Offshore Day-Boats

Although the heyday for offshore gambling boats is long past, Florida still has some day cruises.

The gambling boats are popular for their slots and provide the only legal craps and roulette games there are "in" Florida. With the expansion of Indian casinos the slot machines on the vessels are less attractive but the vessels are still around although the industry seems to be suffering.

One very modern gambling ship moored in Cape Canaveral was recently sold at a bankruptcy auction. One boat based near Palm Beach has cancelled a few sailings recently due to engine trouble and is now towed by tugboats into international waters and left there for a few hours.

There are no data available on the slot paytables. The craps tables are either 5x or 3x4x5x. Its usually a ten dollar minimum. Some of the dice crew are inexperienced. Dice (and the cards at the blackjack tables) move FAST!! And lets face it... its a fleafest!

The one saving grace for me is... its nearby.

The Fort Myers Beach boat has morning cruises Tuesday through Sunday. Evening Cruises Friday thru Sunday. Craps is available Friday thru Sunday. Table games lower limit is 5.00 on all morning cruises. BJ is dealt FAST! Roulette is available.

Economic pressures induced by the nearby Indian Casinos and the massive numbers of class 3 slot parlors are undoubtedly going to make these boats a thing of the past at some point in time. Craps is not legal in the state of Florida but is not very popular aboard the various boats either.

UPDATED INFORMATION FOR FLORIDA-BASED DAY BOATS.

West Coast: Fort Myers Beach: Big M Casino Boat
Sails with modest boarding fee and modest buffet fee. Many discounts for seniors that effectively waive the ten dollar boarding fee. Craps is available ONLY Friday, Saturday and Sunday cruises. 5x odds, fast pace, no fondling of the dice allowed. You pick 'em up and throw them, or you don't shoot. You try to set them in any fashion you get ONE warning from the Box. Even if not attempting to set the dice in any particular manner, you pick 'em and you throw them... fast.

East Coast: Port Canaveral: Victory One (formerly named Surfside Princess).
SunCruz has emerged from Chapter Seven bankruptcy proceedings, is holding a three day job fair starting today (Dec 1, 2010) and expects to commence five hour gambling cruises from Cruise Ship Pier Number Two in Port Canaveral, Florida which is East-SouthEast of Orlando, Florida.
No word yet on exact sailing dates or times or boarding fees.
Craps expected to be available on each and every cruise.

Note: SunCruz has a bad reputation amongst dealers. I would expect the pace to be fast and that players should keep an eye on their chips at all times, particularly when coloring up.

I went on a SunCruz ride one time it sucked. Riding out was boring. Playing was OK. Riding back was intolerable.

The Moss Marine's Big M Casino boat is a nice large and very stable boat and I was never uncomfortable on it at all. It travels through some "no wake" zones but its a pleasant cruise.

The SunCruz boat that is about to resume operations out of Port Canaveral is large but I've not sailed on it even when it was the Surfside Princess or something like that. Others may be familiar with it. It is a large boat and appears that it would be very stable no matter what sea it was in.

Of course the ride back in would always be very pleasant if you were coming back in the plus column!

I do view the Florida Day Boats as being undesirable as casinos go... its just that the boats are closer than Biloxi or Tunica.

Anyone have first-hand knowledge of the New Port Richey casino boat? My understanding is that the casino boat itself stays anchored off shore, with high-speed (?) shuttles taking the players in and out several times per day. Seems this could be a more efficient way to operate a casino for more hours.

Quote: Doc

Anyone have first-hand knowledge of the New Port Richey casino boat? My understanding is that the casino boat itself stays anchored off shore, with high-speed (?) shuttles taking the players in and out several times per day. Seems this could be a more efficient way to operate a casino for more hours.

I went on this boat about 6 months ago. The shuttle takes about 45 minutes each way, 3 trips a day.
Went on a weekday afternoon, mostly older crowd. one craps table, $5.00, double odds. Slots are all
coin droppers, so cage has a long line when the shuttle is about to leave, (the wife came home with a
bucket full of nickels due to the long line and not wanting to miss the boat).

Quote: 4toaroyal

one craps table, $5.00, double odds.

With the Hard Rock in Tampa being fairly close and offering Slots, Blackjack, MiniBacc, but no craps or roulette, I couldn't see any great reason to go on the Offshore Boats other than the craps or roulette availability. By law it can't be offered in Florida (yet).
Why ride on a nautical shuttle for forty-five minutes when a drive to Tampa isn't that much longer? No shuttle schedule to worry about when you leave Tampa's Hard Rock and no need to worry about seasickness pills.

