Have you heard of Victory Casino Cruises and wondered exactly what they are all about? Or are you thinking of taking a cruise with Victory Casino and you want to know exactly what to expect?
Well, you’re in the right place, in this post I’ll fill you in on exactly everything you need to know about this slightly unusual cruising option.
What To Expect On A Victory Casino Cruise
A Victory Casino Cruise is a bit different to what most people think of as a cruise. You could say that it’s more about the journey than the destination. In fact, there is no destination, and the journey is to get beyond Florida’s state borders so that you can legally gamble.
A Victory Casino Cruise is all about gambling (as you probably guessed from the name!). These short cruises depart twice daily from Port Canaveral on a ship that is completely decked out for all your gambling needs.
There are over 600 slot machines and 27 live casino table games. The live games include roulette, craps, blackjack, 3 card poker, and Texas Hold ‘em amongst others and they have bingo and a sportsbook. Basically, they have all your gambling needs covered.
It’s not all high-stakes gambling though. Many of the tables have $5-15 minimum bets so hopefully you’ll be able to make your cash last for the duration of the cruise.
You may be surprised to learn that you can gamble on board Victory Casino Cruises from the age of 18. This means you can gamble on board the Victory three years earlier than you can in Las Vegas. The drinking laws are the same though and you will need to be 21 to drink alcoholic drinks during your cruise.
The ship itself is called The Victory and is 300 feet long and has 4 decks. The Victory can carry up to 1200 passengers.
Check out this video for a tour of the ship…
Is There Anything To Do That’s Not Gambling?
Of course, you may want to do more than just gamble on board. So Victory Casino Cruises also provides a range of restaurants and bars as well as Big Norms Club V entertainment lounge which has a dance floor and live DJs. If you’re keen on music and dancing it’s worth going on a Friday or Saturday night when there’s a bigger focus on the entertainment program.
It’s possible to smoke on board the Victory, but only on the outside areas of Deck 4. There is no smoking inside at all.
If you happen to time your voyage (or more likely plan your trip) to coincide with a rocket launch from the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral you will be able to enjoy a great unimpeded view from the Victory. The ship doesn’t travel that far from the shoreline so you are pretty close to all the action.
How Long Are Victory Casino Cruises?
Victory Casino Cruises last for 5-6 hours. They currently leave twice a day every day of the week, except for Mondays, so you can choose between a morning or evening departure. The Friday and Saturday evening voyages are slightly longer.
It’s worth noting that for around 45 minutes at the start of the voyage, and again at the end you will not be able to gamble. This is because you have to be over 3 miles from the coast before it’s legal to gamble.
How Much Do Victory Casino Cruises Cost?
Victory Casino Cruises cost $20 per person. For this price, you get to board the ship and make use of the facilities but there is no food included. You will have to pay extra for drinks at the bar but you’ll get free drinks while gambling.
It used to be possible to buy a combined ticket that granted you access to the ship and also included food from the buffet. These aren’t currently available but it’s possible that they will be reintroduced in the future.
You get free drinks while you are gambling but you’ll need to tip your waiter or you can expect to be ignored for the rest of the journey.
Victory Casino Cruise Dining Options
On Victory Casino Cruises you have three eateries to choose from. The Atlantic Cafe is where you can purchase things like tossed salad, sandwiches, quesadillas, chicken wings, burgers, and desserts from the menu. Most mains cost $14, and desserts are around $10. Not bad.
The Sportsbook Lounge has an extensive a la carte menu to choose from. The lounge is decked out with wall-to-wall TV screens showing sporting events and video poker.
The Dolphin Bar is a bit more drink-focused but also offers light eats. The Dolphin Bar is a good place to visit if you want to enjoy ocean and sunset views.
Soft drinks, tea and coffee are complimentary. You have to pay for alcoholic drinks when you’re not actively gambling, but these are pretty reasonably priced with cocktails costing around $7.
There is currently no buffet available on board Victory Casino Cruises. It’s something that they used to offer for a reasonable price but all restaurants are now a la carte.
The food has very mixed reviews online. Around half of reviewers say it’s good and half say it’s not, so it really depends on what you like to eat, I guess.
Victory Casino Cruise Bus Transportation
It’s possible to arrange transportation to the ship directly with Victory Casino Cruises. You need to book and pay at least 24 hours in advance. The charge is a pretty reasonable $20 for a round trip.
There are three different bus routes across Florida with various stops along the way; these start in The Villages, Orlando and Palm Coast to the north of Cape Canaveral. Depending on demand you may travel in a van, minibus or coach. These vehicles are wheelchair accessible.
Hotels Near Victory Casino Cruises
If the bus transportation doesn’t work for you or if you want to turn your Victory Casino cruise into a longer trip you may like the idea of staying near to the port before or after your cruise. After all, there are so many cool things to do in Cape Canaveral.
Here are the places I recommend to stay:
Best Luxury Hotel: Cape Crossing Resort & Marina
This place is great if you are looking for a bit of luxury! It’s located in Merritt Island, about 7 miles away from the cruise terminal. You can enjoy a dip in the outdoor swimming pool, work out in the fitness center, or just chill in the shared lounge.
Closest Hotel: Holiday Inn Express Cape Canaveral
This hotel is super close to where you board the ship. But before you head off (or after) you can take a dip in the outdoor swimming pool, or visit the fitness center.
Best Budget Hotel: Budget Inn Cocoa
This appropriately named hotel is a great option if you’re looking to save some cash. It’s located in Cocoa, about 15 miles away from Port Canaveral. It’s not a fancy place but you’ll get everything you need including free WiFi and free private parking. All rooms come equipped with a desk, a flat-screen TV, and a private bathroom.
The Bottom Line
So there you have it – everything you ever wanted to know about Victory Casino Cruises. They are certainly a good option if you are looking for an inexpensive way to gamble in Florida.
A short trip out to sea is definitely a quicker option than heading to Vegas. The ship itself may be looking a little tired but there are a wealth of gambling options on board and plenty of chances for you to win big.
If you do lose all your chips you can always console yourself by enjoying some stunning views of the Space Coast.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
Are all the Blackjack tables uses continuous shuffler? Can I get a picture of the BJ table layout to see the payout on side bets?