With a few exceptions — including overnight in Bermuda and Nassau ports — cruise ship casinos are required to remain closed when the ship is in port so as not to compete with local gambling or entertainment businesses. In Bermuda, casinos on ships can operate from 9 pm to 5 am, and in Nassau, from 7 pm to 3 am. Yes, you are right that cruise ships can set their own payout percentages. The percentages and payouts tend to be much tighter but there are exceptions. Video poker has very specific pay tables.
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Cruise ship casinos are the worst. I use to work as a bartender on a ship and can tell you that they really are the tightest machine you'll ever play. The reason being not jusf because they can get away with it but because there is no competition at sea and very little to do on a ship that's as exciting as the casino. Don't play at cruise casinos.
I haven't been on many cruise's the ones I have been on had some good IGT VP, even a nice VP progressive, including a bunch of bonus banking slots. I can't know if chips had been tampered with or not but I won.I haven't been on many cruise's the ones I have been on had some good IGT VP, even a nice VP progressive, including a bunch of bonus banking slots. I can't know if chips had been tampered with or not but I won.
Consider yourself lucky. It would be wise to quit while ahead and not tempt cruise casino fate.
Having said that due to the relatively unschooled and inexperienced pit staff on cruise ships, I don't hesitate to believe that you can get away with moving your money while playing blackjack. The rules are not too horrible either if memory serves. No surrender, stand on S17, 6 decks, DAS, Split Aces once only. If I remember accurately, the games I ran was running at about a about 0.42%. The problem is that the minimums are quite often low but you can still have aa very decent spread on $5 to $500 tables. If you play at the $25-$1000 tables you will attract more attention.
I wonder if people have tried to count or hole card on cruise ships before?
Anybody care to share some stories?
I know I never backed anybody off because I was told not to. The customer is always right?!?!?!?!?
I know I never backed anybody off because I was told not to. The customer is always right?!?!?!?!?
That's what I like to hear!!!! Where do I find these cruises that don't back people off?
I wonder if people have tried to count or hole card on cruise ships before?
Someone on the forums told me that he and his wife hole carded on their honeymoon and there was no heat. I won't say who, but hopefully there are some more stories.
I'm going on a Princess cruise next month, so I'll definitely check out the blackjack and at least look at the VP.
I wish that there was a cruise that had like a legitimate casino. Something over 90% payback on slots and craps with 3,4,5x. Honestly, that might actually make me take a cruise.
When I worked on Celebrity they most assuredly had 3,4,5 x odds no doubt, in fact I was the one who suggested they change from double odds to shore up more high limit action.
It promtly worked with the next cruise having two guys with $50k front money come on board.
I very much doubt casino dealers or floor people care about counters or hole carders...they are there to have fun. You are more likely to get caught by a fellow guest who wants to be a whistleblower than a sharp employee....
Sad but true :)
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I wouldn't get into playing the slots on cruise ships..NEVER, not even for a little fun and entertainment.
I never say never when it comes to gambling and AP. People say certain table games can't be beaten, they just have no clue. I take things on a case by case basis. I also don't believe half the people that claim they can beat certain games with betting systems, I know dam well they are full of crap. IE Varmenti, Gplayer, Tounement king to name a fewWhat you said about cruises, I hear this often about reel slot machines and even from so called experts(especially in the past). You should never say NEVER. You could miss a great opportunity.
IE online. Many people including AP's blasted others for playing online casinos and they stayed away. Me Being Leary and actually believing to a few casino Blacklist sites, cost me enough as it is. Luckily I took the leap of faith on a few blacklisted sites and was generously rewarded. A few others made in the mid hundreds of thousands without much risk. Sure they got stiffed or slow paid a few times, It was worth the risk for them.
A Few guys did do well on some cruise ships and it had nothing to do with positive variance.
Cruise Ship Musician Salary – How Much Does It Pay to Play?
Cruise Ship Musicians earn a decent salary but that's only the beginning. When you consider the types of positions available, on board expenses & the ability to schedule in advance, cruise ship gigs become a lot more attractive. Below we go into all the detalis, from average cruise ship musician salary by job to onboard expenses and everything in between.
What is the Average Starting Salary of a Cruise Ship Musician?
