CAS EPIC Reality.......Norwegian's New Reality

[sjbdtz]

, since in my opinion any customer could be a potential high end player, so not only is ignoring dumb but just rude on any level. Still doesn't mean rudeness about that person is good form or in good taste.

 

 

I think that most high-end players (okay.... I do it, too....) would introduce themselves, or ensure that the Hosts know who they are.

 

I usually approach the Host desk on embarkation day, and introduce myself.....after I've been to the cabin & read the letter which has all of their names.

 

 

Stephen

 

 

.

[che5904]

I think that most high-end players (okay.... I do it, too....) would introduce themselves, or ensure that the Hosts know who they are.

 

I usually approach the Host desk on embarkation day, and introduce myself.....after I've been to the cabin & read the letter which has all of their names.

 

Stephen

 

.

 

Stephen when I stated "potential high end player", I meant those not flying already on CAS but that just booked the cruise because they wanted to cruise.

 

I don't bother to introduce myself, I really don't have much need for a host onboard. In the end any dinners, drinks or wine I have are comped anyway off of my end bill, so I don't need an offer of one during my cruise. My land hosts soon find out, I'm a pretty low maintenance player. I'm so into my game that in Windsor or Vegas, upon arrival I have a slot supervisor that taps me on the shoulder to welcome me back. Scares the crap out of me everytime they do, it's a nice touch, but whether they did it or not wouldn't really matter to me.

[cruiseguys2009]

Thank you everyone for your comments and your advice.

 

After having several conversations with my Casino Rep, as well as other conversations with Players Club (CCL) Reps, as well as a Placement Host with RCCL, and my Land Based Vegas Hosts at MGM, NYNY, Tropicana, Casurina and HET's Bally's and Rio, it seems that indeed many of you are correct in that CAS does not want to work with Casino Junket Reps or HET Reps after the first sailing. Saves them the commission.

 

According to all the Casino Operations I spoke with who have my Theoreticals in their possession, they all said that their respective operations would welcome me with open arms. In addition, they went on to tell me that NCL CAS does not look at a Player's Theoreticals the same as everyone else does.

 

The Casino Operations I mentioned, all use the time requirements at the slot machines, the amount of the bet (and for my comp level on the EPIC it was $3.00 per bet which on many machines is max bet, but half of the dollar machines only have $2 max bet and those happen to be my favorite) and for the seven day cruise, I must average 5 1/2 days in the casino.

 

However, that is where the similarity stops. NCL CAS does not take into account total Losses in their formula or Revenue generated in other venues such as bars, restaurants etc. Land Based Operations and the other cruise line's Casino Ops I spoke with take into account losses and revenue generated. They all informed my Rep that since I worked with an outside Rep, they expected my losses to be at three times the amount of the cost of the comp cabin, which is simply not the case at all for anyone else.

 

Now the fun part. My Casino Rep tried to book another repeat customer with CAS the same day, and this client has a similar Theroetical as I, and were also refused a comp cabin. The customer called CAS Directly and Magically, Mysteriously, Marvelously, they got a Comp Cabin, as suddenly they were part of a promotion! Hmmm, things that make my eyebrows go up. So dump my Rep, call CAS directly, sorry, I think not. When my Rep heard this, dumfounded, she called back to see if there was a magical promo for me....."No Soup For Me" and it's because of my comments here on Cruise Critic.

 

CAS obviously knows exactly who I am on Cruise Critic, as they sent a copy of this thread to my Casino Rep's CEO at Home Office (by the way, I have been working with these exceptional people for years now and am extremely loyal to them and they with me) with the tag line...."This Is Your Customer".... I guess in an effort to punish them.

 

Don't worry there is no conspiracy theory here, my pics appear enough on this board and I was the Roll Call Leader of more than 400 Cruise Critic Members on this sailing so they very well knew who I was.

 

That's okay, like I said before. "No Soup for Me"!

