WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CRUISE SHIP CASINOS | GAMBLING AT SEA

Jamie from Sharon at Sea shares some great info about Cruise Ship Casinos and what you should know before throwing down your hard-earned money. Share your Casino stories in the comments below!!! Did you win big? Did you lose big? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE and Thanks for Watching!!!
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[@sallyhoffman8425]

First cruise .. my 82 year old mother ON HER BIRTHDAY was on Carnival Victory with us. She put her money in a slot machine and hit 25 Cents. Didn't know how to work the machine so I pulled the handle for her. She hit for $1000 … and also got a free t-shirt. Hubby got the t-shirt and she watched that money like a hawk for the rest of the cruise (we put it in the safe) and she wanted to make sure it was still there 5 times a day. On way home through NYC she finally parted with a few bucks and bought us breakfast.

[@computertimes239]

Thank you for sharing such a wonderful story. :)

[@mrsbarnette]

We love the casino on the ship. On our last cruise, my husband won a little every single day, while I lost every day. We consider it part of the entertainment on the cruise. And even when losing, we still have a great time! Great video Jamie!

[@captainlaz8994]

sounds to familiar to me lol 🤣🤣

[@MissKarma1000]

Thanks for that heads up and honest info, you’re always straight to the point 💰

[@capitarizona]

Best way to avoid ATM Fees and table fees is Put your sail and sign card in a slot, add money to the slot machine (however much you want to take out from the ATM) then cash out, go to cashier and get your money. No fees.

[@Osubucknuts]

Many actually have a fee they charge to do this... A flat % is charged

[@thecabinetbroker]

Yes on Carnival you can avoid fee by slot cash out approach

[@Osubucknuts]

@@thecabinetbroker good information. I've only sailed Royal and Norwegian and they charge a %

[@danaa6283]

A couple of years ago we took a cruise with another couple, our best friends. This was before they moved 3K miles to live by us(we meet them on a cruise in 2016). My best friend and I spent one whole night in the casino. WE HAD SO MUCH FUN! We went up and down(hubbies went to bed lol). And then magic......I hit a machine for a ton. The money was nice trust me but the night together was magical. This last Feb we lost her husband. We are all heartbroken. But we have the memory of that special night together.

[@sabrinacrowe3526]

My husband and I have only been on one cruise so far. We cant wait for our back to back cruise later this year. This was very informative. Thank you.

[@russellpradia]

Excellent post well done! A lot of great information and very articulate thank you

[@thomasdosborneii]

Than you so much! I was hoping you would have a video about the casinos on board cruise ships and here that is, very informative. Fortunately I am strict with myself at setting a maximum losing total when I visit my brother and his wife in Las Vegas and we go out to the Wynn. I limit my free drinks to three. I used to have a barber who was a serious gambler and he would play in tournaments on cruise ships and apparently do pretty well most of the time. Me, it would definitely be just recreational. On my last cruise, my assigned table in the dining room was a table for 8 people, and several of them were way into playing in the ship's casino. I didn't go into the casino on the trip, but remember how much they liked it, so I plan to do that on my next cruise and will keep in mind the pointers that you provided here..

[@luismurillo9610]

Cool little history in this video,much appreciated! Sailing with symphony of the seas this October

[@ScooterWeibels]

On the Holland America Nieuw Statendam there were no ATM's but they did not charge a service charge for taking money off your room key.

[@sherrellbennett1333]

On my first cruise, Royal Caribbean, I played a really strange poker machine that had what looked like cards cut in half on a spit and they would spin when you played a hand. I won a jackpot of over $900 and they gave me a t-shirt. Later that same night my husband wanted to stay in the cabin so I went back to the casino alone. I won a progressive video poker jackpot for almost $1200 and my husband and I left the ship with matching t-shirts! Exciting!

[@jptraveladventures]

Did you get the money too?

[@lisamorice4701]

Good info Jamie, especially the warnings about reduced slot machine payouts and the temptation to spend more than you can afford to lose. Cruises out of Australia have an age limit of 18 for both gambling and drinking. And we don't pay tax on winnings, unless you're a professional gambler. Craps is one game we have never learned so maybe we'll try taking a lesson on our Alaskan cruise next year. Or maybe Baccarat. I'm not much of a gambler but it might be nice to learn something new.

