17 yr old wants to watch grandpa play craps!

[christiecruise]

My 17 yr. old is really interested in learning how to play craps, and would like to learn from his grandpa on our Spirit cruise in 2 weeks.

 

Wondering if he is actually allowed in the casino as long as he does not bet, or since he is a really big guy if he could walk in with grandpa without it being an issue? I don't know if there is an age to actually enter the casino, or if it the age is just for betting, or if they ever "card" people on cruise ships?

 

He is a great kid, 4.0 student, Math league and football player - not worried about him getting into trouble! He would like to hang out with my dad and learn an interesting game :)

[christiecruise]

Here is what I've read on the NCL site:

 

The asterisks after casino age seem to indicate that is is only if the person is gambling (placing a bet), not if they are just watching.

 

AGE POLICIES

 

FACILITY AGE REQUIREMENT

Kids Crew Ages 2 through 17, with age-specific sections. Must be potty trained and no age bumping permitted.

Pools ** Guests must be fully toilet trained to enter the pools or hot tubs. Therefore, guests in diapers, pull-ups or swimmers may not use the pools or hot tubs, even if accompanied by a parent or adult guardian.

Hot Tubs ** Under age 16 must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian. Guests must be fully toilet trained to enter the pools or hot tubs. Therefore, guests in diapers, pull-ups or swimmers may not use the pools or hot tubs, even if accompanied by a parent or adult guardian.

Drinking Age 18-20 for beer and wine (with parent consent) 21 for all alcoholic beverages.

Fitness Center (Gym) No age restriction.

Day Spa Age 18 and over.

Adult Night Club/Disco Age 18 and over (See alcohol policy).

Casino **** Age 18 and over

** United States Public health ( U.S.P.H. ) regulations prohibit diapers of any kind, including those marked as “swimmers,” in the swimming pools or hot tubs.

 

*** If you’re 18 through 20 years of age and you have written consent of your parents or guardian ( parent or guardian must be on board ), you can purchase beer or wine for yourself only when the ship is sailing in international waters ( except Alaska and Hawai’i cruises where you must be 21 years of age to consume or purchase alcohol of any kind )

 

**** If you want to gamble in our casinos, you must have a valid ID showing you are 18 years or older.

[anthem]

In a land based casino (withe casino gaming board supervision) - you have to be of legal gambling age to even be present (within view) of a game. You can walk through, but if you stop you'll generally be asked to provide ID even if watching. And if you aren't of legal gambling age, they ask you to move on.

 

Don't know about NCL casino's and whether thats true but pretty certain it is. The only thing I can suggest is that he try and look older and act like he belongs there and maybe they'll not card him even if he isn't playing. Otherwise you'll be able to have 5 year olds sitting there in the casino as well.

[johnql]

Despite the official policy, I'm guessing that if he's just watching and not actually gambling, that he will be fine. Obviously no guarantee of that, but it's not like we're talking about a 10-yr-old who would really stand out.

[christiecruise]

My guy is 6"1 and 215 pounds - an offensive lineman and ILB, along with being a pretty quiet and super polite kid. He is often mistaken for being older than his sister who is almost 21.

 

But I don't want to break the rules. However, might be OK with begging for forgiveness instead of asking for permission - if the ships rules allow for underage people to walk through the casino. If there was a policy that no one under age 18 was allowed to set foot in the casino, then I would like to know that and we would respect it.

[altarr]

A rule I always follow when getting into mischief.....

 

"act as if"

 

If he walks in with grandpa, acts confidently, he should be ok. What he should absolutely not do, is gamble. This can get the employees who allowed it (and did not ask for ID) in trouble. Tell him to belly up to the table with grandpa and learn if that is what he wants....but if he gets caught....oh I thought I could!? Sorry.

[christiecruise]

Altarr - Thanks for the advice. You are right on, he is not thinking of placing bets. Wants to learn from Grandpa - and dare say, would love to make suggestions for bets if he learns enough, but would never dare to place one on his own! He gets worried when I sneak a bottle of water in to the movie theater :p

[sdmike]

Good luck to your son. I've watched hours of craps and still don't know the right way to play. :)

[DMH15]

Good luck to your son. I've watched hours of craps and still don't know the right way to play. :)

 

Amen to that!

[CruisinChris412]

Just walk in like you own the place. If anybody asks him if he's playing, say no, just watching. Crack a joke to the "boys" and let 'em roll.

[KevinsCruising]

Totally depends on how he acts and who he is with. 2 yrs ago on the Sky, I was playing craps. My 17 yr old came in to watch me play. The problem was that he walked in with other 17 yr olds that made him look like he was with a group of kids. He was asked if he was 18, then asked to leave. If he looks 18 or acts mature, there will probably be no issue.

 

;)

[coachnip13]

But I don't want to break the rules.

 

Of course you do. If you didn't want to break the rules, you wouldn't let a 17 year old into a place that has a minimum age of 18.

[rvsullivan]

My guy is 6"1 and 215 pounds - an offensive lineman and ILB, along with being a pretty quiet and super polite kid. He is often mistaken for being older than his sister who is almost 21.