I don't see how a slots boat can really compete with the various HappyWampum casinos. Maybe Floridians just love boats or something?

I've been on some of the various Offshore Day Boats when they were more active. The one near Palm Beach used to have two craps tables in operation with a third craps table opened if there was sufficient demand. I think it was 5x odds. The ship was not well maintained and actually had to be towed in and out of port. I don't know its present status but I sure won't go on it if its engines never work. I think it stopped operating entirely, but am not certain.

The Big M Casino on the Florida west coast appears to be a well maintained boat and has one craps table with I believe 5x odds but the craps table is only open Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The boat does have mainly older people playing slot machines but I can't see how a day boat could compete with even an Indian casino. Moss Marine also operates a similar Day Boat in South Carolina.

To me, craps would indeed be the reason for going to the Port Richey boat casino instead of the Seminole Hard Rock in Tampa, which I visited in October. Unless you perhaps considered the shuttle ride an interesting time spent on the ocean. And the casino trip would probably only be of interest if you are already out toward the beaches.

Agreed, the only reason I went was for a craps fix. The Hard Rock is closer to home, and alot easier to get up and leave.

I think I would try the boats if I had the time (our usual trips to Florida are pretty quick ones to the destination; gambling time is pretty limited). I have tried both the Hard Rocks in Tampa and Ft Lauderdale and I don't find them as very fun places to play. Since I am playing games I am "expected" to lose it HAS to be worth it as entertainment. Both of these places feature high table minimums, seemingly tight slots, and (at least in Tampa) drinks you have to buy. Not exactly the formula for a fun night...

The boats also would get the vote even if the craps is only 2x odds. I can't stand casinos that don't have craps as an option--that is the game I want to play on each and every trip. I do play a lot of others, but that is my favorite...

Questions: Are these real slots? Like real RNG, not e-pull tabs? Is "HappyWampum" the name of a specific type of Indian casino (I've heard someone use it before here), it sounds a little racist? I'm not judging or anything, just curious - I'd relate my respect for other cultures to Cartman from South Park, seriously.

Rhetorical-ish question: Why would they allow slots but not craps or roulette? I mean it's not like one is worse than the other, I don't see the rationale behind that. I know this is somewhat common-place, like some places have "slot parlors" so I decided this would be the good place to ask that question. On a more serious note, what is the rationale behind e-pull tabs over real slot machines? Personally, I'd play some real slot machines if we had them in Washington.

Wampum is an Indian word for money... or at least it is an Indian word for money according to Hollywood.

HappyWampum is my name for all these Indian casinos that are poorly run: rude dealers and scowling floormen, coupons mailed after the events take place, dealers who don't know the rules, no free drinks, no comps, etc. etc. The only reason Foxwoods in Connecticut is better run is that "tribe" really didn't exist until some lawyers read the law about gambling and sovereign Indian tribes and decided to go out and hire a genealogist and a historian to get them an Indian tribe so there would be lots of money floating around.

Dice games and roulette wheels are illegal in Florida. Such laws have never made sense, but the federal laws that allow gaming on Indian reservations or by Indian tribes don't allow unlawful games that the state bans. That is why California's Indian casinos all use cards rather than dice for craps. That is why the gambling boats have to be in International Waters before any gambling starts and all chips must be cashed before the boat returns to US waters.

I understand the slot machines on the boats are often older ones but I've never played any of them or really gone near them. I try not to even go near a slot machine in Vegas either.

I live an hour south of Tampa. I drive that plus 7 to Biloxi. Craps, Mississippi Stud, $5 game of Baccarat, Blackjack Switch plus a real nice area and great seafood. A real no brainer!

Quote: FleaStiff

Wampum is an Indian word for money... or at least it is an Indian word for money according to Hollywood.

HappyWampum is my name for all these Indian casinos that are poorly run: rude dealers and scowling floormen, coupons mailed after the events take place, dealers who don't know the rules, no free drinks, no comps, etc. etc. The only reason Foxwoods in Connecticut is better run is that "tribe" really didn't exist until some lawyers read the law about gambling and sovereign Indian tribes and decided to go out and hire a genealogist and a historian to get them an Indian tribe so there would be lots of money floating around.

Dice games and roulette wheels are illegal in Florida. Such laws have never made sense, but the federal laws that allow gaming on Indian reservations or by Indian tribes don't allow unlawful games that the state bans. That is why California's Indian casinos all use cards rather than dice for craps. That is why the gambling boats have to be in International Waters before any gambling starts and all chips must be cashed before the boat returns to US waters.

I understand the slot machines on the boats are often older ones but I've never played any of them or really gone near them. I try not to even go near a slot machine in Vegas either.

