Royal Caribbean Crew Member Exposes How People Are Getting Free Cruises in the Casino

We’ve all heard the stories — someone hits the slots, racks up points, and walks away with a free cruise. But how does that actually happen?

In a behind-the-scenes video filmed aboard Allure of the Seas, Royal Caribbean crew member and casino host Chris Wong reveals exactly how the Club Royale loyalty programme works, including how players can score everything from bonus free play to fully comped cruises, even grand suites.

In this article, we’ll break down Chris’s tips step-by-step, from mystery free play and casino points to loyalty tiers and how to unlock your own free cruise.

What Is Club Royale?

First of all, if you’re unfamiliar with Club Royale, it’s Royal Caribbean’s casino loyalty programme, and it might surprise you to know it’s completely separate from the cruise line’s Crown & Anchor Society. While Crown & Anchor rewards you for nights sailed, Club Royale rewards you based on how much you play in the ship’s casino.

If you’ve ever walked past the buzzing slot machines or joined a blackjack table, you’ve technically already qualified. The moment you start playing, you’re automatically enrolled. From there, every spin or hand you play earns points that can lead to free drinks, cruise discounts, or even fully comped cruises with suite upgrades.

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Scoring Freebie with Club Royale

Everything’s covered in Chris Wong’s video, but we’ve also listed each step below if you want the highlights.

1. Claim Your Mystery Free Play

Every guest aged 18 or over is automatically given a mystery free play bonus on the first or second day of the cruise. It’s pre-loaded onto your SeaPass card, but many cruisers don’t even realise it’s there.

To claim it, insert your SeaPass card at a slot machine (you’ll see a blue light turn green), select ‘Account’ > ‘Personal Banker’, and enter your birthday as the PIN (MMDD). Reset your PIN, then select ‘FreePlay’ and transfer it to the game. Don’t forget to log out when you’re done

Chris has seen this promotion run for at least six years, yet plenty of regular cruisers still miss it.

2. Start Playing to Earn Casino Points

Once you’ve claimed your free play, it’s time to start earning casino points. The key to unlocking free cruises and other rewards.

Chris explains that on slot machines, every $5 played earns you 1 point. For table games, it’s a bit more complex: points are calculated based on your average bet and how long you play, with pit bosses tracking your activity behind the scenes.

There’s no need to manually track your progress; your points are automatically tied to your SeaPass card. The more you play, the more you earn, and those points are what count toward promotions, loyalty tiers, and the all-important instant reward certificates.

3. Join Onboard Casino Promotions

Chris highlights that the casino isn’t just about playing, there are daily promotions and giveaways designed to reward active players.

One of the most popular is the Snowball Raffle, held every night at 10 PM. If you’ve earned at least 100 casino points, your name is automatically entered into a draw to win $100 in free play.

Other events include the Hot Seat Promotion, where random players win escalating amounts of free play just for being present and playing, and the Cases of Cash game, where three lucky guests choose mystery boxes filled with free play.

Promotion times can vary by sailing, so check your Cruise Compass daily to see what’s happening in the casino each night.

Related reading: 15 Things You Need to Know Before Visiting a Cruise Ship Casino

4. Understand Instant Reward Certificates (IRCs)

Instant Reward Certificates (or IRCs) are where things get exciting. These are the tangible rewards for the points you earn during your cruise, and they’re delivered straight to your cabin on the final day if you qualify.

Depending on how many points you’ve earned, your IRC could be for a discount off a future cruise or even a completely free cruise. For example, 400 points might earn you $100 off, while 9,000 points could land you a complimentary junior suite on select sailings. Each IRC comes with a QR code you can scan to see the eligible cruises.

If nothing on the list suits you, Chris notes that the certificate has a trade-in value, such as $750, which can be applied as a discount on a cruise of your choice instead. Just be aware: you only have 30 days after your cruise to redeem it.

5. Use NextCruise for Bonus Free Play

If you’re planning to cruise again, especially if you’ve earned an Instant Reward Certificate (IRC), Chris recommends heading to the NextCruise desk before you disembark.

Here’s how it works: by paying a $200 deposit on board, you can lock in your casino cruise offer and receive bonus free play for your next sailing. Depending on how many points you’ve earned, that bonus could be worth $250, $500, or more. The $200 isn’t wasted, it goes towards the port fees and taxes on your future cruise.

You can either pay through the Royal Caribbean app or fill out a simple form at the casino host desk, which is passed on to NextCruise. Just make sure to do it before you leave the ship to secure the bonus.

NextCruise is Royal Caribbean’s onboard booking desk, typically found on the Royal Promenade, where you can reserve a future cruise, apply your IRC, and claim your bonus perks, all while you’re still onboard.

6. Work Towards a Higher Loyalty Tier

Beyond the points you earn on a single cruise, Royal Caribbean’s Club Royale loyalty programme has four annual tier levels, and moving up the ranks unlocks some serious perks.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Choice – Entry level (automatic when you start playing), but offers no real benefits.
• Prime – 2,500 points from April to April. Gets you free drinks while playing, no 5% table game fee, and a free inside cabin cruise every year.
• Signature – 25,000 points. Perks include a free Wi-Fi device and an upgrade to a balcony cabin.
• Masters – 100,000 points. Top-tier perks include two Wi-Fi devices, onboard credit, priority terminal access, Coastal Kitchen dining, and a grand suite cruise each year.

Chris emphasises that these tier benefits apply across most Royal Caribbean sailings, though availability and specifics can vary by ship and region, so it’s worth checking the fine print or asking the casino host onboard.

Also, note that your tier status is recalculated every year from April 1st to March 31st, so you’ll need to earn enough points annually to maintain or upgrade your level.

Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?

If you enjoy spending time in the casino, Royal Caribbean’s Club Royale programme offers a surprisingly generous path to perks. Thanks to Chris Wong’s behind-the-scenes insights, it’s clear that with a bit of strategy (and a touch of luck), your time at the slots or tables can pay off well beyond your current sailing.

Here’s the key: don’t leave rewards unclaimed. Many cruisers miss out on mystery free play, don’t track their casino points, or forget to redeem their Instant Reward Certificates within the 30-day deadline. And as Chris warns, Royal Caribbean is not forgiving if you miss that window.

If you’d like a printed summary of the programme, ask the casino host desk for a free Players Edge booklet, which includes all the benefits, tiers, and terms. It’s normally delivered automatically to qualifying casino players’ cabins, but anyone can request one.

One last note: as Chris explains in his video, the details in this guide are accurate at the time of filming, but promotions and terms may change depending on the ship, date, and region. Always double-check with the casino host during your sailing to make sure you’re getting the most out of your Club Royale experience.

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