Casino cruise ships are quite possibly the most entertaining, affordable, and luxurious vacation options on the market. These veritable floating cities are lavishly appointed with splendid staterooms, sumptuous dining, pulse-pounding activities, and an itinerary that is sure to keep passengers thoroughly immersed throughout. These glorious vessels adorn the ports of exotic islands, bringing thousands of passengers to foreign shores for the ultimate tourist adventure.
Those who know, relish the prospect of a cruise ship adventure replete with its on-board entertainment activities, not least of which are the sprawling casinos, filled with blackjack, baccarat, roulette, craps, and slot machine games galore. Vacations at sea have never been as exciting as they are today; regular cruisers have labelled these destinations the ultimate in relaxation and decadence, and rightly so.
We are about to take you aboard the world's most luxurious casino cruise ships so that you can experience first-hand what it's like to roll your golden arm at the craps tables, implement a winning blackjack strategy, pull the one-armed bandits, and enjoy casino gaming par excellence.
This is your lucky ticket to the 7 best casino cruise ships in the world. We are about to set sail with the world's premier casino cruise liners, and you've got front row tickets to the hottest action across the seven seas. Get your boarding ticket, your cruise ID, and make your way across the gangplank.
We’re going to join thousands of fellow passengers and crew members on an adventure you will never forget. Casino cruises are filled with slots, table games, poker games, casino tournaments, and blackjack games. With experienced casino dealers at the ready, all it takes is a combination of luck and skill to get into the swing of things. Drop off your luggage, and head over to the casino – that's where it all begins!
THE 7 BEST CASINO CRUISE SHIPS:
1. CUNARD QUEEN MARY 2 (QM2) CASINO CRUISE
The Cunard Queen Mary 2 casino is an absolute marvel to behold. Decked out in its signature burgundy hues, with a rich tapestry of colors, plush carpeting and mahogany woodwork; this casino is extraordinary to say the least. This casino cruise ship boasts an impressive array of table games, slot machine games, video poker, blackjack, and more. The veritable Empire Casino aboard the QM2 lives up to its namesake, with lavishly adorned furnishings and fittings, nattily-clad dealers, and an ambience that mirrors the best of the high-roller enclaves of Monte Carlo, Las Vegas, and Macau.
An array of video poker games by Game King, including Aces and Faces, Jacks or Better, and Jokers Wild are among the favorites by this game maker. Top slots like Shadow of the Panther, Dangerous Beauty, Pharaohs Fortune Golden Goddess, The Vanishing Act, Kitty Glitter, Quick Hit Diamond, Sky Rider, and Queen of the Wild 2, are but a few of the many fine games available at this prestigious casino. As one might expect, the casino hosts, dealers, and wait staff are professional, polished, and polite at all times - such is the majesty of being aboard the QM2 and its glorious casino.
*Entry to the casino is reserved for those of legal age only, in this case 18+. The Queen Mary 2 is a celebrated cruise ship catering to travelers who enjoy pure luxury.
2. CARNIVAL CONQUEST CASINO CRUISE
The Carnival Conquest is a sprawling red, white, and blue cruise ship owned and operated by Carnival Cruise lines. This fabulous vessel cruises to the Bahamas, in the Caribbean, with cruises between 2-5 days, and 6-9 days. It boasts an impressive array of bars including the SkyBox Sports Bar, RedFrog Rum Bar, and Guy’s Burger Joint, among others.
With thousands of guests in attendance, and 1150 onboard crew, it is a true floating city. The casino – Tahiti Casino – certainly impresses. With a festive appeal, reminiscent of the island-style appeal of Jamaica, Bermuda, and the Bahamas, Tahiti Casino showcases a unique motif, with intricate African artwork, pine wooden furniture, and a golden array of fixtures and furnishings.
Among the many top-tier games available to players are dozens of slot games. These include Sky Rider, Fire Rain, 50 Platinum, Lobster Mania 2, Bonus Bubbles, Mega Vault, Triple Wild, Hot Roll, and an array of Game King video poker games to enjoy.
The table games are spectacular, with a series of PokerPro games, Craps, Blackjack (dealer stands on soft 17), American Roulette, Ultimate Texas Hold'em, Three Card Poker, and more. As a Carnival Cruise passenger, you’re best served with your Sail & Sign card where you can join the Carnival Players Club for all sorts of great offers, invitations to exclusive events, and special benefits.
*Real money gambling games are reserved for legal age players aboard the Carnival Conquest ocean liner.
