Cruise ship casinos: Everything you need to know about gambling at sea

Melinda Crow

Cruise ship casino gambling is a big deal to some cruisers. You know how you often hear people on a cruise ship planning their day around the entertainment, tours and mealtimes? Last night, I eavesdropped on a conversation where a group of six people was planning their entire next day around time in the ship's casino.

For other cruisers, the casino is more of an onboard curiosity than anything else. What are all those table games? Do people actually win money — or free cruises — playing in cruise ship casinos?

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

If you're curious, I've compiled answers to the most common questions people ask about cruise ship casinos. Some of the answers may surprise you.

Do all cruise ships have casinos?

do all cruise ships have a casino

Most large, mainstream cruise ships have casinos, including the ships of Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Line (other than Pride of America), Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises and Virgin Voyages.

Specialty cruise lines like Disney Cruise Line, Paul Gauguin and most expedition cruise ships do not have casinos. Premium cruise lines Oceania Cruises and Cunard have casinos, while Viking, Azamara and Windstar Cruises do not. (Windstar and Azamara actually removed casinos from their ships and repurposed the space.)

Among the luxury cruise lines, Silversea and Seabourn have casinos on their non-expedition ships; Regent Seven Seas has casinos on all its ships. Smaller luxury ships like those belonging to Ponant, Ritz-Carlton, Scenic and Emerald do not have casinos. River cruise lines do not have casinos on board, even on U.S. rivers where "riverboat" gambling is reserved for casino boats, not river cruise ships.

Related: A beginners guide to picking a cruise line

Are cruise casinos open in port?

With a few exceptions, cruise casinos are not open while ships are in port. They are generally limited to operating while the ship is in international waters. This is why Norwegian's Pride of America doesn't have a casino. Since the ship cruises exclusively in Hawaii, it never leaves U.S. waters.

Cruisers are also often surprised to learn that the casino is closed on some nights during Alaska cruises . Cruises that sail from Victoria, British Columbia, to Seattle on the final night are a good example. The ship goes straight from Canadian waters to U.S. waters without ever reaching international open waters, so the casino closes the night before arrival in Victoria and does not reopen during the cruise.

Ports that currently allow the cruise lines to operate their casinos while the ship is in port include Bermuda and Malta, which require cruise lines to apply for a gaming license. Bermuda has allowed casino operations for licensed ships between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. since 2013. It's an ideal situation as Bermuda has no land-based casinos, and many cruise ships overnight in port on Bermuda cruises. Malta, which does have land-based casinos, allows ships that have been approved for licenses to open their casinos between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Which casino games are on cruise ships?

Gaming in cruise ship casinos usually includes a mix of slot machines and table games, such as three-card poker, Caribbean stud poker, craps, blackjack and roulette. Regionally popular table games like Texas Hold 'em and pai gow may also be available on some sailings.

Can you win money in a cruise ship casino?

do all cruise ships have a casino

Most cruise ship casino games operate under the same rules and payout percentages you would find in a land-based casino; therefore, the answer is yes, you can win money in a cruise ship casino.

Social media posts and casino announcements would indicate that at least a small handful of people win four- and even occasionally five-figure slot machine payouts on a regular basis. But just as in a land-based casino, it's far easier to lose your stake than it is to win that kind of money.

How many casino points do you need to get a free cruise?

As at land-based casinos, each cruise line offering gambling on board sets its own criteria for earning perks through the line's casino loyalty program or players club. Points are generally tied to the time played and the amount of money you gamble, including the money you win and recirculate.

Much like an airline loyalty program, casino points usually accumulate over a year, earning you better perks as you work toward increasingly higher status levels. Annual free or discounted cruises are one of those perks, often beginning with complimentary (aka comped) inside cabins at relatively low status levels.

Many casinos also let you match casino status from land-based casinos (or even other cruise lines), giving you a leg up. For example, I haven't cruised with Carnival in a while, and I've never played in the line's onboard casinos, but I signed up for the Carnival players club via its Fun Match program. When I registered, I uploaded an offer from a competing cruise line and a players club card from MGM. Now when I log in to Carnival's website, I am shown casino offers that include free and discounted cruises.

Related: How to earn free cruises and perks with casino loyalty programs on land and at sea

Some cruise lines also issue instant awards for the number of points earned (i.e., money spent) on an individual cruise, regardless of status. That would be like an airline awarding free future flights to passengers who spent the most money on their flights, no matter their loyalty status.

Most mainstream cruise lines use comped cruises to fill cabins on dates they anticipate having a surplus of vacancies. These extra offers often appear random, but are generally targeted for marketing purposes rather than as rewards for high amounts of play. New players may receive these comps after low levels of play because cruise lines are always interested in attracting new casino players.

All of that adds up to the possibility of receiving a free cruise for a small number of points earned for cruising, as well as guaranteed free cruises as your points rise to the levels of play set out in the cruise lines' casino loyalty programs.

What is the best casino game to play on a cruise ship?

do all cruise ships have a casino

The best casino game to play on a cruise ship is the one that is most entertaining for you. Ultimately, you play to have fun, right?

The games that require a combination of skill and luck are the ones where the odds of winning are in your favor. For example, the overall odds on blackjack favor the casino by only 1%, while the casino has a 25% edge overall when it comes to slot machines.

Those odds mean the cruise lines operating casinos will favor slot machine players over card players, both in terms of the number of games provided and the loyalty perks awarded.

In summary, for winning money, the best games are skill games. For earning loyalty perks like free cruises, slot machines are the best choice.

Are drinks free in the casino on cruise ships?

Historically, drinks have not been free to cruise ship casino gamblers the way they usually are in land-based casinos. There are exceptions, however.

Free drinks in the casino are a perk of casino loyalty on Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Princess, Holland America and Norwegian Cruise Line. Reach the required level, and you'll earn free drinks from the casino bar, usually for a full status year. Carnival, Princess and Virgin Voyages also often throw in free drinks (either in the casino or throughout the ship) for individual comped cruises. Everyone actively gambling in the casino gets free well drinks on Celebrity cruises.

In addition, drinks are free in the casinos of luxury cruise lines like Silversea, Seabourn and Regent Seven Seas because all onboard drinks are included in the cruise fare. On the big-ship lines, anyone who purchases a drinks package or cruises on a fare that includes drinks will also be drinking "free" in the casino.

Are cruise ship casinos regulated?

do all cruise ships have a casino

Cruise ship casinos are regulated in two ways. They typically adhere to the laws of the ship's country of registry. But because gambling normally only takes place while the ship is in international waters, cruise lines that sail from U.S. ports also adhere to the rules set out by the Cruise Lines International Association. Those rules state that all equipment purchased and installed on the vessels of member cruise lines will meet the regulatory standards of the Nevada Gaming Control Board or other licensed jurisdiction for payback and internal software.

Additionally, house rules must be made available in every casino. Each member cruise line is to post at every gaming table minimum and maximum betting limits for each game, and only adults are allowed to play the slots or the tables.

What's the age minimum to gamble in a cruise ship casino?

The minimum age for gambling in a cruise ship casino is 18 in most cases, but there are exceptions. MSC Cruises has a minimum gambling age of 21 on any cruise with a U.S. port; otherwise, the age is 18. Some cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, raise the minimum age to 21 on Alaska sailings.

Related: The 6 best cruise lines for young adults

Do ships run casino tournaments?

Cruise ship casinos on mainstream cruise lines often host tournaments on board featuring various casino games. The list includes slot tournaments, as well as card game tournaments for blackjack and Texas Hold 'em.

Some tournaments are invitational, offered to casino loyalty members of a certain level only. These are often held on cruises hosted specifically for players who have reached that level. For instance, Royal Caribbean holds Signature cruises designed to pamper and entertain these top-level players.

Can you smoke in the casino?

Casinos are often seen as the last bastion of cruise ship smoking freedom (beyond small, designated areas on deck). But the number of ships that offer nonsmoking casinos is steadily growing.

Celebrity Cruises does not allow smoking in its ships' casinos, and the relatively small casinos on luxury ships are generally nonsmoking, as well.

Several lines have hybrid options. For example, some Carnival ships have separate smoking and nonsmoking casinos. Norwegian has separate smoking rooms on some ships; however, cigarette smoking and e-cigarette use are allowed in casinos on ships that don't have separate smoking rooms. Princess does not allow smoking except at designated slot machines, and Holland America also has designated smoking areas in the casino.

Related: Is smoking allowed on cruise ships? A line-by-line guide

Do cruise ship casinos take cash?

do all cruise ships have a casino

Cruise ship casinos accept cash at both slot machines and table games. As an example, you can sit down at a slot machine and feed in a $20 bill, which is then converted into "credits" on the machine's screen. The value of the credit depends on the denomination of the machine. Alternatively, you might walk up to a roulette table and lay down $20 and exchange that for chips.

The exchange of cash at machines and tables is a one-way deal, even when you win. Slot machines and dealers in cruise ship casinos don't dispense cash. When you finish playing, you may be issued a paper credit slip to take to the cashier's cage for cash, or you may have your winnings loaded directly onto your onboard account on some cruise lines. At the tables, you will take chips to the cashier to exchange back into cash.

If you don't travel with cash, you can find ATMs in the casino or at guest services. Alternatives to cash in cruise ship casinos are paper credit slips, which can be played as cash at either machines or tables, onboard credit or casino free play loaded on your stateroom account, or lines of credit arranged with the casino.

You can also charge gambling money directly to your onboard account like you would charge a drink at a bar or anything else on board. Fees for gambling charges vary among cruise lines, but in most instances, table games charge a service fee, and slot machines do not.

For example, my husband recently requested money from his onboard account at a blackjack table and was charged a 5% surcharge. The ship we were on was not set up to charge onboard accounts directly from the slot machines (sometimes they are), so I had to go to the cashier for a credit slip to play. I was not charged a surcharge, although if I had asked for cash, I would have been. Both of our charges were added to our final onboard bill.

Because there is no fee added to money for slot play, onboard casinos will usually put rules in place about how quickly you can cash out of the machine. The rules are designed to keep cruisers from using slot machines as ATMs to get either cash for the table games or to cash out onboard credit they've been given from the cruise line or their travel agent.

Bottom line

If you like to gamble, cruise ship casinos provide a fun way to spend a sea day or evening on the ship. You can take lessons to learn the games you don't know how to play and even participate in tournaments.

Besides the fun of playing on board, many cruise lines have players clubs that offer onboard perks and even free cruises. And since the odds of winning are about the same as in a U.S. land-based casino, with similar regulations in place, cruise ship casinos are a safe bet for fun and entertainment — though we always encourage you to play responsibly.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

  • The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
  • A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
  • The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
  • The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
  • A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
  • 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
  • 15 ways cruisers waste money
  • The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

Cruise Ship Casinos: Everything You Need to Know

' src=

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. We may receive compensation when you purchase via my links at no cost to you. See my disclosure for more information.

Gambling is one of the most popular activities on a cruise ship. Whether you are just trying your luck or an avid poker player, cruise ship casinos offer a little of something for everyone.

Nearly every cruise ship offers a casino. But before you play, there are some essential things to know.

While cruise ship casinos share many similarities with land-based gaming centers, there are some essential differences.

From game selection to payouts, we’ll cover everything you need to know about cruise ship casinos.

Table of Contents

What to Expect from Cruise Ship Casinos?

Casino Royale onboard Ovation of the Seas

Cruise ship casinos closely resemble those found on land.

Many are styled after those found in Las Vegas or Atlantic City.

You’ll be greeted by flashing lights, dinging bells, cards shuffling, and drinks clinking when walking into the casino.

Each cruise ship has a different look and feels for its casino. Some provide a contemporary atmosphere, while others add a bit more creativity with Egyptian or Roman themes.

Walking around the casino feels a little claustrophobic. With limited space, cruise ships try to cram as many tables and slot machines as possible into the small area. But, once you find a seat, you won’t even notice.

What Are the Payouts?

Interior of the casino on large cruise ship Carnival Cruise Lines Carnival Conquest

In every casino, the odds always favor the house. And that’s is especially true at sea.

Payouts on cruise ships are far lower than on land.

On land, video poker games pay 9/6, or nine credits for a full house and six for a flush. But on a cruise ship, the payouts are lowered to 6/5.

For blackjack, it’s common to find that tables pay 6-to-5 instead of the usual 3-to-2.

Poker players will also be disappointed to find tables with a high rake (the “fee” paid by the winner to the house after each hand).

Because of the high rake, most poker players avoid cash games on cruise ships. It’s rare to find a cash game, even rarer to see a full table.

But thankfully, there are poker tournaments that offer lower fees to play (more on that later).

Gambling Age on a Cruise Ship

Casino Royal on Serenade of the Seas taken during our 2022 cruise to Alaska

On a cruise ship, the minimum gambling age is 18.

While the minimum age in most states is 21, cruise ship casinos often operate in international waters, which allows them to lower the gambling age to eighteen.

However, cruises to Alaska require passengers to be at least 21 years of age to gamble.

Cruise Ship Casino Games

Slot machines at the casino on Scarlet Lady

On a cruise ship, you’ll find plenty of traditional games, including:

  • Texas Hold ’em
  • Video Poker
  • Three Card Poker
  • “Skill Crane”
  • Coin Pusher (with quarters instead of tokens)

Despite the small size of the casinos, cruise ships offer a surprisingly wide range of games.

You’ll always find popular games like blackjack, roulette, and slots.

Many cruise lines also feature games not found on land. For example, the coin pusher is exactly like the arcade machines, but with quarters instead of tokens. Try your best to push the quarters over the edge and maybe a bill or two.

