Casino question

[tarheel04]

I have recently found a new hobby of slot machines. Since I live in NC, I'm close enough to visit a casino located in the mountains about four hours away. I have been on several cruises but always played the tables and never really been into the slots. Now that has changed. We will be on the Freedom in April, but I would imagine most of the ships have similar machines. Can anyone tell me about the slots that are offered on Carnival, details would be great. What type of machines, how they payout, what price do they start out at, are they tight or loose ( are we donating to carnival )? Any info would be helpful. Some success stories would be great also. Thanks in advance

[RjayB]

They have machines that are very similar to what you may have played at Harrah's Cherokee casino. They have nickel slots, quarter slots,and I think dollar slots (not sure cause I'm not a high roller).

 

You use your Sign&Sail card to use the machines, just like the card at Harrah's. You add funds to your casino account by debiting your on-board account. You can cash out at any time in coins, but you can also put it back on your card.

 

We always end up donating to Carnival, but I dont think the machines are any more or less stingy than the ones at Harrah's.

 

Hope that helps!

[tarheel04]

thanks rayjb

 

i live in graham, nc about two hours from you. thanks for the info, if i enjoy cherokee then i should enjoy the slots on the ship

[Brenda Bell]

Good Luck! On the Fantasy ship, my mother hit the jackpot ( I think it was on the .25c. blackjack slot machine ).

There are several types of slots in the Casino : Red, White& Blues, 777, Blackjack, Wheel of fortune & others... 1, 5, 10 , .25c & $1.00 maybe $5.00 .

[habby]

The casino hosts will be out in full force the first day or two of the cruise to explain using your S&S card in the machines. You can earn points for how long you play, just like Total Rewards. If you reach 1000 points you get $10.

 

I have used the S&S card as a bank, so to speak. For example, I put $20 in a machine, play for a bit then decide I don't want to play that machine anymore. I tranfer whatever credits I have to the "bank" on my card (using personal ID number), take the card out, go to another machine and put the card in. My credits get put into the new machine and play. At the end of the cruise I press the "cash out" button, get a receipt to take to the cashier and walk away with money.

 

As far as the slots being loose or tight, they're just like any other slot machine. You never know when you'll hit a good payout. The most I've won on any one spin was about $120 (on a penny machine)

[Kurbanfan]

maybe $5.00 .

 

Yes they have $5 machines.........

Payouts are not the same as most land casinos........

[ADD Boy]

Yes they have $5 machines.........

Payouts are not the same as most land casinos........

 

Second that. Cruise ship casinos are not governed by a board, such as the Nevada Gaming Commission, so they are free to set whatever payout % they want; which means they are generally very tight!

 

I play video poker, where you can see the payout schedules for different hands, or table games.

[Kurbanfan]

Second that. Cruise ship casinos are not governed by a board, such as the Nevada Gaming Commission, so they are free to set whatever payout % they want; which means they are generally very tight!

 

I play video poker, where you can see the payout schedules for different hands, or table games.

 

The video poker machines is what caught my eye too........I think it was the first time I got 4 of a kind and the payout (can't remember what it is now) was not what Vegas pays out............

Most people won't even notice.........

[tarheel04]

thanks for all the replies so far, some good info out there. but i know there are more slot machine fanatics out there.

[paradoc1]

there are several types of slots, we play the penny slots the ones that have 20 lines with 1-10 per line, several are " hot slot" that will give you several spins when the bonus comes up. these are my favorites, I won a total of $400.00 last cruise on the fantasy, if you are not a member of the players club then join on this cruise then the next cruise they will take care of you, for instance I e-mailed them that we were going on the last cruise and that it was our anniv about 30 dys prior to sailingand when we got to the room they had decorated it, gave us a bottle of champagane(sp), 500 credits for the casino and a free drink. more than worth it. good luck and enjoy

[popsec]

The casino host on the Miracle last year told us that the slots were set at 80% payout :eek:....OMG!

 

Also, now that Carnival is taking over the Player's Club there are no longer gifts in the cabin. In the past we received fruit baskets, wine, champagne, photo coupons, drink coupons, etc. Now all they give you is a letter good for 500 points on your card and a free drink from the casino host.

