Crew Member Lifts The Lid On How To Get FREE Cruises Through The Casino

It’s the kind of story that spreads quickly round a ship. Someone spends a night at the slots, racks up a pile of points, and somehow ends up bagging themselves a free cruise.

But what’s the real secret behind it?

A Royal Caribbean crew member, Chris Wong, who also runs a YouTube channel about ship life, recently lifted the lid on how the line’s casino loyalty scheme actually works.

His video, filmed on Allure of the Seas, explains how Club Royale rewards players, and how those rewards can stretch from a few bonus spins all the way up to a luxury suite on another holiday.

Here’s a breakdown of the main points he shared, and how you can make the most of them if you fancy your chances in the ship’s casino.

What Exactly Is Club Royale?

Royal Caribbean has two loyalty schemes, but Club Royale is separate from the better-known Crown & Anchor Society.

The key difference? Crown & Anchor looks at how many nights you’ve sailed, while Club Royale only cares about how much you play in the onboard casino.

The good news is that you don’t need to sign up. The moment you place a bet, you’re already in the system.

From that point on, every spin of the slots or hand of blackjack earns you points, and those points can translate into perks like drinks, discounts, or even a completely free sailing.

Step One: Grab Your Free Play

Most people don’t even realise this one exists.

Every adult passenger automatically receives a small “mystery free play” credit at the start of their holiday. It’s loaded onto your SeaPass card, ready to use on the slot machines.

To claim it, just insert your card, follow the on-screen prompts to log in, and transfer the free credit to your game.

Chris says this has been running for years, yet plenty of regulars still miss it.

Step Two: Rack Up Those Points

Once you’ve spent your free play, it’s time to start collecting casino points.

The system’s simple for slots: every $5 you spin earns one point.

Table games are worked out slightly differently, taking into account your average bet and how long you’re at the table. Pit bosses keep track of that for you.

Your balance is tied to your SeaPass card, so there’s no faffing about. Those points are what get you access to offers, promotions, and the all-important reward certificates.

Step Three: Take Advantage of Daily Promotions

The casino runs extra promotions throughout each cruise, and they can be surprisingly generous.

One of the most popular is the Snowball Raffle, where anyone with 100 or more points gets entered into a nightly draw to win free play.

Other promos include Hot Seat giveaways (rewards for just being in the right place at the right time) and mystery-box style games with free play hidden inside.

The offers can vary by sailing, so it’s worth checking the daily Cruise Compass for the details.

Step Four: Keep an Eye on Instant Reward Certificates

This is where things start to get exciting. If you hit the required number of points during your holiday, a reward certificate will appear in your cabin on the final day.

These can range from a bit of money off a future sailing to a completely free cruise, sometimes with a suite upgrade thrown in.

Each certificate comes with a QR code showing which sailings are included.

If nothing catches your eye, you can usually swap it for a set cash value to put towards another trip.

The catch? You’ve only got 30 days after you get home to use it. Miss that deadline and it’s gone.

Step Five: Boost Rewards with NextCruise

If you’re planning to book another holiday anyway, you can double up on perks by visiting the NextCruise desk before disembarking.

Here’s how it works: you put down a $200 deposit, which goes towards the taxes and fees on your future trip, and in return you’ll get extra free play credit for your next sailing.

The amount depends on how many points you’ve earned, but it can run into several hundred dollars.

Step Six: Aim Higher with Loyalty Tiers

Club Royale has four levels, based on how many points you collect between April and March each year.

• Choice – automatic when you first start playing, no real perks.
• Prime – 2,500 points, includes free drinks while you play, no 5% table fee, and a free Inside cabin cruise every year.
• Signature – 25,000 points, adds free WiFi for one device and a Balcony cabin cruise.
• Masters – 100,000 points, with two devices on WiFi, Coastal Kitchen access, and a Grand Suite cruise each year.

Your level resets each April, so you need to maintain your play to keep climbing (or hold onto) your tier.

So, Is It Worth It?

If you already enjoy playing in the casino, Club Royale can be a surprisingly rewarding programme.

From free drinks and raffle entries to full-blown suite holidays, the perks are there for the taking.

The trick is not to leave anything behind. Many passengers forget to claim their mystery play, don’t track their points, or miss the 30-day deadline on certificates.

Chris is clear: Royal Caribbean won’t make exceptions if you forget.

For a handy summary, you can always ask for a Players Edge booklet from the casino host. It sets out all the benefits and tiers in black and white.

Also check out this challenge video, where Cruising Addicts tried to win a free cruise with $500 of casino spend:

And remember, while the basics of Club Royale are consistent across the fleet, promotions can vary depending on the ship, the route, or even the season.

Always check in with the casino staff if you want to be sure you’re making the most of what’s on offer.

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