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My vacation review - Royal Caribbean cruise....

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Legend
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Posted: #1
As some of you know, times are tough - and I had to unfortunately put my yacht in drydock about a year ago after somehow Koaj managed to damage my engines with a supermodels bra and panties.
 
The salt air was still calling me, so last week I went on a cruise.  Royal Caribbean to the Western Caribbean.
 
I gotta be honest - it was an awesome time.  Food was superb, had a balcony so I sat out and reviewed life to the sound of waves and ocean, and had tons to do (came in 2nd in the sexy legs contest).
 
And for us gamblers, it doesnt take very much to get a free room.  I played BJ and craps for an average of 150 per hand, for about an hour a day - and they told me the next time they would pay for my cruise.  Not a bad deal.
 
Anyway, for those with a family, or those looking to relax after hundreds of bad beats in a row - a cruise might just be your vacation.
 
Im giving this 4 out of 5 stars on the vanzack approval scale (5 being a fleshlight and 1 being a wager at bodog).
 
Support your local animal shelter. I am on twitter.
 
Veteran
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Posted: #2
 
Banned
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Posted: #3
That damn KOAJ
 
 
 
Covers Linesmen
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Posted: #4
KOAJ told me about that party.  Wild times, wild times.   
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Posted: #5
Quote Originally Posted by allbees:

KOAJ told me about that party.  Wild times, wild times.   


Nothing like the times we had back at the Beta house back in the day allbees! 

You talk to Cheese and Mousey recently?  Haven't heard from those cats in ages! 


Cheese and Mousey
 
Covers Linesmen
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Posted: #6
yeah, Cheese said something about going somewhere for a lobster papaya salad and rack of lamb with a berry souffle for desert tonight.  
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Prospect
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Posted: #7
 
Captain
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Posted: #8
I also went on my first cruise this summer and would definitely do it again.  We went on a 14 day Western Mediterranean leaving from Southampton, UK (about an hour from London).  Typically our vacations have been all-inclusive 4-4.5 star Caribbean resorts.  The food and entertainment on our boat by far exceeded the value of the free drinks of an all inclusive (we snuck our own on anyways).  Plus you get to explore the world. 

Will probably do a Caribbean cruise next time.  Any ports stand out to you that are must do's?
 
Captain
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Posted: #9
The gambling on our boat wasn't very good.  Black Jack only paid 6:5 and there was only 1 poker table with a 10% - $25 max rake.  And if you weren't there at 6:30 each night you could expect a 1-2 hour wait for a seat.  They ran tourneys each morning but the blind structure was so terrible ... it was worse than online turbo tournaments ... by the time it was down to the final 3 the chip leader might have 5 or 6 big blinds in his stack.  It was an all in donk fest and I did not play in a single tourney.  Oh and it was a rebuy tourney and I watched in awe as idiots re-bought for 1 big blind. 

This was on Norwegian btw
 
Legend
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Posted: #10
Quote Originally Posted by LeafsNeedD:

The gambling on our boat wasn't very good.  Black Jack only paid 6:5 and there was only 1 poker table with a 10% - $25 max rake.  And if you weren't there at 6:30 each night you could expect a 1-2 hour wait for a seat.  They ran tourneys each morning but the blind structure was so terrible ... it was worse than online turbo tournaments ... by the time it was down to the final 3 the chip leader might have 5 or 6 big blinds in his stack.  It was an all in donk fest and I did not play in a single tourney.  Oh and it was a rebuy tourney and I watched in awe as idiots re-bought for 1 big blind. 

This was on Norwegian btw

That about describes the poker situation on Royal Carib too - they actually had an electronic poker table - with a 15% rake up to 10 bucks.  It was a 2-5 NL game.  Pretty lame.  I did play in a tournament with a horrible payout structure - like you describe - but it was the only game in town. 

The BJ was 6-5 for single deck - but a pretty standard 8 deck game but they hit on soft 17.  Im not a big casino guy - I pretty much hate it - but was surprised that they were willing to put me in a balcony cabin for an hour a day at 150 per hand.

I went to Ocho Rios Jamaica - went to the waterfall there - and grand cayman went out and swam with stingrays - that was really cool - and then cozumel just walked around.

All in all, a great time - and never had to pack and unpack.

Support your local animal shelter. I am on twitter.
 
Rookie
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Posted: #11
What boat??
 
I have taken two cruises on the Navigator of the Seas.  Great boat, lots of fun.  No comp drinks at the tables tho. 
 
Prospect
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Posted: #12
Quote Originally Posted by vanzack:

As some of you know, times are tough - and I had to unfortunately put my yacht in drydock about a year ago after somehow Koaj managed to damage my engines with a supermodels bra and panties.
 
