Royal Caribbean Casino Wine of Shame: How to Get It
Royal Caribbean's "Wine of Shame" is the free bottle Casino Royale sends after roughly 1,000 Club Royale points, about $5,000 in slot play. How it works.
The "Wine of Shame" is the complimentary bottle of wine Royal Caribbean's casino sends to players who earn enough Club Royale points on a sailing. The commonly reported bar is about 1,000 points, which works out to roughly $5,000 run through the slot machines. That's why regulars call it "the most expensive cheap wine you'll ever buy."
Here's how the points work, what the bottle actually is, and where the real value in casino play is hiding.
Casino Royale vs. Club Royale
These two names get mixed up constantly, including in the first version of this post:
- Casino Royale is the casino on every Royal Caribbean ship.
- Club Royale is the loyalty program that tracks your play on your SeaPass card and sends you rewards and cruise offers.
How Do You Earn Club Royale Points?
You insert or tap your SeaPass card at the machine (or hand it to the dealer at a table). Per Royal Caribbean's Club Royale FAQ, as of September 2026:
| Game | Points earned |
|---|---|
| Reel slots | 1 point per $5 played |
| Video poker | 1 point per $15 played |
| Table games | Based on game, average bet and time played (very low, e.g. about 10 points an hour at $10-$15 blackjack) |
Video poker used to earn 1 point per $10. Royal Caribbean changed it to $15 when the new casino year started on April 1, 2026, which makes the wine (and everything else) a lot harder to reach for video poker players.
Points also count toward your annual tier, per the Club Royale tier FAQ:
| Tier | Points in the program year (April 1 to March 31) |
|---|---|
| Choice | 1 - 2,499 |
| Prime | 2,500 - 24,999 |
| Signature | 25,000 - 99,999 |
| Masters | 100,000+ |
Free drinks in the casino while you play are a Prime-and-up perk. If you do get them, tip your casino bar server in cash, here's why.
What Is the "Wine of Shame"?
It's the free bottle of wine the casino gives you for your play, and seasoned cruisers named it the Wine of Shame for three reasons:
- The quality. These are usually low-cost bottles from the ship's inventory, the kind of thing you'd find for $8-$10 at a grocery store. Think bottom-shelf Merlot or a questionable Chardonnay.
- The presentation. It's handed over with little fanfare or just shows up in your stateroom. Comically underwhelming.
- The implication. It's a consolation prize and a cheeky reminder of how much you put through the machines to "earn" it.
How to Get the Free Bottle of Wine
- Earn the points on one sailing. The commonly reported threshold is about 1,000 Club Royale points. At 1 point per $5 on slots, that's about $5,000 in total slot play (coin-in, not losses). Royal Caribbean doesn't publish this number, so treat it as a rule of thumb.
- Check with the casino host. Once you hit it, the host can confirm the reward.
- Pick it up or get it delivered. You can collect it at the casino or have it sent to your stateroom.
What People Do With It
- Re-gift it to fellow cruisers or crew members.
- Post it on social media for bragging rights.
- Keep it as a quirky souvenir of the casino nights.
Is the Wine of Shame Worth It?
No, not on its own. If you're a casual gambler, the bottle will never justify the money it takes to qualify. For high rollers it's just one more small perk. Think of it as a funny cherry on top, not a goal.
Where the Real Value Is: Club Royale Cruise Offers
The bottle is underwhelming, but casino play isn't a total wash:
- Stick to a budget. Play for entertainment, not to chase rewards.
- Track your points during the cruise so you know where you stand before the last night.
- Ask the casino host about free play, drinks and other perks you might qualify for.
- Watch your offers. The best Club Royale rewards are future cruise offers. Once you've played enough, you'll start getting deeply discounted or even complimentary cruises, which is where casino play can actually pay off.
The Bottom Line
The Wine of Shame is a tongue-in-cheek rite of passage for Royal Caribbean casino regulars. It's not much of a reward, so if you're playing anyway, focus on the bigger perks: Club Royale cruise offers, casino drinks at Prime, and onboard credit. And if a bottle of grocery-store wine does show up at your door, enjoy it with a laugh. You're officially part of the club.
Frequently asked questions
- How many Club Royale points do you need for the free bottle of wine?
- Royal Caribbean doesn't publish a threshold. The commonly reported figure is about 1,000 points earned on a single sailing, which is about $5,000 of slot play at 1 point per $5.
- How do you earn Club Royale points?
- Insert or tap your SeaPass card while you play. As of 2026 Royal Caribbean says you earn 1 point per $5 played on reel slots and 1 point per $15 on video poker; table game points depend on the game, your average bet and how long you play.
- What are the Club Royale tiers?
- Choice (1 to 2,499 points), Prime (2,500 to 24,999), Signature (25,000 to 99,999) and Masters (100,000 and up), counted over the program year from April 1 to March 31.
- When do you get free drinks in the casino?
- Complimentary drinks in the casino are a Prime tier perk and above, so you need 2,500 tier points in the program year, not just a good night.
- Is Casino Royale the same as Club Royale?
- No. Casino Royale is the name of the casino on Royal Caribbean ships. Club Royale is the loyalty program that tracks your points and sends the offers.
