Casino Cruises in Florida

Gambling in Florida is strictly controlled, and as a result, there were several casino boats in Florida on short half-day casino cruises from various Florida ports. However, this number has dropped dramatically in the last decade, particularly with the competition from the large onshore Hard Rock casino gambling resorts run by the Seminole tribe.

There was a time that no matter where you were staying in Florida you were probably only a couple of hours away from a casino cruise port

You also used to be able to gamble at greyhound tracks, but by January 1, 2021, all greyhound tracks had closed.

As yet, there is no online gambling in Florida.

Typical Casino Cruise Itineraries in Florida

Because it is illegal in Florida, there are no casino riverboats. You have to go to the coast; then, by sailing a few nautical miles offshore, these casino cruise ships can take advantage of International waters with no gambling restrictions.

Passengers can then participate in a whole host of Las Vegas-style casino games, including Blackjack, Roulette, Poker, Craps, Mini Baccarat, and traditional slot machines.

Casino cruises in Florida typically last four to six hours, with one sailing late morning (brunch) and the other early evening (dinner). You may also find late-night cruises on offer, but Florida law prohibits them from staying offshore overnight.

Bear in mind that after leaving port, it takes around 45 minutes to an hour to reach International waters, and then the casinos can open. Once back into US waters on the return trip, the casinos must close again.

Gambling cruise ships in Florida are smaller than oceangoing cruise liners and operate close to land. However, the waters can still be choppy on some days, so it is worth considering that, especially if you are prone to seasickness.

Casino Cruise Prices

Some (but not all) Florida casino cruise companies used to offer various complimentary treats as an incentive, including free transportation to the port, free parking, free meals and drinks, and free entertainment. However, free drinks are usually only offered while gaming.

Typical cruise costs per person ranged from zero to around $50, though midweek reductions were often available. Prices are much lower, ranging from $8 to $13, but discounts are sometimes available.

You may also need to pay various port taxes, Federal Excise Tax, and a Passenger Security Charge, though these are usually built into the boarding price.

Passengers usually have to be at least 18 (21 in some instances) to board, and you must present either a passport or a valid government-issued photo ID to board the ship.

Current Florida Casino Cruise Lines

There are nowhere near as many casino cruise operators in Florida as a decade ago, with many casino cruise lines closing from 2008 to 2010.

Back in 2004, there were 17 gambling boats in Florida. Today, there are just two casino boats in Florida: the Victory I, sailing from Port Canaveral (close to Cape Canaveral) on the Atlantic coast, and the smaller Tropical Breeze Casino, sailing from Port Richey, north of Tampa, on the Gulf Coast. Both offer a range of Las Vegas-style casino games.

This means there are no longer any casino cruise boats operating from North or South Florida, only Central Florida, but most of the land-based casinos and pari-mutuels are in South Florida.

Victory Casino Cruises, Port Canaveral

Victory Casino Cruises started operations at Terminal B 2 at Port Canaveral in 2011. The former SunCruz Surfside Princess, a 1,200-passenger ship, was fully renovated and renamed Victory I.

There are two sailings daily, Wednesday through Saturday, with a lunchtime and an evening cruise. On Sunday, there is a single midday cruise. Cruises typically last five to six hours.

The ship does not sail on Mondays and Tuesdays to allow additional deep cleaning.

The Victory I features around 630 of the latest technology slot machines and around 30 gambling tables and sports betting. You can play slot machines or a variety of games such as Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, EZ Baccarat, Ultimate Texas Hold’Em, Mississippi Stud, Three Card Poker, Let It Ride, Bingo, and a Sportsbook.

There are two dining rooms for entertainment: the full-service Atlantic Café buffet and A La Carte dining. The Dolphin Bar is an outside bar serving drinks and snacks with live entertainment, and the Sportsbook Lounge has wall-to-wall TV screens and betting on major sporting events.

If you want to listen to live music, watch acts, or dance in a club atmosphere, visit Big Norm’s Club V.

Advanced boarding costs $13 per person, and alcoholic drinks are free while you are gaming. You have to be at least 18 years old to board and at least 21 to consume alcohol.

