Casino tips and tricks

[Dble]

What’s the best way to get free drinks, stays and other perks spending $$ at casino?

[Ampurp85]

Play.

The casino on board isn't like the casinos on land. On Royal you have to reach 2500pts at least to get free drinks in the casino. At that threshold you would qualify for a free cruise from a listing and an annual free cruise when the "year" ends (it goes from April 1st to March 31st of each year). 

[DoomSlayer]

The more you bet, the better the perks.  2500 points gets you to prime which means a free annual cruise and free drinks in the casino.  Points are easiest to get on the slots at 1 point per $5 bet.  Table games are the slowest and the rate you earn points is complicated and up to the pit boss who is working that night.  Also, the casino seems to value slot players the most.  I play slots, average about 1500 points per trip, and maintain prime each year; they send me multiple vouchers for free cruises at a rate of at least one or two a month -- many with offers for free balconies.  Unfortunately, I get more free cruise offers than I have vacation time.  I usually cruise about 4 times a year on casino comps.

[Ampurp85]

@DoomSlayer I find the free offers to be hit or miss. I have maintained my prime status, cruise around 4+ times a year, and average 1700-2000pt a cruise, and I get maybe 1 offer a year. While my bffs mother cruised only once a year averaging 800pt and gets the monthly offers. She never made prime but consistently since 2021 she gets offers every month. We are both slot players.

[BigKarl]

I am guessing that the Comp Cruises do not gain C&A points?  I do not Gamble at all because I have terrible luck!  When my ship does comes in I will most likely be stuck at the Airport.

[Ampurp85]

Just now, BigKarl said:

I am guessing that the Comp Cruises do not gain C&A points?  I do not Gamble at all because I have terrible luck!  When my ship does comes in I will most likely be stuck at the Airport.

They actually do. I made it to D+ on comped cruises.

[DoomSlayer]

26 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

@DoomSlayer I find the free offers to be hit or miss. I have maintained my prime status, cruise around 4+ times a year, and average 1700-2000pt a cruise, and I get maybe 1 offer a year. While my bffs mother cruised only once a year averaging 800pt and gets the monthly offers. She never made prime but consistently since 2021 she gets offers every month. We are both slot players.

I don't know their secret sauce, but I suspect they monitor not just the points, bet also the average bet size.  My typical bet is between $5 to $10 per spin depending on the game and I get awesome offers with good rooms monthly.  I have 4 active offers right now for balconies.  My wife on the other hand usually plays the minimum and does not get great offers, usually just dollars off or maybe an interior once in a while.  I also get a lot of offers from Vegas casinos and even Winstar in Oklahoma (just say no to that one) for free rooms and suites.  Perhaps they cross share information through lead generators.

Adding a data point: I also usually upgrade my offers when I do use them, maybe they see that as additional income potential from the offer.

[ScottD]

1 hour ago, DoomSlayer said:

I don't know their secret sauce, but I suspect they monitor not just the points, bet also the average bet size.  My typical bet is between $5 to $10 per spin depending on the game and I get awesome offers with good rooms monthly.  I have 4 active offers right now for balconies.  My wife on the other hand usually plays the minimum and does not get great offers, usually just dollars off or maybe an interior once in a while.  I also get a lot of offers from Vegas casinos and even Winstar in Oklahoma (just say no to that one) for free rooms and suites.  Perhaps they cross share information through lead generators.

Adding a data point: I also usually upgrade my offers when I do use them, maybe they see that as additional income potential from the offer.

Well you are going to get more points, more quickly if you are betting large amounts at a time. The points go by amount passed through the machine, so you are going to accumulate more points per spin than others, in addition to you playing through more money if you hit on those higher bets and continue to spin. 

[DoomSlayer]

6 minutes ago, ScottD said:

Well you are going to get more points, more quickly if you are betting large amounts at a time. The points go by amount passed through the machine, so you are going to accumulate more points per spin than others, in addition to you playing through more money if you hit on those higher bets and continue to spin. 

I do get them more quickly than my wife, but I get bored quickly too, so I have a lot less play time than my wife.  I really don't lose too much to be honest and I find value in the casino comps that exceeds my losses, so for me it is a win.

[Dble]

On 11/19/2023 at 10:46 AM, Dble said:

What’s the best way to get free drinks, stays and other perks spending $$ at casino?

