Holland America Cruise--Alaska

[Altius3]

In early June I will be on the Holland America ship ms Oosterdam cruising along the coast of Alaska. The ship has a casino which includes 5 or 6 Blackjack tables. Does anyone have any knowledge of what type of game(s) they play. One individual indicated that a year or so ago they had 5 Deck shoes, stood on soft 17, and doubled on any 2 cards. I would like to get some more recent info. Thanks.

[MEDITANK]

FWIW, I was on the Carnival Spirit on April of 2007, ALL of the tables used CSM's with two exceptions: the double exposure(both cards face up, pushes lose) was dealt from a shoe, H17, 6 decks, 2.5 deck, pen 5-100.

The only other shoe game was that stupid fun 21, 6 deck shoe, 2-2.5 deck pen, 5-100. Holland America is owned by Carnival and they also own Princess cruises. AFAIK, Ocean Players Club is contracted to operate all of the casinos, so the shoe games for standard 21 are gone. This was very recent, because I also went on a cruise on the Carnival Elation on 9/2006 and the standard shoe was used on 21. There is also a sign in their casinos that anyone caught counting will have their winnings confiscated.

[21forme]

Originally Posted by MEDITANK

There is also a sign in their casinos that anyone caught counting will have their winnings confiscated.

1. How can they prove it?
2. Even if they can prove it, can they do that?
3. I presume gambling is only permitted when in international waters. If so, whose juristiction applies?

[MEDITANK]

Originally Posted by 21forme

1. How can they prove it?
2. Even if they can prove it, can they do that?
3. I presume gambling is only permitted when in international waters. If so, whose juristiction applies?

1. who knows? The standard 21 games are all CSM, so CC is a myth with those stupid things. Personally, the OPC's dealers did not impress me at all. They were all unfriendly and cold. They didn't chat that much and didn't like it when players won.

2. Who knows, since cruise ships can only open up the casino while they are in international waters, international laws only apply and I have no idea what those are.

3. Right, only while at sea can they open up the casino. Read the specific rules for each game here. Here are a few of their rules for the various games.
http://www.oceanplayersclub.com/cms/images/fubj.jpg

http://www.oceanplayersclub.com/games/blackjack.asp
http://www.oceanplayersclub.com/cms/images/fun21.jpg

oddly enough, there isn't any mention of any rules on the OPC website, but their is a large sign located behind the cashiers desk stating CC's will have their winnings confiscated. Personally speaking, don't waste your time in the casino with such crappy rules.