- Persons under the age of 18 are not permitted to gamble or remain in the casino. View frequently asked questions about our casino. Played on board and want a recap of your earnings? View the Ocean Players Club website win/loss statement.
- Different ships may have different age requirements for gambling onboard. Consult a travel agent for regulations for specific cruise lines. Slot tournaments and other special events fill up quickly and spaces may need to be reserved in advance. When the casino is closed the gaming staff may offer complimentary gambling lessons for novices.
Age For Gambling On Cruise Ships Around The World
Slot machines are not your friend. The cruise line is not in the business to give money away, they are. There are casinos with table games and slot machines on board all our ships (except Pride of America due to regional law). Guests must be 18 or over to gamble and claim any winnings.
They may be smaller than the ones in Las Vegas, but cruise ship casinos mirror what’s found on land in terms of rules and the training required for dealers. Cruise lines make sure they’re offering the latest and most popular slots and table games, including penny video slots and the ever popular blackjack. Here’s what you need to know to improve your odds, at least of having fun:
1. Casinos close while in port.
If you plan to spend a lot of time in the ship’s casino, choose an itinerary with a lot of sea days. With a few exceptions — including overnight in Bermuda and Nassau ports — cruise ship casinos are required to remain closed when the ship is in port so as not to compete with local gambling or entertainment businesses. In Bermuda, casinos on ships can operate from 9 pm to 5 am, and in Nassau, from 7 pm to 3 am.
2. Ship casinos are open in international waters.
Photo by SIME / eStockPhoto
Casinos are typically only open 3 to 12 nautical miles from the coast. However, in the case of Alaska, cruise ship casinos are permitted to open 3 miles after departing from one Alaska port until 3 miles before arriving in the next Alaska port, regardless of proximity to land. That’s good for gamblers, as cruises in southeast Alaska tend to hug the coastline.
3. Smoking is part of the game.
Though there are fewer places to smoke on cruise ships than ever before, casinos are one of the last holdouts. Most cruise ship casinos, with the exception of the luxury lines, have designated smoking areas for cigarette smokers; however, cigar lovers are rarely permitted to light up.
4. Card sharks are a rare species at sea.
Photo by SIME / eStockPhoto
Riverboat Cruises With Gambling
Professional gamblers tend to focus their energies on the land-based casinos that are open around the clock, without the distractions of a cruise — from buffets to deck parties and those pesky ports of call. Plus, according to Paul Jarvis, vice president of casino operations for Carnival Corp., card sharks seek anonymity, and passengers need to provide the cruise line with their passport details before boarding.
5. Gambling theme cruises offer real competition for top players.
If you really want to double down on your gaming ops at sea, some cruise lines — including Carnival and Norwegian Cruise Line — host blackjack, slots, and poker tournaments that attract hundreds of gaming enthusiasts. Qualifying rounds are held on cruises throughout the year, with the final competition taking place toward the end of the year.
What is the minimum age to work onboard cruise ships? Is there a maximum age that cruise lines will not hire an applicant? Here are some answers.
Minimum Age to Work on Cruise Ships
In general, the minimum age to work on cruise ships is 21 years old. Although there are some exceptions, where the minimum age to work onboard is 18 years old.
The minimum age to work on cruise ships is actually higher than what is required by international law. According to the Maritime Labour Convention 2006, the minimum age to work onboard ships is 16 years old, but the Convention states that employment of seafarers under the age of 18 shall be prohibited where the work is likely to jeopardize their health or safety. Also, consider that the age of majority in most countries is 18years old.
US-based cruise lines such as Lindblad Expeditions and American Cruise Lines have a minimum age to work onboard as 18 years old. Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America is a US-flagged ship and they also have a minimum age requirement of 18 years old. Alternatively, Sea Chefs, a European crew management company, has a minimum age of employment of 18 years old.
Consider for all cruise lines, positions such as room steward, bartender, or jobs in the casino, individuals must be at least 21 years old.
Age For Gambling On Cruise Ships Quarantined
There are a couple of other exceptions to the minimum age requirement of 21 years old to work on cruise ships that sail in international waters. Production show dancers and singers are hired at a minimum age of 18 years old. Also, cadets in the Deck and Technical Departments can start working onboard cruise ships in their cadetship as young as 18 years old.
Maximum Age for Cruise Employment
Although there isn’t a maximum age to work on cruise ships, the unfortunate truth is that cruise lines don’t hire many applicants over the age of 35 years old. That said, there are crewmembers over the age of 35. Many are in management positions after making cruise ship life a career.
Furthermore, there are some cruise jobs that are actually better suited to a mature crewmember. Age can equate to experience for some positions. Cruise ship jobs suited to mature candidates include Future Cruise Manager, Youth Staff, Port and Shopping Guide, Event Planner, Guest Entertainer, and Finance Manager.
Age For Gambling On Cruise Ships Passengers
Age Limit For Gambling On A Cruise Ship
Consider though, a potential crewmember must still pass their Marine Medical and prove to an employer that they are medically and physically fit. Will they be able to work 11-hour days with no days off for months on end? Will they be willing to share a cabin with another crewmember? Not to mention, every two years, a crewmember must continue to pass their medical exam prior to working onboard.