Thanks for all this great info. Do you need cash for casino play? Or can you charge your play on your ship card like everything else on board?

[Ampurp85]

15 minutes ago, Dble said:

Thanks for all this great info. Do you need cash for casino play? Or can you charge your play on your ship card like everything else on board?

You can charge. I think the only thing that actually needs cash is the quarter pusher game.

[DoomSlayer]

30 minutes ago, Dble said:

Thanks for all this great info. Do you need cash for casino play? Or can you charge your play on your ship card like everything else on board?

What @Ampurp85 said. But be careful to stick to a budget as it is always easy to keep charging the room.  Also, if you do charge it, it will add to the hold placed on your card after you disembark and it will not clear for a week or so after you are charged your final payment.  Make sure you have a high enough credit limit on your card to support this hold.

[Raquel121]

On 11/20/2023 at 8:31 AM, BigKarl said:

I am guessing that the Comp Cruises do not gain C&A points?  I do not Gamble at all because I have terrible luck!  When my ship does comes in I will most likely be stuck at the Airport.

No that's not correct at all! Comp cruises absolutely get points. Points are based on number of nights cruised, not on how much you paid. 

[CrznTxn]

On 11/20/2023 at 10:32 AM, Ampurp85 said:

They actually do. I made it to D+ on comped cruises.

All our cruises are casino comp through the wife's Signature status. My Prime status gives me free drinks but since I do not play much (only enough to maintain Prime for the next year) the best offers, when they come, are only for $100 off a cruise. We do combine our yearly offers to get a Jr Suite once a year but the rest of the time we are in lower cabins.

[edobkin]

On 11/19/2023 at 11:58 PM, DoomSlayer said:

The more you bet, the better the perks.  2500 points gets you to prime which means a free annual cruise and free drinks in the casino.  Points are easiest to get on the slots at 1 point per $5 bet.  Table games are the slowest and the rate you earn points is complicated and up to the pit boss who is working that night.  Also, the casino seems to value slot players the most.  I play slots, average about 1500 points per trip, and maintain prime each year; they send me multiple vouchers for free cruises at a rate of at least one or two a month -- many with offers for free balconies.  Unfortunately, I get more free cruise offers than I have vacation time.  I usually cruise about 4 times a year on casino comps.

About how much should I plan to spend if I want to be in a similar position to you? I feel like the wife and I have been missing out on ways to cruise more by not spending any time in the casinos. We like to gamble for fun, and would not be expecting to hit jackpots, we would just want to position ourselves to be offered comped or discounted cruises so that we can take more trips. Thanks!

[billdauterive]

58 minutes ago, edobkin said:

About how much should I plan to spend if I want to be in a similar position to you? I feel like the wife and I have been missing out on ways to cruise more by not spending any time in the casinos. We like to gamble for fun, and would not be expecting to hit jackpots, we would just want to position ourselves to be offered comped or discounted cruises so that we can take more trips. Thanks!

There's too many variables and unknowns from Royal to really answer this question fully.  But if you limit the question to trying to earn about 1500 points per cruise by slots you can get an semi-realistic answer.  1500 points on slots would be $7500 of coin in across the entire cruise.  Obviously slots will pay back a certain percentage of coin in.  No one knows the exact amount as it varies by machine and Royal isn't exactly going to give out that information but I believe the best guess from people more knowledgeable about slots than me is around 80%.  So on average, your coin in of $7500 would have an expected payback of $6000 which means it would cost about $1500 on average to get 1500 points (on 80% payback machines).  However, average payout doesn't mean it will actually cost you that amount as there are extreme outliers factored into the average.  It's possible (though unlikely) that you could got through all $7500 coin in and not win anything, so it would actually cost $7500 to get 1500 points.  You could also win on every single spin so then it would cost you $0 (and in fact you would win more money than you put in) to get to 1500 points.

TLDR; average is probably around $1500 for 1500 points (assuming 80% payback), but could theoretically be net positive or cost up to $7500 every cruise.