The “Skill Crane” puts a twist on a long-time favorite where you try to line up a key to its hole. If you’re successful, the key will pass through the hole, pushing over a stack of bills.

Casino Minimums for Table Games and Slot Machines

Cruise ship casinos offer plenty of low-stakes games with minimums of less than $5.

You’ll always find plenty of penny slot machines and table games starting at $5.

Which Cruise Lines Have Casinos?

Cruise Ship Casinos

Nearly every major cruise line offers casinos onboard their ships.

Mainstream cruise lines like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess, Holland America Line, MSC Cruises, and Costa Cruises have casinos onboard their vessels.

The only major brand that doesn’t offer casinos is Disney Cruise Line. Disney caters primarily to families and young kids, and you won’t find a casino on their vessels.

The other exception is Norwegian’s  Pride of America  cruise ship. The vessel sails year-round to Hawaii and is one of the only major cruise ships without a casino.

You’ll often find the casino in the middle of the ship, near the promenade or atrium.

Casino Hours of Operation

The Blackjack Table on Scarlet Lady. Blackjack on cruise ships have lower payouts of 6 to 5 rather than the usual 3 to 2.

Depending on the cruise ship’s location, the onboard casino may be regulated by several agencies.

Cruise lines follow a simple rule:  the casino is open while the ship is sailing.

When the ship is docked at the port, the casino is closed. It only opens later at night once the vessel has set sail, having left the port country’s jurisdiction.

As a rule, when the cruise ship is within three to twelve miles of the coastline, it will close the casino to comply with local gambling regulations.

However, there are two significant exceptions:

  • In Alaska, cruise ship casinos are permitted to open 3 miles after leaving port and must close three miles before reaching the next port of call.
  • The casino can remain open in countries with more relaxed gambling laws (such as Malta and Bermuda).

On sea days, the casino will be open most of the day. While the casino is available during the daytime, the table games might not be staffed during non-peak hours (early morning).

But there are always slot games and video poker while you wait.

Cruise Casino Loyalty Programs

A row of slot machines in the casino of the cruise ship Norwegian Gem

Most cruise lines offer casino loyalty programs. You’ll earn points when you play, which can be redeemed for drinks, discounts, and future cruises.

Smoking in the Casino

Smoking rules vary by cruise line, but you’ll find that most cruise ships permit smoking , at least in a small section of the casino.

Although smoking might be allowed, we generally find that the smoke smell isn’t overwhelming. But, if you’re sensitive to smoke, you might not feel comfortable gambling on a cruise ship. Even when smoking is reserved for a small section, the tiny casino means it’s hard to get away from the smell.

Tournaments

The WPT Poker Room on Scarlet Lady is home to several tournamets during sailing

You might find poker, blackjack, and slot tournaments during the cruise.

The tournaments usually occur on sea days during off-peak times (late morning or early afternoon.)

The tournaments are fun because they allow guests to win a large amount of money while only risking a small entry fee.

For poker players, tournaments are the best chance of winning any money at the tables. The cash game rake eats away so much money that most poker players avoid cash games at all costs.

Unlike cash games, there’s no rake in a poker tournament. For a small fee, players have a chance at winning a large pot of money or a free cruise.

Beginner Classes

Cruise ships provide an excellent place for beginners to learn in a comfortable environment. The casino staff is there to make sure guests have an enjoyable time. Their more than happy to assist if you’re new to a game.

Most casinos offer gaming lessons on the first few days of the cruise. During the class, a dealer will explain the game’s rules, basic strategy, and table etiquette.

Best of all, it doesn’t cost any money to learn.

The classes are great because they provide a quiet place to learn before real money games begin.

Cruise Ship Casino FAQs

Are drinks free in the casino.

Unlike land-based casinos, cruise ships don’t offer free drinks while you play.

You’ll have to pay for drinks, just as you would anywhere else on the ship. And the prices are the same.

You won’t need to go too far to find a bar. Cruise ship casinos have bars in the center or near the front of the venue.

Are There ATMs on the Ship?

If you need cash to play, there are ATMs on the ship. If there isn’t an ATM in the casino, you’ll usually find it beside guest services.

Just note that ATM fees on a ship are very high.

Do I Need Cash to Play?

You can use cash or your cruise card to play at the cruise ship casino.

Can I Play Using My Cruise Card?

You can play casino games using your cruise card. Simply swipe your card as you normally would when purchasing a drink or shopping on the ship.

Are Cruise Casinos Beginner Friendly?

The casino on cruise ships is beginner friendly. If it’s your first time in a casino, or you want to try a new game, the casino staff are more than happy to teach you the games.

We’ve also found that other passengers are always welcoming toward new players. Unlike large casinos, most passengers are not hardcore gamblers and are usually friendly toward new players.

Are there High Stakes Tables?

Very few cruise ships offer high-stakes tables. However, on some cruise lines, the pit boss may arrange a high-stakes game if enough players are willing to play a high-stakes game.

Will There be Penny Slots?

Yes, all cruise casinos have penny slots. Penny slots are one of the most popular game choices at the casino.

But be warned, many penny slots offer multiple variations, which could cost over $1 per spin.

Do Cruise Ships Have Poker Tournaments?

Most cruise ships offer poker tournaments during the cruise. After paying the buy-in, players can compete to win a prize ranging from cash to a free cruise.

On Royal Caribbean, the Texas Hold ’em tournament winners are eligible for a free cruise for two. The free cruise is where the final Royal Poker Tournament is held. With a guaranteed prize of $100,000.

Do Cruise Ships Have Blackjack Tournaments?

Yes, cruise ships have blackjack tournaments. Many of the tournaments allow passengers to rebuy if they lose.

While passengers who rebuy have a better chance of winning, you aren’t likely to win big unless you plan to rebuy several times.

Do Cruise Ships Have Slot Tournaments?

Is the cruise ship casino open 24/7.

No, while casino hours vary, the casino is usually open when the ship is at sea. The casino may open when docked at a port country that allows cruise casinos to operate, such as Malta and Bermuda. While at sea, the ship’s casino may stay open until 2 or 3 in the morning. And reopen around 11:00 am on sea days.

Are There Taxes on Casino Winnings?

There are taxes on casino winnings. All U.S. citizens must report casino winnings to the IRS regardless of where the winnings occur.

If you win $1,200 or more or win a table game with odds of 300-to-1, the cruise line will issue a W-2G form. A copy of the form is sent to the IRS and another to the winner.

Additionally, some cruise ship casinos will provide the option to have the taxes deducted from your winnings. Or, you can take the total amount and pay the taxes on your own.

Do Disney Cruise Ships Have a Casino?

Disney Cruise Line is the only mainstream cruise line that  does not  have casinos on its cruise ships.  Disney is best known for their family-friendly cruise vacations. You won’t find a casino on any vessel in their fleet.

' src=

Marcello De Lio

Leave a Reply Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Name  *

Email  *

Add Comment  *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Post Comment

how do I find out what lines pay 3/2 for a blackjack?

Some cruise lines offer the usual 3-2 payout for Blackjack, but only on the higher priced tables, usually $25 per hand or more. Princess Cruises and Carnival Cruises are two cruise lines that pay 3 to 2 at higher stakes tables.

Trending now

Man on a cruise connecting to Princess Cruises MedallionNet Internet on a laptop

do all cruise ships have a casino

  • Cruise Tips

Cruise Ship Casino: What You Need To Know Before You Play

by Gary Bembridge · December 12, 2022

Two things made me realise I wasn’t doing gambling on cruises right. First, videos by Brian Christopher , the popular YouTube slot machine gambler, called “Major win on the Open Seas: Carnival Cruise “, and “Triple Up Massive Win on Carnival” showing you can win a lot. Second when I met “ Jens Away Cruising ” who told me about the perks she gets, including free cruises, despite saying she doesn’t gamble much money.

I felt it was time to explore cruise ship casinos and find out why you and I aren’t getting all of this.

#1 All Cruise ships have casinos?

First off, most ocean cruise ships have casinos. Although, Norwegian’s Pride of America, Viking Ocean Cruise, Disney, and Azamara ships do not. Nor do most expedition ships and river cruises.

Those cruise ships that do have them will feature them as a highlight in high traffic areas, often involving walking through them to get to and from the theatre – to encourage us to stop and play.

Cruise Ship Casino: What You Need To Know Before You Play

#2 Differences to land-based casinos?

The more I explored, the more I came across nine key differences to the land-based casinos that I love going to in places such as Las Vegas.

The most important thing I discovered is that the odds in cruise casinos are worse than they are on land.

I’m not an aficionado on the details, but I found gambling blogs and cruise blogs like Cruzely had articles with the details.

They say that in Las Vegas casinos, while slot machines are likely to pay 90% or higher, it’s rumoured to be only about 80% on cruise ships.

In Blackjack, which my partner Mark plays a lot of, he noted when playing on land, if he bids $10 and gets blackjack, he’ll get $15. But on the ship, only gets $12. Roulette also has lower payouts.

So, professional hardcore gamblers don’t see ships as attractive, but as I discuss later, gambling on ships can be lucrative for a different reason.

First, a few more differences between ship and land casinos.

Cruise ship casinos – Table Minimums

The table minimums are much lower on ships, I have played for as little as $3 per bet. But I have also seen it change based on where I am sailing.

I was on a Cunard Transatlantic Crossing from the UK to the US and the table minimums were really low. $3 on Blackjack. Once we got to New York to head down to the Caribbean, it increased to $5 as more Americans boarded.

The biggest change I saw was travelling in Asia, we’d sailed up from Australia to Hong Kong with $5 minimums. Once we got to Hong Kong and there were more Chinese guests onboard, the table minimums ramped up dramatically to $10.

Cruise Ship Casino: What You Need To Know Before You Play

More sociable

Because of this, it is much more recreational and sociable than land casinos. I find it much less intimidating to play the tables on ships.

The other gamblers are more friendly and much more forgiving of people like me who don’t fully know and “follow” the rules of Blackjack, like when to stick and so on.

In Las Vegas, it’s a different story. People really get on your case if you’re not sticking to the rules.

To make it easier, the lines always run classes showing and reminding me how to play all the games.

They all put on tournaments which are great for less experienced gamblers like myself, where for a smallish flat fee, like when I was recently on a Queen Mary 2 Crossing, I took part in a roulette competition for $30 with a pile of chips, and earlier this year on Oceania Marina in a slot’s competition for the same amount.

The winner pocketed a couple of hundred dollars. Not me, unfortunately!

Cruise ship casinos – Not open 24/7

Unlike on land, cruise casinos are not open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Cruise ship casinos only open when cruising in international waters because of gambling regulations. So, if you are into gambling, cruises with sea days or those that leave ports early evening are best.

Even on sea days, while the slot machines will be open all day, the tables will have more restricted times unlike on land.

Age Difference

In most cruise casinos, passengers can gamble from the age of 18, versus 21 on land in the USA. Although, for many US departing or focused itineraries, like Alaska, and some of the Caribbean cruises like on MSC they stick to the 21 years.

Importantly though, on many cruise lines you can’t drink until 21, so you may not be able to drink in the casino.

Cruise Ship Casino: What You Need To Know Before You Play

Fewer Games

There are, of course, fewer games and fewer tables than in big land casinos

On cruise ships, I usually find four ways to gamble. Bingo, scratch cards, arcade games – like those coin pushers – and casino games, like slots and tables.

In terms of the tables, I always find Blackjack and some dealer-based poker games like Ultimate Texas Hold ‘em, and three card Caribbean Stud. I have not been on a cruise with regular poker games versus other guests, like the big tournaments on land. Though, I hear Norwegian and Royal Caribbean do sometimes. On most cruises it’s usually video poker game machines.

I do find a Roulette table on most and occasionally on the big ships a craps table. I’ve not seen Baccarat, but some do.

Sports gaming is not a big thing on cruises, yet. Although I found it on my recent Princess cruises on their App, which also has other games on it to play anywhere on the ship.

Cash or Cruise Card

The seventh key difference is I can use cash as on land, but I can also charge my gambling to my room via my cruise card.

And, some cruise lines even let me use my on-board credit to gamble, like when I was on Celebrity and Royal Caribbean, but not on Holland America. So, check if yours will.

To charge to my room, I put my cruise card in the slot machine and charge it. I’m not usually charged a fee. I avoid the on-board cash machines, as they have a big a fee to withdraw cash. I found if I charge when playing at a table, there also seems to be a fee.

Unlike in Las Vegas when I’ve finish playing, I print out a little slip which will shows my balance and I then put it in a machine to get the cash, on most cruise lines the balance goes onto my cruise card and must take my cruise card to the cashier and cash out.

The balance on the cruise card, does not offset my on-board account bill. It’s a separate thing. So, I must physically cash it out. Make sure you cash out on the last night so you don’t lose your money as it will not be refunded any other way.

Cruise Ship Casino: What You Need To Know Before You Play

Cruise ship casinos – Free Drinks

The next difference I noticed was no free drinks. In Las Vegas, waitresses come around offering free drinks. But I have found on most cruises, if I’m playing the slots, I start to earn some free drinks points and eventually earn some free drinks.

If playing on the tables, occasionally the pit boss might offer a round of drinks. But, generally speaking, there’s no free drinks.

One thing I discovered from T he Points Guy blog was if I had status with land-based casinos, I could get perks on a cruise, but not the other way around.

For example, if I had status with the MGM Rewards program, I could benefit on Royal Caribbean and Celebrity like discounts, onboard credits, and even complimentary cruises for the higher levels.

If I had Caesar rewards status, I could get discounts as high as 30% on Norwegian, Oceania and Regent Seven Seas.

