Woman pays $300 per week to live on cruise ship

Laura Butler, who lives alone, says she has made many friendships in her travels on cruise ship, which she affords by gambling. Picture: YouTube

A woman has revealed the moment she gave up the “corporate grind”, in her mid-50s, to live on a cruise ship full time – and the best part is it only costs her about $AU300 per week.

But her strategy might not be for everyone.

Laura Butler said on YouTube how she took advantage of a little-known gambling points-program system many cruises offer.

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Laura Butler enjoying her cruise that she spends $300 per week on but it comes with risks. Picture: YouTube

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Her advice is: “make sure you are losing as little money as possible.”

The self-proclaimed budget and loyalty program strategist, says she was introduced to the concept after playing blackjack on a 14-night cruise on Holland America Line’s Rotterdam to the Baltic. She visited idyllic countries, such as Sweden and Finland.

While celebrating her birthday, she took a punt at Blackjack and spent many hours buying in on $AU40 minimum-bet tables.

“I played Blackjack on this cruise, not knowing anything about the casino point system,” she said.

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One of the cruise ships that Ms Butler lived on. Picture: YouTube

Entertainment on the cruise. Picture: YouTube

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“Nothing was posted. It was unclear what it took to earn free cruises. I just gambled because it was fun.”

That’s when everything changed for Ms Butler.

Just before the cruise ended, she received a letter from the cruise ship company inviting her back after noticing she had a few turns at Blackjack.

“I thought, ‘Free cruise? Amazing!’ So, I asked my son the following year if he wanted to come on a cruise … He wanted to go to Asia, so we wound up doing another 14-night cruise on Holland America. We started in Hong Kong and ended in Singapore,” she said.

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Ms Butler says the living areas are comfortable. Picture: YouTube

Ms Butler played blackjack on a cruise for hours which earned her an invite to a free cruise.

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“On that 7-day cruise, I wound up just playing the slot machines – I didn’t play any Blackjack at all – and I was able to get the 20,000 points needed on a 7-day cruise to earn the mini-suite offer.”

Ms Butler has advise for those considering the strategy.

“If you’re going to go into the casino and get into their comped cruise program, you need to make sure you are losing as little money as possible,” she said.

“The casino house will always win. At the end of the day, the more time you spend in the casino, the house will always win.

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One of the cruise ship bathrooms. Picture: YouTube

One of the letters of offer. Picture: YouTube

“Do this for entertainment purposes only. If you’re going to the casino banking on getting a certain offer, that’s a dangerous way to start.

“You win, you lose, you win, you lose.

Ms Butler said there was a dark side to her strategy after she lost more than $AU2300 during one of her trips.

“I could have lost a lot more,” she explained.

Inside the foyer of the cruise ship. Picture: YouTube

Cruise ship staff create fun environments, says Ms Butler. Picture: YouTube

“The point systems will vary based on the length of the sailing. So, the longer the cruise, it’s going to take more points to get the same exact offer.

“It’s really important to share with you that the offers aren’t any better on a longer cruise; you just have to earn more points.

“I have met people who kept gambling on the last sea day and didn’t realise that the cut off was midnight.

“Be aware of that, even set your alarm maybe for 9pm or 10pm, just to be sure you don’t run out of time if you’re trying to get to a certain level.”

Ms Butler enjoying one of her dinners. Picture: YouTube

Ms Butler has a range of options to choose from. Picture: YouTube

**What are you really gambling with? For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au**

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