[Jolly Ogre]

59 minutes ago, billdauterive said:

There's too many variables and unknowns from Royal to really answer this question fully.  But if you limit the question to trying to earn about 1500 points per cruise by slots you can get an semi-realistic answer.  1500 points on slots would be $7500 of coin in across the entire cruise.  Obviously slots will pay back a certain percentage of coin in.  No one knows the exact amount as it varies by machine and Royal isn't exactly going to give out that information but I believe the best guess from people more knowledgeable about slots than me is around 80%.  So on average, your coin in of $7500 would have an expected payback of $6000 which means it would cost about $1500 on average to get 1500 points (on 80% payback machines).  However, average payout doesn't mean it will actually cost you that amount as there are extreme outliers factored into the average.  It's possible (though unlikely) that you could got through all $7500 coin in and not win anything, so it would actually cost $7500 to get 1500 points.  You could also win on every single spin so then it would cost you $0 (and in fact you would win more money than you put in) to get to 1500 points.

TLDR; average is probably around $1500 for 1500 points (assuming 80% payback), but could theoretically be net positive or cost up to $7500 every cruise.

And that is just pre-paying for a cruise.

[TXCoastPatriot]

3 hours ago, billdauterive said:

So on average, your coin in of $7500 would have an expected payback of $6000 which means it would cost about $1500 on average to get 1500 points

I totally agree @billdauterive.  
I track my casino points daily and record them for each cruise. My “points/dollar” range from .61 to 3.66 points earned per dollar spent (lost).  On average my ratio is ~1.75 points/dollar spent.

I try to hit the 6,000 point mark each cruise when building points or wanting a decent Instant Cruise Certificate, so take a bankroll north of $3000.

I found my points/dollar ratio vary wildly from ship to ship. My worst experience is on the Wonder and Harmony.  My best ratio was on the Voyager. Unfortunately, my home port is Galveston and the Harmony is there until March ‘26.  Will try to change my luck on the Harmony April 14 for the start of a new casino season.

[Cakemeister]

19 hours ago, TXCoastPatriot said:

I totally agree @billdauterive.  
I track my casino points daily and record them for each cruise. My “points/dollar” range from .61 to 3.66 points earned per dollar spent (lost).  On average my ratio is ~1.75 points/dollar spent.

I try to hit the 6,000 point mark each cruise when building points or wanting a decent Instant Cruise Certificate, so take a bankroll north of $3000.

I found my points/dollar ratio vary wildly from ship to ship. My worst experience is on the Wonder and Harmony.  My best ratio was on the Voyager. Unfortunately, my home port is Galveston and the Harmony is there until March ‘26.  Will try to change my luck on the Harmony April 14 for the start of a new casino season.

Your 1.75 number corresponds to a payout of about 88.6%. If the programmed payout is 85%, you're doing well!

[TXCoastPatriot]

21 minutes ago, Cakemeister said:

85%, you're doing well!

Agree, a 1.75 pts/$ ratio is decent.  However when I have weeks where my pts/$ ratio is .61; .90; and .91. it is painful and extremely frustrating.

$3K disappears quickly.

[billdauterive]

I know I've mentioned it before but I play craps to get my points.  Yes the tables are much more variable as far as the points you earn go, but if you can stay on top of the pit boss for average bet and see the casino host to ensure your time at the table is accurate a lot of the volatility is negated.  Personally my overall average was around 3 points / dollar this past casino year, but like slots it was very volatile on individual cruises.  Anywhere from plus money or break even to 1/2 point per dollar on a really bad luck sailing (@Matt was on that one so I blame him...)

If anyone is interested in playing craps for points, I recommend watching Bryan at the Holy Rollr on youtube.  I'll play variations of his Light in the Darkness strategy if I'm just concerned with earning points and not necessarily trying to win big.  https://www.youtube.com/@holyrollr

[DoomSlayer]

On 4/1/2024 at 2:20 PM, billdauterive said:

There's too many variables and unknowns from Royal to really answer this question fully.  But if you limit the question to trying to earn about 1500 points per cruise by slots you can get an semi-realistic answer.  1500 points on slots would be $7500 of coin in across the entire cruise.  Obviously slots will pay back a certain percentage of coin in.  No one knows the exact amount as it varies by machine and Royal isn't exactly going to give out that information but I believe the best guess from people more knowledgeable about slots than me is around 80%.  So on average, your coin in of $7500 would have an expected payback of $6000 which means it would cost about $1500 on average to get 1500 points (on 80% payback machines).  However, average payout doesn't mean it will actually cost you that amount as there are extreme outliers factored into the average.  It's possible (though unlikely) that you could got through all $7500 coin in and not win anything, so it would actually cost $7500 to get 1500 points.  You could also win on every single spin so then it would cost you $0 (and in fact you would win more money than you put in) to get to 1500 points.