The salt air was still calling me, so last week I went on a cruise.  Royal Caribbean to the Western Caribbean.
 
I gotta be honest - it was an awesome time.  Food was superb, had a balcony so I sat out and reviewed life to the sound of waves and ocean, and had tons to do (came in 2nd in the sexy legs contest).
 
And for us gamblers, it doesnt take very much to get a free room.  I played BJ and craps for an average of 150 per hand, for about an hour a day - and they told me the next time they would pay for my cruise.  Not a bad deal.
 
Anyway, for those with a family, or those looking to relax after hundreds of bad beats in a row - a cruise might just be your vacation.
 
Im giving this 4 out of 5 stars on the vanzack approval scale (5 being a fleshlight and 1 being a wager at bodog).
 
good for you
 
Legend
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Posted: #13
Quote Originally Posted by AChigurh:

What boat??
 
I have taken two cruises on the Navigator of the Seas.  Great boat, lots of fun.  No comp drinks at the tables tho. 

Freedom of the Seas - the big one with the surf thing and rock climbing.

Support your local animal shelter. I am on twitter.
 
Captain
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Posted: #14
 
The wife and I are going on our 10th cruise with Carnival in January on the new Carnival Dream.  This will be our first cruise as VIP's which sounds special but really only amounts to getting on the boat faster via the shorter VIP line and free luandry service for the duration of the cruise.  We booked a balcony spa room but I'm thinking of upgrading us to a suite if one opens up as they're all booked now.
 
Cruises are the shit without a doubt.  We try to go on at least one or two cruises a year and we've sailed Carnival and Norwegian but I'd like to try Royal or Princess next time.  I just like the laid back atmosphere on the Carnival ships and once I got to 5 or 6 cruises with them I just had to shoot for the 10th to see what the VIP status was all about.  Again, it probably won't amount to shit.
 
I do agree that cruising is a good way to relax and get away. Nothing like standing out on your balcony looking out at nothing but wide open ocean.  I just wish they'd book games on the ship.  I don't know why they wouldn't.  Most of the new ships have a sports bar right next to the casino and it's always packed during a major sporting event.
 
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Posted: #15
Did you go alone? 
 
If so, meet anyone interesting?
  If not, did your woman like it as much as you?
 
Veteran
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Posted: #16
Quote Originally Posted by jmw59:

Did you go alone? 
 
If so, meet anyone interesting?
  If not, did your woman like it as much as you?

I just read in another thread where Van is a homosexual

 
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Posted: #17
 
Legend
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Posted: #18
Did a cruise to Alaska last year (departed from Seattle and did the inside route.....Skagway was the farthest north we went).  Would do it again in a SECOND (although next up is a warm water cruise).  Get a balcony room.  Ate like a King, gambled, hit the stationary bike a few times, got a hair cut from a hot Swede, and
saw more scenery then is probably legal.  Wales, seals, bald eagles...you name it.  Pick your excursions carefully....a lot are expensive....get some feedback before you decide.
 
Cruises
 
Legend
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Posted: #19
Quote Originally Posted by vanzack:

As some of you know, times are tough - and I had to unfortunately put my yacht in drydock about a year ago after somehow Koaj managed to damage my engines with a supermodels bra and panties.
 
The salt air was still calling me, so last week I went on a cruise.  Royal Caribbean to the Western Caribbean.
 
I gotta be honest - it was an awesome time.  Food was superb, had a balcony so I sat out and reviewed life to the sound of waves and ocean, and had tons to do (came in 2nd in the sexy legs contest).
 
And for us gamblers, it doesnt take very much to get a free room.  I played BJ and craps for an average of 150 per hand, for about an hour a day - and they told me the next time they would pay for my cruise.  Not a bad deal.
 
Anyway, for those with a family, or those looking to relax after hundreds of bad beats in a row - a cruise might just be your vacation.
 
Im giving this 4 out of 5 stars on the vanzack approval scale (5 being a fleshlight and 1 being a wager at bodog).
 


1 hour/day getting you a free ride next time.  Damn I may have to consider RC.  I went on Norwegian and played around $100/hand for over 3 hours/day average and they gave me absolutely nothing special next time around.  Just casino rate which anyone with a card can get.  I asked and asked and they finally said it had to be I think they said 5 hours (WTF!)/day @ $250 average to be comped.  Fuckin ridiculous.  1 hour @ $150 is a piece of cake.  Play at full table and you got maybe 30 hands/day, that's $4,500, even at 2% loss rate (which is way high) that's $90/day or maybe $600 for the trip.  I'm assuming this is 2 persons for a 7-day suite that's gotta run like $2,500 or so.  That's pretty amazing.
 
