princess cruise casino cash out

Cruise ship casinos: Everything you need to know about gambling at sea

Cruise ship casino gambling is a big deal to some cruisers. You know how you often hear people on a cruise ship planning their day around the entertainment, tours and mealtimes? Last night, I eavesdropped on a conversation where a group of six people was planning their entire next day around time in the ship's casino.

For other cruisers, the casino is more of an onboard curiosity than anything else. What are all those table games? Do people actually win money — or free cruises — playing in cruise ship casinos?

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If you're curious, I've compiled answers to the most common questions people ask about cruise ship casinos. Some of the answers may surprise you.

Do all cruise ships have casinos?

Most large, mainstream cruise ships have casinos, including the ships of Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Line (other than Pride of America), Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises and Virgin Voyages.

Specialty cruise lines like Disney Cruise Line, Paul Gauguin and most expedition cruise ships do not have casinos. Premium cruise lines Oceania Cruises and Cunard have casinos, while Viking, Azamara and Windstar Cruises do not. (Windstar and Azamara actually removed casinos from their ships and repurposed the space.)

Among the luxury cruise lines, Silversea and Seabourn have casinos on their non-expedition ships; Regent Seven Seas has casinos on all its ships. Smaller luxury ships like those belonging to Ponant, Ritz-Carlton, Scenic and Emerald do not have casinos. River cruise lines do not have casinos on board, even on U.S. rivers where "riverboat" gambling is reserved for casino boats, not river cruise ships.

Related: A beginners guide to picking a cruise line

Are cruise casinos open in port?

With a few exceptions, cruise casinos are not open while ships are in port. They are generally limited to operating while the ship is in international waters. This is why Norwegian's Pride of America doesn't have a casino. Since the ship cruises exclusively in Hawaii, it never leaves U.S. waters.

Cruisers are also often surprised to learn that the casino is closed on some nights during Alaska cruises . Cruises that sail from Victoria, British Columbia, to Seattle on the final night are a good example. The ship goes straight from Canadian waters to U.S. waters without ever reaching international open waters, so the casino closes the night before arrival in Victoria and does not reopen during the cruise.

Ports that currently allow the cruise lines to operate their casinos while the ship is in port include Bermuda and Malta, which require cruise lines to apply for a gaming license. Bermuda has allowed casino operations for licensed ships between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. since 2013. It's an ideal situation as Bermuda has no land-based casinos, and many cruise ships overnight in port on Bermuda cruises. Malta, which does have land-based casinos, allows ships that have been approved for licenses to open their casinos between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Which casino games are on cruise ships?

Gaming in cruise ship casinos usually includes a mix of slot machines and table games, such as three-card poker, Caribbean stud poker, craps, blackjack and roulette. Regionally popular table games like Texas Hold 'em and pai gow may also be available on some sailings.

Can you win money in a cruise ship casino?

Most cruise ship casino games operate under the same rules and payout percentages you would find in a land-based casino; therefore, the answer is yes, you can win money in a cruise ship casino.

Social media posts and casino announcements would indicate that at least a small handful of people win four- and even occasionally five-figure slot machine payouts on a regular basis. But just as in a land-based casino, it's far easier to lose your stake than it is to win that kind of money.

How many casino points do you need to get a free cruise?

As at land-based casinos, each cruise line offering gambling on board sets its own criteria for earning perks through the line's casino loyalty program or players club. Points are generally tied to the time played and the amount of money you gamble, including the money you win and recirculate.

Much like an airline loyalty program, casino points usually accumulate over a year, earning you better perks as you work toward increasingly higher status levels. Annual free or discounted cruises are one of those perks, often beginning with complimentary (aka comped) inside cabins at relatively low status levels.

Many casinos also let you match casino status from land-based casinos (or even other cruise lines), giving you a leg up. For example, I haven't cruised with Carnival in a while, and I've never played in the line's onboard casinos, but I signed up for the Carnival players club via its Fun Match program. When I registered, I uploaded an offer from a competing cruise line and a players club card from MGM. Now when I log in to Carnival's website, I am shown casino offers that include free and discounted cruises.

Related: How to earn free cruises and perks with casino loyalty programs on land and at sea

Some cruise lines also issue instant awards for the number of points earned (i.e., money spent) on an individual cruise, regardless of status. That would be like an airline awarding free future flights to passengers who spent the most money on their flights, no matter their loyalty status.

Most mainstream cruise lines use comped cruises to fill cabins on dates they anticipate having a surplus of vacancies. These extra offers often appear random, but are generally targeted for marketing purposes rather than as rewards for high amounts of play. New players may receive these comps after low levels of play because cruise lines are always interested in attracting new casino players.

All of that adds up to the possibility of receiving a free cruise for a small number of points earned for cruising, as well as guaranteed free cruises as your points rise to the levels of play set out in the cruise lines' casino loyalty programs.

What is the best casino game to play on a cruise ship?

The best casino game to play on a cruise ship is the one that is most entertaining for you. Ultimately, you play to have fun, right?

The games that require a combination of skill and luck are the ones where the odds of winning are in your favor. For example, the overall odds on blackjack favor the casino by only 1%, while the casino has a 25% edge overall when it comes to slot machines.

