Royal Caribbean Casino

Hear the words ‘Casino Royale’ and your mind will doubtless turn to the world of James Bond, either because of the book written by Ian Fleming starring the British spy, or else thanks to the film of the book featuring Daniel Craig as 007. In terms of Royal Caribbean Cruises, however, that is actually the name that has been given to the place on board that you’ll head to in order to place a bet or two.

The good news for anyone heading on a Royal Caribbean Cruise and hoping to spend some time in a Casino Royale space is that they are available on all ships in the fleet that the company sails, meaning you won’t miss out.

The Casinos

The company itself says on its website about the Casino Royale, “You’re not just a player – you’re a winner.” Whilst the United Kingdom Gambling Commission might well have something to say about that, given the suggestion that you’re winning just by showing up, the reality is that the company is saying that by merely being on one of their cruises, you’re already ‘winning’. Whether you’re someone who likes the sound of a ball being spun around a roulette wheel, a deck of cards being shuffled or the sounds that are emitted from slot machines, you’ll be delighted by the offerings that you can find inside the Casino Royale.

As is often the case on cruise ships when it comes to their casinos, the main area is for non-smoking bettors. That doesn’t mean that smokers need to keep popping outside to enjoy a drag before heading back in to place a bet, however. Instead, there is a smoking area that has a decent selection of both table games and slot machines. The two areas are clearly marked, so you’re unlikely to end up in a smoking section on a Royal Caribbean Cruise if you’re not a smoker, nor will you be in the non-smoking area getting told off for lighting up, as long as you keep your eye out for the signage that is placed around the two areas.

The Games on Offer

Arguably the most important point of any casino is the games that are on offer. When it comes to Casino Royale, you’re unlikely to be disappointed unless you’re a fan of a unique and largely unheard-of card game. If you’re more of a lover of traditional casino games, then you’re going to be given plenty of chances to find a game that you’ll enjoy. For most people, the thought of a casino makes them think of the green felt that covers a table on which card games and others are played. On that front, you can sit down and get involved in the following table games:

• Single-Deck Blackjack
• Multiple-Deck Blackjack
• Ultimate Texas Hold’em
• Roulette
• Three-Card Poker
• Craps
• Baccarat

Then, of course, there are the slot machines, which promise players all of the modern games and customer favourites. If you like electronic things but aren’t keen on slots specifically, you can opt to play video poker as well as electronic roulette. These machines give you a chance to play poker or roulette but without the need to interact with anyone, which is why they tend to be popular with those who might consider themselves to be social recluses.

High Rollers

If you find yourself on a Royal Caribbean cruise and you are the kind of person that likes to bet big, you will doubtless be pleased to know that there are tables specifically aimed at high rollers. The section for high rollers is known to those that take cruises on a regular basis as the ‘Golden Room’, on account of the fact that there is a lot of gold on display on the likes of doors and walls. These tend to be ‘invite-only’ rooms, so if you’re a big bettor then you’ll doubtless find yourself given the nod before too long. Some casinos also have tables that give you the chance to bet big within the normal gaming floor, so look out for them.

Paying for Your Betting

Regardless of whether you’re a long-term bettor or someone who has never placed a wager in a casino before, it is never a bad thing to brush up on your casino skills. That is where the complimentary gaming lessons come in, with professional dealers giving Learn-to-Play lessons on the most popular games. Although they are complimentary, as soon as it gets to the serious business, you will need to put some money down. With deckside ATMs and the ability to do online wire transfers, there are numerous ways to get the cash that you will need to be able to sit down at a table or on a machine and start playing.

If you want to, you can apply for casino credit before you get on board, which is one of the easiest ways to get betting as soon as you can. If you don’t want to have to worry about cash, arguably the simplest way of getting involved in casino play is to use your SeaPass Card. You can spend as much as $10,000 a day using this method, with $5,000 on table games and $5,000 on slots. Table game transactions have a convenience fee applied to them, but this fee is waived if you have a Club Royale status of Prime or above. The most important thing is to ensure that you have the credit in your account before you try to spend it.

Casino Events

Although the Casino Royale is a good place to head to to place a bet at any time of your cruise that it is open, one thing that you might want to think about is heading along to a special event. The good news is that there are tournaments held on a regular basis that feature all of your favourite games. Players of any skill level can head along to take part in a slot tournament, for example, where those with the top score can win a cash prize. If you’re more of a table game player, the blackjack tournament might well be for you. There are qualifying rounds, with the top scores going on to take part in the final showdown that also has a guaranteed cash prize.

