Thanks to Caesars Online Casino and its “Play Online. Get On Board” promotion, New Jersey gamblers won’t necessarily have to wait until Memorial Day to enjoy their next healthy dose of summer.

On October 2, the casino will be drawing the names of 10 lucky players, all of whom will be rewarded with an island getaway to the Bahamas, courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Lines.

Non-winners won’t be left out in the cold either, as Caesars is also gifting out bonus play to those who hit the virtual slots and table games from now until September 30, in amounts ranging from $5 all the way up to $150.

The nuts and bolts of Caesars’ latest promo

All that’s required to earn a free entry is five minutes of your time. Simply register an account at CaesarsCasino.com, and email [email protected] with your full name, date of birth and customer ID.

However, in order to really give yourself a decent shot at winning, you’re going to have make a qualifying deposit of at least $10 using the promo code CRUISE and do some gambling.

All told, it’ll take earning 2,000 online tier credits to win another 10 cruise drawing entries.

The good news is that from that point forward, netting additional entries is comparatively easy, as you’ll win 10 entries for each additional 100 online tier credits accrued.

What’s more, there are a slew of other benefits attached to earning online tier credits. For one, at the end of each month Caesars will apply the credits to your annual Total Rewards tier score, which determines your tier status.

Those who move up the Total Rewards tiers will be treated to a litany of special treats, including:

• Room discounts at Caesars-affiliated brick & mortar casinos.

• Casino gift shop discounts.

• Preferential treatment and exclusive bonus offers, at both Caesars’ online and live venues.

Furthermore, for each tier credit procured you’ll also earn a reward credit.

Not only can reward credits be redeemed for online casino play, but they can be applied toward hotel stays, dining, entertainment and shopping at – you guessed it – Caesars’ land-based casinos.

As for the cruise itself, it will depart from New York’s Manhattan Cruise Terminal, which should prove quite convenient to residents of New Jersey.

Available departure date options are February 28, March 6 and March 13 of 2016. The cruise is non-transferable; however, winners will be permitted to take one guest.

Winning bonus play

Players who aren’t chosen for the cruise can still cash in on the promotion, as Caesars will be gifting out bonus play to those who achieve tier credit milestones.

Bonus play table as follows:

• 100 credits earned: $5 in bonus play

• 200 credits earned: $10 in bonus play

• 500 credits earned: $25 in bonus play

• 1,000 credits earned: $75 in bonus play

• 2,000+ credits earned: $150 in bonus play

The wagering requirement for the bonus play is set at a very reasonable one time play through.

It’s rare for a promotion to reward both a sweepstakes drawing to a vacation package worth more than $2,000 and free play, but Caesars is clearly showing its willingness to give back to its most loyal patrons.

Sounds good, but how do I earn online tier credits?

In a word: easily.

Slot players will earn one credit for each $10 wagered, meaning that in order to secure 10 cruise entries, players will be tasked with wagering $20,000. Wager $10,000 more and you’ll have 110 chances to win a luxury vacation – not a bad deal considering that New Jersey online casinos offer very competitive payout rates.

The bar is set higher for table games and video poker aficionados, who will earn one tier credit for every $100 wagered.