Those odds mean the cruise lines operating casinos will favor slot machine players over card players, both in terms of the number of games provided and the loyalty perks awarded.

In summary, for winning money, the best games are skill games. For earning loyalty perks like free cruises, slot machines are the best choice.

Are drinks free in the casino on cruise ships?

Historically, drinks have not been free to cruise ship casino gamblers the way they usually are in land-based casinos. There are exceptions, however.

Free drinks in the casino are a perk of casino loyalty on Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Princess, Holland America and Norwegian Cruise Line. Reach the required level, and you'll earn free drinks from the casino bar, usually for a full status year. Carnival, Princess and Virgin Voyages also often throw in free drinks (either in the casino or throughout the ship) for individual comped cruises. Everyone actively gambling in the casino gets free well drinks on Celebrity cruises.

In addition, drinks are free in the casinos of luxury cruise lines like Silversea, Seabourn and Regent Seven Seas because all onboard drinks are included in the cruise fare. On the big-ship lines, anyone who purchases a drinks package or cruises on a fare that includes drinks will also be drinking "free" in the casino.

Are cruise ship casinos regulated?

Cruise ship casinos are regulated in two ways. They typically adhere to the laws of the ship's country of registry. But because gambling normally only takes place while the ship is in international waters, cruise lines that sail from U.S. ports also adhere to the rules set out by the Cruise Lines International Association. Those rules state that all equipment purchased and installed on the vessels of member cruise lines will meet the regulatory standards of the Nevada Gaming Control Board or other licensed jurisdiction for payback and internal software.

Additionally, house rules must be made available in every casino. Each member cruise line is to post at every gaming table minimum and maximum betting limits for each game, and only adults are allowed to play the slots or the tables.

What's the age minimum to gamble in a cruise ship casino?

The minimum age for gambling in a cruise ship casino is 18 in most cases, but there are exceptions. MSC Cruises has a minimum gambling age of 21 on any cruise with a U.S. port; otherwise, the age is 18. Some cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, raise the minimum age to 21 on Alaska sailings.

Related: The 6 best cruise lines for young adults

Do ships run casino tournaments?

Cruise ship casinos on mainstream cruise lines often host tournaments on board featuring various casino games. The list includes slot tournaments, as well as card game tournaments for blackjack and Texas Hold 'em.

Some tournaments are invitational, offered to casino loyalty members of a certain level only. These are often held on cruises hosted specifically for players who have reached that level. For instance, Royal Caribbean holds Signature cruises designed to pamper and entertain these top-level players.

Can you smoke in the casino?

Casinos are often seen as the last bastion of cruise ship smoking freedom (beyond small, designated areas on deck). But the number of ships that offer nonsmoking casinos is steadily growing.

Celebrity Cruises does not allow smoking in its ships' casinos, and the relatively small casinos on luxury ships are generally nonsmoking, as well.

Several lines have hybrid options. For example, some Carnival ships have separate smoking and nonsmoking casinos. Norwegian has separate smoking rooms on some ships; however, cigarette smoking and e-cigarette use are allowed in casinos on ships that don't have separate smoking rooms. Princess does not allow smoking except at designated slot machines, and Holland America also has designated smoking areas in the casino.

Related: Is smoking allowed on cruise ships? A line-by-line guide

Do cruise ship casinos take cash?

Cruise ship casinos accept cash at both slot machines and table games. As an example, you can sit down at a slot machine and feed in a $20 bill, which is then converted into "credits" on the machine's screen. The value of the credit depends on the denomination of the machine. Alternatively, you might walk up to a roulette table and lay down $20 and exchange that for chips.

The exchange of cash at machines and tables is a one-way deal, even when you win. Slot machines and dealers in cruise ship casinos don't dispense cash. When you finish playing, you may be issued a paper credit slip to take to the cashier's cage for cash, or you may have your winnings loaded directly onto your onboard account on some cruise lines. At the tables, you will take chips to the cashier to exchange back into cash.

If you don't travel with cash, you can find ATMs in the casino or at guest services. Alternatives to cash in cruise ship casinos are paper credit slips, which can be played as cash at either machines or tables, onboard credit or casino free play loaded on your stateroom account, or lines of credit arranged with the casino.

You can also charge gambling money directly to your onboard account like you would charge a drink at a bar or anything else on board. Fees for gambling charges vary among cruise lines, but in most instances, table games charge a service fee, and slot machines do not.

For example, my husband recently requested money from his onboard account at a blackjack table and was charged a 5% surcharge. The ship we were on was not set up to charge onboard accounts directly from the slot machines (sometimes they are), so I had to go to the cashier for a credit slip to play. I was not charged a surcharge, although if I had asked for cash, I would have been. Both of our charges were added to our final onboard bill.

Because there is no fee added to money for slot play, onboard casinos will usually put rules in place about how quickly you can cash out of the machine. The rules are designed to keep cruisers from using slot machines as ATMs to get either cash for the table games or to cash out onboard credit they've been given from the cruise line or their travel agent.

