Most controversial cruise opinion??

[pcakes122]

1 minute ago, tetleytea said:

 

What the house wins, in general they comp 30% back (according to your source).   

 

That has to do with wins and losses.

Please go to the link and test the calculator.  It never asks for ANY information about wins OR losses. 🤯

 

Or just Google comps and how they work. This is exhausting and I don't think you really want to understand how it works or you would have caught on by now.

[PhillyTravelBug]

I do not understand the love for Vibe beach club.  It's just personal because I do not like sitting in the sun. Even with spf100, I feel like  I am slowly getting skin cancer.

[pcakes122]

3 minutes ago, LGW59 said:

Because I like to live on the edge, I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that noone really gives a....

Actually you'd be surprised how many people are interested in casino comps. We have an NCL casino FB group devoted to just this topic. Some people have been playing in the ships' casinos for years and had no idea that they would be eligible for free cruises and are appreciative to learn how it works! (There's also CC group on the topic, but not limited to NCL.)

[MrsTocko]

Just now, PhillyTravelBug said:

I do not understand the love for Vibe beach club.  It's just personal because I do not like sitting in the sun. Even with spf100, I feel like  I am slowly getting skin cancer.

Right? We rarely (can count on 1 hand and have fingers left over) the # of times that I have utilized ANY ship pool/hot tub.  I will fry to a crisp.  I get the fresh air on my balcony or sit in the shade.  That way I am also not fighting the chair hog...

[tetleytea]

13 minutes ago, pcakes122 said:

Please go to the link and test the calculator.  It never asks for ANY information about wins OR losses. 🤯

 

Or just Google comps and how they work. This is exhausting and I don't think you really want to understand how it works or you would have caught on by now.

Googled.  Done.

 

The Casino Comps System Explained – How to Make It Work For You (gamblingsites.org)

 

From the site:

"For example, if you’re playing slot machines and betting $1 every time you spin the reels, you’re putting $1 into action every time you spin. If you make 600 spins per hour, then you’ve put $600/hour into action.

Based on the odds behind the game and the payout odds, casinos can estimate the long-term expected losses based on your hourly action. They can then calculate a percentage of that to return to you in the form of comps."

 

So, from a Googled site (as you suggested), the comps are some percentage of your average gambling losses.   Which your site says is 30%.   Therefore you are paying 3X the market price for that "free" cruise.  You lose an average of $2000 for that $600 inside cabin.  $1400 in "entertainment."

 

Do note that the casino thrives on obfuscating the math.

Edited August 8, 2022 by tetleytea

[Travelling2Some]

6 minutes ago, PhillyTravelBug said:

I do not understand the love for Vibe beach club.  It's just personal because I do not like sitting in the sun. Even with spf100, I feel like  I am slowly getting skin cancer.

Me too.  I'm fair skinned, blue eyed and blonde.  I've always found sitting in the hot sun uncomfortable and I've already had skin cancer three times (not the most serious kind).  Sunscreen irritates my skin to top it off.  I only go up to the pool area to communicate with my non-Irish sun loving spouse!

[Sailing12Away]

2 hours ago, Travelling2Some said:

Okay, I know people will start citing all those sweet umbrella drinks but people who drink scotch don't do those.

I'm the oddity to your equation. One of my first cocktails on any cruise ship is a Miami Vice next to the pool to officially start the cruise off. Then as the cruise progresses, I move my way into the Macallan 18 realm to burn through my OBC. 

 

So yes, there are folks who enjoy both the super sugary sweet cocktails as well as a fine single malt with one cube. 

[pcakes122]

20 minutes ago, tetleytea said:

Googled.  Done.

 

The Casino Comps System Explained – How to Make It Work For You (gamblingsites.org)

 

From the site:

"For example, if you’re playing slot machines and betting $1 every time you spin the reels, you’re putting $1 into action every time you spin. If you make 600 spins per hour, then you’ve put $600/hour into action.

Based on the odds behind the game and the payout odds, casinos can estimate the long-term expected losses based on your hourly action. They can then calculate a percentage of that to return to you in the form of comps."

 

So, from a Googled site (as you suggested), the comps are some percentage of your average gambling losses.   Which your site says is 30%.   Therefore you are paying 3X the market price for that "free" cruise.  You lose an average of $2000 for that $600 inside cabin.  $1400 in "entertainment."

 

Do note that the casino thrives on obfuscating the math.

Reading is fundamental. Lol.  Nowhere in what you quoted says that you had to LOSE $600 an hour. It says you have to PLAY $600 an hour. From that, the casino projects your "long-term ESTIMATED loss" and gives you 30% of THAT (note - it doesn't say you EVER have to actually  lose even ONE CENT of that "estimated loss!") But you still got the comp offer equal to 30% of the ESTIMATE!

 

Are you starting to get it now??

 

PS The estimated loss is the "theo" (or theoretical loss) we keep talking about!)

Edited August 8, 2022 by pcakes122

[tetleytea]

1 minute ago, pcakes122 said:

Reading is fundamental. Lol.  Nowhere in what you quoted says that you had to LOSE $600 an hour. It says you have to PLAY $600 an hour. From that, the casino projects your "long-term ESTIMATED loss" and gives you 30% of THAT (note - it doesn't say you EVER have to actually have to lose even ONE CENT of that "estimated loss!") But you still got the comp offer equal to of 30% of the estimate!