[@atseagamblers3021]

Jamie great information on gambling. You did a great job explaining. Love you and Sharon ♥️

[@Osubucknuts]

When I was in Bermuda couple years ago on a Norwegian cruise, we were allowed to gamble while we were in Port for the 3 days.

[@CarlosPerez-2023]

We went on a family cruise years ago and my father on the first night won the amount our cruise cost use and we were a group of 10 .

[@andylevesque9910]

Great information. I am a long time cruiser but not a casino player. I will be on my October cruise. I am looking forward to it.

[@reedallyn1767]

Jamie, this is really instructional and helpful for those who might not have much of an idea about casinos on cruise-liners. We were given a free cruise last year ( a nice one actually on a very good cruise line)f or 2 by a land based casino we play in once in a while near Miami when we go to our winter home. We were not cruise enthusiasts but hell, we thought it was free might as well go for a week, since we're down for the winter anyway. So we spent a lot of time in the casino on the ship every night. We asked one of the Casino hosts for a drink pass for each of us (2) the first night. No problem. Free drinks in the casino (but nowhere else) which was great. I made sure to throw a tip to the waiters every drink we had. We also had made bookings at premium restaurants before we left (extra $$) for a bit of a change in the evenings, when we really didn't have to. The Casino host would ask us where we wanted to eat each night, and it was comped at any restaurant we wanted. Some restaurants were 80$ -100$ premium (above the included sit down price in the dining room) extra per person. My wife wanted a spa treatment, the Casino host told her to go up and get what she wanted. Bottom line, For the host to do this, I believe that its a matter of playing enough over the duration of the cruise, getting a casino host to specifically look after our needs (thats their job for us and others) and being respectful and courteous, and not demanding. He offered some nice perks for us, and we appreciated it. I know there are minimums of how much gambling is expected, so the host must be very aware of this. The whole experience was fabulous. Food, ship, service, ports etc were beautiful. We lost money in the Casino (the payouts are much poorer than on land where its regulated) as expected; but the way we looked at it was that since we didn't pay anything, it was ok to spend something! The same cruise line gave us another free trip this year, on an even nicer, newer ship, and we are looking forward to being cruise enthusiasts and casino players once again!

[@wickedmainah950]

We do Boston to Bermuda, usually the slots are paying on the first 2 days, on the way back don't bother.

[@meshiawilliams7139]

Awesome video! Cruising with some first timers next year who are casino lovers. This video will be way helpful.

[@markvanduyne8217]

One of my 1st cruises years ago, I hit a major jack pot on the 1st day of the cruise. I have won several slot tournaments which are a lot of fun. This past year I hit another jackpot on the Carnival Radiance 17:23 of the Sea playing Double Diamond Deluxe. I average about 3 cruises a year and my family and I feel it’s the best value for your money. I really enjoy watching your videos. When I’m not on a cruise, watching your videos gives me the sense of being there. Thanks Mark

[@winstonrodrigues8886]

Very informative...thank you.

[@kathleencastillo8525]

My mom and I won big on NCL's Pearl back in 2007. We won $800 at the blackjack table! 😎 Now we did put some back in the next night, but we did both leave that cruise with money in our pocket, which doesn't usually happen. 🤣

[@SlotSliving]

That was very fun to learn all aboit the cruise casino!!!! Im about to go on carnival dream on sept 30 sailing from galveston texas

[@1MizzAnn]

Enjoy yourself and be careful.

[@NunyaBiznessK]

Awesome video! I LOVE cruising on Royal Caribbean!

[@kathrynwortwick5559]

Our very first cruise was a 5 day on a Carnival ship (not in operation anymore) and my husband won enough equal to the cost of the cruise!

[@cliffh5]

I went on a cruise with my sister and she won $4200 on slot machines. It was weird watching customer service counting out a bunch of $100 bills on the counter.

[@cinnie2543]

Really complete. Good job.

[@burningisis]

I like slots on occasion. And it does feel like cruise ship slots are much tighter than land based slots. But I go in with the money that I allocate to gambling being already spent. If I win anything, great, that's money put towards my seapass account and awesome, got a little extra scratch. If I dont ever win a single pull of the slots, then I'm comfortable knowing that I had already allocated the money I spent gambling and I knew what I got into when I gambled.

