• Riverboat Cruises With Gambling
• Age Limit For Gambling On A Cruise Ship
• Age For Gambling On Cruise Ships Royal Caribbean

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.

1. The minimum age to consume alcohol on Royal Caribbean International ships on sailings from South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand is eighteen (18). The minimum age to consume alcohol at all private destinations remains twenty-one (21) without regard to where the sailing originated.
2. Ships & Ratings All Celebrity ships are listed below. For detailed information about a ship, click any link. The ship rating is based on a 6-star system, and the key to the ratings follows.

Your age on the date of sailing is generally considered your age for the length of the cruise. Consumption of Alcohol Norwegian Cruise Line requires passengers to be at least 21 to consume any type of alcohol. Gambling Onboard Gambling, a popular form of entertainment on cruise ships, also has age restrictions. Different ships may have different age requirements for gambling on board. 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.

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.

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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.

Riverboat Cruises With Gambling

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.

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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.

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.

Age Limit For Gambling On A Cruise Ship

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 Royal Caribbean

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.