Carnival CASINO Cruise - 23 Day
was a slight upgrade from my first one.
UNTIL we hit rough waters on the last night, and then there was a really loud crashing sound every 10 minutes when we hit a wave or swell just right.
All. Night. Long.
Well I hope your symptoms were mild and you had a quick and complete recovery. My symptoms were bad enough that I was a bit miserable for 24-36 hours, but I think I am pretty good now.Quote: ams288Just had another 7-day cruise on NCL in August and came home with Covid.
I did get a bit winded when I took a walk this afternoon, but I was cooped up in a cabin with essentially no exercise for 7 days and it is a bit hilly in the section of Sydney I am staying in.
looks like you can open the windows?Quote: JohnnyQActually, my isolation cabin:
was a slight upgrade from my first one.
UNTIL we hit rough waters on the last night, and then there was a really loud crashing sound every 10 minutes when we hit a wave or swell just right.
All. Night. Long.
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Quote: 100xOddslooks like you can open the windows?
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100xOdds,
I believe what you are seeing are covers for the port holes, like blinds for a window.
Dog Hand
Quote: JohnnyQActually, my isolation cabin:
was a slight upgrade from my first one.
UNTIL we hit rough waters on the last night, and then there was a really loud crashing sound every 10 minutes when we hit a wave or swell just right.
All. Night. Long.
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This is the room type I usually book on Carnival. It looks like an interior upper/lower with portholes. Comes with a single bed and a couch that converts to a bed.
These rooms are usually cheaper than a standard interior room because of the single bed, yet they are bigger with a couch and portholes.
Yes, that is correct. There were also curtains that could be pulled across to block the light.Quote: DogHandI believe what you are seeing are covers for the port holes, like blinds for a window.
It was definitely nice to have the portholes to look out.
Quote: JohnnyQYes, that is correct. There were also curtains that could be pulled across to block the light.Quote: DogHandI believe what you are seeing are covers for the port holes, like blinds for a window.
It was definitely nice to have the portholes to look out.
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It's a shame about the virus !
Would you mind sharing a summary of the different games you noted on board?
i.e. Blackjack - $25, 3/2 - was this the Lucky Ladies side bet version?
Did they have Spanish 21 or Pontoon or other similar?
What sort of Roulette game did they offer?
Was there any poker games - i.e. Ultimate Texas or other? And limits?
There was some kind of poker game where the players sat around a big electronic table. I didn't get any more details on it.
For BJ, I think each game had the Lucky Ladies sidebet, 19 to 1 for a pair of Queens of Hearts ( ? ), and 4 to 1 I think for getting a 20 on the player's first 2 cards.
There was also:
6/5 Blackjack
and
and
and
Who knows, maybe I will even try to do this same cruise with Mrs Q next year. If I do, I would stay at the same lodge across the bay from downtown Sydney, it is in a lovely residential neighborhood. Not fancy, but nice in its own way:
And I am going to stop in San Diego for about a week to see family before going the rest of the way home.
So I will just have to come back with Mrs Q sometime and spend more time here to see Australia properly !
Quote: JohnnyQWell, I had the flexibility in my schedule to take a 23 day cruise, and Mrs Q didn't. So she isn't with me for this trip.
And I am going to stop in San Diego for about a week to see family before going the rest of the way home.
So I will just have to come back with Mrs Q sometime and spend more time here to see Australia properly !
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Good idea- we have some awesome coastal towns that are about a 1hour or 2 hour drive north / south of Sydney.
And if you have lots of time, then I'd suggest getting down to Tasmania and checking out the wilderness there, and daintree up north.
Hope you get the offer again :)
I did book another cruise to Australia for next year, similar but different. This one is 30 days from Seattle to Brisbane.Quote: JohnnyQWho knows, maybe I will even try to do this same cruise with Mrs Q next year.
My offers have dried up a bit, but Mrs Q is getting some great offers, and that's how we booked this one. We are also planning to do a couple more cruises in '23.
Quote: JohnnyQI did book another cruise to Australia for next year, similar but different. This one is 30 days from Seattle to Brisbane.Quote: JohnnyQWho knows, maybe I will even try to do this same cruise with Mrs Q next year.
My offers have dried up a bit, but Mrs Q is getting some great offers, and that's how we booked this one. We are also planning to do a couple more cruises in '23.
