Royal Caribbean International has launched gaming tournaments at Casino Royal, its onboard casinos, on upcoming cruises. Guests on all four-night or longer itineraries in 2009 can buy into a tournament and vie for cash prizes and a complimentary cruise for two in the cruise line’s Royal Poker Tour. Winners of these satellite tournaments also will receive an entry to the Royal Poker Tour Championship to play for an estimated prize pool of $100,000. Guests also can compete in the 2009 Club Royale Slot Tournaments for cash prizes ranging from $6,000 to $15,000. On the West Coast, the slot tournaments will be available aboard the Mariner of the Seas during its seven-night sailings from Los Angeles to the Mexican Riviera departing July 12 and Nov. 22.

In the Northeast, slot tournaments will be available on the May 30 departure of a five-night Bermuda cruise sailing roundtrip from Norfolk, Va., aboard the Grandeur of the Seas; the July 25 and Sept. 19 departures of a five-night Bermuda cruise sailing from Baltimore aboard the Grandeur of the Seas; and the Oct. 10 departure of a seven-night Canada & New England cruise sailing from Boston aboard the Jewel of the Seas. From Florida, passengers can participate in slot tournaments the April 19 departure of a seven-night Eastern Caribbean sailing roundtrip from Miami aboard the Freedom of the Seas; the May 21, June 18, July 16, and Oct. 8 departures of a four-night Western Caribbean sailing roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale aboard the Enchantment of the Seas; and the Sept. 19 departure of a five-night Western Caribbean cruise from Fort Lauderdale aboard the Enchantment of the Seas.

Club Royale’s top 100 players will have the option to join Royal Caribbean International on the following sailings to play in the by-invitation-only 2009 Masters Tournaments -- the Aug. 15 departure of a seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise from Miami aboard the Liberty of the Seas for a Slots Masters Tournament and the May 9 and Oct. 24 departures of a seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise from Miami aboard Liberty of the Seas for a Blackjack Masters Tournament. As members of Club Royale, qualified players receive special offers on future Royal Caribbean International cruises, the ability to earn onboard comps, and exclusive invitations to tournament sailings. In addition, points earned at slot machines on ships with automated player tracking can be redeemed onboard for cash, merchandise and drinks. Club Royale members also receive Royal Caribbean’s new Casino Royale Newsletter, which informs players of the latest onboard gaming developments, special offers and upcoming tournaments by email monthly. For more information, call 877.530.5699