 

I am not disgruntled, the fact is that I played, I was entertained, and I did my due diligence in calculating my time, my bets and my losses remains. Here I was proud of the fact that I kept to the rules. But then, calling my Rep to rebook because I had a wonderful time and you want to talk about rudeness?.... that is what CAS was to MY Rep....not only in my case, but in the case of her other clients the very next day. None of which I understand, as on the EPIC I played more and lost more than on my previous cruises.

 

Every other Casino Marketing company is also watching this thread...how do you suppose I am now fielding offers from them all?

 

But as for my favorite cruise line Norwegian? "No Soup For Me".

[che5904]

Thank you everyone for your comments and your advice.

 

After having several conversations with my Casino Rep, as well as other conversations with Players Club (CCL) Reps, as well as a Placement Host with RCCL, and my Land Based Vegas Hosts at MGM, NYNY, Tropicana, Casurina and HET's Bally's and Rio, it seems that indeed many of you are correct in that CAS does not want to work with Casino Junket Reps or HET Reps after the first sailing. Saves them the commission.

 

According to all the Casino Operations I spoke with who have my Theoreticals in their possession, they all said that their respective operations would welcome me with open arms. In addition, they went on to tell me that NCL CAS does not look at a Player's Theoreticals the same as everyone else does.

 

The Casino Operations I mentioned, all use the time requirements at the slot machines, the amount of the bet (and for my comp level on the EPIC it was $3.00 per bet which on many machines is max bet, but half of the dollar machines only have $2 max bet and those happen to be my favorite) and for the seven day cruise, I must average 5 1/2 days in the casino.

 

However, that is where the similarity stops. NCL CAS does not take into account total Losses in their formula or Revenue generated in other venues such as bars, restaurants etc. Land Based Operations and the other cruise line's Casino Ops I spoke with take into account losses and revenue generated. They all informed my Rep that since I worked with an outside Rep, they expected my losses to be at three times the amount of the cost of the comp cabin, which is simply not the case at all for anyone else.

 

Now the fun part. My Casino Rep tried to book another repeat customer with CAS the same day, and this client has a similar Theroetical as I, and were also refused a comp cabin. The customer called CAS Directly and Magically, Mysteriously, Marvelously, they got a Comp Cabin, as suddenly they were part of a promotion! Hmmm, things that make my eyebrows go up. So dump my Rep, call CAS directly, sorry, I think not. When my Rep heard this, dumfounded, she called back to see if there was a magical promo for me....."No Soup For Me" and it's because of my comments here on Cruise Critic.

 

CAS obviously knows exactly who I am on Cruise Critic, as they sent a copy of this thread to my Casino Rep's CEO at Home Office (by the way, I have been working with these exceptional people for years now and am extremely loyal to them and they with me) with the tag line...."This Is Your Customer".... I guess in an effort to punish them.

 

Don't worry there is no conspiracy theory here, my pics appear enough on this board and I was the Roll Call Leader of more than 400 Cruise Critic Members on this sailing so they very well knew who I was.

 

That's okay, like I said before. "No Soup for Me"!

 

I am not disgruntled, the fact is that I played, I was entertained, and I did my due diligence in calculating my time, my bets and my losses remains. Here I was proud of the fact that I kept to the rules. But then, calling my Rep to rebook because I had a wonderful time and you want to talk about rudeness?.... that is what CAS was to MY Rep....not only in my case, but in the case of her other clients the very next day. None of which I understand, as on the EPIC I played more and lost more than on my previous cruises.

 

Every other Casino Marketing company is also watching this thread...how do you suppose I am now fielding offers from them all?

 

But as for my favorite cruise line Norwegian? "No Soup For Me".

 

Well in looking at your cruise history, it's not like NCL was your only cruise of choice. I'm sure you will have a great time, whichever direction you go. Happy cruising.

[cruiseguys2009]

Well in looking at your cruise history, it's not like NCL was your only cruise of choice. I'm sure you will have a great time, whichever direction you go. Happy cruising.