Carnival would match my status with their Players Club Fund Match Program from any casino program.

#3 Similarities to land-based casinos?

Are the similarities to land-based casinos you may be asking by now?

Smoking unfortunately. Many casinos on cruise ships also allow smoking. It’s the one place that you can smoke indoors. Though it is changing with no smoking on my recent Celebrity, Cunard, Oceania, Regent Seven Seas, Silversea and Seabourn trips.

Another similarity, unfortunately, is if you’re from the US you have to pay tax, even though you are out at sea. Normally the cruise line – if you’ve got a big win like over $1,200 in a payout – will give you the normal IRS forms. The rest of it you’re supposed to declare. If you come from the UK or other places, you don’t need to pay taxes because they don’t tax gambling wins.

Another key similarity, and one that has proven to be a game changer for many, is cruise line casino loyalty programs.

Cruise Ship Casino: What You Need To Know Before You Play

#4 Loyalty programs and Free Cruises?

These are different to the normal cruise loyalty programs, and many cruisers, like Jens Away cruising I mentioned earlier, uses them to get perks, freebies, and cruises.

I had always assumed you had to gamble, and loose a lot of money, but Jen showed me this is not the case if you gamble smarter. And talking to a Casino Host on board confirmed what she said.

All lines appear to have these programs. The most popular include Royal Caribbean’s Club Royal Rewards Program , Celebrity’s Celebrity Blue Chip, Carnival’s Players Club , and the Norwegian group Casinos At Sea .

No matter how big or small a gambler you are, Jen and the Casino Host recommended I do the following:

First, go to the casino on the first night, as most cruise lines give free slot play to use on the first day or two, and second while there, seek out the casino host and speak to them. Ask what the program is, if I need to sign up, and how to get perks. Most simply, work through the cruise card.

While the line can track exact spend if I play slots, some is more judgement by the Casino Host observing how much I am playing on the tables – so being on their radar is important as the Cruise Host manages and decides and allocates perks during the cruise.

How much do I need to gamble to get free cruises?

I looked at Royal Caribbean, as an example, and to get a free Interior cabin, I needed to get to the Prime level. That’s 2,500 points, where I earn one point per $5 gambled. In theory I’d have to place $12,500 in bets in a year.

However, Jen does not gamble that much and still gets free and discounted cruise offers across various lines including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Holland America every single week.

She says gambles between $1,000 and $2,500 on a cruise. She’s now been on 50 cruises and tracks the cost if she had paid the going rate versus her actual total out of pocket, which includes her gambling, drinks and any on board spend. She’s calculated she’s paid less than a third in total of what the value of the cruises she’s been on – even included gambling losses.

You can read in full how she does this in detail, including her tips by line that you can view right here on my blog .

If you read that, you will see she stresses getting on the Casino Host’s radar and into whatever line’s program at the start, if you want to go down this route. She suggests on your first cruise, assuming you will gamble the cost of the cruise, again you don’t have to lose it just bet that amount as once you are in you seem to keep getting the offers. And they are constant.

Cruise Ship Casino: What You Need To Know Before You Play

#5 Gamble responsibly

When gambling, never gamble more than you can afford to lose. What Mark and I do is we go on board with what we call our “gambling fund”. We have an envelope with the amount of money that we are prepared to lose, we cash out every night and once it’s gone, we stop.

I have put links here for the gambling responsibly sites in the US and the UK if you do need help or it becomes an issue.

BECOME A TIPS FOR TRAVELLERS MEMBER ———————————————————— Become a Patron on Patreon and get perks:  https://www.patreon.com/tipsfortravellers

BUY MY CRUISE-THEMED T-SHIRTS ———————————————— Check out my T-Shirt range:  http://bit.ly/TFTStore

FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA ——————————————-

  • Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/garybembridge  
  • Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/tipsfortravellers  
  • Instagram:  http://www.instgram.com/garybembridge
  • LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/bembridge  
  • TikTok: @garybembridge

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Tags: blackjack card games casino cruise advice cruise holiday cruise ship casino cruise tips cruise vacation gambling las vegas roulette slots tips for travellers travel tips

' src=

Gary Bembridge

I grew up in Zimbabwe, but I have been based in London since 1987. My travel life spans more than three decades and that includes more than 95 cruises. In 2005, I launched Tips for Travellers to make it easy and fun for people to discover, plan and enjoy incredible cruise vacations. And the rest, as they say, is history. I have the largest cruise vlogger channel currently on YouTube, with more than 3 million video views per month.

You may also like...

How to Gamble on a cruise to unlock perks

How to Gamble on a cruise to unlock perks – How it really works by someone who does it

November 20, 2022

cruise ships port miami

Cruise Shutdown: What To Do About Cruise Bookings and Plans

April 1, 2020

do all cruise ships have a casino

7 Pieces Of Cruise Advice That Will Ruin Your Cruise

June 24, 2022

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

  • Next story  What I Found Celebrity Cruises Does Well and Badly Right Now
  • Previous story  8 Things You’d Didn’t Know You Needed To Know About Cunard!

Search Tips For Travellers

Most popular articles:.

I Test Out The VIP-Only Area On Norwegian Cruise Line: The Haven

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Email Address

MOST POPULAR PAGES

About Me

  • Need help? 1-888-751-7804 1-888-751-7804
  • Let Us Call You CALL ME
  • Drink Packages
  • Flights by Celebrity℠
  • Hotels by Celebrity
  • Manage Reservation
  • Shore Excursions
  • Upgrade with MoveUp

do all cruise ships have a casino

  • My Tier and Points
  • Join Captain's Club

Already booked? Sign in or create an account

  • South Korea
  • New Zealand
  • Grand Cayman
  • St. Maarten
  • U.S Virgin Islands
  • New England & Canada
  • Pacific Coast
  • Antarctic Ocean
  • Panama Canal
  • Transatlantic
  • Transpacific
  • Cruise Ports (+300)
  • Mediterranean
  • Perfect Day at CocoCay
  • All Inclusive
  • Bucket List Cruises
  • Cruise & Land Package
  • Groups & Events
  • New Cruises
  • Popular Cruises
  • Specialty Cruises
  • Destination Highlights
  • Group Excursions
  • Private Journeys
  • Shore Excursions Overview
  • Small Group Discoveries

CARIBBEAN GETAWAYS & WEEKEND CRUISES

  • 360° Virtual Tours
  • Celebrity Apex®
  • Celebrity Ascent℠ NEW
  • Celebrity Beyond℠ NEW
  • Celebrity Constellation®
  • Celebrity Edge®
  • Celebrity Eclipse®
  • Celebrity Equinox®
  • Celebrity Infinity®
  • Celebrity Millennium®
  • Celebrity Reflection®
  • Celebrity Silhouette®
  • Celebrity Solstice®
  • Celebrity Summit®
  • Celebrity Xcel℠ COMING SOON
  • Explore Edge Series

Galapagos Expedition Series

  • Celebrity Flora®
  • Celebrity Xpedition®
  • Celebrity Xploration®
  • The Retreat
  • All Suites. All Included
  • Iconic Suite
  • Penthouse Suite
  • Reflection Suite
  • Royal Suite
  • Signature Suite
  • Celebrity Suite
  • Aqua Sky Suite
  • Horizon Suite
  • Concierge Class
  • Galapagos Accommodations
  • Eat & Drink

Entertainment

  • Spa & Wellness

Introducing Celebrity Xcel℠

  • Cruising 101
  • Cruise Fare Options
  • Cruise Tips
  • First Time on a Cruise
  • What is Included on a Cruise
  • Future Cruise Vacations
  • Accessible Cruising
  • Captain's Club Rewards
  • Cruise Insurance
  • Flights by Celebrity
  • Healthy at Sea
  • Manage Cruise
  • The Celebrity Store
  • Travel Documents
  • Royal Caribbean International
  • Celebrity Cruises

CAPTAIN'S CLUB

  • Semi-Annual Sale - 75% Off 2nd Guest
  • 3rd and 4th Guests Sail Free
  • Galapagos 20% Savings + Free Flights
  • Resident Rates
  • Exciting Deals
  • View All Offers
  • All Included
  • Cruise & Land Packages
  • Dining Packages
  • Photo Packages
  • Wi-Fi Packages
  • View All Packages
  • Captain's Club Overview
  • Join the Club
  • Loyalty Exclusive Offers
  • Tiers & Benefits
  • Celebrity Cruises Visa Signature® Card

Semi-Annual Sale

Enjoy 75% off your second guest’s cruise fare and get bonus savings of up to $200. Plus, additional guests in your stateroom sail free on select sailings.

do all cruise ships have a casino

Table Games

Promotions & tournaments, blue chip club, mgm rewards partnership.

  • Winners & Events

Every Blue Chip member now has until July 31, 2024 to earn up to the next tier.

High stakes on the high seas.

Relax, recharge, and play the hottest slots and table games on a luxurious cruise vacation. Our casino offers a sophisticated ambiance and a captivating atmosphere that comes alive with plenty of action. Our world-class cruise ship casino offers custom limits, better odds across a variety of games, and a smoke-free environment. State-of-the-art technology meets the familiar games you love to play including over 2000 slot machines and over 150 table games and much more available across our fleet.

With late hours, action-packed casino cruise tournaments, and Lady Luck on your side, experience non-stop action available right on board your cruise and discover why our casino is where you play to win.

Please note: At least 50% of the funds downloaded from your account to a slot machine must be played. If less than 50% is played, the transfer of additional funds will be unavailable for the remainder of the voyage. The Casino is not responsible for any funds left unattended in slot machines.

Credit Application

Wire Transfer

Win/Loss Statement*

18+ (21+ in Alaska)

Shirt and Shoes Required

Environment

Cash & Credit Access

Guest using SeaPass cards backed by a credit card can use them to obtain chips and slot tickets for casino entertainment up to $5,000 USD per day (conditions and fees may apply). ATM located in the casino for a fee.

Apply for casino credit. Leave your cash at home. No fees. No interest.

For gaming guests seeking a convenient alternative to cash, lines of credit of $10,000 USD or more are available. To apply, visit celebrity.com/fortunes

WELCOME TO THE WINNER’S CIRCLE

Congratulations to all of our lucky players. The winner’s circle continues to expand with huge payouts and jackpots. From slots to table games and the most exciting tournaments at sea, the winnings keep growing. And, you could be our next. Here are a few of our lucky winners!

do all cruise ships have a casino

Nicholas F. winner of $14,000 aboard Celebrity Equinox

Davina G. winner of $19,273  aboard Celebrity Equinox

Gail L. winner of $18,906  aboard Celebrity Beyond

View All Winners

Casinos at sea.

Have a seat and try your hand at our popular card games. Exciting table games offered include Blackjack, Single-Deck Blackjack, Roulette, and Baccarat.

Play the newest, state-of-the-art slot machines at sea. Thrilling Slot Games Offered: Reel, Video, Video Poker with denominations starting at $0.01

Get ready for exciting action. Whether you're a novice or a serious player, you're sure to get lucky at our poker tables.

Join us for Blue Chip Club 2023 events and slot tournaments.

Bigger. Better. More Rewarding. Sail with the best casino benefits at sea.

Join Captain's Club and receive valuable offers and benefits through our MGM Rewards program.

Concierge From dining, show and tour reservations to tee times, spa appointments and everything in between.

Groups bachelor & bachelorette parties, small groups and more; we’ll make sure it’s a good time..

Questions? Call or email our casino and reservation specialists and they will help you find the answers you need Call ✆ (866)‐461‐7170 Email ✉︎ [email protected]

Luxurious Amenities

The Spa is the ahh-inspiring escape you deserve. A luxurious sanctuary inspired by nature and infused with its most restorative elements.

Experience ground breaking entertainment morning, noon, and late into the night. Eclectic, award-winning shows, live jazz concerts on the lawn, rooftop food, film events and more.

Bars & Lounges

All of our cruise bars are uniquely designed and feature diverse selections to match your mood. Revel into the wee hours at an array of bars or rendezvous in lounges serving up refreshing, handcrafted cocktails.

Why Sail with Celebrity

Culinary excellence.

Nothing compares to the taste of victory. Especially when you’re celebrating in a globally inspired restaurant collection, where every dish has been designed by our Michelin-starred chef.

Luxurious Accommodations

Relax, recharge, and experience the world in luxury. Our award-winning ships feature unparalleled accommodations, incredible service, and outstanding amenities.

Unforgettable Destinations

Take your sense of wonder to new heights with our in-depth itineraries. Stroll one of the most modern cities one day, and the next day, discover one of the world’s best kept secrets.

