Hello group,
this will be my first time cruising w/ a casino and I was wondering what, if any, are any recommendations, suggestions, tips, do's and don'ts of cruising through a casino offer.
It's a Norwegian Cruise Line trip for 7 days and since I plan on sailing from NYC, my choices are Bahamas/Florida, Bahamas and Bermuda.
Any and all comments are appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Manuel
My favorite place in the world is St. Thomas VI
To: vpFREE@yahoogroups.com
From: m_savorelli@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 18 Mar 2013 17:12:41 +0000
Subject: [vpFREE] First Time Cruising w/ Casino...
Hello group,
this will be my first time cruising w/ a casino and I was wondering what, if any, are any recommendations, suggestions, tips, do's and don'ts of cruising through a casino offer.
It's a Norwegian Cruise Line trip for 7 days and since I plan on sailing from NYC, my choices are Bahamas/Florida, Bahamas and Bermuda.
Any and all comments are appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Manuel
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
I'd strongly recommend Bermuda, as those opportunities are limited! Very clean, less "junky" than some spots in the Bahamas. But if that timing doesn't work, St. Maarten and St Thomas are very nice also.
You don't mention any of the casino offer details, but most of them do provide some free tourneys, casino comps, etc. You'll want to find out if they cover port fees, gratuities, restaurants with extra fees, etc.
NCL is one the better cruise lines, so you should have a very nice trip!
--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "ms069279" <m_savorelli@...> wrote:
Hello group,
this will be my first time cruising w/ a casino and I was wondering what, if any, are any recommendations, suggestions, tips, do's and don'ts of cruising through a casino offer.
It's a Norwegian Cruise Line trip for 7 days and since I plan on sailing from NYC, my choices are Bahamas/Florida, Bahamas and Bermuda.
Any and all comments are appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Manuel
Before I begin with all the replies,
I want to thank everyone for their responses, both publicly and privately.
Manuel
--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "ms069279" <m_savorelli@...> wrote:
Hello group,
this will be my first time cruising w/ a casino and I was wondering what, if any, are any recommendations, suggestions, tips, do's and don'ts of cruising through a casino offer.
It's a Norwegian Cruise Line trip for 7 days and since I plan on sailing from NYC, my choices are Bahamas/Florida, Bahamas and Bermuda.
Any and all comments are appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Manuel
Thanks Nita.royal,
I'm also leaning towards Bermuda, as I've already been to the Bahamas and I don't really want to go to/through Florida.
Didn't mention any specifics re: trip because they didn't offer any in the brochure besides drinks, and since I've been a "light-weight" in that dept, I kinda skimmed right over it.
Food, however, is very important. The last few cruises Ive taken were all-inclusive (non-casino), w/ additional charges for gourmet upgrades. How do the dining options work on casino cruises and whats included?
Thanks again.
--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "nita.royal" <mcuddington@...> wrote:
I'd strongly recommend Bermuda, as those opportunities are limited! Very clean, less "junky" than some spots in the Bahamas. But if that timing doesn't work, St. Maarten and St Thomas are very nice also.
You don't mention any of the casino offer details, but most of them do provide some free tourneys, casino comps, etc. You'll want to find out if they cover port fees, gratuities, restaurants with extra fees, etc.
NCL is one the better cruise lines, so you should have a very nice trip!
--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "ms069279" <m_savorelli@> wrote:
>
> Hello group,
>
> this will be my first time cruising w/ a casino and I was wondering what, if any, are any recommendations, suggestions, tips, do's and don'ts of cruising through a casino offer.
>
> It's a Norwegian Cruise Line trip for 7 days and since I plan on sailing from NYC, my choices are Bahamas/Florida, Bahamas and Bermuda.
>
> Any and all comments are appreciated.
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Manuel
>
Hi again,
Dining on a casino-sponsored cruise is the same as on any other... all inclusive, with certain retail and gourmet exclusions. The only difference I've encountered is that if you play at all in the ship casino, it's pretty easy to get a comp to cover the gourmet upcharge.
