Is There A Casino Loyalty Club Through Which I Can Earn Points And Perks
Most big ship casinos offer a loyalty program that is separate from the general cruise line loyalty program. As you bet money, you earn points toward rewards, usually free drinks and cruise sailings. You have to bet a lot of money to rack up a significant number of points, so don’t gamble in the casino just to try and earn rewards; you’ll end up spending more money than the reward is worth. The rewards you earn on one cruise ship do not always transfer to another ship, even within the same fleet. If earning casino points on multiple cruise ships is important to you, check with the cruise line ahead of time to get specific rules of the casino loyalty program.
How To Spot The Cdc Rule Followers
A ship will be marked as gray if the operator chooses not to follow the CDCs conditional sailing order a set of rules that ships needed to follow to start sailing again after shutting down last year on a voluntary basis. The CDC order required 95 percent of crew and guests to be vaccinated, among other rules.
A Florida lawsuit challenged the CDCs authority earlier this year, and a judge agreed in June that the agency had overreached. As of late July, the CDCs rules became mere recommendations for cruises in Florida.
According to CDC spokeswoman Caitlin Shockey, cruise lines that are on the color-coded chart have all confirmed that they are following the order. She said one that is expecting to start visiting Miami soon, Crystal Serenity, is in discussion with the agency about compliance.
A Crystal statement said the company is complying with all CDC onboard recommendations and guidelines for the ship, which is sailing in the Bahamas, except for a requirement to be out of service for two weeks. We continue to have an open and good dialogue with CDC on this matter, the statement said.
If any ships were to be marked as gray, they would still have to report cases of illness or death and be subject to inspection. They also could be detained if sanitary measures were necessary to prevent the introduction, transmission or spread of communicable diseases, the CDC said.
Cruises Vs Las Vegas Casinos
Although you may feel like you are stepping into a casino on the Las Vegas strip, casino cruises have many unique features that differ from mainland casinos. First, the minimum bets at games on cruise ships are extremely low. This is a great attraction for a casual, low-stakes gambler and of course encourages more people to play games. Minimum bets range from $1-$5 for table games. There are plenty of penny slots.
Most cruises accept cash, credit cards, or your cruise card in the casino. Almost all of these casinos offer an ATM, but beware as they will have very high transaction fees. For this reason, we recommend bringing cash if you plan on gambling on a cruise ship. Some cruise lines like Costa and Windstar are cash only.
Also Check: What Cruise Lines Go To Alaska
General Cruise Lines Have A Loyalty Program
Not all cruise lines have a loyalty program, but those that do tend to shave this program with other ships. In the casino, you earn points every time you play, which can add up to drinks, as mentioned, or free cruise vacations. If you want to gamble just to earn rewards, youll likely lose more money than youll make, so focus more on getting that jackpot than earning free stuff.
Booking On A Casino Cruise
Booking on a casino cruise is usually easy. First you need to find the cruises available at your city. Depending upon your budget you need to decide on an economical or a luxury cruise. Consider the factors of what all is inclusive on your ticket. If you do not drink then you may opt for a casino that does not charge for drinks on the ticket itself. Next you need to consider the games you are interested in playing and whether the cruise casino offers the games of your choice. Based on these factors, you can then go online and buy a ticket if required. You can also contact the casino through phone for more details.
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How Far Out To Sea You Need To Be To Gamble Legally
This depends on the country you have just cast off from.
Gambling laws in the US and the UK are very different. In the US, where casinos are restricted by state, ships must be a minimum of 12 miles out before the first dice is thrown.
When it comes to the UK Gambling Commission, things are far more relaxed. Cruise ships do need to have a premises license if they offer commercial gambling, but if the ship is on a journey into or from international waters then no premises license is even required at all. You can gamble away in UK waters without batting an eyelid.
Review Of American Jazz
The 2020-built/2021-inaugurated MS American Jazz cruise ship is the third newbuild in the American Cruise Lines fleet from the company’s “Modern Riverboat” series. From this class/with the same design are the sisterships American Song , American Harmony , American Melody , American Symphony , American Serenade .
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Smoking Policies By Cruise Line
AmaWaterwaysSmoking is permitted outside only, on the aft side of the sun deck. These policies apply to all smoking devices, including e-cigarettes and vaporizers.
Avalon WaterwaysSmoking is permitted outside only, with the area dependent on destination. In Europe and South America, smoking is only allowed on the sky deck. And if youre sailing with Avalon on the Mekong or Ganges River, smoking is permitted only in designated areas. These policies apply to all smoking devices, including e-cigarettes and vaporizers.
AzamaraSmoking is permitted on the port side, forward area of the pool deck. All other areas of Azamara ships and Azamara land tours are strictly smoke-free. These policies apply to all smoking devices, including e-cigarettes and vaporizers.
