Cruises & casinos: cruise lines, casinos on board and destinations

The main cruise lines

Four major cruise lines, with a casino on board most of their ships. Their names and logos belong to them: we simply link to their official websites.

On a cruise ship, the casino is only one part of the trip.

Games and opening hours vary from ship to ship: the day's programme is posted on board.

Each region has its season. Here are the main cruising areas and the best time to sail there.

Mediterranean
Mainly April to October
Italy, Greece, Spain, Croatia: ports of call rich in history, often close to one another.
Caribbean
Mainly November to April
Beaches, turquoise waters and very different islands; hurricane season runs from June to November.
Northern Europe
In summer
Norway's fjords, Baltic capitals, Iceland: spectacular scenery and very long days.
Alaska
May to September
Glaciers, whales and forests, departing from Seattle or Vancouver.
Asia & Pacific
Year-round, depending on the region
Japan, Southeast Asia, Australia: long crossings and very exotic ports of call.

Open at sea
The casino opens when the ship is sailing; it usually closes in port because of local laws.
Minimum age
Each cruise line sets its own: usually 18, sometimes 21 depending on the itinerary.
The cruise card
You can often play by charging your cruise card, which pays for everything on board: handy, but set yourself a limit.
One zero or two?
The type of roulette depends on the cruise line: look at the wheel before betting.

We are preparing a selection of itineraries and practical information on cruises with a casino. To be told when they go online:

Before boarding, brush up on the game… and keep a cool head.