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If you’re gambling on your Royal Caribbean cruise for the first time, here are a few things you should know

At first glance, Royal Caribbean’s casino program can seem really complicated. But once you understand how it works, you can make smarter choices and get more value out of your play.

How Casino Points Work on a Cruise

Every time you gamble on board, you earn points. The exact formula varies, but in general it depends on:

• What you’re playing (slots vs. tables, etc.)
• How much you’re betting
• How long you’re playing

Those points do three important things for you:

1. Build your tier status.
   The cruise line’s casino program has a casino year that runs from April 1 to March 31. As you earn points, you move up through tiers (Prime, Signature, Masters). Once you hit a tier, that status is effective immediately and also carries through the entire next casino year.
2. Earn instant reward certificates.
   On each cruise, your points also count toward an instant reward certificate for a future sailing. This is calculated per cruise, so it resets to zero when you board a new one. The exact offers depend on the length of the cruise and are listed on a chart at the casino host desk. I also maintain this website with links the current instant reward certificates for Royal Caribbean and Celebrity.
3. Generate free play.
   By the end of your cruise, you can convert your points into free play to use in the casino. Each 50 points you earn on slots and tables converts to $1 in free play.

Always Redeem Your Free Play (But Take Photos First)

One of the easiest mistakes new players make is forgetting to redeem their free play.

• On the last day of your cruise, visit the cashier desk or use the interface on a slot machine to convert points to free play.
• Once you redeem, the points may disappear from the machine display, which can be alarming if you aren’t expecting it.

To protect yourself:

• Before redeeming, take a photo of your points balance on the screen.
• If you get a printed certificate in your cabin giving you an instant casino comp reward, take a photo of that too.

These snapshots are your backup in case the system glitches. Even if you don’t want to lug paper certificates home, photos on your phone are enough to help resolve most issues later.

Once you understand that every spin or hand is really generating data and points that translate into future offers, you can approach the casino with a clear strategy instead of just hoping for luck.