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New to cruise gambling...


DevilDogsWifey215
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Honestly gambling period lol. I do know the basics of poker (I'm not winning tournaments any time soon), have no clue what I'm doing on slot machines (they are confusing to figure out). But I'm interested. I did play some slots on my last cruise. I managed to break a slot machine and win a few bucks 🤣 What are the perks to playing on a cruise and how much do you need to devote to start receiving offers? 

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Best perk is “free cruise”.   There doesn’t seem to be a set amount you need to gamble to get offers.  We cruised NCL for years but noticed offers went down from mini suite to inside and still were playing the same amount.  On the other hand, have cruised Princess only 3 times   In the fall got offer for free balcony with gratuities, beverage package, internet and dining for $150 pp.  Jumped on that.  Includes $1000 free play. 😊 Advice, play for enjoyment and make sure you always use your card

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Our first Princess cruise was booked through a Vegas hotel offer.  We chose 7 nights in the Caribbean and paid to upgrade to a mini suite.

 

Since that initial cruise we have booked 5 more through the casino each with varying perks up to and including a mini suite and Free Play and all the other perks mentioned above.  If there was some magic number people would only play to that amount and sit back and wait for the offers to roll in.  Just like Vegas it doesn't work like that, but you can always ask to speak to a host about evaluating your play.  Not counting what my husband cycled through I am guessing I roughly allow $300-500 a day and we were in the casino every day.  

 

We played enough in the first day or two to get free drinks while playing in the casino and they also comped us a dinner and we were assigned a host.  We honestly had such a good time and it didn't hurt my husband won a handpay.  

 

negn gave you great advice always use your card so your play is tracked and play for fun with no expectations and any offers are a nice bonus.

 

 

 

 

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12 hours ago, Slyfox16 said:

What casino did you play at that had a relationship with Princess?

 

Venetian/Palazzo once or twice a year if you have status with them you can go and play for a cruise.  I think I ended up after the 3 days with an inside still but it was worthwhile to pay the upgrade.

 

Other Vegas casinos are affiliated with different cruise lines.    Not sure what/when they are offering since Covid but once they open the border and I get the second shot I'll make a trip.  Casinos here have been closed since early last year.

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I can only speak to Celebrity. Their program is called Blue Chip. There is a lot of information on line that describes the benefits of the different levels. Nevertheless IF you are on a Celebrity cruise or probably on any line try to introduce yourself to the Casino Host or Manager early in the cruise and express your interest in moving up in their gambling scheme. Because slot machines on cruise ships are “tighter” than land based machines be prepared to spend a lot. I also play craps however because there is some degree of skill you will have to gamble a lot more money compared to the slots. Tip the staff well in the casino and sometimes points can mysteriously grow quickly.The telephone agents for Blue Chip are very friendly and even if you are a “minnow” they can look and see what they might be able to offer you. Until you reach a higher level of status it will be a discounted/casino rate versus a completely free cruise. As you might expect C19 has really goofed up everything and in particular the designation of “earning period”. If you are going to jump into cruise line gambling status world find out before you book a cruise when the casino earnings period starts and ends and book accordingly. Lastly are you ready to only cruise on one line? Hope this helps.

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On 4/27/2021 at 11:08 PM, Slyfox16 said:

What casino did you play at that had a relationship with Princess?

 

As sprocket says - Venetian/Palazzo = Princess

MGM Resorts = Royal Caribbean/Celebrity

Caesars = NCL

 

But a free cruise from any of these is usually only at the highest tier.

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On 4/30/2021 at 5:07 PM, FastandFurious said:

I also play craps however because there is some degree of skill you will have to gamble a lot more money compared to the slots.

I see why the casino loves to bring you back. 🤣

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On 5/1/2021 at 7:19 AM, EllaDuChien said:

 

As sprocket says - Venetian/Palazzo = Princess

MGM Resorts = Royal Caribbean/Celebrity

Caesars = NCL

 

But a free cruise from any of these is usually only at the highest tier.

Celebrity has now switched to Caesars.

 

Also if you’re playing slot machines you should play maximum lines.

Edited by dkjretired
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16 hours ago, dkjretired said:

Celebrity has now switched to Caesars.

 

Also if you’re playing slot machines you should play maximum lines.

 

Interesting.  Their website still shows the partnership with MGM:

 

https://www.celebritycruises.com/things-to-do-onboard/casino/m-life-partnerships

 

Totally agree on max lines at slots.  

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Notice I said “ some” degree of skill. Sure if you walk up to a craps table for the first time it seems like a confusing and intimidating experience. BUT unlike a slot machine you have SOME control. For example taking odds on the Pass line is the best bet “ in Vegas” because the odds in favor of the “ house” are almost neutral. It stand by comment that Blackjack and Craps players have a more challenging road to status because “they” know the odds.

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I only play the slots and keep my budget to $100-$200 per day. Most cruises I usually break even or a small net loss (less than $300). Princess gives me a casino rate of between 10-30% off the posted price depending on the cabin category, so my gambling usually pays off.