Bottom line

If you like to gamble, cruise ship casinos provide a fun way to spend a sea day or evening on the ship. You can take lessons to learn the games you don't know how to play and even participate in tournaments.

Besides the fun of playing on board, many cruise lines have players clubs that offer onboard perks and even free cruises. And since the odds of winning are about the same as in a U.S. land-based casino, with similar regulations in place, cruise ship casinos are a safe bet for fun and entertainment — though we always encourage you to play responsibly.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

• Princess Cruises

Change in cashing out in casino

By Knickearth , August 14, 2023 in Princess Cruises

Recommended Posts

So hubby and I are on the final two days of our cruise.  We decided to go to the casino and cash out whatever monies are on our account.  I thought iit odd that no announcement was made to remember to cash out before you leave the ship.  My husband had only non refundable monies on his account and was told he could only spend it.  I had refundable monies but since the monies were not winnings onboard the ship, the casino could not pay me.  I asked where I could get my money and have now been told to leave it on my account and when I am home it will either go back to my charge card or they will send me a check.  This makes me nervous that they even do that.

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If I understand.

The Casino accepted adding amounts to your casino account that were charged to your on board account.

In the end the casino cashier would not pay any balance remaining on your casino accounts unless that amount exceeded the amount originally added to the casino account.

It was the same for your casino account.

Assuming you had linked accounts. Any remaining refundable OBC would be returned by check at some future date.   

Do you mean that rather than handing over cash when you cash out at the casino, now the money goes back into your onboard account?

Sounds as if they maybe getting wise to the "cash out" ploy that many on here have advocated

2 minutes ago, david63 said: Sounds as if they maybe getting wise to the "cash out" ploy that many on here have advocated

yep, the more it was posted about ...

3 minutes ago, david63 said: Sounds as if they maybe getting wise to the "cash out" ploy that many on here have advocated

They DO read these posts.

3 minutes ago, PacnGoNow said: They DO read these posts.

That explains why some find it difficult to get through to anyone at Princess 😉

43 minutes ago, david63 said: That explains why some find it difficult to get through to anyone at Princess 😉

Try Disney. Their wait time recently was 600 minutes to get through.  Yes, 600.

Cruise Raider

Celebrity changed this policy years ago.  Watch other cruise lines to see what will happen in the future on Princess.  They are only keeping up with the industry standards.   You OBC is just that, money to be spent onboard or beforehand for excursions.    

2 hours ago, skynight said: If I understand. The Casino accepted adding amounts to your casino account that were charged to your on board account. In the end the casino cashier would not pay any balance remaining on your casino accounts unless that amount exceeded the amount originally added to the casino account. It was the same for your casino account. Assuming you had linked accounts. Any remaining refundable OBC would be returned by check at some future date.   

Sorry but you have me a bit confused.  The casino allows you to put money into machine, or go into your account and transfer funds to use a machine or if you have been in casino before and have money in the casino acct it lets you use it.

when I wanted to totally cash out I had no winnings so I had nothing in the casino acct.  they would not let me get the other monies.   My concern is how long do I wait for credit on my credit card or for a check to arrive.

9 minutes ago, Knickearth said: Sorry but you have me a bit confused.  The casino allows you to put money into machine, or go into your account and transfer funds to use a machine or if you have been in casino before and have money in the casino acct it lets you use it.   when I wanted to totally cash out I had no winnings so I had nothing in the casino acct.  they would not let me get the other monies.   My concern is how long do I wait for credit on my credit card or for a check to arrive.

If I understand you are saying that without having any funds in your casino bank you went to the cashier and asked them to access your shipboard account and convert your OBC to cash. Is that what you mean?

That has never been an option. 

21 minutes ago, Knickearth said: Sorry but you have me a bit confused.  The casino allows you to put money into machine, or go into your account and transfer funds to use a machine or if you have been in casino before and have money in the casino acct it lets you use it.   when I wanted to totally cash out I had no winnings so I had nothing in the casino acct.  they would not let me get the other monies.   My concern is how long do I wait for credit on my credit card or for a check to arrive.

OBC refundable, should be in check form and mine took 4 weeks to arrive in the mail.   It is a white windowed envelope from:

Bottomline Technologies 

for Princess cruises.

Watch for it, sorta looks like junk mail at first glance.

1 hour ago, Cruise Raider said: You OBC is just that, money to be spent onboard or beforehand for excursions.    

Our problem is that when we purchased excursions, there was no option to use our OBC's so we had to put it on our charge card.  I have a lot of OBC so I am hoping they might work with us and transfer the charge and take it out of our OBC's.   Same with specialty dining.  We are suppose to have 4 dinner credits but there was no way to apply them so we had to charge the dinners to our Credit card.

Colorado Coasty

1 hour ago, Knickearth said: Sorry but you have me a bit confused.  The casino allows you to put money into machine, or go into your account and transfer funds to use a machine or if you have been in casino before and have money in the casino acct it lets you use it.   when I wanted to totally cash out I had no winnings so I had nothing in the casino acct.  they would not let me get the other monies.   My concern is how long do I wait for credit on my credit card or for a check to arrive.

