For a lot of cruisers the casino is part of the trip. The machines are familiar, the drinks are close by and the ocean is outside. A ship casino is not quite the same as the one at home, though, and it pays to know the differences before you swipe your card.
Which machines you will find
Mostly the same titles you see on land, from the same makers. In our data the machines that show up most in cruise ship videos are Wheel of Fortune, Buffalo Gold, Dancing Drums, Dragon Link and Lightning Link. You can see the full ranking on the cruise ship slots page.
The exact line-up varies by ship. Newer and larger ships tend to have bigger floors and the latest cabinets, while older ships may carry an earlier generation of games. Cruise lines do not publish their slot inventories, which is why we track what people actually film on board.
When the casino is open
Ship casinos generally operate only when the ship is in international waters. They close when the ship is docked in most ports and reopen after sailing. Sea days are the busiest, and the casino usually stays open late.
Payback is not published
On land, regulators in many states publish average slot payback figures by area or denomination. There is no equivalent for cruise ships. The lines do not publish payback percentages, so you cannot assume a machine at sea is set the same as the identical-looking one at your home casino. Plan your budget on the basis that you do not know.
Paying with your room card
Most lines let you load credits at the machine by charging your onboard account. It is convenient, and that is the risk: there is no walk to an ATM to make you think twice. Some lines also add a convenience fee for charging casino play to your account, so check the terms on your ship. A simple rule that works: decide a total gambling budget for the sailing before you board, divide it by the number of nights, and do not borrow from tomorrow.
Players clubs at sea
The big lines run their own casino loyalty programs, separate from anything on land. Examples include Club Royale on Royal Caribbean, the Players Club on Carnival and Casinos at Sea on Norwegian. Play is tracked through your room card, and rewards can include onboard credit, drinks in the casino and discounted or complimentary future sailings.
The offers can be good, but the value of a "free" cruise depends on how much you wagered to earn it. Treat rewards as a rebate on entertainment you were already going to buy, not a reason to play more.
Age and etiquette
- The minimum gambling age is set by the cruise line and can depend on the itinerary. It is commonly 18 or 21.
- Smoking rules vary by line and ship. Many casinos have a smoking side and a non-smoking side.
- Machines can be busy on sea-day evenings. Mornings and port-day sailaways are quieter.
The short version
Expect familiar games, unknown payback and very easy ways to spend. Set the budget before you sail, keep the play for fun, and enjoy the view when you step outside.