 

I do usually receive from $50 to $175 in casino credits (based on amount of play from previous cruise)

[Stircrzy]

The casino host on the Miracle last year told us that the slots were set at 80% payout :eek:....OMG!

 

Also, now that Carnival is taking over the Player's Club there are no longer gifts in the cabin. In the past we received fruit baskets, wine, champagne, photo coupons, drink coupons, etc. Now all they give you is a letter good for 500 points on your card and a free drink from the casino host.

 

I do usually receive from $50 to $175 in casino credits (based on amount of play from previous cruise)

 

Pop...the casino credit is going away, too, unless you "earn" more than $500 (figured on a percentage of the amount you spend to play) according to the lady at OPC.

 

I'm sailing in two weeks and called yesterday to see if I had any credit coming to me. Last October I received $430 in cash the first night in the casino.

 

Not happening for my upcoming sailing, but she did say to watch the mail and email in the coming months for new promotions from Carnival Players Club.

[popsec]

Pop...the casino credit is going away, too, unless you "earn" more than $500 (figured on a percentage of the amount you spend to play) according to the lady at OPC.

 

I'm sailing in two weeks and called yesterday to see if I had any credit coming to me. Last October I received $430 in cash the first night in the casino.

 

Not happening for my upcoming sailing, but she did say to watch the mail and email in the coming months for new promotions from Carnival Players Club.

 

Too bad! Carnival is going to "cheap down" any small benefits that the player's club offered.

 

I've received notices twice about special "player's" cruises....unfortunately they send the email only a couple months before the cruise and both times it was a great deal but we had cruises booked already the month before and the month after.

 

Can you explain the "earn $500" deal?

[Dee777]

So it is correct to assume that you no longer can put actual cash into a machine, rather than charge it to your S&S account? Just wondering, as we will be on the Pride for 14 days next month, and whew, it could be kinda hard to keep track of my evening entertainment LOL

 

Thanks in advance for any info!

Dee

[popsec]

So it is correct to assume that you no longer can put actual cash into a machine, rather than charge it to your S&S account? Just wondering, as we will be on the Pride for 14 days next month, and whew, it could be kinda hard to keep track of my evening entertainment LOL

 

Thanks in advance for any info!

Dee

 

On all the ships I've been on you could put cash in the machines.

[Dee777]

On all the ships I've been on you could put cash in the machines.

 

Thank you!

[yogimax]

The video poker machines is what caught my eye too........I think it was the first time I got 4 of a kind and the payout (can't remember what it is now) was not what Vegas pays out............

Most people won't even notice.........

 

Yeah, I noticed. The 5-6 payout is poor, but will probably be better than playing the slots.

[Stircrzy]

Too bad! Carnival is going to "cheap down" any small benefits that the player's club offered.

 

I've received notices twice about special "player's" cruises....unfortunately they send the email only a couple months before the cruise and both times it was a great deal but we had cruises booked already the month before and the month after.

 

Can you explain the "earn $500" deal?

 

That cash casino credit was based on a percentage of your losses on the previous cruise, I've been told. The figure I was quoted was 10%.

 

So...to "earn" $500 in casino credit, you'd have to be in their computer for a loss of $5000 from your previous play before they will "award" you with casino credit now.

 

I've never been able to take advantage of those "special" cruises either. A comp cabin won't help me if I can't go...

 

I did most of my gambling on ship casinos, but I think I'll start frequenting L'auberge du Lak in Lake Charles more often in the future. They comp me RFB!

[Kaboochi]

We were on Victory 2/1 and I loved using the sail and sign card in the casino. You can put cash in and cash out, they pay in quarters. But when you use your card, you just upload the remainder left on the machine and you can download whatever you want on the next machine. It costs no money to do this and it stays seperate from your sail and sign account for charges such as excursions or drinks. On the last night or at anytime you can cash out your casino winnings.

 

The machines are not tight nor are they loose. I did win some nice $, several +$100 pays. Of course some went back into the machine as I get greedy:D.

 

The casino host, Freddy, was very hospitable. He recognized who was playing a lot and bought people drinks and gave out gifts.

