So, what do YOU think??!!

[northerndynasty]

Kinda long here folks...but truthfully, it could be a really beneficial read that could save y'all some good money you can hold on to...

 

The Players:

 

Subject 1: Roger - about 65yoa (however, so "weathered"-looking, he might look and act about 75...and CONSTANTLY smoking...)

 

Subject 2: Larry - about 45yoa (however, also "weathered"-looking, he might look and act about 55...and CONSTANTLY smoking - CIGARS - even though it's against "House Rules", and Casino staff NEVER demand he cease-and-desist... This Subject is Roger's son.

 

Subject 3: "Jane Doh!" - about 45yoa (sorry to have to portait this, but...also very "weathered"-looking...might be guessed at 55...and RISING! This Subject is Larry's wife.

 

 

The Stage:

 

Island Princess, Voyage 2102, Jan 9-19th, 2011; Panama Canal.

 

The Plot:

 

The 3 Subjects are seen in only one location onboard - EVER - the Casino. They're only playing the same 5, 3x25cent coin machines. And where there is a near-mutiny from all other slot players with about a 0.05% payout, these three Subjects can do no-wrong. No matter when they're pullin' the arms, their credits are always in the thousands of coins. And they ain't afraid to rejoicefully, loudly, celebrate their..."winnings"... Whenever anyone ELSE in the Casino chose to play the very same machines, they could never, ever, even come CLOSE to the numbers these Subjects had in their Credits. Interesting...hmmm??

 

I ran in to almost everyone on this Voyage at least once during the 10 days. These three Subjects - never. You'd never see them wandering throughout the rest of the Ship, attending a show, dining in the restaurants, shopping in the Atrium.

 

I started sharing my thoughts with many of the regulars (and trust me, I was a DEFINITE regular - thankfully, focusing most of my time and $$$ on the electronic Poker). Then, the sentiment began to spread. Why was it, that, while most of the players were losing all that they threw in to the slots, these three Subjects were never lacking for their share.

 

The Climax:

 

Final night...all THREE subjects strike gold - each of them hit top prizes on...you guessed-it...those same machines.

 

For the CSI's who will read this thread:

 

The 3x25cent machines in question are behind the wall that all the slot machine bill collectors are stored-in after they have been cleared - nightly. It's the bank of 5 machines that are on the same wall, just the other side.

 

So...if you chose to read through this entire message...what are your thoughts?

 

Do share!

[Toto2Kansas]

Lucky gamblers. Not sure what the build up to this story was though...........? Why would how old they were, if they looked their age, smoked or not smoked, have anything to do with their luck at the slot machines? Slot machines are blind to who is playing them, as long as you keep feeding them your $$$$, that is all they care. :)

 

Some people are just lucky and some are not........it's all just luck.

[wrecks]

So...if you chose to read through this entire message...what are your thoughts?

 

My thoughts...why did I spend the time - not only to read, but to reply? Hummmm

[Toto2Kansas]

My thoughts...why did I spend the time - not only to read, but to reply? Hummmm

 

Wish I would have thought of that answer. :D

[Cruisin' Chick]

One of the Cruise Critic members on our last cruise was telling us about some casino expert who spent a lot of time at the blackjack table, I think, but never gambling. Just trying to tell people how to play the game.

 

Myself, I rather be playing trivia or listening to music on the cruise. The casino is too smoky even on the non-smoking night (that smell was still there when we were checking it out). Also, I'm not lucky with slots or cards, when playing for money.

[northerndynasty]

True, the description is not of importance to the invocation of the thread...it just adds to the "story" behind the Story. :rolleyes:

 

Who knows...maybe you, or you...or you over there...yes you...the next time you're on a Cruise and you spot folks just like THESE ones playing the same story out...maybe there'll be more to share.

 

Oh, and just for the record:

 

I didn't spend alot on the slots - as I mentioned - because Poker is my thing. But, I do know how much I lost and won based on one important "coincidence"... Cruise card in the machine - never a "hit", and lost about $350 :( . Cruise card NOT in machine...took home +$104 (told you, I don't plop too much on slots).

 

Our Players/Subjects...Cruise Card always in. I know because I would purposely stand and watch their playing habits after the boisterous jubilations were very easily attracting others to 'feed the ---'. :P

 

Thanks for the contribution Toto...it will be interesting how any other folks respond.

[Toto2Kansas]

I always place my cruise card in the slot, mainly as after you spend a certain amount, you get a $10 credit back, it keeps track of your slot spending. I would never play a slot (which I play a lot of) without putting my cruise card in the slot, not sure why you think that might make a difference?

 

Last spring on the Emerald I hadn't won much, and hadn't seen anyone around me winning most of the week either, and I hit a progressive on a poker slot. Nothing funny there, and I usually played the same machine. I won a nice amount, in fact I just added the 1099 to my taxes a few days ago. Covered all my losses times two or three. ;) Just luck!

