[voyager70]

It's hardly a gift. One has to gamble (and presumably lose) enormous amounts of money (by my cheap $20/night habit) in order to get that kind of invitation. Just a different pricing method.

 

And the the cruise lines love these people or they wouldn't keep luring them back. Obviously a big money maker for them.

[sellwingri]

Carnival pride opens thier casino as soon as they clear the key bridge. Royal caribbean does not want to pay the taxes. On the carnival pride you do pay sales tax on anything brought in the bay including drinks.

 

Not true! The new law took affect on January 1, 2017 and applies to all cruise lines. I was on Grandeur in 2016 and the casino opened 30 minutes after we left port.

[kaftigr]

All you gamblers may want to consider rccl new policy does not open the first night on any cruise out of baltimore and closes the last night at 9pm. Really disappointed, as that is why booked it. Also noticed points reward changed. Not what you get, just how long it takes to get there, if you know what i mean. Is there a better casino reward program out there? Also, is the carnival cruise out of baltimore open the first night? Thanks

 

Try NCL Casinos at Sea. They have a great reward program. I'm going on my 7th comped cruise of this year on the Escape today. Just have to pay port fees, taxes and an admin fee. I did book a cruise through Casino Royal this week on the 9 night Navigator later this year and received $400 off. CAS is a better program than Casino Royale these days.

[Gwendy]

No such thing as a free ride or a free cruise. You have paid for it somehow.

On an Alaskan cruise I had to go back to my cabin for something, used casino as a shortcut. There were glaciers, ice in the water beautiful scenery, but there in the casino were some people sitting at the machines. Whatever rocks your boat I guess.

[RMILLER4292]

i did not go to enjoy the rest of the rust bucket, i went to gamble.they invited me. the last time i was on sewer of the seas they opened at 9pm the first night so .............. the last night,late. it would have been nice to have been informed so others could have changed their plans. that was the point of the post to let others know. i guess you thought you were making a funny? imagine that. bless your little heart.

 

 

Wow...aren't you just a little ray of sunshine...6 less hours of gambling won't kill you...get over it.