Card Player Cruises to Host Largest Limit Hold'em Tournament in History

Have you always wanted to swim with stingrays? Catch a massive marlin? Parasail? Drive a dog sled? Watch as a wild bear steals fresh salmon off the grill? Break the bank at Monte Carlo? Walk on a glacier? Become a millionaire? Read on to see how all of these dreams can come true on a Card Player Cruises poker vacation.

First, here's the millionaire part: The 2002 Card Player Cruises schedule will begin with the March 10-17 Mexican Riviera poker cruise, on which one lucky player will make a dream come true by winning the Party Poker Million tournament and taking home a guaranteed $1 million.

"This is a very unique tournament because 100 players will qualify online and a maximum of 200 players will be able to buy in to the Party Poker Million," said Card Player Cruises Partner Linda Johnson. "We are very excited about offering players such an overlay. This really is a great tournament value. Tournament regulars will be pleased to know that Dave Lamb will be directing this four-day event. There will be a lot of play to this tournament, which will start on the second day of the cruise with players receiving $8,000 in chips, and will conclude on the sixth day of the cruise. I would think that every hold'em player in the country would want to take advantage of the $200,000 added money in this event, especially since they can win their entry via free or $22 buy-in one-table satellites online." For more information on qualifying or buying in to the Party Poker Million, see the ad on Page 91.

The second cruise of 2002 will sail round-trip from Seattle to Alaska June 16-23. Players can enjoy "Freestyle Cruising" aboard Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Sky, with prices beginning at $899. There are lots of excursions available in the ports of Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway, including salmon bakes, helicopter trips that land on a glacier, fishing, wildlife tours, scenic railroad trips, and rides with dog-sledding teams.

Plans have just been finalized for the Aug. 9-21 Rome and the Rivieras cruise aboard Orient Lines' Crown Odyssey. This trip starts in Barcelona, Spain, and has stops at Palma de Mallorca, Cannes/Monte Carlo, Portofino, and Livorno/Florence, and ends in Rome. Lots of sightseeing is included, as well as first-class hotel rooms in Barcelona and Rome. Prices for this cruise begin at $1,595 with a very low air add-on fare.

New Orleans will be the starting and ending port for the Sept. 29-Oct. 5 Western Caribbean cruise aboard Carnival's Inspiration. Prices for this seven-day trip begin at $550. The ports of Montego Bay, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel offer great water sports, shopping, and fishing opportunities.

The last cruise of 2002 will be the Dec. 1-8 Mexican Riviera cruise, sailing to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cabo San Lucas. The weather is perfect at this time of year, and the trip is affordable with prices starting at $550.

Over the past 13 years, Card Player Cruises has been synonymous with fun vacations at sea, including great poker action. Partners Linda Johnson, Jan Fisher, Bonnie Damiano, and Mark Tenner make it a personal goal to ensure that every cruiser has a great vacation. To accomplish this, they host welcome-aboard and farewell parties, organize exclusive excursions for their passengers, offer free lessons and seminars, conduct poker tournaments, maintain a wide variety of games and limits, provide a professional, friendly staff, and run a no-abuse cardroom. Card Player Cruises was the first cardroom to go nonsmoking (about six years ago), and still maintains that policy.

"We are very proud of the fact that we have had more than 10,000 satisfied cruisers since Card Player Cruises opened for business," said Johnson. "We have tremendous repeat business, and have hosted weddings and many family reunions. We offer a roommate-finding service for single passengers if they opt to go that route. I have taught hundreds of people to play poker in my beginner's classes. These players have a great time in a nonintimidating atmosphere. Of course, if you don't want to play poker, there still are all the normal cruise activities available to you. Many parents bring their children to enjoy the kids camps and nonstop activities. I don't think you will find a better vacation value than a poker cruise. All meals are included, as well as nonstop entertainment."

Cruisers who like to plan ahead can start thinking about attending the January 2003 Great Barrier Reef cruise, beginning in Sydney, Australia, and ending in Singapore. This 24-day trip will surely be the vacation of a lifetime!

For more information about Card Player Cruises, see the website at www.cardplayercruises.com, or call Bonnie Damiano at (888) 999-4880 or (702) 655-0919. You may also send E-mail to [email protected] or [email protected]. Don't miss the boat!