How is the Casino on the Epic?

[detroitlions]

I have never been on the Epic. I have seen pics of the Casino. But what is it like?

Are the machines real tight?

Is it a problem to get on the 3 card table later at night?

Is it easy to get a drink or are there long wait times?

Do people smoke at the bar and the games or is it sectioned off ?

[Dutchie13]

We were in Las Vegas a few days before we boarded the Epic and it seemed the machines paid out a lot more in Las Vegas than on the ship. But this could've been just bad luck I guess.

 

Waiters walk around to serve you and I had no problem ordering a drink whenever I wanted one. I think the bar in the casino is non-smoking but there is a dedicated smoking area in the casino. In this smoking section you find machines, and different types of tables. Also the poker tables are in the smoking section.

[LrgPizza]

It's been my experience that machines are always tight on cruise ships. I hardly waste my time. When I want to gamble, I go to Vegas. In my opinion, spending time in a casino on a cruise ship is a huge waste of time.

[clcjdn]

It's been my experience that machines are always tight on cruise ships. I hardly waste my time. When I want to gamble, I go to Vegas. In my opinion, spending time in a casino on a cruise ship is a huge waste of time.

 

I would say it depends on your objectives....I love Vegas and it is my primary spot for "good" gambling. However, we have local casinos in CO......better video poker machines than cruise ships, but not as good as Vegas. We primarily transitioned to NCL which has better machines and more video poker variety than Carnival. With the lowest payback on the ships, we do get value in the "comps" offered by CAS. I paid normal internet pricing for my first NCL, but since then, I have received comps on all NCL sailings we take. The price is about $600 for the two of us on pretty much any 7 day cruise (including Alaska and Europe, future plans there) and when they run a promo like the Kids Sail Free, it can be a huge score.....case in point, June on the Breakaway......$6,000 before the comp and promo....after the comp and promo, $1,200. I figure I can gamble $2,400 and still get 2 for 1 on my money since I just saved $4,800.....and all of that is before I even see if I can win on the machines.....no brainer for us.....however, if we just gambled casually, I would say to stay away from them because you wouldn't qualify for the comp deals......

[Love my butler]

The two most appropriate words that describe the Epic casino are tight and smoky. Those words pretty much describe all the casinos on NCL ships. If you don't mind constantly inhaling toxic smoke and plan to lose, this is the casino for you.

[rudeboie]

Ì

The two most appropriate words that describe the Epic casino are tight and smoky. Those words pretty much describe all the casinos on NCL ships. If you don't mind constantly inhaling toxic smoke and plan to lose, this is the casino for you.

 

Based on his past posts, this guy here sure loves to bust NCL at every opportunity.

 

Rather than just identifying "all casinos" on NCL ships as tight and smoky, you might as well include the casinos on Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Princess, etc etc as well. I've also been on some of their ships and don't necessarily find them any more or less comfortable or "generous" than NCL's casinos.

 

The Epic and Breakaway Class ships have the casinos that encompass the main walkway through almost the entire length of the ships, which may cause cigarette smoke and the smell of it to propogate through some of the common areas ( though, i never found it an issue on my cruises on the Epic or Breakaway ... I'm a non-smoker and I hate the smell of cigarette smoke).

 

The other classes of ships in the NCL fleet have their casinos contained in a more traditional fashion.

Edited March 14, 2015 by rudeboie

[yasbindmd]

I listed your questions and answers below:

 

Are the machines real tight?

The fact is that payouts in Vegas, AC, etc. are regulated. See here:

http://www.americancasinoguide.com/slot-machine-payback-statistics.html#Nevada

To the best of my knowledge, I don't think there are regulations requiring minimum payouts at sea, so I would expect them to be LOW.

 

Is it a problem to get on the 3 card table later at night?

Can't speak to 3 card, but was generally not too bad getting on a craps or bj table.

 

Is it easy to get a drink or are there long wait times?

Had no problem getting a drink

 

Do people smoke at the bar and the games or is it sectioned off?

Last time we were on epic, yes, people smoked at bar and games. Supposedly, rule is now only 'active' players can smoke. Going on the ship in 3 weeks, will be interested to see how and if this is enforced.

 

 

 

 

Hope this helps!!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Edited March 14, 2015 by yasbindmd

[yasbindmd]

As for what the casino is like, I would say it's like any vegas casino. In fact, when I did a review for epic, that's how I described it: more like a Vegas Casino resort at sea than a typical cruise ship. Being that I enjoy Vegas and the resorts, I loved the Epic. I think this is why the Epic has such a history of mixed reviews. It's definitely not a ship for everyone.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Randy000]

As for what the casino is like, I would say it's like any vegas casino. In fact, when I did a review for epic, that's how I described it: more like a Vegas Casino resort at sea than a typical cruise ship. Being that I enjoy Vegas and the resorts, I loved the Epic. I think this is why the Epic has such a history of mixed reviews. It's definitely not a ship for everyone.

 

Awesome now Im even more excited to go on the Epic in a week, I love vegas!!

 

How were the craps tables? How many tables/ minimums?

