Poker on Getaway, and Weather on late March NYC - Bermuda run

[Battlement]

As the title says! Has anyone sailed Getaway recently that can verify if they have poker tables at the casino? I'm talking real Texas Hold Em, not video poker or that 3-Card Poker table game.  Thanks in advance!

 

Also, we're booked on the March 24th run from NYC to Bermuda. Anyone done that run before? Obviously I've checked the weather apps, but on a ship, all bets are off! Are the pools likely to be open? Staying in Haven...can't remember if Getaway haven pool area has a retractable roof or not. 

 

Thanks!

[BirdTravels]

Welcome to Cruise Critic. 

 

The weather will be the weather. The average temp in NY is 58 degrees

 

2023 - 55 degrees cloudy

2022 - 52 degrees cloudy

2021 - 55 degrees drizzle

2020 - 54 degrees partly cloudy (it was 26 degrees and heavy rain the day before)

2019 - 55 degrees partly cloudy

2018 - 46 degrees cloudy

2017 - 48 degrees cloudy

 

No roof

 

1 poker table

[Battlement]

Thank you! Were you able to look those temps up somewhere, and/or have you made the late March Bermuda run before?

 

Thanks for the info on the roof and poker table. 

 

From what I can tell, the weather in Bermuda should be nice - average is 70F, which is just fine with me. They do say the water will be too cold for swimming, though, which is why I was hoping the pools on the ship might be open. The two hot tubs look nice too.

Edited February 21 by Battlement

[Liljo22]

Yes there is.  There will be several tournaments during the cruise and cash games available outside those tournaments.  

[Battlement]

Thank you! This is the kind of info you just can't find on NCL's website...or at least, I couldn't!

[MoCruiseFan]

1 hour ago, Battlement said:

As the title says! Has anyone sailed Getaway recently that can verify if they have poker tables at the casino? I'm talking real Texas Hold Em, not video poker or that 3-Card Poker table game.  Thanks in advance!

 

Also, we're booked on the March 24th run from NYC to Bermuda. Anyone done that run before? Obviously I've checked the weather apps, but on a ship, all bets are off! Are the pools likely to be open? Staying in Haven...can't remember if Getaway haven pool area has a retractable roof or not. 

 

Thanks!

They DO have NLH and tournys.  The rake is a stupud 10% and there is no half rake situations.  The tournys are structured (startung chip amounts and blind levels) so that they boils down to an all-in fest.  The quality of play os below average.  Lots of player who are "I've seen this on TV I'll give it a shot".

[Battlement]

Thanks. That rake is indeed insane, but slowly losing one's money on poker is infinitely more enjoyable to me than playing blackjack for 25 bucks a hand and burning through $200 in 15 minutes. The way I see it, Hold Em can last a while, and if I win, great - if not, I paid for a lesson in poker. 

 

My fishy self should fit right in, haha!

[skeeter195]

The rake is indeed 10% up to $25 max.  2/5 with a 1k max buy-in.  I suggest buying in for 1k and keep topping off if need be.  There will be plenty of bad players throwing money in.  That's why you want to have a full stack when the time is right.  On a 7 night cruise I typically play 3-5 nights late and close down the table.  On my last 7 cruises I have averaged winning $3567 per cruise, that is not counting my huge tournament win in November 23.  If you are good you will make money.  If you are average or worse you can still make money by waiting out and recognizing the juicy situations.  

 

I play a lot of poker and make money at it.  I truly look forward to my cruises where I can relax, have multiple drinks, enjoy the table banter and still come out ahead because of the generally bad play.  

[Charles4515]

1 hour ago, Battlement said:

From what I can tell, the weather in Bermuda should be nice - average is 70F, which is just fine with me. They do say the water will be too cold for swimming, though, which is why I was hoping the pools on the ship might be open. The two hot tubs look nice too.