 

 

Oh thank you for your kind and wonderful comments.

 

Well as any good marketing person knows, Norwegian would have been my first choice based upon our last four sailings. I was so excited to rebook with Norwegian, the very next day coming off the EPIC, I would have been loyal from that day forward.

 

One other point, the object of any business is to attract, not detract customers. This situation could have been handled differently by CAS, they are the ones who chose to be rude and indignant to my Rep, not only with me but with their other clients too. CAS then copied and pasted this thread and sent it off in a tiff to my Casino Rep and their Home Office in an effort to further punish them.

 

NCL needs me a whole lot more than I need them. It's my money and we would have spent it all with Norwegian. Sad that is not the case.

 

As I said "No Soup For Me"

 

You are truly very kind and thoughtful to provide me with your continued insurmountably gorgeous comments. It would be fun to sail with you and also with Steven one day!

[anthem]

I've posted some comments on here and I probably ascertained faster than most as to what happened as I'm pretty familiar with how casino marketing operations work (unfortunately :). . .

 

I think you probably took the wrong antagonistic position and perhaps should have just taken a more "inquisitive" approach and perhaps both sides may not be as each other at present. . .

 

In terms of third party junket operators (aka independent commissioned hosts) - you have to look at it from the casino operators point of view. Everyone is a bean counter and we're all just beans for lack of a better example -

 

-Player A plays 20K through machines and CAS' "hypothetical" take is say 1500.

-Player B plays 20K through machines and hypothetical is 150, but they have to pay 750 to the "middle man broker" and their take is $750.

 

Which one do you think they would be more incentivized to work with ? and which one would they be able to offer more comps to ? So that 3x or 2x or whatever is exactly referencing that equation. My understanding is that they want 2 hours of play per day, so if they are getting less with a junket player, then they want more hours or more play to arrive at the same numbers as player A.

 

So, you can't really fault them for that. Which is why I gently suggested that you go "direct" because less middlemen are in play. Now, probably because of this very public lambasting they took - they may have to stick with their 18month break or whatever else they have in place for dealing with independent junket operators.

 

Now, obviously the independent operators are going to be the "nicest" to you because you /are/ their only bread and butter. That is why you have such a good relationship with them. But just realize - that their is a cost being associated with them (say half comps/benefits/etc). You are gaining some flexibility in being to go to other places, but losing some flexibility in what individual places can do for you because they have to pay your operator.

 

Now, in regards to CAS - they have limitations which they work within. They've been the best casino operator at sea with the some of the best gaming out in sea. They aren't perfect, but they are generally professional and most find easy to work with. (Celebrity used to as well, but there have been a lot of upheaval there since their main person recently left). But always keep in mind - they are there to make money for their casino subsidiary and they have easy decisions to make and some difficult decisions to make.

 

In regards to your situation - you know why you like NCL and where you /wanted/ to be. CAS is there as an option, but this whole relationship had a middleman involved and it just didn't work out. Sort of like an overbearing mother in law who wants more money from both of you. Nothing more, nothing less.

[che5904]

You are truly very kind and thoughtful to provide me with your continued insurmountably gorgeous comments. It would be fun to sail with you and also with Steven one day!

 

Thank you.

 

Yes there are many people on these boards that I would love to sail with and hopefully one day, if my life allows me to book another cruise, I will have the opportunity to be on a the same ship as some.

 

Maybe one day NCL will be able to repent for the wrong doings and you will sail her again. You know the old saying "never say never".

 

I really can't say I am endeared to CAS, they have treated me fair in comparison to my land casinos, but their hosts IMO could use some retraining. But NCL itself is what draws me to their ship. If CAS ticked me off, I would still probably sail NCL, just not play in the casino. But that is just me and not saying anyone else should feel that way.

[cruiseguys2009]

I've posted some comments on here and I probably ascertained faster than most as to what happened as I'm pretty familiar with how casino marketing operations work (unfortunately :). . .