On our last cruise, I had $400 in non-refundable OBC remaining towards the end of the cruise. On the last sea day I went to the casino, loaded $400 on one of the slot machines, and played a few times. I lost about $10, cashed out, and walked out with $390 in cash. I can only assume that you did not do it this way.

2 minutes ago, Colorado Coasty said: On our last cruise, I had $400 in non-refundable OBC remaining towards the end of the cruise. On the last sea day I went to the casino, loaded $400 on one of the slot machines, and played a few times. I lost about $10, cashed out, and walked out with $390 in cash. I can only assume that you did not do it this way.

and the more this is posted .....

4 minutes ago, voljeep said: and the more this is posted .....

You mean like posts #4 and #14?

There seems to be a confusion between folio accounts and casino accounts. You can only cash out casino monies in the casino

23 minutes ago, voljeep said: and the more this is posted .....

Not one of the great secrets, it has been going on for years. If you think that Princess is not aware of it then I have a bridge for you.

how would this work out - real technology applies  😉

$400 non-refundable OBC loaded onto slots - play awhile - lose $100 and go to teller to cash out.  Sorry, your $300 net non-refundable OBC will be applied back to your folio - have a nice night.

$400 non-refundable OBC  -  but run up to $800 on the slot machine.  Congrats - here's your $400 in 'winnings' and $400 will be returned to your folio.

or the $400 OBC will not apply at all to the slot machine and your folio will be charged $400 and not offset by non-casino usage OBC at all

8 minutes ago, Colorado Coasty said: Not one of the great secrets, it has been going on for years. If you think that Princess is not aware of it then I have a bridge for you.

as was the dodo bird aka the one punch coffee card - how did that work out?

7 minutes ago, voljeep said: how would this work out - real technology applies  😉   $400 non-refundable OBC loaded onto slots - play awhile - lose $100 and go to teller to cash out.  Sorry, your $300 net non-refundable OBC will be applied back to your folio - have a nice night.   $400 non-refundable OBC  -  but run up to $800 on the slot machine.  Congrats - here's your $400 in 'winnings' and $400 will be returned to your folio.   or the $400 OBC will not apply at all to the slot machine and your folio will be charged $400 and not offset by non-casino usage OBC at all

Not currently real world.

2 minutes ago, voljeep said: as was the dodo bird aka the one punch coffee card - how did that work out?

And if and when  that happens,  Princess will announce the policy change and you will be  out nothing.

Just now, Colorado Coasty said: And if and when  that happens,  Princess will announce the policy change and you will be  out nothing.

like P announced the current changes to the PLUS package(s)? - that kind of notification?  🦄

26 minutes ago, voljeep said: as was the dodo bird aka the one punch coffee card - how did that work out?

my accountant tells me there's loop holes for everything, however, I feel this one is closing.

LACruiser88

41 minutes ago, Colorado Coasty said: And if and when  that happens,  Princess will announce the policy change and you will be  out nothing.

About a year ago, we were having a conversation with a HGM regarding this topic.  At that time, the HGM stated that Princess was working on a software change that will keep your casino account completely separate from your stateroom account.  When this occurs, any charges made in the casino will NOT go against OBC's in your stateroom account.

I'm surprised that this has not yet been implemented?   🤷‍♂️

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Cruise Ship Casino Gambling: Everything to Know Before You Bet

When it comes to cruising, gambling in the ship’s casino is one of the most popular activities. In fact, in the late evening it can be the busiest spot on the entire ship.

In many ways the casinos on a cruise are very similar to what you’ll find on land — just on a smaller scale. If you’re someone who loves gaming, then you’ll feel right at home.

That said, there are still a number of things you should know before gambling on a cruise. Having sailed dozens of cruises (and seemingly always finding time to spend in the casino), we have lots of experience in what you can expect if you pay onboard.

If you’ve never placed a bet on a ship, the tips and details below will make you a pro in no time and teach you everything you need to know before you try your luck.

Which Cruise Ships Have Casinos?

If you’re wondering if there will be a casino on your ship, you can rest assured there will be. Mass market lines like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and the like always have casinos on the ship .  (Note: Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America, a U.S.-flagged ship that sails Hawaii, is one of the few ships from a mass market cruise line without a casino.) As well, names like Princess, Celebrity, Virgin, and others do too.

The only major line we’ve heard of that doesn’t have gambling is Disney.

You’ll find the casinos located in the middle of the ship, typically near the most highly-trafficked areas. So if your ship has a main promenade, the casino will be right near it. This makes sense as putting the casino easily accessible means it’s easier for players to find and gamble.

What Are Cruise Casinos Like?

In many ways cruise ship gambling is similar to what you’ll find on land. That also means that while they all feel familiar with flashing lights and dinging bells, each casino has its own personality.

In general, the gaming floor is small by the standards of land-based casinos. On many ships, you’ll usually find closed-in areas with relatively low ceilings (decks above and below limit the ceiling height). The low ceilings and maze of games give the casinos a cozy feel. Still, they are among the largest rooms on a cruise ship.

Some ships — most notably the newer ships in many fleets — have more open casinos. It’s not every new ship, but often they have a casino floor opens up to the rest of the ship and even have windows, giving it a brighter and more airy feel.

