How to better prepare for your next poker cruise (4th tip will surprise you)
Even if you love gambling, the glitz and glamour of the archetype gambling vacation aren’t for everyone. This is why many people opt-out of the typical Las Vegas-style trip for something a little more subdued, like a poker cruise.
Poker cruises combine the thrill of gambling with the luxury and relaxation of being out on the sea. On a poker cruise, you can help yourself to all the basic cruise amenities like all-you-can-eat buffets, pools, and the beauty of the open waters, and then head inside for fun night at a poker table.
Though many people think of cruises as a bigger splurge than their usual vacation destinations, many cruise lines offer a variety of packages. With your choice of cabin, trip ranges between a few days to a few weeks, you can make your next poker cruise vacation as extravagant or casual as you please.
Many cruises that offer poker also have basically a full casino. You can play anything from slots to blackjack to roulette. Poker cruises also offer games across a range of prices, so even if you’re on a budget, you can have a great time.
The base cost for a typical cruise runs around a couple hundred dollars per person for a week-long trip. But many people find it worth the price because it comes with food and is a much more unique experience than a land-based vacation.
Longer cruises also offer the convenience of getting to travel to multiple cities along the way, allowing for a more diverse vacation. This means that you can play poker while traveling to places like Alaska, the Caribbean, or even Australia.
As such, poker cruises offer a lot for a large variety of people. So, if you’re planning a trip with friends or family, there is something for everyone to enjoy. And whether you’re a gambling aficionado or a more casual player, the options on a poker cruise will keep you both challenged and entertained.
But if you’re looking to book a poker cruise for the holiday season or are just looking to try something new, there are a couple of things you should know before you go.
Preparing for a poker cruise can be stressful. On top of packing for a cruise, which can be expensive, you don’t want to end up losing thousands of dollars at the poker tables.
So if you’re going on a poker cruise anytime soon or are at least thinking about it, here are some tips to help you prepare:
1. Book your cruise early
As mentioned before, cruises can be expensive, especially if you don’t plan ahead. Saving on the actual cruise prices means that you can have more to gamble or spend on excursions.
It’s important to get a jump on booking so that you can look for the best deals. According to Gamblers Daily Digest, prices can vary depending on the cruise line, destination, trip length, and available amenities. So, if you’re looking to hit everything on your checklist and get it at a reasonable price, you’re going to have to start early.
Many cruise ships will even have specials, so be sure to stay on the lookout!
2. Remember to pack some nice clothes too
Many cruises have formal events that have a dress code. For example, within a seven-day cruise, more often than not, at least three of those days will require a minimum of business casual attire.
So, even if you planned on spending most of the cruise in swimwear and flipflops, make sure to bring something nice. The dress codes on cruises are often strictly enforced. And these are usually implemented in the dining options that come with your package.
3. Check what’s included in your ticket
Most cruise packages will come with some basic accommodations. This usually includes a room, a variety of dining choices, and some entertainment. But everything else – gambling, spas, excursions, internet, etc. – are extra.
Making sure you know what you bought in your ticket will help you from accidentally making purchases that drive-up the cost of your vacation. It’s also important to plan ahead for any additional costs. Things that you assume are included might not be, and this will likely vary from cruise to cruise.
On the other side, be sure to take advantage of all the amenities included in your cruise package. For example, many people don’t realize that even in the included dining rooms, you can order more than one dish.
4. Read up on Maritime laws, especially those that apply to gambling
You might’ve gone to plenty of casinos back home and abroad, but when you’re in international waters, the laws on gambling aren’t exactly the same.
If you planned on spending most of your time gambling on board, you might be surprised to find the poker tables closed when the ship is docked. Because gambling isn’t legal everywhere in the United States, if the ship is within twelve miles of the American coastline, it’s required to close its casino.
According to Weekly Slots News, one reason why poker cruises are so popular is because of the limited laws that allow people to gamble. I mean, if you have to travel to a state or country where gambling is legal, you might as well jump aboard a cruise ship.
5. Contact your cell phone provider
Our phones are a necessity. But since it’s become such an integral part of our lives, many people forget that there’s limited service out on the ocean. Internet and phone services offered by cruise ships can be expensive, and so it’s vital that you work out a plan with your service provider before you head out.
6. Set a budget
A crucial part of both the cruise and the gambling is to set a budget. The reason why cruises can get so expensive is that not everything is included in your package. So for example, alcoholic drinks and land excursions can add up if you’re not keeping track of what you’re spending.
Alcoholic drinks are one of the most expensive parts of a vacation. So, if you haven’t purchased a beverage package, you should definitely watch yourself and make sure you don’t overdo it.
But on the other end, if you’re looking to gamble on the cruise, this isn’t covered either. According to Gambling News Magazine, setting a budget and sticking to it can be difficult, but it’ll pay off. After each round, you should re-evaluate and make sure whether you want to continue or not.
Cruises are the ultimate getaway, and if you can combine it with gambling, it’s all the more fun! Lucian Marinescu, a partner at OnlineCasinoGems once noted, “Poker cruises are the perfect combination of a relaxing, resort experience and the intoxicating excitement of gambling. One day you could be at the poker tables, strategizing and contemplating your next move, and the next you could be sitting by a pool with a pina colada in hand not thinking at all.”
So if you’re planning the next friend or a family vacation, a poker cruise will please everyone. And if you follow these suggestions, you can have a successful trip that maximizes fun without pushing your budget.
