CoalCracker

Diversifying Our Atlantic City Adventures: Discovering Ocean Casino Resort

On both of our recent visits to the vibrant Hard Rock in Atlantic City, our journey included a final-day detour to the Ocean Casino Resort. This intriguing side trip was partly inspired by the high praise from my wife’s boss, a frequent patron of Ocean, whose glowing recommendations sparked our interest. Additionally, we felt a growing desire to broaden our Atlantic City experiences beyond the familiar walls of Hard Rock. Our numerous visits to Tropicana had initially set us on a path towards achieving Diamond Elite status by October. However, an August stay there shifted our perspective, prompting us to consider alternatives.

With this in mind, we approached Ocean Casino Resort not just as a casual visit but as a potential new haven for our future gaming and leisure activities. Our intention was to immerse ourselves sufficiently in the Ocean experience, to understand its allure, and to ascertain whether it could become a preferred destination for us in the times to come.

First Foray into Ocean Casino: Tier Matching and Beyond

During our inaugural visit to Ocean Casino Resort at the tail end of September, we found ourselves walking through its doors around half past one in the afternoon. Our first order of business was to elevate our Rock Royalty status from Hard Rock to Ocean’s equivalent, the Prime Tier. This tier matching process not only went smoothly but also came with delightful perks: a stylish Ocean-branded T-shirt, a voucher granting us access to the exclusive Avila Lounge, and an enticing offer for a complimentary room stay.

Originally, our plan was simple and straightforward: secure the tier match, explore the casino a bit, and then head back home. However, Ocean had a different plan for us. Captivated by the vibrant energy of the casino, we found ourselves immersed in its lively atmosphere for over five hours. The day was marked by an exceptional lunch experience and a gaming session that saw us amassing over 800 tier credits from a modest investment of around $105 between the two of us. My wife dedicated her time to video poker, while I ventured into the world of slots with a starting budget of $100. The Triple Double Diamond machine treated me well initially, though it eventually claimed my starting stake.

About two hours into our casino adventure, we decided to redeem our Avila Lounge voucher. Normally, entry to this lounge comes at the cost of $10 in comp dollars per person. However, our voucher presented us with a delightful opportunity to sample the lounge’s offerings without having yet accumulated the necessary comp dollars. It was a chance to experience a slice of what Ocean had to offer, and we eagerly took it.

A Delectable Discovery: Our First Encounter with the Avila Lounge

Despite our numerous CoalCracker Adventures to Atlantic City, a visit to a player’s lounge had always eluded us. The Laurel Lounge at Tropicana was perpetually closed during our stays, and our tier status when we stayed at Caesar’s and Harrah’s fell short of granting us access. Even during our inaugural escapade to Hard Rock, pre-planned dinner engagements meant we missed out on exploring the Legends Lounge offerings. Our experiences, or rather the lack thereof, with these lounges left us with little to compare to our upcoming visit to the Avila Lounge at Ocean.

Our curiosity about player lounges had been further piqued by less-than-stellar reviews of the lounge at Tropicana. These critiques had set a somewhat low bar for our expectations, and honestly, had the lounge been open during our visits, we might have hesitated to step inside.

Locating the Avila Lounge presented a small adventure in itself. Navigating through the bustling casino, with the help of the casino’s app and well-placed signage, we found our way to an escalator leading us to the second floor lounge area.

Upon arrival, we presented our voucher and identification to the attendant and were greeted with a warm welcome. Soon after being seated, we were acquainted with our server and found ourselves sipping on refreshing unsweetened iced tea, ready to delve into the culinary offerings of the lounge. The array of food exceeded our expectations, spanning from the simplicity of cold sandwiches and salads to the indulgence of fall-off-the-bone BBQ ribs and succulent prime rib. The spread catered to every palate, including a dessert station and a bar, although we refrained from the latter considering the journey ahead of us.

Our plates were a testament to the variety on offer – I indulged in a comforting mix of mac and cheese, a flavor-packed stuffed bell pepper, a slice of prime rib, and some perfectly baked asparagus. Meanwhile, my wife opted for an eclectic mix of fresh cocktail shrimp, a crisp salad, prime rib, and of course, a helping of mac and cheese. The allure of the hot dogs, slowly turning on their rollers, was irresistible, prompting me to go back for a second helping along with a bit more mac and cheese and a couple of ribs. The high-quality, all-beef hot dogs proved to be a great choice.

While I chose to skip dessert, my wife ventured into the sweet offerings with an assortment of cookies, a slice of cake, and a parfait. Despite the minor disappointment of one cookie being unexpectedly raisin-filled, she relished her dessert choices.

Our visit to the Avila Lounge was nothing short of a hit. The variety and quality of the food, coupled with the pleasant atmosphere, assured us that this would not be our last visit. Ocean had surpassed our expectations, affirming its place in our future Atlantic City adventures.

Concluding with Casino Charms: Final Hours at Ocean and the Journey Home

Post-lunch, our curiosity led us to explore the upper levels of Ocean Casino Resort. This brief exploration revealed a quieter part of the resort, but with less to captivate our interests, we soon found ourselves gravitating back towards the vibrant energy of the casino floor. There, we resumed our gaming pursuits, with my wife returning to her favored video poker and myself revisiting the Triple Double Diamond slots. We lost ourselves in the thrill of the games for another couple of hours, fully immersed in the lively atmosphere of the casino. Our decision to linger longer than initially planned was partly strategized to avoid the Philly traffic. Departing in the later hours of the afternoon, our gamble paid off as we were greeted by relatively clear roads, ensuring a smooth and uneventful journey back home.