As for atmosphere, within seconds of walking into a cruise ship casino you’ll forget that you’re on a ship. Give the casino size and number of passengers, evenings can get crowded. That means the casino will feel high energy, with lots of people cheering, noise from machines, and generally a festive atmosphere.

What Are Payouts Like in the Casino?

Everyone knows that the odds are always in the house’s favor when it comes to gambling. That’s especially true on a cruise. 

For example, the gold standard for video poker is a “9/6” machine — one that pays nine credits for a full house and six for a flush. This gives an expected payout of 99.5% if proper strategy is used over the long term. On ships you will often find “6/5” machines, meaning they offer a 94.9% payback if you play long enough with perfect strategy. (Hunt around you might find better payouts.)

For blackjack you’ll often find tables that pay 6-to-5 on blackjack instead of the normal 3-to-2. If you play a higher-limit table, then you might still find 3-to-2 payouts.

Craps will have odds bets, but they will be restricted somewhat. The best you can hope for is 3X-4X-5X, but we’ve seen some ships with even lower bets available. They also often have the “Big 6/8” bets at tables that have a higher house edge.

So go to the casino and have fun, but if your plan is to get the best payouts, then you are often better off with independent land-based casinos.

What’s the Gambling Age on a Cruise Ship?

While there are some exceptions, the majority of places in the United States require you to be 21 to gamble in a casino.

On a cruise — which heads to international waters — the minimum age to gamble is 18 years old . If you’ve ever wanted to try your luck but haven’t been old enough to head to Las Vegas, a cruise ship might be your best bet.

One thing to know is that if you head on a cruise to Alaska from the United States, then the age may be bumped up to 21 years old.

Casino Minimums for Table Games and Slot Machines

If you’re a low-stakes gambler, then you’ll feel right at home on a cruise ship. Minimums across games are generally low, making it affordable for any level of player to enjoy themselves.

Of course, there are penny slots as you’ll find in any casino (along with higher-stakes machines — usually up to a $1 machines — if you feel so inclined). On table games you will find minimums starting at $5 for many games, but sometimes they start at $10. 

This makes sense considering the potential customer base on a cruise. With only a few thousand people on the ship (compared to millions of people within a drive of a regular casino) the cruise needs to be sure to appeal to the most people possible.

What Casino Games Are Available on a Cruise?

Like playing slots? You’re covered. What about blackjack… or craps… or roulette? They have them all. Despite the small size of cruise ship casinos compared to those on land, they offer a wide variety of games.

For instance, while you won’t find table after of blackjack, there will be a few, and usually at least one craps table. There is also roulette and often other specialty table games like baccarat and others. Texas Hold ‘Em poker games is also popular, with tournaments and play throughout the cruise. In general, the larger your cruise ship, the more variety of games you can expect.

What’s a little surprising is that there are several games you won’t ever find on land that are on a cruise. One is similar to a “skill crane” where you use a joystick to move a key to push down stacks of dollar bills. But perhaps the most popular are the coin pusher machines.

The coin pusher machines are exactly like you’d find in an arcade, but instead of tokens, they use quarters. You can try your luck to push quarters over the edge, along with wads of cash that are also in the machines.

Many cruise lines also offer their own scratch-off tickets available for purchase, as well as big lotto-style drawings with jackpots worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Casino Games Available (Will Vary by Ship)

• Slot Machines
• Video Poker
• Three Card Poker
• Let It Ride
• Caribbean Stud Poker
• Texas Hold ‘Em
• Coin Pushers
• Scratch-Offs
• Lotto Draws

When Are the Cruise Ship Casinos Open?

As you might guess, there are a number of laws that oversee casino gambling, depending on the jurisdiction the ship is in. That’s why there’s a simple rule — the casino is open when the ship is at sea .

On the day that you board the casino will be closed (although you are still free to enter and check out the offerings). It will open up later that night after the ship has set sail. As well, during days in port the games are closed, but available once the ship exits the jurisdiction of the port country. During days at sea, the casino will be open all day.

Note that if you want to play during off hours — such as early in the morning on a day at sea — then table games will not be staffed (they often open for play around 10 a.m. on days at sea). However, coin pushers and slot machines will still be available to play.

Are Drinks Free in the Cruise Ship Casino?

It’s common in most casinos to get free drinks while you gamble, but that’s not the case on a cruise. Most people still have to pay out of pocket for their drinks while gambling. The casino will have a bar that you can visit. Prices are the same as what you’ll find elsewhere on the ship. Expect to pay $6-8 for a beer and $10-14 for a cocktail. Gratuity is extra.

If you achieve a high enough loyalty status (cruise lines have their own loyalty programs, just like land-based casinos) you can get free beverages. For most people, however, usually you will be paying out of pocket for alcohol.

Are There ATMs on the Ship? Can I Charge to the Room?

If you need cash to play and forget to bring some (or you run out of money and need to refill your bankroll), then you have a couple of options. 