That 70F is the average high temp at the end of March. That means it might be 70 for an hour or two mid day. If you are lucky   Expect temps in the mid 60s unless there is warmer weather than usual. Also windy weather that time of year. Water temp will be chill. Beach season begins end of May. Cruising out to Bermuda and back can be brisk and windy. 

Edited February 21 by Charles4515

[dominicr]

1 hour ago, skeeter195 said:

The rake is indeed 10% up to $25 max.  2/5 with a 1k max buy-in.  I suggest buying in for 1k and keep topping off if need be.  There will be plenty of bad players throwing money in.  That's why you want to have a full stack when the time is right.  On a 7 night cruise I typically play 3-5 nights late and close down the table.  On my last 7 cruises I have averaged winning $3567 per cruise, that is not counting my huge tournament win in November 23.  If you are good you will make money.  If you are average or worse you can still make money by waiting out and recognizing the juicy situations.  

 

I play a lot of poker and make money at it.  I truly look forward to my cruises where I can relax, have multiple drinks, enjoy the table banter and still come out ahead because of the generally bad play.  

what do the average people buy in for on ncl?  I’ve played a lot on royal and it’s the same 1k max but most people buy in between 200-300….never seen anyone buy in for the full 1k.

 

I’ll be on breakaway in March for kids spring break cruise and want to make sure I bring enough cash so I don’t get charged stupid fees.   

[CptJLMcCrea]

I can find no sound reason to buy-in for more than $200 until I get a read of the table. But that's certainly a personal choice.

 

[graphicguy]

14 hours ago, Charles4515 said:

That 70F is the average high temp at the end of March. That means it might be 70 for an hour or two mid day. If you are lucky   Expect temps in the mid 60s unless there is warmer weather than usual. Also windy weather that time of year. Water temp will be chill. Beach season begins end of May. Cruising out to Bermuda and back can be brisk and windy. 

Yep…usually cash games start around 8-9 p.m.  

 

If you see guys sitting at the table with sunglasses on or have some little trinket sitting in front of them, or are trying to tell others how to play, you know you’re going to have a good night!!   

[skeeter195]

I can find no sound reason to buy-in for more than $200 until I get a read of the table. But that's certainly a personal choice.

 

Most buy-in for 2-500.  To give yourself a true chance at a no limit game you really need to be willing to risk 2-2.5 full buy-ins.  Variance can be a b!&@h.  

 

As far as buying in short I think it is a bad play.  Think of it like this.  You are only going to get limited chances(sometimes not at all) per session to go all in while being in the lead in the hand.  Now if you buy-in for $200 and go up against someone(who bought in for 1k) in the first 10 minutes who has a flush while you hold the nut flush, you are only getting $200 where you could have gotten 1k.  While big hands will get you paid so will bluffs.  With a 200 stack vs a worthy player with 1k your bluffs are not going to work as much.  

 

Buy-in big, play smart, pick your spots and you will make money.  

 

I would never give this advice to players where I play but what are the chances of us meeting up on a ship.  

 

I will be on the Prima 4/27/24, Joy 8/11/24 and Jade 11/27/24 for the poker finals cruise again.

 

Good luck to all

[MoCruiseFan]

19 hours ago, Charles4515 said:

That 70F is the average high temp at the end of March. That means it might be 70 for an hour or two mid day. If you are lucky   Expect temps in the mid 60s unless there is warmer weather than usual. Also windy weather that time of year. Water temp will be chill. Beach season begins end of May. Cruising out to Bermuda and back can be brisk and windy. 

 

Go to the table before the game start and claim yoru favorite seat.

[CptJLMcCrea]

16 hours ago, graphicguy said:

If you see guys sitting at the table with sunglasses on or have some little trinket sitting in front of them, or are trying to tell others how to play, you know you’re going to have a good night!!   

 

Silly graph, that's how I lull you in. Obviously, I'm presenting a "player" that no one takes seriously, right? Sit down, take all this pretty boy's money, right? All flash, no cash, right?