Legend
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Posted: #20
Quote Originally Posted by Jerry Garcia1:

 
The wife and I are going on our 10th cruise with Carnival in January on the new Carnival Dream.  This will be our first cruise as VIP's which sounds special but really only amounts to getting on the boat faster via the shorter VIP line and free luandry service for the duration of the cruise.  We booked a balcony spa room but I'm thinking of upgrading us to a suite if one opens up as they're all booked now.
 
Cruises are the shit without a doubt.  We try to go on at least one or two cruises a year and we've sailed Carnival and Norwegian but I'd like to try Royal or Princess next time.  I just like the laid back atmosphere on the Carnival ships and once I got to 5 or 6 cruises with them I just had to shoot for the 10th to see what the VIP status was all about.  Again, it probably won't amount to shit.
 
I do agree that cruising is a good way to relax and get away. Nothing like standing out on your balcony looking out at nothing but wide open ocean.  I just wish they'd book games on the ship.  I don't know why they wouldn't.  Most of the new ships have a sports bar right next to the casino and it's always packed during a major sporting event.

Have never been on Carnival.  Have been on Norwegian and RC, and RC was much better...

Support your local animal shelter. I am on twitter.
 
Legend
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Posted: #21
Quote Originally Posted by jmw59:

Did you go alone? 
 
If so, meet anyone interesting?
  If not, did your woman like it as much as you?

Wife and kids - they loved it too.

Support your local animal shelter. I am on twitter.
 
Legend
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Posted: #22
Quote Originally Posted by HutchEmAll:

Did a cruise to Alaska last year (departed from Seattle and did the inside route.....Skagway was the farthest north we went).  Would do it again in a SECOND (although next up is a warm water cruise).  Get a balcony room.  Ate like a King, gambled, hit the stationary bike a few times, got a hair cut from a hot Swede, and
saw more scenery then is probably legal.  Wales, seals, bald eagles...you name it.  Pick your excursions carefully....a lot are expensive....get some feedback before you decide.
 
Cruises

I will be doing alaska some time soon too....

Support your local animal shelter. I am on twitter.
 
Legend
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Posted: #23

Quote Originally Posted by depeche2:



1 hour/day getting you a free ride next time.  Damn I may have to consider RC.  I went on Norwegian and played around $100/hand for over 3 hours/day average and they gave me absolutely nothing special next time around.  Just casino rate which anyone with a card can get.  I asked and asked and they finally said it had to be I think they said 5 hours (WTF!)/day @ $250 average to be comped.  Fuckin ridiculous.  1 hour @ $150 is a piece of cake.  Play at full table and you got maybe 30 hands/day, that's $4,500, even at 2% loss rate (which is way high) that's $90/day or maybe $600 for the trip.  I'm assuming this is 2 persons for a 7-day suite that's gotta run like $2,500 or so.  That's pretty amazing.

I was very surprised too.  I talked with the casino mgr - I was the only person on the boat playing for more than literally 10 a hand - so I got some attention.  He told me that they were making an attempt to attract more gamblers - and were being aggressive about comps.  I have yet to have written confirmation (he said I would be hearing from a land based casino host) - so it is not definite - just going on what he said - I will update the thread when I get confirmation....

I dont know who you were talking to at Norwegian - but I never play 5 hours a day at 250 - Im probably more like 150 for an hour or two a day - and they have offered me the suites up by the private pool (villa suites I think they are called) several times.  I just dont love norwegian and my wife doesnt either - I would rather pay again on RC than go free on NW.

I think we talked about this before offline - if you want to email me I can send you my contact at NW - she is the big boss there and should be able to get you past the BS...  - I also have a contact at a junket company that runs cruises on NW - the lady at NW husband works at the junket company....  Email me if you want more info.

Hopefully this RC comp thing comes through because we really liked it - but like I said - we would rather pay the 3k than go for free on NW....

Support your local animal shelter. I am on twitter.
 
All-Star
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Posted: #24
I did that Western Carribean cruise just with a different carrier, Carnival.  I thought Caymen was the best port...swimming with the Stingrays was cool . They were like big cats swimming around you and between your legs. The little squid they sell you to feed them ,spilled on me and I literally was being attacked by them. Did you get one of those Caymen brand -Stingray beers?
 
Sounds like you had a good time
 
 
 
 
Legend
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Posts: 47432
Posted: #25
I worked for the Miami Heat when they started out 1988-90 and the Arison's (owners of Carnival ) are terrific people .
 
Took a few cruises on their ship.. amazing times
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