Frommer's - Home

Everything You Need to Know About Cruise Ship Casinos

By Laura Brothers

Cruiseline.com

While some cruise lines offer more games than others, blackjack, poker, roulette, and slots are standard on all ships except Silversea Cruises, which doesn't allow poker. Here’s what cruise lines offer in their casinos so you can take a gamble on your next cruise:

Get inspired banner image

  • All Regions
  • Australia & South Pacific
  • Caribbean & Atlantic
  • Central & South America
  • Middle East & Africa
  • North America
  • Washington, D.C.
  • San Francisco
  • New York City
  • Los Angeles
  • Arts & Culture
  • Beach & Water Sports
  • Local Experiences
  • Food & Drink
  • Outdoor & Adventure
  • National Parks
  • Winter Sports
  • Travelers with Disabilities
  • Family & Kids
  • All Slideshows
  • Hotel Deals
  • Car Rentals
  • Flight Alerts
  • Credit Cards & Loyalty Points
  • Cruise News
  • Entry Requirements & Customs
  • Car, Bus, Rail News
  • Money & Fees
  • Health, Insurance, Security
  • Packing & Luggage
  • -Arthur Frommer Online
  • -Passportable
  • Road Trip Guides
  • Alaska Made Easy
  • Great Vacation Ideas in the U.S.A.
  • Best of the Caribbean
  • Best of Mexico
  • Cruise Inspiration
  • Best Places to Go 2024
  • Port Overview
  • Transportation to the Port
  • Uber & Lyft to the Port
  • Dropping Off at the Port
  • Cruise Parking
  • Cruise Hotels
  • Hotels with Parking Deals
  • Uber & Lyft to the Ports
  • Things to Do
  • Cozumel Taxi Rates
  • Free Things to Do
  • Restaurants Near the Cruise Port
  • Hotels & Resorts With Day Passes
  • Closest Beaches to the Cruise Port
  • Tips For Visiting
  • Shore Excursions
  • Cruise Parking Discounts
  • Hotels with Shuttles
  • Which Airport Should I Use?
  • Transportation to the Ports
  • Dropping Off at the Ports
  • Fort Lauderdale Airport to Miami
  • Inexpensive Hotels
  • Hotels near the Port
  • Hotels With Shuttles
  • Budget Hotels
  • Carnival Tips
  • Drink Packages
  • Specialty Restaurants
  • Faster to the Fun
  • More Articles
  • CocoCay Tips
  • Norwegian Tips
  • Great Stirrup Cay
  • Harvest Caye
  • How to Get the Best Cruise Deal
  • Best Time to Book a Cruise
  • Best Websites to Book a Cruise
  • Cruises Under $300
  • Cruises Under $500
  • Spring Break Cruise Deals
  • Summer Cruise Deals
  • Alaskan Cruise Deals
  • 107 Cruise Secrets & Tips
  • Tips for First-Time Cruisers
  • What to Pack for a Cruise
  • What to Pack (Alaska)
  • Packing Checklist
  • Cruising with Kids
  • Passports & Birth Certificates
  • Bringing Alcohol
  • Cruising with a Disability
  • Duty-Free Shopping
  • Cruise Travel Insurance
  • Things to Do on a Cruise Ship
  • What Not to Do on a Ship
  • News & Articles

Cruzely.com | Everything Cruising

10 Major Ways Cruise Casinos Are Different From Traditional Casinos

If you take a cruise, then the odds are high that you’re going to end up spending at least a little time in the ship’s casino. While today’s cruise ships offer a ton of things to do and see, when it comes to late-night activities, there’s little on the ship that beats the draw of gambling.

And at first glance, the cruise ship casino looks the exact same as any casino you might see on land, just noticeably smaller. Walking in, you’ll see the familiar lights of the slot machine, hear the celebration of the craps table, and smell the familiar “smoky” smell that accompanies gambling.

But at closer look, casinos on cruise ships are noticeably different than what you’ll find on shore. Below, we’ve outlined what to expect about placing bets on a cruise ship and how it might be different than what you’re normally used to.

Cruise Ship Casinos Are Only Open Limited Hours

Casino closed on the ship

Head to a casino on land and it will always be open. Whether you want to gamble at 7 a.m. Christmas morning or 10 p.m. on a Saturday night, you’ll always find land-based casinos welcoming your business.

On a cruise ship, casinos offer limited hours. First, they are closed while the cruise ship is in ports of call, usually to adhere to local regulations. They are also closed in the mornings while the ship is underway. Most casinos will open late morning (typically around 11 a.m. local time) and stay open throughout the day and well into the next morning’s hours. If you’re an early-morning gambler then you’ll have to wait.

Also, if you like table games then you may have to wait to play, even if the casino is open. Games like craps where there aren’t always a large number of players often stay shuttered until later in the afternoon.

You Only Need to be 18 Years Old to Gamble

Want to head to Las Vegas? You need to be 21 to gamble. It’s the same age requirement in most land-based casinos in the United States (though not all). However, if you want to play on a cruise ship, then the minimum age required is just 18 years old .

Cruises Offer All the Normal Games… And Then Some

coin pusher machine on a cruise

Cruise ship casinos have all the games you would expect at any casino. This includes slot machines, video poker, blackjack, craps, and roulette. If you’re a fan of more obscure table games like pai gow, or a specific type of slot machine, then it’s unlikely the cruise ship will have it (although they do offer some variations).

What’s most interesting, however, is that there are some games offered on a cruise that you’d never find in a traditional casino. For instance, there are “skill crane” games you’d normally find in an arcade, but instead of offering a stuffed animal as a prize, it offers stacks of cash. Another game is the “coin pusher” game that drops coins in front of a lever in hopes of pushing cash and prizes over the edge.

Cruise Ship Minimums Are Low (Great for Low-Stakes Gamblers!)

Cruise casinos offer low minimums

Worried about blowing your budget? Well, it’s a risk at any casino, but the good news is that cruise ship casinos have low minimums. With only a few thousand people (at most) on the ship, the cruise lines don’t want to scare away potential gamblers with high stakes. Tables games will have $5 minimums, while penny slots are plentiful. If you want to bet more you certainly can, but if you just want to play without risking a lot, you’re in luck.

Cruise Ship Casinos Don’t Offer Free Drink Service

One of the hallmarks of gambling is the free drink service offered. As long as you’re playing, then land-based casinos are happy to keep you drinking. It’s totally different on a cruise ship.

Since alcohol is such a big revenue generator on cruises, there is no free cocktail service in the ship’s casino. There are bars, but you’ll need to buy your drinks unless you’re a pretty big player.

Smoking Is Allowed in the Ship’s Casino

When you first step on a cruise ship, you’ll learn quickly that smoking is prohibited just about everywhere. You can’t smoke in your cabin. Restaurants on the ship are non-smoking. And there’s no smoking in interior portions of the ship, unless it’s the casino. When you’re playing, smoking is perfectly fine (although that may change in the future).

So what if you’re a gambler who doesn’t like cigarette smoke? Your best bet is to either go during off-hours when the casino isn’t as busy, or try to find a spot away from any smokers. The good news is that the air filtration on ships is pretty good (especially on newer, more modern ships) so unless someone is smoking right next to you, it’s harder to notice.

Payouts Are Pretty Bad on Cruise Casinos

blackjack payout marker on carnival cruise

What happens when you mix a “captive” audience on a cruise ship with the only casino around? Poor payouts. We’ve written extensively about the payouts on cruise ship casinos. For example, you’ll find blackjack tables that pay 6-to-5 on blackjack instead of the traditional 3-to-2. Video poker machines typically offer low payouts (6/5 and 7/5 machines are the norm), and craps tables allow only 1X odds on your bet. You can click here for more details and examples . Just don’t expect friendly payouts, although it is possible to win big:

Some Cruise Lines Don’t Make It Easy to Cash Out

In a typical casino, if you want to cash out at a machine, you just hit the cash out button and a slip of paper with your balance is printed out. You can then take that ticket and put it into another machine or take it to a redemption machine and get your cash.

Some cruise lines make it more difficult to get your cash. You use your card to keep track of your balance and to cash out — but you have to go to the cashier’s desk to actually get money back. So if you put in $20 and hit a jackpot for $100, to cash out you’ll have to hit the cash out button, and then take your card and wait in line at the cashier to actually get money.

If you sail on a ship with the traditional ticket redemption machines, consider yourself lucky.

Tournaments Are Common on Cruise Ships

Love a good slot tournament? What about blackjack tournaments? No matter what your poison, there are tons of tournaments in the ship’s casino. They are usually cheap to enter — just $20 or so. And if you win, then you can get some cool prizes like cash or even a free cruise.

Best of all? With a limited number of people on the ship, you don’t have a ton of competition like you would in a large casino. In other words, your odds of winning are better than you would usually find in a regular casino.

Cruise Ship Casinos Actually Have Windows

Ever gambled in a casino with a view? Of course not. It’s an age-old tactic used by land-based casinos to limit the amount of natural light coming in to keep people playing longer instead of thinking about the time. Many cruise ship casinos offer plentiful windows running down the sides of the ship. And if you get a seat near one, you can have a great view of the passing water while playing. It’s a unique view for a casino and actually makes us want to stick around longer!

Popular: 39 Useful Things to Pack (17 You Wouldn't Think Of)

Read next: park & cruise hotels for every port in america, popular: 107 best cruise tips, secrets, tricks, and freebies, leave a reply cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Virgin Voyages Offering MONTH-Long Europe Cruises for Just $5K Per Person

12 major differences between royal caribbean and carnival cruise line, has royal caribbean canceled calls on labadee, haiti here’s what the cruise line says, hotels with cruise shuttles for every major port in america, 107 best cruise tips, tricks, secrets, and freebies, 39 useful things to pack for your cruise (including 17 you’d never think of).

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

cruise news

These Are the Ultimate Casino Cruise Ships

Doug Parker

Doug Parker

  • February 15, 2019

Carnival Breeze casino

Contents Show

Gambling in the casino is a popular cruise ship activity, with many of the major ships and cruise lines having onboard games as part of their adult entertainment. The most luxurious ships have casinos that rival those on the land in style, sophistication, and even size. Not everyone goes on these cruises exclusively for gambling, but the option is there for those who love taking “chances.”

Gambling on Cruise Ships

Cruise ship exterior

As mentioned, you can expect to find a casino on board most major cruise lines. The exceptions are Disney Cruise Line, Viking Cruises, and Voyages to Antiquity. Seabourn Cruise Line, Silversea Cruises, and Windstar Cruises may have casinos, but they are tiny, and many only include slot machines rather than table games.

If you want the full casino experience, you can find it on most ships from the Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, MSC Cruises, Princess Cruises and more.

When it comes to the rules of gambling, most cruise ship casinos only operate once the ship has left the port unless docked in countries where gambling is legal. Also, ship casinos are often not 24/7 — so, they usually have opening times in the day and shut down at some point in the night. The opening times will vary across ships and cruises.

Now let’s look at some of the best casinos on cruise ships. You can typically use both cash and cruise cards to play at them.

Allure of the Seas

Allure of the Seas aerial view

Each of the 25 cruise ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet has a Casino Royale, complete with French Riviera décor that will make you feel like you’re in Monte Carlo. The size of these casinos varies across ships, with the most notable on the Allure of the Seas — the company’s biggest cruise ship to date at 362 m in length and a capacity to carry 5,400 passengers.

The Allure of the Seas casino is a massive 18,000 sq ft, which is bigger than many land-based operations. Inside, you can find 500 slots with favorites like Wheel of Fortune, one of the best slot machines of all time, as well as video poker.

This casino also offers 27 table games, including roulette, blackjack, craps, and stud poker as well as scheduled events and tournaments. You can even get service straight to the tables!

When you finish gaming, you can continue your Vegas experience with one of the ship’s Broadway shows, such as Mamma Mia! or head out to one of the bars or restaurants.

Carnival Vista

Carnival cruises have always been big on nightlife and entertainment, and you can find casinos on board any of the fleet’s 25 ‘Fun Ships’. The most recent additions to the pack are the Carnival Vista , with a capacity of 3,900 people, and the Carnival Horizon,  both of which have sizeable casinos. The Vista , for example, has 217 machines and 22 gaming tables.

CARNIVAL VISTA LIDO DECK

Carnival casinos tend to be popular for slots, with guests spinning the wheels around 112 times every second across all cruises. The company also paid out $1 million in tournament prizes in one year, including an epic Monopoly tournament.

What makes casino gaming on Carnival ships unique is the rewards scheme, known as the Carnival Players Club. Promotions and offers are given away based on the frequency of cruises and games played. There are gaming lessons available for new players and high stakes games for more serious players.

As if you needed any more reason to consider Carnival Vista one of the top casino cruises, you can also get pizza delivery .

Casino Bar Carnival Horizon

Norwegian Escape

[Caption: There are 318 slot machines and 28 table games on the Norwegian Escape .]

Norwegian has a fleet of 15 ships, which between them have a total of 2,800 slot machines and 200 gaming tables. The biggest and most glamorous casinos are on the newer ships such as Escape , Getaway , and Breakaway . The new Bliss cruise ship, which started sailing in April 2018 , has two casinos — one for smokers and one for non-smokers.

The Escape has a total of 318 slots and 28 gaming tables, featuring classics like blackjack, craps, poker, and roulette, as well as Eastern delights like baccarat. Bets range from $5 to $5,000 for tables, and one cent to $100 for slots. If you want to go any higher, you’ll have to book out the VIP room, which accommodates the needs of high-rolling guests.

The Casinos At Sea Reward Program allows you to earn rewards for use on Norwegian cruises.

Casino at Sea slot machines

Queen Mary 2

Cunard’s flagship cruise ship functions as an ocean liner for transportation as well as running cruises. It is the largest ocean liner in the world and is full of entertainment, bars, swimming pools, a ballroom, and even the first at-sea planetarium. Plus, there’s a good casino, too.

Queen Mary 2 cruise ship

Although it’s quite small, the Queen Mary 2 casino offers an intimate atmosphere and a sophisticated-yet-casual gambling vibe. There are 99 slot machines as well as nine bespoke tables for games like roulette, blackjack, three-card poker, and Texas Hold ‘em.

What the casino lacks in size, it makes up for in elegance, and soon you will feel like James Bond in Monte Carlo. For beginners, there are also lessons available from experienced staff. Betting limits are reasonable here, and there are games at all levels up to around $500.

Which cruise ship casino is your favorite?

Recent Posts

  • Virgin Voyages launches back-to-back cruise packages catered to digital nomads

Royal Caribbean cabin steward arrested for hiding a camera in guest bathrooms

  • A cruise line will pay you to rate its casino; how you can apply

Carnival cruise passenger files lawsuit after being kicked by a wild donkey

Share this post, popular posts.