 

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  • 2 weeks later...
On 5/12/2021 at 6:38 PM, FastandFurious said:

Notice I said “ some” degree of skill. Sure if you walk up to a craps table for the first time it seems like a confusing and intimidating experience. BUT unlike a slot machine you have SOME control. For example taking odds on the Pass line is the best bet “ in Vegas” because the odds in favor of the “ house” are almost neutral. It stand by comment that Blackjack and Craps players have a more challenging road to status because “they” know the odds.

I love craps and it took about an hours worth of YouTube videos to learn "bad" bets vs "good" gets. It was surprising that 90% of the bets on the craps table are considered "bad". Slots are obviously the bread and butter of the casinos. You can tell by the points they offer. They are also the least favorable odds of most things out there. I also think that the machines can be controlled for the odds. All slot machines to my knowledge have a "demo" mode before release to show the bonus rounds, etc. If they have a mechanism to do this for a demo, they have it available to tweak the odds as well.

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On 5/26/2021 at 5:43 AM, BoozinCroozin said:

I love craps and it took about an hours worth of YouTube videos to learn "bad" bets vs "good" gets. It was surprising that 90% of the bets on the craps table are considered "bad". Slots are obviously the bread and butter of the casinos. You can tell by the points they offer. They are also the least favorable odds of most things out there. I also think that the machines can be controlled for the odds. All slot machines to my knowledge have a "demo" mode before release to show the bonus rounds, etc. If they have a mechanism to do this for a demo, they have it available to tweak the odds as well.

HHHHHEEEEELLLLLLLLLLOOOOO BoozinCroozin:  The only way to change the payouts, which include frequency, is by sending the slot back to the factory where it was manufactured at.

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  • 1 month later...
On 5/12/2021 at 5:38 PM, FastandFurious said:

Notice I said “ some” degree of skill. Sure if you walk up to a craps table for the first time it seems like a confusing and intimidating experience. BUT unlike a slot machine you have SOME control. For example taking odds on the Pass line is the best bet “ in Vegas” because the odds in favor of the “ house” are almost neutral. It stand by comment that Blackjack and Craps players have a more challenging road to status because “they” know the odds.

Most casino neophytes don't know that craps is the best game in the house!

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  • 3 weeks later...

And to note that Carnival does offer a fun match that will give you an offer based on casino status.  I got $200 deposit + taxes and fees for an interior (including porthole and walkway views) with $200 OBC, $100 fun play, and free drinks while gambling in the casino for Caesars Diamond and MGM Gold with zero previous cruises with Carnival.

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  • 3 weeks later...

I may get flamed here but slot technology has progressed beyond the set factory % chip in the machine itself. The newer machines are linked via a “back room” system to real time manipulation. Now whether Celebrity or any other cruise line actively monitors or changes the pay out percentages during the cruise is beyond my knowledge. Ask them next time you are in a casino. I’m sure they will immediately confess 😂.I would be surprised if slot payouts on cruise ships is higher than 80% if not lower. Keep in mind jackpots can be re set between cruises and I don’t mean upwards.

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  • 3 weeks later...

Can someone please explain how free casino play works? I know that I cannot cash it out, but how can I track what I have used versus what are winnings? I only play slots if that matters. Thanks I have never been gifted casino credits previously from Princess Cruises. 

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  • 6 months later...

Hi, I am doing my first Princess cruise in July.  Can anyone help, does Princess charge a fee if buying chips on your onboard account?  Or is it best if I take cash to use in the Casino?  I know RCCI charge a fee if playing the tables using you onboard account.

 

Any help gratefully received

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6 hours ago, Cruising fanatic said:

Can anyone help, does Princess charge a fee if buying chips on your onboard account?  Or is it best if I take cash to use in the Casino?  I know RCCI charge a fee if playing the tables using you onboard account.

No fee. Under general conditions, you're limited to 3k/day, 21k(?) per leg. You can bill to the room yourself on the machines, or ask the floor manager at the tables for it.

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2 hours ago, Cuedon said:

No fee. Under general conditions, you're limited to 3k/day, 21k(?) per leg. You can bill to the room yourself on the machines, or ask the floor manager at the tables for it.

Thanks for letting me know so swiftly. Charging to my onboard account make things so much easier. 

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On 9/18/2021 at 8:53 PM, cnamenek said:

Can someone please explain how free casino play works? I know that I cannot cash it out, but how can I track what I have used versus what are winnings? I only play slots if that matters. Thanks I have never been gifted casino credits previously from Princess Cruises.

The only way that I have ever done this is to just keep track of how much money you have bet. Once you get to the free play amount you can cash out what is left.  

 

If I have $500 free play, I will go to a $5 machine and play 5 credits per spin.  I know that after 20 spins I have used up the $500.  Whatever is left(money won) I can then cash out.  If I am at machine that is $8.88 per spin then I will spin 57 times($506.16), then cash out.  

 

As far as I know the machine will not tell you when you can cash out.  Casinos want you to keep spinning until it is gone.  

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