 

I think you probably took the wrong antagonistic position and perhaps should have just taken a more "inquisitive" approach and perhaps both sides may not be as each other at present. . .

 

In terms of third party junket operators (aka independent commissioned hosts) - you have to look at it from the casino operators point of view. Everyone is a bean counter and we're all just beans for lack of a better example -

 

-Player A plays 20K through machines and CAS' "hypothetical" take is say 1500.

-Player B plays 20K through machines and hypothetical is 150, but they have to pay 750 to the "middle man broker" and their take is $750.

 

Which one do you think they would be more incentivized to work with ? and which one would they be able to offer more comps to ? So that 3x or 2x or whatever is exactly referencing that equation. My understanding is that they want 2 hours of play per day, so if they are getting less with a junket player, then they want more hours or more play to arrive at the same numbers as player A.

 

So, you can't really fault them for that. Which is why I gently suggested that you go "direct" because less middlemen are in play. Now, probably because of this very public lambasting they took - they may have to stick with their 18month break or whatever else they have in place for dealing with independent junket operators.

 

Now, obviously the independent operators are going to be the "nicest" to you because you /are/ their only bread and butter. That is why you have such a good relationship with them. But just realize - that their is a cost being associated with them (say half comps/benefits/etc). You are gaining some flexibility in being to go to other places, but losing some flexibility in what individual places can do for you because they have to pay your operator.

 

Now, in regards to CAS - they have limitations which they work within. They've been the best casino operator at sea with the some of the best gaming out in sea. They aren't perfect, but they are generally professional and most find easy to work with. (Celebrity used to as well, but there have been a lot of upheaval there since their main person recently left). But always keep in mind - they are there to make money for their casino subsidiary and they have easy decisions to make and some difficult decisions to make.

 

In regards to your situation - you know why you like NCL and where you /wanted/ to be. CAS is there as an option, but this whole relationship had a middleman involved and it just didn't work out. Sort of like an overbearing mother in law who wants more money from both of you. Nothing more, nothing less.

 

And yes, thank you for putting everything into perspective, as you have so graciously done here, as it is exactly what I was trying to understand between all the parties. Through no fault of my own, I became a pawn in this game, and the loser was me.

 

NCL is a fantastic operation and in my honest opinion, provides a completely unique vacation opportunity and experience (Outside the Casino) verses the "Other Guys". I also know that now, it makes perfect sense when you put it into a "Bean Counter" correlation. Too bad that part is kept from us, and I am glad I generated this thread to help other Marginal players understand how to book their Casino Vacations in the future. Had I booked with CAS in the beginning, I probably would never have noticed anything and would be happy as a pig in.....well, a poke!

 

Happy Cruising.

[blindrid]

It's a lot harder to earn points at the tables, than it is at the slots.

 

In my experience, the employees at the tables do not know how to appropriately rate a player at the craps table. On one of my first cruises I played a lot of craps (not minimal bets either) and I checked my points toward the end and my point total was really nothing.

 

I no longer mess around with the card. The OP's comments sounds like another reason not to mess with it. I did not expect Vegas quality employees at the table but some of the stickmen and dealers are really bad at running the table. It seems like the boxman is the only one that knows the table (as he should) but it seems like he spends more time correcting the dealers than normal.

[anthem]

In my experience, the employees at the tables do not know how to appropriately rate a player at the craps table. On one of my first cruises I played a lot of craps (not minimal bets either) and I checked my points toward the end and my point total was really nothing.

 

I no longer mess around with the card. The OP's comments sounds like another reason not to mess with it. I did not expect Vegas quality employees at the table but some of the stickmen and dealers are really bad at running the table. It seems like the boxman is the only one that knows the table (as he should) but it seems like he spends more time correcting the dealers than normal.