First, there are ATMs on the cruise ship. You can usually find these in the casino or near the Guest Services area. Just keep in mind they charge to get money out; often between $6-8 per transaction. If you can’t find one, just ask and the staff will point you in the right direction.

Second, you can charge money to your room account just like you would a drink or a service at the spa. There is usually no charge for this at a slot machine, and a few percent at table games.

Are Casinos Beginner Friendly?

If there is a casino game you’ve always wanted to play, but have been too intimidated to pull up a chair, then a cruise is perfect for you.

Not only is it less intimidating than a regular casino, but they even offer classes on table games for beginning players. You can come and learn how to play free of charge so that when it’s time to play for real money you aren’t as intimidated.

In addition, the vibe at a cruise casino is simply more friendly. Remember that the dealers want to make sure you have an enjoyable time on the cruise and your other passengers are typically in a good mood (and not hardcore gamblers). In addition, the stakes are typically low, so there’s usually not a ton of money at stake.

Are Loyalty Programs Available? Can I Earn Comps?

One big draw to gambling in a regular casino is getting special perks and rewards for your play. Well, cruise lines have the same sort of program where you can earn all sorts of comps for your play from drinks to wi-fi to even free cruises.

In fact, to earn rewards, you don’t have to register or anything. Simply put your keycard into the machine or give it to the dealer at the table and your play will be tracked. Play enough and you’ll start to receive offers and benefits based on your wagers. 

For more info, you can always see a cashier on the ship for the details of how the programs work.

Other Things to Know About Gambling on a Cruise

Cashing Out — If you’re sailing Carnival or Princess, then one thing to know is that you need to have your room keycard inserted into a machine to cash out. The money on the machine is then credited your to you player account (not a voucher printout) that can be used for another machine.

If you try to cash out without your card inserted, then you’ll have to wait on an attendant to pay by hand. When done playing, you can go to the cashier to be paid your balance in cash.

Other cruise lines use the printed voucher system that most land-based casinos use.

Smoking — While smoking is banned in indoor spaces across the ship, it is normally allowed in the casinos. Be warned that the smaller size of the casinos on the ship means that it can be tough to get away from smoke if you are sensitive. If you have someone sitting next to you smoking at a slot machine, there may not be many options for other machines to play. 

Tournaments  — There are slot and blackjack tournaments on the ship. They typically take place during off hours for the casino (such as late morning or early afternoon). These tournaments can win you some money while risking only the admission fee.

If you want to play, then check the daily calendar that’s delivered to your cabin each day or on the cruise line app. There will be a listing of any tournaments going on during that day.

Have more questions about gambling on a cruise? Let us know in the comments below.

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12 COMMENTS

fyi, found my answer; the carnival’s fun play credit must be used all for gambling in its casino, either at slot or table games; any winning then can be converted to cash chips or actual cash; OBCs otoh, can be charged to room then cashed out at slot machine. Thx anyway

any chance fun play $ could be charged to room then cashed out at slot machine like OBC’s? Thx

Not entirely sure what you mean, but you can charge money to the room in the casino and then head to the cashier to get cash when you’re done playing.

CAN I JUST PLAY WITH CASH OR DO USE MY ROOM Card, I dont want my husband to know how much I am gambling lol

You can use cash. Any charges to the room card will be seen on your onboard account.

Nautical Tidbit: I was cruising and playing the slots, roulette and an occassional table game on the MSC Seashore back in July. The machine near the entrance pays the best. The ship has a huge neon sign on the exterior of the ship with the brightly lit word, Seashore, on each side of the top decks of the vessel. Well, at one port, I glanced at the sign on the port side to see some of the letters not lit. It read Sea hore. Mmmm… At the next port of San Juan, additional letters dissapeared and it read: Sea ho Embarrassing.

Taxes are withheld for jackpot winnings over $1199 (same rule is followed at sea as in United States)

We both play Video Poker but never on a ship. I understand they want profit but empty machines aren’t profitable ! Most people want some play time for their money

Royal Carribean has the world’s worst craps rules. Single odds, unless you bet $50 line bets, charge $2 to buy a $35 bet on 4, inconsistent rules on hitting the back wall (whatever favors the casino), etc. Also advertise hold em, but can’t get a game going because they only offer 2/5.

Is there anything you can do about them not giving you a full payout for winning a jackpot

Not sure what you mean. Why wouldn’t they give you what you won?

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Change in cashing out in casino

By Knickearth , August 14, 2023 in Princess Cruises

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So hubby and I are on the final two days of our cruise.  We decided to go to the casino and cash out whatever monies are on our account.  I thought iit odd that no announcement was made to remember to cash out before you leave the ship.  My husband had only non refundable monies on his account and was told he could only spend it.  I had refundable monies but since the monies were not winnings onboard the ship, the casino could not pay me.  I asked where I could get my money and have now been told to leave it on my account and when I am home it will either go back to my charge card or they will send me a check.  This makes me nervous that they even do that.

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If I understand.

The Casino accepted adding amounts to your casino account that were charged to your on board account.

In the end the casino cashier would not pay any balance remaining on your casino accounts unless that amount exceeded the amount originally added to the casino account.

It was the same for your casino account.