3. ROYAL CARIBBEAN ODYSSEY OF THE SEAS
There is so much press about the imminent launch of Royal Caribbean's Odyssey of the Seas, that we simply had to include it to whet your appetite for a casino cruise of note. Royal Caribbean ranks among the many premier cruise companies currently hogging the limelight.
Come 2020, the Odyssey of the Seas Will set sail from Fort Lauderdale, Florida on an epic maiden voyage across the Caribbean. Voted the best cruise line in the Caribbean for 16 years on the trot, and the best cruise line overall, it's hard to beat the pure decadence offered by Royal Caribbean and its fleet of majestic ships.
Given that this is arguably the finest ship in the fleet, players can expect to find a treasure trove of casino games available. These include:
Three Card Poker
Video Slots
and even lessons on how to play these games.
Top slots games include Mayan Chef, Quick Hit Blazing 7s, and Lil Red. Video poker games include Superstar Poker, and Jacks or Better, with Keno readily available on many ships. Fans of the ‘Little Wheel’ can enjoy American Roulette, and card players can bet on Multi-deck Blackjack games.
Blackjack pays 3:2 on Royal Caribbean cruise ships, with the dealer required to hit on soft 17s. Craps is the high roller favorite, and chances are it's going to be the mainstay of the Odyssey of the Seas. Royal Caribbean features a variety of blackjack tournaments, poker tournaments, and slots tournaments for fans.
Casino promotions are available on every voyage, with some pretty nifty prizes such as cruise vacation packages and VIP-style benefits. The Club Royale Events are available to members only and are dazzling to say the least. The casino rewards program can be enjoyed by simply using a SeaPass® card.
Benefits include point redemption for onboard expenses or FreePlay (T&C) at the casino, players can also enjoy complimentary drinks at the casino, discounts on Internet services, and much more. There are three room types on Royal Caribbean cruises, notably Interior, Balcony, and Grand Suite.
4. NORWEGIAN ESCAPE BY NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINES
Norwegian Escape is a juggernaut in the cruise ship industry. This iconic vessel was built in 2015 and boasts an overall length of 1069 feet, with a guest capacity of 4266 people. With a gross tonnage of 164,600 pounds, it easy to see why this one makes a big splash with cruise goers.
This new addition to the luxury cruise scene routinely travels to Bermuda, the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Canada, and New England. Norwegian Escape’s casino is decked out in shades of bronze, gold, and brown, with a splash of orange and grey thrown in for good measure. Plush and stylish, the casino features a Skyline Bar, a fine selection of casino tables, slots, video poker, and other games.
The casual look and feel of the casino blends perfectly with the destinations on the itinerary. Rows of slot machine games pepper the hallways throughout the casino, making it a highly enticing prospect for a casual gamer, or a high roller.
Top titles like the Black Widow, Wizard of Oz, Flintstones, Willy Wonka's Pure Imagination, Wheel of Fortune, Crazy Stars, and the ever-popular Las Vegas coin machine game are readily available to players. The casino occupies tremendous square footage on board the cruise ship, making it a popular choice for revelers. The Players Club is a great place for onboard guests to sign up for slots tournaments, blackjack tournaments, and Texas Hold'em tournaments, courtesy of Casinos at Sea.
The table games are certainly impressive, with beautifully decked out craps games with blue felt, with come, pass, don't pass, and line betting options available. Blackjack always reels in the crowds, and with an ocean-themed backdrop, the Norwegian Escape casino is just what the doctor ordered.
The all-new Casinos at Sea rewards program now includes 5 tiers: Jade, Pearl, Sapphire, Ruby, and Elite. As you advance from one level to the next, so you get to enjoy increasing benefits. The slot games begin from as low as $0.01 per coin all the way up to $100, with Vegas-style casino table games available from a minimum of $5, all the way up to $5000. Casino credit is also available to patrons, with starting minimums of $5000, and the only requirement is a personal check to get started.
5. OASIS OF THE SEAS CASINO ROYALE
Oasis of the Seas certainly cuts a fine form as it powers through turquoise waters, taking passengers to the most beautiful enclaves known to man. Casino Royale is where big things happen, with an impressive array of gaming tables that equals the best of what Las Vegas has to offer.
Set against an expansive golden backdrop of fixtures and furnishings, Casino Royale is every bit as exciting as its namesake suggests. Burgundy chairs adorn semicircle card tables across the casino, with fine games like blackjack (3:2), Craps, and poker variants aplenty.