Starting cruise ship musician salaries range from $2,000 up to $3,300/month (USD). Salaries can vary based on experience level but it mostly depends on the specific music position you take on board. If you're just getting started in the cruise music industry, below are some guides for what you can expect.
Types of Music Jobs Onboard
Depending on the cruise line & cruise ship's size – there can be up to 25 musicians on board at a time. Contracts are staggered to ensure that the same number of musicians are on board throughout the year. These musicians and bands often perform simultaneously. For example, while the solo guitarist is playing Jason Mraz poolside, the 7 piece orchestra is performing a cirque style show in the theater, with the house band partying to a Bruno Mars tune in the nightclub. Here are the most commons types of cruise ship musician jobs & starting salaries:
- Solo Musicians (solo guitarists & piano bar entertainers) have their own cabin and start at $3300/month (USD).
- Duos (Classical & Contemporary) share a cabin and start around $2400/month each (USD).
- Ensembles (Jazz Quartets, Party Bands & Dance Quartet) share cabins and range from $2400 – $2800/month per person (USD).
- Orchestra/Showband Musician (bass, drums, guitar, keys, sax, trumpet, trombone) share cabins and start at $2200/month (USD).
- Bandmasters are often a member of the orchestra, have their own cabin and start at $2700/month (USD).
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These are only the starting salaries and can vary greatly depending on the line and the musician's experience. Proven musicians/entertainers that can fill a room are in high demand and thus earn a larger on board salary. In addition, musicians hired for specialty/book shows often make higher wages.
Onboard Expenses
$2400 on a cruise ship is WAY different than $2400 on land. Onboard, you don't have many expenses so your cruise ship musician salary can stretch much further. Here are some examples:
- Travel – Roundtrip flights, hotels & transfers are all covered by the cruise line. Get yourself to a regional airport and they'll take it from there.
- Meals – Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided – free of charge. Whether you're eating in the staff cafeteria, pasta or sushi at the buffet or a steak dinner in a restaurant on board, food is free!
- Lodging – You're essentially living in a floating hotel….for free. Your cabin is even cleaned & bed made.
- Health Insurance – If you're an employee of the cruise line, you're covered medically while on board.
Before you set sail on your journey, limiting your land expenses is key. Rent, mortgage payments, car payments and health insurance aren't needed and can free you up. Even with a couple drinks and shopping in ports, performing as a musician on board a cruise ship can really allow you to save.
How Long are Cruise Musician Contracts?
Contracts are generally 4-6 months in length. That's 6 months of continuous work….and pay checks! If the contract is going well, you'll have the opportunity to schedule another before the first one finishes. Most musicians like to schedule 6 months on and 6 weeks off to plan ahead. In this sense, working on a cruise ship offers vacations and job security that musicians hardly find.
Bahamas gambling age. They all have a gaming license issued by the Bahamas Gaming Board. They are the final word. Gaming board can and has imposed fines for allowing underage gambling and allowing persons who can not legally gamble. Yes, it's a bit of an oxymoron as far as gambling in the Bahamas. The legal age for gambling within the Commonwealth of The Bahamas is eighteen (18) years old. Can tourists gamble in the Gaming Houses? No, tourists are not allowed to wager in Gaming Houses, only in the Casinos.
How Do I Get Paid…and How Often?
Cruise Ship Musicians are either employees or contractors. Texas holdem fixed limit poker.
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- Employees – Most Cruise Lines offer direct deposit and/or a bank card. Funds are deposited directly to your bank account or to your bank card on the 1st and 15th of every month on board.
- Contractors – Contractors are paid every other week via PayPal or company check.
Are Taxes Withheld?
There is normally a large compliment of international musicians on board. Taxes are not withheld for non-US citizens. Federal taxes are withheld from US employees only.
Do I have to Pay an Agency?
The short answer is no. The long answer is that all cruise lines operate differently. If the cruise line pays the agency directly, you don't pay anyone. If the cruise line doesn't pay the agency directly, they'll often increase the salary offered in order to compensate for the agency fee, paid by the musician.
Why Use an Agency?
Cruise Ship Talent Agencies allow for musicians to apply to multiple cruise lines and opportunities at once. Most cruise lines work exclusively with specific agencies to fill their live music needs. Working with an agency gives you the best chance to get the best cruise ship music job available.
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For more information about life at sea and how to apply to become a professional cruise ship musician, click here