In April 2014, Victory Casino Cruises announced that they had purchased a second ship, the SunCruz Aquasino, a 2229-foot catamaran to be called the Victory II. Starting in June 2014, the ship would sail from Mayport near Jacksonville,

The Victory II was smaller than the Victory I and held around 640 passengers. It had about 300 slot machines, 17 gambling tables, a sportsbook bingo, and live entertainment.

After a couple of years, in early 2017, she temporarily moved to Port Canaveral while Victory I was in dry dock undergoing routine maintenance.

The Victory II and the Mayport operation closed down in 2018.

More details on the Victory Casino Cruises website.

Tropical Breeze Casino, Port Richey, near Tampa

The 465-passenger Tropical Breeze Casino sails daily except for Tuesdays and Wednesdays from Port Richey north of Tampa on the Gulf Coast. Each cruise lasts around six hours.

The boat has slot machines ranging from penny slots up to $2 as well as video poker games, Blackjack, Let It Ride (based on Five Card Stud), Three Card Poker, Roulette, War 21 and Craps.

Boarding costs from free up to $8 per person, depending on the day of the week. On certain days, they offer other offers, like free beer. Hot and cold food and drinks can be purchased on board.

More details on the Tropical Breeze Casino website.

Cruise Lines with onboard Casinos

Suppose you fancy a slightly longer gambling cruise. In that case, many major cruise lines operating out of Florida also offer gambling on board their short Bahamas cruises and longer Caribbean and South American cruises. Note that the actual game tables may vary from ship to ship within a given cruise line.

Be aware that a two-day cruise usually lasts two nights. You depart port on day 1, spend day two at your destination(s), and return to port on day 3. Likewise, a three-day cruise will typically last four days.

With these types of cruises, you are officially leaving the United States for another country, so your passport will be required before boarding. It would be best if you were also at least 18 years old (sometimes 21) to enter the casinos on most cruise ships.

Many cruise lines have private islands in the Caribbean, making it an ideal destination for a mini-cruise.

The following cruise lines offer Florida casino cruises: shorter cruises to the Bahamas and Western Caribbean and longer cruises to Central and South America.

The one glaring omission from Florida is the Disney Cruise Line. As part of its “family-friendly” ethos, Disney and Viking Cruises do not operate casinos on any of their cruise ships.

Azamara Club Cruises used to have casinos on its ships, but it closed all its casinos on January 1, 2022.

Carnival Cruise Line

The Carnival cruise ships have casinos where you can play Blackjack, Craps, Poker, and Roulette, as well as Carnival’s Fun 21™ and PokerPro tables. For novice card players, casino staff will give you a guiding hand.

Carnival sails from Jacksonville, Port Canaveral, Miami, and Tampa. It offers two-day cruises from Miami to Nassau, giving you around nine hours to explore Nassau.

Celebrity Cruises

The Celebrity cruise ships have casinos where you can play Blackjack (Regular or Single Deck), Craps, Texas Hold’Em Poker, Ultimate Texas Hold’Em Poker, Three Card Poker, Roulette, Baccarat, and a range of slot machines, including tournaments with big cash prizes.

Celebrity sails from Tampa, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale. Their shortest-duration cruise is three nights from Fort Lauderdale to Nassau or Miami to Nassau and Bimini.

Cunard

Cunard does not run mini cruises out of Florida. It does sail the Britannia from Fort Lauderdale to the Caribbean but specializes in longer cruises of 13 days or more.

The small casino on board has gaming tables and slot machines.

Holland America Line

The casinos on the Holland America cruise ships feature Bingo, slots, Paradise Lotto, and a range of table games, including Blackjack, Poker, and Roulette. Casino staff are on hand to offer advice to new card players.

Holland America sails from Fort Lauderdale to the private island of Half Moon Cay, Bahamas, on their shortest three-day cruise.

Margaritaville at Sea

Margaritaville is a relatively new player. It sails from the Port of Palm Beach to Grand Bahama Island. It offers a two-night cruise or four —and six-night cruise and stay packages.

At their “Par-A-Dice Casino,” you can play Blackjack, Roulette, Ultimate Texas Hold’Em, and slot machines. There are free lessons for amateur card players.

MSC Cruises

MSC cruise ships feature casinos with Bingo, Roulette (American & Single Zero), Blackjack, and several types of Poker and slot machines.

