Club Royale, Royal Caribbean's casino loyalty program, sent an email to members informing them that their benefits will be extended beyond what was originally stipulated due to the multi-month shutdown of all cruises.

Club Royale indicated in the email it wished to show their appreciation to its members across three key areas.

All Club Royale members will receive an extension of their 2020 tier status through March 31, 2022. Additionally, members who were in jeopardy of losing their tier status on the recent April 1, 2020 renewal date will receive an extension on their status through March 31, 2022.

This means members will be able enjoy all your benefits and perks for the next 24 months.

Any members who were not able to take advantage of their 2019 annual complimentary cruise benefit will be able to redeem it through March 31, 2021.

Lastly, Casino Royale added it remains ready to welcome back guests as soon as possible.

We remain committed to extending our cruise offers to you, and our Casino Representatives are here to assist whenever you are ready and able to travel once again.

Casino Royale is available to guests who meet certain criteria in any of Royal Caribbean's onboard casinos. It offers guests opportunities to earn rewards for money spent in the casino, as well as certain perks onboard.

Royal Caribbean has added a variety of casino tournaments to pre-book via its Cruise Planner website.

RoyalCaribbeanBlog reader Lorraine Steeves shared a screenshot of some of the options.

Options for blackjack, poker and slot tournaments now appear for some cruises.  Once on the ship, you have to visit the Casino Cashier on Day 1 to register for the tournament.

Casino tournaments are offered on most cruises, but it has historically been something to sign up for exclusively once onboard.

Let us know: Will you prebook one of these tournaments? Tell us in the comments!

Royal Caribbean is testing a new feature on Harmony of the Seas that allows guests a self-service option to take cash advances that are charged against their SeaPass account.

Traditionally, cash advances required guests to go to the casino cashier to have money charged against their account. 

Royal Caribbean Blog reader Rich Freudenberg spotted this new "room charge" option, where guests can log into their account on any casino machine and charge up to $300 per day right from the SeaPass account (cash or credit) into the machine, thus eliminating the need to see the cashier.

Royal Caribbean recently added a new casino and slot play pre-cruise purchase option to its Cruise Planner site.

Located under the Internet & More section, guests can buy $500, $1000 or $2000 in credit and receive bonus slot or Casino free play credit, along with a bonus scratch card.

Royal Caribbean is planning to revamp its casino rewards program, known as Club Royale, in early 2018.

According to a guest's tier levels, they will enjoy various benefits.

Admission to Club Royale is based on the amount and frequency of your gambling habits at the casino of a Royal Caribbean ship.