- Aaron Rose boarded a cruise after losing a loved one and receiving an inheritance
- He racked up $30,000 in gambling debts across a 10-day cruise
- He alleges that staff served him while he was significantly intoxicated, claiming they were bringing him drinks as soon as his glass was empty
Aaron Rose stepped on a P&O cruise in November 2023, while mourning his late uncle and unsure what to do with the inheritance just left to him. He believes predatory behaviour of the cruise ship staff contributed to him racking up more than $30,000 in gambling debts across the 10-day cruise.
Rose details the events: “In early 2023 my beloved uncle passed away at the young age of 60, this was not an expected death for the family whatsoever, it broke my heart. Later in the year, about a month before setting sail on a cruise that would deem to negatively impact my life forever, I received the inheritance from my uncles passing.
“I was in a very depressed state of mind, and just wanted a fun relaxing holiday I felt I deserved.”
Rose says he was instantly given a free drinks card that could only be used in the casino, for up to 15 drinks a day. While it started off appearing genuine, the gesture soon seemed more sinister.
“On the first night of the cruise I was given a free drinks card I could only use in the casino, for 15 drinks a day. I thought that was really nice of them, so I began playing in the casino and redeeming some of my free drinks. At first I had to walk up to the bar and ask for my drink, that was fine as it felt like normal service.
“Sometime the next day of the cruise, I would arrive at the casino to claim a free drink and they would ask me where I was playing even though I hadn’t started gambling yet, so I would point to a random machine so they knew where to deliver it to.”
Rose said he was so drunk he was accidentally breaking glasses.
“They started to bring me drinks when my glass was nearly empty without me even asking for another. At one point I was so intoxicated I accidentally smashed a glass on top of an empty one because I had trouble seeing, the casino host walked over to me and said “No that’s okay, broken glass brings you good luck, keep playing”
“At the time I thought that was funny, but when I received a bill of over $5000 the next day it was no longer a laughing matter.”
Rose was certain he wouldn’t make the same mistakes again, but kept getting lured in by free offers and incentives from the casino, such as more free drinks, free cruises, casino credit and more.
“At the time I had the money to pay the bill out of my uncles inheritance. I swore I would not do that again, but the incentives the casino gave me to stay and play, were too good to not at least check out.
“Over the remainder of the cruise I proceeded to lose over $30,000 … making decisions I would NEVER had made, if responsible drinking laws were in place. I was truly heartbroken.
“I think the behaviour of the casino as a whole on the P&O cruise was truely disgusting, ignorant and predatory.”
The Casino Control Act 1991 says a casino operator must not knowingly allow a person who is in a state of intoxication to gamble or bet in the casino. Furthermore, the Liquor Control Reform Act makes it illegal to supply alcohol to an already intoxicated person.
Another Cruise Passenger article details the complications as to whether or not these Australian laws can be applied to cruise leaving from Australia and sailing into international waters.
P&O have been contacted for comment.
Other cruisers share similar stories
Other cruisers told Cruise Passenger of similar experiences they had onboard cruises, across Carnival and P&O. Cruisers reported ending up with up to $33,000 in gambling debts.
Desley doesn’t drink alcohol, but she felt different strategies were used to keep her gambling, as she awaited her soft drinks.
“I have just returned from a Cruise on Carnival Splendor and had free drinks at the casino. Every person I spoke to had the same gripe. It would take ages to get a drink waiter to attend and then take ages, more than 20 minutes, to receive the drink. During that time I couldn’t leave the pokie machine even if it was a dud because otherwise it was too difficult for the staff to find me.
“It’s a complete lurk to force people ,even people who are periodic gamblers, to stay and play the same pokie machine. They’re trying to force people to continue playing and they can take up to 20 minutes or more to provide the drink one has ordered. One if not careful can do a lot of financial damage in that time. I’ve complained of this in my feedback form to Carnival.”
Desley also said she heard from friends who do drink alcohol, that after earning enough casino points, drinks become free.
“Another passenger told my friendI that if you rack up 1500 points then the drinks become free at the casino.
“Some cruisers who don’t have free drinks deliberately bet big and very quickly just to get the free drinks.”
Vicky Slade ended up with $6000 in debts from a three-day cruise.
“I was invited by a friend on a free cruise with Carnival. I ended up with $6000 to pay off on my credit card. A staff member stood over me as I used the ATM.
“The cruise had been a mess, we couldn’t dock anywhere so the casino was always open, they even offered lessons on how to play the tables.
“Never again, they made it all seem so fun.”
Carnival Corp facing a lawsuit for gambling practices
Carter Capner Law is opening a class action against Carnival Corporation, who owns P&O, Carnival Cruises, Princess Cruises and more.
This lawsuit began when Shane Dixon, a father of three, jumped off Pacific Adventure after facing significant gambling debts due to his visits to the casino onboard.
The law firm shared many stories of other passengers who faced alleged predatory practices. For example, a cruiser who had a gambling problem known to the cruise line but was allowed to cruise while already in debt and given a $5000 credit limit per day.
Carnival Australia has been contacted for comment on this story.
Agree with all the above, take responsibility for your own actions. Can’t keep blaming others for our behaviour. Leave cruise staff alone.
Annoys me when I hear this stuff.
Grow up.
Take responsibility.
Get some help.
This is on you.
Own it and move on.
We have sailed with P&O / Princess 12 times and I have never experienced a predatory approach by the casino staff. Yes, we have been offered a $100 gambling voucher (before we boarded), it’s up to you whether you use it or not. When you gamble, you are taking a risk, not many people ever leave a casino in front, and why would you ever bet using someone else’s money, ie a credit facility. He could only have gambled while the ship was at sea, what did he do during port days? Let’s remember, your daily charges are up-loaded every night to your credit facility, these days, so this gentleman must have had a suitable line of credit, or the up-load would have failed. As for the drinks, there are not too many people in this world who could stomach 16 drinks a day, and believe they are in charge of their mental capacity. Sorry to hear this young man suffered a family lose, but don’t blame this on anyone else, it was his own stupidity.
You only live once,
you did not loose your money.its all uncles inheratence.
Ke sera sera
When are people going to take responsibilities for their choices and actions?
No one forced anyone to enter the Casino and stay there, no one.
That’s plain greed. They all wanted something for free, but nothing in life is free, there’s always a catch.
If something seems too good to be true, then run as far and fast as you can.
It’s not just the casino where you have to wait 20 minutes for drinks. This has happened to me many times on many ships.
Unbelievable crap…loses his money..then blames someone else ..get real.. beloved uncle..sure
LOL. The money would have burnt a hole in his pocket no matter where he gambled it. If it wasn’t this cruise it would have been a casino somewhere. Unless he has witnesses that show cruise staff physically pouring liquor down his throat….he doesn’t have a case. I just came off a cruise…earmarked X amount for gambling….then came home. A footnote here…I lost.
Seriously?!?
Take responsibility for your own life choices.