 

I do have a question. This is the first time I have used my S&S card and wonder how they know that you are a players club member. I did get a notice in our stateroom the last day about future "gambling" cruises, which I am not interested in, but how to they know to give you casino credits for your next cruise. And, does the credit only apply to Carnival or is it available for RC or Celebrity? Thanks and happy Cha-Chinging

[tarheel04]

I was told by another post recently to send cpc a email stating what cruise and date that you would be on. I did this and recieved a letter stating just general stuff. I'm not a member( haven't signed up on a ship, but I did sign up on the website ), so I'm not sure if I'm a member now or if I need to still sign up on the ship. I also don't know if I will recieve any perks on my cruise in April or not.

[Stircrzy]

Take nothing I post as gospel, I am merely regurgitating information I received by phone yesterday in a call to the OPC number.

 

Carnival is still feeling their way in the turn over of the Ocean Players Club to the Carnival Players Club. Lots of changes, but supposedly better down the road when they iron things out.

 

The lady at OPC told me yesterday that you need to sign up again on EACH cruise to update any information that may now be incorrect, like address....until they finally issue us cards (like Total Rewards, etc.).

 

There could be still some decorations for the cabin, fruit baskets, etc., but those are probably gone...other than from the casino host on your current sailing. They DO monitor your play, especially if you spend a long time at one machine or play several hours of high dollar ($5 and up) slots. I didn't ask about table games because I can't count so I don't play them.

 

I don't think anything is set in stone yet. They'll be seeing what brings in players and what sends them to other activities for awhile. I thought OPC had a good idea in having the casino host come by on day one and introduce himself and offer a drink to those who had "history" with the OPC on a previous cruise. Having them show up at your machine and say "Hi there ______. Glad you could sail with us again. May I offer you a drink?"... made you feel like you were at "Cheers". :) They know where you are if your card is in the slot...kinda creepy, too. :eek:

 

Anyway, I shall see what it's all about in two weeks.

[Casino Player]

They have machines that are very similar to what you may have played at Harrah's Cherokee casino. They have nickel slots, quarter slots,and I think dollar slots (not sure cause I'm not a high roller).

 

You use your Sign&Sail card to use the machines, just like the card at Harrah's. You add funds to your casino account by debiting your on-board account. You can cash out at any time in coins, but you can also put it back on your card.

 

We always end up donating to Carnival, but I dont think the machines are any more or less stingy than the ones at Harrah's.

 

Hope that helps!

 

Do they have $5 slots? I won a nice prize a few years ago on a $5 slot. I mostly play table games though. You have a better chance.

[Casino Player]

Second that. Cruise ship casinos are not governed by a board, such as the Nevada Gaming Commission, so they are free to set whatever payout % they want; which means they are generally very tight!

 

I play video poker, where you can see the payout schedules for different hands, or table games.

 

Slot machines can be programed for different payouts. However, table games have roughly the same payouts as other casinos have. Good luck on whichever game you choose to play. Know the game and all the rules. Know the odds, and the best plays you could make.

[Djptcp]

It's wonderful not having to cash out in coins anymore! I love using my S&S card as a "bank". I find the best slots are really the $.25 video poker machines (play max coins). I love the penny slots with the entertaining graphics and certainly play them alot, but if you want to make some money, play poker. We've been on 15 cruises and I've had a Royal Flush on half of them @ $1,000 a win. I agree that the cruise ship slot machines seem "tighter" than on land casinos, but I seem to have days on a cruise where I can't lose. Just wish there were more of them:cool:

Tarheel04, DH and I lived about 20 miles from the Cherokee casino for several years and just a few months before we moved to Florida, they finally started to put in the paper receipt payouts. I used to hate the coin payouts -- machines always running out of coins, waiting and waiting for someone to actually fill the machines. The coinless payout is fantastic, plus it was already everywhere else around the country. Oh well, we found everything to be slow in that neck of the woods, so why any different at the casino?

[tarheel04]

thanks for all the replies, can't wait to donate some money to carnival. in the meantime until april i guess i will just keep donating to harrahs cherokee. yes the paper payouts are great and its wonderful to hear payout( bank ) on the s&s cards, that should be easier.