The cruise ship sails from Miami and Port Canaveral and has three-night cruises from Port Canaveral to Nassau and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. There is also a three-night cruise from Miami to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.

Norwegian Cruise Line

In the Norwegian Cruise Line “Casinos At Sea,” they have slot machines from 1¢ to $100 and table games of Craps, Blackjack, Texas Hold’Em, Ultimate Texas Hold’Em, Let It Ride, Roulette, Baccarat, Pal Gow Poker, and Three Card Poker.

Norwegian sails from Port Canaveral, Miami, and Tampa. Their shortest cruises are three-day cruises, which call at two destinations: Key West, Great Stirrup Cay (their own island), Nassau, or Grand Baham, an Island in the Bahamas.

The shortest cruise from Tampa is a four-day cruise calling at the same destinations.

Oceania Cruises

Oceania’s “Casinos At Sea” boasts Monte Carlo-style gambling with Roulette, Blackjack, and other card games, plus slot machines. Casino staff are happy to provide lessons on how the games are played.

They sail from Miami, and their shortest cruises are seven days to Mexico, Honduras, and Belize.

Princess Cruises

Voted the best cruise line for gamblers by USA Today, Princess has slot machines and table games, including Bingo, Roulette, Blackjack, Texas Hold ‘Em poker, Caribbean Stud Poker, Three Card Poker, and Let it Ride at their “Princess Casinos.” Like other cruise lines, they also run tournaments for Blackjack and slot machines.

Princess sails from Fort Lauderdale, and its shortest-duration cruise is a four-day trip to its private resort at Princess Cays, Bahamas.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Regent Seven Seas is owned by the same holding company as Oceania Cruises (Prestige Cruise Holdings) and offers the same type of casino table games.

Like Oceania, they sail from Miami, and their shortest cruises are seven days again to Mexico, Honduras, and Belize.

Royal Caribbean International

Every one of their ships features a “Casino Royale” offering Blackjack, Craps, Texas Hold’Em Poker, Roulette, Baccarat and slot machines. There are tournaments on slot machines, Blackjack, and Texas Hold’Em Poker, which offer large cash prizes.

If you are a novice gambler, you can even get complimentary Learn-To-Play lessons from professional dealers for some of the most popular games like Craps and Baccarat.

Royal Caribbean sails from Port Canaveral, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Tampa, offering anything from a two-night mini cruise to CocoCay, Bahamas (its own private island) to longer 12-plus-day cruises.

Seabourn

Seabourn sails from Miami but specializes in longer ultra-luxury cruises, 11 days or more.

Their casino offers Blackjack, Poker tables, and slot machines.

Silversea

Silversea sails from Fort Lauderdale and offers a one-way seven-day cruise, island hopping to Grand Turk, Tortola, St. Johns, St. Kitts, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The casino plays Blackjack, Roulette, and slot machines.

History of Casino Cruise Lines no longer sailing from Florida

Casino boats in the United States have been sailing into International waters since 1928 to get around strict gambling laws.

Over the last decade, Florida gambling boat companies have undergone quite a shake-up. Many companies have suspended operations from specific ports or ceased operations entirely. As a result, all but two Florida casino boats have left the state.

Many new companies offering one-day Florida casino cruises opened in the early 2010s, with boats mostly purchased from bankrupt casino cruise operators, only to cease trading themselves a few years later.

Big “M” Casino

Big “M” Casino operated two ships, one from Myrtle Beach in South Carolina and the other from Fort Myers Beach in Florida.

The Fort Myers-based luxury 162-foot yacht could accommodate up to 400 guests and offered two cruises per day with an “all-you-care-to-eat” buffet. Games included Blackjack, Roulette, Let-It-Ride, Three-Card Poker, and over 185 slot machines.

The Florida boat relocated to Myrtle Beach in 2015 after 18 years to join its sister boat, but it returned to Fort Myers until 2017 when it made a permanent move back to Myrtle Beach.

Black Diamond Casino Cruises

The 160-foot Black Diamond, with 250 slot machines and card games, operated out of the Port of Palm Beach for just three months in November 2012, offering morning and nightly cruises, but closed down in February 2013.

Island Breeze International took over the Black Diamond in May 2013.