TLDR; average is probably around $1500 for 1500 points (assuming 80% payback), but could theoretically be net positive or cost up to $7500 every cruise.

Pretty good logic and reasoning.  Just got off Symphony and I went through about $1100 to get 1500 points this time around.  Just enough to get the free instant cruise certificate I wanted and a good start towards maintaining prime for the next casino year.  I actually waited to start playing until 6pm on April 1 so all of my points would count for the new year.  I've had trips where it cost me $700 to achieve the same level of points, and trips where it cost me $2000 to get the same points.

[Rackham]

Two videos which future gamblers doing it for the comps might find helpful for understanding slots.

How Slot Machines ACTUALLY Work From a Slot Tech and Engineer - Gamble Smart - https://youtu.be/bjXhjbf1M4o

Truth of Cruise Ship Slots Leave your cruise a WINNER! Don't make this mistake!  - Cowboy Slots - https://youtu.be/b_dwe5Ha2UA

As an aside, based on the point accumulation rules and Royal's typical video poker tables I've seen, whether playing slots or perfect video poker, gamblers will lose approximately the same amount of money either way. If you're in the casino just for the comps, might as well skip the video poker (and learning perfect play) for slots.

[WAAAYTOOO]

Dan just downloaded the comp sheets from the casino (EX 4-5-24). Surprisingly, the 2500 level list has disappeared.  It jumps from 2000 to 3000 points.  Seems a bit shady since the 2500 point threshold for making Prime was previously a logical goal. The lower-level comps have always been weak but they’re really bad now.  Nothing much at all until 2-3000.

If anybody wants to see them let me know and I will try and upload them. I’m terrible at this stuff but I’ll give it a go…

[Ampurp85]

1 minute ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

Dan just downloaded the comp sheets from the casino (EX 4-5-24). Surprisingly, the 2500 level list has disappeared.  It jumps from 2000 to 3000 points.  Seems a bit shady since the 2500 point threshold for making Prime was previously a logical goal. The lower-level comps have always been weak but they’re really bad now.  Nothing much at all until 2-3000.

If anybody wants to see them let me know and I will try and upload them. I’m terrible at this stuff but I’ll give it a go…

I thought I was going crazy. Since last Oct, I haven't seen the 2500pts, it just goes from 2k-3k. 

I found the trick for looking up the comp sheets on the website. You just go to "Certificate Offer code Look up" and it is year, month, the letter C and level. So 2404C06, should be 1500pt level of cruises. 

[SplashOfWater]

The instant rewards lists change every month. There is one set of lists for the 3-5 nt cruises and another set for the 6+ nt cruises. Not vastly different but slightly better offerings on the 3-5 nt lists because it's more difficult to earn the same level of points on a shorter cruise. We've seen Icon listed on the 3-5 nt lists (starting at the 6500 pt level) but not on any of the 6+ nt lists. 

[SplashOfWater]

8 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

I found the trick for looking up the comp sheets on the website. You just go to "Certificate Offer code Look up" and it is year, month, the letter C and level. So 2404C06, should be 1500pt level of cruises. 

FYI...The letter C lists are for the 6+ nt cruises. Use the letter A for the 3-5 nt lists...2404A06 in your example.

[TXCoastPatriot]

11 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

Seems a bit shady since the 2500 point threshold for making Prime was previously a logical goal.

Great Point!  As gamblers, we are all sensitive to changes in comp programs, whether land based or cruise ship casinos...and rightfully so.  With the new Casino Royale "season" starting, we all need to be watchful and inquisitive especially word from casino hosts, then openly share that information on this site.  As with you, I am suspicious Royal will move the bar in their favor.  

[Ampurp85]

3 hours ago, SplashOfWater said:

FYI...The letter C lists are for the 6+ nt cruises. Use the letter A for the 3-5 nt lists...2404A06 in your example.

Thanks, just to clarify your post to others. The C is put in when you are sailing 6+ nights and the A when its shorter than that. 

[SplashOfWater]

7 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

Thanks, just to clarify your post to others. The C is put in when you are sailing 6+ nights and the A when its shorter than that. 

Correct. Thanks!

