Poker/Hold em on Mariner

do they have open games every night at sea--and tournaments on sea days?

FRANK

I don't recall seeing any Holdem on board, and my guess would be even if they did, they wouldn't be too well attended. But not being a big gambler, I could be wrong.

I don't recall seeing any Holdem on board, and my guess would be even if they did, they wouldn't be too well attended. But not being a big gambler, I could be wrong.

You are likely correct. The "action" in Regent casino's is generally poor - especially on port intensive cruises when the casino is closed most of the time. Even on this crossing, it seems that few people ever step foot in the casino. Somehow it doesn't seem like a luxury cruise line "thing". There was a thread on Silversea where people talked about not having a casino on their new ship (for obvious reasons). The posters were incorrect and now we hear that there is a "very small" casino onboard. Perhaps this is the result of legal gambling in so many states. If people want to gamble, they can do so at home so why do it on vacation?

OTOH, playing a few slots is always fun!:halo::halo:

do they have open games every night at sea--and tournaments on sea days?

FRANK

I hope they do.

Is the casino non-smoking?

Enjoy your cruise, and if God wills, grant you good health, to live and not die before your cruise.

"I cruise to eat healthy, and to have my slice of apple pie everyday before I die."

You are likely correct. The "action" in Regent casino's is generally poor - especially on port intensive cruises when the casino is closed most of the time. Even on this crossing, it seems that few people ever step foot in the casino. Somehow it doesn't seem like a luxury cruise line "thing". There was a thread on Silversea where people talked about not having a casino on their new ship (for obvious reasons). The posters were incorrect and now we hear that there is a "very small" casino onboard. Perhaps this is the result of legal gambling in so many states. If people want to gamble, they can do so at home so why do it on vacation?

 

OTOH, playing a few slots is always fun!:halo::halo:

So why do people flock to Las Vegas on vacation when they have casinos in their own state or town?

Luxury cruise lines have always had a casino. Some cruises the Casino is busy and other segments they may not. You just never know so you really can't paint that with a broad brush.

On our last cruise on the Serenity it was hopping after the show. Sometimes it is quiet but it is another form of entertainment for many people. Every cruise will be different. The dealers tell me ...you just never know.

I hope they do.

Is the casino non-smoking?

 

Enjoy your cruise, and if God wills, grant you good health, to live and not die before your cruise.

 

 

"I cruise to eat healthy, and to have my slice of apple pie everyday before I die."

Casino definitely non-smoking (as he almost all of the ship.

I'm currently on the Explorer crossing and we have had a Texas Hold'em tournament every sea day @ 3:00. We have usually had enough for 2 tables to begin with then the final table has 8 players. It all depends on how many begin the tournament so this can change. It is a $60 buy in ($2,000 in chips) but you can buy in a 2nd time or have an add on at the break. The prize $ on this cruise has been to first and second place.

Some nights the casino has been busy, especially the craps table and other nights sparse. The dealers have all been very nice.

Thanks

Is there any poker at night?

Funnny how two people on the same cruise observe completely different views. Casino almost always empty, no poker, a few slot players. Casino seems very active, craps, etc. must be that IMO thing again.

Maybe if you show up after 9pm you might find a little more action.

I've never seen a crowd in any Regent casino, but in all fairness, I don't really look - I'm usually either in a show or a lounge or the Connoisseur Club, or just wandering around the decks...

Funnny how two people on the same cruise observe completely different views. Casino almost always empty, no poker, a few slot players. Casino seems very active, craps, etc. must be that IMO thing again.

Maybe if you show up after 9pm you might find a little more action.

Casinos are usually busy later on cruise ships. When the shows let out the casinos do pick up action and also people who are eating later.. if you are there early they are usually not busy.

On Mariner Caribbean cruise last November the casino was busy every night at sea, especially the blackjack tables. There was also a blackjack tournament on one of the sea days that was also well attended, with a steep $35 entrance fee. I was pleasantly surprised at the volume of business.

There is certainly a difference of opinion here - based on different experiences. On this cruise, the time goes forward almost every night so when the show in the theater is over (around 10:30 pm) it is close to midnight. Although, on Explorer, we walk past the casino after the theater, I guess that I simply don't pay attention. During the day it seems empty (I'm normally busy at 3:00 pm when the poker stuff goes on)

In terms of whomever posted about Las Vegas, fewer and fewer people are going there (at least not for gambling - shows are still well attended). Vegas was a 5 hour drive from where I was raised and it seemed that only old people went there. Now young people that want to spend too much $$$ to go to a club seem to like Vegas.

Travelcat,

In support of Travel Suites Las Vegas comment, The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority reported that Las Vegas hosted a record 42.9 million visitors in 2016, up 1.5 per cent from 2015.

The UNLV Center for Gambling Research showed an total increase of 14.25% gambling revenue increase in the past 7 years (this includes a few down years) on the Las Vegas Strip, and an 8% increase in the same period in the Downtown area.

Thanks

Is there any poker at night?

No Texas Hold'em that I'm aware of. There's always a 3 card poker table in the casino.

Travelcat,

In support of Travel Suites Las Vegas comment, The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority reported that Las Vegas hosted a record 42.9 million visitors in 2016, up 1.5 per cent from 2015.

The UNLV Center for Gambling Research showed an total increase of 14.25% gambling revenue increase in the past 7 years (this includes a few down years) on the Las Vegas Strip, and an 8% increase in the same period in the Downtown area.

Thanks for the information. I was thinking more about the "down years". I wonder if they have recovered completely (they were down quite far at one point - hope that the 14.25% gambling revenue increase brought them back from where they were). I did a quick Google and do see where gambling has increased http://gaming.unlv.edu/reports/NV_departments_historic.pdf . However, it was down for quite a while (IMHO).

Vegas is booming. We have friends who live in Henderson close to the strip and they tell us that the building of new casinos continues and the hotels have very high occupancy. Flights to LAS are always full. Vegas is no longer the adult Disney World as it has become very family oriented as well over the years.

I don't think Vegas is hurting in the least. During the downturn in the economy all travel took a nose dive not just Vegas but now they have recovered rapidly.

I have kind of a dumb question, but I will ask anyway.

Assuming a person takes cash to gamble and runs "over", can that person charge some money on a regular charge card to gamble more?

Curious

Caroldoll,

On the Explorer, you can use your room key card to charge to your Regent account (the credit card you use when you board the ship). If you're playing a table game you sign for the chips, if you're playing a slot machine you just insert your room key card and choose the amount.

There is a 3% fee for this convenience. Also this can NOT be used against your ship board credit like you can with bingo, gift shop, spa, premium wine, choice shore excursions etc.

We're boarding the Mariner later today so will find out if this is the way all the Regent casinos operate...I'm guessing yes.

Thanks, Marcie

Hey Marcie

If you dont mind will you check for holdem tourneys on nights and sea days?

THANKS FRANK

Hey Marcie

 

If you dont mind will you check for holdem tourneys on nights and sea days?

 

THANKS FRANK

Frank, We're on the Mariner now and the poker tournaments are in the afternoon on sea days....no nightly tournaments. I'm happy to report that on the first day there were 9 players and I came in first place and won $650. My husband came in 2nd and won $350. :D I don't remember what 3rd place paid.

Great congrads!!!!!!!!!!