I also like that most cruise lines now have a "freestyle" option for dinner in the dining room. No more cattle calls, or being seated with groups of strangers.
Enjoy!
--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "ms069279" <m_savorelli@...> wrote:
Food, however, is very important. The last few cruises Ive taken were all-inclusive (non-casino), w/ additional charges for gourmet upgrades. How do the dining options work on casino cruises and whats included?
Thanks again.
No way the very bad gambling offsets a comp'd gourmet charge.
There's been some good rec's on this thread on how to take advantage of ship casino FP offers. Also, Bob Dancer wrote about it last year.
Say the credit oppps amount to $300.
And you can find a 97% play ($5 8/5 JB optimal).
And you have the bankroll to do ~$10K action on high variance.
Slow 300 hands will give you ~90 minutes.
Or you can do the math for $1 6/5 Jacks or Better @95% optimal.
(http://wizardofodds.com/games/video-poker/tables/jacks-or-better/)
There is no cruise ship casino database. Than there's the question as to whether or not off-shore (but made in Nevada) machines are more likely to be hacked.
Wish there was a database before I got too old to gain 20 pounds in a week so avoid cruises. Not to mention, always made my wallet lighter even with couple hundred $ of comp'd charges.
But I do remember a whole day cruise out of Boston that had $1 10/7/400 Double Bonus 20 years ago 
--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "nita.royal" <mcuddington@...> wrote:
Hi again,
Dining on a casino-sponsored cruise is the same as on any other... all inclusive, with certain retail and gourmet exclusions. The only difference I've encountered is that if you play at all in the ship casino, it's pretty easy to get a comp to cover the gourmet upcharge.
I also like that most cruise lines now have a "freestyle" option for dinner in the dining room. No more cattle calls, or being seated with groups of strangers.
Enjoy!
--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "ms069279" <m_savorelli@> wrote:
>
> Food, however, is very important. The last few cruises Ive taken were all-inclusive (non-casino), w/ additional charges for gourmet upgrades. How do the dining options work on casino cruises and whats included?
>
> Thanks again.
>
(snip) There is no cruise ship casino database. Than there's the question as to whether or not off-shore (but made in Nevada) machines are more likely to be hacked.
About hacking a machine:
I assume you mean biasing the RNG. All those payoff tables published at this site and elsewhere are computed on the assumption that the RNG is "flat", at least to within a specified statistical criterion. Meaning: any card is as likely as any other card.
It doesn't take much of an RNG "tilt" to render those tables useless and to enhance the house take.
Questions:
What's the general state of knowledge (or suspicions) about hacked machines? Does the Nevada Gaming Commission have any control over this inside the state? I assume it does.
I have always been wary of video poker machines outside Nevada. Do I have a legitimate concern?
- - Norma
Why would the the ship's casino bother messing with the RNG
when offering 6/5 JOB paytables ?
--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "Norma Posy" <normagirl9@...> wrote:
--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "Dave" <haaljo@> wrote:
>
>
> (snip) There is no cruise ship casino database. Than there's the question as to whether or not off-shore (but made in Nevada) machines are more likely to be hacked.
>About hacking a machine:
I assume you mean biasing the RNG. All those payoff tables published at this site and elsewhere are computed on the assumption that the RNG is "flat", at least to within a specified statistical criterion. Meaning: any card is as likely as any other card.
It doesn't take much of an RNG "tilt" to render those tables useless and to enhance the house take.
Questions:
What's the general state of knowledge (or suspicions) about hacked machines? Does the Nevada Gaming Commission have any control over this inside the state? I assume it does.
I have always been wary of video poker machines outside Nevada. Do I have a legitimate concern?
- - Norma
Why would the the ship's casino bother messing with the RNG
when offering 6/5 JOB paytables ?
Good point.
