The MS Radiance of the Seas has a Vegas-style casino that is an impressive 6,459 square foot with 188 slots and 11 tables.
Cruise ships are a great place for players top enjoy some gambling while they are on a relaxing vacation at sea. With many of the leading cruise lines offering ships that have full casinos, players who enjoy the thrills of blackjack will find great games that can be played. The main difference between playing on a cruise ship as opposed to a land casino is the limitation of game variations. Since there is smaller floor space available, most cruise ships will only offer a single variation of blackjack, though there may be a few that have two or more variations depending on the size of the casino.
Cruise ship casinos open their gaming tables the moment the ship is three miles offshore, in international waters. Gamblers will find that he betting options on a cruise ship are relatively low, so high rollers may not be interested in betting. However, for the casual blackjack player, these cruise casinos offer a great way to enjoy some gabling action while on vacation. There are even themed cruises, where the focus is on gambling and these can offer more game variations and even tournaments that can be played aboard.
Best Cruises for Gambling & Blackjack
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. Most cruise ship passengers are on vacation to enjoy the cruise, and gambling is just one small piece of their trip. Therefore, the casino is competing with other shipboard activities. At one time, a cruise might be the first gaming exposure for many passengers.
Blackjack fans will want to make sure their selected cruise ship offers the game and below are the most popular ships for those that enjoy the thrills of blackjack.
Radiance of the Seas – Royal Caribbean
Destinations: Alaska, Australia/New Zealand, Transpacific, Hawaii
- Single and eight deck blackjack offered with a $5 minimum on both tables.
- Cruise offers blackjack tournaments.
More info:www.royalcaribbean.com
Voyager of the Seas – Royal Caribbean
Destinations: Asia, Australia/New Zealand
- 6 blackjack tables offered, 2 with single deck games.
- Small table limits, between $3 and $6. Two tables offer higher bets, ranging from $25 to $300 per hand.
More info:www.royalcaribbean.com
Carnival Fantasy – Carnival
Destinations: Bahamas, Caribbean
- Multiple blackjack tables with variations such as Face Up and Fun 21.
- Low game minimums for casual players with some higher limits up to $300 per hand.
More info:www.carnival.com
Norwegian Jewel – Norwegian
Destinations: Alaska, Mexican Riviera, Pacific Coastal
- 9 multi-deck blackjack tables with $5 minimums.
- One table offered for high rollers for bets from $100 to $2000.
More info:www.ncl.com
Norwegian Dawn – Norwegian
Destinations: Bermuda, Canada, New England, Caribbean
- Multiple tables with eight deck games and side bets, like Lucky Ladies and Wheel of Madness.
- High roller table reserved with minimums of $100.
More info:www.ncl.com
Five Important Tips for Playing on a Casino Cruise
Playing casino games on a cruise ship is not much different from playing at a land casino, but there are some slight differences to prepare for when sailing. The following tips will get gamblers ready for their onboard blackjack experience.
1. Plan gambling around the complete cruise itinerary. Always remember that all cruise ship casinos are closed when the boat is in port. There are some exceptions, such as in Bermuda and Nassau.
2. The casino will be open when in international waters, so those eager to play just have to wait for the boat to be between 3 and 12 nautical miles from shore.
3. Be ready to deal with smokers. Most of the cruise ships that offer a casino will have designated smoking areas and if the casino is small, smoking may be allowed everywhere in the casino. There may be some exceptions to cigar smoking.
4. Most casino games on a cruise ship are played by casual players. There are seldom card sharks or professional players on board, so prepare for a casual and relaxing experience at the tables.
5. Watch for themed cruises where a major focus is on gambling. These are the cruises that will offer blackjack tournaments and special events throughout the cruise that will make onboard gambling even more exciting and rewarding.
Sun, Aug 14, 9:14am by Staff Writer
As part of a package of economic initiatives designed to increase tourism throughout Western Australia, the state government has authorized cruise ships to offer casino gambling.
Although full-fledged ‘casino cruises’ – in which the primary source of onboard entertainment is gambling – will still be banned, WA will now permit games like blackjack, baccarat, and roulette as ‘ancillary services’.
According to WA Premier and Tourism Minister Colin Barnett, who assumed his current post in April, clarified the state government’s reasoning for reversing the longstanding prohibition on cruise ship gambling in an interview with Business News Western Australia:
“The number of cruise ships coming to Fremantle has more than tripled, since 2012-13, when 17 chips brought 49,000 passengers to the port city. In 2015-26, 58 ships berthed at Fremantle with 152,000 passengers,” he said.
“Lifting these gaming restrictions will make the state more attractive as a destination for cruise companies, which generate more than $275 million for the local economy.”
Colin Holt, WA gaming minister, clarified the legislative process behind lifting the ban, stating that an existing provision mandating that gambling occur only on ‘deepwater cruises’ would remain in effect, combined with a new provision requiring casino gambling to act as an ancillary service only.
As Barnett explained, the deepwater provision limits casino gambling to cruise ships travelling within 12 nautical miles of the coastline, along with vessels travelling between the state’s system of ports.
Casino gambling on a cruise ship is typically offered in a special room or area onboard, with trained dealers operating genuine table games while passengers wager real money on games of chance and skill. Many cruise lines also promote poker-based voyages, with players gathering nightly for tournaments and cash games, while participating in instructional courses and lessons during the day.
In order to effect the recent changes to WA law, the state government collaborated with James Packer and his Crown casino empire, as Crown owns the exclusive rights to operate gambling enterprises within 200 miles of Perth.
In April, when Barnett announced his ambitious plan to modernize WA’s casino cruise laws, Crown’s chief executive of Australian resorts Barry Felstead expressed his support.
“Crown has always been a big supporter of anything that’s good for tourism in WA.”
At that time, Barnett clarified the intent of new laws, while making mention of the fact that WA remained the only state in Australia with similar restrictions on the books:
“What we wouldn’t allow was a sham operation, a ship that just goes out to the back of Rottnest, puts an anchor down and has a casino running. It would have to be a genuine cruise, where the casino is just a regular part of the entertainment offering.
“I think if people go on a cruise, they expect there to be a casino, they expect it to be open, and why not?”
The rollback on cruise ship gambling restrictions was made as part of WA’s wider effort to boost tourism throughout the state. Another law forbidding tourism-based business from serving alcohol to visitor on tours without a license was also rescinded.
Galveston Casino Gambling Cruise Ship
Barnett pointed to the potential loss in revenue WA has suffered by disallowing tour companies from serving alcohol.
“This has placed restrictions on tourism operators from providing customers with a beer or wine while watching the sun set, or sitting around a campfire at the end of an adventure tour.”
The state government also signed a $7.2 million deal with Qantas Airways, as the airline partnered with Tourism WA to promote the area’s destinations to interstate and international travelers.
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