 

See your money at the tables. 😆

 

 

[graphicguy]

7 hours ago, CptJLMcCrea said:

 

Silly graph, that's how I lull you in. Obviously, I'm presenting a "player" that no one takes seriously, right? Sit down, take all this pretty boy's money, right? All flash, no cash, right?

 

See your money at the tables. 😆

 

 

I dunno.  I love playing on cruise cash games....not the tournaments (which are a fool's play because of the many rebuys).

 

I know I've played in those cash games sometimes until 2:00 a.m. and the only casino action are the slots.

 

You see some of these players when they first sit down.  They have sunglasses on.  And/or they have some sort of alleged "good luck" charm with them.  I've actually seen some cruise lines disallow them from putting their "charm" on the table.  

 

 

It's more about what they look like (silly, at best) than how they play.

 

These guys have all seen TV poker. What they don't notice is all the best players like Ivey, Negreanu, Hellmuth, the late great Brunson, etc....none of them do any of that...."stuff".

 

They try to bluff.  Regardless of their sunglasses, it's not their eyes that give them away.  It's the other "tells".  You bait their bluff, get them so invested in the pot(s), they hope upon hope to draw an inside straight, or that River card to make their flush, etc.

 

Then, there are the ones who sit down with a whole mess of chips they've bought from the cage.  They are just dying to "splash the pot".  A couple of those plays and all of a sudden they have to go back to the cage for more chips.

 

Then, you have me.  I'll sit down and grind and grind and grind.  Win a little.... lose a little, until the ideal storm happens where I have a good hand, and so do the others at the table, and the pot gets huge.  

 

Mostly it's those small and medium sized pots that keep me playing for hours at a time.

 

That happens a couple of times a nite.  Sometimes I win, sometimes I lose.  But, I had fun either way.

 

 

Edited February 23 by graphicguy

[Battlement]

3 hours ago, graphicguy said:

I dunno.  I love playing on cruise cash games....not the tournaments (which are a fool's play because of the many rebuys).

 

I know I've played in those cash games sometimes until 2:00 a.m. and the only casino action are the slots.

 

You see some of these players when they first sit down.  They have sunglasses on.  And/or they have some sort of alleged "good luck" charm with them.  I've actually seen some cruise lines disallow them from putting their "charm" on the table.  

 

 

It's more about what they look like (silly, at best) than how they play.

 

These guys have all seen TV poker. What they don't notice is all the best players like Ivey, Negreanu, Hellmuth, the late great Brunson, etc....none of them do any of that...."stuff".

 

They try to bluff.  Regardless of their sunglasses, it's not their eyes that give them away.  It's the other "tells".  You bait their bluff, get them so invested in the pot(s), they hope upon hope to draw an inside straight, or that River card to make their flush, etc.

 

Then, there are the ones who sit down with a whole mess of chips they've bought from the cage.  They are just dying to "splash the pot".  A couple of those plays and all of a sudden they have to go back to the cage for more chips.

 

Then, you have me.  I'll sit down and grind and grind and grind.  Win a little.... lose a little, until the ideal storm happens where I have a good hand, and so do the others at the table, and the pot gets huge.  

 

Mostly it's those small and medium sized pots that keep me playing for hours at a time.

 

That happens a couple of times a nite.  Sometimes I win, sometimes I lose.  But, I had fun either way.

 

This is awesome. The games on Celebrity are pretty much exactly as you describe: tourneys are guys going all-in with junk and rebuying in hopes of having a double-stack when rebuys are over. Would be great for a home game, not so fun when the boat is taking all those rebuy fees.

 

Cash games are more fun for me as well, but the problem is the drink package. I can play textbook tight-aggressive until I get 6 Miller Lites deep, and suddenly A10off looks like a good hand to shove with 🙂

 

I would totally host a home game and get my butt kicked by the crew on this thread!

