Gambling While on a Cruise

I have a quasi-fascination with how many entities in this country have managed to circumvent the bans on gambling in the United States. The most well-known example of this is of course the casinos that can be found on Native American Reservations. Other examples include riverboats, online gambling forums that are "based" in other countries (though accessible here), venues with fast horses and greyhounds, random places in Nevada and New Jersey, and the ever-popular cruise ship. We often get a lot of questions about gambling while aboard cruise ships, so I thought I'd highlight some of the finer details here. First off, if you're wondering how US cruise ships manage to have legal gambling, the answer is simple: Because you're in international waters (though most don't wait until they are)... Here are some random facts for you on how these casinos differ from everyone's favorite playground, Las Vegas.

1. With all due respect to Charles Barkley and John Daly, there are no high limit rooms/tables on cruise ships. If you want to lose a fortune, you'll probably have to do it in $5 increments (though I guarantee you it can be done).
2. Forget about perks or comps. If you do succeed in losing that fortune, unlike Vegas, you're not going to get your room comped. At best you may get a handshake from a pit boss, but that's about it. That's not fair, you say? Well, here's why Vegas comps things for their high limit winners/losers: Because they don't want you to go to another casino. On a cruise ship you don't have that option, so unless you threaten to jump overboard and swim for Monte Carlo (side note: not advisable), you're out of luck.
3. Most boats (if not all) are on a cash basis. I say that because most things on board you can just have charged to your room, but that's not the case in the casino. You'll have to pay cash to play.
4. Dealers are MUCH nicer and MUCH more patient than at other gambling establishments. For those of you like me that have nearly had your hand lopped-off at a craps table for not holding the dice or betting correctly, you'll appreciate this difference. Gambling on cruise ships is seen more as a form of entertainment than a revenue producing affair for the ship, so dealers are more willing to explain things, take their time, and have an overall better temperament.
5. Most cruise lines allow you to gamble at 18 rather than 21 (and the ones that don't will usually let you if you're with someone 21 years or older).

On other random note: Disney is about the only major cruise line without a casino (die to it's family-oriented cruises). Good luck at the tables!