 

But I don't want to break the rules. However, might be OK with begging for forgiveness instead of asking for permission - if the ships rules allow for underage people to walk through the casino. If there was a policy that no one under age 18 was allowed to set foot in the casino, then I would like to know that and we would respect it.

 

OK then, now that you know the rule is you must be 18, guess you'll do the right thing?

Walking through and staying with grandpa to learn are two different things.

[babyher]

I agree. Just have him sit quietly, and watch. Don't draw attention to himself , Don't let him gamblle and he should be fine .

[che5904]

Of course you do. If you didn't want to break the rules, you wouldn't let a 17 year old into a place that has a minimum age of 18.

 

I'm glad I am not the only one that had to giggle at that line. That appears to be right up there with "I don't want to smuggle, but has anyone ever gotten away with this". :D

 

OP I've never been on the spirit so I don't know if it is like I think the Epic a walk through casino. I know the Star isn't and had a sign as you entered that had the age limit posted.

 

So in response to "However, might be OK with begging for forgiveness instead of asking for permission - if the ships rules allow for underage people to walk through the casino." If the spirit has the sign like ours did on the star this may be a difficult ignorance to fool anyone with, unless you are going on the assumption that you want them to believe your son can't read. ;)

[wibeachbum]

If he just watches, he'll be fine. Don't gamble. If he actually would win something, they may check ID.

 

Our DD played blackjack when she was 18 and no one ever asked her age. They even gave her a few free drinks. They were happy to take her money without question. She was old enough but I was still suprised that she was never asked for ID.

[jmcdon7230]

If you want him to "learn" about craps, here is what he should really know: casinos don't pay true odds. When you win, you lose.

 

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/dice-play/CrapsOdds.htm

[anthem]

If you want him to "learn" about craps, here is what he should really know: casinos don't pay true odds. When you win, you lose.

 

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/dice-play/CrapsOdds.htm

 

Not sure where you're getting at here. When you win, you win. You may not be winning true dollars against true odds on the entire bet, but that isn't the definition of winning and losing. Just because you won against the odds doesn't mean you didn't win. You buy a $1 lottery ticket and win $100million. Thats still winning eventhough 150 million people payed to play the game.

 

Also, there is a true odds bet on come bets and the pass line (or don't pass line) that pays true odds. Although that combined with the actual come and/or pass line does move the overall payoff less than true odds. However, winning that bet is still winning. . .

[Davechipp74]

maybe grand pa can teach him the only winning move is not to play

 

on the other hand during sailaway they give free gaming lessons for all the table games. he should have no problem there

[goldmom]

If he just watches, he'll be fine. Don't gamble. If he actually would win something, they may check ID.

 

Our DD played blackjack when she was 18 and no one ever asked her age. They even gave her a few free drinks. They were happy to take her money without question. She was old enough but I was still suprised that she was never asked for ID.

 

My DD was 24, but she looks really young. She was playing cards with her father and none of the dealers ever asked for ID. However, when she went to the window to cash in her chips, they asked her if she was 18 and requested ID from her. Guess they don't really care how old you are unless you win! LOL!;)

[christiecruise]

As far as not breaking the rules - the rules on the website only state that you must be 18 to gamble. I have not read anywhere that the casino does not permit younger to enter. He wants to watch grandpa. So that was the question, can he watch?

 

If there is actually a sign which says "no one under 18 allowed inside the casino" - then that answers the question, as my dad would not break that rule.

 

As far as asking for permission, I'm sure you all know how that goes. They may not mind at all if a nicely dressed and quiet young man stands with grandpa...but to say "yes" may open the door for groups of kids...which could be an issue.

 

Thanks for all of the advice! ;)

[Leeroy-Jenkins]

 

Wondering if he is actually allowed in the casino as long as he does not bet, or since he is a really big guy if he could walk in with grandpa without it being an issue?

 

Yes. :D

[anthem]

Yes. :D

 

Actually the correct answer is no. Is he allowed to "walk through" - certainly yes if the casino is a walkway (a la epic). However, is anyone allowed into the casino to watch regardless of age eventhough they aren't playing - I'm almost 99.9999% certain that that answer is "no". Will they perhaps overlook the fact that he might look older or not bother to ask - possibly. But again, that doesn't change the fact that if he's not of age - he isn't actually allowed to be in there watching. .. If that was the case, I could take my 6 year old and let him watch me play blackjack and craps and not have to nicely ask mom to watch him while I play a few hours. . .

[christiecruise]

In 12 days we will find out :) and I will report back to all with the PRECISE wording of the sign at the entrance to the Casino!

[anthem]

Just spoke to CAS (about a different item I needed addressed) and asked them about this particular situation. The "official" stance is that he/she needs to be of legal gambling age to even be "in" the casino. If he's passing through (and not stopping) he is allowed to go through but underaged persons are not allowed to be in the casino - regardless of observing or playing.

 

So there is your official answer, which I think you already knew. Do what you want with it. I don't see the harm of him "trying" to blend in and watching until he's caught. How that works with his/yours legal/moral ground is up to you :)