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Is that 30-day the Luminosa one?
My Carnival offers have pretty much dried up.
I am boarding a “free” Royal Caribbean cruise in a couple hours though. 😎
I just checked my offers, and I can get a pretty good deal on this cruise as well. Too bad I can't take off a whole month!
I am semi-old.
One thing I like is that they are VERY upfront about how much you need to gamble to get free cruises:
Their slot selection is terrible though, IMO.
Quote: ams288I am on my Royal Caribbean cruise right now.
One thing I like is that they are VERY upfront about how much you need to gamble to get free cruises:
Their slot selection is terrible though, IMO.
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Do you need to rack up those points on this very cruise or anywhere (this is MGM, right?)?
Quote: ams288I am on my Royal Caribbean cruise right now.
One thing I like is that they are VERY upfront about how much you need to gamble to get free cruises:
Their slot selection is terrible though, IMO.
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How much coin in to get a point?
Quote: SOOPOOQuote: ams288I am on my Royal Caribbean cruise right now.
One thing I like is that they are VERY upfront about how much you need to gamble to get free cruises:
Their slot selection is terrible though, IMO.
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Do you need to rack up those points on this very cruise or anywhere (this is MGM, right?)?
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That sheet is specific to points earned on this cruise.
I think it’s $5/point on slots and $10/point on VP.
Quote: ams288Quote: SOOPOOQuote: ams288I am on my Royal Caribbean cruise right now.
One thing I like is that they are VERY upfront about how much you need to gamble to get free cruises:
Their slot selection is terrible though, IMO.
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Do you need to rack up those points on this very cruise or anywhere (this is MGM, right?)?
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That sheet is specific to points earned on this cruise.
I think it’s $5/point on slots and $10/point on VP.
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Thanks. So 1/4 million run through on VP gets the big suite and $2k free play.
Just a guess…. BEST machine is 4% house edge? So $10k loss is not that bad for the big suite and $2k free play.
Axel will text me and tell me what I’m missing!
I think most cruise ships have a couple of VP machines with 3 % payables. ams288 can say for sure for this boat when he has internet. Every little bit helps ?Quote: SOOPOOSo 1/4 million run through on VP gets the big suite and $2k free play.
Just a guess…. BEST machine is 4% house edge?
Quote: ams288I am on my Royal Caribbean cruise right now.
One thing I like is that they are VERY upfront about how much you need to gamble to get free cruises:
Their slot selection is terrible though, IMO.
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That’s awesome, I hate the guessing game.
I just got another offer that I can use up to 3 times for 46 cruise options. The offer is free cruise plus $500. I found two cruises, one to Alaska and one to Iceland that interest me. Probably going to book both.
Question for experienced cruisers, do the cruise itineraries stay roughly the same year after year? If so there is really not much more I’d be interested in as far as free cruises. I looked at carnivals site and checked out every cruise they currently offer and the only other cruises I’d be interested in would be out of Australia to the islands nearby but so far my offers don’t include those cruises.
Iceland sounds like an excellent itinerary.Quote: PokerGrinderI found two cruises, one to Alaska and one to Iceland that interest me. Probably going to book both.
And if anyone is interested, here is the latest/greatest info I rec'd for an upcoming Carnival cruise about COVID VAX requirements:
Cruising with Carnival is easy! Vaccines and testing are no longer required for cruises of 15 days or less. Although vaccines are not required, we encourage all guests 5 years of age and older to be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines, when eligible, and carry proof of vaccination.*
Certain destinations have imposed certain restrictions for unvaccinated guests and we cannot guarantee that more will be added:
Grand Turk and Cartagena, Colombia – age 18 and older will have to remain on board.
*Proof of vaccination is required if your itinerary calls on Grand Turk and Cartagena.
Quote: JohnnyQI think most cruise ships have a couple of VP machines with 3 % payables. ams288 can say for sure for this boat when he has internet. Every little bit helps ?Quote: SOOPOOSo 1/4 million run through on VP gets the big suite and $2k free play.
Just a guess…. BEST machine is 4% house edge?
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I’m not really a VP guy. Any thing specific I should look for?