 

Actually craps is easy to rate, but again - one of those perceived vs reality situations. . They will only rate the bets on the table that they have a clear advantage in. So someone could have 750 or something out on the table and think they are being rated for $750 - and then see their average bet at $75-150 and go "What the hell", that rating is just wrong. . . Well, here is what happens - you get credit for pass/don't pass bets, come/don't come bets, any prop bets, field bets etc. What doesn't count toward your play are any odds bets, that means no odds bet behind the pass lines, no odds bet on any of the come bets. So if you had 5 come bets with full odds and a pass line bet with full odds at $25 bet - you think you're playing at $700-$800 when in reality, the true bet is $150 (one pass line, 5 come bets). And over time to get to all the come bets (as they didn't happen at once), well then the average is about half that. . .

 

So the "easy" way to rate craps by the pit is to just see whats played after the point is made and thats generally what they record (usually a pass line bet, and come/place/buy bets)

 

BTW, this doesn't include if you press/parlay and go up. .. It's just like the blackjack player who thinks he's playing $500 a hand because he made one bet at that level and every other bet is $50-$100. . .

 

And in terms of knowledge - yes, its a crapshoot (pun intended). The main reason is because most places around the world - dice is not as popular as blackjack, punto banco/baccarat, etc. And every dealer wants to learn how to deal dice :-) - so a lot of new dealers from other countries wanting to learn how to deal and training. .

[luvcruzing]

Very interesting thread.

 

I cruised in November in a comped cabin (upgraded to a balcony from a comped inside) for $550. I usually cruise solo, and there is no way that I could cruise at that rate if it weren't for CAS.

 

I thought that I was a mid-level or higher player, but I can't compete with what I've read here. I usually bet $2 on each spin. Sometimes a little less, but never more. Well, okay, once in awhile I'll throw in two or three 20s into a $5 slot machine.

 

On this last cruise, I spent probably 6 to 8 hours in the casino on the two sea days, and about 4 to 5 hours on port days. I don't know how that figures into the formula that I read about here.

 

I did hit for $800 several times, and $1000 on video poker once (held an Ace and three more Aces and a deuce popped up). Doesn't mean I came home a winner, all of those winnings went back in plus more. If I remember correctly, I ended up with a little more than 2500 points.

 

The casino host never approached me, but the slot attendants were always around, came by to say hello and knew my name by the second day. I did hear jackpots being announced maybe three times. On the last sea day, I did mention to one of the slot attendants that I hadn't heard any jackpots being announced in several days. She told me that they had some during the day when I wasn't there. True or not, I don't know.

 

Since I've been home, I received an invitation to the four slot tournament cruises mentioned on this board (not going to accept - bad timing), and received an e-mail inviting me to one of two cruises in February. I also received an invitation from Caesars Windsor for a free cruise certificate to be picked up on December 29th.

 

I've only dealt directly with CAS, but I have been approached by casino hosts from various casinos that they could handle all the bookings for me. Thanks to this thread, now I know better.

[che5904]

but the slot attendants were always around, came by to say hello and knew my name by the second day.

 

You do know most casino workers cheat with this trick, don't you. I had been called by name numerous times in all casinos I went to by people who had only had contact with me one to a few times. I thought "gee, isn't that nice that they remembered my name". And not all of them were ones I had contact with to pay out jackpots or slot issues, so it wasn't like they remembered me because of the tip I gave.

 

Then one day from behind me came a beverage server who wished to slide past me to clean off the spot between the machines. This beverage server I had never used and may have only seen in the casino a few times. She said "excuse me (insert name).". Shocked and curious, I turned around and ask how she knew my name. She pointed to my card reader and there big as life was my name :p :D

 

I think slot attendants should be hosts of the casinos, most slot attendants I've met are the friendliest people.

[luvcruzing]

You do know most casino workers cheat with this trick, don't you. I had been called by name numerous times in all casinos I went to by people who had only had contact with me one to a few times. I thought "gee, isn't that nice that they remembered my name". And not all of them were ones I had contact with to pay out jackpots or slot issues, so it wasn't like they remembered me because of the tip I gave.