A donkey on the beach next to a Carnival cruise ship.

A look at Carnival Sunrise after its 2024 dry dock [PHOTOS]

A large cruise ship in the water near a forest at Bar Harbor.

Court decision supports restrictions on cruise ships in port

resilient lady bow virgin voyages

Delta passengers receive free cruise on flight from Atlanta to San Juan

A rendering of the Sun Princess on its maiden cruise in the ocean.

Sun Princess sets sail on maiden voyage

Cruise Radio header

Bringing you 15 years of cruise industry experience. Cruise Radio prioritizes well-balanced cruise news coverage and accurate reporting, paired with ship reviews and tips.  Learn more  about our team . 

Quick links

Cruise Radio, LLC © Copyright 2009-2024 | Website Designed By   Insider Perks, Inc

Carnival Home Page

  • Today's Deals
  • Sign Up & Save!

United States flag icon

  • Top Cruise Destinations
  • Alaska Cruises
  • Bahamas Cruises
  • Bermuda Cruises
  • Caribbean Cruises
  • Europe Cruises
  • Mexico Cruises
  • 1.800.764.7419

Never Miss a Cruise Deal

  • Thank you for signing up! 
  • Click here to learn more about our specials.

Have Fun. Be Safe

  • Health Protocols and Requirements for Sailing

Travel Documentation and Online Check-in

  • Travel Documents
  • Online Check-In

Getting There

  • Cruise Terminal Information and Parking
  • Airport and Pier Transportation
  • Air Information

Before You Board

  • Embarkation Day Check-In

Youth and Family

  • Youth Programs (Under 2 and 2-11 years old)
  • Teen Programs (12-17 years old)
  • Carnival's Seuss at Sea
  • Age Policies

Things to Know

Onboard experiences.

  • Shore - Excursions
  • Spa and Fitness
  • Outdoor Fun
  • Entertainment and Activities
  • For Your Convenience
  • Onboard Guidelines and Policies
  • Past Guest Recognition Programs

Onboard Celebrations

  • The Fun Shops
  • Special Occasions
  • Wedding Cruises and Vow Renewals

Dining and Beverages

  • Dining and Snacking Options
  • Dining Rooms
  • CHEERS! Beverage Program
  • Liquor and Beverage Policy

Onboard Communication

  • WI FI Service and Carnivals HUB App
  • Staying Connected

Money and Gratuities

  • Gratuities (Tips)
  • Sail & Sign Onboard Account
  • Forms of Payment
  • Cruise Cash/Bar/Photo
  • Financial Access

Shipboard Health and Safety

  • Passenger Bill of Rights
  • Guest Screening Policy
  • Safety and Security
  • Safety Briefing - Muster Station Drill
  • General Health Information
  • Privacy Notice
  • What to Pack
  • Cruise Ticket Contract
  • Carnival Vacation Protection
  • Guests with Disabilities
  • Choosing Your Cruise
  • Tech Support
  • Early Saver Promotion
  • Minors / Infants / Pregnancy
  • Making changes to your booking
  • Carnival EasyPay
  • Financing Powered by Uplift
  • US Department of State Travel Tips
  • And more things to know....

Debarkation - After Your Cruise

  • Preparing to Go Home
  • Post Cruise Inquiries

Casino and Carnival Players Club

Put your skills and a little luck to the test in Carnival's casinos! Guests must be 18 years of age or older to play the tables and the slot machines; guests under 18 years of age are not permitted in the casino at any time.

Tables and Slot Machines Our ships feature a variety of table games and slot machines including your favorite slots such as 'Wheel of Fortune®' and 'Wolf Run™'. . Please note - the number of table games and slot machines varies by ship.

  • Texas Hold 'Em
  • Three Card Poker
  • Let it Ride
  • Slot Machines in denominations of $0.01 to $10.00, with higher denominations on select cruises.
  • Cash is accepted at all tables and slot machines on cruises departing from North America and Europe.  On Australia cruises, all cash transactions are in AUD dollars only. 
  • Players will set up a Player Bank account in order to upload and download credits. Winnings must be cashed out from your Player Bank account at the Casino Cashier’s Desk by the last night of your cruise. You may also access these funds for continued gaming action at another slot machine.
  • Table players can exchange cash for chips directly at the table or at the Casino Cashier’s Desk.
  • There is no charge at the slot machines to access funds, but any transactions done at a table game or the Casino Cashier’s Desk will incur a nominal service fee of 3% each transaction. You can charge up to $5,000 USD per day on your Sail & Sign card to play iin the casino, or $7,500 USD per day for Invite-only cruises (Premier / Ultra / Premier Plus / Getaway / Tournaments) or $10,000 USD per day for Elite cruises. Please consult the casino staff once on board for further details.
  • Travelers Checks can be used to purchase chips at the tables and credit for the slot machines.
  • Slot Players:  Any guest who earns the required number of points during a single voyage departing from North America and Europe will be eligible to receive the 'Drinks On Us!' card. The standard point level that must be reached to qualify from slot play is 1,000 points on sailings less than 5 days and 1,500 points on sailings 5 days or longer. 
  • Table Players: Table players will be awarded a 'Drinks On Us!' card when they reach comparable table play. 

Please see the Casino Host on board for further details about our 'Drinks On Us!' program. I have received an offer in the mail/e-mail; can I use it on my cruise? To confirm eligibility of your offer visit carnival.com/offers , contact your travel agent or call 1-866-299-5859. Do you accept cash in the casino? Yes, we do. However, while you can insert cash into our machines, we run on a coin-less system. Therefore, your winnings and outstanding balances must be cashed out from your Player Bank at the Casino Cashier’s Desk. You may also access those funds for continued gaming action at another slot machine in the casino. Just don’t forget to cash out by the last night of the cruise, as the casino will not be open on debarkation day. Table players can exchange cash for chips directly at the table or at the Casino Cashier’s Desk.

Do you offer any tournaments on board? Yes we do. We offer Slot, Blackjack and Poker tournaments on nearly all itineraries. Tournament schedules vary from ship to ship. To play in or learn more about any of our tournaments, just stop by the casino and ask for one of our friendly Casino Hosts. They will be happy to help make the most of your casino experience during your cruise.

What types of games do you have on board? It varies by ship, but we offer a variety of slots and table games on board in each casino. On most ships, you’ll find your favorite slots such as 'Wheel of Fortune®' and 'Wolf Run™'. You will also find Blackjack, Roulette, Let It Ride, Caribbean Stud, Three Card Poker and Craps on most ships. What are your table limits? It varies by table; please see a Casino Host once on board for details. What are your minimum bets on the tables? It varies by table; please see your Casino Host for details. How old do you have to be to gamble on board? 18 years of age. Do you have live poker on board? On select ships, we offer live poker played on the automated PokerPro tables. In a PokerPro game, up to 10 players can compete against each other and enjoy the speed and accuracy of an automated dealer. To learn more about PokerPro, see the Casino Host.

What happens to my credits/points, FunPlay and Players Bank when sailing on a back-to back cruise?  The perks (FunPlay, Drinks On Us), credits/points and players bank do NOT roll over to the second cruise; the guest must cash out the last night prior to debarkation of the first cruise. Once the new voyage begins, the guest starts with a new bank and new set of perks (if applicable) and must cash out the last night prior to debarkation.  Can I use my onboard account (Sail & Sign card) to get funds in the casino? Yes, there is no charge at the slot machines for using your onboard account card to access funds. For any transactions done at a table game or the Casino Cashier’s Desk, there is a small service fee of 3% each transaction. You can charge on your Sail & Sign card to play in the casino as follows: 

  • Non-event cruises: $5,000 USD per day 
  • Invite-only cruises (Premier / Ultra / Premier Plus / Getaway / Tournaments):  $7,500 USD per day
  • Elite cruises:  $10,000 USD per day

I left a balance in my Player Bank - how do I get it back? Funds in excess of $25 USD will automatically be mailed to guests. The outstanding balance check takes anywhere from 8-10 weeks after the day of debarkation to arrive at your mailing address on file.  If the check is not received after the 10 weeks, please submit a new request to oceanplayersclub.com/contact/balance-request/ .  Ocean Players Club will review your case regarding the check. 

What happens if I take my casino chips home with me? Casino chips and tokens are only valid on board. Please ensure that these are cashed out prior to vessel debarkation. Any chips or tokens taken ashore are to be considered souvenirs and may not be valid on a subsequent cruise. If I win, do I have to pay taxes? We are required to file an IRS form W-2G for all slot jackpots of $1,200 USD or more and for all table game jackpots and payouts where the odds paid are 300 to1 or higher (e.g. some poker progressives and royal/straight flushes). There is normally no tax withheld on slot jackpots if the winner can provide a valid Social Security Number. If you are unable to provide a valid Social Security Number, however, we are required to withhold taxes at a rate of 29%. All table game payouts subject to tax reporting are also subject to withholding at a rate of 26% (29% if a valid Social Security Number cannot be provided). These tax guidelines are for citizens and permanent residents of the United States only. Do you provide Win/Loss Statements? Yes we do. To obtain a Win/Loss Statement, visit oceanplayersclub.com/contact/win-loss-report/  and choose ‘Request a Win/Loss Report’. This will be the only way to request this information – telephone requests will not be accepted. 

I have further questions about the casino, who can I contact? For further inquiries please visit carnivalplayersclub.com .

Was this answer helpful?

Answers others found helpful.

  • Sail & Sign Onboard Account
  • Table Sizes
  • Locations Where You Can Smoke
  • Laundry Service
  • For Your Eating Pleasure...
  • Enable Accessibility

User Picture

  • 00800 0310 21 21 1-855-577-9489 1-877-288-3037 1-877-288-3037 1-877-474-2969
  • | NCL Travel Blog">11-Reasons to Cruise to Alaska this Summer | NCL Travel Blog
  • | Norwegian Cruise Line">14-Day Authentic Alaska - Northbound Cruise Tour | Norwegian Cruise Line
  • | Deck Plans | Norwegian Cruise Line">14-Day Authentic Alaska - Southbound Cruise Tour | Deck Plans | Norwegian Cruise Line
  • | Norwegian Cruise Line">20-Day Transpacific from Tokyo (Yokohama) & Alaska | Norwegian Cruise Line
  • | NCL Travel Blog">11 Reasons to Cruise to Alaska this Summer | NCL Travel Blog
  • View All Results
  • Preferences
  • Latitudes Rewards
  • Special Offers
  • Personalised Recommendations
  • Make reservations before you cruise
  • 1 (current)

* Terms & Conditions Package not available on sailings less than 5 days or charter sailings.

  • 00800 0310 21 21

NCL Casinos At Seas Overview

  • Casinos At Sea
  • Slots & Table Games
  • Casino Promotions & Tournaments
  • Cash & Credit Access
  • Special Events
  • Cruise Certificate

CASINOS AT SEA

  • Email Sign Up For Special Offers
  • Phone Let Us Call You

freestyle choice promo

Save Your Slot At Sea.

freestyle choice promo

Future Cruise Discount + Norwegian's Free At Sea

  • 1. FREE Unlimited Open Bar
  • 2. FREE Shore Excursion Credits
  • 3. FREE Speciality Dining
  • 4. FREE WiFi
  • 5. FREE Friends & Family Sail Free

View Sailings

As the leader in cruise gaming, Casinos At Sea is dedicated to providing guests with only the best in class gaming experience as they travel around the globe. We've designed our casinos with comfort in mind so that you can relax and unwind from your hectic timetable whilst playing your favourite games. Equipped with the latest, greatest and most popular slots, you can bet there is a winning machine waiting for you. For table game players, ante up, double down or handle a hot pair of dice as you make your way to your next destination. Whatever you play, get ready to ride a winning streak!

Best of Gaming Winner 18 Years in a Row – Casino Player Magazine

Norwegian Cruise Line knows what casino players want. Exciting games, nonstop action, instant rewards. We've designed our casinos with comfort in mind so you can relax and unwind from your hectic schedule playing your favorite games. With over 2800 slots and nearly 200 table games across our fleet, there's something for everyone. Our international staff is available to cater to your every need. You'll see why Casinos At Sea is award winning and the leader in cruise ship gaming.

Award-Winning CASINOS AT SEA REWARDS

Cruise Casino Rewards

Get Lucky at Our SLOTS & TABLE GAMES

Cruise Casino

Play the latest, greatest and most popular reel and video slots, hybrids or video poker machines. With denominations ranging from 1¢ to $100, there is a winning machine waiting for your next hot streak.

Cruise Casino

Table Games

Ante up at the poker table, double down on a hand of blackjack or handle a hot pair of dice on the craps table. Whatever you play, get ready to ride a lucky streak. We offer table minimums from $5 to $5,000.

Tips and Tricks from Millionaire Makers Learn How to Play The Game

Cruise Casino

Whilst there are those who have already anticipated spending their days glued to the array of Casino games, there are many who come on board without much know-how or any idea of the fun that could be had. Here are our game recommendations for the Casino Beginners or for those who want to add a little more spice to their usual cruising experience.

So Easy to Play with CASH & CREDIT ACCESS

Cruise Casino

Cash is available at ATMs in our casinos throughout the fleet. Casino Credit is also available to players; the application process is easy and there is no fee to apply. The minimum application amount is $5,000.00 and a personal check is required onboard to activate the credit line.

Participate In SPECIAL EVENTS

Cruise Casino Events

Casinos At Sea special event cruises offer you more than just an opportunity to win big — it’s the chance to re-imagine your “play time” on board and on shore in breathtaking destinations.

