GALVESTON, Texas- Have you heard? You can now gamble in Galveston, kind of. A cruise ship, called Jacks or Better Casino, just arrived at the Galveston Yacht Basin this month. Once the ship is 9.1. Gambling Venues in Texas As discussed before, Texas only has two casinos – the Aransas Queen cruise and Kickapoo Lucky Eagle. Lucky Eagle is by far the largest of these casinos, sporting over 3,300 Class II gaming machines. But it’s also in the remote Lucky Pass area on the Mexican border, making it difficult for many Texans to visit.

The departing and arrival times, listed below, for Wednesday thru Sunday cruises remains the same. Minimum Age: 18 years of age to sail and/or gamble, 21 years of age to consume alcohol. Valid Government I.D. Proper attire required (shoes and shirts). Gambling cruises? Differences from Land-Based Casinos. Learning about the differences between land-based casinos and cruise-based casinos will help you determine whether or not gambling cruises are the right fit for you! The age restriction for gambling cruises is typically less restrictive than land-based casinos.

Thanks to its characteristic desert landscapes and wide-open ranges, Texas is not usually the first place one thinks of for cruising. However, the Lone Star State offers many options for anyone seeking a single-day voyage across the water. Choices not only vary by city, but also by length, style and amenities offered.

Kemah

The resort town of Kemah lies within the greater Houston metropolitan area and plays home to the 60-acre Kemah Boardwalk entertainment complex. Several one-day cruises depart from the town every day to explore Clear Lake and Galveston Bay. The Boardwalk FantaSea is a two-story charter yacht that offers coastal sightseeing trips, themed dinner cruises and weekend party voyages complete with booze and a DJ. The interior boasts hand-crafted cabinetry, 42-inch plasma TVs and room for 140 guests. Another operator, Star Fleet, maintains four different cruisers for a variety of occasions and can host anywhere from 12 to 150 people. They offer a murder mystery dinner cruise where guests are treated to a theatrical performance while they enjoy gourmet cuisine, as well as an intimate 'water limo' that pub crawls to local seaside bars and venues.

South Padre Island

South Padre Island, just outside Brownsville, offers an array of one-day seafaring adventures. Murphy's Law, from Isla Tours, is a 67-foot double-decker offering 90-minute eco-tours during the day; guests can glimpse bottle-nosed dolphins as they cruise the water. Weekend nights between Memorial Day and Labor Day are reserved for fireworks cruises while party music plays. For the active sportsperson, full- and half-day fishing charters in the Gulf of Mexico are available on the 49-foot Hard Bottom Too; all bait and tackle is provided. As another alternative, Osprey Cruises has a fleet of six boats for various adventures, from deep-sea fishing to speedboating to sea life safari trips. One vessel, the Black Dragon, resembles a 17th-century pirate ship and is perfect for a day out with the kids.

Galveston

The coastal community of Galveston provides several cruise choices. Those seeking a historical experience will enjoy the Colonel, a stately three-level paddle wheeler with a 650-person capacity. The boat takes hour-long jaunts around Offatts Bayou. Everything from the decor to the uniformed staff is meant to evoke America in the late 18th century. Daytime cruises are open to all guests, while the more extensive evening dinner cruises require reservations. For a more modern experience, the family owned and operated BayWatch Dolphin Tours takes out a jet-drive boat with no propellers that can get riders within earshot of dolphins. The boat can hold 36 passengers; infants and pets ride free.

Austin

Austin is known for its cruising options on Lady Bird Lake. The Lone Star Riverboat offers scenic sightseeing trips each weekend afternoon, accompanied by a detailed commentary from the boat's captain. One-hour bat-watching tours at dusk and nighttime moonlight cruises are also available March through October. Holiday-themed cruises are held on New Year's Day, Valentine's Day and the Fourth of July. Another operator, Capital Cruises, is the largest all-electric fleet in the area, hosting lunch and dinner cruises, weddings and other corporate events. They also rent water sports equipment such as kayaks and paddleboards. In addition, the Meadow Center at Texas State University, just south of Austin in San Marcos, offers 30-minute glass-bottom boat tours across the ecologically diverse Spring Lake.

About the Author

Mark Heidelberger has been writing for more than 22 years, from articles and short stories to novels and screenplays. He is a consummate foodie, loves to travel and has run several businesses, all of which influence his work. He also holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from UCLA.

Gambling Boat In Texas

Gambling Cruise Texas

At one time, gamblers could take day casino cruises in Galveston, Texas, but these types of cruises no longer exist. They have been replaced by longer Caribbean cruises on ocean liners that have casinos for travelers as well as other amenities. Cruising from Galveston is a more economical option when compared to cruises available from many other ports in the United States. Carnival Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines offer several options for cruises featuring gambling opportunities.

Carnival Ecstasy

The Crystal Palace Casino aboard the Carnival Ecstasy offers a full range of gambling options including card games, craps, blackjack, roulette, slots and more. Carnival offers a variety of cruise lengths from three to five days on the Ecstasy in the western Caribbean. Ports along the route include Cozumel, Mexico and Progreso, Yucatan, Mexico. In addition to gambling while at sea, cruisers also enjoy a wireless Internet café, a swimming pool, a water park, an adults-only outdoor area, lounges, nightclubs and duty-free shops. Dining options include choices between several formal and casual restaurants. The ship also offers a kids program called Camp Carnival where kids ages two to 11 have their own space with a variety of fun activities.

Carnival Conquest

The Carnival Conquest leaves from Galveston for seven-day western Caribbean cruises. Destinations on this trip include Montego Bay, Jamaica; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, and Cozumel, Mexico. The Conquest casino features the same games you would find at any Las Vegas casino. All Carnival cruise ship casinos offer the Carnival Players Club in which your free membership gives you access to special casino promotions and tournaments. While on board the Conquest, guests can take a chance on MegaCash, the world’s largest cruise ship jackpot. The Conquest also features several dining options, pools, a spa and activities for children.

Royal Caribbean Voyager of the Sea

Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Sea offers both seven and 14-night cruises from Galveston. Depending on the dates of the trip, the seven-night Western Caribbean cruise includes stops in Roatan, Honduras; Costa Maya, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Falmouth, Jamaica; Belize City, Belize, and Cozumel, Mexico. The 14-night cruises are transatlantic trips with stops in Nassau, Bahamas; Ponta Deglada, Azores; Malaga, Spain; Cartagena, Spain; Funchal, Portugal; Santa Cruz, Canary Islands; and Barcelona, Spain. The Casino Royale on all Voyager class ships in the Royal Caribbean line features card tables, roulette wheels, slot machines and more. In addition to gambling, the Voyager of the Sea offers several specialty restaurants, onboard ice-skating, pubs and lounges, a youth and teen program and more.

About the Author

Jeff Jones has been a writer since 1995 after a career in corporate marketing. His writing covers a range of business topics including marketing, corporate culture and human resources. More recently, he has written on topics of spirituality and life in the church. He has a degree in journalism/marketing from Texas A&M University and a master's in Christian education from Perkins School of Theology.