Poker on Cruises | Thrills Amid High Rakes and Bad Beats
Edited By
Derek Chen
Cruise lines are adding poker to their onboard entertainment, but players are concerned about overpriced rakes and low-quality opponents. Some players are questioning the experience—are the cruise poker options worth it?
The Landscape of Cruise Poker
Some cruise lines have incorporated poker, significantly enhancing options for gambling enthusiasts. However, experiences appear to vary widely across different ships and cruise companies. Notably, Virgin Voyages partnered with the World Poker Tour (WPT), but the Scarlett Lady ship is the only one featuring an actual poker room. However, recent reports indicate that this poker room was closed on some recent sailings.
Mixed Sentiments from Players
Players' feedback highlights a mix of excitement and frustration.
Rake Concerns: Many players shared dissatisfaction regarding the high rakes. One player commented, "Just be aware it will be the absolute worst rake you’ve ever experienced if you do play."
Quality of Games: Others noted that the competition can be surprisingly weak. A commenter exclaimed, "The players are horrible, usually drunk" indicating that the vacation mindset of many on the ships can lead to less strategic gameplay.
"On Royal Caribbean, I played some $2/5 the awful players more than made up for it," one player shared, underscoring the potential for profitability despite high rakes.
Less in the Poker Room
Interestingly, many players are reporting dwindling poker options on cruises. The Scarlett Lady recently converted its poker area into a high-limit room with negligible participation. Comments like, "Just got off Scarlet Lady last month, no more poker room," reflect a concern that onboard poker is becoming increasingly scarce.
In contrast, players seeking quality poker experiences from companies like CardPlayer Cruises lament recent changes, with one stating, "Sadly, this past January was their last cruise, and they are no longer in business."
Key Takeaways
💰 High Rakes: Players report rakes averaging 10%-20%, which can significantly impact potential earnings.
🍹 Casual Players: Many on cruises are inexperienced, often leading to lucrative potential for skilled players.
🛳️ Diminishing Poker Spaces: Popular cruise lines are scaling back poker offerings, leaving players frustrated.
As the cruise industry adapts to changing entertainment trends, poker enthusiasts are left wondering if the high-cost experience truly offers the thrill it promises—or if they’d be better off at their local casinos.
Future of Onboard Poker
As cruise lines modify their gaming offerings, there's a strong chance that poker will continue to shrink in availability. Experts estimate around a 40% decrease in standalone poker rooms over the next several years. High rakes combined with diminishing player quality could drive experienced players back to land-based casinos. Companies keen on attracting gamblers might instead focus on innovative gaming experiences, potentially introducing tournaments or competitive events, but those will come down to whether cruise lines prioritize profit over quality.
A Surprising Twist in Entertainment History
Consider the early days of television in the 1950s, when many networks focused heavily on live programming. As viewership grew, producers discovered that viewer preferences often leaned toward sitcoms and drama, leading to a dramatic shift. Much like the cruise industry’s struggle with poker, this pivot shows how entertainment mediums must adapt to audience demand, suggesting that cruise lines may need their own transformation to keep up with evolving player interests.