Norwegian Cruise Line casino guide

What to expect in a Norwegian casino

Plan for some excitement while on Norwegian Cruise Line, with options that will suit amateur and professional gamers, at the gaming area. There are modern slot machines as well as classic games like blackjack, poker and roulette therefore these casinos are popular among passengers.

Another aspect of the Norwegian casino experience I’m going to talk about a bit more later is the loyalty programs, which are offered by the Casinos At Sea.

The environment in these casinos is generally lively, with ships like the Norwegian Viva receiving positive reviews for their game variety and friendly staff. However, some ships can become crowded or smoky, as noted by passengers on the Norwegian Jade and Breakaway.

Norwegian fleet

Take a look inside the casinos on NCL

Overview of Casinos At Sea loyalty program

The Casinos At Sea Program, a loyalty program for Norwegian cruises, allows players to collect points while gambling aboard the cruise and then redeem those for unique experiences and perks for all NCL cruises, increasing customer retention for the fleet.

It is important to note that the club is applicable on Oceania cruises and Regenten 7 seas cruises as they come under Norwegian cruise line holdings, thus the rewards might differ on varying cruise lines.

Earning points and tier levels

To earn any type of tier, one needs to wager on slot machines or table games, spinning a slot for $5 will earn you a single point while playing video poker requires 10 dollars wagered. ($10 per point earned).

Why not win at the poker tables instead, since cash-out only increases the points earned when spent again, this strategy might work especially if paired with the sailing bonuses.

The tier levels of the Casinos At Sea program are evaluated on an annual basis starting 1st April to 31st March. Starting each year, each member’s points are reset to zero. Thus the points earned in the period of one year will determine a particular member’s tier for the next year. If a member earns enough points during the year, he or she can be promoted to a higher tier during the year. However, first, understand that the calculation of your points is solely from real gaming activity, meaning no bonus points or other adjusted points are considered for your tier calculation.

Benefits and perks

Regardless of the chosen cruise company from those affiliated in the scheme, some advantages are constant across the board:

• Seamless points transfer: Points awarded to you on one ship can be transferred to another ship easily.
• Convenience fee waived: Enjoy playing without the extra fees, starting from the Sapphire tier.
• Redeem points for gameplay: Use your earned points to play more games.
• Special deals and events: These are available through invites that are otherwise exclusive.

Norwegian Cruise Line specific perks

These perks can only be used on NCL cruises:

• The use of folio points: All points on the NCL accounts can be used to spend onboard NCL cruises.
• Enjoy Cruises with credits: Non-refundable onboard credits that can be spent on more fun activities during the use of the cruise.
• Unlimited beverages: This is available for elite members that can have promo packages.
• VIP experiences: Elite members have access to behind-the-scenes tours and more.

Elite-Level Treats

For the most dedicated players, the Elite tier opens up a world of exclusive luxury:

• Private transfers: From home to ship, your journey is smooth and stylish.
• Internet and shore excursion credits: Stay connected and explore more with complimentary packages.
• Amenities and tours: Enjoy special treatments and exclusive tours to elevate your cruising experience.

With each tier, the Casinos at Sea program aims to enhance your cruise and gaming adventures, ensuring a memorable voyage. To enjoy these perks, remember, you must be at least 21 years old, and the benefits apply to cruises of 3 days or longer.

Comp system

Traditionally based on theoretical losses, the comp system's current methodology remains less transparent. Comp offers may vary, and players are advised to consult with casinos staff to clarify details post-cruise.

How to track your points

Cruisers are provided the ability to link their accounts to their Casinos At Sea player’s club card aboard the ship. Always remember to swipe your card while playing any of the slot machines or table as they will track the usage and subsequently convert it into reward points. In case you would like to know how many points you hold you can either go to the casino host or the reception desk during the trip to learn your current point capacity or what rewards might be available for you.

Tax considerations

Jackpots over $1,199 won by US nationals will have tax form filled; there is no such clarity on how it is done for foreign guests.

Casino games you can find on Norwegian Cruise Line

You can find all the customary casino games such as slot machines, blackjack, baccarat, craps, video poker and more. Please check on the specific ship you want to travel on in order to know what games you will have access to.

Tournaments

Blackjack tournaments

• Entry fee: The signup fee is around $25 to $35.
• Format: The preliminary rounds have several players competing. You might start with a set amount of chips, like $1000 or $2000, and play a certain number of hands, often as few as six.
• Advancement: Only the top winners from each table or session, who have the highest chip counts, move on to subsequent rounds. The top six leaders by chip count participate in the final round.
• Prizes: The prize pool comprises half of the total entry fees collected.
• Rebuys: Players often have the option to rebuy (pay another entry fee to try again) if they lose early, subject to space availability.

Slot tournaments

• Entry fee: These usually cost around $25 with slight variance.
• Format: Players compete by playing the same slot game, often spread over several machines. Players have about 3 minutes to spin the reels as quickly as possible to score points.
• Advancement: Winners of each session move to the final round. There may be a limited number of sessions, with extra buy-ins possible if time and space allow.
• Prizes: There’s usually a main winner and two runner-ups in the finals.
  Both of these tournaments are designed to add excitement and competition to the cruising experience. However, 

Poker Tournaments

• Entry fee: The buy-in is typically around $25, but it could vary depending on the cruise and tournament specifics.
• Starting chips: The starting chips are often set to around 2000 chips for players at the beginning of the tournament.
• Blinds structure: Large tournament events set starting wagers in the range of 100 for the blind beta and 200 blinds for the second seat players. Players lose their money and get eliminated as listed throughout the course of the tournament.
• Unlimited rebuys: Most of these tournaments are structured to allow unlimited rebuys in the early stages if a player loses all of their chips. This means that if a player runs out of chips in the tournament, they are able to pay to enter again.
• Advancement & prizes: he winner or winners of the initial rounds may receive tickets for a larger event facilitating more events, and if more people enter them, then cash price is awarded to winners of the event.

Players are advised to pay attention to the structure and rules in place, as it would increase their chances of success due to the wide ranges in shuffle rules and rewards depending on the events and cruises the player attends.

Free gaming lessons

Casinos and their games can be daunting to learn. Onboard the Norwegian Cruise Line, passengers can take free gaming lessons and engage in gambling in an anxiety-free environment, with the assistance of a professional instructor. It's important to note that these lessons are offered during the day and quiet hours where the casino is not that crowded. The dealers are the ones who hand out the lessons and willingly assist in the learning process of games including poker, blackjack, craps and roulette.

Age limit

The age limit for entry into the casino on Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) ships is typically 18 years old. However, if the cruise sailing to or from a North American port, the minimum age can be 21 years old due to local legal requirements. It's always a good idea to check the specific restrictions for your cruise itinerary directly with NCL, as they can vary based on the ship's destination and local regulations.

Accessibility

Casinos on Norwegian Cruise Line ships are typically designed to be accessible to all passengers including those with mobility challenges. Ships are equipped with features such as elevators and ramps to accommodate wheelchairs and scooters, ensuring that everyone can access the casino area. Additionally, staff members are generally trained to assist passengers with varying needs, from navigating the gaming floor to providing help with games.