Texas Holdem Poker On Cruise Ships
A poker cruise is something worth taking at least once in your life.
Don’t worry about it being extremely expensive, it actually is cheaper than a lot of resorts.
You know poker. One of the most popular casino games, it’s all about holding onto some cards and letting other ones go. If that sounds simple enough, you’ll want to check out our collection of onboard poker games — from three-card tables where dealers shuffle and serve, to state-of-the-art Texas Hold’Em PokerPro tables, where you can see just what the deal is with touch-screen ease.
In fact, you can enjoy almost all the amenities of a cruise for close to $100 per day, which can be considered as a real steal.
The best part about these poker cruises is that apart from the fun and frolic of being out on the sea, you can enjoy a game or two of poker.
The buy-ins are not that high and most tables welcome newcomers and beginners to the game, so it really is not that daunting heading up to the table.
You are out at sea to have some fun and if possible to make some money. Most tables do allow play but you do have to be over the age of 18.
The best options when thinking about going on a poker cruise would be to check out websites and companies who specialize in poker cruises.
Cardplayercruises & Ante up magazine are just a couple of the renowned poker cruise companies but there are a few more out there.
Rather than spend an hour or two finding the best cruise ships for poker, let us do the work and list down the best options out there.
Also read: How Do I Use Pokertracker To Improve My Game?EXCLUSIVE BONUS CONTENT
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Here is our list of the best poker cruises
Celebrity Cruises: One of the more technology savvy cruise lines out there. Celebrity cruises features a non-smoking Fortune casino in most of their ships but its not just limited to that.
They also contain various options while playing at the table covering almost every kind of poker game. The ships also contain lots of slot machines, so you can try your hand out there.
You can even download an app and play anywhere on the ship while sailing on international waters, how brilliant is that?
Norwegian Cruise Line:This has been rated as the best cruise line as per the readers of a leading magazine. The cruise line features a Vegas themed casino and has many games and slots for people to try out.
The casinos on this cruise line also feature blackjack, roulettes and craps, among other games.
Signing up for the Sea Players club ensures that you get a few perks while playing like free drinks and the cruise line also holds an annual Poker Challenge to test the best.
Royal Caribbean International: Another cruise line which has based its casinos on Vegas, the Royal Caribbean International also features various rounds of poker at its tables and like the Norwegian Cruise Line, it also has a lot of other games which you can try out during your sea faring adventure.
Zynga Texas Holdem Poker
One great feature of this cruise line is that apart from the poker games & tournaments on all times, it has a tie up with MGM Resorts which means that there are certain perks for trying out this cruise line.
Carnival Cruise Lines: One of the more popular cruise lines at the moment. Carnival Cruise Lines are known for their rather shiny and bright décor which often catches people out but not so that they lose at poker games.
Texas Holdem Poker Sites
This cruise line has a great variety of poker games which caters to all. It also features craps, roulette and a host of slot machines to keep you busy.
The cruise also helps you earn points for the Ocean Players club, that should be something to look out for.
Holland America Line: The HAL casinos (as they are more popularly known) has a rather glitzy atmosphere which you might expect. It also features some rather friendly dealers which helps you relax on your cruise.
The cruise features craps, hold em poker, three card poker, roulette and blackjack, depending on which ship you go on. This cruise line also features the popular Wheel of fortune and the well-known Super Jackpot Party.
There is something for everyone on this cruise line.
Princess Cruises: The ships in this fleet have a range of games like most of the other top cruise lines out there.
Play on the Princess Cruise line is only for those who are above the age of 21 though. Some of the ships in the fleet do allow some smoke free casino nights which can be a boon or a bane for players.
Of course you do earn a lot of points for the Ocean Players Club while at the cruise.
A great holiday experience
These were some of the best poker cruise lines out there and if you have a remote liking or interest in poker, you should plan a holiday on one of these cruise lines.
Often you not only get some great games but also a range of amenities like those in the best resorts.
For a rather low amount you do get all the food you can eat, room service, access to gyms, spas, Jacuzzis etc, this of course depends on which ship or cruise line you pick.
Of course a word of warning, if you are a little squeamish about being on water, you should avoid this trip.
There is no point risking your health, so always get a doctor check-up before going on a cruise like this.
One thing is a certainty, if you do go on a poker cruise like this, it will be an experience which you will never forget.
Online Texas Holdem
Whether you’re an avid poker player or just like to try your luck on the slot machines, cruise ship casinos offer a little something for everyone, without a flight to Las Vegas.