[@richgregor2605]

My wife and I sailed the Norwegian Epic from Italy and my wife found a slot machine that payed out all cruise long not big payoffs just a lot of small one 's and made some nice money every day

[@colettebelton9399]

I won $1900 on Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the seas October 19, 2021 I could hardly believe it the machine just kept getting bonuses and free spins what a great trip🤑

[@Scratchnwintx]

Thank you for the information! Great video.

[@teresa978]

Very informative thank you. I will be adding a few hundred extra dollars on my sea card to gamble and try my luck.

[@annjordan7501]

Thanks again Jamie’ great vlog info🚢👍🏻😎🚢😎🚢😎

[@JourneywithJosh]

I was a winner on a RC cruise... Paid college tuition that quarter. Won on poker machine. Spent 10min waiting for our dinner reservation time... It made me late to dinner lol. Also won $500 on slot tournament.

[@doublew030]

Wow! You really did great on this video! Thank you for all the help

[@bstaton67]

We were surprised. My wife's favorite game, quickly disappearing and seldom found, is Hoot Loot. They actually had that on Liberty of the Seas when we cruised in April. She was absolutely thrilled.

[@cruisinjoe]

On my first cruise, I came in second in the slots tournament. I think I still have the best part a Jackpot Winners T-shirt.

[@rickthibodeau9172]

Great information! Thank you!

[@NoisyLittleCampers]

Very good presentation. This is one of the best videos regarding ship casinos. Thanks!

[@SharonatSeaTravel]

Thanks Tom!!!!

[@jdoggg1119]

I haven't gambled on a cruise ship, however, our 2 racinos are about to open live table gaming on Jan 1. I have already looked at them since they are in the process of setting them up on the main floor, and there are two blackjack tables set up side by side, and one pays 6-5 and the other pays the 3-2.

[@theresapurnell5126]

Thank you, this information benefits me .

[@hulenbryant5637]

Yep! When it comes to slots you have no idea what the house edge is. Can't change the house edge on table games without the player knowing. Jamie is right about having to watch the table rules like the 6/5 payout on BJ. That raises house edge from about 0.5% to 2%. Also, be ready for the craps tables to limit your odds bets to 1 or 2X pass line bets. This raises the house edge, but it's less than 1% difference. And they will call a "no roll" on dice throws where both dice do not hit the back wall. Just little things to be ready for.

[@moses1999]

Thanks for the video, Jamie. I'm fairly new at Cruising but the Casino is my favorite thing on the ship. I enjoy this private personal time. Just to share some fun times, My first crusie was a Mediterranean one out of Barcelona. I got into a $50 Texas poker game and won the tournament. The prize was originally for a free cruise on RC largest ship for two, but went to cash prize because of the amount of folks in the tournament. We decided that the winner would get the most and the three runner-ups the rest. I got $800 or so. I was NOT an expert at poker and was making mistakes after mistakes, but I was having fun. The other times I enjoy on the ship casino is Roulette. I lose when I sit down and start betting, but I win, I mean win big, when I sit down for over a hour watching and recording on paper, (the frequency of each number). Then I would start betting on which one came out the most. For me it works. Wes

[@astrosjer822]

I also heard that the cruise ships also do not allow dice setting at the Craps table and sometimes the limits are $10 and up!

[@greggo4015]

Wanted to say thanks we have watched your vids along with other bloggers prior to taking out first cruise back on Aug 31 on Splendor to Mexico. I totally agree with your video and that folks can win. Like yourself I am a recreational slot player and on my first day won $250 which is great as like you said if I break even or better I am happy. :)

[@olcraigsen]

I always double my money in the casino. I take my money out of my pocket, fold it in half, stick it back in my pocket and get the heck out of the casino. 😂

[@marcricci891]

Went on a complimentary cruise from ClubRoyale Royal Caribbean and won 10k our first night. The gambling gods were in our corner that night. Btw it was on the lucky ladies side bet playing blackjack . If you gamble definitely join the casino club. I’m going on another complimentary cruise in October and almost every month I am offered a complimentary cruise.

[@1MizzAnn]

Marc Ricci plz share how you get complimentary Cruises? We get offers often but nothing free, yet.

[@Seahawks42011]

My wife and i typically lose about 1000$ each per 7 day cruise but we still consider it a win because Carnival and Royal both comp us a balcony everytime, we are about to take our 14th cruise in 4 years and we only paid for our first on each cruise line, every cruise since has been a comped cruise. With Royal they let you combine offers so they offer me a free balcony and we can add my wifes comp to mine and get a free suite. If we had to pay for a suite it would cost a whole lot more than we lose gambling.

