It seems that between different cruise lines the scope for getting a cruise at no charge differs. The easiest and most freest of them appears to be the Royal Caribbean. It's also one of the most easier to understand. Do you ever wonder how much money you need to spend to even consider getting a new cruise sent to you? Or Is there a percentage or ratio by which I can find out how much I need to spend to get a new cruise View?
The answer is of course between zero and a hundred percent of purchases made because do not forget a casino ship is after all a floating casino and what happens in a casino stays in a casino. This is irrespective of whether it is a free or paid for cruise. For such scenarios Carnival Cruises tend to be the least transparent.
So far, we have compiled some estimates for you to help you figure out how much you need to gamble to range for a free cruise, alongside that understanding how much you actually want to spend. Harmony of the seas, Royal Caribbean Harmony of the seas. Royal Caribbean credit: Royal Caribbean.
Royal Caribbean Harmony of the Seas. Credit: Royal Caribbean.
Your way to a free cruise on Royal Caribbean
You get rewarded for being active in the Royal Casino game since there is a point system attached. If you are playing Slots, then that is a simple start since it only requires $5 to earn a point. As you further accumulate points and reach 2500, your status changes to that of a Prime Member and with it you get access to free cruises and free drinks at the casino. This is why tracking rewards via slots is so simple.
You can real more about the tiers on Royal Caribbean here.
However, Table games are a different case, as the casino employees have to rank them as they involve parameters like the betting amount and the period one plays for. Players have pointed out that the calculating of the points can be highly inexact, so interfacing with the casino hosts and pit bosses is essential to verify that their gambling activity is being recorded.
Strategies and real experiences
Slots are the best and easiest way to save up for a fun cruise while enabling you to cash out all you had invested with little effort. In fact, there is a real life example that proves this debt free idea of a cruise. One player was feeling lucky, had set their daily gaming limit to $400, and managed to rack up over 4000 points from the slots, allowing her to take a 7 night cruise on Harmony fully paid for along with receiving $500 from it. Another cruise mentioned collecting 4000 points in exchange of a cruise for 9 days and due to that she was offered 2 cruises along with many other gambling Email promotions.
Table games and challenges
When it comes to table games, the experience tends to be a bit more diverse than the one attained at slot machines, but also less predictable. I previously spent about $600 in one night playing craps and three card poker but noticed that point accumulation on these games is slower compared to slot machines, where it only earned me a mere 2,200 points unlike the desired Prime level.
Allowing yourself to be voluntarily spoken to by staff members, interacting with the host frequently, and making sure to get your name in the system, are simple yet useful methods. Making high bets while the staff is observing you increases the likelihood of you being able to accumulate significant points, although this is not the most straightforward way when put in comparison with slots.
Offer codes cheat sheet
Royal Caribbean has multiple offer codes for 2025 based on how much points you've earned in the casino on previous trips. You can check out the PDF here for a more detailed view which includes their offers on every sailing in 2025. Here is the short summary of what is being offered:
Offer code 2501A10 - 400 points
Next cruise bonus stateroom type: interior. Offer type: Cruise fare for 1 guest
Offer code 2501A09 - 600 points
Next cruise bonus stateroom type: interior. Offer type: Cruise fare for 1 guest
Offer code 2501A08 - 800 points
Next cruise bonus stateroom type: Interior or oceanview depending on the cruise. Offer type: Cruise fare for 1 guest
Offer code 2501A07 - 1200 points
Next cruise bonus stateroom type: Interior or oceanview depending on the cruise. Offer type: Cruise fare for 1 or 2 guests depending on the cruise.
Offer code 2501A06 - 1500 points
stateroom type: Interior or oceanview or balcony depending on the cruise. Offer type: Cruise fare for 1 or 2 guests depending on the cruise. Next cruise bonus: $100 FreePlay
Offer code 2501A05 - 2000 points
stateroom type: Interior or oceanview or balcony depending on the cruise. Offer type: Cruise fare for 1 or 2 guests depending on the cruise. Next cruise bonus: $150 FreePlay
Offer code 2501A04 - 3000 points
stateroom type: Oceanview or balcony depending on the cruise. Offer type: cruise fare for 2 guests. Next cruise bonus: $250 FreePlay.