Quote: ams288Quote: JohnnyQI think most cruise ships have a couple of VP machines with 3 % payables. ams288 can say for sure for this boat when he has internet. Every little bit helps ?Quote: SOOPOOSo 1/4 million run through on VP gets the big suite and $2k free play.
Just a guess…. BEST machine is 4% house edge?
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I’m not really a VP guy. Any thing specific I should look for?
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Probably the pay table for flush, straight, three of a kind, royal etc, the return to player can be calculated from that table.
Quote: ams288Quote: JohnnyQI think most cruise ships have a couple of VP machines with 3 % payables. ams288 can say for sure for this boat when he has internet. Every little bit helps ?Quote: SOOPOOSo 1/4 million run through on VP gets the big suite and $2k free play.
Just a guess…. BEST machine is 4% house edge?
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I’m not really a VP guy. Any thing specific I should look for?
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You could probably post paytable photos if you don't want to crunch the numbers.
BTW - WiFi on this ship is excellent. I can stream with no issues.
- Jacks or Better Paytable
- Bonus Poker Paytable
- Going to a higher Denom, does the paytable change between 25 cents and 1 Dollar ?
On the regular VP Machines:
- Jacks or Better Paytable
- Bonus Poker Paytable
And as previously mentioned, a Picture of the Paytable would cover it, maybe make sure it goes up at 5 coins instead of 10.
Their company's 50th Birthday, not mine.
Quote: JohnnyQOn a Spin Poker Machine:
- Jacks or Better Paytable
- Bonus Poker Paytable
- Going to a higher Denom, does the paytable change between 25 cents and 1 Dollar ?
On the regular VP Machines:
- Jacks or Better Paytable
- Bonus Poker Paytable
And as previously mentioned, a Picture of the Paytable would cover it, maybe make sure it goes up at 5 coins instead of 10.
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I looked at a Super Times Pay machine last night and remember bonus poker was 6-5. Will check the rest tonight.
Quote: JohnnyQOn a Spin Poker Machine:
- Jacks or Better Paytable
- Bonus Poker Paytable
- Going to a higher Denom, does the paytable change between 25 cents and 1 Dollar ?
On the regular VP Machines:
- Jacks or Better Paytable
- Bonus Poker Paytable
And as previously mentioned, a Picture of the Paytable would cover it, maybe make sure it goes up at 5 coins instead of 10.
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All seemed awful:
Spin Poker - min denom: 50 cents
Jacks or Better: 7-5 (at $.50, $1, and $2 denoms)
No Bonus Poker here
Regular VP:
Jacks or Better: 6-5 at $.25, 7-5 at $1
Bonus Poker: at $.25 it is 1-1-3-5-8-10, at $1 it’s 6-5
That's unusual. WHEN it is no trouble, can you take pix ?Quote: ams288Regular VP:
Jacks or Better: 6-5 at $.25, 7-5 at $1
Bonus Poker: at $.25 it is 1-1-3-5-8-10, at $1 it’s 6-5
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THANKS.
This is more just for info. I usually have to cruise with Carnival to take advantage of their offers.
Quote: JohnnyQThat's unusual. WHEN it is no trouble, can you take pix ?Quote: ams288Regular VP:
Jacks or Better: 6-5 at $.25, 7-5 at $1
Bonus Poker: at $.25 it is 1-1-3-5-8-10, at $1 it’s 6-5
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THANKS.
This is more just for info. I usually have to cruise with Carnival to take advantage of their offers.
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Sorry, never got around to taking pics. Had too much fun at CocoCay yesterday and never even made it to the casino.
Quote: ams288I am on my Royal Caribbean cruise right now.
One thing I like is that they are VERY upfront about how much you need to gamble to get free cruises:
Their slot selection is terrible though, IMO.
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So as an experiment I made it to just over 800 points (the minimum threshold for a free cruise) and stopped playing.
The next morning I woke up and this was outside my door:
If you book at the NextCruise desk while on the cruise these are free. Book when you get home and you only get $250 off.
Lots of great itineraries if you can go again before 2022 ends! But I’m already booked solid for the rest of 2022.
I did go to the NextCruise desk and booked one of the few selections available for September 2023.
What's a good strategy for earning player points in a cruise ship casino?
Quote: JackSpadeMy experience with cruise ship gambling is that the machines are tight and there no good video poker pay tables. Some of the table games are decent, with low minimums. It's also possible on many lines to charge casino play to your onboard account, which is linked to a credit card - effectively, giving you a no-fee cash advance that also earns credit card points.
