1. Ive heard that your odds of winning on the slots, etc. Are better on the first day of the cruise due to how the machines are set up. Rumour is that they want word to spread of some good payouts to increase passengers casino spending for the rest of the cruise.
2. Carnival Cruise Lines. Carnival gives you another option for multiday gambling on the water. The massive Legend, Paradise and Pride ships also sail from Tampa, heading into the Caribbean for up to.
3. The Jacks or Better Casino is a 155 foot vessel sailing five days a week from Galveston, Texas. This luxuriously-appointed vessel is beautifully outfitted with the latest slots and table games, including 181 Ticket-in/Ticket-out Slots, Craps, Roulette, 3-Card Poker, Ultimate Holdem' and Blackjack. The Jacks or Better Casino also features two bars, and both indoor and above-deck dining.

The Big 'M' Casino sails 365 days a year from Little River, SC. Check out our pricing and cruise schedules for both gambling ships here. The following section provides a summary of the various cruise ships sailing from Port Everglades and their diversified itineraries. For more detailed information, including rates and accommodations, please contact your travel agent Call 954-969-0069 or the cruise line's agent. Please note that cruise schedules are subject to change.

Gamblers who like the taste of salty sea air and the sound of ocean waves crashing beneath their feet can enjoy one-day casino cruises in several areas of the United States, including Florida. At port, gambling may still be against the law, but once a cruise ship hits international waters, gambling becomes legal for all passengers age 21 and over.

While on a gambling day trip at sea, the casino amenities mirror that of a brick and mortar casino: slot machines, table games, cold drinks, buffets, entertainment. Florida, with its lengthy coast line, is a prime location for casino ships to set up shop at its various breathtaking ports. The casino ship industry in Florida, however, is not exactly flourishing. In fact, it has seen enough ups and downs to become seasick.

Unfortunately for casino cruise fans, Florida has seen many casino boat closures in the past decade. As of 2004, the Florida Day Cruise Association reported that there were 17 casino boats sailing in the state. In 2008, that number dwindled down to 14. Today, there are even fewer gambling boats available in Florida. The Big M and Victory Casino Cruises are two of Florida's main sailing options.

The Big M

The Big M is a casino cruiser that sails out of Moss Marine in Ft. Myers Beach, Fla. The ship offers Vegas-style casino action including multiple-line slots and traditional table games. For six hours, guests can wander the decks trying their luck. When they get hungry, or when money runs out, they can enjoy fine buffet food and entertainment.

The ship's prices are quite reasonable. It costs just $10 to board the Big M. Buffet meals raise the price up to $20-$30, depending on which day of the week it is. The Big M also operates a successful gambling cruise ship out of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Victory Casino

The Victory Casino cruises out of Port Canaveral, Fla., seven days per week. The ship offers four decks with over 600 slot machines, blackjack tables with $5 and $10 minimums, sports betting at a full bar with specialty drinks, and other casino standards like roulette, craps, and poker.

When not gambling, guests can savor different international dishes at a world buffet and partake of drinks and dancing at Big Norm's Club V. Those who enjoy sipping cocktails by the sea can relax with a frosty drink at the Coral Side Tiki Bar. Like the Big M, the basic boarding price for the cruise is $10. Also like the Big M, costs rise a bit for guests who plan to partake of a meal.

Sunken Florida Gambling Ship: The Black Diamond

Florida witnessed the recent rise and fall of a new casino ship in Palm Beach called the 'Black Diamond.' In November 2012, the Black Diamond opened its doors to the public. The ship, operated out of Port Palm Beach, offered nightly gambling cruises and also morning cruises Wednesday through Sunday. Passengers enjoyed bingo, sports betting, a floor of 250 slot machines, and table games like baccarat, blackjack, and roulette. Evening cruises featured a sit-down dinner and live piano entertainment.

Unfortunately for Black Diamond customers, the ship closed down in February 2013 without fulfilling all of its reservations. Unfortunately for the 100 people employed by the cruise line, their employer abruptly cut them off that same month, only three months after the grand opening. As of February 19, 2013, employees had not been paid and customers with reservations had not been refunded.

Employees of the gambling ship found out about the cessation of their employment in an unfortunate way. CEO Steven Craig claimed he was going to tell them about the boat's closure, but dragged his feet so long that an on-site reporting news channel, WPTV News 5 out of Palm Beach, broke the news to the employees instead. According to reporters, employees who had shown up for work began to cry as they realized that not only was their place of employment closing, but also that their paychecks were nowhere to be found.

Craig explained to News 5 reporters that the ship was closing for a while, and if it re-opened in the future, he would call some of the employees back. This revelation caused quite an angry stir amongst Palm Beach community members.

