- Casino Cruise Galveston Texas
- Casino Cruise Galveston Tx
- Gambling Cruises From Galveston Tx
- Casino Cruises From Galveston
- Casino Cruises From Galveston Tx
- Gambling Cruises From Galveston
Join one of our special event group cruises leaving out of Galveston or Florida, sailing to beautiful destinations in the Caribbean and Bahamas, or choose your own destination out of any port. It doesn't matter where you cruise to, John Taylor & Co. Will make your experience one to remember. There's fun waiting for you at every port. Casino/Gambling Cruise Specials We've gathered all of the Casino/Gambling cruise specials ordered by sail date. Click on a special and select a sail date to get a single cruise quote from the cruise agency that posted that particular special.
It wasn't the most auspicious start for the Jacks or Better Casino boat.On April 15, only a week after its very first jaunt, the 155-foot yacht—which, conditions permitting, takes daily trips out of Galveston and into federal waters, where gambling is legal—scraped against a marker, causing an estimated $40,000 in cosmetic damage and knocking the ship out of commission for weeks.
We took a ride on the Jacks on May 5, the day it resumed operations. Captain Dave Kendrick, who's been a licensed captain since 1997, gave us a tour of the bridge, the room from which he steers the ship.
'I was the captain during the accident,' he said, addressing the incident in his matter-of-fact manner. 'It's the first time that has ever happened in my career. We were coming in at 11:20 p.m., and I lost sight and confused the markers. When I figured out what was happening, it was too late…. There's no good excuse for it, but things happen, and I'm thankful nobody got hurt.'
The incident certainly didn't deter 60 passengers from paying $15 a pop to board the sleek vessel the day we went out. They resembled your typical casino crowd, which is to say most were Baby Boomers or older, many were wearing Crocs, and more smoked cigarettes than didn't.
We wandered up to the top deck of the boat from the bridge. It was a beautiful, sunny day. Online poker how to win. The ship glided past shrimp boats casting their nets and container ships heading to port. Seagulls and pelicans followed in our wake, hoping to catch an early lunch.
Although it was a beautiful scene, few were taking it in. Instead, they were inside, having already claimed their seats on the mostly windowless gambling floors, ready to play.
Many people are traveling to Louisiana to gamble. Why not keep that money in Texas?
Each trip the Jacks takes out into the Gulf of Mexico lasts seven hours—an hour and a half each nine-mile trip into federal waters, plus four hours of gambling—and the best days to go out, particularly for the seasickness-prone, are when the water's nice and calm. The ship offers two floors of colorful Vegas-style slot machines and card tables where up to 150 passengers can play games like blackjack, craps, roulette and baccarat (pending Coast Guard approval, the capacity could jump to 300).
'I'm excited to try this,' one woman also enjoying the view, Kim Walden, told us. Walden owns a beach home in Galveston and, she confessed, loves gambling. She and her husband not only frequent commercial cruise lines (which all have casinos), but regularly travel to Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas's Native American reservations. She was excited, she said, to try something closer to home. 'It's nice that finally we have something practically in our backyard.'
Largely due to antiquated Bible Belt politics, gambling in Texas is illegal, with the exceptions of the lottery, horse and greyhound racing, reservation casinos, and casino boats like the Jacks or Better, which offer single-day gambling trips without having to meet the old requirement of first calling on a foreign port. These boats have served towns along the state's coast, including Galveston, ever since being legalized in 1989, but before the Jacks' arrival, the Oleander City had done without for a couple of years.
We wandered inside, and, finally, the moment arrived. The captain announced we were in federal waters and that tables were open. Immediately, a symphony of dings, pings and slot-machine tunes filled the air.
As we watched the action, we thought of a point Henry had made while we chatted inside the bridge. 'Many people are traveling to Louisiana to gamble,' he'd said. 'Why not keep that money in Texas?'
Casino Cruise Galveston Texas
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.
Casino Cruise Galveston Tx
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.
Gambling Cruises From Galveston Tx
References
Casino Cruises From Galveston
About the Author
Casino Cruises From Galveston Tx
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 Cruises From Galveston
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