 

Then one day from behind me came a beverage server who wished to slide past me to clean off the spot between the machines. This beverage server I had never used and may have only seen in the casino a few times. She said "excuse me (insert name).". Shocked and curious, I turned around and ask how she knew my name. She pointed to my card reader and there big as life was my name :p :D

 

I think slot attendants should be hosts of the casinos, most slot attendants I've met are the friendliest people.

 

Yes, but most often your name is displayed when your card is initially inserted, and then it disappears. I know Caesars Windsor does continue to display your name, but it also offers you the option of "hiding" it. If I remember correctly, the machine I was playing on did not display my name.

 

On another note, I forgot to mention that I am curious to see if the OP will ever be able to book another cruise with CAS since he's now been placed on the naughty list. (Wish I knew how to place an icon here.)

[blindrid]

Actually craps is easy to rate, but again - one of those perceived vs reality situations. . They will only rate the bets on the table that they have a clear advantage in. So someone could have 750 or something out on the table and think they are being rated for $750 - and then see their average bet at $75-150 and go "What the hell", that rating is just wrong. . . Well, here is what happens - you get credit for pass/don't pass bets, come/don't come bets, any prop bets, field bets etc. What doesn't count toward your play are any odds bets, that means no odds bet behind the pass lines, no odds bet on any of the come bets. So if you had 5 come bets with full odds and a pass line bet with full odds at $25 bet - you think you're playing at $700-$800 when in reality, the true bet is $150 (one pass line, 5 come bets). And over time to get to all the come bets (as they didn't happen at once), well then the average is about half that. . .

 

So the "easy" way to rate craps by the pit is to just see whats played after the point is made and thats generally what they record (usually a pass line bet, and come/place/buy bets)

 

BTW, this doesn't include if you press/parlay and go up. .. It's just like the blackjack player who thinks he's playing $500 a hand because he made one bet at that level and every other bet is $50-$100. . .

 

And in terms of knowledge - yes, its a crapshoot (pun intended). The main reason is because most places around the world - dice is not as popular as blackjack, punto banco/baccarat, etc. And every dealer wants to learn how to deal dice :-) - so a lot of new dealers from other countries wanting to learn how to deal and training. .

 

Your point is well taken as I have yet to totally figure out how the rating gig works so thanks for your take on the subject. I guess I should have probably stated that my betting history is pretty consistent and it seems like I have typically been rated higher in Casinos here and lower on the ships'. It seems pretty subjective as the employees in a cruise casino versus land based don't pay as close of attention.

 

Thanks all and have a great day!

[cruiseguys2009]

Yes, but most often your name is displayed when your card is initially inserted, and then it disappears. I know Caesars Windsor does continue to display your name, but it also offers you the option of "hiding" it. If I remember correctly, the machine I was playing on did not display my name.

 

On another note, I forgot to mention that I am curious to see if the OP will ever be able to book another cruise with CAS since he's now been placed on the naughty list. (Wish I knew how to place an icon here.)

 

 

I don't expect to be offered a cruise ever again from CAS, even if I won the Mega Millions Jackpot and could buy the ship. CAS lost me as a player, as I am the one with the money. And I do like to remind myself the fact that it is MY MONEY. Had I just paid the retail rate for the ship myself and by-passed the Casino and CAS altogether, I would still have about three thousand dollars in my pocket!

 

So Lesson One, stay out of the Casino and save your money. You will lose it anyway.

 

Lesson Two, go direct and get treated better.

 

Lesson Three, Enjoy your soup!

 

If I do sail with Norwegian again, which is highly likely, I will do so at my own accord and not beholden to CAS or my independent casino rep.

 

I love Norwegian and have nothing but positive things to say about the Cruise Company, it's Ships, it's Service and most important ALL of it's Crew, with the notable exceptions I have listed here earlier.

