Attention Royal Caribbean Cruisers...Can you help me out?

Question

I need to know what type (limits) of poker is offered on the Royal Caribbean ship "Freedom of the Seas."

Also, do they run poker tournaments during the cruise?

Can anyone help me out?

Answer 1

Freedom of the Seas does have a Texas Hold'Em table that is supposed to be open within one hour of the casino opening and the players generally determine what the limit will be, however the ship will push for $5-$10 no limit.  That's the good news.  The bad news is the rake, I was on the Vision of the Seas recently and found out the hard way that Royal Caribbean rakes 10% of the pot with no cap.  If you are a regular poker player you know that this rake will kill a game very quickly, most casinos rake 10% to $3 to $5  but with no cap on a $5-$10 game it would not be unusual to see the ship rake $25 or more out of the pot.

What I did on my last cruise is carry my own poker set with me, after I found a few other poker players we started our own game up on the deck, we were 8 handed playing $1-$2 no limit with no rake, made for a very friendly game and no one was out too much in the end.

Answer 2

I was on the Freedom in Sept. 2006.  They do have poker tournaments on some nights.  You won't know which ones and what nights they are on until you board the ship...Have fun!!  Its an awesome ship!

Answer 3

I have been on the Liberty of the Seas (Freedom's sister ship) and they had one texas hold'em no limit table (1, 2 blinds).  It was rarely open, and when it was it was full so we didn't play...even though we love poker.

There was also a tournament which we couldn't play in either because we had other things we wanted to do during that time.  I'm not sure how it worked...I think they may have used some of the Black Jack tables.  

I think the Freedom is probably the same but don't quote me on that.

Answer 4

Sorry we were on the the Freedom In Oct. and didn't gamble so I don't know the answer directly! But If you go to the web site I listed below you can open up dialog with many cruisers who have been or are going on the freedom soon. maybe even the cruise you are booked on. Ted( which was odd we usally do spend time in the Casino, just didn't make time for it) .