[@deborahkendall7744]

Awesome

[@John-jk1zb]

@@deborahkendall7744 can you let me know what do you mean by combining offers?

[@computertimes239]

Combining offers is when say you got a free ocean view cabin offer and your spouse got a free balcony cruise offer. If the cruise line combines offers, you may be able to convert these two offers into a suite cabin on your next cruise. @@John-jk1zb

[@adolph289]

I love the Casino on the ship. my wife and I have gone every year for the past 15 years ,just to go to the Casino . To us, it's lot's more fun than going to Louisiana.

[@lynettej777]

WHAT????

[@Rheygand]

Agreed. Used to go to LC twice a month... Won bigger on Vista, and got free trips

[@zippyzoe]

@@Rheygand Free trips are cool!!!!

[@1MizzAnn]

I fully concur with that statement. 🥳

[@Rosh_Travels]

Love your videos! Been traveling on RCL since 2012, and only had to pay for 2 cruises so far. All the others have been Casino Royal's complimentary cruises. My cruise travel buddy is the Casino player and has only started cruising last year. So far she hit 2 hand pays, one being over $2000. So the Casino are always the spot we frequent the most on our cruises. We both are Prime with casino loyalty program and we get free drinks in the casino. The fee to withdraw cash from our sea pass card/credit card is waived as well and are a couple of the perks of having the Prime status.

[@MrsEden.]

roshmatifa That’s So awesome. Im going on my first cruise ever thanks to MGM Grand!! Navigator of the seas ☺️

[@Rosh_Travels]

EIIA Taylor thats awesome!!! I’m sure you will have a wonderful time!

[@John-jk1zb]

Ive already booked 9 cruises in 4 months. I’m a prime as well. What do you know about combining offers and upgrading to a suite?

[@Ridbidge]

On Carnival, you can use your Sail and Sign card in the slot machines to charge your room, then you go to the casino cage to cash out and then you avoid the 3% fee they charge for doing the same thing at the tables.

[@wynnaylor8308]

I won $3,000+ jackpot on a Buffalo Gold machine on the Carnival Vista January 2018, I had put in about 200+ over two days and I hit it early in the morning on a sea day.Needless to say I was shocked, bonus, I got free drinks in the casino. However, I only played about a few hours after winning cause I didn't want to give them the money back.

[@clairegicbc]

Great breakdown about the casino. Thanks

[@SharonatSeaTravel]

Glad you liked it!

[@peterish3473]

Went on a Royal Caribbean cruise, wife won big, Day 2 1,000, Day 3 2,250 Day 4 0 Day 5 4,000 Day 6 0 Day 7 10,600 a grand total of more than 17,000 on the 3 slot machines. Going in 2 weeks in the free suite they gave us for 7 days.I won 1,000 on night 6. what a trip

[@daniellilly7591]

How do roulette wheels work on a ship? With the motion of the ship, listing, lurching, etc., doesn't that obviously affect the spin of a wheel??

[@patream2873]

I have been on 7 cruises. Going on 8th in Feb. I love to gamble and I have never won. But I still go. Maybe someday. I cruise on Princess. Never been on any other cruise lines.

[@markmcgill6312]

I played in a poker tournament on Carnival and won. I was invited back to there "main" event on a cruise later in the year at a reduced rate. I went but didn't get very far but I got a reduced rate on a cruise. I can't remember what the reduction was (maybe 25% less).

[@rogerhagariii]

Never played craps but I did take a liking for roulette.. It’s entertaining just to try. Never hit big on the Slots even at home it’s relaxing to get away from the hustle and bustle plus there’s normally live entertainment close by.

[@robertfromlifewithfavor]

Just learned how to play craps this year and had a great time. The Bliss had a completely separate glassed in area for smokers. We enjoyed the Bliss because of it.

[@petermyers479]

A wise gambler says, “All gambling is a negotiation between the house and the player about how much they will be paying for their entertainment.”

[@mawathere]

Peter Myers I heard that😊

[@jojotham9974]

Are the winnings taxable for foreigners (non-usa/canada citizens or residents) at international sea?

[@jptraveladventures]

Going on pride of America in 2022. I think I will be busy to gamble on that cruise.

