Live From Oasis of the Seas 2/18-2/25!

[jam19872016]

8 minutes ago, colesc15 said:

That's exactly how I view it as well, prepaying lol. I'd gamble regardless, so it's nice to get something in return compared to land based casinos. Sometimes, if luck is on your side, it's even better. Example, two weeks ago, I did a 4 night cruise. Earned enough for an instant reward certificate that had Icon on it and I booked that. When the 4 night cruise ended, I was actually slightly ahead with money, so I made a little, drank for free and got a cabin on icon for may that's selling for nearly $4,000 a person right now. Love the casino program and love it even more when you occasionally win. Just have to go into it expecting to lose though and if you beat the odds, even better! 

That's better than I've ever done but one can hope 😆 

[jam19872016]

42 minutes ago, danielnm said:

How much total would you say you played in order to get these perks?

The key in the statement was "going to play anyway". 

 

Don't gamble for the perks alone. Which, I guess I am doing this week, so don't be like me 😆.

 

To give a general guideline prime takes 2500 points, or $12,500 cycled through the machines.

 

If we assume a 10% hold, which may or may not be accurate, prime will on average cost $1,250 to earn. I personally will see more than $1,250 worth of benefits between free sailings and drinks as well as the ranks I've climbed in the loyalty program, even my first cruise was comped thanks to a casino junket.

 

I don't see these levels of returns on Carnival and have adjusted my play accordingly.  But of course, everyone has to evaluate for themselves if casino status would be worthwhile.

[jam19872016]

I was not prepared for the heat so didn't last long outside. Going to see how the casino is feeling today as it is open while in Labadee. 

[colesc15]

17 minutes ago, jam19872016 said:

I was not prepared for the heat so didn't last long outside. Going to see how the casino is feeling today as it is open while in Labadee. 

Win big! 

[jam19872016]

Another loyalty benefit. You get your first at 140, and every 70 points after.

 

 

I hit 420 this cruise.

[jam19872016]

Going to hit the walking track then make my way to dinner.

[jam19872016]

Tonight's dinner is back at 150 Central Park.

 

I like these big chairs here.

 

 

[jam19872016]

Urban garden martini to start. 

 

[jam19872016]

Fingers crossed the bread is fresher tonight.

 

[jam19872016]

Pork belly 656.

 

[jam19872016]

Scallops 702.

 

[jam19872016]

Bread was fresher but I think it actually tasted better before. 

 

The pork belly and scallops were both excellent. Nice crispy texture to the pork belly that was missing from the one I got at chops. 

 

Kitchen got backed up but lamb wellington has arrived 727.

 

 

[jam19872016]

Not my favorite. I think I've had it before and didn't care for it but wanted to try it again. I've really only found one wellington I like, it seems the puff pastry just doesn't hold up and gets soggy.

 

The lamb was well cooked and mostly tender, a couple bites requires excessive chewing, but I don't think I'm a fan of lamb. The flavor just didn't appeal to me.

 

I suspect it's not a favorite as the waiter immediately offered some more sauce or spinach. I should have taken him up on the spinach it was quite tasty. 

 

Not terrible, just not my kind of dish I suspect. As good as the tenderloin was, I would probably stick to getting that twice before trying the lamb again.

 

Peanut butter chocolate tart 747.

 

 

 

[colesc15]

23 minutes ago, jam19872016 said:

Bread was fresher but I think it actually tasted better before. 

 

The pork belly and scallops were both excellent. Nice crispy texture to the pork belly that was missing from the one I got at chops. 

 

Kitchen got backed up but lamb wellington has arrived 727.

 

 

Every time I see this at 150cp, I think of how bizarre it is that they do this with lamb and not the usual beef. Would be so much better as the traditional beef. 

[jam19872016]

11 minutes ago, colesc15 said:

Every time I see this at 150cp, I think of how bizarre it is that they do this with lamb and not the usual beef. Would be so much better as the traditional beef. 

Yea it was kind of a miss for me.

[jam19872016]

I don't think I'm catching a second wind tonight. 

[jam19872016]

One of my favorites on ships that have it.

