Norwegian Cruise Line was the first cruise line to build staterooms and common areas specifically for the single cruiser. Our Studios are the perfect sized room for solo cruising and the Studio Lounge is a great way to meet other single cruisers. So far our free cruise costs $301.96 /person. Now the hard sell began with the Casinos at Sea representative. The first upsell attempt was to get us to upgrade to a balcony room for a few hundred.
Reviews from Norwegian Cruise Line employees about working as a Cashier at Norwegian Cruise Line. Learn about Norwegian Cruise Line culture, salaries, benefits, work-life balance, management, job security, and more. As a member of our Casinos At Sea rewards program, you can play and earn points across all our brands: Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. The more you play, the more benefits you can receive, including a complimentary drink. Cruise Ship Casinos Are Only Open Limited Hours. Head to a casino on land and it will always be.
They may be smaller than the ones in Las Vegas, but cruise ship casinos mirror what’s found on land in terms of rules and the training required for dealers. Cruise lines make sure they’re offering the latest and most popular slots and table games, including penny video slots and the ever popular blackjack. Here’s what you need to know to improve your odds, at least of having fun:
1. Casinos close while in port.
If you plan to spend a lot of time in the ship’s casino, choose an itinerary with a lot of sea days. With a few exceptions — including overnight in Bermuda and Nassau ports — cruise ship casinos are required to remain closed when the ship is in port so as not to compete with local gambling or entertainment businesses. In Bermuda, casinos on ships can operate from 9 pm to 5 am, and in Nassau, from 7 pm to 3 am.
2. Ship casinos are open in international waters.
Photo by SIME / eStockPhoto
Casinos are typically only open 3 to 12 nautical miles from the coast. However, in the case of Alaska, cruise ship casinos are permitted to open 3 miles after departing from one Alaska port until 3 miles before arriving in the next Alaska port, regardless of proximity to land. That’s good for gamblers, as cruises in southeast Alaska tend to hug the coastline.
3. Smoking is part of the game.
Though there are fewer places to smoke on cruise ships than ever before, casinos are one of the last holdouts. Most cruise ship casinos, with the exception of the luxury lines, have designated smoking areas for cigarette smokers; however, cigar lovers are rarely permitted to light up.
4. Card sharks are a rare species at sea.
Photo by SIME / eStockPhoto
Professional gamblers tend to focus their energies on the land-based casinos that are open around the clock, without the distractions of a cruise — from buffets to deck parties and those pesky ports of call. Plus, according to Paul Jarvis, vice president of casino operations for Carnival Corp., card sharks seek anonymity, and passengers need to provide the cruise line with their passport details before boarding.
5. Gambling theme cruises offer real competition for top players.
If you really want to double down on your gaming ops at sea, some cruise lines — including Carnival and Norwegian Cruise Line — host blackjack, slots, and poker tournaments that attract hundreds of gaming enthusiasts. Qualifying rounds are held on cruises throughout the year, with the final competition taking place toward the end of the year.
Casinos at Sea- Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) Casino Rewards
Let's take a look at Norwegian Cruise Line's Rewards Program, Casinos at Sea.
NCL Casinos at Sea Tiers and Benefits
Rate Points Earned:
Slots: 1 point per every $5 coin in
Video Poker: 1 point per ever $10 coin in
Table Games: Points are based on game type, average bet, session play, and hands played.
Tier levels are based off of points earned within a 12 month period. The evaluation period is between April 1st- March 31st. Tier levels can be adjusted/upgraded throughout the year based on point earnings.
Jade: Beginners card (no points required)
Jade level with NCL earns you Casinos at Sea embarkation.
Benefits across ALL BRANDS include: exciting promotional offers, ability to redeem points for play, and ability to transfer points from ship to ship.
What about benefits received onboard one sailing?
750 points- Free house drinks on a 4-day or less sailing
1,000 points- Rewards points can be used towards select onboard charges on a 4-day or less sailing
1,500 points- Free house drinks on a 5-day or more sailing
2,500 points- Rewards points can be used towards select onboard charges on a 5-day or more sailing
Pearl: 5,000 points
Pearl level with NCL earns you Casinos at Sea embarkation, free house drinks while playing in the casino, stateroom amenities, and non-refundable onboard credit of $100.
Benefits across ALL BRANDS include: exciting promotional offers, ability to redeem points for play, ability to transfer points from ship to ship, NCL stateroom discount, and special birthday offers. (If you sail during your birthday month, you also receive birthday money in onboard credit.)
Sapphire: 15,000 points
Sapphire level with NCL earns you Casinos at Sea embarkation, free house and premium drinks while playing in the casino, stateroom amenities, non-refundable onboard credit of $200, and priority disembarkation.
Benefits across ALL BRANDS include: exciting promotional offers, ability to redeem points for play, ability to transfer points from ship to ship, NCL stateroom discount, special birthday offers, convenience fees waived, and stateroom discount with Oceania Cruise and Regent Seven Seas. (If you sail during your birthday month, you also receive birthday money in onboard credit.)
Ruby: 35,000 points
Ruby level with NCL earns you Casinos at Sea embarkation, free, premium and ultra drinks while playing in the casino, stateroom amenities, non-refundable onboard credit, priority disembarkation, cash advance fees waived, and internet package.
Benefits across ALL BRANDS include: exciting promotional offers, ability to redeem points for play, ability to transfer points from ship to ship, NCL stateroom discount, special birthday offers, convenience fees waived, stateroom discount with Oceania Cruise and Regent Seven Seas, and complimentary drinks while playing in the casino. (If you sail during your birthday month, you also receive birthday money in onboard credit.)
Elite: 100,000 points
Elite level with NCL earns you Casinos at Sea embarkation, free, premium and ultra drinks while playing in the casino, stateroom amenities, non-refundable onboard credit, priority disembarkation, cash advance fees waived, internet package, complimentary shore excursion, service charges waived, and private home/hotel airport transfers.
Benefits across ALL BRANDS include: exciting promotional offers, ability to redeem points for play, ability to transfer points from ship to ship, NCL stateroom discount, special birthday offers, convenience fees waived, stateroom discount with Oceania Cruise and Regent Seven Seas, and complimentary drinks while playing in the casino. (If you sail during your birthday month, you also receive birthday money in onboard credit.)