I suppose that "hacking" is a concern only where the pay tables "look" good.
Repeating my question from my other posting: Is there any evidence that hacking (biasing the RNG) actually takes place?
- - Norma
>
> Why would the the ship's casino bother messing with the RNG
> when offering 6/5 JOB paytables ?
>Good point.
I suppose that "hacking" is a concern only where the pay tables "look" good.
Repeating my question from my other posting: Is there any evidence that hacking (biasing the RNG) actually takes place?
- - Norma
--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "Norma Posy" <normagirl9@...> wrote:
--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "Alan" <ajs11713@> wrote:
=====
OK. I read the rest of the postings on this matter.
- - Norma
The main dining rooms are perfectly fine for dining. Or the top deck buffet if you want less formal service. You don't need to spend any extra $15 to $25 for a specialty restaurant to get good food. There are PLENTY of food choices. We both gained about 3 lbs. on this last cruise!
Last cruises I was on had FREE drinks in the casino when you were booked with a certificate. ONLY in the casino, not the rest of the ship. Recently they changed which drinks are free. For instance last Jan. I could have a chocolate grasshopper for free ( a blended chocolate mint drink ) Last week that was not allowed but a pina colada was fine. The bartender in the casino will tell you which drinks you can have for free. Most are free. Otherwise Beers are about $7 a can on board.
--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "ms069279" <m_savorelli@...> wrote:
Thanks Nita.royal,
I'm also leaning towards Bermuda, as I've already been to the Bahamas and I don't really want to go to/through Florida.
Didn't mention any specifics re: trip because they didn't offer any in the brochure besides drinks, and since I've been a "light-weight" in that dept, I kinda skimmed right over it.
Food, however, is very important. The last few cruises Ive taken were all-inclusive (non-casino), w/ additional charges for gourmet upgrades. How do the dining options work on casino cruises and whats included?
Thanks again.
--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "nita.royal" <mcuddington@> wrote:
>
> I'd strongly recommend Bermuda, as those opportunities are limited! Very clean, less "junky" than some spots in the Bahamas. But if that timing doesn't work, St. Maarten and St Thomas are very nice also.
>
> You don't mention any of the casino offer details, but most of them do provide some free tourneys, casino comps, etc. You'll want to find out if they cover port fees, gratuities, restaurants with extra fees, etc.
>
> NCL is one the better cruise lines, so you should have a very nice trip!
>
> --- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "ms069279" <m_savorelli@> wrote:
> >
> > Hello group,
> >
> > this will be my first time cruising w/ a casino and I was wondering what, if any, are any recommendations, suggestions, tips, do's and don'ts of cruising through a casino offer.
> >
> > It's a Norwegian Cruise Line trip for 7 days and since I plan on sailing from NYC, my choices are Bahamas/Florida, Bahamas and Bermuda.
> >
> > Any and all comments are appreciated.
> >
> > Thanks in advance,
> >
> > Manuel
> >
>
If I were going to gaff chips on these cruise ships it certainly wouldn't be 6/5 JOB. An unattractive payscale like that runs too many players off. I would take 10/7 or 12/9 JOB, gaff that up, and suck everybody in.
--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "Alan" <ajs11713@...> wrote:
Why would the the ship's casino bother messing with the RNG
when offering 6/5 JOB paytables ?
Invent a game double bogus bonus. Give it positive but very streaky paytable, too. So people would blame bad luck. Would a deck programmed to be missing one J each hand be enough of a fix?
--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "Mickey" <mickeycrimm@...> wrote:
--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "Alan" <ajs11713@> wrote:
>
> Why would the the ship's casino bother messing with the RNG
> when offering 6/5 JOB paytables ?
>
>
If I were going to gaff chips on these cruise ships it certainly wouldn't be 6/5 JOB. An unattractive payscale like that runs too many players off. I would take 10/7 or 12/9 JOB, gaff that up, and suck everybody in.