In an attempt to infuse their gambling halls with a bit of class, in an attempt to provide a similar Vegas atmosphere in the beckoning waves of the Atlantic, in an attempt to take advantage of the wonderful climate in which they were situated – many ports along the west and southern coast offer Florida casino cruises. The concept is fairly straightforward – for approximately five hours, you will find yourself adrift at sea, with a wealth of table games, poker tables and slot machines with which to entertain yourself. Entertainment and food are also part of the package, naturally, and are generally enjoyed over the 45 minute wait you have until the ship clears U.S. waters and the gaming floor is opened.

Casino cruises in Florida are especially popular due to their ubiquity throughout the state’s ports. The most popular usually disembark from the southern shores, such as Miami, Fort Lauderdale or Palm Beach, though you can grab a ride and try your luck from plenty of northern ports too. Packed with blackjack tables, craps tables and roulette wheels, for a small fee (usually in the twenty dollar range) the ship will whisk you into the gentle waters of the Gulf of Mexico with no set destination in mind – only the highs and lows that come with any gambling binge.

Reaching up the ridges of the east and west coasts, you can catch a few of these Florida casino cruises from cities such as St. Petersburg, Fort Myers in the west and Jacksonville along the east. But if you wish to take a casino cruise Miami is the best place to start. From here a number of the most popular cruises originate – from the popular SeaEscape cruise liner to the brand new Horizons Edge Casino Cruise Miami.

SeaEscape is the largest of the casino cruises in Florida, both in terms of square footage and patronage. And it’s no stretch to see why: they have supervised camp activities for children, complimentary buffet and cocktails, and the casino floor is the closest you will get to Las Vegas.

SunCruz is another of the great casino cruises in Florida, and is by far the most expansive – these ships set sail from locations all across the state, from Jacksonville to Fort Myers. They are also the most affordable – they range in price from free to a mere ten dollars.

Another of the casino cruises in Florida growing in popularity is the Discovery Cruise Line. For those that wish to stay on board a little longer than five hours, the Discovery Casino Cruise Miami-Bahamas is perfect. Not only is the cruise relatively inexpensive, but it stays overnight docked in the Bahamas. So you get the onboard casino, flush with every kind of game you can imagine, along with the option to gamble at the famous Isle of Capri Casino in the Bahamas after you reach your destination. At less than sixty dollars each way, it’s a wonder that the cruise ever has any space available.

No matter where you are in Florida, there’s likely a casino cruise waiting nearby for you. Whether you want to head off for a few hours or overnight, a cruise is a lavish and enchanting way to chase your fortunes.