4 Royal Caribbean Casino Changes That Cost You More
Royal Caribbean changed four things about Club Royale, its casino loyalty program, and every one of them costs you money. None got a press release. Video poker points now take 50% more wagering to earn, cashing out at a slot machine costs $3, "complimentary" balcony offers come with a $100 non-refundable booking fee, and the annual free cruise certificate switched from an exclusion list to an inclusion list. Here's what each change costs you, and whether Club Royale still works as a way to get discounted and free cruises in 2026. THE 4 CHANGES Video poker point threshold raised from $10 to $15 wagered per point. Earning 100 points used to take $1,000 in wagers. It now takes $1,500. Confirmed for video poker; ask a casino host onboard for the current structure on slots and blackjack. New $3 convenience fee on slot machine cash withdrawals, waived for Prime tier and above. A $100 non-refundable booking fee per stateroom on select complimentary balcony and oceanview offers. Separate from taxes and port fees. Book by May 31, 2026, for sailings May 4 through December 31, 2026. The annual comp cruise certificate moved from an exclusion list to an inclusion list. Certificates landed April 21, 2026. Masters tier reportedly gained sailings up to 25 nights and cabin categories through Grand Suite. Prime tier now chooses from roughly 500 eligible cruises skewing toward older ships, instead of near-open access to any seven-night interior. WHAT ACTUALLY GOT BETTER Signature tier picked up onboard credit by sailing length: $25 on 3–4 nights, $50 on 5–6 nights, $75 on 7 nights or longer. Status now holds through the rest of the current casino year plus the entire following casino year before requalifying. Club Royale tier status is also folding into the Royal Caribbean app. COMMON QUESTIONS Is Club Royale still worth it in 2026? It depends on your tier. Masters players come out mixed, since the new certificate list opens up longer and nicer sailings. Prime players absorb every increase while getting a shorter list of ships. Casual players see their timeline to a comp offer pushed out further. How many points do you get on video poker now? One point per $15 wagered, up from one per $10. Is the Club Royale free cruise really free? The cabin fare is covered, but select complimentary balcony and oceanview offers now carry a $100 non-refundable booking fee on top of taxes, port fees, and gratuities. Are Club Royale points the same as Crown & Anchor points? No. Club Royale runs on casino wagering. Crown & Anchor runs on nights sailed. When does the Club Royale year reset? April 1. SOURCES Royal Caribbean Blog (April 25, 2026 and May 6, 2026), EatWatchBet (April 28, 2026), and Club Royale's published terms. Casino program terms change fast, so check current terms before you book. SPONSORED BY CRUISES IT This video is sponsored by Cruises It, a Dream Vacations travel advisor team that has helped more than 75,000 clients save money on cruises. CLIA-affiliated advisors, group rates, and a Best Price Guarantee with a 24-hour rate match on an identical sailing and cabin category. Book at https://book.cruisesit.com/home-page Time stamps: 00:00- 4 Royal Caribbean Casino Changes That Cost You More 02:57- Video Poker Change 04:20- New Casino Withdrawal Fee 05:44- $100 Fee on Comp Cruises 07:30- Inclusion vs. Exclusion List 13:15- Is Club Royale Still Worth it?