Casino Cruises

Today's cruise ship industry is estimated to be worth in excess of $15 billion annually and growing fast. And though casino cruises are immensely popular around the world, the leading cruise line companies are mainly based in the United Sates and Great Britain.

The variety of gambling cruises includes luxury and budget cruises, ocean and river cruises, as well as day and night cruises. Also, like regular land-based casinos, today's gambling cruises are luxuriously designed with all the finest amenities. At one time, cruises were one of the few places gamblers could find casino games in the USA outside of Las Vegas and Atlantic City.

History of Gambling Cruises
In the early casino cruising days, ships would leave their ports and the casinos onboard would open the moment the boat was three miles (5 km) offshore within international waters. The 3-mile limit was established as the US boundary in the 20th Century. At the time, three miles was the furthest distance cannons could fire from shore.

Today's cruise ships, ranging from luxury to mainstream, are being built bigger than ever before and most feature very elaborate onboard casinos. Also, while many passengers book their cruises for reasons other than gambling, others see gambling an essential part of the entire cruise experience. One of the best parts about gambling on the water is that, compared to say Las Vegas, dealers on cruise ships - and other casino staff members - tend to be more patient and willing to assist beginner gamblers.

Dining & Entertainment
Today's modern cruise liners are literally floating resorts. And even if you have never been on a cruise before, you can probably imagine, at least to a degree, how much fun and excitement is provided to guests onboard. Remember the Love Boat television program? OK, not a great example. Nevertheless, what you can expect to find onboard is constant amusement and superb dining, day and night.

Of course there's no end to what cruise ships deliver in the way of food. The menus are as varied as the ships themselves and guests can expect everything from casual snacks to some of the finest cuisine both on and offshore.

During the day, entertainment on ships covers the entire range including everything from bingo to pool-side dancing and wine tasting. Come evening, the larger ships typically feature live entertainment in as many as 10 or more venues. Song-and-dance performances, stand-up comics, magicians, plenty of novelty acts - plus loads of opportunities for dancing - are just some of the typical forms of entertainment you'll find on cruise ships.

Leading Cruise Line Companies
Carnival Cruise Lines is the largest cruise ship operator in the world and includes the group's affiliates Cunard Line, Costa Cruises, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Windstar Cruises, and the Yachts of Seabourn. The Carnival Freedom ranks as the largest vessel in the Carnival Fleet, while three new ships are scheduled to be launched between now and 2009. They include the Carnival Splendor, the Carnival Dream, and the Carnival Magic. Carnival ships are famous for their Vegas-like design and entertainment.

Other leading cruise line companies include Crystal Cruises whose ships include Caesars At Sea, styled after Vegas' famous Las casino, as well as the Crystal Symphony and Crystal Harmony. Most casino cruise ships offer standard casino games like blackjack, baccarat, roulette, craps and, of course, plenty of slot machines.

More Cruise Companies
Carnival Cruise Lines
Celebrity Cruises
Costa Cruises
Crystal Cruises
Cunard Line
Disney Cruise Line
Grand Princes
Ocean Princess
Holland America
MSC Cruises
Norwegian Cruise Line
Oceania Cruises
Orient Lines
Princess Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Royal Caribbean
Seabourn Cruise Line
Silversea Cruises
Uniworld Grand River Cruises
Windstar Cruises

PrintSend to friend