Royal Caribbean slots/table conditions

Hi everybody,

I was wondering if I can get some help with some info on the casino in the Royal Caribbean BJ table survey. GF and I are going to take up on the cruise offer from Mlife and I was wondering if the tables in RC cruise are worth spending time. I don't want to take a bank roll (or even bother) if it's poor playing conditions like (6/5, no DAS), and I can't seem to find reliable sources on google. Also, are slots odd even crummier on a cruise ship, or about the same in Vegas? Any tips on gambling or cruising on RC would be helpful. This will be my first cruise, so I don't know what to expect.

Quote: SiegfriedRoy

Hi everybody,

I was wondering if I can get some help with some info on the casino in the Royal Caribbean BJ table survey. GF and I are going to take up on the cruise offer from Mlife and I was wondering if the tables in RC cruise are worth spending time. I don't want to take a bank roll (or even bother) if it's poor playing conditions like (6/5, no DAS), and I can't seem to find reliable sources on google. Also, are slots odd even crummier on a cruise ship, or about the same in Vegas? Any tips on gambling or cruising on RC would be helpful. This will be my first cruise, so I don't know what to expect.

Been a year and a half since last RC cruise so info may be dated.
I played BJ, seemed a decent game for a cruise line. H17, 3:2, Split to 4, DAS, Dbl any 2, NS, NRA 1 card each. Dealt from a six or eight deck shoe, two stack shuffler. Was NOT CSM. Don't count, can't speak to penetration.
Lost my a$$ 3 of the 4 nights I played. $10 Min, $500 Max, which I thought was bizarre. I've since seen worse.
Example, Victory from JAX or Canaveral is $5/$200, $10/$200, $25/$500, EFF THEM!

They have a Players Club, and a card, but I've never heard a thing from them since (not the Players Club, I get the standard email bombardment that anyone that has ever sailed with them gets). I can't speak to the other games, specifically your slots question. Wish there was better info on cruise line gambling available, by Line. I've looked alot.

I got another one of these RC cruises coming in a couple months. They remembered me. Gave me quite a deal (free balcony SUITE), but only because I asked, Sparkles had just gotten the 'standard current sale deal'...and IIRC RC actually operates their own onboard casinos as opposed to contracting them out.

Hopefully others will chime in with info. And you pls report back. Maybe others can speak to the info ALL would like to know about the various games. I have now appointed you as 'Scout' ;-)

Where you going by the way, what length, from what port? Nosy Feathers

<edit> Either they cheat or I fell well outside 3 SD's. (Typo make that 2 SD's). Silly Feathers is going back ;-)

2feathers

I have not picked a cruise yet. We are looking at taking the Western or Eastern Caribbean trip (7 day Oasis of the seas). It's good to hear they're not doing anything silly like 6:5 BJ. $25-500 is not much of a range, but since I don't count that will do. I will scout if i do go in Oct. Just curious...it it better to take cash, or just use the standard charge line they give to you that will charge your credit card at the end of the cruise?

They weren't doing anything weird THEN, except their bet spread limits, that I noticed. They weren't cheating, that was a joke, most of the people at the table were doing 'as expected'. Or they are 'really good cheats' ;-).

It wasn't Oasis of Seas last time, but it IS this time. 6500 passengers, OMG!. No telling what wife/Sparkles has gotten me into. Last time on RC was Explorer of the Seas, she liked the idea of the ice skating rink (sigh ;-). And dates, Port of Departure, destinations worked with her plan and the kid's school schedule, admittedly.

Western vs Eastern, meh. I prefer Eastern (more possible destinations) and I had a timeshare in Cancun for 25 years previously. Most western just feel alot like Cancun to me, with a couple of notable exceptions! When you pick a trip let me know, I can talk about some of the shore excursions. I think our next one ( in Nov) is Haiti private island, Jamaica, Cozumel. First two are new for me, you may be looking at the same ones since it's the same ship.

Don't win too much. Land based they throw you outside on the sidewalk. At sea it's over the rail ;-)

I don't know about RC, but on Princess, I buy all my chips with my stateroom account. They don't charge a fee, so I actually get a little bonus from my 1.5% cash back on my credit card. Most people don't know, but it is a free ATM, since you can buy chips or even deposit money to a slot and then cash out right away.