 

Are you starting to get it now??

 

Obviously I read it, or I would not have bolded it.

 

Law of averages.  Do you understand law of averages?    Or if you have some way of beating those averages, that is what I asked for about 3 pages ago.   To which the answer I got was, "Don't worry about the math."

 

My offer to listen to anyone more experienced than I at consistently beating the house remains in place.   At this point I will settle just for someone who has consistently lost less than they got in comps.   The answer to that I got was, "Don't worry about the comps.   You don't play for comps.  You play for entertainment."   You guys are all over the place.

 

[Travelling2Some]

3 minutes ago, Sailing12Away said:

I'm the oddity to your equation. One of my first cocktails on any cruise ship is a Miami Vice next to the pool to officially start the cruise off. Then as the cruise progresses, I move my way into the Macallan 18 realm to burn through my OBC. 

 

So yes, there are folks who enjoy both the super sugary sweet cocktails as well as a fine single malt with one cube. 

There's one in every crowd:)  I have my quirks too -  love Grand Marnier even though I suspect it's loaded with sugar.  I think for me as long as the "bite" overwhelms the sweet taste I will like it.  I have a hard time with the lovely and well-meaning crew when I turn down desserts.  They bring me fruit thinking I'm on a diet and will eat that.  I hate to waste food but I don't want fruit and didn't ask for it 😞

[pcakes122]

21 minutes ago, tetleytea said:

 

Obviously I read it, or I would not have bolded it.

 

Law of averages.  Do you understand law of averages?    Or if you have some way of beating those averages, that is what I asked for about 3 pages ago.   To which the answer I got was, "Don't worry about the math."

 

My offer to listen to anyone more experienced than I at consistently beating the house remains in place.   At this point I will settle just for someone who has consistently lost less than they got in comps.   The answer to that I got was, "Don't worry about the comps.   You don't play for comps.  You play for entertainment."   You guys are all over the place.

 

If you don't gamble, why are you so invested in this?  Just forget about it and move on. I have no idea what you like to do on cruises for entertainment, but whatever it is - enjoy!  If we (players) didn’t feel we were coming out on the plus side, we wouldn't do it.  And if you think I'm about to turn down free cruises because of a moral objection to perceived gaming industry conspiracies, that's not gonna happen.  In fact, look what came in today's email from the NCL Conspiracy Department: 

[tetleytea]

34 minutes ago, pcakes122 said:

 And if you think I'm about to turn down free cruises because of a moral objection to perceived gaming industry conspiracies, that's not gonna happen.  In fact, look what came in today's email from the NCL Conspiracy Department: 

 

 

i have a moral objection to seriously misrepresenting the math on CC.  And yes, i see your marketing email giving you a comp.   PLEASE tell me you aren't suggesting that I ever implied the comps are not real.  Because if you are, then I have to call into question whether you received that email, or composed it and sent it to your clients.

[The Shrike]

1 hour ago, MrsTocko said:

I once spent a weekend in Vegas eating, gambling and drinking for 3 days on $5 total.  I had booked early, non-refundable, and ran into some car issues that resulted in nothing left in the Vegas saving fund.  Prepaid the shuttle round trip from the airport, went to the gas station on the corner for burgers and chips, and sat at the nickel slots long enough to get a couple of those free drinks.

Hey, what happens in Vegas STAYS in Vegas! 😚😜

[The Shrike]

1 hour ago, PhillyTravelBug said:

I do not understand the love for Vibe beach club.  It's just personal because I do not like sitting in the sun. Even with spf100, I feel like  I am slowly getting skin cancer.

--standing ovation--

I live on the Gulf Coast, go on cruises...and spend as little time in the sun as I can, only getting enough to keep people with the last name Van Helsing from hammering wooden stakes into my heart.

[pcakes122]

3 minutes ago, tetleytea said:

 

i have a moral objection to seriously misrepresenting the math on CC.  And yes, i see your marketing email giving you a comp.   PLEASE tell me you aren't suggesting that I ever implied the comps are not real.  Because if you are, then I have to call into question whether you received that email, or composed it and sent it to your clients.

I never even discussed math here. And as far as whether or not I created this email myself (😂) I am not the only NCL player who received this email today. As they say, if you know you know. 😉 And it looks like you don't. (Sorry! 🤷‍♀️)

 

[LGW59]

This was a fun and interesting post until it got highjacked.  Thanks for your good intentions OP!

[ColeThornton]

7 minutes ago, LGW59 said:

This was a fun and interesting post until it got highjacked.  Thanks for your good intentions OP!

 

I was just thinking that myself. 

[pcakes122]

9 minutes ago, ColeThornton said:

I was just thinking that myself. 

If only people would "live and let live" and not try to criticize or denigrate other people's preferences.  I don't care what anybody else does for entertainment, as long as it doesn't impact me.  People shouldn't have to be put in a position to defend what they like to do if it's not hurting anyone else. 🤷‍♀️

[tetleytea]

 

Sure seems right in line with what the OP wanted to know to me.

