Is it Worth Going on a Poker Cruise

If you like poker and enjoy going away on holiday, and assuming the price is acceptable, then surely a poker cruise must be worth it. But if that's true, why don't we hear more about poker cruises? From a week island hopping in the Caribbean, to a tour around the coast of Norway and on to Denmark, there's something for everyone.

With prices starting at barely more than $100 per night you can take a break away for less than you would be charged to stay in a typical hotel resort these days. Good food and room service are guaranteed to help you unwind with plenty of other activities to keep you occupied if the mood takes you.

If you've never been on a cruise ship before you will be amazed at how much there is to do.

Things to Do

For the lightweights out there who can't handle the all day poker sessions, you can expect to find at least cinemas, fitness centres, and swimming pools. If you've chosen a suitable climate then of course sunbathing is a popular choice. First organised in the 1990's, poker cruises increased in popularity enough to gain the attention of Party Poker, a major player at the turn of the millennium. They decided in 2002 to organise the biggest ever poker event played on a cruise ship, The PartyPoker Million.

The tournament hit the headlines when Kathy Liebert became the first female player to win more than $1 million in a poker tournament. This success during the opening year of the World Poker Tour ecouraged the WPT leadership to organize regluar poker cruise events which are still available today.

Who are Poker Cruises Aimed at?

The general perception is that most customers come as part of a group. Cruise organisers repeatedly express how they guarantee a relaxed and fun environment with abuse not tolerated to any degree. Anybody who has played in a live game in a casino or card room will have witnessed players failing to keep their temper in check. Pointed remarks and sarcasm are a little too common. Stress free playing conditions are attractive for beginners or online players looking to try live play for the first time. Some of you are probably thinking about easy pickings now, and it might be true.

Online players are usually quick to point out how they play in much tougher games, and the thought of playing with holiday makers who may only play live is an attractive proposition. Coupled with the fact that this is an environment where some players may decide, as a one off, to drink alcohol during play. Any of you feeling confident that these games could pay for the cost your holiday before you disembark?

You shouldn't feel put off if you don't have anybody else to travel with, maybe you don't have any poker friends or anybody interested in being on a cruise ship for a week. Do some research yourself and you will find many accounts saying how friendly the atmosphere is on board.

The legal age for gambling at sea is eighteen, three years less than in the USA. This is a huge bonus for those itching to test their skills in a live environment but aren't yet old enough. A great opportunity for a group of teenagers to get away and party for a week or two, with plenty of poker thrown in. But I must stress that the drinking age for US based cruise companies remains twenty one years old.

What else is there to consider?

Poker cruise organisers will tell you how a majority of their customers will re-book with them every year. There seems to be a good camaraderie amongst the players, with many groups arranging to be on the same cruise the following year, or even trying different destinations together. Repeat business is the norm and it's hard to find negative reviews. We shouldn't forget that you are not confined to the ship for the entire holiday. There are scheduled stops in various ports, allowing you to disembark for a spot of sight sightseeing or shopping. If for whatever reason you are feeling the need to take a break from all the poker, then you will be able to find plenty to help take your mind off of it.

As most travellers will be recreational players, concerned mainly with enjoying their holiday, the stakes of the poker games are usually fairly modest. Obviously if there is enough interest to spread a particular size game then it can be made possible. Tournament buy ins are normally below $200, with the occasional one over $300. Maybe you have a partner and children to entertain. Kids are well catered for, with special pricing for many things. There's nothing to stop you enjoying the poker while the rest of your family entertains themselves elsewhere on the ship. When the ship docks and the poker comes to a halt, you can all disembark together for some sightseeing.

Who should I Book with?

Two different companies who appear to be at the forefront of poker cruises are CardPlayer Cruises and Ante Up Cruises. CardPlayer Cruises have been organising poker cruises for more than twenty years. All the way back in 1992 more than five hundred players sailed from the Mexican Riviera on the first ever CardPlayer Cruises trip. Poker Hall of Fame inductee Linda Johnson said that she and her friends had so much fun they never wanted to miss another one. Within a week, they were the new proud owners of CardPlayer magazine and CardPlayer cruises! More than one hundred cruises later they have hosted almost forty thousand poker players, with around five cruises organised every year. Complimentary seminars are available along with lessons for absolute beginners.

Ante Up Poker Cruises offer a full casino experience on board. All card game dealers have plenty of experience, with a professional management team on hand at all times. Free lessons for beginners are available here as well.

The usual 'all you can eat' system is in place, you'll never go hungry on a cruise, poker cruise or otherwise. Though interestingly the casino nor the poker room give out complimentary drinks as you might expect.

All in all, having done a little research I'm seriously tempted to give a poker cruise a go. The prices are very reasonable, and even if it turns out not to be for me, it's only a week gone, and I can easily occupy myself with full days of poker until it's over.