Assuming you had linked accounts. Any remaining refundable OBC would be returned by check at some future date.   

Do you mean that rather than handing over cash when you cash out at the casino, now the money goes back into your onboard account?

Sounds as if they maybe getting wise to the "cash out" ploy that many on here have advocated

2 minutes ago, david63 said: Sounds as if they maybe getting wise to the "cash out" ploy that many on here have advocated

yep, the more it was posted about ...

3 minutes ago, david63 said: Sounds as if they maybe getting wise to the "cash out" ploy that many on here have advocated

They DO read these posts.

3 minutes ago, PacnGoNow said: They DO read these posts.

That explains why some find it difficult to get through to anyone at Princess 😉

43 minutes ago, david63 said: That explains why some find it difficult to get through to anyone at Princess 😉

Try Disney. Their wait time recently was 600 minutes to get through.  Yes, 600.

Cruise Raider

Celebrity changed this policy years ago.  Watch other cruise lines to see what will happen in the future on Princess.  They are only keeping up with the industry standards.   You OBC is just that, money to be spent onboard or beforehand for excursions.    

2 hours ago, skynight said: If I understand. The Casino accepted adding amounts to your casino account that were charged to your on board account. In the end the casino cashier would not pay any balance remaining on your casino accounts unless that amount exceeded the amount originally added to the casino account. It was the same for your casino account. Assuming you had linked accounts. Any remaining refundable OBC would be returned by check at some future date.   

Sorry but you have me a bit confused.  The casino allows you to put money into machine, or go into your account and transfer funds to use a machine or if you have been in casino before and have money in the casino acct it lets you use it.

when I wanted to totally cash out I had no winnings so I had nothing in the casino acct.  they would not let me get the other monies.   My concern is how long do I wait for credit on my credit card or for a check to arrive.

9 minutes ago, Knickearth said: Sorry but you have me a bit confused.  The casino allows you to put money into machine, or go into your account and transfer funds to use a machine or if you have been in casino before and have money in the casino acct it lets you use it.   when I wanted to totally cash out I had no winnings so I had nothing in the casino acct.  they would not let me get the other monies.   My concern is how long do I wait for credit on my credit card or for a check to arrive.

If I understand you are saying that without having any funds in your casino bank you went to the cashier and asked them to access your shipboard account and convert your OBC to cash. Is that what you mean?

That has never been an option. 

21 minutes ago, Knickearth said: Sorry but you have me a bit confused.  The casino allows you to put money into machine, or go into your account and transfer funds to use a machine or if you have been in casino before and have money in the casino acct it lets you use it.   when I wanted to totally cash out I had no winnings so I had nothing in the casino acct.  they would not let me get the other monies.   My concern is how long do I wait for credit on my credit card or for a check to arrive.

OBC refundable, should be in check form and mine took 4 weeks to arrive in the mail.   It is a white windowed envelope from:

Bottomline Technologies 

for Princess cruises.

Watch for it, sorta looks like junk mail at first glance.

1 hour ago, Cruise Raider said: You OBC is just that, money to be spent onboard or beforehand for excursions.    

Our problem is that when we purchased excursions, there was no option to use our OBC's so we had to put it on our charge card.  I have a lot of OBC so I am hoping they might work with us and transfer the charge and take it out of our OBC's.   Same with specialty dining.  We are suppose to have 4 dinner credits but there was no way to apply them so we had to charge the dinners to our Credit card.

Colorado Coasty

1 hour ago, Knickearth said: Sorry but you have me a bit confused.  The casino allows you to put money into machine, or go into your account and transfer funds to use a machine or if you have been in casino before and have money in the casino acct it lets you use it.   when I wanted to totally cash out I had no winnings so I had nothing in the casino acct.  they would not let me get the other monies.   My concern is how long do I wait for credit on my credit card or for a check to arrive.

On our last cruise, I had $400 in non-refundable OBC remaining towards the end of the cruise. On the last sea day I went to the casino, loaded $400 on one of the slot machines, and played a few times. I lost about $10, cashed out, and walked out with $390 in cash. I can only assume that you did not do it this way.

2 minutes ago, Colorado Coasty said: On our last cruise, I had $400 in non-refundable OBC remaining towards the end of the cruise. On the last sea day I went to the casino, loaded $400 on one of the slot machines, and played a few times. I lost about $10, cashed out, and walked out with $390 in cash. I can only assume that you did not do it this way.

and the more this is posted .....

4 minutes ago, voljeep said: and the more this is posted .....

You mean like posts #4 and #14?

There seems to be a confusion between folio accounts and casino accounts. You can only cash out casino monies in the casino

23 minutes ago, voljeep said: and the more this is posted .....

Not one of the great secrets, it has been going on for years. If you think that Princess is not aware of it then I have a bridge for you.

how would this work out - real technology applies  😉

$400 non-refundable OBC loaded onto slots - play awhile - lose $100 and go to teller to cash out.  Sorry, your $300 net non-refundable OBC will be applied back to your folio - have a nice night.