[@lamontedwards9293]

You forgot to mention if you don’t cash in before you leave the ship they will mail you a check. I did that with carnival and they told me that my check was sent and cashed and I never received it

[@alanoakley8239]

My wife and I went to Alaska inside cruises on NCL because we were Platinum and Diamond members thru Harrah's slot system. The cruise was free and had a great balcony suite. Don't get me wrong we still paid a total of around $10,000.00 for everything else. We did win and walked away with over $5,000.00 during our time at the casinos, so all in all we went on a bucket list trip to Alaska and spent just below $5,000.00 out of pocket. I call that a BIG WIN !!!!!

[@ducheau100]

the casino was open after 8pm and we were still docked in aruba.

[@EdwardTravels]

We are going next week and I can hardly wait to get in the casino 🎰

[@47midnight]

played in a princess cruise casino, was not 21, i was only 16, they didnt check my cruise card because i look older and acted more mature than my age, sat down at black jack started with 40 bucks and took them for a little over $300 and cashed out with no problem, did not press my luck but it felt awesome, forget slots haha

[@vhotzfeld]

We're leaving in 2 weeks on our FREE Holland America 7-day western Caribbean cruise, thanks to our gambling. We only had to pay port fees. I've sailed HAL 3 times and made enough to cover my cruise cost twice; winning more than $1,500 both times.

[@bstaton67]

Don from Don's Family Vacations had mentioned that if you want to play slots in a ship casino do it within the first two days. They have them set loose for the first couple of days for word of people winning to get around, then they tighten them for the rest of the cruise.

[@SharonatSeaTravel]

Hi Bstaton67..I think that is a myth. Payout amounts can be changed, but not as easily as people think. In Vegas, in order to change a payout %, there needs to be paperwork filed, etc so it's a bit of a process. At Sea, there are different regulations, but the casinos do operate under US Federal Laws and I don't believe they can or would, just press a button and change payout amounts. The machines are set low already..low enough for ships to make good money on them.

[@cheryljones2009]

I've also read that in comments on You Tube.. go to the Casino the 1st or 2nd night of a 7 day cruise.... I was wondering if that was really TRUE or not???! 🤔

[@beckysutherland2065]

Not true, I won $7500 on the last night in January.

[@karenflahive5950]

Do you have any idea what "tightening" all the slot machines would entail! I say not in any way true.

[@bstaton67]

@@karenflahive5950 It would entail going to their central system that is connected to all machines and changing a number. At Sea they aren't regulated by the gaming commission in the states unless the ship is flagged in the United States.

[@donernst6680]

I hit for 2000 on a slot on RCL a couple of years ago.

[@lisanicu2000]

Don Ernst me too!

[@wababread2696]

Jamie, slot payout is on most ships at 75%. As you stated,cruise ships are regulated by where they are registered. Many cruise ships are registered in Bahama which has a slot regulation of 75%.

[@redtops5160]

Great video, your info is spot on. Serious gamblers typically won't play on cruises. 6-5 payout on Black Jack and the lower pay outs on the slot machines isn't going to attract big money. If 21 isn't paying 3-2, I walk. You have to, its the odds. Let the college kids chase the cards, they will learn.

[@StaceysHighLimitSlots]

We learned craps on a cruise ship too! Nice video. New sub here!

[@XxPANDA97xX]

Only if you win mate haha just kidding usually I just give the 1 dollar chips I have left

[@ltliebs]

I was on a NCL cruise. While at the casino. I heard some guy was betting table limit on Blackjack. Winning up to $1500.00 dollars or more. I was too busy playing slots but heard all the cheers. Also back then NCL had a partnership with then Harrahs. Which provided 5%discount on the total cost of the cruise plus free beer while actively playing. I am not sure if this has changed or not.

[@pattyinla]

My first cruise was 18 days with only 6 port days so I spent a lot of time in the casino. I won well over 2 thousand dollars in the first 4 days of the cruise. Just a lucky streak i guess because I havent won in a casino since lol

[@likesowls52]

Excellent video and advice Jamie! Great voice too! Best wishes!

[@debrakrusch9543]

Just did the Alaska 10 day in July. Doing the Panama Canal in November. Princess Cruise lines on both. On the Alaska I had $20 to gamble. Walked out with $138. Needless to say I left with my bundle.