Wampum is the word for beads. I don't know about the rest of the country, but in southern New England it's very common to hear money referred to as Wampum. Long before casinos were thought of, everyone understood what Wampum was.

Foxwoods' Players Club was called the Wampum Club and the card was the Wampum Card. When MGM opened in 2008 the name was changed to Dream Card and it is used at both venues. If you have an old Wampum Card, it still works at Foxwoods but not at MGM.

Your sentiments about how Foxwoods came about are shared by most Connecticut residents. Some even call them the "fake Indians".

Yes, Biloxi is preferable to the Day Boats... atleast Biloxi offers far more.
For those who occasionally take the SW Florida Big M Casino Boat out of Fort Myers Beach:
Their craps table is now open THURSDAY Evening thru SUNDAY Evening cruises.
Thursday is Five Dollar Boarding, Five Dollar Buffet, Five Dollar Minimum Bet at Table Games.

I too, however, would favor some real casinos in Biloxi and of course would favor casinos in Las Vegas but for the lengthy flight and undesired airport delays.

Okay, it looks like I'll be heading out to Tampa for a business trip, and I'd like to try out some Florida gambling while I'm there.

Looking at Google maps and online, it looks like the Hard Rock in Tampa and the Sun Cruz Port Richey are my only two options. I'd like to play craps, so that narrows it down to the casino cruise, but with 45 minute - 1 hour drive from Tampa, and then a 45 minute boat ride to the ship, is it worth it? I could probably be happy enough playing blackjack and PGP at Hard Rock, and the trip would be much shorter...

So does anyone know what the Sun Cruz ship is like? Is it worth the trip? Would the craps table even be open during the week?

Quote: ElectricDreams

Okay, it looks like I'll be heading out to Tampa for a business trip, and I'd like to try out some Florida gambling while I'm there.

Tampa's Hard Rock is: No craps, No roulette. If you are okay with that... good luck.

>So does anyone know what the Sun Cruz ship is like?
Its a floating dump.
> Is it worth the trip? Well, if you win, I guess it is, but when you get back to your hotel room you will take a real long shower.
> Would the craps table even be open during the week?
Check and be sure. I hear its so financially marginal right now that the shuttle boat should be confirmed as still running.

With all that travel time to Port Richey etc. you might be better off treking downward about two hours or so and taking the Big M Casino out of Moss Marine in Fort Myers Beach. Craps is Thursday Night, Friday, Saturday, Sunday. The Thursday Night is believed to be five dollar boarding fee and five dollar buffet and also five dollar minimum at BJ and Craps. Saturday morning is five dollar boarding fee as well, Saturday Night is 26.00 fee for boarding and buffet combined. They do have a roulette wheel too but its not always in use. Lots of BJ, One craps table. Mainly retirees and slots though. Gambling in international waters only ofcourse, Charity Bingo or dancing in USA waters. Cash bar, I think. You can only cash your chips in INTERNATIONAL waters, so pay attention to the time and don't get caught in the rush hour.

Thanks for the advice, FleaStiff. Two hours seems like a lot just to satisfy my urge to play craps... I might just stick with the Hard Rock.

Lame Florida and their lame gaming laws...

Quote: ElectricDreams

Thanks for the advice, FleaStiff. Two hours seems like a lot just to satisfy my urge to play craps... I might just stick with the Hard Rock.

Two hour drive plus 45 minutes in USA waters while you enjoy the buffet or the cruise.
I agree... its alot just for a 5x craps game. More fun for you than that Port Richey dump though.
I think you are correct: be happy with the Hard Rock's blackjack, baccarat and a few other things.
And maybe by your next trip the laws will change. Sheldon Edelson of the Venetian recently hosted the Governor of Florida who is said to have flip-flopped on his "Exclusivity Zone for existing Seminole Tribe Casinos" policy. Competition in Miami will mean craps and roulette will soon follow.

In South Carolina we have one boat in Little River, SC (North Myrtle Beach) ...mostly older, chain smokers. Boat's in ok condition on a good day. Lower deck windows usually looks like a couple passengers got sick on the top deck. Two $5 craps tables, roulette, slots and poker. If you're not a smoker bring a Hazmat air filter... if you are a smoker - save the money and just breathe DEEP!

Also, a boat out of Savannah, GA. Never been on it.

Been to the Hard Rock and almost fell out of my chair when I first saw the waitress charging for drinks....

Quote: FleaStiff

45 minutes in USA waters while you enjoy the buffet or the cruise.

How far is it to "international waters"? The figure 12 miles sounds familiar, but where is it measured from?

Quote: Ayecarumba

How far is it to "international waters"? The figure 12 miles sounds familiar, but where is it measured from?

