Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises have announced exciting changes to their casino policy, enhancing the experience for all players who earn free perks. While some perks like free cruises will now require more points, the new policy also brings in additional benefits. Casino players will still be able to get free drinks if they reach Prime status, ensuring a rewarding gaming experience.
Royal Caribbean offers free drinks to anyone who reaches Prime status, including 2,500 casino points from April 1st to March 31st. Players earn 1 point for every $5 spent on slots or $10 on video poker machines.
Unlike Vegas, most casino cruises allow players over 18 to gamble. While some 18+ casino states allow players under 21 to gamble, most states only allow 21+ players on the game room floor. Since cruise line casinos lie in international waters, American gambling laws do not apply. However, the floating casinos are regulated and tested for fairness by the ship’s state of origin in most cases.
While Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises allow casino patrons to drink while they gamble, the best perk you can win is a free cruise. Players who hit 1,500 points on a single cruise can earn an interior room on select cruises. The room type, cruise options, and free-play bonuses increase as earned points increase.
Cancellation Penalty For No-Shows
The biggest change to the casino policy is a cancellation penalty for free cruise recipients. However, this new policy offers more flexibility. While a $200 deposit is now required, guests can still cancel without losing their deposit. The only condition is to cancel their reservations seven days before the sail date, providing a sense of security and peace of mind.
The $200 deposit required for free cruise recipients will be refunded as an onboard credit once they board the ship. Any unused funds will be credited to the card on file, ensuring a convenient and hassle-free refund process. The new policy goes into effect on September 5th, 2024, providing ample time for guests to adjust to the changes.
Other 18+ Casino Options
In addition to casino cruises and the few states that allow under 21 players, 18+ online casinos are also available in most states. Since there are no federal gambling laws or state restrictions in most cases.
Online casinos operate offshore and do not have the same restrictions as the domestic online casino sites offered in a handful of states. Therefore, they can accept players over the age of 18 and offer real-money casino games. Popular online casino options include blackjack, slots, video poker, roulette, baccarat, and more.
Most online casino sites ask that players abide by local gambling restrictions and require proof of identification before a payout can be issued. However, you do not have to provide an ID to sign up and enjoy free-play or real-money gambling games.