Royal Caribbean makes small, but important casino change

Usually when Royal Caribbean makes a change to its casino program, it’s taking something away players like.

The company’s namesake cruise line has kept its Casino Royale benefits in place for the past few years, but its sister cruise line, Celebrity Cruises, made major benefit cuts. Celebrity Blue Chip players lost guaranteed freeplay, and Sapphire and higher players no longer receive a free classic drink package.

Video: Emergency forces Royal Caribbean ship back to port

Related: Video: Emergency forces Royal Caribbean ship back to port

Some of those cuts won’t take place until next year (the date depends upon when you booked and your loyalty level) but players are very angry at the changes.

Royal Caribbean has largely offered the same benefits since its return from the Covid pandemic. These include free drinks in the casino for Prime or higher players, and a free annual cruise.

The cruise line also offers Instant Certificates on each cruise which gives passengers free cruises starting at 800 earned points. The list of free cruises gets better at the 1,200 and 1,500 point levels, with the 2,500 point list being quite expansive and offering options almost 12 months out.

Casino players generally do not like changes to the program, because traditionally that has meant a loss in benefits. That’s not unique to Royal Caribbean as many cruise lines have lowered benefits for their casino program due to cruises selling well in general.

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Royal Caribbean has to report to the IRS

Players earn points toward free cruises and a higher tier status based on their play. Slot machines players get 1 point for every $5 cycled through the machine while video poker players earn 1 for every $10 played.

Table games earn points as well, but generally at a much slower level.

Points are earned per cruise for Instant Certificates and per casino year (April 1-March 31) for tier levels. How much money you win or lose has nothing to do with the points you earn.

The federal government, however, cares about how much money you win or lose. If you win more than $1,200 on a slot machine or video poker machine, you get a tax form and that win is reported to the IRS.

In theory, all wins count as income and should be reported. Losses, however, can be used to offset wins (but not deducted from your taxes otherwise.

Royal Caribbean has now made it easier for players to get records of their play for tax reporting purposes.

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Royal Caribbean offers better reporting

All casinos offer win/loss statements to players based on play recorded on their loyalty program number. Getting those reports, however, has often been cumbersome.

Royal Caribbean sent Casino Royale members an email this morning detailing a big change. (The choices of all caps was theirs).

IMPORTANT UPDATE: A NEW WAY TO ACCESS YOUR WIN/LOSS STATEMENTS.

We’re excited to announce that Club Royale members can now download their win/loss statements for the past 5 years! Statements for 2019-2023 are currently available. Beginning January 31, 2025, 2024 statements will be accessible. and 2019 statemtns will be removed.

Royal Caribbean shared a link to the new service.

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The cruise line also made it clear that these are not official government forms.

“Please note that this is not an official tax form. To download your win/loss statements, you must log into your Guest Account and agree to our terms & conditions when prompted. For a win/loss statement to generate, you must have
previously gamed onboard with your SeaPass card,” it shared in the email.

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