Have you heard of the 12-mile limit? Once a ship is 12 miles out to sea, you’re in international waters. The ship is no longer ruled over by the laws of the country at which port it was previously anchored. Now it is under maritime law and that can impact your ability to play casino games while on board the ship.
Under maritime law, once you get into international waters, the laws of the country in which the ship is registered now govern that ship. In terms of gambling, that can be good or bad for you.
For instance, should the cruise ship be sailing under a flag of a country in which gambling is illegal, then you won’t be doing any gambling on that ship. This is why the vast majority of cruise ships sail under flags of countries that allow gambling.
On the other hand, if you’re on a ship flying under the UK flag, you’re in for a good time. By contrast, UK ships are very lax when it comes to on board gambling. You’ll be free to deal those cards and roll those dice to your heart’s content. They don’t even enforce the 12-mile rule. Once the ship sets sail, the casino is open.
The same factors that impact whether you can gamble on a ship also impact who can gamble on a ship. Surprisingly, on many cruise ships leaving US ports, once they are in international waters, players as young as 18 can gamble in the casino, even though at home in the USA they’d need to be 21. The exception would be an Alaskan cruise, since they will mostly be sailing in US waters and docking at US ports.
And if you are American and hit a big win in the cruise ship casino, you’ll be given the appropriate IRS forms to have the necessary taxes deducted from your winnings.
In general, cruise ships will shut down all on-board gambling once entering within 12 miles of a country’s coastline en route to docking there out of respect for that country’s laws.
Top Gambling Casino Cruises in the USA for 2025: Best Casino Ships & How to Get Onboard
- Oasis Class Ships
- Carnival Cruise Line & Casinos
- Norwegian Cruise Line
- Celebrity Cruises
- MSC Cruises
If you’re looking to enjoy a luxury cruise while indulging in world-class casino gaming, these top gambling cruises offer an unforgettable experience. Here are the best gambling cruises available in 2025, including how to book your trip.
1. Royal Caribbean International – Oasis Class Ships
- Why it’s great: Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class ships, including the Oasis of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas, boast massive casinos featuring hundreds of slot machines, poker tables, blackjack, roulette, and more. The cruise line is known for its luxury accommodations, entertainment, and gourmet dining options.
- How to get onboard: Visit Royal Caribbean’s official website or contact a travel agent specializing in cruise bookings. Booking early, especially during promotional periods, can help secure a stateroom on one of these popular ships. Visit their website.
2. Carnival Cruise Line – Carnival Vista
- Why it’s great: Carnival’s ships, especially the Carnival Vista, offer the “Casino Vault” experience, where players can enjoy the ship’s extensive casino floors with games like craps, slots, and blackjack. The ambiance is casual and fun, with a focus on providing affordable luxury.
- How to get onboard: Head to Carnival’s website or check out major cruise booking platforms like Expedia. Carnival frequently offers promotional deals, and loyalty members may get special perks.
3. Norwegian Cruise Line – Norwegian Escape
- Why it’s great: The Norwegian Escape is home to one of the largest casinos at sea, featuring a wide variety of slot machines, video poker, and classic table games like blackjack and baccarat. Norwegian also offers “Casinos at Sea” loyalty rewards, letting players earn points towards future cruises.
- How to get onboard: Go to Norwegian Cruise Line’s site or consult a cruise expert. Norwegian offers great discounts for early bookings, and their flexible payment options make it easy to reserve a spot.
4. Celebrity Cruises – Celebrity Edge
- Why it’s great: Celebrity Edge is a sophisticated cruise ship featuring a beautifully designed casino floor with games like blackjack, poker, and roulette. The high-end amenities, Michelin-star dining, and top-tier service make this cruise perfect for those seeking an upscale gambling experience.
- How to get onboard: Book your trip through Celebrity Cruises, and keep an eye on seasonal promotions or loyalty program discounts for the best deals.
5. MSC Cruises – MSC Seaside
- Why it’s great: MSC Cruises offers a modern and elegant casino experience on the MSC Seaside, with an array of slots, poker, and table games. Their MSC Yacht Club offers VIP access to exclusive areas, providing a premium gambling environment.
- How to get onboard: Visit MSC Cruises for booking options. MSC frequently offers “Kids Sail Free” promotions and other perks, making it a great option for family vacations.
Luxury Casino Cruises Booking Tips:
- Loyalty Programs: Many of these cruise lines offer casino loyalty programs, allowing players to earn points that can be redeemed for discounts, perks, and free cruises.
- Travel Agents: Cruise-focused travel agents can often get you additional onboard credit, better staterooms, or exclusive deals. The most popular casino cruise agents are expediacruises.com, cruisedirect.com, vacationstogo.com, avoyatravel.com and cruiseplanners.com.
- Early Bird Discounts: Booking months in advance, particularly during sales or promotional periods, can save you significant money.
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