Rccl: Bogus bingo

[bfree32]

Let me start with the obligatory disclaimers:

 

I am a loyal RC cruiser.

We are Diamond members who love the new ships

I understand that cruise prices are not much higher now than they were 20 years ago; thus cruise lines are going to look for alternate ways to increase income.

And most importantly, don't play BINGO if you don't want to play BINGO

 

 

 

With that being said, I believe that RCCL has far exceeded reasonableness with the cost of BINGO. Until last week, we hadn't played BINGO for 4 or 5 years. When we went down to play on the Allure last week, we were surprised to see various packages of BINGO cards ranging from $30-80 for one session. (they do offer a Buy 2, get 1 free deal)

 

In any case, I would estimate that there were 150-200 people in the room playing BINGO. Reasonable guess is that that the cruise line took in ~$8000 for that session. In the past, a BINGO session would include 5 games of BINGO. This session included only 3. But the crazy part is the payoffs:

$160 for the first game, $350 for second game, $510 for the last. Approximately $1000 total in spite of taking in between $5K-$10K. Even for the Final Jackpot Bingo, the jackpot was only $2000.

I recall on our very first cruise in 1993, the jackpot was over $5000. There were a lot more players and the cost to play was probably $15-30.

 

RCCL.....why are you skimming so much off the top? Make this more fun for all players.

Play 4-5 games per session MORE WINNERS.

Increase the payouts to something like say, 25-30% of income. MORE INTICING

Drop the price slightly, MORE PLAYERS

[ONECRUISER]

Let me start with the obligatory disclaimers:

 

I am a loyal RC cruiser.

We are Diamond members who love the new ships

I understand that cruise prices are not much higher now than they were 20 years ago; thus cruise lines are going to look for alternate ways to increase income.

And most importantly, don't play BINGO if you don't want to play BINGO

 

 

 

With that being said, I believe that RCCL has far exceeded reasonableness with the cost of BINGO. Until last week, we hadn't played BINGO for 4 or 5 years. When we went down to play on the Allure last week, we were surprised to see various packages of BINGO cards ranging from $30-80 for one session. (they do offer a Buy 2, get 1 free deal)

 

In any case, I would estimate that there were 150-200 people in the room playing BINGO. Reasonable guess is that that the cruise line took in ~$8000 for that session. In the past, a BINGO session would include 5 games of BINGO. This session included only 3. But the crazy part is the payoffs:

$160 for the first game, $350 for second game, $510 for the last. Approximately $1000 total in spite of taking in between $5K-$10K. Even for the Final Jackpot Bingo, the jackpot was only $2000.

I recall on our very first cruise in 1993, the jackpot was over $5000. There were a lot more players and the cost to play was probably $15-30.

 

RCCL.....why are you skimming so much off the top? Make this more fun for all players.

Play 4-5 games per session MORE WINNERS.

Increase the payouts to something like say, 25-30% of income. MORE INTICING

Drop the price slightly, MORE PLAYERS

Final BINGO in 1988 was win a 7 nite cruise, there was no Balconies then so $2000 sounds about same as then... I doubt that you could have 4-5 games, not as many play BINGO anymore, one game or 2 yes. Cruiser have more to do on the ships now. But I do miss Skeet shooting and Golfing off the back of the ship..

[matj2000]

I have always said cruise-ship bingo is one of the biggest scams.

But the masses go crazy.....

[toxicfairy]

A few years back can't remember which ship my husband and I played bingo. A 16 yr old kid won a free cruise and had to go find a parent to claim his prize. We were kind of pissed. Too young to claim it but they let him play by himself !?!

 

Sent from my SM-J700T1 using Forums mobile app

[KDOG687]

They lost me when they went to those machines, I prefer they sheets myself and not just waiting on fireworks to pop-up.

 

Sent from my H1611 using Forums mobile app

[laura85]

I like bingo,but have never played on a ship. It sounds like I'd be doing it more for the experience than for a huge prize. Do they only have the electronic machines? Or can you get paper cards as well? I get bored if I don't at least have one paper card!!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[A&L_Ont]

I have always said cruise-ship bingo is one of the biggest scams.

But the masses go crazy.....

 

For the "44 - Droopy drawers" along with a healthy side "22 - two little ducks". Quack Quack. :rolleyes:

[pharaoh]

I enjoy playing Bingo on the cruises. The price is high, but i see it as the cost of that kind of entertainment for me. I don't gamble in the casino but I do enjoy the chance of winning bingo.

 

A couple of years ago, I spent about $600 total on bingo cards for my mom and myself. We won back about $400 over four games. I find with the higher cost of games, less people play, and so the chances of winning are higher.

 

I'll stop playing once it gets to be no fun or too expensive. I'm not there yet so I'll continue to enjoy for now. :)

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Agavegirl1]

We had never cruised before and our RCI Freedom sailing was our first ever. We were in line to pay for Bingo when we heard the spiel about the prices. We looked at eachother and got out of line. It is pretty pricey. However, fast forward one month and there on Facebook is my niece holding her "device" indicating she was a winner and had won a free cruise while she was on Harmony. We don't do Casino gaming much either. Just a few dollars in a slot machine. I thought the "machines" would take the fun out of Bingo but it sure would be fun to win.

 

I agree the number of games, the price for the experience and having devices take over for you kind of removes some of the enjoyment...which is why we left the line.