As we bid farewell to Ocean Casino Resort, our player’s cards were a testament to a day well spent, displaying a total of 803 tier points. This visit had not only been enjoyable but also enlightening, as I began to appreciate the appeal that had captivated my wife’s boss. The casino’s clean and welcoming environment, coupled with less intrusive smoking sections compared to those at Hard Rock, made for a comfortable experience. Though the smoking areas were present, they were less bothersome, especially when I stopped by to chat with my wife during her video poker sessions.
Reflecting on our day, I acknowledged my fondness for Hard Rock, yet Ocean had carved out its own special place in our casino itinerary. The prospect of incorporating a stop at Ocean Casino Resort into our future Atlantic City trips seemed not just appealing, but almost a given. It was clear that Ocean had much to offer and we were eager to explore it further in our subsequent visits.

Early Start, Valuable Lessons: Navigating Promos on Our Second Ocean Visit

Our return to Ocean Casino Resort marked a similar rhythm to our first visit, yet with an earlier start. Previously, we had lingered at Hard Rock until the late checkout time of 1pm. This time, however, we were on the move by 11:30 am. Our arrival at Ocean, just as the clock was nearing noon, brought with it a new lesson in the nuances of casino promotions.

At the kiosk, I found myself swiping my card multiple times, a hint of perplexity setting in as I sought the $75 in free play advertised for the day. It was then that a helpful fellow patron, noticing my slight confusion, approached and enlightened me about a crucial detail: Ocean’s promotions kick off at noon. Faced with the choice of waiting idly or diving back into the gaming action, the decision was a no-brainer.

I walked with my wife to the video poker machines, where I decided to warm up with a modest $20 at Jacks or Better. While my wife loves VP and is exceptional, it really isn’t my jam – so I zone out and make too many mistakes that drain my balance quickly. Which is why I made my way back to the kiosk, to claim the free play, after about 20 minutes.

Having successfully loaded the $75 onto my account, I embarked on a leisurely stroll around the casino floor. My search led me to a selection of old-style, low-volatility slot machines, among which was the familiar Double Diamond. Engrossed in the game, I burned through $50 of the free play in about an hour and then offered the remaining amount to my wife. She was still going strong with her initial deposit and suggested I play the rest, so I returned to the Triple Double Diamond slots that had treated me well on our first visit. With the last $25 of my free play, I enjoyed a brief streak of good fortune, extending my playtime before the balance eventually trickled down to zero.

A Light Lunch Break: Refueling at the Avila Lounge

Feeling the call for lunch, we made our way back to the Avila Lounge, already familiar with its inviting atmosphere and varied offerings. This time, I chose a lighter meal, opting for a Caesar salad and a selection of Asian favorites like Lo Mein and General Tso’s chicken, keeping it simple after our hearty dinner at the Fresh Harvest buffet the night before. My wife, also in the mood for something light, accompanied her salad with a few other small, healthy options.

Our lunch was a pleasant interlude, offering a break from the excitement of the casino floor. The lounge provided a peaceful setting, a nice contrast to the energetic buzz of the gaming area. We enjoyed our meals in this quieter space, appreciating the attentive service and the chance to recharge.

After lunch, feeling refreshed but not weighed down, we returned to the casino floor. The lively atmosphere of gaming and the familiar sound of slot machines welcomed us back, as we prepared to dive into another round of gaming with renewed energy.

Striking Luck and Setting Goals: A Winning Finish at Ocean Casino

In a bid to mix things up, I found myself seated in front of a Quick Hit Platinum slot machine, while my wife returned to her trusted video poker. Starting with a budget of $100 and modest $1.50 spins, my fortunes initially dwindled to about $40. However, the tides turned as I started racking up some substantial wins that kept me spinning for some time. Before I knew it, not only had I recouped my initial investment, but I had also doubled it and more. Sensing a shift in luck as the winning streak cooled, I prudently decided to cash out and scout for another opportunity.

My next stop was a familiar one, the Triple Double Diamond slot, a reminiscent choice from our previous visit. With a conservative start of $0.25 per line and a max bet of $1.25, my investment gradually grew to $300. At this juncture, conventional wisdom suggested it was time to walk away. Yet, the thrill of the game urged me on, and I doubled my bet to $0.50 per line. This bold move paid off, boosting my takings to an impressive $400. Riding high on this wave of success, I finally decided to call it a day on this machine.

Drawn once again to the allure of the Quick Hit Platinum machines, I inserted my voucher and continued playing. However, as the day wore on and my winnings fluctuated, I decided to end on a high note, up $200 for the day. This marked a momentous occasion – for the first time, I was leaving an Atlantic City casino with more money than I had brought in.

Reflecting on our second visit to Ocean, I couldn’t help but feel it surpassed our initial trip. The only dampener was a minor traffic delay of 15 minutes just before getting into PA and another just past Philly. Nonetheless, it was an overall smooth journey. We ended our day up 1418 tier points. With my winnings during this trip, we had a net positive return of around $25 from Ocean between my wife and I over the two trips and a surprising total of 2221 tier points.

As I ponder our future casino endeavors, I can’t help but wonder if reaching the Prime Tier at Ocean by June 2024 is within our grasp. Only time will tell, but the prospect is certainly intriguing.