Redeem Your CRUISE REWARD CERTIFICATE

Cruise Reward Certificate

You've received a Cruise Reward Certificate, what now? Let us fill you in on how the programme works, what's included and what you can expect to experience onboard.

Contact Our CASINO SPECIALISTS AND RESERVATION CENTRE

For casino information and reservations, contact a Casinos At Sea Cruise Specialists

9:00AM to 7:00PM EST Monday to Friday 1-877-PLAY NCL ( 00800 0310 21 21 )

For certificate award reservations, contact a Guest Service Representative

9:00AM to 9:00PM ES Monday to Friday & 10:30AM to 7:00PM EST Saturday and Sunday 1-877-742-9528

Other resources

  • Casino credit application form
  • Request win/loss Statement
  • SMS Programme & Privacy Policy

Things To Know:

spa

MUST TRY COCKTAILS

must try cocktails

  • 1-855-932-1711
  • My Account Hello Credits My Account Log out

do all cruise ships have a casino

Casino Action

Your Holland America Line ship’s Casino offers a wide array of gaming options. Whether you prefer slot machines or want to try your hand at blackjack or poker, our dealers and staff are available to provide complimentary instruction — and we offer many engaging tournament options. The Casino is only open at sea.

Casino Activities

People playing table games on cruise ship casinos.

Table Games

women playing slot machine

Paradise Lotto

Ships featuring casinos.

Visit the Casino on the following ships 

Onboard Activities

Each day on board offers delicious dining options, world-class entertainment and enriching activities.

Greenhouse Spa & Salon

Spoil yourself with a massage or other treats at the Greenhouse Spa & Salon®.

Onboard Shopping

Enjoy a wide variety of duty-free shopping onboard.

Fitness Center

Take a class in our professionally staffed Fitness Center.

Holland America Line Navigator

Personalize your cruise experience with our free mobile-friendly tool.

The Casino offers games for all levels.

Unleash your competitive spirit in our new family game room.

Movies On Board

Enjoy recent-release films in the movie theater on select ships or in the comfort of your stateroom.

Pickleball at Sea

Enjoy complimentary lessons, tournaments, and courts with amazing top-deck views.

Kids ages 3 to 17 can enjoy an array of activities. Registration required for children under 13.

The Best Party In Holland Is On Board

Pack your best orange outfits and accessories to show off on the dance floor. Wear your wild wigs, giant hats, boas and bowties—whatever you want, as long as it’s orange!

Onboard Cruise Activities | Holland America Line

There's so much to see and do onboard. Attend an engaging lecture, go to a wine tasting or simply relax and unwind.

  • CRUISE TIPS
  • Carnival Cruise Lines
  • Celebrity Cruise Line
  • Disney Cruise Line
  • Holland America Line
  • MSC Cruises
  • Norwegian Cruise Line
  • Princess Cruises
  • Royal Caribbean
  • Virgin Voyages
  • Windstar Cruises
  • Travel Deals
  • CRUISE SHIP TRACKER
  • Port Webcams

Logo

Whether or not there is a casino on a cruise ship is solely dependent upon the type of cruise line a customer has chosen. The majority of large cruise ships and even a few smaller ones feature an onboard casino. One exception, however, is Disney Cruise Line which does not permit a casino on any of its cruise ships. In addition, most riverboats and expedition ships do not have casinos present either.

Most cruise ship casinos feature the variety of slot machine options as well as table games, including poker games and blackjack that can be played against the dealer. Some ships even exhibit dealer-dealt tables while others favor the usage of electronic Poker Pro tables. Usually, there will at least be one roulette table and one craps table. Hardly ever will there be baccarat .

Penn slots are available on every cruise ship casinos, but the downside is that the variations offered are too many. Virtually, at 1 percent variation, the 1 cent bet can easily end up costing a customer more than $2 a go. As for high stakes gambling, only a limited number of cruise ships offer this option. On some ships, for example, if there is a sufficient amount of high rollers willing to play a high stakes game , the pit boss may allow the arrangement of the game. Although for the most part, the tables are limited. 

Allowance of Tournaments

Tournaments of some kind are usually offered on most cruise ships that feature casinos. Some of the common ones happen to be slot and blackjack. The majority of the tournaments are buy-ins. This means that you pay a certain amount to enter and then do not actually spend any money in the duration of the tournament itself. You can even benefit from a refer a friend promotion on some of the casino lines. Some cruise lines will even allow you to rebuy during blackjack and other poker tournaments. Hence, the winners tend to be whichever player is willing to keep rebuying. The winners are sometimes enabled to receive a free cruise for two where the final Poker tournament is held. The prize pool for the latter is 100,000$ guaranteed.

Ship Casino Working Hours

Cruise ship casinos are not open full-time. When the ship is out to sea or in port in a few selected countries, casinos open only then. And gambling obviously has to be permitted wherever the ship is stopped. On certain cruise ships , casinos are closed during the day as well. The reason for this is very simple, the owners of casinos know that people may be busy doing other things . Usually, casinos work during the nighttime and stay open until 2-3 AM. 

Age Restrictions

The minimum required age, on most cruise ships , tends to be 18. Although, some of the major casinos set the required age at 21. Often times, casinos are located in such a way that kids walking through or passing by will inevitably have a look, although they are not encouraged to linger around. Perhaps, the most effective solution to this problem would be the dislocation of casinos from the main thoroughfares. Checking with the travel agent and the cruise line before applying for gaming is always a good idea.

Options for Money

Finally, most cruises allow customers to use both cash and cruise cards.  At the table, however, cash will be turned into chips and the customers can be charged the price of the chips on their cruise cards. Although, most slot machines will only take the cruise card while some allow cash. A few numbers of ship casinos tend to be cash-only and some big ships will feature ATM despite the fee to withdraw being substantially high.

CruiseCompete-Logo

Related Articles

Msc drink packages guide (2024), your travel checklist should have these 10 things, viking expedition team discovers new penguin colony in antarctica.

cruise deals

Popular Categories

  • Oceans 1534
  • Cruise News 1304
  • Cruise Tips 347
  • Carnival Cruise Line 341
  • Travel News 283
  • River Cruises 228

cruise forums

© Copyright 2024 - Cruise Addicts

  • Affiliate Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Favorites & Watchlist Find a Cruise Cruise Deals Cruise Ships Destinations Manage My Cruise​ FAQ Perfect Day at CocoCay The World’s Biggest Weekend Crown & Anchor Society Cruising Guides Gift Cards Contact Us Royal Caribbean Group
  • Back to Main Menu
  • Search Cruises " id="rciHeaderSideNavSubmenu-2-1" class="headerSidenav__link" href="/cruises" target="_self"> Search Cruises
  • Cruise Deals
  • Weekend Cruises
  • Last Minute Cruises
  • Family Cruises​
  • 2024-2025 Cruises
  • All Cruise Ships " id="rciHeaderSideNavSubmenu-4-1" class="headerSidenav__link" href="/cruise-ships" target="_self"> All Cruise Ships
  • Cruise Dining
  • Onboard Activities
  • Cruise Rooms
  • The Cruise Experience
  • All Cruise Destinations " id="rciHeaderSideNavSubmenu-5-1" class="headerSidenav__link" href="/cruise-destinations" target="_self"> All Cruise Destinations
  • Cruise Ports
  • Shore Excursions
  • Perfect Day at CocoCay
  • Caribbean Cruises
  • Bahamas Cruises​
  • Alaska Cruises
  • European Cruises​
  • Mediterranean Cruises​
  • Cruise Planner
  • Book a Flight
  • Book a Hotel
  • Check-In for My Cruise
  • Required Travel Documents
  • Make a Payment
  • Redeem Cruise Credit
  • Update Guest Information
  • Beverage Packages​
  • Dining Packages​
  • Shore Excursions​
  • Transportation
  • Royal Gifts
  • All FAQs " id="rciHeaderSideNavSubmenu-7-1" class="headerSidenav__link" href="/faq" target="_self"> All FAQs
  • Boarding Requirements
  • Future Cruise Credit​
  • Travel Documents​
  • Check-in​ & Boarding Pass
  • Transportation​
  • Perfect Day at CocoCay​
  • Royal Caribbean
  • Celebrity Cruises

casino royale slot tournament friends RCL WN

GO BACK TO GUIDES 

Insiders Guide To Slot Tournaments: Details & Expectations

By Donna Heiderstadt | Published on March 7, 2024

If you're one of the millions of people whose favorite vacation pastime is playing casino slot machines, then a slot tournament at sea is for you. What could be more exciting than the opportunity to enter a tournament during your next cruise? While the chance to win a big jackpot is always possible when you play the slots, participating in a tournament is the icing on the cake: a chance to win a cash prize — plus earn the ultimate bragging rights to impress your friends in the tournament and back home.

Where is one of the most enjoyable and convenient places to participate in a tournament? If you guessed a cruise ship, then you're already a lucky winner. Here's why: You can board a Royal Caribbean cruise ship in one of several dozen ports around the world and within a matter of hours enjoy access to an expansive casino at sea that offers most of the play options you'll find at a land-based casino.

If slots are your preferred game and you'll be cruising with Royal Caribbean, you'll never have to ask, "Are there any slot tournaments near me?" They happen at least once per voyage in most  Casino Royales℠, the vibrant and buzzy gaming hall centrally located midship on all of the ships. Plus, Royal Caribbean has already added a new ship, and will add another, each with a cutting-edge Casino Royale, in 2024: Icon of the Seas ℠ and Utopia of the Seas℠ . Respectively, these mega-ships will rank as number one and number two on the list of the world's largest cruise ships. And yes, they will host tournaments.

Whether you're cruising the Caribbean during spring break with your kids, enjoying a romantic Mediterranean anniversary getaway for two or exploring the wilds of Alaska with extended family, Royal Caribbean slot tournaments add a lively and engaging social element to slots gaming. They are also guaranteed to bring out the competitor in you as you seek the title of slot tournament champion.

So what is a slot tournament on a cruise ship? First of all, it's a whole lot of fun. Imagine enthusiastic players seated at several rows of vividly lit, incessantly whirring and ringing machines, each determined to rack up the most points, and you get the picture. More importantly, these popular gaming events occur in multiple qualifying rounds and offer a chance for finalists to win big prizes. Times vary per tournament, but guests who enter have anywhere from 60 seconds to three minutes to rack up as many points as possible. The contestant who finishes first will move on to a final round. From there, a champion is crowned. If you're picturing excitement and cacophony, then you're correct: Those who enter the tournament smack the spin button while simultaneously tapping the screen for bonuses as fast as they can to collect as many points as possible, watching the leaderboard. They're cheered on by friends, family and fellow cruisers as the casino host counts down the time and announces the leaders. It's an adrenaline rush for all involved.

Navigator of the Seas Couple Enjoying the Slots

What To Expect In Casino Royale℠

casino royale slot tournament adult man RCL WN

A cruise ship casino is an adults-only oasis that's often one of the most dazzling spaces at sea — and Casino Royale outshines most. Occupying thousands of square feet, this gaming mecca is a prominent fixture of every ship in the fleet, and it comes alive each evening (and all day when at sea) with guests enjoying their preferred games. Some love the intensity of blackjack while others feel luckiest while rolling the dice at the craps table. Quite a few stroll around Casino Royale looking for their favorite slot machine until they find just the right one.

Fleetwide, the cruise line's ships feature more than 6,000 slot and video poker machines. The largest selection is available on Oasis Class ships — Oasis of the Seas ® , Allure of the Seas ® , Harmony of the Seas ® , Symphony of the Seas ® , Wonder of the Seas ® and soon Utopia of the Seas ℠ — which feature hundreds of individual slots. With the recent debut of Icon of the Seas ℠ , its Casino Royale features bar-top video poker and a high-limit area, along with more TV screens so guests can catch sports coverage as they play.

While enjoying your cruise, you might decide you want to learn how to play something beyond slots. Casino Royale has you covered. Complimentary lessons are offered for popular games such as baccarat, blackjack, craps, 3-Card Poker, roulette, Let it Ride and Ultimate Texas Hold’Em, and dealers can provide helpful instructions for playing slot and video poker machines as well.

Who Can Enter A Slot Tournament?

Friends Reel Slot Winning

When it's tourney time, the only requirements are being an adult member of Club Royale® (you automatically become a member by using your SeaPass® card to play in Casino Royale) and having a willingness to participate.

What if you've never entered a slot tournament before — or perhaps never even been on a cruise? No problem! You'll find plenty of first-timers among your fellow guests and players, with everyone eager to discover all the entertainment and great food that a Royal Caribbean vacation has to offer.

What should you expect? Think of a cruise ship as essentially the floating equivalent of a world-class resort with multiple restaurants, chic bars and lounges, pools, a spa and fitness center and some very cool onboard activities like waterslides, a rock-climbing wall and more. The bonus is that you also get to visit several tropical Caribbean islands, historic European cities or adventure-packed ports in Alaska rather than a single resort destination.

Add in a casino, and the stage is set for a vacation that offers multiple chances to win big while playing your favorite games. With a tournament in the mix, the thrills are next level and even spectators will have a blast.

Tournaments in Casino Royale attract adult players of all ages — although you must be 18 or older on most cruises and at least 21 on Alaska sailings — and experience doesn't matter. These exciting and friendly competitions are a great way to dive into the action, make new friends onboard and hopefully take home a coveted cash prize. Wooing Lady Luck has never been more fun.

When Are Tournaments Held?

Casino tournaments are typically hosted on sea days, which are days when the ship is at sea rather than docked in a port. Most cruises include at least one sea day, and sailings of seven nights or longer often feature two or more.

