Just back from a cruise. Didn’t know what to expect before going. The cruise was a giveaway from an AC casino.
It was as advertised. Totally free cruise for 2. You only pay port fees and taxes. I had to upgrade to get an outside room with a balcony.
These ships are money making machines for the cruise line. Everything, and I mean everything, is designed to get you to spend additional money on board.
But if you dont want to see shows, and don’t want to eat at premier restaurants, and don’t buy the drink package, you pay only port fees and taxes.
I do recommend the spa package .

The bad:
Just one craps table. Crowded most of the time the Casino open. Except for very early or very late.
Lots of new players who had no clue how to bet or the etiquette of the game. Too much drinking at tables.
$10 table. Hard to get a throwing station. Very few players knowledgeable about the game.
Made table play very slow and very dangerous….. late bets, hands over railing, hands coming in late, lots of screaming for craps numbers.
Too many hardway and horn bets.
New microfiber table cover
Will only open half a table if only a few rollers. And they decide which side to open.
They will also ask you to move to another side if table loses players. So you have to practice from both sides before going on a cruise. They do this because they take the dealers and send them to other games in the casino.

The good:
Quiet table very early or very late. but only for a short time.

No heat. Nothing. The only time I heard a comment was for some other guy who repeatedly came up short to the wall. "Sir, both dice must hit the wall"
Dealers very friendly and helpful.
GTC method of tipping highly regarded. No one else tipped them at all. It put me in a category of attentive treatment right away.

Casino extremely supportive of play.
Attentive casino hosts: offer free dinners to premier restaurants, tickets to shows, and other amenities.
Comps awarded. They apply your comps to your bill when leaving. Not sure how they decided number. In my case they credited 250 to my bill at end of cruise.

As for my play, I had some very short rolls (ugh) in the beginning. I had one roll in the 20’s the first night. I had a lot of trouble adjusting to the table. I eventually settled on a normal trajectory with added backspin that seemed to give me the truest forward roll and produced the throw in the 20’s.

The second night I went late and the table had only 3 guys on it. They were both players but not advantage players. I had a 32 roll and we all made money. Next day we were in port and remained there for 2 days. On the return trip the casino was very packed early and remained that way until very late. I could not play or get a throwing spot. After 2 am, the table got less crowded and only myself and the two players from earlier remained. They had played since the casino opened and lost back everything won on my 32 roll. With just 3 of us at the table they closed half. they consolidated me with the other two guys who were at the right of the stickman. I was not happy but did not argue. I do not practice enough from SR.
Resigned to my fate, and hoping my practice from SR1 would pay off, I moved and was able to get SR1. I felt a little better.
My one and only roll that night from SR1 produced a 42 roll. We again made good money. We all went to bed. I was amazed I had a good roll from SR1. I used the standard throw from the right side. It reacted well so I stuck with it.
Next morning the two players were at the table early but it was crowded. I did not play, went to the spa. After dinner, table still crazy crowded. I did not play. Went to a show. Meanwile the two guys I played with stayed and got slaughtered at the table. By the time I came back from the show, one was down 3 grand and the other guy 8 grand. I couldn’t believe they stayed and played under these conditions. I waited till the table somewhat thinned and took 3 throws. 5 counted everyone. No throws over 10. I shot three times. Nothing doing, I could not get over 10 roll per shoot. I was again shooting from SR1. But this time I could not produce even a decent roll. Terrible. I quit up for the trip.
Lesson here: be very patient on a cruise ship. Play early or late and avoid the newbies and players who destroy the game with their antics and play. If you dont have an advantage then don’t play.

Replies: