Casino Nights at Sea
Ship casino nights on an Atlantic crossing, with lucky duck coins and a $1,343.85 winner.
Days at sea mean evenings in the ship's casino. Jill brought her lucky duck coins along.
How cruise ship casinos work
Ship casinos open while the ship is at sea and generally close in port to follow local laws. Some rules go further: Norwegian Cruise Line's Pride of America, which sails around Hawaii, has no casino at all because of regional law. On Carnival, the casino is also closed on the day you leave the ship.
Expect slot machines, video poker and table games. Royal Caribbean, for example, lists blackjack, roulette, craps and baccarat alongside its slots.
Who can play
- Royal Caribbean: 18 and over, or 21 and over on Alaska sailings.
- Carnival: 18 and over. Guests under 18 may not enter the casino.
- Norwegian Cruise Line: 18 and over.
- Princess: 18 and over on US-based ships.
Rules change, so confirm with your cruise line before you sail. Most lines also run a casino loyalty program, such as Club Royale on Royal Caribbean, Carnival Players Club, and Casinos At Sea on Norwegian, where members must be 21 or older.
Play for fun
Every slot spin is random and independent of the last one, and a machine is never "due" to pay. Set a budget before the casino opens and keep to it. If gambling stops being fun, call or text the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-MY-RESET. It is free, confidential and open around the clock. Read more on Jill's responsible gaming page.
See the win from this crossing in Jackpot Jill Hits a $1,343.85 Win!, and more from the voyage on Atlantic Crossing 2025.
Sources: Royal Caribbean casino FAQ, Carnival casino FAQ, Norwegian Casinos At Sea, Princess age requirements, Massachusetts Gaming Commission PlayWell, National Council on Problem Gambling. Checked October 2026.