Are you sure that it doesn't show as a cash advance on your credit card? I think I temeber soecifically a Gwae podcast that they spoke about this loophole being closed but I might be totally wrong

Quote: Wizardofnothing

Are you sure that it doesn't show as a cash advance on your credit card? I think I temeber soecifically a Gwae podcast that they spoke about this loophole being closed but I might be totally wrong

No, they charged it as just another purchase on the credit card at the end of the cruise.

I have also heard they have been eliminating that option but I don't know if all the cruise lines have done it yet.

I forgot to respond to the Op's question about cash.
CrystalMath gave an insight, might depend on Cruise Line, and Credit Card details/terms, meantioned Princess Lines.
My one experience w/RC, I set-up a LOC in advance, was easy to do, I didn't have to carry big cash out of the USA. I didn't have to worry about bringing any significant amounts back, unfortunately ;-(

More recently I did a Norwegian Cruise compliments of CET/Total Rewards. Wasn't planning on playing much, bankroll ( wife approved bankroll that is ) pretty much exhausted after 3 bad runs in a row back on land. But I took $500, won $1800 in a couple days, then lost $2300. Pee'd off, went back a couple days later and they charged me 3.5% on an advance against my room (backed by credit card). I pitched a bit of a hissy fit, to no avail. My advances on Carnival and RC previously were 0%. I took the money, more than I needed as it turned out, paid the darn 3.5%, and still more than re-couped my loses. I tipped the dealers and servers more than I came home ahead, but that was before I came home ahead ;-) Washed out OK, a little positive. Still pee'd about the 3.5%, just out of principle. They served decent scotch very quickly however.....

But that was Norwegian, you asked about Royal Caribbean, CM chimed in about Princess, and I have rambled now and then about Carnival. If I were a Wizard I'd figure out how to concentrate Cruise Line casino info into some better category than, than, than, I don't even know where all it is scattered at the moment ;-) Just 2F

Oh, Oh! The Wiz asked a few months ago about a new project. Yes! Cruise your a$$ off, write reviews, scout the games. Arrange for WOV group discounts, that's the ticket....you don't get seasick do you Wiz?

I was on Liberty of the Seas in March. Here are my notes:

Ultimate Texas Hold 'em: Trips: 7-6-4-3 table. $5 min/$1 Trips min.
3CP $10 min, 6-3-1 Pair Plus, 4-3-1 Ante Table
3 BJ tables, $10-$300, $15-$300, $25-$500. All of them 8 decks, Pen 88%(!), H17 DA2 DAS xSU
SD 6-5, $10-$300. Didn't check out any other rules once I saw 6-5.
Craps Single odds!

There was also a non smoking section with roughly the same selection.

You're supposed to give them your room key to play. No, I don't know why. I can tell you that after I ran $100 to $700 in a single shoe, the pit boss was right there at my table when I returned the next afternoon. (He watched me promptly drop $200 in quite short order.)

The slots are pretty much what you'd find in Vegas. Video poker was, naturally, crummy (no better than 8-5 on any table, any game, any denomination).

Off-Gambling: Consider the Ultimate Drinks package. You get any drink under $12 as part of the package, but you also get a refillable travel cup. While my husband and I didn't always have a drink on our hand, that refillable cup was CONSTANTLY filled with water.

You'll have a great time!

Quote: gameshowfan

I was on Liberty of the Seas in March. Here are my notes:

Ultimate Texas Hold 'em: Trips: 7-6-4-3 table. $5 min/$1 Trips min.
3CP $10 min, 6-3-1 Pair Plus, 4-3-1 Ante Table
3 BJ tables, $10-$300, $15-$300, $25-$500. All of them 8 decks, Pen 88%(!), H17 DA2 DAS xSU
SD 6-5, $10-$300. Didn't check out any other rules once I saw 6-5.
Craps Single odds!

I'd rather jump overboard into a school of sharks than play any of these lousy games.

That would definitely be more negative ev then playing those games

Quote: CrystalMath

I don't know about RC, but on Princess, I buy all my chips with my stateroom account. They don't charge a fee, so I actually get a little bonus from my 1.5% cash back on my credit card. Most people don't know, but it is a free ATM, since you can buy chips or even deposit money to a slot and then cash out right away.