What's a good strategy for earning player points in a cruise ship casino?
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That has been my experience as well on Carnival. You can find looser slots and better VP on the Strip, but you'd be hard pressed to find better tables, even Downtown.
Don't know if it's the best way, but I bear the horrible paytables and grind VP to get most of my points. I'm not sure how table play is figured, but I know it doesn't increase my points. Only slots and VP do.
Quote: JackSpadeMy experience with cruise ship gambling is that the machines are tight and there no good video poker pay tables. Some of the table games are decent, with low minimums. It's also possible on many lines to charge casino play to your onboard account, which is linked to a credit card - effectively, giving you a no-fee cash advance that also earns credit card points.
What's a good strategy for earning player points in a cruise ship casino?
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfVvW3WTrBE
Some good info.
The question is whether buying in large but not actually putting a large amount of money in play will do any good for your rating. I can see how it would since players who demonstrate the ability to bet big at any moment they might go on tilt still have more value to casinos than players who show no potential to bet big.
I always make sure to buy into a game for a healthy amount. But I get perturbed looks and comments from dealers when I then start betting at the table minimum, so "buy in large, bet small" players are frowned upon to some extent.
The first and last bets are the ones most likely to be noted. It's therefore probably a big mistake to start or finish a session at the table minimum.
if that's accurate.
Nice, that's a good thing. Hope every day is as much fun.Quote: ams288Had too much fun at CocoCay yesterday and never even made it to the casino.
Have you tried the waterslides on the ship ? The last couple cruises I have been on have had the one that launches you while you are standing up in the tube.
Yep, I had noticed that and done the same thing.Quote: JoemanIt's also possible on many lines to charge casino play to your onboard account, which is linked to a credit card - effectively, giving you a no-fee cash advance that also earns credit card points.
Pretty much did the same thing on my last cruises. I assume that big play at the 3/2 $ 25 BJ table is recognized for future cruise e-mail offers, but as a low-ish roller, I don't know firsthand.Quote: JoemanThat has been my experience as well on Carnival. You can find looser slots and better VP on the Strip, but you'd be hard pressed to find better tables, even Downtown.
Don't know if it's the best way, but I bear the horrible paytables and grind VP to get most of my points. I'm not sure how table play is figured, but I know it doesn't increase my points. Only slots and VP do.
Quote: JohnnyQNice, that's a good thing. Hope every day is as much fun.Quote: ams288Had too much fun at CocoCay yesterday and never even made it to the casino.
Have you tried the waterslides on the ship ? The last couple cruises I have been on have had the one that launches you while you are standing up in the tube.
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I always do the waterslides on the ship if they have them. So far, Mardi Gras had the best slides IMO. And I love a drop slide.
The slides on the ship I was just on were very lame. Not very fast.
I did pay the $80 to be able to go to the water park on CocoCay.
Got there as soon as they opened so there was no line and went straight to the “Daredevils Peak” (the red slide in the picture). Apparently it is the tallest slide in North America. Let me tell you - the stairs to get up there are no joke. My legs are still burning today.
I think this was actually from JackSpade's post that I quoted.Quote: JohnnyQQuote: JoemanIt's also possible on many lines to charge casino play to your onboard account, which is linked to a credit card - effectively, giving you a no-fee cash advance that also earns credit card points.
However, I will also concur and note that for Carnival, this is true for the slots, but they charge 3% for advances at the tables.
Also on Carnival, when the dealer logs you into the system, they swipe your card and enter your seat number and buy-in amount. When you leave, they key in what you leave with. I have never seen them enter any bet amount info. I have never noticed the pit boss checking or entering bet info. I guess they could have RFID chips, but I kind of doubt that.
I'm sure when I call the cruise line to redeem my offer, they'll try to get me to pay for upgrades. I'll tell them I want to upgrade to a South American cruise since I've never seen that part of the world, and they'll probably quote me the regular listed rate. I could then act offended and explain to them that as a VIP I could just call Carnival instead and ask for free a free cruise anywhere in the world with a free balcony upgrade (it's true, I could ask).
They have tons of cruises available for players: https://www.urcomped.com/profile/myoffers/#cruise