Yes 12 miles. Up to '97 they only needed to go 3 miles but Rudy Giuliani put a bug up the Feds arse. I assume his mob connections in NYC were losing customers.

Measured from low tide mark

Quote: Ayecarumba

How far is it to "international waters"? The figure 12 miles sounds familiar, but where is it measured from?

Actually there is a speed limit for some of the trip that the Big M Casino takes which is why there is dancing, drinking, bingo, etc. on the way in and out. Also the buffet actually opens prior to sailing and most people eat on the way out and have another seating of the buffet or have a dessert on the way back inbound.

I think if you were in Tampa you would really have to want craps real bad to make the drive of over two hours. I've heard there are underground casinos in Tampa that offer craps but I've never been to any of them. A former dealer at a Seminole casino claimed to have been a craps dealer in Tampa before the Hard Rock opened. I would imagine such things are not tolerated now though.

If you are in Tampa, I'd just be content without any craps or roulette.

Where do you guys in the Florida area go to play craps?

I've not kept up with the offerings.

There used to be an underground casino in Tampa, its long gone.
There used to be a boat out of Palm Springs (Riviera Beach) but it became unsafe and had to be towed to and from the dock. I've not heard anything about it for a long time. [On Edit: this was the Palm Beach Princess. It had persistent engine problems.]

Supposedly there was a Miami boat added and of course it appears that there is a Port Canaveral boat (Cocoa Beach).

There is also The Big M Casino, out of Fort Myers Beach. Day and Evening sailings Tuesday through Sunday but craps only Thursday Night through Sunday Night. Slots, Blackjack, roulette, etc. all the time. BJ dealt super fast. Evening voyage features dancing, afternoon voyage features charity Bingo for Fort Myers Beach Fire Department as entertainment for the return voyage. [On edit: Evening cruises feature "The M Girls" prancing around. I believe the BJ is 3:2 but is dealt rather fast. There are two or three cheap tables but most get a bit higher, yet its still better than local Indian 6:5 BJ. Cocktails are free on the Big M but not in the Indian casinos.]

My advice is to check websites to make sure everything is running .
http://www.gamingfloor.com/DayShips.html#Florida is currently a good source for both the present and the historical offerings. Be advised: the GamingFloor page should be read carefully to distinguish between that which is currently sailing and those ships that were offered in the past.




Usual boarding fees are ten to twenty dollars, usually buffet fee is ten to twenty dollars. Quite often local papers contain weekly coupons for a modest saving on boarding fees or buffet charges. Players Club cards issued on board but retain them for later boarding discounts.

Thanks for the update. I know about the Fort Myers Big M Casino and the Victory Casino in Port Canaveral. There is supposed to be a new cruise boat by Black Diamonds Inc. at the Port of West Palm Beach opening sometime in April. I was not aware that they might be a casino boat opening in Miami. I'll check around online to see if I can get any info on that.

Quote: CrapsForever

There is supposed to be a new boat by Black Diamonds at West Palm Beach opening sometime in April ...
I was not aware that there might be a casino boat opening in Miami; I'll check around to see if I can get any info on that.

Any new information for us?

I spoke to one of the representatives for Black Diamonds Casino Cruise which will be located at the Port of West Palm Beach. the general information phone # is (561) 845-2559. The rep told me the boat which I believe was the old Palm Beach Princess is still being refurbished and should be ready for use by the end of April. I call once a week to try to get further updates, once I get any new information, I will post it.

Regarding a casino boat in Miami; I have not seen anything related to this whatsoever.

Quote: CrapsForever

We need Craps here in South Florida ASAP! Driving 3 hours each way to Port Canaveral (Victory Casino Cruises) is a bit of a drag though I must admit they run an excellent operation.

Cocoa Beach is just a mite south and often has many military and defense seminars, the University of Central Florida often hold Project Management certificate programs there, some conventions might be of interest to you or your family members, such as:
a comic/gaming/anime convention
Only $6 with a canned food item.
Anime
Comics
Game Tournaments
Lan, Console and Tabletop Gaming
Bands
Dance
Dealers
Contests
Panels

Leave the spouse and kids there and sneak off to the craps boat or something.

As to that Black Diamond boat I understand you get authoritative information from Gambino in NYC. (Just in case you are planning on counting cards at their blackjack tables or anything).

I heard the dealers on the FL casino day things get $40 an hour and any tips they receive are put back in the rack.

I've heard that at the former SunCruz corporation a dealer asked at a meeting about a Toke Committee to oversee the count and was fired on the spot. Not sure if its true or not but wouldn't be surprized.