If you enjoy dabbling in a bit of gambling or have always wanted to give casinos a go, but felt a little intimidated by those on land, then casinos on cruise ships are a fantastic way to spend some of your time at sea.
There are many similarities between casinos on cruise ships and those found in towns and cities. However, there are also some key differences. Below we share all you need to know about casinos onboard and gambling at sea.
What can I expect at a casino on a cruise ship?
Most of what you get in a land-based casino, you’ll find in a cruise casino, although the space is generally smaller. There’s the low lighting contrasted by the bright glow of the slots and electronic games, the excited gathering of people around poker and blackjack tables or the spinning roulette and bars serving a full menu of drinks to keep you refreshed.
Despite the typically low ceilings and the closely clustered games, the atmosphere is electric, buzzing with anticipation and the highs and lows of winning and losing.
What games will I find in a cruise ship casino?
Casinos on a cruise ship have all the usual gambling games and often others you may not have come across. Expect to find blackjack, poker and slot machines in cruise casinos, as well as roulette wheels and craps tables.
Poker games can include Texas Hold’em, Caribbean Stud, Three Card or Let It Ride, played against the dealer or sometimes in a tournament against other cruise guests. Sometimes, you’ll also find electronic poker machines.
Amongst the variety of slot machines, there’ll often be penny slots. Some ships even have bingo and lotto-style draws, and occasionally casinos play hands of baccarat or punto banco.
In casinos onboard MSC Cruise ships, you may find a less familiar casino game called Trente et Quarante or Rouge et Noir, a classic French card game from the 17th century.
Are there minimum bets?
There are minimum bets for cruise ship casino games. However, these are typically relatively low, making gambling at sea a beginner-friendly and affordable way to spend your time.
Minimum bets will vary per cruise line and game. Usually, you can expect $5 for card or table games, $1 for roulette and then there are your penny slots.
Do all cruise ships have casinos onboard?
Yes, nearly all cruise ships have casinos onboard. Disney Cruise Line is the exception, with no casinos on its vessels. Norwegian Cruise Line‘s Pride of America is another notable ship without a cruise casino.
It is also unusual to find cruise casinos on river or expedition cruise holidays.
Are the casinos on cruise ships open all the time?
Due to the variation in laws on casino gambling depending on what jurisdiction the ship is in, cruise ship casinos are only open when at sea. Therefore, if your cruise ship is in port, you will not be able to play.
During sea days, some cruise lines’ casinos are open all day. However, others choose to only open in the evening when guests are more likely to want to visit.
Closing time, again, depends on the cruise line, but you can certainly expect most to be open till the early hours.
Can I use onboard credit in the casino?
Yes, in most cases, you can buy chips to play in cruise ship casinos using your cruise card or by charging to your onboard account.
Some cruise lines have limits on how much you can charge per day. For example, casinos onboard Royal Caribbean and Celebrity cruise ships have a limit of $5,000.00 per day.
Casinos on Norwegian Cruise Line allow you to apply for Casino Credit also with a limit of up to $5,000.00. To activate this credit, you will need to go through personal checks.
You’ll also find ATMs on most cruise ships, allowing you to play using cash if you prefer. However, be sure to double-check the fees for these to avoid a worrying surprise, as they can be pretty high.
What age do I need to be to gamble in the casino?
On almost all cruise lines, the minimum gambling age is 18 years. But there are some exceptions:
On Alaska sailings, casinos on Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruises and Azamara Cruises have a minimum gambling age of 21. Meanwhile, in casinos onboard MSC Cruises, passengers must be over 21 to play when the itinerary includes a port in the USA.
Children are not allowed to be in the casino. If the casino is a thoroughfare to another area of the ship, they can pass through but should not stay there for any extended period.
Can I get free drinks in the casino?
Unfortunately, drinks in the casinos on cruise ships are usually only complimentary if you have free drinks as part of your onboard package. Otherwise, you will have to pay for them, the same as at any other onboard bar.
Occasionally, you may be offered free drinks when gambling, but this usually requires you to spend a lot of money! An alternative way to get free drinks in the cruise ship casino is to earn loyalty rewards.