[@TOhara-eb2lp]

I usually walk out of the casino as a winner because the only game I play is live poker vs. other human beings. That's skill, not math. The slots will eat you alive but the people tend to be laid back or drunk when they play poker.

[@kaitieknipe4048]

My husband usually does well with poker and blackjack tournaments on the cruise. He usually is final round for the tournament. He's usually gets second or third Place and gets good money from the games

[@we4noles]

I was on Carnival Paradise Aug 2019 and won a MAJOR jackpot on Lighting Link with a .50 bet!! Yaaassss!!

[@Cletus_the_Elder]

Sage advice. You have to know how to be a gracious loser if you are not a professional gambler. Do not chase. Do not expect that the money you lost will come back if you play long enough. These approaches to casino play will ruin your life, let alone ruin your trip. I love what the video says about breaking even being a good thing. If the casino on the cruise has benefits, you will get something out of your time on the floor. Plus, you have all the money you came to play with.

[@kennethbarnhouse7462]

Good info. I stick with craps, I know the house edge isn't controlled by a computer chip. I was up $6 playing a couple hours of craps on my last Carnival cruise and had a lot of fun. Question, do you know where I can get a description of the prop bets on the craps table that aren't on an regular craps table? It was a busy table and I didn't want to interrupt to ask

[@debraflentroy7639]

I just took a Thanksgiving cruise and somehow left $67.00 on my casino card and Carnival mailed a check ... I was shocked 😮

[@chanceavery6091]

$10 or less gets donated to ST Johns anything over they mail a check.

[@stevebessette1826]

whats are some cruises with poker other than cardplayer cruises?

[@ScooterWeibels]

I have been on 2 cruise lines Carnival and HAL I would say that gambling aboard Carnival totally rocks, on HAL it's more of an afterthought.

[@robira1313]

What is HAL?

[@ScooterWeibels]

@@robira1313 Holland America Line

[@davidcarter1492]

I just came of the NCL Bliss and the smoking section of the casino is a room separated from the rest of the casino/ship.

[@markmcintyre4824]

I was on that ship last year and hit on my 3 spin for 1400.00.

[@ericnerenberg7064]

My wife and I cruise a lot. Mostly Royal ships some Norwegian. We gamble she enjoys certain slots and always uses our cards in the machines. We do receive the occasional free cruise for two for our play. I play craps, the pay out odds are less then a traditional land based casino but I understand how to position myself wisely. Your video is perfect for the novice. One thing I can remind everyone is it’s a cruise ship or if your a novice gambler it can be a pirate ship. Be self aware. GL

[@davidoftheseas]

I'm curious, which payout odds on the ships craps tables pay less than land casinos?

[@ericnerenberg7064]

The odds that are different on the craps table is lacking opportunity. Max odds behind for a pass line bet are only 2 times the bet. Some casinos allow up to 10 times.

[@nirmalamasih4403]

My cruise was already booked, it cancelled 4 times because of Corona, don't know exactly, when it will open, I'm waiting. 😁🌹

[@edmunddykes6281]

Which cruise ships have Baccarat tables in their casinos?

[@maesams6212]

Good nfo. Thx!!!!!

[@mknight2098]

Great video buddy! Royal Caribbean now hates me! I signed up for a poker tourney, low stakes but a $25 buy in with the tourney winner Guaranteed $2500. I stink at poker but it was a good way to kill the two days at sea time. Poor Royal..."Must have 5 players minimum for the tournament to proceed" ONLY 5 signed up for it and we agreed in advance to split it evenly. $25 buy in, $500 payout. The first hand everyone went all in, some without even looking at their cards. Epic fun!

[@yourfreedomisinyourfeet7731]

I love it!

[@ghermansizer]

Last cruise I watched a guy win a stack of cash from the cash claw machine. I think it was $250. Later on I tried and got so close a hand full of time but no cigar.

[@hockeyheather3321]

We live in Las Vegas and went on Carnival Paradise last year in March. I have only been on Royal Caribbean before, so I was not a fan of Carnival right from the get go except the large cabin suite we had. The casino was small but we did play almost every day. We don't spend huge amounts at the casino, even here where we live. We will take $20-40 and go play a couple machines...soooo no, we're not betting max bet and our odds are lower but it kills time and we sometimes hit enough that allows us to keep playing. We have a rule. If we start with $20 and double our money, we cash out and put the winning aside. We can continue playing on what we brought, but try not to dip into our winnings. On the Carnival ship, I entered the slot tournament and came in 2nd place! Won a t-shirt! Yay!