[northerndynasty]

One of the Cruise Critic members on our last cruise was telling us about some casino expert who spent a lot of time at the blackjack table' date=' I think, but never gambling. Just trying to tell people how to play the game.

 

Myself, I rather be playing trivia or listening to music on the cruise. The casino is too smoky even on the non-smoking night (that smell was still there when we were checking it out). Also, I'm not lucky with slots or cards, when playing for money.[/quote']

 

 

Very wise, in-fact. Thanks for your post!

 

By the way...noticed your cruise to Hawaii. Can you share? Was it RT LA? We were considering this cruise, but heard from several about the rough-ride out from LA to Hawaii. Is there any validity to this?

[northerndynasty]

I always place my cruise card in the slot, mainly as after you spend a certain amount, you get a $10 credit back, it keeps track of your slot spending. I would never play a slot (which I play a lot of) without putting my cruise card in the slot, not sure why you think that might make a difference?

 

Last spring on the Emerald I hadn't won much, and hadn't seen anyone around me winning most of the week either, and I hit a progressive on a poker slot. Nothing funny there, and I usually played the same machine. I won a nice amount, in fact I just added the 1099 to my taxes a few days ago. Covered all my losses times two or three. ;) Just luck!

 

 

Crystal Casinos during the stop, and speaking of 1099s, popped in to Hard Rock in FLL at 8PM tonight after returning, and with the looming threat of the wifey's shopping coming to an end, cranking the button as fast as I could prior to her reaching me at the machine, she got to see the Hand Pay process. :) Thank you Seminoles! :P We think the S FLA economy is picking-up nicely - the place was P-A-C-K-E-D! Winners abound!

 

Congrats on your big win!!!!

[Celandine]

how much did they put in to start?

 

 

that is the question I always ask myself. How much did they spend to get to that amount? (I go to casinos on a semi-frequent basis back home)

 

 

and they could just be lucky.

 

I just tend to take my money and run when I hit a lucky bit

[Stokeset]

Since you never see them any where else on the ship, I propose that the 3 are hired actors, have "special"casino slot cards, and their sole purpose is to keep the casino jumping and players interested in coming back. At least that's what I think Miss Marple would deduce.

[goose30]

OP Why do you care? Why do you suspect a conspiracy? sometimes the slots just work out that way. Not for me but for others.

[flamomo]

northerndynasty .... re: the Hawaii cruise

 

Have done it 3 times so far, in January x1 and March x2. and no major rough water. On the most recent one, in March 2010, things were a little bumpy the first day out of LA, but smooth sailing after that. On one cruise, the seas were glass-smooth all the way back from Hawaii.

[Working 2 Cruise]

Very wise, in-fact. Thanks for your post!

 

By the way...noticed your cruise to Hawaii. Can you share? Was it RT LA? We were considering this cruise, but heard from several about the rough-ride out from LA to Hawaii. Is there any validity to this?

 

It's a great cruise! The ride can be a little bumpy, but it isn't bad... In fact, the rolling of the ship just put us to sleep!

[michigan tim]

So the thought is that these are 3 planted gamblers or "actors" as one astute previous poster eluded to? As much as the rationale may be there, me thinks the damage from the exposure of such a stunt would far outweigh any increase in casino revenue.

[northerndynasty]

Funinla and Flamomo:

 

Thanks so much for your Hawaii feedback. We really want to do this itinerary, but, considering the wifey had a barfing incident on just the Panama Canal voyage (not our first cruise, and not her first incident), I just want to make sure that the "rough" waters aren't too rough. She succumbed to the rough waters on our very first cruise (beginners "luck"), was fine on the Mexican Riviera, but succumbed again to the Panama Canal route. Albeit, only once on each of the tours...and her stomach straightened out after getting used to it. The run from FLL to Aruba was quite rocky, actually.

I still want to consider Hawaii, so y'alls responses are actually quite helpful! Thanks!

 

Michigan Tim:

 

I don't think Princess is worried whatsoever about being "discovered" possibly not being honest about their Casino operations. Quite frankly I think they could care less about being discovered. Who's going to take any kind of action on them? They're registered in Hamilton! Haha! And they know that being locked onboard means those with the itch will be back - no matter what.

I got to know all the Managers and operations staff in the Casino, and sarcastically threw out my thoughts to them. Met with grins from Sea-to-shining-Sea. Let's say, even if Princess Corporate isn't or wasn't somehow aware of what is going on, do you know how easy it would be to "arrange" something for those 3 simply by flagging their cruise cards?

 

I know where this will go with some responders on this thread. Hey, everyone has their opinion. It's one thing to completely speak from opinion, but another to speak from having spent that much time in there and seeing it happen, and in that way speaking from first-hand observation.

