Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas casino

Mariner of the Seas Casino {The Details}

This article is all about Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas Casino.  I know lots of people will say they don’t step foot in a cruise ship casino, but for many people it is a big part of their cruise vacation.  That’s what’s great about cruising, everyone can do what they want and still have an amazing time.


Mariner of the Seas Casino




Mariner of the Seas is one of the cruise ships in Royal Caribbean’s popular voyageur class.  The casinos on Royal Caribbean cruise ships are called Casino Royale and offer thousands of square feet of games.



Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas Casino.  Slot machines






The minimum age to play in the casinos on Royal Caribbean ships is 18 unless it is an Alaska sailing, in that case it’s 21.







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Royal Caribbean International casinos operate pretty much the same hours as other cruise lines.  They first open once they reach international waters, which isn’t too long after sail away.  They are closed while at most ports and are open until late at night.  The casino was open however when we were at Perfect Day at Coco Cay, their private island.





Mariner of the Seas Casino – location

The Mariner of the Seas casino is located on deck 4 in the middle of the ship.  You’ll find the Schooner Bar and Izumi Sushi (one of the specialty restaurants) on one end and Boleros Bar and Starbucks on the other end.  Both the nearby Schooner Bar and Boleros Bar often have live music.


You don’t have to go far for a drink as the casino also has its own bar.


There is a staircase within the casino that goes up one deck to the Royal Promenade, right outside the Bamboo room.  This is convenient for grabbing a late night pizza snack from Café Promenade.




Mariner of the Seas Casino – games

Mariner of the Seas has many of the popular games you’d expect to find in a Vegas-style gambling casino.


The gaming tables and slot machines can change but here are some of the games available on our last cruise.


Table games

  • 3 card poker
  • Blackjack, single deck $10 minimum
  • Blackjack, Kings Bounty
  • Ultimate Texas Hold’Em (minimum $10 ante)
  • Roulette
  • Craps
  • Texas hold em cash games


Mariner of the Seas Casino
photo by Load the Luggage



If you would like to learn how to play one of these table games, ask one of the friendly casino staff members or check the Cruise Compass daily schedule.  Cruise lines often offer learn to play lessons, these complimentary sessions are great because sitting down at a poker table for the first time can be intimidating.





Slot machines

The Mariner of the Seas has a big selection of eye-catching slot machines.  There are several penny slots, others are $1 slot machines.  There were a few multi game machines that offer video poker and keno.




Slot machines in the Mariner of the Seas casino
photo by Load The Luggage




Casino promotions

Check the cruise daily schedule or the Royal Caribbean app for different promotions.  Throughout the cruise, they will offer things like hot seat draws, snowball raffles, and scratch ticket sales.








Mariner of the Seas casino tournaments

The casino tournaments often held are:

  • Slot tournaments
  • Blackjack tournaments
  • Texas hold’em tournaments


The tournaments can change but I have never been on a cruise that didn’t offer these 3 types of tournaments at least once.


On our last cruise the slot tournament and blackjack tournaments were held just once and both in the afternoon.  There were 2 Texas Hold’em tournaments held in the evenings.


Your Royal Caribbean Cruise Compass or the App will give the dates and times.




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Royal Caribbean casino rewards

Royal Caribbean has a casino rewards program that gives you points for casino play and allows you to earn things like free drinks in the casino, other onboard perks, and even a free cruise.


To collect points, insert your SeaPass card into the slot machine or present your card to the dealers at the table games.  Points are not earned on Texas Holdem cash games.


As an example of the rewards, on our Aug 2022 Mariner of the Seas cruise, 1,500 points would earn you an Instant Cruise Rewards Certificate for a free interior stateroom, plus if you booked your next cruise while onboard with Next Cruise, you’d also receive $100 in free play. 


Keep in mind Royal Caribbean can change their rewards program at any time, this is meant to only give you an idea of what can be offered.


You can check out Royal Caribbean’s casino reward program here


By inserting your cruise card into the slot machine or presenting it to the casino customer service staff for table play you are automatically enrolled in the casino reward program.



Mariner of the Seas Casino
photo by Load the Luggage




Are drinks free in the Mariner of the Seas casino?

No, drinks at the Mariner of the Seas casino bar are not free UNLESS you have either earned enough casino rewards or you have a drink package.





Can you charge slot play to your Sea Pass?

Yes, you can charge your slot play to your on-board account.  There are limits, however.  The casino cashier will give you a little slip of paper with the instructions.  You can choose the amount you wish to transfer to the slot machine. 


Even if you decide to play with cash, be sure to insert your cruise card into the machine to track your points.


When you are done playing at a machine, be sure to cash out your machine credits, the amount does not automatically go back to your onboard account.  You will receive a voucher that you can either use at a different machine or cash out at the cashier window.





Is there smoking in the Mariner of the Seas casino?

Smoking is allowed in the casino when it is open.


As a non-smoker, I actually didn’t find the smell too bad.  I only found it bothersome when some one was smoking close by.  I found the ventilation to be quite good in the Mariner of the Seas casino.


My last cruise was with Carnival Cruise Line on the Dream.  I found the smoke on that ship dreadful, therefore I didn’t spend much time in their casino.  Hopefully they have improved that.



In summary, Mariner of the Seas casino has most of the popular casino games you’d expect to find in a casino.


A stop in the Mariner of the Seas casino can be a great place to end the evening.  Start with a drink in one of the many bars, then dinner in the main dining room, a show in the Royal Theatre or Studio B ice rink, then try your luck at the casino.





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