One commenter indicated that she would have loved to take a day cruise on the ship, but had no idea it was even there. Speculations as to what caused the business's early and abrupt demise included the fact that CEO Craig did very little advertising. Many community members did not even know the service existed.

Good News: A New Port of Palm Beach Casino Cruise Line

Effective May 1st, 2013, Island Breeze International will take over the Black Diamond. Island Breeze is an owner and operator of entertainment cruise ships whose goal is to lead the cruise ship entertainment industry. The company plans to make renovations to the boat and open its doors to the public for day cruises starting in August, 2013. Unlike the Black Diamond, the Island Breeze company plans to advertise heavily. They have signed a 10-year lease with the port.

Other Sunken Ships

The Black Diamond is not the only ship to sink before its time. The once-popular SunCruz at Hollywood docked for good in 2005. A Florida gambling ship called the 'Big Easy,' once operated out of the port of St. Petersburg, closed in late 2009. The Discovery Cruise line, which once provided day gambling trips to the Bahamas, closed in 2011.

Gambling Day Cruises

The gambling cruise ship industry in Florida is not a stable one. With the recent closure of Internet cafes and senior arcades in Florida (read here), citizens looking for places to gamble still have one sure bet: the 137 brick and mortar casinos in the state, most of which are located on Florida's vast and beautiful coast line.

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Gambling Day Cruises In Florida

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Thanks to its characteristic desert landscapes and wide-open ranges, Texas is not usually the first place one thinks of for cruising. However, the Lone Star State offers many options for anyone seeking a single-day voyage across the water. Choices not only vary by city, but also by length, style and amenities offered.

Kemah

The resort town of Kemah lies within the greater Houston metropolitan area and plays home to the 60-acre Kemah Boardwalk entertainment complex. Several one-day cruises depart from the town every day to explore Clear Lake and Galveston Bay. The Boardwalk FantaSea is a two-story charter yacht that offers coastal sightseeing trips, themed dinner cruises and weekend party voyages complete with booze and a DJ. The interior boasts hand-crafted cabinetry, 42-inch plasma TVs and room for 140 guests. Another operator, Star Fleet, maintains four different cruisers for a variety of occasions and can host anywhere from 12 to 150 people. They offer a murder mystery dinner cruise where guests are treated to a theatrical performance while they enjoy gourmet cuisine, as well as an intimate 'water limo' that pub crawls to local seaside bars and venues.

South Padre Island

South Padre Island, just outside Brownsville, offers an array of one-day seafaring adventures. Murphy's Law, from Isla Tours, is a 67-foot double-decker offering 90-minute eco-tours during the day; guests can glimpse bottle-nosed dolphins as they cruise the water. Weekend nights between Memorial Day and Labor Day are reserved for fireworks cruises while party music plays. For the active sportsperson, full- and half-day fishing charters in the Gulf of Mexico are available on the 49-foot Hard Bottom Too; all bait and tackle is provided. As another alternative, Osprey Cruises has a fleet of six boats for various adventures, from deep-sea fishing to speedboating to sea life safari trips. One vessel, the Black Dragon, resembles a 17th-century pirate ship and is perfect for a day out with the kids.

One Day Gambling Cruise

Galveston

The coastal community of Galveston provides several cruise choices. Those seeking a historical experience will enjoy the Colonel, a stately three-level paddle wheeler with a 650-person capacity. The boat takes hour-long jaunts around Offatts Bayou. Everything from the decor to the uniformed staff is meant to evoke America in the late 18th century. Daytime cruises are open to all guests, while the more extensive evening dinner cruises require reservations. For a more modern experience, the family owned and operated BayWatch Dolphin Tours takes out a jet-drive boat with no propellers that can get riders within earshot of dolphins. The boat can hold 36 passengers; infants and pets ride free.

Austin

Austin is known for its cruising options on Lady Bird Lake. The Lone Star Riverboat offers scenic sightseeing trips each weekend afternoon, accompanied by a detailed commentary from the boat's captain. One-hour bat-watching tours at dusk and nighttime moonlight cruises are also available March through October. Holiday-themed cruises are held on New Year's Day, Valentine's Day and the Fourth of July. Another operator, Capital Cruises, is the largest all-electric fleet in the area, hosting lunch and dinner cruises, weddings and other corporate events. They also rent water sports equipment such as kayaks and paddleboards. In addition, the Meadow Center at Texas State University, just south of Austin in San Marcos, offers 30-minute glass-bottom boat tours across the ecologically diverse Spring Lake.

About the Author

Mark Heidelberger has been writing for more than 22 years, from articles and short stories to novels and screenplays. He is a consummate foodie, loves to travel and has run several businesses, all of which influence his work. He also holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from UCLA.

Gambling Day Cruises Florida