Blue Horizon Casino Cruises

Blue Horizon Cruises was a short-lived operation at the Port of Palm Beach. It took over the Black Diamond boat in July 2015 but suspended sailing in 2016.

During its brief operation, the 600-passenger boat offered 250 slots, Video poker gaming machines, Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, and Sportsbook.

Casino Princesa

The 200-foot luxury yacht Casino Princesa used to sail twice daily from Miami and has 32 gaming tables offering Blackjack, Roulette, Craps, Poker, Baccarat, and over 240 slot machines. Casino Princesa ceased operations, and the ship moved to Georgia, where it was renamed the Emerald Princess II.

Discovery Cruise Lines

Discovery Cruise Lines sailed from Port Everglades to Grand Bahama with the 1,200-passenger ship Discovery Sun in 1987. They offered the service as a straightforward ferry, a day casino cruise, and a cruise and stay package.

The company ceased operations in September 2011 due to financial difficulties.

Horizon’s Edge Casino Cruises

Horizon’s Edge Casino Cruises opened their first service in Florida, the 186-foot SS Horizon’s Edge sailing from Miami in 2006 with two sailings daily, every day late morning and evening. The ship could carry 500 guests, and on board, there were 225 slot machines and 11 gaming tables.

They also sailed from Treasure Island, Tampa Bay, for a time.

Horizon’s Edge closed its Florida operation in 2009.

Island Breeze International

Island Breeze International took over the former Black Diamond casino cruise ship in May 2013. It relaunched it as the Island Breeze Casino, offering gambling cruises in April 2014 from the Port of Palm Beach.

The ship could hold up to 550 guests and offered two sailings per day, late morning and evening, but Island Breeze International filed for bankruptcy in 2016.

Jacks or Better Casino

Jacks or Better Casino started sailing from Mayport, Jacksonville, in 2010, a year after SunCruz closed down.

The 155-foot boat with a capacity of 500 passengers had over 180 slot machines and table games, including Baccarat, Craps, Roulette, Poker, and Blackjack, as well as betting on worldwide sports.

Operations in Florida ceased in 2012.

Las Vegas Cruise Lines

The newest player in the Florida casino cruise market was Las Vegas Cruise Lines. They had hoped to start operations in April 2008 with their ship, the 300-foot Liquid Vegas, but the first sailings from Port Canaveral were delayed.

When operations did commence, Las Vegas Cruise Lines offered Craps, Blackjack, Three Card Poker, Roulette, Let-It-Ride, Mini Baccarat, Texas Hold’em and over 500 slot machines.

The ship held around 900 passengers and had four cocktail lounges, live entertainment, a dance lounge with a DJ, hot and cold buffets, and gift shops.

In early 2009, Las Vegas Cruise Lines filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and ceased operations in May 2009.

Palm Beach Casino Line

The Palm Beach Casino Line operated from 1997 out of the Port of Palm Beach with Blackjack, Poker, Roulette, Craps, and slot machines plus live entertainment, cabaret shows, a dance club, and a sports bar.

The 421-foot Palm Beach Princess (formerly the Viking Princess) could carry 800 passengers and had three casinos offering Blackjack, Craps, Three Card Poker, World Series of Poker, Let It Ride, Texas Hold’em, 7 Card Stud, Roulette, mini Baccarat and over 400 slot machines plus Sportsbook and Bingo.

Other entertainment includes a live review show, a lounge, dining room, bar and grill, sports bar, swimming pool, sun deck, cabins, and a massage therapy room.

In 2005, a second ship, the larger 1,200-passenger Big Easy Casino, joined the cruises. It had over 550 slot machines and a similar range of table games. The ship even included a full-service restaurant and four themed bars.

In 2009, they filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which allowed them to continue trading while resolving their financial difficulties. However, they ceased operations in 2010.

Port Richey Casino

Port Richey Casino (also part of Oceans Casino Cruises) operated from Port Richey with Blackjack, Roulette, three Card Poker, and over 300 slot machines but ceased operations.

It has reappeared as Tropical Breeze Casino, still operating from Port Richey near Tampa.

Resorts World Bimini SuperFast

In early 2013, Genting, which had been trying to build a super casino in Miami for years, bought a 1,600-passenger 32,000-ton fast ferry and renamed it the Bimini SuperFast Ferry. They offered a two 1/2-hour fast crossing from South Florida to Bimini in the Bahamas, where they had built a new casino at Resorts World Bimini Bay.