[DZ_Da_Dude]

On 11/20/2023 at 10:35 AM, DoomSlayer said:

I don't know their secret sauce, but I suspect they monitor not just the points, bet also the average bet size.  My typical bet is between $5 to $10 per spin depending on the game and I get awesome offers with good rooms monthly.  I have 4 active offers right now for balconies.  My wife on the other hand usually plays the minimum and does not get great offers, usually just dollars off or maybe an interior once in a while.  I also get a lot of offers from Vegas casinos and even Winstar in Oklahoma (just say no to that one) for free rooms and suites.  Perhaps they cross share information through lead generators.

Adding a data point: I also usually upgrade my offers when I do use them, maybe they see that as additional income potential from the offer.

What's wrong with Winstar? Last few times I went there I did ok.

[billdauterive]

4 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

Thanks, just to clarify your post to others. The C is put in when you are sailing 6+ nights and the A when its shorter than that. 

Here's a more detailed post about generating the offer code I made a little while ago.

 

[billdauterive]

Quote

 

Just in case anyone is curious, you can look up the current (and previous) instant reward certificates to see what's available for yourself.

http://clubroyaleoffers.com/CertificateOfferCodeLookUp.asp

The code format for instants certs is: (2 digit year) (2 digit month) ("A" - 5 or less night cruise, "C" - 6+ night cruise) (07 - 1200 points, 06 - 1500 points, 05 - 2000 points, 04 - 3000 points, 03A - 4000 points, 03 - 6500 points, 02A - 9000 points, 02 - 15000 points, 01 - 25000 points).

So for example, if you want to look up the 1500 point for short sailings ending in Feb '24, the code would be 2402a06.  If you want to look up the 4000 point long sailings ending Jan '24, the code would be 2401c03a.

 

[DoomSlayer]

10 hours ago, DZ_Da_Dude said:

What's wrong with Winstar? Last few times I went there I did ok.

Winstar kills me with their forced antes to play blackjack and other table games and a lot of their slot machines are still level 2 slots, so just glorified bingo games.  (Their newer slots are level 3, but they still have too much invested in the older ones to just get rid of them).  It really takes games that already have odds stacked against the players and makes the odds extremely stacked against the player.

[DoomSlayer]

15 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

...

The lower-level comps have always been weak but they’re really bad now.

...

Mostly Agree.  The 1500 certificate was full of 3 and 4 night party trips to the Bahamas out of Florida or to Mexico out of LA.  They did have a couple of interesting 7-night Alaska and Canada cruises though which I am seriously thinking about for a change of scenery away from the Caribbean.  I was sad that there was nothing out of Galveston as that is my homeport.

[WAAAYTOOO]

We’ve been browsing the 2,000-3,000 lists and it’s very clear that they are holding all of the big ships for 3,000+…at least, for FL departures.  It’s not clear to us quite yet whether or not Dan will push through to the 3,000 level or not.  The offers are definitely much better at 3,000.

[billdauterive]

5 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

We’ve been browsing the 2,000-3,000 lists and it’s very clear that they are holding all of the big ships for 3,000+…at least, for FL departures.  It’s not clear to us quite yet whether or not Dan will push through to the 3,000 level or not.  The offers are definitely much better at 3,000.

Yep, I've found that 2000+ for short sailings and 3000+ for longer sailings is usually the point where the offers start getting significantly better.  I definitely have the same ongoing struggles of whether its worth it to push to the next level sometimes if the casino isn't treating me well that sailing (and most times it wasn't worth it when I do push through...)

[billdauterive]

13 hours ago, DoomSlayer said:

The 1500 certificate was full of 3 and 4 night party trips to the Bahamas out of Florida or to Mexico out of LA. 

I feel like the 1500 options have gone downhill the past few months.  I used to be fine with that level (at least on short cruises) but you're right that it seems like its mostly just 3/4 night interior sailings out of Miami or LA now.

13 hours ago, DoomSlayer said:

I was sad that there was nothing out of Galveston as that is my homeport.

Yeah I don't get why there aren't more Galveston options available.  The prices and occupancy rate seems the same or lower than most of the itineraries that are on the list.  The only thing I can think of is they want to keep the "lower" level offers to just 3 night weekend or 4 night weekday and Galveston is mostly 4 night weekend / 5 night weekday sailings for the shorter itineraries.