[@Savagemister]

Do they make card counters walk the plank?

[@markanderson4163]

NCL Bliss and the Breakaway plus ships have separate smoking casino areas that are "sealed" off from the rest of the ship....its awesome if youre a none smoker

[@giraffeonfire2712]

Although the smell still leaks out into the other nearby areas

[@danniecombs38]

Same with Joy and Encore

[@janet3470]

Great info

[@jf5618]

Yearssss ago...1997 to be exact was the only time on a cruise. It was Carnival. I never play slots but was time killing on a .25 slot Jacks or better than you basically play hi/low doubling your winnings or lose original bet till the slot has a higher card than you. I cleaned the machine out 3x in first couple days. $1200 in total. Literally (and maybe it was broken) printing...coins. Later in the week I tried again w limited success. My takeaway thought was perhaps slots more tailored to win early in the trip vs towards the end?? I don’t know and again was 22 years ago but it’s all a true story!

[@davidl632]

celebrity has a sign that reads all progressive jackpots can be reset if not hit before the next cruise...manager gave me the wink and said it was recreational only gambling.....since then we lost wayyyyy too much on princess and carnival, but "free cruises" have softened the losses...with free cabins, casino cash, drinks and more lucrative ultra, elite and vip cruises it makes losing on ship casinos more fun

[@nickskolsky2560]

Just got off Allure of the seas ... for free! 3rd free one this year and 2 more booked before the end of the year. Love RC ❤️

[@tharhyteone]

🤔🤔🤔🤔 care to share how to get free cruises

[@nickskolsky2560]

Gamble , gamble , gamble !!! My wife and I play slots and roulette and have hit handpays every time . We just spend time at the slots and tables after dinner and they give us interior staterooms for free and we upgrade to ocean view balcony or Jr. Suites for a few hundred $ ... I always buy the drink package and I tip like crazy !!!

[@joyce52]

I love to drop a few dollars in the slots on my cruises. I keep that cash separately and know exactly what I have. At the end of my last cruise I had $80 more to take home. Years back I went to Boluxie with a friend and we walked into the casino, I sat down at a slot machine, put two quarters in and all the bells and whistles were going off. I am not a gambler, so I was not sure what was going on at that point. The lady next to me stopped gambling and watched my machine. Soon the floor manager showed up and eventually the "dinging" stopped and I had won $1,200.00 dollars, just enough to make me have to pay taxes on it. I got up to find my friend and sat with her for a bit and decided to put a quarter into the machine next to her and immediately won $200.00 more. So.............I spent .75 cents and walked out with $1,400.00.

[@StevenTheGeek]

Really, you have to pay tax on Winnings in the US? Do they allow you to claim back on losses too? This is the reason the UK doesn't tax gambling as more people lose than win.

[@antigonish63]

@@StevenTheGeek You can write off loses against wins, up to 100%.

[@StevenTheGeek]

@@antigonish63 but if you gamble your entire annual income can you claim 100% of all income tax owed?

[@dalemartin6530]

Joyce... quarters ? Was that back in 1959 ?

[@kathyleibacher9170]

@@StevenTheGeek I used to be a tax preparer for H&R Block. You can save receipts from losses, up to the amount of winnings. In other words, if you win $1200 but have $1200 in losses, it means NO TAXES on winnings. Lottery tickets work for the deduction in casino winnings, too.

[@VANquishedAdventures]

Went on a Carnival Cruise and the casino would choke out a nonsmoker. It was awful. To make matters worse the ship was under construction(renovations)so the only way to get to dining was through the smoke filled casino. Really left a bad feeling for the whole cruise experience.

[@6977warrior1]

My wife and I went on 3 cruises(all Norwegian) and I profited $1100 on the 1st one, $1500 on the second cruise (both playing blackjack for 3 days) and then my wife wanted to play on the 3rd cruise and try to win some money. She won $1065 profit playing a silly slot machine and I profited $565 playing next to her on a slot machine. These 2 machines were 25c and were right at the entrance to the casino. We've had very good luck on each cruise. I'm a tightwad and my plan was to not lose more than about $200 if it got bad, then stop and go have a cigar in the cigar lounge. It was great folding up all the money while going for a cigar each time.