Casino cruises : Combining Travel and Gaming
Cruise ships provide a special opportunity for playing poker or simply wanting something different: their intimate atmosphere combines with the sounds of sea life to provide an unforgettable experience.
As well as casinos, cruise lines offer many other amenities such as rock-climbing walls, basketball courts, spa services, bingo games, movies, lectures, dance classes, ping pong, shuffleboard and nightly Las Vegas-style shows.
Game Variations
Experienced players of poker will know there are various variations, such as ace in the hole, three-card draw, five-card stud and poker jacks, which may be found aboard cruise ships.
Casino cruises are increasingly popular and provide a range of gaming opportunities; however, their quality may differ significantly between ships. Most casino cruise games tend to be short-term affairs that fit around other cruise events like live performances.
Some cruise lines specialize in poker and offer high-stakes tables to guests who seek an upscale gambling experience. Some ships even have dedicated sections of their casinos for these games; however, players should note that high-stakes tables typically move more quickly with lower payouts compared to traditional casinos; additionaly they often provide limited seating or cancellation due to being overcrowded or noisy environments on board the cruise ship casino.
Rules
Cruising offers a great way to combine travel and gaming. However, it is essential to be familiar with all the rules and regulations associated with cruise ship casinos prior to booking one – this includes knowing at what age you must be and which laws govern the waters where the vessel will travel through.
Cruise ship casino games usually fall under the jurisdiction of the country whose waters you are sailing in; however, this may change once your cruise docks at a port or enters territorial waters of another nation; in the US for instance, cruises cannot have casinos when operating within 12 miles of an American coastline or its waters.
If you have questions or require more information regarding gambling on a cruise ship, the Cruise Lines International Association offers more assistance. This organization specializes in regulations and policies regarding cruise ships as well as equipment maintenance checks and conducting internal audits; additionally they can be called upon for disputes that arise onboard.
Payouts
Casino games on cruise ships typically pay out in “credits” instead of actual cash, enabling players to feed $20 bills into slot machines that convert them to credits that can then be exchanged for chips – this helps avoid the house losing any money through these transactions.
Slot machines tend to dominate cruise ship casinos, yet table games remain a significant presence – including roulette – making them popular choices on board. Casino operators also provide loyalty programs where frequent gamblers can earn free cruises, meals, or perks in return for frequent wagering.
Not only do cruises offer poker, but many also provide other activities besides it – rock-climbing walls, basketball courts, spa services, ice skating rinks, bingo halls, lectures, movies and karaoke clubs are just a few examples of activities available on board a cruise – there is truly something for everyone no matter your age!
Security
Numerous cruise lines with casinos provide sessions designed specifically to assist novice players learn without fear of real money losses. Many sessions include casino credit that participants can use when entering the gaming room.
Most cruise ship casinos feature a vast array of slot machines and table games. Some provide cutting-edge Texas Hold’em games using Poker Pro touch screen tables while others will employ traditional dealer-dealt tables.
Casinos on cruise ships typically open for business during sailing days but close in port. A daily program typically lists casino opening times; similar information should also be found on any applicable apps available onboard the vessel.
Security on cruise ships resemble those found at airports, including metal detectors and x-raying of hand carried luggage. When entering gambling areas, guests may need to present ID. Frequent gamblers onboard cruise ships can earn loyalty points that can be redeemed for benefits such as future cruises.
