One of the big growth industries in the last few years has been Caribbean cruising and there are several reasons for this. Since 9/11 Americans have been more reluctant to venture on long-haul trips; larger cruise ships have been built with the resulting economies of scale and lower prices, and cruises have now become affordable for the masses rather than just for the privileged few.
Caribbean cruises are particularly popular in the winter months, with the lure of guaranteed sunshine, tropical island ports of call, and they are within a short flight of most cities in the USA and Canada. As cruise prices include countless meals and snacks each day, live shows and entertainment, pleasant cabins and a choice of onboard activities, cruises appeal to families and people of all ages. Departing from the ports of Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Port Canaveral and Tampa as well as Galveston, Texas and San Juan, Puerto Rico, cruises usually last for 7 days. Ports of call include Bahamas, Key West, St Thomas and St Maarten for Eastern Caribbean cruises. Cruises from Puerto Rico call at Barbados, St Lucia, Domenica, Antigua, St Maarten, St Kitts and St Croix, US Virgin Islands. Cruises in the western Caribbean call at Cozumel, Cartagena, Honduras, Haiti, Jamaica, Grand Cayman and longer cruises also sail through the Panama Canal.
The Caribbean cruises are dominated by Royal Caribbean International, Princess Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises and Carnival Cruises with the latter being most popular with families and younger cruisers.
Cruises offer a relaxed way of life with daily entertainment around the pool deck area. Lectures, bingo and art auctions will fill the day, along with beauty treatments and keep fit programs in the gym and on the walking tracks. Some cruise ships even have an ice rink, golf practice range and a climbing wall!
After dinner, Broadway type shows are presented. Individual artists offer comedy acts and musical performances and the shops and casino will be open. Many cruisers who do not gamble ashore may enjoy visiting the cruise casinos. Lessons are offered to teach novices the basics and generally croupiers are very patient and friendly, establishing a friendly rapport with guests who are likely to be in the casino throughout the week.
Generally cruise ship casinos are elaborate and have several blackjack tables with various limits, a roulette wheel, baccarat and craps. Even if you do not wish to play, it is fun to watch other players at the tables. Slots are generally in a separate but adjoining area and are Las Vegas style, complete with plastic buckets for collecting your winnings. Often players on board cruise ships are not professional or big time gamblers, but ordinary guests who have set aside an amount to spend on entertainment which includes having fun in the ship’s casino. The big advantage of cruise ship gambling and entertainment is that at the end of the evening your cabin is only a short walk away.
For those who are serious about gambling, Caribbean cruises are not ideal as the casinos are closed when in port, and the ships spend a lot of time in port! Serious players may prefer a cruise which is at sea for longer periods, such as relocation cruises across the Atlantic, or World cruises which also concentrate on the cruise activities rather than the incessant ports of call.