[graphicguy]

12 minutes ago, Battlement said:

This is awesome. The games on Celebrity are pretty much exactly as you describe: tourneys are guys going all-in with junk and rebuying in hopes of having a double-stack when rebuys are over. Would be great for a home game, not so fun when the boat is taking all those rebuy fees.

 

Cash games are more fun for me as well, but the problem is the drink package. I can play textbook tight-aggressive until I get 6 Miller Lites deep, and suddenly A10off looks like a good hand to shove with 🙂

 

I would totally host a home game and get my butt kicked by the crew on this thread!

Yeah..I’m the same.  I try to stay away from libations while I’m playing.  Mainly because I get fast and loose and, as you say, a hand with few outs makes me think I can hit the exact river card I need!  Not to say it’s not happened.  It has.  Just rarely. LOL!

 

But, if I’ve been sitting there for a while, and have a good feel for the table, I might tilt a drink or two of I’m up a good amount!

 

Funny you mentioned Celebrity.  I won two Hold’em tournaments when I still played ship tournaments.  Both on Celebrity.

 

Overall, I’m not playing for the big hit, unless it presents itself.  Happened on an NCL cash game once.  I bluffed a guy off a King high flush because he thought I had an Ace high flush (I didn’t even have the flush).  He kept trying to stare through me with his shades on.  Apparently, that did him no good.

 

But, again that’s rare.

Edited February 23 by graphicguy

[Battlement]

52 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

Yeah..I’m the same.  I try to stay away from libations while I’m playing.  Mainly because I get fast and loose and, as you say, a hand with few outs makes me think I can hit the exact river card I need!  Not to say it’s not happened.  It has.  Just rarely. LOL!

 

But, if I’ve been sitting there for a while, and have a good feel for the table, I might tilt a drink or two of I’m up a good amount!

Or, you can look at it like this: if I buy in for $200, and lose it over a few hours, but also drink $200 worth of booze...is that really a loss? 🙂

 

Also, I see you've done both Retreat and Haven. Any comparisons you wanna share?  We have been Retreat devotees forever, but their prices have gone wild and this upcoming NCL cruise (Getaway, aft-facing Haven PH) was just perfect with dates/port/pricing. 

 

(Translation: I love my wife more than anything, but I'm just WAITING to hear stuff like "This was better at Luminae" etc etc;)

 

 

[skeeter195]

Don't overthink cruise ship poker to much.  Remember 7 out of the 10 players are usually bad.  Will they win piles at times?, yes.  For the most part though the 1 or 2 good players usually end up with most of the bad players money.  I rarely drink when I am playing for "real".  When I am playing 2/5 on a cruise though I keep the drinks coming.  

 

graphicguy don't discount the NCL tournaments to much.  Sure they can be a shove fest at times but I personally have won at least one tournament on 12 of my last 13 NCL cruises.  The poker finals cruise is no joke either(I won the finals for over 100k even after a deal was made).  I have been on the last 6 and the tournaments are very good with a very player friendly rake.  The cash games are still 10% but capped at $15 until you get to 5-10 or higher then it is $25.  

[graphicguy]

1 hour ago, skeeter195 said:

Don't overthink cruise ship poker to much.  Remember 7 out of the 10 players are usually bad.  Will they win piles at times?, yes.  For the most part though the 1 or 2 good players usually end up with most of the bad players money.  I rarely drink when I am playing for "real".  When I am playing 2/5 on a cruise though I keep the drinks coming.  

 

graphicguy don't discount the NCL tournaments to much.  Sure they can be a shove fest at times but I personally have won at least one tournament on 12 of my last 13 NCL cruises.  The poker finals cruise is no joke either(I won the finals for over 100k even after a deal was made).  I have been on the last 6 and the tournaments are very good with a very player friendly rake.  The cash games are still 10% but capped at $15 until you get to 5-10 or higher then it is $25.  