$400 non-refundable OBC  -  but run up to $800 on the slot machine.  Congrats - here's your $400 in 'winnings' and $400 will be returned to your folio.

or the $400 OBC will not apply at all to the slot machine and your folio will be charged $400 and not offset by non-casino usage OBC at all

8 minutes ago, Colorado Coasty said: Not one of the great secrets, it has been going on for years. If you think that Princess is not aware of it then I have a bridge for you.

as was the dodo bird aka the one punch coffee card - how did that work out?

7 minutes ago, voljeep said: how would this work out - real technology applies  😉   $400 non-refundable OBC loaded onto slots - play awhile - lose $100 and go to teller to cash out.  Sorry, your $300 net non-refundable OBC will be applied back to your folio - have a nice night.   $400 non-refundable OBC  -  but run up to $800 on the slot machine.  Congrats - here's your $400 in 'winnings' and $400 will be returned to your folio.   or the $400 OBC will not apply at all to the slot machine and your folio will be charged $400 and not offset by non-casino usage OBC at all

Not currently real world.

2 minutes ago, voljeep said: as was the dodo bird aka the one punch coffee card - how did that work out?

And if and when  that happens,  Princess will announce the policy change and you will be  out nothing.

Just now, Colorado Coasty said: And if and when  that happens,  Princess will announce the policy change and you will be  out nothing.

like P announced the current changes to the PLUS package(s)? - that kind of notification?  🦄

26 minutes ago, voljeep said: as was the dodo bird aka the one punch coffee card - how did that work out?

my accountant tells me there's loop holes for everything, however, I feel this one is closing.

LACruiser88

41 minutes ago, Colorado Coasty said: And if and when  that happens,  Princess will announce the policy change and you will be  out nothing.

About a year ago, we were having a conversation with a HGM regarding this topic.  At that time, the HGM stated that Princess was working on a software change that will keep your casino account completely separate from your stateroom account.  When this occurs, any charges made in the casino will NOT go against OBC's in your stateroom account.

I'm surprised that this has not yet been implemented?   🤷‍♂️

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Princess Cruises is taking a page out of the ultra-luxury cruise industry with new all-inclusive, $3,000 cabins

• Princess Cruises says its new Sun Princess and upcoming Star Princess will have all-inclusive cabins.
• Guests who've booked the new Sanctuary Collection category would get an inclusive package and private lounge.
• It's a move that could appeal to ultra-luxury cruisers .

If you want to go on an all-inclusive vacation at sea, you no longer need to book an ultra-luxury, ultra-expensive cruise line .

Just sail on Princess Cruises' new ship instead.

In October, Princess says its two-month-old Sun Princess will debut in the US with the company's first-ever Sanctuary Collection, an adult-only lounge exclusive to guests who've booked one of the collection's high-end cabins. These luxurious accommodations comprise 10% of the ship's 2,157 staterooms, including all its suites.

But the Sanctuary's biggest perk arguably isn't the lounge's private pool and restaurant — it's the all-inclusiveness , a rarity among mass-market cruise lines.

It's the Carnival Corp. brand's latest appeal to ultra-luxury cruisers

Mass-market cruise lines like Princess, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian typically follow the " budget airline " strategy: charge a cheap base fare and offer plenty of irresistible up-charged amenities (like specialty restaurants, as is the case of Sun Princess).

It's a stark contrast to the high-end cruise industry, where all-inclusivity is often considered the standard.

For example, luxury cruise line Explora Journey's fare includes alcoholic beverages, WiFi, and access to the spa — amenities that would typically cost extra on ships like Sun Princess. On Regent Seven Seas , all this, plus excursions, pre-cruise hotels, and roundtrip flights are also included in the cost to sail.

Over the last few years, Princess has begun following in these high-end cruise lines' foosteps.

In 2022, it launched Princess Premier, an optional inclusive package covering amenities like WiFi, drinks, some upcharged restaurants, and workout classes. It's the same package Sanctuary Collection guests would get, along with the private restaurant and adult-only lounge with cabanas, a pool, and private events.

The exclusive lounge concept is nothing new. Royal Caribbean's two largest cruise liners have a "neighborhood" exclusive to suite guests. The same applies to Norwegian, Celebrity, and MSC Cruises' vessels.

However, while these competing retreats offer perks like drink packages, WiFi, or private restaurants, none are as "inclusive" as Princess'.

In 2024, Sun Princess' Sanctuary cabins start at more than $3,000 per person for a weeklong Caribbean cruise in mid-December. To compare, the cheapest interior cabin for the same itinerary starts shy of $700 per person.

The cruise line says its next ship, Star Princess, which will debut in late September 2025, will also carry the Sanctuary Collection.

Following in the footsteps of high-end, all-inclusive cruise lines could be a wise decision for Princess. These luxury vacations at sea have become increasingly popular as travelers continue to spend big on their trips.

Like Princess, expedition cruise company HX recently shifted to an all-inclusive model as well.

Back on dry land, hotel giants like Hyatt and Marriott have also seen a boom in these "everything free" resorts .

Apparently, every vacationer — whether on water or solid ground — just wants one thing: stress-free poolside lounging with bottomless drinks.

If you enjoyed this story, be sure to follow Business Insider on Microsoft Start.