StephPS79

Norfolk has said once construction on the terminal is scheduled to begin in June, they will no longer be able to accommodate the rerouted Baltimore cruises.  So I wouldn't count on it being from Norfolk.

Have you selected to book under an offer code?  It could be select sailings.

23 minutes ago, TigerWoodsLibido said:

I have some OBC saved up and I wasn't sure where to ask this but is it a daily 15 alcoholic drink maximum without the package?

The only place in the beverage policy that specifies 15 drinks is under the Cheers Program Restrictions.  The assumption is it is 15 drinks regardless, but I haven't been able to find confirmation of this, other than word of mouth, including the mouth of the brand ambassador.  He says a lot of things though.

3 hours ago, depplep said:

That's going to be my ride in a few months. Enjoy Aruba.

I've gotta wait it out until November.  And a Havana room!  V. excited for this cruise, but so far away!

6 minutes ago, TinkLoverSam said:

This is literally my worst nightmare... I'm always afraid someone is reading over my shoulder. I have a privacy screen for when I'm reading on my phone, now I think I need one for reading on my kindle!!🫣

Lol, what are you reading on that Kindle??  🤣

2 hours ago, nc762shooter said:

Hmmm, the liquor and beverage policy makes no mention of a limit on sales other than they have the right to request ID or refuse sales at any time. The only place I see 15 mentioned is in the section about Cheers. Having a limit of 15 drinks on Cheers makes sense because it limits the damage you can do to their bottom line😂. They don't need to have a numerical limit on individual purchases since they can stop serving you at any time they deem fit, as long as you aren't being a problem they would love for you to keep spending money at the bar! 😁

I've brought this up in the past - the actual policy wording only indicates a limit under Cheers.  

This probably hasn't been confirmed anywhere though because if someone is exceeding 15 drinks in a day and paying as they go along, that is just bad budgeting lol.

3 minutes ago, Saint Greg said:

This is that Cuban coffee explanation that I got in little Havana. So the one I had here yesterday is the one I drank there. This is the heavy milk one which explains why it tastes like milk. Then the one they have on the ship that I haven’t tried is the one with lite milk.

 

 

 

 

 

It’s a different color than what I had here.

 

 

The different color on the top one is the crema from the whipped sugar, but underneath that, would most likely be similar.  From the sounds of it, they aren't actually whipping the sugar first, which, to be fair, can take upwards of 2-3 minutes to produce a crema.  I guess you have to pick your battles.  Brown sugar vs. white sugar aside, the difference in taste from whipped vs. not is pretty negligible to me, but maybe a slightly more velvety shot.

10 hours ago, Saint Greg said:

I call this lack of action an admission of a problem.

 

I knocked ours off about 5 times on Celebration, in two different room locations.  I don't think there is an action to correct, other than a install better units.

We usually add a dollar or two.  But it's not required.  A few bucks can go a long way with service, so we budget for it and just bring a stack of ones.

13 hours ago, Mike45LC said:

I have never been aware of this particular game until this exciting thread, and now I want to watch out for it on my upcoming cruise.  

Why, though?

17 minutes ago, mz-s said:

 

It's been fun watching the mental gymnastics from some here to continue cheerleading in the face of unprecedented cutbacks over the past few years.

You say it right there, though.  Unprecedented.  These are unprecedented times.  To expect nothing to change would be silly.

25 minutes ago, aborgman said:

 

1) The Nevada Gaming Control Board

2) Screenshots of the payout settings on a Carnival slot machine showing 5-10% lower RTP than land based casinos

3) Numerous interviews with Carnival Casino staff claiming that RTP is around 80-85% depending on bet.

 

 

Per the Nevada Gaming Control Board:

14.040 Minimum standards for gaming devices. 1. All gaming devices must: (a) Theoretically pay out a mathematically demonstrable percentage of all amounts wagered, which must not be less than 75 percent for each wager available for play on the device.

While most locations and machines report higher percentages, the 80-85% you are reporting on behalf of Carnival would still fall within the Nevada Gaming Regulations.

The screen shot shows the pay table for one single machine, this is not a comprehensive sample size of the casino.  Regardless, this is still within gaming rules for Nevada.

sourced

2 minutes ago, aborgman said:

90%+ payout percentages in Nevada, around 80% payout percentages on Carnival.

Can you please reference where you have found confirmation of 80% payout percentages?

Just now, aborgman said:

 

I can confirm that Cruise Line DO NOT following Nevada Gaming board regulations for payout with slot machines.

 

They are significantly lower payout percentage than would be legal in Nevada.

What is your source of confirmation?

1 minute ago, aborgman said:

 

No, it doesn't.

 

It states all gaming MACHINES must meet the regulatory standards of the Nevada Gaming Control Board or other licensed jurisdiction for payback and internal software.

 

This is the entirety of the CLIA rules:

 

 

All equipment purchased and installed on cruise vessels will meet the regulatory standards of the Nevada Gaming Control Board or other licensed jurisdiction for payback and internal software.

 

RULES OF PLAY

Each line will provide a gaming guide setting forth the rules of play for their casino. These rules of play shall generally follow those established for casinos in Nevada, New Jersey, or England. These house rules will also be made available in every casino.

Each member line will post at every gaming table minimum and maximum betting limits for each game.