Oh...I agree about the tournaments.  They can be fun and you can win some cash.  And, I tip my hat to you winning the final.

 

I think the last few on NCL I've played in there were some players who kept doing rebuys, making whatever they could possibly win not even worth it.  I view it as them having 2X, 3X even 4X the number of chips I have (who feel if I put you out once, you shouldn't be allowed back in) because I'm there to win greenbacks, not bragging rights.

 

That seems to be an NCL thing, though.

 

Celebrity tournaments don't run that way.  Buy in (for more than what NCL allows) and you play until you win, lose or chop.  

Still, I prefer cash games.  That's where NCL shines.  But, they only have one table going.  I know that even though their rake (10%/$25) doesn't lend itself to small pots.  But, that also keeps out all those who just hang around for the blinds.

 

I have indeed been in the Haven, the Retreat and MSC's Yacht Club.  If you forced me to rate them, that would be the order.  But, it's not that one is better than the other.  It's just what I prefer.

 

The Camaraderie at the Haven Bar is really a fun time in and of itself.  Plus, the Haven bartenders are among the best mixologists I've encountered anywhere short of a NYC HIGH ZOOT, way too expensive Manhattan Bar.

 

The Retreat is great, too.  But, it's a bit more sedate.  They are limited in the drinks they can make and rank nowhere near to the Haven Bartenders.  They cater more to the "wine crowd", which I'm not one of.  The Retreat outdoor bar area is fun.  But, it's just a different crowd..not bad...just different from what I like.

 

Yacht Club Topsail is nice....if you want to sit with your family or SO.  There's not much in the way of mingling.  I did make friends with some people when I was on a Mediterranean cruise who we hung out with.  But, that's the exception rather than the rule.   Plus, the service is rather slow.

 

Cabins are all very nice.  I rate the Haven and Retreat (Sky) Cabins the same.  Yacht Club, while nice, they are a bit below the Haven and Retreat.

 

Concierges in the Haven are to me the tops of the mainline cruises.  There just seems to be nothing they can't get done for you and are happy to do it.

 

Yacht Club has good Butlers, but aside from them taking my luggage from me at embarkation, there really isn't much I require of them...maybe breakfast room service, but all the Butlers on every line does that.  Concierges are nice and polite.  But, they are limited.  For example, if a restaurant is sold out, they can't "sneak you in".  NCL Concierge's can and do.

 

Retreat has a combo Butler/Concierge.  I do like having one person take care of everything I need.  But, they can't seem to do as much as NCL's Concierges.

 

Cabins are all nice.  NCL's Haven Cabins have absolutely killer showers and beds.  They are both amazing.

 

I do like the Observation Lounges on NCL's newer ships.....very similar to MSC's Top Sail Lounge.  CELEBRITY'S Retreat Lounge, while nice, tends to be smaller....at least on the Edge ships.

 

MSC Yacht Club used to have a price advantage over both the Celebrity Retreat and NCL Haven.  Now, MSC is just about on par, with Celebrity costing the most for the Retreat.

 

For some reason, I can always seem to find a deal on a Haven cabin.  I know some bemoan the cost of the Haven.  But, in reality, I can usually find a Haven cabin on a 7-nite (or more) cruise for roughly $1,000 more than a Club Balcony and about the same price as a Spa Balcony cabin.

 

I don't get it but some say they can't and need to spend $7K-$10K for a Haven cabin.  That's nuts.

 

Anyway, hope that helps, because it sure was long winded. 😉

[Battlement]

5 hours ago, graphicguy said:

Anyway, hope that helps, because it sure was long winded

I seriously appreciate every word of that response. Like I mentioned, this will be our first time on Haven, and we've had great experiences in the past with Retreat (Edge class in particular).  The info about the mixologists is huge, as my wife and I both love a great bartender who is willing to experiment. I've heard that about Haven bar from a few sources, and I appreciate the confirmation! Same with the concierge: the Free At Sea thing includes some specialty dining, and I waited to make reservations at the one restaurant everyone says is the best of the specialties, Ocean Blue. Of course, now there are only a few scattered random times (party of 6 at 9PM kinda stuff) so we may be counting on that concierge action to get us in. Honestly, the reason I didnt go wild with specialty reservations is that many people say the Haven restaurant serves the best food on the ship, and that they can pretty much make anything happen with a little notice. 

