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Forget buffets, blackjack and booze; my cruise ship vice is the onboard arcade

Dec. 31, 2022
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6 min read
Piggy bank chosen by a claw crane arcade game
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I'm sweaty, my calves are stiff, and my arm (but only the right one) aches — and I haven't even set foot inside the ship's fitness center. Instead, I've just finished my seventh round of "To Tha Net" basketball in the onboard arcade.

Are there better ways for me to spend my cruise time? Probably. Does arcade play cost money that I know I won't get back? Sure. But there's something about neon lights and whiz-bang noises that draws me in.

Cruises are full of temptation. From nearly unlimited food and drinks to gambling, duty-free shopping and spa treatments, there are plenty of ways to overindulge. But for as much as I enjoy a great cone (or 10) of pool deck soft serve following a deep-tissue massage or a shopping spree, I often spend a decent portion of my disposable cruise income on intense air hockey battles and multiple tries at any machine that has a claw.

Why I prefer arcades to casinos

Part of the Hall of Games arcade on MSC Cruises' MSC Seascape. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY

I wouldn't say it's an addiction. If I don't make it to the arcade or if the ship I'm on doesn't have one, I'm not bothered. For me, playing arcade games is simply a way to indulge in something that makes me feel like a kid again, which I don't often find myself able to do at home.

"But Ashley," you're thinking, "why not spend your money at the casino instead and actually try to win something?"

The truth is I find casino play stressful and, frankly, boring. You go into it with the assumption that you're spending money to try to win money, and that's a lot of pressure. If I don't win something there, it feels like a failure.

Plus, I don't find the atmosphere as exciting as that of a game room. I've learned as I've gotten older that there's nothing fun about being around stressed-out adults, many of whom are about to become even more stressed out when they lose.

With the arcade, I know whatever I'm spending is spent, and that's it. I have no expectation that I'll recoup my losses. It's purely about having fun, and any prizes I might earn along the way are just gravy. That mentality immediately staves off any anxiety. It's more about testing my skill than my luck. Even better, I don't end up smelling like someone else's cigarette smoke when I leave.

Plus, where else on board can you enjoy Skee-Ball or Pac-Man or coin pushers that let you win Willy Wonka or superhero cards? (Oooh, ahhh. But seriously, if anybody has a Batman card, let's work out a trade.)

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In support of claw machines

A claw machine in an arcade. TYLIM/GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCK PHOTO

My favorites, though, are the claw games. I've never met one I didn't like. The "Oh! So close!" thrill keeps me going, and I love trying to figure out the machines — and whether or not they're rigged — as I play.

When I have a session that's particularly lucrative, I end up giving the prizes to families who are also spending time there. (The last thing I need to do is cram five or six stuffies into my carry-on. I am an adult, after all, and that's where I draw the line.)

When I'm in need of an extra pick-me-up, I move to the win-every-time versions of the claw machines. Usually that means I end up with lollipops or rubber ducks. (I hide the latter on board for others to find, which only extends the fun.)

Cruise lines with the best arcades

Rubber ducks won at the arcade on Wonder of the Seas. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY

After having done extensive first-person research, my top picks for cruise lines with the best arcades are:

  • Norwegian Cruise Line: Check out NCL's newest ships for the best options, including Galaxy Pavilion, which includes standard arcade games and a slew of high-tech virtual-reality simulators.
  • Carnival Cruise Line: These cruise ships have some of the most robust arcades I've seen on board. The variety of games — even on smaller, older vessels — means there's something for just about every gamer. Carnival also seems to have the largest number of win-every-time machines.
  • MSC Cruises: On its Seaside-class ships, MSC houses the Hall of Games, which is outfitted with lots of options. Of particular note are its interactive cinemas and Formula 1 racers, as well as Robotron on MSC Seascape.
  • Royal Caribbean International: On its newest vessels, Royal Caribbean has dedicated an impressive amount of space to arcades. There are win-every-time options, and the line has also done a great job of integrating arcade games with its sports bars, offering adults the chance to play Pac-Man, Mario Bros. and Donkey Kong without venturing into the arcade itself.

Bottom line

Passengers play air hockey and other games in the arcade on a Carnival Cruise Line ship. CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE

Cruise ships are loaded with opportunities for passengers to spend their money. Although arcades aren't for everyone, they're a great place to have some low-pressure fun — even as an adult.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

Featured image by ALEXSECRET/GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCK PHOTO
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.