Days spent at sea onboard are the perfect time to relax and pursue your favorite passions: reading by the pool while sipping a piña colada, challenging yourself on the rock-climbing wall or taking a spin class in the fitness center. But if your idea of spinning involves a casino visit, know that Casino Royale will be open all day on sea days. Its also important to note that cruise ship casinos can only operate when in international waters, so they are closed while in port but generally open in the early evening about an hour or so after the ship has set sail. They also stay open late (typically until 2 a.m. or 3 a.m.), and on some itineraries Casino Royale even features 24-hour slots.

How Do Slot Tournaments Work?

If you're interested in trying your luck in a Royal Caribbean slot tournament, here's what you need to know.

First, you need to keep an eye out for qualifiers. These are the preliminary rounds that players of all skill levels are invited to participate in. On the first day of your cruise, check with the casino host for details.

Certain tournaments are invite-only and free, such as events for Club Royale members who have reached VIP status. In most cases, however, players are required to buy in at Casino Royale’s cash desk. What are they banking on? Usually a cash prize pool that varies based on participation.

The action is friendly but fierce as participants are seated next to one another at several rows of slot machines, all of which are set to tournament mode. The clock timer begins its countdown, and when it hits zero, players all begin to mash and max their bet buttons as fast as they can for the allotted time, typically several minutes. The goal? To earn the highest score.

As players fixate on their colorful, endlessly spinning screens, the tension is thick and the excitement is palpable. You have probably never seen anything like it.

Once players learn who has the top scores, the machines and countdown timers are reset and this spirited but intense head-to-head competition repeats for multiple rounds, depending on the number of players who have bought in. When all of the qualifying rounds are completed, the top scorers earn automatic entry into the final round with a chance to compete for cash prizes.

Sound like something that you’d enjoy? Anyone interested in getting in on the action can visit the casino host desk on their first day onboard for complete details and rules.

Top Strategies For Winning Play

Once you have signed up for a tournament , it’s important to know how to maximize your chances of winning.

Speed and concentration are the two top strategies, so getting plenty of rest, stretching and visiting the bathroom before your first round are key. It's also important not to get distracted, so avoid looking up at the scoreboard at the top of the machine. Seeing your name, whether it's listed in first place, fifth place or last place, won't help you focus on continually pushing the spin and max bet buttons and wagering across all pay lines. The more bonus features, winning reel combinations and completed spins before the countdown timer ends, the greater the chances of a high score.

Of course, luck — getting assigned to a lucky machine — plays a large role in achieving a high score, but technique and intensity are the equalizers that can help you surge past your competitors and be a top performer.

How many times can you play? Casino Royale allows players to have unlimited re-buys in its slot tournament, meaning you can buy back into as many rounds as you want.

What Can You Win?

While the cash prize pool for the top scorers and ultimate winner of any tournament in Casino Royale is determined by the total number of players who entered, there is always some level of cash prize — and top scorers during the qualifier rounds have a chance to win the most impressive amounts.

do all cruise ships have a casino

Written By DONNA HEIDERSTADT

Donna Heiderstadt, a New York City-based freelance writer and editor, specializes in covering the cruise market and is a contributor to ThePointsGuy.com, Islands.com, ShermansTravel.com, Fodors.com and other travel websites and publications. She has visited more than 95 countries and has taken more than 70 cruises.

Get Royal Deals, Sign Up Today

Sign up to receive information about our special offers and deals. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more details about how we use your information, view our Privacy Policy .

Related Articles

Friends Reel Slot Winning

How do Slot Tournaments Work? Details & Expectations | Royal Caribbean Cruises

Navigator of the Seas Casino Table Games

Benefits of Using Your SeaPass Card at Casino Royale | Royal Caribbean Cruises

Family at the WatersEdge Pool

What’s Free Onboard Icon of the Seas | Royal Caribbean Cruises

Harmony of the Seas Aerial View

Best Harmony of the Seas Restaurants | Royal Caribbean Cruises

EXPLORE MORE

The Ultimate Abyss Woman Sliding Down

My Personas

Code: ∅.

The Points Guy

What is a cruise ship muster drill?

MSN has partnered with The Points Guy for our coverage of credit card products. MSN and The Points Guy may receive a commission from card issuers.

No, not “mustard.” Muster. If you’ve been under the impression that this cruise ship staple involves condiments, listen up.

The mandatory muster drills — also known as cruise ship safety drills, safety briefings or lifeboat drills — serve to tell passengers all they need to know to stay safe on a cruise. They’re the cruise ship equivalent of school fire drills.

True emergencies are rare at sea, but it’s important for everyone on board to know what to do if an “abandon ship” order is given by the captain. That’s where a muster drill is helpful.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG’s cruise newsletter .

What is a muster drill on a cruise ship?

Cruise muster drills are mandatory safety briefings that all passengers must attend before the ship is allowed to sail. This applies even if you have cruised before.

The purpose of a cruise safety drill is to familiarize you with your assembly station, where you will gather in case of an emergency. Each passenger is assigned a station based on where their cabin is located, and each station has its own corresponding lifeboat.

During the drill, the crew will also tell you where to find your life jackets and demonstrate how to properly put them on in the event they’re needed.

The captain is also likely to make some announcements to go over general safety rules for the vessel (don’t throw anything overboard, don’t smoke except in designated areas, don’t run on the wet pool deck, hold handrails in rough seas, etc.) and demonstrate the emergency signal — seven short blasts, followed by one long blast on the ship’s alarm system, which can be ear-splitting.

Related: Cruise ship embarkation day do’s and don’ts

How are muster drills conducted?

For years, ships forced passengers to gather at the same designated time in large groups, either out on deck by their lifeboats or in an indoor space, such as the theater, casino or a lounge.

When the COVID-19 pandemic created a need for social distancing, most big-ship cruise lines developed virtual muster drills , which can either be watched on cabin televisions or via cruise lines’ mobile apps within a certain time frame after boarding.

As lines slowly rolled back their coronavirus protocols and returned ships to full capacity, two major companies — Norwegian Cruise Line and Disney Cruise Line — reverted to fully in-person drills, citing safety. Other major lines say they’ll continue to offer e-muster and claim there’s nothing unsafe about it; Norwegian has since reversed course and reinstated the popular e-muster drills after complaints. Check with your cruise line to see which type of drill is offered.

In cases where lines continue to conduct e-muster drills, passengers must report to their designated muster stations to check in with crew members waiting there. Some will conduct a life jacket demonstration in person; others will verify that you’ve watched any required instructional videos. All will either scan your keycard or take down your name or cabin number to confirm you’ve done your due diligence.

Regarding fully in-person drills, some lines conduct a version where everything is done in real-time. Others gather everyone to watch a video in the same place simultaneously.

Why do cruise ships have muster drills?

Cruise ships must conduct muster drills for all passengers on board before they are allowed to set sail. The purpose is to familiarize passengers with safety protocols and demonstrate what they must do in an emergency. Familiarizing them with the process beforehand eliminates an unnecessary layer of chaos and panic in the unlikely event of an emergency.

In 1914, Safety of Life at Sea regulations were implemented following the sinking of Titanic in 1912. Those familiar with the tragedy will know that so many died because there weren’t enough lifeboats on board. The senselessness of those deaths led officials to realize changes were needed.

SOLAS seeks to hold all vessels to a consistent standard of safety to avoid further loss of life in a similar situation. As such, the SOLAS rules have been amended many times. They originally stated that muster drills had to occur within 24 hours of sailaway.

In 2013, following the sinking of Costa Concordia in Italy, a new amendment was made. It went into effect in 2015 and declared that muster drills had to be completed before the ship left the dock or immediately upon leaving, rather than within 24 hours of departure.

Related: 21 tips and hacks that will make your first cruise go smoothly

What happens if I skip the muster drill on my cruise?

If you fail to report to your assigned muster station by the cutoff time, your name and cabin number will be reported to the vessel’s commanding officers, who will embarrass you by summoning you over the shipwide public address system.

There will likely be a makeup drill conducted for those who missed it the first time around, but in severe cases, those passengers will not be allowed to sail and could either be forced to disembark before the ship leaves or to depart in the next port of call.

For more cruise terminology, check out TPG’s glossary of common cruise terms .

Got more cruise questions? TPG has answers:

  • Man overboard: Why do people fall off cruise ships?
  • What is baked Alaska, and why is it paraded around cruise ships?
  • What are the largest cruise ships in the world?
  • What is a lido deck on a cruise ship?
  • What is tendering on a cruise ship?
  • What’s the difference between a cruise concierge and a butler?
  • What is a gentleman host on a cruise?
  • What is the Jones Act and how does it affect cruise ships?
  • What’s a cruise cabin guarantee and will it save you money?

SPONSORED:  With states reopening, enjoying a meal from a restaurant no longer just means curbside pickup.

And when you do spend on dining, you should use a credit card that will maximize your rewards and potentially even score special discounts. Thanks to temporary card bonuses and changes due to coronavirus, you may even be able to score a meal at your favorite restaurant for free. 

These are the best credit cards for dining out, taking out, and ordering in to maximize every meal purchase.

Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

What is a cruise ship muster drill?

Newspaper cover

Flip through today’s papers

amNewYork: New York City News: Latest Headlines, Videos & Pictures

AMNY Newsletter

Tackle the city, with our help..

Manage your settings.

Plug it in! NYC lawmakers want diesel-powered cruise ships to connect to shore power or leave

' src=

Fossil fuel-emitting cruise ships would have to walk the plank and abandon New York City ports unless they plug into clean shore power for energy, should a bill in the City Council become law .

Intro. 4 of 2024 , sponsored by Democratic City Council Members Alexa Avilés of Brooklyn and Erik Bottcher of Manhattan, would condition access to the city’s two cruise ports — located in the sponsors’ districts in Red Hook and Hell’s Kitchen — exclusively to operators that both connect to the electric grid instead of burning fossil fuels for power when in berth and create plans to mitigate traffic associated with cruise departures.

Over 1.3 million passengers embarked on cruises out of the Manhattan and Brooklyn terminals last year, bringing in about $420 million in economic activity to the city, according to the Economic Development Corporation (EDC), the quasi-public agency that oversees the city’s cruise terminals and ferry landings.

do all cruise ships have a casino

The Coney and a Casino with Paul Pippin

Schneps connects.

  • Google Play

But especially in Red Hook, locals say they are not feeling the benefits, only the downsides. When cruise ships berth in a harbor and don’t connect to shore power, they idle to retain power — burning diesel fuel in the process.

Due to their immense size, just one cruise ship idling in port emits as much carbon into the atmosphere as over 34,000 heavy-duty trucks, the bill’s sponsors say, plus large amounts of noxious sulfur dioxide.

What’s more, cruise ships also draw large amounts of traffic from both trucks supplying food, booze, and other goods aimed at creating a fantasy vacation for guests. Many oceangoers also arrive at the terminal by car, creating a traffic nightmare in Red Hook each time a ship is in dock.

Partially as a result of the cruises, both Council Districts 3 and 38, where the terminals are located, have above-average levels of air pollution compared to the city overall, according to Spatial Equity NYC . That’s particularly felt in Red Hook, where some residents see cruises as purely “extractive” without contributing to the community’s wellbeing.

“What we’re saying here is that the health of all New Yorkers should be the city’s first priority,” Avilés said at the hearing. “The Red Hook community has not seen economic benefit from this or any other cruise deal…we have seen a negative benefit, and that is traffic, unwieldy, businesses closing because workers can’t get there, honking, car crashes.”

Limits to ship power on shore

do all cruise ships have a casino

Brooklyn’s cruise terminal opened in 2006, and in 2017, it became the first cruise port on the East Coast to be outfitted with shore power capability. But the terminal’s shore power apparatus was designed specifically for the Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2 and Princess line ships, and even those only use it about 70% of the time. Other ships can’t use it at all.

That’s posed a significant problem since Mayor Eric Adams announced a $100 million deal to bring the MSC Meraviglia , one of the largest ships in the world, to port in Brooklyn year-round. The Meraviglia is over 1,000 feet long and 171,000 gross tons, has space for 5,500 passengers and 2,500 crew, and features 12 restaurants, 20 bars, a waterpark, and a Formula 1 simulator.

What it doesn’t have, however, is a shore power connection calibrated for Brooklyn’s plugin, so the Meraviglia powers itself by spewing fossil fuels into Red Hook’s air, which is also polluted by a concentration of last-mile trucking facilities .

Ship captains typically prefer to connect to shore power because it is less costly than burning fuel, the agency says. When they can’t, it can typically be blamed on inclement weather or issues with the electrical grid; ships are like a mini-city, and powering a cruise liner can sometimes mean Con Edison must “load shed,” or reduce power to other communities, especially in the summer high season when power demand is greatest.

EDC says it shares the goals of the sponsors of Intro 4, though it contends that it has worked out largely the same terms with the cruise companies in their operating deals while the industry itself has set voluntary targets for shore power capability.

“We absolutely share the Council’s goals of Introduction 4 and are committed to increasing the availability and utilization of shore power at both the Brooklyn and Manhattan cruise terminals, and improving traffic management within those local neighborhoods,” said Sabrina Lippman, senior vice president for portfolio management at EDC, at an oversight hearing on the topic at City Hall on Thursday.

Avilés, however, accused EDC of simply cowing to the cruise companies in adopting the industry’s self-set goal that all ships be equipped with shore power by 2035 .

“We work for the residents of New York City, not the cruise line operators that see billions of dollars of revenue that we don’t see any of,” said Avilés. “I think the 2035 deadline is too far out, and benefits the cruise line industry instead of New Yorkers.”