While some cruise lines offer more games than others, blackjack, poker, roulette, and slots are standard on all ships except Silversea Cruises, which don’t allow poker. Here’s what cruise lines offer in their casinos so you can take a gamble on your next cruise:
Texas Holdem Poker Rules
| Cruise Line | Games | Minimum Bets | Penny Slots |
|---|---|---|---|
| Azamara Club Cruises | Blackjack, roulette, three-card poker, slots. | $3-$5 for table games; penny slots. | Gaming lessons available. Age: 18; 21 on Alaska sailings. Payment: Cash, onboard account, or pre-approved line of credit. Smoking is permitted. |
| Carnival Cruise Lines | Blackjack, roulette, three-card and electronic poker, craps, bingo, slots. | $5 for blackjack and craps; $1 for roulette; penny slots. | Card tournaments on select sailings. Age: 18 Payment: Cash or onboard account. Smoking is permitted; there are non-smoking areas. |
| Celebrity Cruises | Blackjack, roulette, three-card and electronic poker, Texas Hold ’em, , craps, slots. Baccarat and let it ride are available by request on Celebrity Reflection, Celebrity Silhouette, Celebrity Eclipse, Celebrity Equinox, and Celebrity Solstice. Number of tables and slots varies by ship. | Varies for table games; $5 for blackjack; penny slots. | Age: 18; 21 on Alaska sailings. Payment: Cash or onboard account. Smoking is not permitted. |
| Costa Cruises | Blackjack, three-card and five-card poker, fun 21, roulette, slots. | $5 for card games — $3 on port days from 8-9 pm and sea days 2-6 pm; $1 for roulette. | Age: 18. Payment: Cash. Smoking is not permitted. |
| Crystal Cruises | Blackjack, craps, roulette, three-card and electronic poker, Texas Hold ’em, slots. Mini-baccarat is available upon request. | $5 for table games; penny slots. | Age: 18. Payment: Onboard account, cash, or line of credit established before sailing. Smoking is not permitted. |
| Cunard Line | Blackjack, three-card poker, roulette, slots. | 25 cents for roulette; $1 for blackjack and poker; penny slots. | Age: 18. Payment: Cash or onboard account. Smoking is not permitted. |
| Disney Cruise Line | These ships do not have casinos. | These ships do not have casinos. | These ships do not have casinos. |
| Holland America Line | Blackjack, roulette, craps, three-card poker, Texas Hold ’em, slots. | $5 for table games; $1 for roulette, and Texas Hold ’em; penny slots. | Lottery, tournaments in slots or blackjack, free gaming lessons, and Club 21, a frequent players club with opportunity to earn rewards for every game you play. Age: 18. Payment: Cash, onboard account, cash advance. Slots only use card registered with onboard account. Smoking is permitted. |
| MSC Cruises | Blackjack, poker, roulette, chemin de fer, punto banco, trente et quarante, slots, bingo. | $5-$10 for table games; penny slots. | Tournaments. Age: 18 on Mediterranean sailings; 21 on Caribbean sailings. Payment: Cash, credit card, or onboard account. Smoking is permitted on all ships except MSC Divina. |
| Norwegian Cruise Line | Blackjack, craps, roulette, let it ride, three-card poker, Texas Hold ’em, pai gow poker, baccarat, slots. | $5 for table games; penny slots. | Tournaments in blackjack, slots, and Texas Hold ’em; free lessons on a variety of games; reward program is available. Age: 18. Payment: Cash or chips. Smoking is permitted. |
| Oceania Cruises | Blackjack, poker, roulette, slots. | $10 for 2 blackjack tables; $25 for 1; $5 for all others. | Age: 18. Payment: Cash or chips. Smoking is not permitted. |
| Princess Cruises | Blackjack, roulette, craps, Texas Hold ’em, three-card and five-card poker, let it ride, slots, bingo. Table games vary by ship. | $3-$5 for table games; penny slots on some ships. | Blackjack, Texas Hold ’em, and slot tournaments, table game lessons, and a lottery. Age: 21; 18 in Australia or the U.K.; 20 in Japan. Payment: Onboard account or cash. Smoking is permitted except on smoke-free nights. |
| Regent Seven Seas Cruises | Blackjack, poker, roulette, mini-craps, slots. | $10 for 2 blackjack tables; $25 for 1; $5 for all others. | Age: 18. Payment: Cash or chips. Smoking is not permitted. |
| Royal Caribbean International | Blackjack, roulette, craps, poker, slots. | $3-$5 for table games; penny slots. Table games vary by ship. | Blackjack, Texas Hold ’em, and slot tournaments; rewards program; and game lessons. Age: 18; 21 on Alaska sailings. Payment: Cash, onboard account, or pre-approved line of credit. |
| Seabourn Cruise Line | Blackjack, roulette, slots; poker is available on select days. | $5-$100. | Age: 21. Payment: Cash, onboard account, traveler’s checks. Smoking is not permitted. |
| Silversea Cruises | Blackjack, roulette, slots. | None. | Gaming lessons. Age: 18. Payment: Cash or cash advances. Smoking is not permitted. |
| Windstar Cruises | Blackjack, poker, roulette, slots. | $5 for table games. | Age: 21. Payment: Cash. Smoking is not permitted. |