Carnival Cruise LineSmoking is permitted in select areas of each Carnival ship, of which a list can be found here. In general, smoking is limited to specific outdoor areas and certain nightclubs and casino spaces onboard. These policies apply to all smoking devices, including e-cigarettes and vaporizers.
Celebrity CruisesCelebrity Cruises has designated certain areas of the ship as smoking areas. Generally, smoking is not permitted except in designated areas. Smoking is not permitted inside any guest stateroom; nor on any guest veranda. These policies apply to all smoking devices, including e-cigarettes and vaporizers.
What Are Payouts Like In The Casino
Everyone knows that the odds are always in the houses favor when it comes to gambling. Thats especially true on a cruise. Weve written before about how the games on the ship dont pay that well.
For example, the gold standard for video poker is a 9/6 machine one that pays nine credits for a full house and six for a flush. This gives an expected payout of 99.5% if proper strategy is used over the long term. On ships you will often find 6/5 machines, meaning they offer a 94.9% payback.
For blackjack youll often find tables that pay 6-to-5 on blackjack instead of the normal 3-to-2. If you play a higher-limit table, then you might still find 3-to-2 payouts.
Craps will have odds bets, but they will be restricted somewhat. The best you can hope for is 3X-4X-5X, but weve seen some ships with even lower bets available. They also have the Big 6/8 bets at tables that have a higher house edge.
So go to the casino and have fun, but if your plan is to get the best payouts, then you are often better off with land-based casinos.
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Drinks Arent Usually Free
Unless youre on a luxury cruise line like the Regent, Silversea, or Crystal, youll have to pay for all of your drinks in the casino. Pit bosses can buy a round of drinks for passengers, so if you want free drinks, make friends with a pit boss immediately. Cruise ships have loyalty programs that could give you free drinks or other prizes once you rack up enough points.
Aqsc Itineraries 2022 Victory Cruise Line
In mid-December 2020, AQSC announced its 2021 itinerary program that includes both brands – AQSC and Victory Cruise Lines. For both companies are offered Early Booking discounts with up to USD 1200 pp on any 2022 itinerary booked by April 30, 2021.
New offers include the following itineraries: 12-13-day “Scenic Gorges in Autumn” and 9-day “Roundtrip Cincinnati” .
Starting February 2022, AQSC’s “Special Edition Voyages” include the themed itineraries “Exploring Haunted History”, “Quilting the Fabric of America” and “Celebrate the 70s”.
Starting April 2022, Victory Cruise Line offers 3 new itineraries – 17-days Savannah to Halifax , 11-days “Montreal to Detroit” and 16-days “Boston to Nassau” .
Also Check: What Do You Do On An Alaskan Cruise
Taxes On Gambling Wins When Youre On A Cruise Ship
Ok, heres where things get a little more complicated.
Paying taxes on your winnings really depends on whether the amount you win is deemed worthy of reporting to the state by the casino operators on board the ship.
Should somebody win over $1,200 in a single payout or enjoy a table game win with odds of 300/1 or more, then technically the house is required to provide the forms to the lucky winner who can then pay the taxes on their haul.
But, theyll only have to do this if the casino operators are based in a country that taxes its gambling winners.
The UK does not and has not done since it changed its laws back in 2001, so you can keep your cash if youre in its waters.
When Is The Casino Open On A Cruise
Cruise ship casinos are only open when the cruise ship is out to sea. Due to various restrictions and taxes, cruise line casinos are closed when the ship is in port.
Due to this, the opening times of the casino will vary from day to day, depending on how long the ship spends docked. The distance that the ship has to be from land to open the casino does vary, but in the US this is usually 12 miles.
To find out when the casino is open guests can check their daily schedule. which is delivered to their room each night or check the cruise lines app if the cruise line has one. The opening times will also usually be shown on a board in the casino.
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World Wide Casino Cruises Casino Cruise Ships
While casino cruises are extremely popular throughout the world, the best ones are found in the United States and United Kingdom. The cruise industry in itself is a huge and profitable one and is valued at over $15.3 billion a year. Also many people opt for cruises not just for the casinos, but find it as a great alternative to flying and bookings.
What Is The Minimum Age To Play Or Hang Out In The Casino
On most cruise ships, the minimum age to be in the casino is 18. Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Azamara raise that age to 21 on sailings in Alaska, while MSC raises it to 21 in the Caribbean. Princess Cruises, Windstar and Seabourn Cruises are among the few lines that require passengers to be 21 in the casinos on all sailings. In many cases, casinos are located along main thoroughfares, so kids will be walking through although they’re not supposed to linger. If you wish to gamble, but think you might be too young, check with your travel agent or the cruise line before booking.
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Are Drinks Free In The Cruise Ship Casino
Its common in most casinos to get free drinks while you gamble, but thats not the case on a cruise. Most people still have to pay out of pocket for their drinks while gambling. The casino will have a bar in the center that you can visit. Prices are the same as what youll find elsewhere on the ship. Expect to pay $6-8 for a beer and $10-14 for a cocktail. Gratuity is extra.