Offer code 2501A03A - 4000 points
stateroom type: Oceanview or balcony depending on the cruise. Offer type: cruise fare for 2 guests. Next cruise bonus: $500 FreePlay.
Offer code 2501A03 - 6500 points
stateroom type: Balcony or junior suite depending on the cruise. Offer type: cruise fare for 2 guests. Next cruise bonus: $750 FreePlay.
Offer code 2501A02A - 9000 points
Stateroom type: balcony or junior suite depending on the cruise. Offer type: cruise fare for 2 guests. Next cruise bonus: $1000 FreePlay.
Offer code 2501A02 - 15000 points
Stateroom type: Junior suite. Offer type: cruise fare for 2 guests. Next cruise bonus: $1500 FreePlay.
Offer code 2501A01 - 25000 points
Stateroom type: Junior suite or grand suite depending on the cruise. Offer type: cruise fare for 2 guests. Next cruise bonus: $2000 FreePlay.
Offer code 2501AVIP2 - 40000 points
Stateroom type: Grand suite. Offer type: cruise fare for 2 guests. Next cruise bonus: $2500 FreePlay.
Carnival Breeze. Credit: Carnival Cruises.
How to get a free cruise on Carnival Cruises
If you have even taken a cruise, it is very easy for you to relate Point offers with those offered with other cruise lines but for Carnival Cruises, this list is nowhere to be found. But if you do have a shipping experience, it is easy to figure out how good a strategic play can be.
Points matter, but…
For the gamers who usually stay until around 2,000 points or so, there usually tends to be an offer that is marked as ‘drinks on us’; now if you do wish to go beyond that there tends to be an offer about ‘off-peak’ silk cruise that can go to around the 2,000 points mark. Now reaching this threshold does not guarantee any offer instead a linear increase will be provided to amp up the rewards, as one of the shipper managed to get a whopping 4,000 points in a single try – only being given offers which ranged from billon to dressing room including services such as onboard spending credit (OBC).
Real experiences and tips
What we can learn from this experience is the potential of gambling machines. One Cruiser was able to achieve 7.0K plus points through a blend of $200 Free Play and $300 Cash of personal funds which helped him take home $1,400 plus in revenues. All of this combined helped him with several compensation rich offers including False Vista buying great futures.
Gambling focus provides Carnival customers with a point earning strategy: it is “bet big to earn big”. A bet of $5 yields more points over time and ensures a good serve over a $1 bet- time dilating your ranking (and earning potential).
But it is wise to always keep in mind that gambling comes with responsibility while point chasing should never lead to emotional or monetary issues.
Carnival has always been a world o detail and reward, and guests seem to be up in arms about being dealt wildly different points even though the only possible decider seems to be the total points. While these points may seem modest, earning complimentary balcony cruises with fancy offer packs is a piece of cake for many, and then there are people who spend a lot but still end up with very little.
Bounceback and future offers
Bounce back offers are among the many sought out offers provided to top cruisers carnival offers up to 10%. achieving such offers will require high point count which goes into thousands especially during long cruises.
As a fun fact, carnival has a tendency to give out such promotions to players earning the most disposable cash or even connect them to other casino profiles, thus increasing the possibility of gaining superior awards even when they are part of various casino networks.
MSC Meraviglia. Credit: MSC.
MSC - A clear and transparent path to a free cruise
Unlike Carnival Cruises, MSC Cruises offers a clear and structured path for guests to earn rewards through their casino loyalty program.
By accruing points during your gaming experience, you can unlock a range of discounts and complimentary accommodations, turning your onboard gaming into tangible travel benefits. Here's how you can navigate MSC's points and offers:
Rewards by sailing duration and location
To get a free cruise on MSC you need at least 5 000 casino points on USA sailings up to 5 nights. If you want to cruise outside of the US, you'll need to rack up at least 10 000 points for an interior room.
