Many modern cruise ships today have in-built casinos, complete with a robust line of gambling services. Since this innovation, gambling enthusiasts have seen a new way to enjoy their favorite casino games while at sea. A cruise ship casino is the real deal and often the central attraction for intending cruisers who want to get the full reward for the money spent.
In this casino news, we highlight the differences and similarities between a cruise ship casino and a land-based one. What are the advantages and disadvantages of playing in both?
What Happens at a Cruise Ship Casino Stays at Sea
A cruise ship casino is a big passenger ship with gambling services that allow guests to enjoy various games. Their mode of operation is similar to land-based casinos, which a casino host monitors. However, there are still some major differences between them. Here are five of them.
Cruise Ship Casino Odds
A cruise ship casino has significantly lower odds than what you will get in most land-based casinos. For instance, where slot machines on land pay out 90 percent or even higher, a ship’s machine would most likely pay 80 percent or less. This also applies to roulette games and can be a major turn-off for gambling experts who want to get a better ROI (return on investment).
24/7 Availability
Another significant difference between the two is availability. Land-based casinos are usually open 24/7, while a cruise ship casino can only operate on some international waters because of specific regulations. Certain games are also restricted. For instance, while slot machines may be available throughout the day, table games may be restricted for some hours.
While land-based casinos are usually available to you 24/7, you can plan from the comfort of your home any time of the day or day of the week, if you just visit your favorite online casino, Vegas Aces Casino.
Wagering Minimum
The wagering minimum on a cruise ship casino is considerably lower than on land-based casinos. You can bet as low as $3 on blackjack. This amount is, however, subject to change depending on the jurisdiction. In places like the US, it may go up to around $5 to $10.
Nonetheless, these numbers are nothing compared to wagering minimums in land-based casinos. The major advantage is that it allows cruisers to have fun without committing too much. Most people on board are on vacation, so they won’t often be tactical about gameplay or use tactics like the Martingale strategy for games like roulette.
If you do have an interest in learning such tactics, you can learn these with the help of our American casino guide section, which we recommend you try on land-based casinos, or better yet, on our site, where you can master these skills with repeated practice.
Availability of Games in a Cruise Ship Casino
Another major difference is the availability of options when it comes to games. Land casinos will always beat their cruise counterparts in variety. There are far fewer slots on cruise ships than on land casinos. The same thing applies to table games. The most popular are video poker, poker, and roulette. Scratch dice and many other games are rare on cruise ship casinos.
Age Restrictions
While the minimum age at most land casinos in Las Vegas is 21, cruise ship casinos allow persons from age 18 to participate. This is sometimes subject to change, especially in cruise destinations. These age restrictions also apply to drinking. The standard age remains 21.
Similarities Between Cruise Ship Casinos and Land-Based Casinos
Aside from becoming material for a gambling meme, there are some significant similarities between a cruise-ship casino and a land-based one. They are:
Smoking and Drinking
Both are allowed on cruise and land casinos, though age restrictions apply.
Gambling Taxes
Winnings from a cruise ship casino are subject to taxes like land-based establishments.
Loyalty Programs
Players can enjoy casino promotions on land or sea.
Payment Options
Wagering using cards is allowed at cruise ships and land-based casinos. For cruise casinos, all games wagered can be charged directly to your cruise card, although some small fees may apply.
Lastly, land-based and cruise-ship casinos sometimes offer free drinks to loyal patrons courtesy of the pit boss casino host.
Cruise Ship Casinos: High Seas and High Winnings
Cruise ship casinos promise plenty of fun time, but gaming activities are always limited because they are on the sea. They share a lot in common with land-based establishments regarding their modus operandi. However, as we have seen throughout this post, they differ in many ways. A better option is playing games at the best online casino, Vegas Aces Casino.
Engage with us and uncover exclusive content on our social media profiles.