Meanwhile, Manhattan’s cruise terminal, which sees 10 times the passenger traffic as Brooklyn, is not shore power-equipped at all. The EDC is currently undertaking a feasibility study and is almost done with it, needing only a letter from Con Ed on the potential electrical needs.

Whether or not the terminal has the electrical infrastructure to handle shore power now, it would take many years and millions of dollars to equip the Manhattan port with the technology, the agency says.

A personal issue for Red Hook

do all cruise ships have a casino

Red Hook residents waited a long time for shore power to be fully effectual at the Brooklyn terminal, and have been disappointed to see it fail to live up to its potential since being installed. As such, many are advocating for the bill’s passage as a means to force the hand of EDC and the cruise ships.

“My son was 6 years old when the NYC EDC promised to bring life-saving shore power to the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal,” Adam Armstrong, member of Red Hook NY Rising and a longtime advocate for shore power. “That was a result of community activism that was urging the city to do something about the idling ships at the edge of our neighborhood. Today, next month, my son is 21, and that system is still not operating to its full potential and too many ships continue to idle, emitting dirty fossil fuels that harm our community and our planet.”

“We can no longer wait for the New York City Economic Development Corporation to fulfill promises that zero-emission shore power system will be fixed. We can no longer believe multi-billion dollar cruise companies’ vague commitments that they will connect to the system that we, residents and taxpayers, paid for and fought for.”

While Brooklyn was the first East Coast port to be equipped with shore power, the port of Miami — the world’s second-largest cruise port — expects to have a much larger shore power apparatus installed by the end of this year. The port of Seattle has had shore power since 2004. In California, all cruise ships were required to plug into shore power at Golden State ports starting last year, and all ships, including cargo vessels, are required to use it by 2027.

Although the mobile jib to allow shore power connection by the Meraviglia is expected to be done this year, according to EDC, the agency also noted that MSC is only docking at Brooklyn on a temporary basis, and eventually intends to move its port operations to Manhattan. Still, an MSC Cruises spokesperson said the company intends to connect to shore power in Brooklyn as soon as it’s feasible.

“MSC Cruises is deeply committed to prioritizing sustainability and minimizing our environmental footprint,” said MSC spokesperson Sutton Field. “We take great pride in sailing the shore-power equipped MSC Meraviglia from New York City, and our goal is to connect to shore power as soon as the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal is equipped with the capabilities necessary to accommodate all ships.”

The Meraviglia is the only ship using the Brooklyn port in the wintertime. It will berth in Brooklyn ten times through May, including on Sunday, after which other ships will join for the high season like the Queen Mary 2, the Island Princess, and the Silver Explorer.

About the Author

Things to do in nyc.

Post an Event

Join the library for a time of remembran

Remember the First Wave: A Pandemic Discussion and Film Screening Elmhurst Library

Join the Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC of

Purim Carnival Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC

Rain or Shine! Face painting, games, cra

Lou’s Helping Hand: 2nd Annual Easter Egg Hunt Annadale Park

Come down to Mt. Loretto on Saturday, Ma

Easter at the Mount Mount Loretto

Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster, and

Sesame Street Live! Say Hello Kings Theatre

When Dad feels like a little bit of Sund

Bluey’s Big Play Kings Theatre

View All Events…

Jobs in New York

Add your job.

  • DIABETIC FOOT CARE SERVICES Receptionist
  • Publishers Circulation Fulfillment, Inc Newspaper Delivery Driver- Early mornings – PT
  • YNH Logistics Truck driver

View all jobs…

do all cruise ships have a casino

Related Articles

Brooklyn shooting crime scene

More from around NYC

City Council Member Althea Stevens addresses the public at a town hall in Morris Heights on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, with council colleague Rita Joseph.

Week in Rewind: Bronxites push against education budget cuts, pols push energy efficiency legislation, Jewish photography displayed at Hostos Community College and more

iris

Victoria’s Secrets: Fond farewell, Iris

Young man packing a lot of clothes into one suitcase

Travel Hacks, Trends, Tips, and Gear for 2024 

Amida Care CEO Doug Wirth.

Op-Ed: Discriminatory Nassau County order shows importance of protecting trans rights

IMAGES

  1. Casino on Norwegian Escape Cruise Ship

    do all cruise ships have a casino

  2. Casino Royale on Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas Cruise Ship

    do all cruise ships have a casino

  3. Princess Casino on Royal Princess Cruise Ship

    do all cruise ships have a casino

  4. Casino Royale on Royal Caribbean Grandeur of the Seas Cruise Ship

    do all cruise ships have a casino

  5. Casino on Celebrity Infinity Cruise Ship

    do all cruise ships have a casino

  6. Casino on MSC Seaside Cruise Ship

    do all cruise ships have a casino

COMMENTS

  1. Cruise ship casinos: Everything you need to know about gambling at sea

    The minimum age for gambling in a cruise ship casino is 18 in most cases, but there are exceptions. MSC Cruises has a minimum gambling age of 21 on any cruise with a U.S. port; otherwise, the age is 18. Some cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, raise the minimum age to 21 on Alaska sailings.

  2. Cruise Ship Casino Gambling: Everything to Know Before You Bet

    April 18, 2023. When it comes to cruising, gambling in the ship's casino is one of the most popular activities. In fact, in the late evening it can be the busiest spot on the entire ship. Just about any cruise ship you sail will have a casino. If you want to play, then we have everything you should know.

  3. A Guide to Cruise Ship Casinos: What to Expect

    Slot Machine (Photo: Carnival) On most cruise ships, the minimum age to be in the casino is 18. Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Azamara raise that age to 21 on sailings in Alaska, while MSC raises ...

  4. Cruise Ship Casinos: Everything You Need To Know

    On a cruise ship, the minimum gambling age is 18. While the minimum age in most states is 21, cruise ship casinos often operate in international waters, which allows them to lower the gambling age to eighteen. However, cruises to Alaska require passengers to be at least 21 years of age to gamble.

  5. Cruise Ship Casinos: What To Know To Win Big

    Casino Currency and Payment Methods on Cruise Ships. As a cruise client, you can use your cruise card as a payment method. Casino services are included. This makes it easier to arrange everything. Also, some lines make their cruise ship casino payouts in cash. This is often relevant for penny slots. These are special machines that require ...

  6. Casino Cruise

    IT'S TOURNEY TIME. Whatever your game — slots, poker, or blackjack — Casino Royale℠ offers tournaments on almost every sailing where you can try your hand at winning it all. Once you're onboard, check your Cruise Compass or visit the Casino Host Desk for details about how to get in the hot seat. EXPLORE MORE.

  7. Cruise Ship Casino: What You Need To Know Before You Play

    Cruise ship casinos - Not open 24/7. Unlike on land, cruise casinos are not open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Cruise ship casinos only open when cruising in international waters because of gambling regulations. So, if you are into gambling, cruises with sea days or those that leave ports early evening are best.

  8. 12 Must-Have Cruise Casino Tips to Know Before You Play

    After the pool and dining room, arguably the most popular spot on a cruise ship is the casino. Cruise passengers love to gamble and (almost) every ship will have plenty of room dedicated to the casino. There you'll find a casino that rivals anything you'd find on land, albeit at a smaller scale. Still, you can play the slots, roll the dice, hope for blackjack, bet on black, and even play a few ...

  9. Casino Cruises: Luxury Casinos at Sea

    Relax, recharge, and play the hottest slots and table games on a luxurious cruise vacation. Our casino offers a sophisticated ambiance and a captivating atmosphere that comes alive with plenty of action. Our world-class cruise ship casino offers custom limits, better odds across a variety of games, and a smoke-free environment.

  10. Cruise Ship Casinos: All You Need to Know Before Boarding

    The Different Games Offered in a Cruise Ship Casino. The games in a cruise ship casino are similar to those in most land-based casinos. You'll find all the classics like blackjack, roulette, craps, and poker. There is usually a good selection of slot machines as well. The number of gaming tables and slots varies by ship but is typically limited.

  11. A Look At The 7 Biggest & Best Cruise Ship Casinos

    1. Allure of the Seas: 18,000 square feet. Image credit: Royal Caribbean. Royal Caribbean is one of the world's best cruise lines, with casinos operating on all seven seas. Their Oasis class ...

  12. Which Cruise Ships Have The Best Casinos?

    Cunard Cruise Line: Queen Mary 2 - While all ships operating under Cunard Cruise Line's umbrella has a casino, none compare to the Empire Casino aboard Queen Mary 2. The flagship of the Cunard line, Queen Mary 2 has a strict dress code within the casino. While the definition of smart is open to interpretation, the management would like ...

  13. Everything You Need to Know About Cruise Ship Casinos

    Disney Cruise Line: These ships do not have casinos. These ships do not have casinos. These ships do not have casinos. Holland America Line: Blackjack, roulette, craps, three-card poker, Texas Hold 'em, slots. $5 for table games; $1 for roulette, and Texas Hold 'em; penny slots.

  14. 10 Major Ways Cruise Casinos Are Different From Traditional Casinos

    On a cruise ship, casinos offer limited hours. First, they are closed while the cruise ship is in ports of call, usually to adhere to local regulations. They are also closed in the mornings while the ship is underway. Most casinos will open late morning (typically around 11 a.m. local time) and stay open throughout the day and well into the ...

  15. Casino

    All Royal Caribbean ships have Casino Royale onboard. How old do you have to be to play at the casinos? Guests must be at least 18 years of age or older to gamble in the casino, except for Alaska sailings, for which guests must be 21 years of age. ... All casino chips, tokens, VIVO and TITO tickets must be redeemed before the end of the cruise ...

  16. These Are the Ultimate Casino Cruise Ships

    Norwegian has a fleet of 15 ships, which between them have a total of 2,800 slot machines and 200 gaming tables. The biggest and most glamorous casinos are on the newer ships such as Escape ...

  17. Casino and Carnival Players Club

    Carnival Players Club is a unique casino program that offers something for every level of player. From gaming lessons for beginners to establishing credit lines and betting limits for high rollers, this is a club for anyone who loves to play. All members are eligible to receive benefits and special offers. The Carnival Players Club sends out ...

  18. Cruise with Casinos

    In our onboard casinos, naturally, the name of the game is FUN! But please do remember that there are certain rules we ask you to observe: Guests under the age of 18 aren't allowed in the casino. If the casino is a thoroughfare to another part of the ship, then children may pass through, but should not stay in the casino for any length of time.

  19. 5 Tips for Playing in a Cruise Ship Casino

    3. Smoking is part of the game. Photo by SIME / eStockPhoto. Though there are fewer places to smoke on cruise ships than ever before, casinos are one of the last holdouts. Most cruise ship casinos, with the exception of the luxury lines, have designated smoking areas for cigarette smokers; however, cigar lovers are rarely permitted to light up. 4.

  20. Do all Royal Caribbean ships have an onboard casino?

    866-562-7625. Email Your Questions. Locate a Travel Agent. Learn about casinos onboard Royal Caribbean Cruises.

  21. Casino Cruise

    Contact Our CASINO SPECIALISTS AND RESERVATION CENTER. For casino information and reservations, contact a Casinos At Sea Cruise Specialists. 9:00AM to 7:00PM EST. Monday to Friday. 1-877-PLAY NCL. (1-877-752-9625) For certificate award reservations, contact a Guest Service Representative.

  22. Casinos on Cruises

    Casino Action. Your Holland America Line ship's Casino offers a wide array of gaming options. Whether you prefer slot machines or want to try your hand at blackjack or poker, our dealers and staff are available to provide complimentary instruction — and we offer many engaging tournament options. The Casino is only open at sea.

  23. All About Cruise Ship Casinos

    The majority of large cruise ships and even a few smaller ones feature an onboard casino. One exception, however, is Disney Cruise Line which does not permit a casino on any of its cruise ships. In addition, most riverboats and expedition ships do not have casinos present either. Most cruise ship casinos feature the variety of slot machine ...

  24. Company Giving Free Cruise to Test Casino on New Princess Ship

    If you've ever wanted to have a free cruise while being given money to go to the casino and spend as much as $1,000, this is your lucky break. Casino.org is giving away an all-expenses paid trip ...

  25. Cruise Casino Dream Job: Win an $8k all-expense paid trip

    2. $500 will be given to spend at Sun Princess' record-breaking casino at sea; and an additional $500 cruise allowance 3. Participants must be 21 or over and have a valid passport

  26. See the Harrowing Footage of a Massive Wave Slamming into a Cruise Ship

    On average, cruise ships are around 1,000 feet in length and weigh between 70,000 to 180,000 tons. The typical passenger capacity of a cruise ship is around 3,000 guests, or somewhere between ...

  27. How do Slot Tournaments Work? Details & Expectations

    A cruise ship casino is an adults-only oasis that's often one of the most dazzling spaces at sea — and Casino Royale outshines most. Occupying thousands of square feet, this gaming mecca is a prominent fixture of every ship in the fleet, and it comes alive each evening (and all day when at sea) with guests enjoying their preferred games.

  28. What are cruise ship pilots, and what do they do?

    In ports in the U.S. and around the world, a pilot boards the ship 10 to 20 miles offshore via a pilot boat, which can be anywhere from 65 to 100 feet long. While on board, the pilot gives orders ...

  29. What is a cruise ship muster drill?

    Cruise muster drills are mandatory safety briefings that all passengers must attend before the ship is allowed to sail. This applies even if you have cruised before. The purpose of a cruise safety ...

  30. Plug it in! NYC lawmakers want diesel-powered cruise ships to connect

    Fossil fuel-emitting cruise ships would have to walk the plank and abandon New York City ports unless they plug into clean shore power for energy, should a bill in the City Council become law ...