 

[midgetcoach]

2 hours ago, pcakes122 said:

The Casino Comps System Explained – How to Make It Work For You (gamblingsites.org)

I read this thru and it is a good explanation of comps and how they work.

Moving to the conclusion it reads...

[Casino and gambling comps are really cool, but they’re also a tool that casinos use to get you to lose more money than you’d otherwise lose. Understanding how those comps work is the first step in making sure you don’t get taken advantage of.

Some people learn how to take advantage of the comps system in such a way that they gamble practically for free. It’s even theoretically possible to come out ahead because of the comps program. That’s too much work for most people, but it’s nice to know that it’s possible.

The bottom line about comps is that the casino doesn’t have your best interest at heart. They want your money.]

My wife and I fall into the second part of this paragraph. We do come out ahead, but it is a lot of work. 

 

2 hours ago, tetleytea said:

My offer to listen to anyone more experienced than I at consistently beating the house remains in place.   At this point I will settle just for someone who has consistently lost less than they got in comps.

 Hello !  My wife and I do just that.

 

             PS. We actually make money at it too.

[tetleytea]

10 minutes ago, midgetcoach said:

I read this thru and it is a good explanation of comps and how they work.

Moving to the conclusion it reads...

[Casino and gambling comps are really cool, but they’re also a tool that casinos use to get you to lose more money than you’d otherwise lose. Understanding how those comps work is the first step in making sure you don’t get taken advantage of.

Some people learn how to take advantage of the comps system in such a way that they gamble practically for free. It’s even theoretically possible to come out ahead because of the comps program. That’s too much work for most people, but it’s nice to know that it’s possible.

The bottom line about comps is that the casino doesn’t have your best interest at heart. They want your money.]

My wife and I fall into the second part of this paragraph. We do come out ahead, but it is a lot of work. 

 

 Hello !  My wife and I do just that.

 

10 minutes ago, midgetcoach said:

 

             PS. We actually make money at it too.

 

I'll take it.   What is your strategy?  (or you can you post it publically?)  

 

By "a lot of work," I assume you don't really view it as "work", but entertainment.  If you found a way to come out ahead and have fun doing it, then that's what it is all about.

Edited August 9, 2022 by tetleytea

[midgetcoach]

24 minutes ago, tetleytea said:

I'll take it.   What is your strategy?  (or you can you post it publically?)

It's just to much to try and write and explain here. 

 

47 minutes ago, tetleytea said:

By "a lot of work," I assume you don't really view it as "work", but entertainment.  If you found a way to come out ahead and have fun doing it, then that's what it is all about.

Yes, you got it now. 

[tetleytea]

Then what do you say about the other gambler who said there is such a thing as advantage players, but that they don't really play on the cruise lines?   Or the other gambler who said you don't play for comps (which I thought was you)?   I believe the exact reason given was that the cruises use infinite shoes.

 

[NauticalOtter]

11 hours ago, Travelling2Some said:

Me too.  I'm fair skinned, blue eyed and blonde.  I've always found sitting in the hot sun uncomfortable and I've already had skin cancer three times (not the most serious kind).  Sunscreen irritates my skin to top it off.  I only go up to the pool area to communicate with my non-Irish sun loving spouse!

random question: but have you tried zinc oxide sunscreens?  They sit on top of the skin rather than absorbing into it.

 

Downsides: kind of a pain to apply (you have to like *really* rub them in and they wear off more quickly.  

 

Benefits: don’t absorb into the skin and don’t make you hot(ter) like chemical sunscreens which work by converting the UV radiation to heat.

 

For Caribbean cruises I tend to take Thinksport’s zinc oxide.  It’s pretty gentle on the skin* and is actually reef safe (unlike a lot of brands that advertise as such but aren’t really).  Which is helpful in certain locales that have laws about what type of sunscreen you can use (never actually seen it enforced, but I’d rather just not be part of the problem).

 

*edit: I have pretty sever psoriasis which doesn’t tolerate many sunscreens and lotions without flaring up more than normal…never had issues with the brand i mentioned.

 

I definitely don’t use it in my day to day though:  a. I’m a Midwest boy and don’t have any reefs to worry about destroying. B.  It takes quite a bit of rubbing in over other zinc oxide lotions I prefer instead (because it’s got larger zinc particles which is why is actually reef safe)…and I don’t have time to be spending 5-10 minutes putting on sunscreen when I’m not half drunk on vacation 😂

 

 

 

 

Edited August 9, 2022 by NauticalOtter

[Travelling2Some]

Nope, nope and nope on the zinc oxide.  Don't like that greasy mess on my skin, don't actually like the beach and don't want to swim anyway.  Only reason I (might) bring a bathing suit is to visit a hot tub at night under the stars.  My "Perfect Day at Coco Cay" recently involved an early morning walk around the island before the sun got strong and then back onboard in time for breakfast, lol.  We usually cruise in cooler climates, not beachy places.  Maybe I should take up gambling after reading the exhaustive information on this thread, ha ha.

Edited August 9, 2022 by Travelling2Some