Cruise ships let you travel the world in comfort. As they ride those stormy seas, you can sleep soundly on comfy mattresses and enjoy cuisines from the world’s best chefs. But that’s not all. Casinos on cruise ships are incredibly popular, and these onboard venues look the part with neon lights and uniformed dealers.
While hundreds of cruise ship services worldwide have casinos, only a select few stand out. Read on as we uncover the best casinos on cruise ships and why they’re on every player’s bucket list.
Norwegian Escape
The Norwegian Escape is a cruise ship linked to the revered Norwegian Cruise Lines. Deck seven features the Escape Casino, a spot where you’ll find hundreds of slot machines and several tables revolving around blackjack, roulette, poker, and craps.
If you ever need a dirty martini as you spin the reels or play at tables, visit the Skyline Bar next to the casino. The Escape Casino also has a rewards scheme named “Casinos At Sea.” This scheme allows you to earn points that unlock new tiers. As you climb the ladder, you’ll become eligible for select perks, including the unlimited open bar and a behind the scenes tour.
Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas
The Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas cruise ship is home to Casino Royale, one of the best floating gambling destinations worldwide. Besides offering rows of colorful slot machines, this casino also caters to those drawn towards poker, blackjack, baccarat, roulette, and craps.
Casino Royale appeals to seasoned players with tournaments that’ll get their competitive juices flowing. These events usually revolve around table games and can pave the way for a grand prize in the five to six-figure territory. And if you’re a gambling newbie, don’t worry. You’ll get complimentary lessons on your preferred casino games.
Sun Princess
The Sun Princess has ties to Princess Cruises. What makes this cruise ship special is that it hosts the brand’s largest casino — the Princess Casino. For context, it has 50% more space and 30% more slot machines than the line’s Royal Class cruise ships.
The Princess Casino launched in February 2024 and features over 200 slot machines. It also has 13 live table games with progressive jackpots. So, while you sail the seas and discover new destinations, a lucky session could see you on the receiving end of a big payout.
Carnival Celebration
The Carnival Celebration Casino was hailed as the Best Cruise Ship Casino in Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards (2023 edition). This recognition didn’t come by chance, and stems from the casino’s special features.
In terms of games, the Carnival Celebration Casino hosts an excellent array of slot machines. This includes a unique selection of 3D slots with realistic reels. Besides slot machines, this casino is home to table games perfect for low and high-rollers. You’ll also find scratch-card games that pave the way for mind-blowing rewards including cash prizes up to $500,000 and a lifetime of cruises.
Carnival Celebration Casino also has a Drinks On Us incentive that gives players who accumulate enough gameplay points access to free cocktails, beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages while they play. So, if you enjoy a tipple while gambling, you’ll fit right in!
Closing Thoughts
We’ve just highlighted the casinos on cruise ships from across the world. On these floating destinations, you can enjoy a rewarding and immersive gambling experience. So, if you’ve saved enough to ride on a cruise ship (we know they’re quite expensive), consider setting sail on any of the options highlighted in this guide. Bon Voyage!
