Royal Carribean Csino Royale vs NCL Casino at Seas

We are avid cruisers and have probably been on 35-40 cruises. We have never paid for a cruise up front (paid in the Casino). We started with offers from land-based casinos and now deal with the cruise lines directly. I primarily play $1 video poker and some slots. This review compares the NCL Casino at Seas program to the Royal Caribbean Casino Royale based on our experience.

ODDS : The odds on both cruise lines are poor. NCL has better odds

RCL – 6/5 Bonus Poker with $150 for all 4OK – 7/5 DDB

NCL: 6/5 Bonus poker with $250 for 2,3,4 and $400 for 4A – 8/5 DDB

Bill Adjustment at the End of the cruise. Typically I earn $10,000 points

RCL – Usually nothing

NCL – Usually $500+

Tier Benefits

RCL- Prime: worthless cruise ctf at the end of the cruise which we have never used. Annual cruise which is worthless because we receive cruise offers all the time

NCL- Ruby: $400 each on board credit. Ultra drinks- usually will get an upgraded bottle of wine by request

Amenities Sent to Room

RCL: plate of 4 cookies

NCL: Chocolate covered strawberries with wine or Champagne

Host overall Casino Service

RCL: Never saw the host – staff generally not very friendly. My wife approached the host to ask about all of the out of service machines and she said he was rude when she asked him. This was on Navigator of the Seas

NCL: Host will come over and introduce themselves and check in almost daily to see if we need anything. Very friendly staff. The personalized service and friendliness fo the NCL staff makes the experience a lot more fun.

Casino set-up

RCL: We just got off Navigator of the Seas which has probably the worst Casino we have ever been to. Probably 30% of the machines were out off service. Card frequently stopped registering points. Machines were on top of each other and could not move. Other ships like the Allure are much better.

NCL: Much better and roomier

The room was much largerthen expected for a Junior suire. The food in the main dining room was very good. Especially the nextt to last night that included lobster and filet mignon. We did not feel the need to eat in the specialty restaturants because the dining room was very good. Service in the dining room was excellent and we sat at the same table every night even though we had My Time dining. The room steward was also very good and friendly. Shows were good but not excellent. The first night was some guys banging drums that gave me a headache and I walked out. The comnedian, magician and stage shows were very good.