Only adults are allowed to play the slots or the tables.

 

INTERNAL CONTROLS

All shipboard gambling operations will be inspected by each member line's internal audit department on a regular basis, not to exceed 12 months.

All casinos will have detailed internal control procedures concerning the cash and coin counts, casino cage procedures and other processes, similar to licensed jurisdictions.

Each line will employ some form of surveillance to assure operations are fair and equitable for all parties.

Each line will separate the operation of the casino from the financial aspects of the casino as clearly as possible including specific duties for cashiers and table gaming staff.

 

CUSTOMER SERVICE

The onboard casino operations will be the overall responsibility of the Hotel Manager or Director, who is charged with ensuring the highest standard of conduct for casino staff.

In case of a gaming dispute, any passenger who feels he or she has an issue that cannot be resolved by the Casino Manager should bring it up to the Hotel Manager, and every effort will be made to resolve the problem. If the issue is not resolved on board the vessel, each ship will have at the casino cage a current list of contact information for their home office or casino operator where the passenger can pursue their dispute.

The cruise vessel will have onboard comment cards for the inclusion of any comment, concern, or means to improve the gambling system on board the vessel.

Gambling is strictly for the enjoyment of the passengers who choose to avail themselves of this form of entertainment.

 

WEBSITE

CLIA recommends to its member companies that these guidelines be posted on each company's website.

Okay, when you get confirmation that they are under other licensed jurisdiction for payback and internal software, let me now.

25 minutes ago, aborgman said:

 

CLIA policy isn't law or regulation, and is basically one page long and in no way addresses any of this.

 

While CLIA isn't law, you don't think there is any contract in place that members of CLIA have to adhere?  Every line under CLIA has regulations.  CLIA policy states that they follow Nevada gaming rules and regulations, so there is a lot more than one page.

On 4/20/2024 at 2:51 PM, cmichael1221 said:

This is exactly why I don't understand why people are mad about the group "only playing for $1" or whatever the amount was...  How does Carnival say that is okay, but then tell another group that wants to play for $10 or $100 that their amount is not okay?  Or tell someone who wants to play poker/blackjack/Pai Gao/craps/etc. that their dice/card game for money isn't okay, but the group next to them playing Left Right Center for money can continue doing what they're doing...  This is one of those that needs to be all or nothing and should be enforced as such.

Fixed.  

1 hour ago, aborgman said:

 

 

A direct quote from John Heald:

 

“This is because gambling outside of the casino is strictly forbidden aboard any of our ships.”

 

So yes, it IS what he said... and yes, it was a lie.

If he had said "gambling outside of the casino's operation," would that have satisfied your need for semantics (from the Brand Ambassador, who is not the legal team)?

Maybe you should see if John Heald has a spot for you on the payroll...

Who has done you so wrong that you find a "lie" in every sentence ever put together.

4 hours ago, AFS1970 said:

Banning gambling outside of the casino is their right. I do wish they wouldn't claim there were "regulations" as the casinos open only in international waters specifically because they are free of regulations.

Cruise ship casinos are not free from regulations, even in international waters.

1 hour ago, aborgman said:

 

He may be telling the truth - but there is no way to ensure that the only gambling on their ships is done in the casino. This does not do that.

There are very few ways to fully ensure anything.  The only thing they can do is state what is and isn't acceptable, per guidelines.  People can choose to either follow or break the rules.

Marijuana isn't allowed on ships, yet it still makes it there.

6 hours ago, NanciRDH said:

I finally started getting offers after years of cruising.  So far it's been complimentary for me with a "special rate" for my guest.  But what if I want to go solo?  Does anyone have experience with this? 

45 minutes ago, xyzcruiser said:

I always go solo. Same process, just say 1 guest when you book so you only get charged one set of port charges. And you'll get double points.

This is no longer the case, this year they have started doing basically BOGO offers.  If it does not say complimentary room for two, and instead says "1 COMPLIMENTARY GUEST IN DOUBLE OCCUPANCY"  that means your fare is free, but you will have to pay the second fare, regardless if you take another guest or not.

We try to avoid these offers, I definitely would not use one on a solo trip.

We had Rudi's on Celebration, that's the only ship we've ever had it, and have heard from a few that it wasn't quite as good as other ships.  So for our first and only experience, we don't have anything to compare it to.  We both enjoyed it though, we both got the Lobster Imperial or something like that, which was quite good.  I will say though, we got dinner comped by the casino, and I'm not sure that I would pay the upcharge, at least on Celebration, since there were SO many other food options on that ship.  And I just prefer steak.  😄  No complaints about the dinner though.

For a standard balcony, I would probably choose Celebration.  Dining options are wonderful, new beautiful ship.  We are on Horizon for ABC in a Havana room, if booking a Havana room, I would definitely choose Horizon.  But I love both ships, and would be happy on either.

4 minutes ago, bstel said:

I got this offer too, rooms went pretty quick though.  I usually dont get any casino offers, these days, since I am not a high roller, and ships are sailing at capacity.  So I can only assume I got this offer as I have sailed out of Baltimore before and I Iive in Virginia.  So I assume they mined the data base to target the offers.  I am curious as to where everyone else, who got this offer, lives.

Interesting idea, I'm actually in Virginia Beach, so about 15 minutes from Norfolk port.