Without doubt, one of the most popular tournaments that the Casino Royale plays host to is the Texas Hold’em Poker tournament. This is where you can sit at the poker table and go head-to-head with other cruise guests in order to make it to the top table. Players then compete for the Championship Title, which gives them access to a share of the overall tournament winnings. If you like Texas Hold’em Poker, this is going to be the best way to experience a tournament event on board. If you want to know more information about the tournament rules, you can head to the Casino Cash Deck once you’re on the ship and find them there.

Loyalty Scheme

One of the things that casino users enjoy the most is a loyalty scheme, with the Club Royale Rewards Program giving you a chance to earn some rewards the more that you play. The more points you earn, the more perks you will be on the receiving end of, which can include the likes of offers, invitations to special events and even complimentary cruises. Anyone who has joined the Club Royale Rewards Program starts out in Choice, progressing to Prime after hitting 2,500 points. That unlocks new perks, including free drinks, discounts on high-speed internet packages and a complimentary interior stateroom on a future cruise.

If you hit 25,000 points, you’ll become a Signature member. This means you’ll get free Wi-Fi for one device, credit it at the onboard boutique and a balcony stateroom on a future cruise, as well as other perks that you’ve already stacked up. For those that hit 100,000 points, the tier reached is called Masters and you will get a host of exclusive benefits. From a welcome lunch to access to the Coastal Kitchen via onboard credit and a complimentary Grand Suite on a future cruise, this is the top-class tier that offers a host of different advantages both on board the ship at the time of your voyage and on future cruises.

Routes

With 31 ships in the Royal Caribbean lineup at the time of writing, it is fair to say that you have a wealth of different options available to you in terms of where you can sail both to and from. There are more than 300 ports that Royal Caribbean ships sail into, so the best thing to do is to get a sense of where you fancy sailing to and then have a look at the cruise ship that will take you there. From Auckland to Kuala Lumpur via Akita in Japan and Quebec City in Canada, there is no shortage of choices in terms of where you can head to on an adventure with Royal Caribbean. Given the cruise line’s name, though, there’s one place they put front and centre.

Whether you want to take in the sights and sounds of Mexico, spend a Perfect Day at CocoCay or unwind in the Bahamas, the Royal Caribbean cruise options will have you covered. Spend some time thinking about where you’d like to go and how long you’d like to go for and start from there. If you are keen to enjoy the best that the world has to offer, you can look specifically at the Ultimate Destinations, which is a new line-up of the best holiday destinations on the planet that you can sail to on a Royal Caribbean ship. It goes without saying that Caribbean destinations top the list, but the likes of Santorini and the South Pacific are also on there.

What Else Is on Board

Although the casino is obviously the main focus of this page, it isn’t the only thing that you can spend time enjoying during your Royal Caribbean cruise. The 31 ships in the Royal Caribbean’s armada all promise something slightly different to one another, but they also all have plenty in common.

Restaurants, Bars & Arcade

The fleet’s food options are amongst the best on the high seas, for example, with options available for you to enjoy both day and night. Whether you’re someone who prefers the casual dining experience that you’ll find in the likes of the El Loco Fresh or Café Promenade or you’re more of a speciality dining fan, you’ll find something that suits your taste.

Should you be more of a fan of finding somewhere to have a drink or two, you’ll be well looked after on that front. The likes of the Schooner Bar are where to head to if you want to listen to some music whilst you sip, whilst the Playmakers Bar & Arcade is somewhere you can have a drink whilst younger ones in your party have a play. There are plenty of places throughout the day and night to suit your mood, whilst beverage and dining packages can allow you to eat and drink without worrying about how much it will all cost. There are also other places to head to get your fill of a more active lifestyle, if that’s the kind of thing that you enjoy.

Escape Room, Swimming Pools, Live Shows

There is an Escape Room available, for example, whilst the North Star allows you to head up to 300 feet above sea level in order to take in an incredible view. Some ships have incredible slides on board that take you into their swimming pools, whilst others offer the likes of a virtual concert. If virtual isn’t really your thing, you can head to the theatre to see one of the numerous shows that are put on by the remarkably talented cast, or you might be able to catch a special guest performing a concert on the seas. In simple terms, you’re not going to run out of opportunities for something fun to do away from the casino if you want to go looking.