All I hope is that some folks who spend their time in the Casino and money on slots, think twice. Hey, I lost a few bucks on the slots - because I budgetted for it. I had a slot budget and a Poker budget. And, my Poker pluses far took care of my slot losses. So, no regrets from me. Not to mention, the Crystal Casino and then the (grrrrr W-2G!!) hit at the Hard Rock post-cruise (looking back at the form, it say W-2G on it, by the way). It's all good. But I like upfront and exposed things that people can give thought to, before running in to trouble.

 

Whatever your "deal" is...may all your bets be winners!

[northerndynasty]

I always place my cruise card in the slot, mainly as after you spend a certain amount, you get a $10 credit back, it keeps track of your slot spending. I would never play a slot (which I play a lot of) without putting my cruise card in the slot, not sure why you think that might make a difference?

 

Last spring on the Emerald I hadn't won much, and hadn't seen anyone around me winning most of the week either, and I hit a progressive on a poker slot. Nothing funny there, and I usually played the same machine. I won a nice amount, in fact I just added the 1099 to my taxes a few days ago. Covered all my losses times two or three. ;) Just luck!

 

 

By the way...I was just going over the paperwork and going through all our mail that we received while we were away...and the form is labeled W-2G. Are you talking about the same form?!

[BoPippy]

My BIL is vice president of a major gaming machine company.He says they r totally for the advantage of the machine winning.He says if u want to have fun with $20.00 or so,just play Maximum amount of lines with a minimum bet and u potentially could play for a few hours,but very rarely win a lot of money.It is designed for u to lose your money.Like the lottery,u could sometime win a large amount,but usually after u spent a larger amount overall.

We take $20.00 each for slots on cruises or anywhere else and have never won more than a couple of dollars!Maybe that is a good thing.:)

[Talisker92]

By the way...I was just going over the paperwork and going through all our mail that we received while we were away...and the form is labeled W-2G. Are you talking about the same form?!

I just finished a tax course, and your winnings are reported on a W-2G

[Cruisin' Chick]

Very wise, in-fact. Thanks for your post!

 

By the way...noticed your cruise to Hawaii. Can you share? Was it RT LA? We were considering this cruise, but heard from several about the rough-ride out from LA to Hawaii. Is there any validity to this?

 

Just came back from our second Hawaiian RT. We had so enjoyed our cruise on the Island Princess five years ago that we've often talked about repeating it. Finally we got in a good place (long story) that hubby said let's see if there's still cabins this year. I didn't think so (it was late October for the 12/22 sailing) but we managed to get one of the few cabins left. Am almost finished with writing up a review for this site, but first posting to a blog with photos. Had some delays doing this as we had a major computer meltdown plus a lot of homework that I needed to help our girl with. So keep checking out the Princess forum.

 

But to answer your question as far as our two RT's:

 

the first one we had rough seas the first couple of days. Lotsa passengers staying in their cabins. I brought a ton of ginger (Altoids and candied), but my hubby and daughter are never bothered by motion. But after the third or fourth day, relatively smooth seas for the rest of the cruise.

 

On this one, there was only a little bit of rough seas. Not as much as the first one. We seemed to get a lot more wind as there were some storms in the Pacific (we had a week straight of rain before our cruise and that front came from Hawaii...and heard that there was a lot more rain and some snow in the area when we were on the cruise so that front came from up north). A lot of swaying for a few days. Again, plenty of ginger.

 

Both cabins were midships, which is best if someone in your cabin has a tendency to motion sickness.

 

Despite the rain we had the first couple of days of the cruise and not really warm weather, we had a great time. We really needed those sea days to relax.

[Toto2Kansas]

By the way...I was just going over the paperwork and going through all our mail that we received while we were away...and the form is labeled W-2G. Are you talking about the same form?!

 

Opps, my error, you are correct, just pulled mine out to double check. I had already added it to my tax form and had a lot of 1099's also in the pile, it definitely is a W-2G. Thanks for the correction. ;)

[kaybeeeeeee]

I just finished a tax course, and your winnings are reported on a W-2G

 

I'm Canadian, where are/aren't my winnings reported?? :D

[Toto2Kansas]

I'm Canadian, where are/aren't my winnings reported?? :D

 

I think the reporting for tax purposes only happens if you are a US Citizen. :(

[Ethel5]

I saw an interesting thing on the Ruby Princess transatlantic this past October. On the last full sea day, there was a casino attendant going around changing the settings on the slots. There was a list of ports/areas of travels. He changed the machines from Europe to Caribbean. Does anyone know why this happens?

[Toto2Kansas]

I saw an interesting thing on the Ruby Princess transatlantic this past October. On the last full sea day, there was a casino attendant going around changing the settings on the slots. There was a list of ports/areas of travels. He changed the machines from Europe to Caribbean. Does anyone know why this happens?

 

Now that is interesting. I don't think I have ever heard of that before. I thought in order to change the machines they had to install a new computer chip?