[CasinoCruzGirl]

It's been my experience that machines are always tight on cruise ships. I hardly waste my time. When I want to gamble, I go to Vegas. In my opinion, spending time in a casino on a cruise ship is a huge waste of time.

 

 

Maybe a waste of time in your opinion for some, myself included find it a lot of fun. It is one of the things I very much enjoy either on a ship, In Vegas or in Atlantic City. I for one never pick a vacation destination that doesn't have a casino

[Randy000]

I for one never pick a vacation destination that doesn't have a casino

 

HAHA me too! I've heard Disney CL has no casinos so guess me can scratch them off the list!

Everybody knows cruise ship casinos are tight. It even seems like the luck at the tables isnt as good on a cruise but we still try anyways just because we enjoy playing.

[asubaru]

I have never been on the Epic. I have seen pics of the Casino. But what is it like?

Are the machines real tight?

Is it a problem to get on the 3 card table later at night?

Is it easy to get a drink or are there long wait times?

Do people smoke at the bar and the games or is it sectioned off ?

 

I think it's a great casino with a good variety of machines and table games. BJ starts minimums at $6, other games $10. Not sure about craps. I don't think you will have a problem finding an open 3-card game most of the time.

 

Yes, the machine payouts are not regulated, so player beware. The video poker tables are horrible at 25 cents-1.00. A bit better, but not good, at $2-$5 level.

 

Smoke: Bar is in the non-smoking area. Most of the casino is smoking and I noticed more smoke/smokers in February than I did a year ago. IMO, since they implemented no smoking on cabin balconies, many passengers are using the casino as their smoking lounge. I witnessed many non-players congregating around machines. To my knowledge there is no enforcement of needing to be a player to smoke. They were occupying machines and grouping in walkways.

 

With a few exceptions, drink service has been excellent for me.

[CasinoCruzGirl]

HAHA me too! I've heard Disney CL has no casinos so guess me can scratch them off the list!

Everybody knows cruise ship casinos are tight. It even seems like the luck at the tables isnt as good on a cruise but we still try anyways just because we enjoy playing.

 

 

Exactly

 

It's my enjoyment in life. I certainly don't play to become a millionaire. Now if that happened that's an added bonus for sure lol. Have a great honeymoon!!!

[Randy000]

Exactly

 

It's my enjoyment in life. I certainly don't play to become a millionaire. Now if that happened that's an added bonus for sure lol. Have a great honeymoon!!!

 

Thank you!!

[shondraj]

We just got off the epic on Sunday last and I did read that you must be a player to smoke in the casino. Maybe they just don't enforce it?

[clcjdn]

HAHA me too! I've heard Disney CL has no casinos so guess me can scratch them off the list!

 

Hey, I resemble that comment.....No Disney for me either.....Epic tomorrow though!

[Rebels82]

The Epic has NO SMOKING tables which is GREAT.

[maxwellito]

I would say all the Casinos suck unless you win

Last two cruises i was hot as an iceberg

The most I won was from that stupid dollar machine that you have to put the key thru the hole

That was a miracle in itself.

Last year on the gem friend hit big. This year none of us had any luck. Even the small jackpots were crummy.

I better win this time on the breakaway or else lol

[yasbindmd]

Awesome now Im even more excited to go on the Epic in a week, I love vegas!!

 

How were the craps tables? How many tables/ minimums?

 

 

2 craps tables. Some nights 10, other 15 minimum. 3-4-5 odds. Friendly dealers. Had no problems getting drinks, pit boss would pretty much comp the players.

 

 

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[Love my butler]

Based on his past posts, this guy here sure loves to bust NCL at every opportunity.

 

Rather than just identifying "all casinos" on NCL ships as tight and smoky, you might as well include the casinos on Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Princess, etc etc as well.

 

I guess sometimes the truth just hurts huh? Skip over to the other boards if you want comments on their set-up. I usually stay on topic and comment exclusively about NCL while on the NCL boards....

 

On the other hand, pointing out how bad other casinos are doesn't make NCL casinos look any better to me. Race to the bottom?

[CasinoCruzGirl]

Seems to me some people on here just don't get along with anyone

[scoobie]

Does the Hold Em' Poker table have a live dealer on the Epic?

[detroitlions]

I do not have a problem with smoke my DW does on ocasions and she never complained due to the size of the room. I smoke some when I am having fun mostly cigars but I usealy do that on the open decks or cigar bar. The real small bars with low ceilings with smoking are horrible I could not stay in there too long even though I smoke cigars. Yea the casinos are fun to me I dont go everynight but I do go 2 or 3 times for sure. I just like to have fun on vacation. The small stuff does not bother me.

[clcjdn]

Does the Hold Em' Poker table have a live dealer on the Epic?

 

 

Just off today....2 live poker tables with dealers.....1 used most of the time, 2nd hardly ever open.

[SissasMomE]

The Epic casino is probably one of my favorites. There was never an issue with smoke, whereas on the Getaway, the smoke was bad. It seems like whatever they did / are doing on the Epic works. There was a noticeable difference between Epic and Getaway.