How Slot Tournaments Work on Cruise Ships

A slot tournament on a cruise ship is a fast-paced casino competition where players race against the clock to rack up the highest score on designated slot machines. Here’s how it works:

● Players are seated at several rows of vividly lit, incessantly whirring and ringing machines — each determined to rack up the most points.

● Popular gaming events consist of multiple qualifying rounds and offer finalists the chance to win big prizes.

● Times vary per tournament, but guests who enter have anywhere from 60 seconds to three minutes to rack up as many points as possible.

● The contestant who finishes first will move on to a final round. From there, a champion is crowned.

If you're picturing excitement and cacophony, you're correct: Those who enter the tournament smack the spin button while simultaneously tapping the screen for bonuses as fast as they can to collect as many points as possible, watching the leaderboard. They're cheered on by friends, family and fellow cruisers as the casino host counts down the time and announces the leaders. It's an adrenaline rush for all involved.

Casino Tournaments at Sea

One of the most enjoyable and convenient places to participate in casino tournaments is on a cruise ship. Here's why: You can board a Royal Caribbean cruise ship in one of several dozen ports around the world and, within a matter of hours, enjoy access to an expansive casino at sea that offers most of the play options you'll find at a land-based casino.

If slots are your preferred game and you're cruising with Royal Caribbean, you'll never have to wonder if there’s a slot tournament nearby. They generally happen at least once per voyage in Casino Royale℠, the vibrant and buzzy gaming hall centrally located midship on all of the ships. Plus, Royal Caribbean has two new ships, each with a cutting-edge Casino Royale℠: Icon of the Seas® and Utopia of the Seas®.

Whether you're cruising the Caribbean during spring break with your kids, enjoying a romantic Mediterranean anniversary getaway for two or exploring the wilds of Alaska with extended family, Royal Caribbean slot tournaments add a lively and engaging social element to slots gaming. They’re also guaranteed to bring out the competitor in you as you seek the title of slot tournament champion.

When it's tournament time, the only requirements are:

● You must be an adult member of Club Royale® (you automatically become a member by using your SeaPass® card to play).

● You must be willing to participate.

You can play even if you've never entered a slot tournament before, or even been on a cruise. You'll find plenty of first-timers among your fellow guests and players, all eager to discover the entertainment and great food that a Royal Caribbean vacation has to offer.

A Gaming Gateway at Sea

Think of a cruise ship as essentially the floating equivalent of a world-class resort with multiple restaurants, chic bars and lounges, pools, a spa and fitness center and some very cool onboard activities like waterslides, a rock-climbing wall and more. The bonus is that you also get to visit several tropical Caribbean islands, historic European cities or adventure-packed ports in Alaska rather than a single resort destination.

Add in a casino, and the stage is set for a vacation that offers multiple chances to win big while playing your favorite games. With a tournament in the mix, the thrills are next-level and even spectators will have a blast.

Tournaments in Casino Royale℠ attract adult players of all ages — although you must be 18 or older on most cruises and at least 21 on Alaska sailings — and experience level doesn't matter. These exciting and friendly competitions are a great way to dive into the action, make new friends onboard and hopefully take home a coveted cash prize. Wooing Lady Luck has never been more fun.

If you're interested in trying your luck in a Royal Caribbean slot tournament, here's what you need to know: First, you need to keep an eye out for qualifiers. These are the preliminary rounds that players of all skill levels are invited to participate in. On the first day of your cruise, check with the casino host for details.

Certain tournaments are invite-only and free, such as events for Club Royale members who have reached VIP status. In most cases, however, players are required to buy in at the Casino RoyaleSM cash desk. They’re usually banking on a cash prize pool — which varies based on participation.

How Do You Play a Slot Tournament?

1. Participants are seated next to one another at several rows of slot machines, all of which are set to tournament mode.

2. The clock timer begins its countdown, and when it hits zero, players all begin to mash and max their bet buttons as fast as they can for the allotted time — typically several minutes. The goal is to earn the highest score. Once players learn who has the top scores, the machines and countdown timers are reset.

3. This spirited but intense head-to-head competition repeats for multiple rounds, depending on the number of players who have bought in.

4. When all of the qualifying rounds are completed, the top scorers earn automatic entry into the final round with a chance to compete for cash prizes.

As players fixate on their colorful, endlessly spinning screens, the tension is thick and the excitement is palpable. If this sounds like something you’d enjoy, anyone interested in getting in on the action can visit the casino host desk on their first day onboard for complete details and rules.