When cruising, the casino is often one of the most popular spots on the ship, right behind the pool and dining room. Many passengers are drawn to the excitement of gambling, and nearly every cruise ship dedicates ample space to its casino. These onboard casinos might be smaller than those on land, but they offer a comparable range of games. From slot machines and dice games to blackjack and roulette, you’ll find plenty to keep you entertained. However, cruise ship casinos have unique features that set them apart from their land-based counterparts. Here are some essential tips to help you make the most of your time in the cruise casino.
Where to Find the Casino
First things first, you need to know where to find the casino on your cruise ship. Interestingly, cruise casinos are almost always located in the same general area, regardless of the ship. Typically, they are found on three middle decks (often around decks 5-7 or 6-8) that house public areas such as bars, lounges, and shops. The casino is usually situated on the lowest of these decks, making it easily accessible yet not overly central to dominate the public space. This strategic placement ensures that the casino is close enough to the flow of traffic without making the entire area revolve around gambling.
Always Carry Your Keycard
Your room keycard is the most important item you can have on a cruise. It opens your cabin and serves as your onboard credit card. You use it to purchase drinks, souvenirs, and other items by simply scanning it, and the charges are added to your onboard account. In the casino, your keycard is also essential. You insert or tap it against a reader on the machine to track your play. Many cruise lines, such as Carnival, credit your account balance back onto your keycard instead of issuing a printed voucher. This means if you cash out with more than you started, the money goes onto your card, which you can use in other machines or cash out at the cashier.
Understanding Casino Payouts
No one expects to have an advantage over the house when they enter any casino, but cruise ship casinos can have even less favorable payouts. For example, low-limits blackjack generally pays 6-to-5 instead of the customary 3-to-2 (higher limits may offer better payouts). Craps games often have lower odds bets compared to those on land. Video poker machines vary, but finding the “9/6” machines that offer the least house edge is nearly impossible. While these payouts are in line with land-based trends favoring the house, it’s something to keep in mind when you’re playing on a cruise.
The Late-Night Casino Scene
If you’re wondering where the party is on a cruise ship late at night, it’s likely in the casino. While there’s plenty going on around the ship after dark, the casino becomes the main attraction after dinner and the evening show. It can get so busy that finding a machine might be tough, depending on the ship. So, if you’re looking for a lively place to hang out in the evenings, the casino is your best bet.
Unique Casino Games
Cruise ship casinos offer a mix of familiar games and a few unique ones. Alongside the usual slots and table games, you might find coin-pusher machines with folded cash on top to entice you to play, skill cranes where you try to grab a stack of cash instead of a stuffed animal, and the Keymaster game where you aim to position a key to unlock a prize. While these games seem based on skill, they are not entirely skill-based. For example, skill cranes can be adjusted to have enough power to grab a prize only occasionally. Coin-pusher machines often have hidden side slots where coins can fall instead of over the front edge. They’re fun to play but remember they are designed for the house to win.
Casino Games Classes
If you’ve ever wanted to learn a new game but felt intimidated, cruise ships offer beginner classes for games like blackjack and craps. These classes are typically scheduled about an hour before the table games open for the day, usually in the mid-morning. Check the ship’s daily planner for exact times. These classes allow you to learn the rules and strategies of the games in a stress-free environment without risking any money.
Drink Service and Packages
In most land-based casinos, free drinks are a staple for gamblers. This isn’t the case on cruise ships unless you’re playing enough to earn them as a perk. Instead, the waitstaff may take your drink orders, but you’ll be charged regular menu prices. However, if you have a drink package, it will work in the casino just as it does anywhere else on the ship. This way, you can enjoy your favorite beverages without paying extra while you gamble.
Smoking Policies
Smoking is heavily restricted on a cruise ship due to fire safety concerns. You can’t smoke in most places, including your cabin, public areas, and even many outdoor spots. However, smoking is typically allowed in cruise casinos. This is something to keep in mind whether you are a smoker or a non-smoker. If you smoke, it’s nice to have a designated area. If you don’t, be aware that the casino can become quite smoky, especially in the evenings when it’s busiest. Fortunately, many newer and larger ships are starting to offer dedicated non-smoking areas within the casino.
Watching Sports in the Casino
If you’re looking to catch a game while on your cruise, the casino is often the best place to do so. Cabin TVs usually have a limited selection of channels, and major sports networks like ESPN are rarely available. However, casinos often have bars with TV sets showing channels that aren’t available elsewhere on the ship. So, while you might not get the Sunday afternoon football games in your cabin, you can watch them in the casino bar. This setup allows you to enjoy a drink, watch the game, and even gamble while keeping an eye on the score.
Casino Tournaments
If you’re looking to get more play for your money, consider participating in casino tournaments. Many cruise casinos offer tournaments for slots and blackjack, where you pay an entry fee and compete for the highest score to win prizes. While tournaments aren’t for everyone, they provide an opportunity to enjoy extended playtime for a set fee, offering a different kind of excitement and value.
Earning Free Cruises and Perks
One of the biggest draws of casino gambling is the potential to earn perks and rewards. While it’s not quite the same as in Las Vegas, where you can get comped meals, show tickets, and rooms, cruise ship casinos do offer their own rewards. For example, Carnival’s Players Club offers perks for players who accumulate enough points. These perks can include free or discounted cruises, complimentary cabin gifts, free drinks, wi-fi, an exclusive cocktail party, and even top-tier loyalty status. Make sure to keep your keycard inserted to track your play and earn these rewards.
Age Limit for Gambling
If you’re under 21 and want to gamble on a cruise, you’re in luck. Unlike many land-based casinos where you must be 21 to play, cruise ship casinos typically allow you to gamble as long as you’re 18 years old. However, if you want to enjoy a drink while you play, you’ll need to be 21.
Final Thoughts
Cruise ship casinos offer a unique gambling experience with their own set of rules and features. By knowing what to expect and keeping these tips in mind, you can enhance your time in the casino and potentially come away with some great memories—and maybe even some winnings. Enjoy the excitement of the casino, but always remember to gamble responsibly.
