Casino boats in Florida combine luxury hotel services with the thrill of your favorite gambling games. Some cruises last a day, while others explore parts of the Caribbean. Regardless of how long the trip is, one thing remains consistent: you can legally enjoy exciting table games, slots, and more.
Unfortunately, many casino cruises in Florida have closed shop in recent years. On the bright side, there are still great gambling boats available if you know where to look. This guide highlights and analyzes the top cruises with casinos that set sail from the Sunshine State.
Top Florida Casino Boats Summary
| Cruise | Number of Boats | Sails Out Of | Available Games |
|---|---|---|---|
| Margaritaville at Sea | 2 | Tampa Bay, FL, and Palm Beach, FL | Craps, Roulette, Blackjack, Poker, Ultimate Texas Hold’em, Slots |
| Princess Cruise Lines | 6 | Orlando, FL, and Fort Lauderdale, FL | Blackjack, Slots, Craps, Roulette, Bingo, Deal or No Deal |
| Carnival Cruise Lines | 15 | Jacksonville, FL, Miami, FL, Orlando, FL, and Tampa, FL | Slots, Blackjack, Poker, Roulette, Craps |
| Victory Casino Cruise | 1 | Port Canaveral in Orlando, FL | Slots, Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, Baccarat, Ultimate Texas Hold’em, Poker, Bingo |
Are Casino Cruises Legal in Florida?
The current gambling laws in Florida do not permit gambling cruises to offer real-money casino games while they are docked. However, according to the Florida Gaming Control Commission, cruises that enter international waters are “beyond the jurisdiction of state law.”
Simply put, once a cruise is far enough away from the Sunshine State, it does not have to obey Florida gaming laws and can, therefore, offer casino games to its guests.
With that in mind, let’s break down the best casino cruises in Florida.
1. Margaritaville at Sea
- Address: 420 S Orange Avenue, Suite 250, Orlando, FL, 32801
- Phone number: 800-814-7100
- Number of ships: 2
- Official Website
Fans of the late Jimmy Buffett can still enjoy the legendary musician’s biggest hits with the Margaritaville at Sea casino cruise. There are two ships available: The Islander and The Paradise. The Islander sails out of Tampa Bay, while The Paradise departs from Palm Beach, FL.
Both ships offer an array of casino games, including:
- Craps
- Roulette
- Blackjack
- Poker
- Ultimate Texas Hold’em
- Slots
You will need to prepare for an overnight stay to enjoy gambling on the Margaritaville at Sea voyages. The Islander offers four and five-night trips to Key West and Mexico. For a shorter trip, try The Paradise, which offers two and four-night cruises to Key West and the Bahamas.
If you feel like this cruise is too big of an investment, there are online alternatives. For example, DuckyLuck Casino, which offers a similar selection of games, including exciting live dealer options.
2. Princess Cruise Lines
- Address: 1600 SE 17th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33316
- Phone number: 1-800-774-6237
- Number of ships: 6
- Official Website
Another multi-day experience on my list of the top Florida casino boats is Princess Cruise Lines. There are six Princess cruise ships departing from two ports in the Sunshine State. You can leave from Port Canaveral in Orlando or Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale.
The six ships with this cruise line that are available to Florida bettors include:
- Majestic Princess
- Regal Princess
- Sky Princess
- Emerald Princess
- Caribbean Princess
- Sun Princess
The six FL casino ships above offer trips ranging from a few days to multiple weeks, so there is something to fit your desired time at sea. You can travel to must-see locations in the Caribbean or cross the Atlantic to visit popular sites in Europe.
While on your journey, you can take advantage of the casino floors on Princess Cruises and play games such as:
An extended cruise with Princess can be a fun vacation, but you do not need to take weeks off work to play popular casino titles. Red Dog Casino, for instance, offers hundreds of casino games, including live dealer specialty titles.
3. Carnival Cruise Lines
- Address: 3655 NW 87th Avenue, Miami, FL 33178
- Phone number: 1-800-764-7419
- Number of ships: 15
- Official Website
Another major cruise line with boat casinos in Florida is Carnival. There are more than a dozen Carnival ships that depart from Florida. The four ports used by the brand in the Sunshine State include:
- JAXPORT Cruise Terminal in Jacksonville, FL
- Port of Miami in Miami, FL,
- Port Canaveral in Orlando, FL
- Tampa Bay Port in Tampa, FL
Carnival cruises offer exciting live entertainment options, delicious food, and, of course, awesome casino gambling options. Passengers on Carnival’s Florida cruises can enjoy the following:
You can enjoy all the fun of gambling on a Carnival cruise without leaving the country, thanks to Ignition Casino. This casino site is loaded with table games, including poker and blackjack, and it offers over 100 slots for members to enjoy.
4. Victory Casino Cruise
- Address: 180 Christopher Columbus Dr, Port Canaveral, FL, 32920
- Phone number: (855) 468-4286
- Number of ships: 1
- Official Website
Rounding out my rankings of the best Florida gambling boats is Victory Casino Cruise. This ship leaves from Port Canaveral in Orlando, FL, and offers one of the largest selections of games of any ship on my list.
If you set sail with Victor Casino Cruise, you can enjoy well-known games, including:
In addition to its wide selection of games, this casino cruise also has fun and rewarding casino bonuses, such as double reward points and high-paying jackpots.
Hundreds of casino games and a wide array of great bonuses help set Victory Casino Cruise apart from the competition. Similarly, Wild Casino also offers a large game selection and awesome bonuses to help improve your gambling experience.
Florida Casino Boats vs. Florida Online Casinos
The few remaining casino boats in Florida are a fun way to enjoy your favorite games while also sailing to exotic locales. However, the financial and time investments required for cruises make them inaccessible for many players.
But fear not; you can play your favorite casino games without booking a trip into international waters. Offshore casino sites offer high-end gambling experiences and are far more convenient, making them a great alternative to gambling cruises. Check out our picks for the top Florida online casinos to learn how to get started today.
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