 

However, that being said, I have already accepted two comps for both of us, on two different upcoming 10 day cruise sailings with two other cruise lines. One in February and the other in April Most importantly, with not nearly the guidelines that were necessary with CAS because of my independent rep's commissions. You all were right. Go direct and then the red carpet streams out for you!

 

So after all, I guess "There is soup for me", just not on CAS/Norwegian!

[Kaboochi]

This post is getting BORING. Ok, no comps from casino. Get over it and move on. I play the slots and spend abound 2000/cruise in the casino and I have just booked a penthouse with all the perks for free. I never complain and wig what NCL offers, I am a happy girl::):):):)

[luvcruzing]

If this thread is getting boring, then stop reading it.

 

But, I would love to know how you get a penthouse with all the perks for free just spending 2000. I spend way more than that and get offered an inside.

[Coastalbreezes]

If this thread is getting boring, then stop reading it.

 

But, I would love to know how you get a penthouse with all the perks for free just spending 2000. I spend way more than that and get offered an inside.

 

I would love to know, too. I spend way more than $2000/per cruise also and the best I have been offered is a balcony and then it usually costs me a quite a bit to upgrade.

 

Tracy

[boopsahoy]

I would love to know, too. I spend way more than $2000/per cruise also and the best I have been offered is a balcony and then it usually costs me a quite a bit to upgrade.

 

Tracy

 

We also spend around $2000 each (me and dh) and the best Ive gotten comped is a minisuite. We have been upgrading to the PH but never got it comped!

[cruise1cruise2]

Hi, I have dealt with CAS many times. I can tell you the trick is just to call back. Do not mention your prior conversation. Just let them know your cruise dates. Please let me know the result.

[blindrid]

If this thread is getting boring, then stop reading it.

 

But, I would love to know how you get a penthouse with all the perks for free just spending 2000. I spend way more than that and get offered an inside.

 

That's exactly what I thought when I read this post. On both points! Obviously, something is incorrect as we all know a suite costs more than that and makes no sense whatsoever.

 

At least with an inside, there is a large profit margin.

[ClaireAndMike]

I agree that this is an incredibly interesting thread, although I have NO IDEA what anyone is talking about! I don't even know how to play Go Fish but maybe I should learn! ;) Casinos have always been somewhat of a mystery to me. I went to one with some relatives on my 21st birthday and instead of using any of the machines, I just kept the money they gave me! I had no idea that any of this went on. Maybe I'll do some learning on my next cruise coming up in a few weeks.

 

JW and Jerome, you seem like you are both amazing people and I wish I was on your roll call! I can tell we'd hit it off immediately. :D

[deise17311]

I'm a licensed gambling addictions counselor if anyone wants to contact me for service...I'm much cheaper then a day at the slots :)!

[klingoncruiser]

While I am not even remotely in this league of gambling, I have long seen on RCL that if you gamble the first two days, you win, after that you are donating. I gave up on NCL a ways back as they seem the tightest machines of any of the lines I have been on. I don't trust ANY of the new computerized slots. The temptation to "rig" the payout is just too simple.

 

It really is a shame, if they loosened up the slots a bit, have people in there having a really great time, I would think they would actually make more by having people "win" more. It is funny how easy those long and gradual losses keep you going.

 

EDIT: Not starting a fight, but I don't smoke and no one is worse than NCL about that. (None really are good.) I won't even give it another try because of that. There really does need to be a better way to accodate both on the ships.

[blindrid]

While I am not even remotely in this league of gambling, I have long seen on RCL that if you gamble the first two days, you win, after that you are donating. I gave up on NCL a ways back as they seem the tightest machines of any of the lines I have been on. I don't trust ANY of the new computerized slots. The temptation to "rig" the payout is just too simple.

 

One reason that one should play table games. As to anyone that believes that "rigging" occurs that's a bit over the top. That doesn't mean one cannot control the odds and payouts but that is not "rigging".

 

That and people believe that a cruise ship machines should be as loose as a land based casino. To that I respond, "not too much competition on a boat".