If you achieve a high enough loyalty status you can get free beverages. For most people, however, usually you will be paying out of pocket for alcohol.
Casino And Carnival Players Club
To promote safety, physical distancing and public health, we have updated our onboard casino protocols, effective Saturday, September 11. Please visit our Have Fun. Be Safe. COVID 19 Guest Protocols page for more details.
Put your skills and a little luck to the test in Carnival’s casinos!Guests must be 18 years of age or older to play the tables and the slot machines; guests under 18 years of age are not permitted in the casino at any time.
Tables and Slot MachinesOur ships feature a variety of table games and slot machines including your favorite slots such as ‘Wheel of Fortune®’ and ‘Wolf Run’. . Please note – the number of table games and slot machines varies by ship.
- Blackjack
- Slot Machines in denominations of $0.01 to $10.00, with higher denominations on select cruises.
Casino HoursDue to itineraries, casino hours may vary among the fleet. Guests can check the HUB App;once on board for casino operating hours.
TournamentsWe offer a variety of tournaments on nearly all itineraries. Tournament schedules vary from ship to ship and guests can check the HUB App;once on board.Money
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Top 5 Cruise Ships With Casinos
These days, cruise ships are all about luxury. If youre going to set sail on the high seas for days or even weeks at a time, you want to be comfortable along the way, right? Also, what would a cruise ship be if you couldnt pass some of the time by gambling?
Some cruise lines are better than others when it comes to offering gambling opportunities during your trip. Even if you wouldnt call yourself a gambling aficionado, hitting the casinos during your cruise can at least give you a fun way to pass some time. And, who knows? Maybe youll have such a good time at the casino that;youll want to go home and bet online once your trip is over. You can read more here for a breakdown of casino gambling.
Nowadays, some ships even offer full-fledged casinos, while others stick to just a couple of poker or blackjack tables. If you want the full gambling experience, what are the top-5 cruise lines with casinos?
Itinerary Of American Queen Steamboat Company
Both companies/travel brands AQSC-“American Queen Steamboat Co” and “Victory Cruise Lines” are owned by the parent company Hornblower Group Inc via its subsidiary Hornblower Cruises and Events .
Memphis TN is an important homeport for the AQSC. American Queen docks there regularly – at the city attraction Beale Street Landing. In April 2014, a second riverboat joined the fleet after a major refurbishment. The line’s second ship formerly sailed under the name “Empress of the North” – another famous USA steamboat ship.
AQSC owns and operates only three paddle wheeler riverboats sailing on some of the biggest rivers in the USA:
- American Empress on Snake and Columbia
- American Queen on Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee.
- American Countess on Mississippi River
- The subsidiary Victory Cruise Line operates two pairs of sisterships – Victory 1 and Victory 2, and the chartered from SunStone Ships Inc Ocean Victory and Ocean Discoverer .
AQSC invites travelers to unique paddlewheel-boat cruises along the USA’s rivers Ohio, Tennessee, Columbia, Cumberland, Snake and Mississippi. The brand’s all riverboats are traditional-designed American paddlewheel riverboats featuring luxurious staterooms, top-quality service and authentic onboard and ashore experiences themed on geography, history, culture, music, cuisine.
In 2022, for the first time in the AQSC’s history, the company scheduled a fleet of 3x paddlewheeler boats for a full Ohio River season, with a total of 30x voyages.
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Survey Says Bookings Taking A Hit
“Our US travel agents survey shows a clear deterioration in cruise booking volumes alongside a spike in cancellations, and to a lesser degree weaker pricing, driven predominantly by concerns about the delta variant and stricter protocols,” Morgan Stanley analyst Jamie Rollo said in a research note.
“Many agents seem to be spending more time dealing with cancellations than with new bookings, and requests for refunds are much higher than for Future Cruise Credits,” Rollo said.
The slowdown is driven by elderly clientele, including the fully vaccinated, who are concerned about Covid and families impacted by more operators only accepting fully vaccinated passengers over the age of 12.
“While August is typically a slow booking month , the results are substantially poorer than would have been anticipated,” Rollo said.
The CDC set up strict guidelines for the industry to prevent large outbreaks from occurring onboard. However, in some cases, the companies have added on further safety precautions, looking to keep passengers safe and their operations running. The result is that travelers are often required to be vaccinated against Covid and they likely have to take Covid tests before boarding and sometimes during a voyage.;
Casino Cruises In Different Countries
While cruise liners are most popular in the US and UK, today the popularity of casino cruises has made them prevalent throughout the world. A few of the popular casino liners include liners on the Panama canal, Caribbean, Hawaiian islands and European cruises like the British cruises, Norwegian cruises and Russian cruises. Columbia, Alaska and Mississippi river cruises are also quite popular. Besides these, Asia is also quite popular for its casino liners.
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