 

There's also always the butler move, and as tempting as it might be to eat on that sweet looking balcony, I like to get out and enjoy the scene a little, rather than cocoon in the room. 

 

I know I've asked way more than my quota of questions, but if you're bored: thoughts on NCL specialty spots to hit? Cagney's? Le Bistro? Is that 24-hour pub as fun as it looks? Any other stuff not to be missed on Getaway? 

 

Thanks for all the info, seriously!

 

 

[LouChamp]

Aloha. Blessed to be born and raised in Manhattan and now divide our time between there and Hawaii. Cruising and flying to Bermuda since the early 1970s and will only cruise there during June and July and fly Memorial Day weekend and mid August. Just my opinion but noticed cruise lines are sailing there almost year round now.  The water is rough the weather is meh during other times. I respect those traveling there other times but it is not conducive in my opinion to an experience one may be expecting.

[graphicguy]

11 hours ago, CptJLMcCrea said:

 

Exactly. I can't play and drink in Vegas, because 8 of 10 players are better than me. But on a cruise, I can play absolutely plastered because I'm better than 8 of 10.

 

Funny.  I don't play on the strip.  It's been a while now, but I hit the final table at a tournament in Binions.  I thought I was the shiz nits.  That is, until the next night a pretty lady who was sharp as a tack embarrassed me in a cash game on the strip (Paris).

 

I also won a tournament in O'Sheas, a little dump of a casino that was on the strip that closed down a little while ago.

 

My most memorable  hand was in a cash game.  One of those confluence of events.  4 people hit big on their hole cards.  One guy had pocket Aces, the other pocket Kings, the other pocket Queens.  I had pocket 7s.  

 

Their bets reflected that with a couple rounds of raises before the flop.  I kept thinking I should fold, but promised myself I'd hang for the flop, which came out Ace, King, 7.  Another round of raises.  Turn was a Queen.  Pocket Queens shoved. This guy was bluffing all night.  I kind of felt he may have had one Queen, but not pocket Queens.  I was going to fold, but just had a gut feeling.  Against my better judgement I shoved, as did Pocket Kings behind me.

 

Heart sank!

 

You guessed it.  River card was a 7.  That was a five figure pot.  Can't say I didn't sweat a bit, though.

 

Everybody who has played for a while has at least one of those types of stories, though.  I've got plenty where I lost, too.  I don't want to talk about my bad beats.  LOL!

Edited February 24 by graphicguy

[dominicr]

21 hours ago, Battlement said:

Or, you can look at it like this: if I buy in for $200, and lose it over a few hours, but also drink $200 worth of booze...is that really a loss? 🙂

 

Also, I see you've done both Retreat and Haven. Any comparisons you wanna share?  We have been Retreat devotees forever, but their prices have gone wild and this upcoming NCL cruise (Getaway, aft-facing Haven PH) was just perfect with dates/port/pricing. 

 

(Translation: I love my wife more than anything, but I'm just WAITING to hear stuff like "This was better at Luminae" etc etc;)

 

 

this is what I was kind of getting at with asking about ncl poker.  On royal I usually buy in for 200 and just mess around and sometimes lose it and sometimes win but in the end I always end up feeling no pain from the drink package.  
 

when I play here is St. Louis at the casinos I do not drink while I play and focus on winning money.  
 

if I’m forced to buy in for max well then I won’t drink and focus on just taking money from the baddies but to me this is vacation and if I lose I don’t mind pissing away a few hundred dollars for hours of fun and socialization.