A cruise passenger is suing Royal Caribbean International, alleging the cruise line wrongfully banned them from its ships and cancelled over AU$22,000 (approximately US$14,000) in accumulated cruise rewards. The core of the dispute centers on an accusation that the passenger was 'card counting' while playing blackjack in the ship's casino.
Card counting is a strategy used by players to track the ratio of high to low cards remaining in a deck, theoretically giving them a statistical edge over the house. While not illegal under criminal law in most jurisdictions, cruise lines, like land-based casinos, consider it a violation of their house rules. Royal Caribbean's policy typically allows the company to ban individuals suspected of such practices to protect their financial interests.
The passenger claims the ban was unjustified and is seeking legal recourse to overturn the decision and recover the value of the cancelled rewards. This case brings attention to the often-overlooked reality that cruise ship casinos operate under private contracts where the cruise line has broad discretion to remove guests for gaming-related conduct.
Relevant planning links
- cruise lines comparison — Lets readers compare lines mentioned in the story.
- Icon of the Seas ship guide — Ship-specific context for Icon of the Seas.
- Wonder of the Seas ship guide — Ship-specific context for Wonder of the Seas.
Editor Take
This story matters because it clarifies that cruise ship casinos are private venues with strict rules that can override your loyalty status. If you are caught counting cards or using similar strategies, you face immediate removal and potential loss of all accrued points, regardless of how much you have spent on the cruise line. To protect your rewards, avoid any gaming strategies that involve tracking cards or signaling with other players, and remember that the cruise line's decision on gaming conduct is final and binding under their contract of carriage.
Key Takeaways
- If you are caught counting cards or using similar strategies, expect immediate removal from the ship and a permanent ban, as cruise lines treat this as a breach of their private house rules.
- Do not assume your accumulated loyalty points are safe; cruise lines can cancel and forfeit rewards if they determine you violated gaming policies, as seen in this case where over AU$22,000 in rewards were lost.
- Understand that cruise ship casinos operate under private contracts, meaning the cruise line has the right to ban guests for gaming conduct without needing to prove a crime occurred.
- Avoid any behavior that could be interpreted as card counting, such as keeping a mental tally of cards or using signals with other players, to prevent being flagged for removal.
What Travelers Ask
Does card counting on a cruise ship break the law?
No, card counting is not a crime under criminal law. However, it is a violation of the cruise line's private house rules, which they are legally allowed to enforce by banning guests from their ships and casinos.
Can a cruise line cancel my loyalty rewards if I get banned?
Yes. As demonstrated in this case, cruise lines can cancel and forfeit accumulated rewards if they determine a guest violated their policies, including gaming rules. The contract you agree to when booking typically grants them this right.
What happens if I am accused of card counting?
If accused, the cruise line may ask you to stop playing, ban you from the casino, and potentially ban you from the entire ship. You may also lose any rewards you have earned, and the decision is usually final under their terms of service.
Does this affect my ability to book future cruises?
Yes. If you are banned for gaming violations, you will likely be prohibited from booking future cruises with that line. This ban can extend to all ships in the fleet and may impact your ability to use loyalty benefits on other voyages.