[sellwingri]

I used to play bingo almost every session, even though the prices were so high and payouts were so low. That being said, when they went to the machines, I quit playing cold turkey. Where's the fun? To me, punching out the numbers and anticipating the next one was the fun part. I know that you can buy paper cards but your chance of winning with 6 paper cards versus 50 (I have no idea the exact number) in the machine are next to nothing.

 

When I occasionally cruise on Princess, I bring my Princess dapper and play every session but not on RCI. I too am loyal to RCI (I'm diamond plus) but spend my money someplace else.

[MrYellowDuck]

Smaller prizes makes sense since they are still aspirational amounts of money given the new demographic of people taking a cruise. Lots of very cheap cabins allows bingo to have small prizes that still seem interesting to those who have still had to stretched to pay the modest fares we now see.

 

While I would be willing to go to the effort to open my wallet to receive a prize of those sizes I wouldn't be willing to pay more than $1 for a ticket. Actually I lie, at those prize levels I'm just not motivated to play even if the games were free. However, if someone wanted to give me the prize money I would say thank-you and genuinely mean it.

 

I'd rather see an hourly lottery draw for say $400 million with $1 tickets and no chance of anyone winning (with some insurance from a Lloyd's syndicate to help RCL pay should the unthinkable actually happen). At least there would be a fantasy element to occupy the imagination as I awaited the next draw. Here I would pay for $24 a day for a package to be in each draw.

[Newby58]

I have always said cruise-ship bingo is one of the biggest scams.

But the masses go crazy.....

 

 

At least once [emoji41] Never again for me...

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[matj2000]

I noticed all this a long time ago.

Although I didn't do the math break-down like the OP did.

it was obvious that they sold a lot of cards and the pay outs seemed rather small for the amount of $$ collected.

I figured they paid out about 1/4 to 1/3 for what they collected.

From what I remember, (This was on Carnival, I think)they always did it before the shows in the Main Theater and the staff really seemed to push it hard. Almost as if they where getting a commission or bonus for hitting a certain amount.

It always delayed the show because they would try to get maximum sales.

Since I don't go to the shows any longer, I don't even know if that's how o where it is done...

[matj2000]

For the "44 - Droopy drawers" along with a healthy side "22 - two little ducks". Quack Quack. :rolleyes:

 

???????

[Surfguyxxx]

I took my mom on her 80th birthday cruise one time and we played bingo; 3 games and it was over. She was so disappointed and I've never played again either!

[Foosguy]

Much better off taking your $50-80 to the Casino vs Bingo (in my opinion) if you are looking for better odds on your money. More 'entertainment' factor involved and usually better odds. RCI isn't in the business to run non-profit Bingo entertainment sessions. Not sure why everyone is surprised that they are making money off Bingo. They make way more off the Casino. It's all entertainment. If you think of these expenses as entertainment expenses versus trying to make money, then why does it matter how much they are 'skimming-off-the-top'. By the way, I do not work for RCI.

 

Kyle

 

Kyle

[kinderteach]

On our first cruise in 2005 played bingo. We had an inside room and I ended up winning an owners suite. It was an amazing upgrade from an inside room and a great Birthday gift. We haven't played bingo since our second cruise because the prices have gone up so much.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Cruise Critic Forums mobile app

[gwsster]

Booze and Bingo and Bets at the Casino

are big $$$ maker for all cruise lines.

 

 

On our first cruise in 2005 played bingo. We had an inside room and I ended up winning an owners suite. It was an amazing upgrade from an inside room and a great Birthday gift. We haven't played bingo since our second cruise because the prices have gone up so much.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Cruise Critic Forums mobile app

[cookiersmom]

Back around 2005 on RCI the final night bingo jackpot (2 week cruise) was over $10K.

In those days it was run by the Cruise Director Activities folks, and seemed to be, not a revenue generator but a fun activity. Most, if not all, the income went back out in prizes.

 

Not sure on RCI, but on Celebrity it has been taken over by the Casino department and therefore run as a revenue generator.

We always liked bingo but at these prices, it is just too pricey.

[Kevin]

I won a free cruise playing bingo several years ago. I think bingo on RCCL is just fine!

[Kesali]

How does one play bingo on a cruise ship now then? Someone mentioned machines?

[Little_Crocketts]

We went to Bingo on the Mariner a few weeks ago (april 3rd 2017) and for the price to play it just doesnt match the winnings. (3rd game was $500)

There was NO upgrades, or free cruise or anything remotely like that! It was $60 or something for 3 games.

 

Once was enough! Enjoyed time in the casino more.

[kmorg1234]

I haven't played bingo on the last few cruises, but the last time I did play, I split the jackpot bingo with another winner- we each took home close to $5k. Think it was 2, maybe 3 years ago, and I won it with one of the machines (which I like.) About 12 years ago, I also split a Bingo jackpot, and collected a little over $3k. But would I play for $2k, at these new prices? Probably not.

[Debitoo]

We played several years ago using the machines. The same person won 2 of the 3 games which took less than 1/2 hour total. We felt totally ripped off. Never again.........

[fleihr]

On my first ever cruise 2 years ago me and dw played Bingo and while we didnt win in the actual Bingo game I did win 2k off the pull tab cards they were selling so I was happy