 

Lime and coconut.

 

 

Enjoying this in the solarium which I haven't made time to do yet this week.

[jam19872016]

Some photos of my quick visit to Labadee. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[jam19872016]

Found the walking path. It was quite steep and I'd failed to bring some water so it did me in fairly quickly.

 

 

 

 

[jam19872016]

I had one voucher left, so cashed it in for a take home Powerade. 

 

I'm going to miss Quest which isn't a big deal now that I have seen Carnival's version. It gets a bit raunchy while Royal's is mostly just silly. Maybe the PC police have forced it to become watered down and it used to be edgier.

 

I am bummed to miss out on the red party. I always enjoy myself there, but as it does not start until 1130, I am not going to make it this week.

 

Had a decent day in the casino. I danced back and forth between ahead and behind for the week and finished the day still up about $6, although down slightly for the day. Just two more days without another repeat of Day 3 and I will definitely consider this a successful week in the casino.

 

I'm back in the room going to watch a little TV and turn in early for the evening. Tomorrow is Montego Bay, our final port of call for this cruise, but likely a ship day for me.

 

Good night everyone.

 

 

[colesc15]

2 minutes ago, jam19872016 said:

I had one voucher left, so cashed it in for a take home Powerade. 

 

I'm going to miss Quest which isn't a big deal now that I have seen Carnival's version. It gets a bit raunchy while Royal's is mostly just silly. Maybe the PC police have forced it to become watered down and it used to be edgier.

 

I am bummed to miss out on the red party. I always enjoy myself there, but as it does not start until 1130, I am not going to make it this week.

 

Had a decent day in the casino. I danced back and forth between ahead and behind for the week and finished the day still up about $6, although down slightly for the day. Just two more days without another repeat of Day 3 and I will definitely consider this a successful week in the casino.

 

I'm back in the room going to watch a little TV and turn in early for the evening. Tomorrow is Montego Bay, our final port of call for this cruise, but likely a ship day for me.

 

Good night everyone.

 

 

I'd be jealous if you were actually going to Montego Bay tomorrow instead of Falmouth 😊 dang royal and their Falmouth vs Montego like carnival! 

[jam19872016]

13 minutes ago, colesc15 said:

I'd be jealous if you were actually going to Montego Bay tomorrow instead of Falmouth 😊 dang royal and their Falmouth vs Montego like carnival! 

Oops. I have no idea why I said Montego Bay. I've actually never been there, my only other port in Jamaica has always been Ocho Rios. 

[perfect match]

 

7 hours ago, jam19872016 said:

Another loyalty benefit. You get your first at 140, and every 70 points after.

 

 

I hit 420 this cruise.

We get our first crystal block in April on Allure. I’m excited to be getting it.  I never thought we would cruise enough to make Diamond 💎 when we first started cruising, never mind get a crystal block. 

[perfect match]

17 hours ago, BillOh said:

Good luck with that,  when my wife and I started cruising We were both around 300lbs. That was Voyager in 2006.  

 

When we board Wonder this spring I will be 200 and she is 140. 

 

I think I gained 13 pounds that first cruise.  You can still watch what you eat and have a great cruise. Good luck going forward, it can be done!

Bill and Gina, you two are looking great!

[exlondoner]

11 hours ago, jam19872016 said:

The key in the statement was "going to play anyway". 

 

Don't gamble for the perks alone. Which, I guess I am doing this week, so don't be like me 😆.

 

To give a general guideline prime takes 2500 points, or $12,500 cycled through the machines.

 

If we assume a 10% hold, which may or may not be accurate, prime will on average cost $1,250 to earn. I personally will see more than $1,250 worth of benefits between free sailings and drinks as well as the ranks I've climbed in the loyalty program, even my first cruise was comped thanks to a casino junket.

 

I don't see these levels of returns on Carnival and have adjusted my play accordingly.  But of course, everyone has to evaluate for themselves if casino status would be worthwhile.

I think you are going to have to talk me through this in simple non gambler’s terms. But I assume it is another way of accruing benefits, unrelated to days on board.