The Bimini Superfast used to sail twice a day from Miami to Bimini in the Bahamas, just 50 miles away. It offered blackjack, roulette, slot machines, sports betting, nuts and bars, shops, and a party deck.

Upon arrival at the Bimini Resorts World, you could relax in the resort by the two pools, continue gambling at the onsite casino, and then sail back to Miami the same day if you did not want to stay over.

Bimini Resorts World withdrew the SuperFast casino boat, but the casino and resort on Bimini continue to operate.

If you still want to go to Bimini, a couple of airlines are operating out of Fort Lauderdale: Silver Airways and the seaplane Tropic Ocean Airways.

If you prefer to cruise, Balearia Caribbean offers a fast ferry service aboard Jaume II from Fort Lauderdale. Food and drinks are available on board, but gambling is not allowed.

SeaEscape

SeaEscape used to sail twice daily from Port Everglades to Fort Lauderdale. Their ship, the MV Island Adventure, at 15,400 tons and 512 feet, was the most significant day cruise ship in Florida at the time, with a capacity of 975, and was renovated in 2007.

In addition to the casino with over 40 gaming tables, SeaEscape offers buffet or premium dining, a disco, theatre, lounge showing live revues of Broadway hits and favorite classics, a video arcade, Thai Massage, cabins, and a swimming pool. They even offer wedding packages if you fancy tying the knot at sea.

Unlike many other casino cruise lines, they allowed kids on board (if accompanied by an adult) and let them have fun at Camp SeaEscape. However, they stopped sailing in 2008.

Sterling Casino Lines

Until July 2008, Sterling Casino Lines sailed one of Florida’s largest casino cruise ships, the Ambassador II. However, following several technical problems and the expiration of their lease at Port Canaveral, they ceased operations.

The 1,800-passenger Ambassador II had four leading casinos with fifty gaming tables offering several games, including Blackjack, Mini-Baccarat, Craps, and Roulette, plus 1,000 slot machines.

SunCruz Casino

SunCruz Casino (part of Oceans Casino Cruises) operated more casino cruise ships than any other Florida operator, though it ceased sailing from Daytona Beach, Palm Beach, and Madeira Beach before it folded.

Until 2009, they operated from Jacksonville, Port Canaveral, and Key Largo in Florida and Myrtle Beach in nearby South Carolina. Still, on December 29, 2009, they filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, and all eleven of their ships were put up for sale.

The 165-foot catamaran, SunCruz VI, could hold 600 passengers and sail from Jacksonville with 38 gaming tables and over 300 slot machines.

The 308-foot SunCruz Surfside Princess could take up to 1,200 passengers and sailed from Port Canaveral with 35 gaming tables and over 640 slot machines. She was sold to Victory Casino Cruises as the Victory I.

The smallest ship was SunCruz I, which could hold 149 passengers and sailed from Key Largo (Mile Marker 100). It had seven gaming tables and 88 slot machines.

The 87-foot SunCruz IV operated out of Panama City and had 118 gaming stations.

The 207-foot SunCruz VIII sailed from Myrtle Beach with up to 600 passengers and had 22 gaming tables and 380 slot machines.

The 228-foot SunCruz Aquasino operated from South Beach, Miami, with over 20 gaming tables, a poker room, 200 slot machines, a sports bar, and a cafe. She was also sold to Victory Casino Cruises as the Victory II.

In 2010, SunCruz was bought out by SantaCruz Casino in Little River near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. It currently seems to be trading as Big “M” Casino. It no longer operates in Florida.

Titan Cruise Lines

Titan Cruise Lines started operating the 450-foot Ocean Jewel, which has a capacity of 2,000, out of St. Petersburg in October 2004, but the operation quickly closed down in late 2005.

The Ocean Jewel had 28 gaming tables and over 1,000 slot machines.

Treasure Island Casino

Treasure Island Casino (also part of Oceans Casino Cruises) has ceased operations. They used to sail from Madeira Beach into the Gulf of Mexico.

Other gambling ships in Florida now long gone include:

• Midnight Gambler Cruises, Pompano Beach
• La Cruise Casino, Jacksonville