USA Sailings 6 & 8 nights
Casino points | Reward |
|---|---|
1 500 - 4 999 | 10% Discount |
5 000 - 7 999 | 20% Discount |
8 000 | Interior Stateroom Bella Experience |
10 000 | Ocean View Stateroom Bella Experience |
15 000 | Balcony Stateroom Bella Experience |
25 000 | Suite Stateroom Aurea Experience + Casino Drink Package |
34 000 | MSC Yacht Club Deluxe Suite |
USA Sailings 2 to 5 nights
Casino points | Reward |
|---|---|
1 500 - 4 999 | 10% Discount |
5 000 | Interior stateroom Bella experience |
8 000 | Ocean View Stateroom Bella Encounter |
10 000 | Balcony Stateroom Bella Encounter |
20 000 | Suite Stateroom Aurea Experience + Casino Drink Package |
30 000 | MSC Yacht Club Deluxe Suite |
Worldwide up to 10 nights
Casino points | Reward |
|---|---|
1 500 - 4 999 | 10% Discount |
5 000 - 7 999 | 20% Discount |
8 000 - 9 999 | 30% Discount |
10 000 | Interior Stateroom Bella Experience |
15 000 | Balcony Stateroom Bella Experience |
20 000 | Suite Stateroom Aurea Experience + Casino Drink Package |
30 000 | MSC Yacht Club Deluxe Suite |
45 000 | MSC Yacht Club Owner's Suite |
Maximizing casino points on cruise ships
Whether you’re aboard Royal Caribbean, Carnival, or MSC Cruises, the casino offers an exciting opportunity not only to enjoy gaming but also to earn points toward fantastic rewards like discounted cruises or complimentary accommodations. Here’s a guide to help you accumulate points effectively across any cruise line’s casino.
Casino points systems
Cruise ship casinos typically award points based on your gambling activity. Points are your gateway to rewards, ranging from free drinks while playing to room upgrades or even complimentary cruises. Each line may have its unique program, but the core principles are quite similar.
Game selection: slots vs. table games
Slots
- Predictability: Slots often have a clear point system, usually tied to the amount of money you spend, making it easier to track your progress.
- Rapid Accumulation: They can allow for faster point accumulation due to consistent small bets, but remember, the house always has an edge.
Table Games
- Varied Points: Points are determined based on betting amounts, game type, duration, and pit boss ratings, adding a layer of variability.
- Potential for High Returns: While less predictable, higher bets and longer playtimes during favorable conditions can boost point totals.
Strategies for maximizing points
- Always Use Your Player’s Card:
Ensure your player’s card is inserted or acknowledged every time you play. This is essential across all casinos for accurate point tracking. - Engage with Casino Staff:
Forming a rapport with casino hosts can be beneficial. They can offer insights into point systems and ensure your play is recorded correctly, particularly for table games. - Play During Promotions:
Look out for special promotions that offer double points or bonus play. Timing your gaming during these events can maximize your point yield without additional risk. - Bankroll Management:
Set a budget for gambling based on what you’re comfortable losing. Stick to this limit to ensure gaming remains enjoyable and stress-free. - Vary Your Bets:
While maintaining control, varying your bets can help accumulate points more effectively without drastically increasing your risk—focus higher bets when conditions seem favorable. - Keep Track of Your Points:
Regularly check your points balance to plan your gaming sessions more strategically. Knowing where you stand can help you set or adjust targets during your cruise. - Time at the Table:
For table games, time is your ally. Longer sessions can contribute positively to your point accumulation as they demonstrate loyalty to the games you prefer.
Responsible Gaming
Regardless of the allure of free cruises or discounts, always prioritize responsible gambling. The primary goal should be enjoyment, with rewards viewed as a bonus rather than a guarantee.