Casinos and Cruises :)

Koseao

Well-Known Member
#1
I am getting my Christmas present early! Well, kind of. I am being asked where I would like to go on a cruise for Christmas and which cruise line I would like to go on. I know nothing about any part of any of it. I don't know where I would want to go or what cruise. So here is how I am going to choose, and why I have asked for your help. What cruise line has decent blackjack play on it? And where would I be happy to go? I want to get blackjack in on my trip, maybe make some extra money (after adding back into my bankroll) to go and buy a beautiful gift for myself :) It doesn't matter the cost of the cruise, so don't base it off which is cheapest, nothing to worry about there. I wanted to get back to my bf soon but I would rather wait and hear your guy's opinions. I want to count on a cruise. I like the way that sounds too :)


Thanks everyone!
 

FLASH1296

Well-Known Member
#2
Cruise ship game conditions generally range from dreadful to almost marginal.

The following is NOT my post:
**********************************************************
I recently cruised on a Carnival Cruise Lines ship. Outside their casino was posted a sign that contained the following excerpt, ironically immediately beneath a large "GOOD LUCK".
Card counting and/or the use of any mechanical/electrical or any other type of device to assist players in the gaming activity conducted in this casino is strictly prohibited. Violators will be subject to a forfeiture of all winnings and to confiscation of any prohibited devices.
To ensure this proscription, they used CSM's on all of their BJ games! However, their pseudo-BJ games were dealt from shoes.

Imagine the possibilities for abuse this allows... any time the casino wants to shaft a winning player, all the casino needs to do is accuse the winner of "card counting", then refuse to cash his chips. How does one go about "proving" he WASN'T counting cards?
***********************************************************
It is my understanding that Norwegian Cruise Lines is the least repugnant
of choices, but I could be wrong, as I have avoided all cruises.
 

shadroch

Well-Known Member
#3
I'd say Crystal Cruises have the best casinos, followed by Norwegian. A close friend runs a Cruise magazine and gets us cabins a few times a year.
While I enjoy cruising, my schedule doesn't allow me to take as much advantage as I wish. Even on Crystal, the conditions are worse than you'll find downtown.
 

Koseao

Well-Known Member
#4
FLASH1296 said:
Cruise ship game conditions generally range from dreadful to almost marginal.

The following is NOT my post:
**********************************************************
I recently cruised on a Carnival Cruise Lines ship. Outside their casino was posted a sign that contained the following excerpt, ironically immediately beneath a large "GOOD LUCK".
Card counting and/or the use of any mechanical/electrical or any other type of device to assist players in the gaming activity conducted in this casino is strictly prohibited. Violators will be subject to a forfeiture of all winnings and to confiscation of any prohibited devices.
To ensure this proscription, they used CSM's on all of their BJ games! However, their pseudo-BJ games were dealt from shoes.

Imagine the possibilities for abuse this allows... any time the casino wants to shaft a winning player, all the casino needs to do is accuse the winner of "card counting", then refuse to cash his chips. How does one go about "proving" he WASN'T counting cards?
***********************************************************
It is my understanding that Norwegian Cruise Lines is the least repugnant
of choices, but I could be wrong, as I have avoided all cruises.
Well I don't think I will be wanting to play anymore! Especially being little and a girl, I don't want to be taken advantage of. :( I can see if a person starts to win they can just go ahead and say that I cheated. Or anyone. Yuck. Now I am sad, but surely glad I asked
 

Pro21

Well-Known Member
#5
I would focus on where you want to go, and not on the casino on board. You can take a Caribbean cruise that stops at various islands that have land based casinos.
 

Koseao

Well-Known Member
#6
Pro21 said:
I would focus on where you want to go, and not on the casino on board. You can take a Caribbean cruise that stops at various islands that have land based casinos.

I was hoping to play on the ship. Island playing sounds scary. And now after reading more online about it all I am actually a scardy cat on playing any on a ship or island.

I am fun and so is my bf, any pros want to come just so I can enjoy watching on my vacation? Lol. :grin:
 

Pro21

Well-Known Member
#7
Kos,

My understanding is you play small stakes. You should have no problems on any of the islands or on the ship. You probably won't find great games on either which is why I said you should focus on where you want to spend your time. If you have the vacation bankroll maybe cruise Italy and the Greek Islands.
 

Koseao

Well-Known Member
#8
Pro21 said:
Kos,

My understanding is you play small stakes. You should have no problems on any of the islands or on the ship. You probably won't find great games on either which is why I said you should focus on where you want to spend your time. If you have the vacation bankroll maybe cruise Italy and the Greek Islands.
You're right I don't bet large by any means, however, I do win quite favorably and when I do I normally have larger bets out. But you are right, I am sure I should fly right under the radar. :) I have the blackjack bankroll, the bf has the vacation bankroll ;) I think Italy sounds beautiful. Thanks for all the help!
 

FLASH1296

Well-Known Member
#9
If you travel to ordinary vacation destinations favored by Americans
you will be unlikely to discover worthwhile BJ opportunities, but there
are some places that do indeed have rather good games.
Most often these are games with excellent rules but mediocre penetration.

The best (may be) those in Eastern Europe.

After the recent shuttering of the hundreds of Russian casinos,

There are still very good games to play in Poland, Ukraine, etc.

For miniscule stakes there are good games in third world countries, e.g. South America.
 

Finn Dog

Well-Known Member
#10
The reason cruise ships offer unbeatable games in general is due to the fact they have a most captive audience!

Remember, wherever you find a game that's "the only game in town", odds are it has a very high house advantage.

Best regards,

FD
 
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