This casino certainly impresses, with a huge amount of floor space dedicated to slot machine games, video poker games, casino card games, table games, and more. The feature-rich casino is festooned with ATM machines for quick & easy access to cash. Ticket redemption machines are conveniently located for quick and easy cashouts.
An exciting variety of casino games is available to players, including American Roulette, Cash Crane, Deal or No Deal, Wheel of Fortune, Power, Superstar Poker, Craps, Royal Slot, Lightning Poker, Paradise Lotto Games, Triple Double Stars, Triple Hot Ice, The Gold, Cleopatra 2, and The King and The Sword.
Slot machine games are divided up according to theme, with obsession slots, fantasy slots, action slots and much more. There are even a variety of penny slot machine games for players to enjoy, including Stonehenge, Wolf Run, and Wild Wolf.
Other games like Slingo, and Super Wild Cherry can all be found in the fabulous Casino Royale. The entrance to this spectacular entertainment paradise is filled with glitz and glam. Players are treated like royalty, and rightly so at the Oasis of the Seas Casino Royale.
6. MSC DIVINA AND CASINO VENEZIANO
The MSC Divina offers beautiful Mediterranean cruises for those wanting to visit Europe's most breathtaking locales. It also sails to the Bahamian Ocean Cay Marine, MSC Marine Reserve. The destinations include gorgeous sightseeing tours across Italy, Spain and France.
Staterooms include Royal suites, Executive and Family suites, Deluxe suites, and Regular suites. Other options include balconies, superfamily, ocean view rooms, and interior rooms. The MSC Divina is a monster-sized ship, with a capacity of 4345 passengers, 1388 crew members, and a gross tonnage of 139,072 tons. It cruises at an average speed of 18 kn, and a maximum speed of 23.75 kn. There are 18 decks on this ship which was inspired by Hollywood screen siren Sophia Loren.
MSC Divina's casino – Casino Veneziano - is quite stunning. The plush décor and mice en scene offer an altogether unique experience for players, with crystal chandeliers, gold, grey, and brown color configurations, and a delightfully opulent look and feel. Brushed nickel swivel chairs with faux leather seats, incandescent lights, and swank features set this casino apart from many others.
A variety of top-notch games is available to players including Game King favorites, Classic Winners, Paradise Lotto, Wheel of Fortune, Casino Lights, Multi-Game White Lion, and Reel Beast. The casino table games include multi hand blackjack, American Roulette, and others.
Casino Veneziano can seat 323 people, and it spans 1017 m², with its very own bar. Of course, there is much more to do besides casino games – there is also the 4D cinema, Pantheon Theatre, La Caramella, and the Galaxy Nightclub to round out the entertainment options on this absolutely gorgeous cruise ship.
7. ALLURE OF THE SEAS BY ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISE LINES
Royal Caribbean International has ramped up its fleet of ships for a spectacular sailing season in summer 2020. One of its most show-stopping vessels is none other than the bold Allure of the Seas. With many accolades to its credit, the ship is already regarded as the Best Individual Ship, and the Best Large Cruise Ship, by notable authorities in the industry.
A wealth of onboard experiences awaits travelers, with multiple bars and lounges, exciting dining opportunities, and a host of activities and shows that match the best of what Vegas has to offer. As part of the Casino Royale family, Allure of the Seas also boasts a world-class casino enclave for patrons. This includes a variety of themed slots, video poker games, classic slots, baccarat, blackjack card games, table games, and beyond.
Popular slots include Haywire Jackpots, Tabasco, Meltdown, Tiger 7s, Smoking 777, Big-Money Show, Madame, Glitz, and Wheel of Fortune. Other top slots like Triple Double Stars bring the appeal of classic slots to players on board, with single paylines and 3 reels of exciting slots action. These traditional slots feature the one-armed bandit lever, for that throwback appeal which so many players enjoy.
Other slots like Bonus Bells are filled with fun, with bars and 7s for players to enjoy. Super Stacks games are also included for added appeal. As for table games, players will find several exciting roulette games and blackjack games available. Immaculate decor is the order of the day at the casino, with leopard skin-style carpeting, interspersed with clubs, hearts, diamonds, and spades in red, gold, and black. It's an altogether uplifting and immersive experience at the casino, with affordable games for casual players, and high limit attractions for the casino whales.
The only thing left to do is to pick your favorite casino cruise ship from the list and make your booking for the most unbelievable holiday of a lifetime. Get ready to shake, rattle, and roll as you sail off into the sunset