One of the questions I get asked most often is, "How are you taking so many Royal Caribbean cruises?"
Over one casino year, we took six Royal Caribbean cruises, stayed in suites we'd never normally book, and brought family and friends along. In total, we spent $9,634 out of pocket.
How did I do it? The answer is simple: Royal Caribbean's Club Royale. Gambling, while dangerous and addictive, ended up saving my family money because of how we strategically used the casino loyalty program.
I want to start by saying that everyone's experience will be different. What worked for my husband and me may not work for someone else. Some people lose more money, some lose less, and some walk away ahead. This is simply a look at our experience over the past casino year.
Disclaimer: The casino is not for everyone. This is simply my personal experience with Royal Caribbean's Club Royale program. Gambling is always risky, and the casino is designed to make money. If you have a gambling problem or think you may be developing one, please call The National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER (426-2537).
Understanding the Club Royale Year
The Club Royale casino year runs from April 1st through March 31st of the following year. To reach Prime status, you need to earn 2,500 casino points.
My husband and I primarily play slot machines, where you earn approximately 1 point for every $5 cycled through the machine. That means reaching Prime requires roughly $12,500 in coin-in (money run through the machine).
A common misconception is that you need to spend $12,500 to earn Prime. In reality, the same money can be played over and over again throughout a cruise. Wins are frequently recycled back into the machines, which helps generate points without necessarily spending the full amount out of pocket.
Our 2025-2026 Cruise Year
During one casino year, we sailed on:
- 9 Nights on Liberty of the Seas
- 7 Nights on Star of the Seas
- 7 Nights on Harmony of the Seas (2 cabins)
- 6 Nights on Oasis of the Seas
- 7 Nights on Independence of the Seas (2 cabins)
- 7 Nights on Icon of the Seas (2 cabins)
The extra cabins allowed us to bring family and friends along. For example, on Harmony of the Seas, we brought friends who only paid taxes and fees. On Independence of the Seas, we brought my stepson and mother-in-law, and on Icon of the Seas, we brought another set of friends.
Plus, something many cruisers don't realize is that Club Royale players can sometimes combine offers (subject to availability and terms and conditions).
For example, on our Oasis of the Seas sailing, I had an oceanview offer while my husband had a balcony offer. By working with Club Royale, we were able to upgrade to a Crown Loft Suite and pay only the taxes and fees. That single suite would have cost thousands of dollars if booked outright!
What We Actually Spent
Casino Losses: $6,329.48
- My total casino loss for the year: $4,698.96
- My husband's total casino loss for the year: $1,630.52
Taxes and Fees: $3,305.34
- Liberty of the Seas: $486.68
- Star of the Seas: $268.34
- Harmony of the Seas (Cabin #1): $279.12
- Harmony of the Seas (Cabin #2): $279.12
- Oasis of the Seas: $305.04
- Independence of the Seas (Cabin #1): $451.36
- Independence of the Seas (Cabin #2): $451.36
- Icon of the Seas (Cabin #1): $392.16
- Icon of the Seas (Cabin #2): $392.16
Grand Total: $9,634.82
- Total casino losses: $6,329.48
- Total taxes and fees: $3,305.34
Putting the Numbers Into Perspective
To better understand the value of my Club Royale offers, I looked up the retail pricing of just a few of the cruises we sailed:
- Oasis of the Seas Crown Loft Suite: Over $7,500 for two people
- Icon of the Seas: Over $4,000 for two people
- Star of the Seas: Over $5,000 for two people
Those three cruises alone would have cost more than our entire annual out-of-pocket spending through Club Royale. And that's before considering the additional cruises, extra cabins for family and friends, complimentary offers, and other casino benefits.
Is Club Royale Worth It?
For us, the answer is yes. We enjoy spending time in the casino while cruising, and the offers we've received have dramatically reduced the cost of our vacations.
Not only that, but we've been able to stay in cabins we would never normally book and bring family and friends along for experiences they otherwise might not have had.
That said, gambling is entertainment, not an investment strategy. Never gamble more than you can afford to lose, and never chase losses. The casino can be a fun part of a cruise vacation, but it should never become a financial burden.
My experience is only one example, and your results may be completely different. Some players receive better offers, some receive worse offers, and everyone's gambling habits and luck vary.
For our family, Club Royale has helped us create incredible memories while spending far less than we would have paid booking the same cruises at retail prices.
