More About RC and Casino Royale Comps

[Timeshare Von]

My sister & I just got off a back-to-back (B2B) trip with two 5-night cruises out of Tampa on Royal Caribbean. Since we've learned how to play "the game" for casino rewards of "comped" cruises, I want to continue to share the learning/experiences I've had in hopes that it might help others. I understand this approach to vacationing and entertainment may not be for everyone, but for us, it's working out well and providing lots of additional opportunities to vacation at a low and affordable cost.

My recent Casino Royale Experience (Enchantment OTS B2B 2/10 & 2/15)
I ran $5,500 of casino play through my stateroom accounts which were tied to my RC Visa card (yes I know . . . there are better deals out there, but I'm happy with the 2% I'm getting on this credit card). All but $300 was taken/charged via slot machines. The $300 was taken at the 3 card poker table as a room charge as well. (This is a great deal since you do not have to pay a convenience fee or use ATMs on the ship.)

"Value" received from this $5,500 spend:
Cash to bank once home $1,900 ("winnings")
2% OBC credit from RC card $110
Instant Certificates (2 @ 2k pts):
2 Cruises booked (Dec'25) $3,029
Next Cruise On Board Credit (2 certificates) $200
Next Cruise Free Play (2 certificates) $300
NET VALUE REC'D = $5,539

As an aside, I parlayed my $150 "Bags of Cash" casino drawing to $500 cashed out, which was 100% profit. Plus playing bingo was a pleasant surprise, with my sister & I winning during 3 of the 4 sessions, for a net win/profit of $257 each for the 2 cruises.

Final/total gambling loss for the 10 nights was $2,843, with 2 future cruise bookings + OBC + FP = $3,529. So obviously not "free" . . . but at a nice reduced cost (roughly $700 "savings").

In terms of points earned, I got 2,125 on the 1st cruise and 2,688 on the 2nd. So my points:dollar ratios were decent too. For these two point totals, I was able to redeem for a 7-night cruise solo (for just $161 port fees + taxes) and an 8-night cruise double occupancy with my sister (for just $174pp). As noted above, the booking rate for these two cruises would have been over $3,000 had it not been for the casino reward certificates received.

Additionally, because we have both achieved "Prime" status in the casino (2,500 points earned in current annual casino year 4/1/24-3/31/25) we have unlimited free drinks in the casino whenever it is open. This is easily a $50/day value given cocktails run $15-$18 each on the ship. This benefit earned "this year" is good throughout the coming casino year (4/1/25 - 3/31/26) too.

As always, YMMV . . . and there is always a fair amount of luck involved any time you step into a casino to play. I feel I've been lucky and continue to enjoy the entertainment and vacation time spent with my sister. We're looking forward to our next cruise vacation adventure scheduled for this coming October . . . a transatlantic 13 night sailing from Lisbon, Portugal to Florida with ports of call in Spain & the Canary Islands.

 

[PamMo]

Thank you, @Timeshare Von, for your posts! We hadn't cruised in years and I'd never heard of Club Royale, but your posts piqued my curiosity. After a cruise over spring break with the kids, DH received vouchers for FOUR "free" cruises for two from Club Royale. Now how am I going to work in cruises with timesharing????

I enjoyed the cruise (Symphony of the Seas), but mostly because it was time spent with the kids and grands - and they LOVED all the activities on the big ship! I'm not sure how I feel about taking four more cruises with RCCL in the next year or so, though. Free or not. But, we're taking the other grands on a shorter RCCL cruise this summer (using one of the vouchers), so we'll see how it goes. I'm sure they'll have a great time exploring the ship! Thanks again, Yvonne!

 

[Timeshare Von]

Thank you, @Timeshare Von, for your posts! We hadn't cruised in years and I'd never heard of Club Royale, but your posts piqued my curiosity. After a cruise over spring break with the kids, DH received vouchers for FOUR "free" cruises for two from Club Royale. Now how am I going to work in cruises with timesharing????

I enjoyed the cruise (Symphony of the Seas), but mostly because it was time spent with the kids and grands - and they LOVED all the activities on the big ship! I'm not sure how I feel about taking four more cruises with RCCL in the next year or so, though. Free or not. But, we're taking the other grands on a shorter RCCL cruise this summer (using one of the vouchers), so we'll see how it goes. I'm sure they'll have a great time exploring the ship! Thanks again, Yvonne!

I'm so glad to help others . . . and that you have found a way to maximize your cruising . . . and vacation dollars! My sister & I have just booked our annual "prime" (free) cruises . . . so we have a total of 5 on the books between October and March. We prefer the smaller ships . . . with our upcoming cruises planned for Explorer, Grandeur, Rhapsody and Independence.

Maybe we'll cross paths on the high seas

 

[Pennytx]

There is a company called
Urcompes
If you submit your offers they will match them to other cruises, example Princess, Celebrity, NCL, holland America.
I cruise 3 months a year and I’ve used this site multiple times
It will give you an opportunity to be rated and get various cruises to other destinations
Example we did 44 days back to back to Antartica last year during Christmas and new years. They comped us a Neptune suite and cash plus free drink package for the entire cruise
Your welcome to pm me if you would like additional information

 

[PamMo]

That sounds pretty amazing! You both sound like you’ve worked out how to enjoy fantastic cruises for pennies on the dollar - or free??!! Kudos to you! I will definitely check out Urcompes, @Pennytx. Thanks!

We don’t have a plan worked out at all yet. It’s a bit overwhelming that DH gets new offers every couple of days, and they are so tempting! We booked an Alaska cruise for this summer, as we enjoyed it 15 years ago and wanted to do it again. There are also two cruises we’d love to do back-to-back for over a month, sailing from Barcelona to Cape Town to Singapore. Lots of sea days, though, and unfortunately too close to other trips we have planned.

Hopefully I’ll be able to work out a full calendar of timesharing and cruise travel with my family for 2026!

Thanks again. @Timeshare Von and @Pennytx!

 

[Dc3drivr]

There is a company called
Urcompes
If you submit your offers they will match them to other cruises, example Princess, Celebrity, NCL, holland America.
I cruise 3 months a year and I’ve used this site multiple times
It will give you an opportunity to be rated and get various cruises to other destinations
Example we did 44 days back to back to Antartica last year during Christmas and new years. They comped us a Neptune suite and cash plus free drink package for the entire cruise
Your welcome to pm me if you would like additional information

I have done one URcomped cruise & it was great fun. Going on another later this year, I"ll report back..............

 

[Pennytx]

Has anyone taken a grand voyage cruise on Holland America?

 

[Timeshare Von]

Has anyone taken a grand voyage cruise on Holland America?

It sounds interesting . . . but for obvious reasons, I'm loyal to Royal. The perks of consolidating nights + gambling are better when staying with one system/company.

 

[Timeshare Von]

ADDING (9/29/25) . . . just a couple of days ago, I received another sweet offer from Royal Caribbean for a 4 night cruise in a balcony for 2 people. The offer also includes (for both of us) the deluxe (alcohol) beverage package for all 4 days plus Hideaway Beach (on their private island resort) passes. I will also receive $100 in casino free play.

Because we're already in Florida for cruises in December, we were able to add this one to the front end of our travel schedule. The cost was just $128pp. The total value of the package is over $1,800 . . . so my casino play strategy continues to provide exceptional vacation opportunities in retirement.

My/our cruise vacation schedule is now 12/1-12/22 on the 3 cruises we have booked . . . $5,100 value for $525 in port fees & taxes . . . and $350 in gratuities (paid on board). PLUS my sister has the very same "value" and out of pocket costs . . . to cruise "free" with me in a shared cabin.