I was on the Carnival Paradise a few weeks ago. I did not do an advance to my room, but I did see people doing that. At the tables, they would charge you a fee (3% maybe?). However, it seemed like if you did an advance on one of the slot machines, there was no fee.

They also had regular ATM's with a $7 flat fee. But, since my bank refunds ATM fees, that's what I used to get cash.

While I'm here, I'd like to rant about VP paytables on board. They seriously suck! 6/5 JoB? I think the best games might bump 95%. Why? I never did see many people playing, and the vast majority play horribly.

A kid next to me was single coining, and doing things like holding an A kicker with his pair of 7's. He watched me for a while, and then asked me for advice. Nice kid, I gave him a few tips -- including visiting WoO! Not sure if I did him any favors, tho. I really have no idea about strategy variations with those paytables.

Although, that brings me to the fact that a cruise ship seems to me to be the best place to gamble with respect to the clientele. Most folks on the ship are just there to have a good time. Everyone is in a good mood. Nobody is begging you for money. Very few, if any, folks get upset with your blackjack plays. The kid next to you thanks you for the help, even when he goes bust following the VP strategy you suggested.

Quote: gameshowfan

I was on Liberty of the Seas in March. Here are my notes:

Ultimate Texas Hold 'em: Trips: 7-6-4-3 table. $5 min/$1 Trips min.
3CP $10 min, 6-3-1 Pair Plus, 4-3-1 Ante Table
3 BJ tables, $10-$300, $15-$300, $25-$500. All of them 8 decks, Pen 88%(!), H17 DA2 DAS xSU
SD 6-5, $10-$300. Didn't check out any other rules once I saw 6-5.
Craps Single odds!

That just sucks, just simply sucks! I knew I didn't want to go on another cruise ;-(

Quote: Ibeatyouraces

I'd rather jump overboard into a school of sharks than play any of these lousy games.

Dunno, that pen is pretty sweet on the BJ game. Doesn't take much of a spread to win when they're going that deep.

Quote: sabre

Dunno, that pen is pretty sweet on the BJ game. Doesn't take much of a spread to win when they're going that deep.

careful. the wiz got back off on a cruise ship for counting.

how big of a spread were u doing?

Quote: 100xOdds

careful. the wiz got back off on a cruise ship for counting.

how big of a spread were u doing?

Probably just 10-100 for a few hours. I could see bet spreading sticking out like a sore thumb on a cruise ship though. The average player probably rarely presses bets.

Having been on 10+ Carnival cruises the best EV, other than a few good dealers, is watching people play that cash crane game. It's just like the crane for stuffed animals (not sure if they're high quality plushes, or not) only its 100 dollars wrapped in plastic. On one of the last days I saw a guy in the gym who I'd seen playing the game heavily. I asked him how he was doing overall. He said he had lost around 800 iirc. He was only 21 and was sad cause that was money he had saved to buy a car. Don't be like him, kids.

A cruise on Royal Caribbean appears to be in my future.

Single odds at Craps appears to be what to expect. What kind of minimums?

UTH may be the way to go? Can they mess with the regular paytables? I don't play the Trips bet.

Quote: odiousgambit

A cruise on Royal Caribbean appears to be in my future.

Single odds at Craps appears to be what to expect. What kind of minimums?

UTH may be the way to go? Can they mess with the regular paytables? I don't play the Trips bet.

When are you planning to go (what month)? Got a ship, itinerary picked?

Quote: TwoFeathersATL

When are you planning to go (what month)? Got a ship, itinerary picked?

We might meet up? I'll pm you

here is the page that seems to suggest all ships will have the same thing; I hadn't looked at the 'poker' category, but I see now that Ultimate Texas Holdem is going to be offered*. I think that means the trips bet can and no doubt will blow as for paytable, but that the regular paytables [which is all I will encounter] can be expected to be the same as anywhere [not allowed to differ?]

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/experiencetypes/category.do?pagename=onboard_cat_casino

*Edit: oops, reading it again, no guarantee that UTH will be available

Quote: odiousgambit

Ultimate Texas Holdem... regular paytables [not side bet] ... can be expected to be the same ... ?

always the same everywhere? in particular I'd like to know if this is a fact

All Blind pay tables are the same. Only the Trips vary.

thanks

I am concluding UTH is going to be better than single odds Craps