How do you get to prime?

[brendapee]

How much does it typically cost to get to prime?  I've only just reached 400 points over 2 cruises so I'm still a ways off.  My 3rd cruise is in February and wondering if I should keep playing for points or just wait till after April 1st to try again to get to prime. Advice?

[WhereIsPortSide]

Honestly, you will need to play considerably more than you have on your previous 2 cruises. I would just play like you normally do, purely for the enjoyment, and not stress over making Prime this year. 

For slots, you need to cycle through $5 to get one point. So, you will need to cycle through $12,500 within the earning year to get the 2500 points needed for Prime. Whether you win, lose, or break even to get there is unanswerable. The more you win along the way, the less out of pocket money it will cost you. Keep it fun and don't get caught up with points...unless you are right on the verge of reaching a milestone. 

[tonyfsu21]

Also to add to the statement above. Don’t waste the time and effort involved unless you actually enjoy gambling and would spend an excessive amount of time in the casino anyway. To me, the casino is a destination and it provides excitement and for the most part is enjoyable. Also note, Prime is not all that great. The most redeemable thing IMO is the free drinks in the casino. The yearly tier cruise benefit is blah. 

[Ampurp85]

Its easy to get to prime if you enjoy gambling. If you don't, there is no reason to try.

Prime is a perk like ranking within the loyalty program, it is something for something you are already doing. It could cost you nothing or it could cost the entire $12k+. 

I would have to agree with @tonyfsu21 that prime isn't that great because the other tiers offer a better deal unless you love interiors. 

[Jolly Ogre]

Like the others have said, but as for me I play craps, roulette and slots. 

Just play what you like and have a good time. Just remember to not gamble any more than you are willing to lose.

The house always wins and casinos are not designed to have winners. 

[CruisingTeddy]

I think Prime only makes sense if you live near some RC ports. We live in Florida so no brainer for us. We just started cruising so we are shooting for diamond level. At that point, we won’t get drink packages and free drinks in the casino for Prime. My wife and I were able to combine offers into a balcony cruise on Anthem ots in Alaska. That was nice. I think it is worth it to get prime but only if you cruise 6+ times a year. Works for us but it is certainly not “free” cruises. We combine our prime offers and get balconies and a few suites. Only able to get interior on Star ots our luck is pretty much middle of the road, and probably on the lower end of cycling amount but I play a lot of video poker

[AshleyDillo]

16 hours ago, CruisingTeddy said:

I play a lot of video poker

+1

This is how I get my points. It may be $10 in per point, but at least I feel like I'm using my brain somewhat. Slots are very mind numbing to me.

[tonyfsu21]

On 10/29/2025 at 2:00 PM, AshleyDillo said:

+1

This is how I get my points. It may be $10 in per point, but at least I feel like I'm using my brain somewhat. Slots are very mind numbing to me.

Very mind numbing. But sometimes that pink Kismit Kat thing lets out a meow and you win a jackpot or Heidi sings her beer song while money is pouring out. It’s entertaining and there’s something peaceful about drinking a “free” beer while endlessly pressing a button and people watching. There is an endless amount of characters that make their way into the casino all night long. 

[WhereIsPortSide]

On 10/29/2025 at 11:00 AM, AshleyDillo said:

+1

This is how I get my points. It may be $10 in per point, but at least I feel like I'm using my brain somewhat. Slots are very mind numbing to me.

I consider myself an equal opportunity degenerate...if a game has a house edge, I play it...I don't discriminate lol. That said, I do love VP...however, VP is a double edged sword. On the one hand it does typically have better odds than slots. On the other hand, when you know the statistics of making key hands with a great starting hand, then whiffing the draws over and over, one starts to go mad. 

[tonyfsu21]

1 hour ago, WhereIsPortSide said:

I consider myself an equal opportunity degenerate...if a game has a house edge, I play it...I don't discriminate lol. That said, I do love VP...however, VP is a double edged sword. On the one hand it does typically have better odds than slots. On the other hand, when you know the statistics of making key hands with a great starting hand, then whiffing the draws over and over, one starts to go mad. 

Good thing I am not sitting next to you on the kitty cat machine with the volume cranked up to max. The meow is deafening and will really make a person go mad. 

[WhereIsPortSide]

7 minutes ago, tonyfsu21 said:

Good thing I am not sitting next to you on the kitty cat machine with the volume cranked up to max. The meow is deafening and will really make a person go mad. 

lol...I'm good at being able to tune out noise, so you'd be fine.

[Pattycruise]

5 hours ago, tonyfsu21 said:

Good thing I am not sitting next to you on the kitty cat machine with the volume cranked up to max. The meow is deafening and will really make a person go mad. 

Idk what’s worse , the kitty or Heidi.  I sat through 50 free games-the volume on my machine didn’t work and I don’t hurry the machine along. .  I’m glad it was fairly empty in that area in the casino (Halifax in Canada).  One guy came along to play the drums next to me…I apologized. He didn’t last long!

[WAAAYTOOO]

2 minutes ago, Pattycruise said:

Idk what’s worse , the kitty or Heidi.  I sat through 50 free games-the volume on my machine didn’t work and I don’t hurry the machine along. .  I’m glad it was fairly empty in that area in the casino (Halifax in Canada).  One guy came along to play the drums next to me…I apologized. He didn’t last long!

 

Good problem to have !  Congratulations 

[MdFormula350]

I play roulette and already obtained prime in July. so it took me 3 cruises to get it and about $5k cycled through (lost about $3k of that) and about 2.5 hours of play each night.

I enjoy playing at night, having a few drinks and meeting new people that also like to play.

Reason for me to get prime is for the annual cruise and the certificates cruises as well. On top of that the drinks, so when I obtain diamond in 3 more cruises I plan to drop the deluxe package and just get the refreshment. Then I will use my 4 drinks in the morning and then drink at casino at night.