And the Answer is …

I enjoy hearing from my readers and personally answer every email, letter, and phone call from them. Unfortunately, it seems like I get more correspondence from people asking questions or disagreeing with something I wrote than from people praising my work. The majority of the questions fit into three categories: they want information about poker cruises, they want an interpretation of a TDA rule, or they want to know something about PokerGives.org. Since the holidays are quickly approaching and people are looking for the perfect gift for the poker player in their life – or for themselves – in today’s column, I’ll answer some of the most recent questions I’ve received regarding cruises.

Question: What is the difference is between a poker cruise and a regular cruise?

Answer: The really big difference between a regular cruise and a Card Player Cruises trip is that there is a professional Las Vegas-style poker room offered in addition to the standard cruise activities. Passengers who book with us can play as much or as little poker as they want during the cruise. We bring our own equipment such as tables, chips, cards, and we hire only experienced dealers, shift bosses, board personnel, and tournament directors.

Question: Do you have to be rich to go on a poker cruise?

Answer: Definitely not! A Card Player Cruises vacation is easy on your budget. In fact, the cost for a seven-day cruise is usually less than you would spend to go away for a weekend. Starting at about $100 a day, cruises include your cabin, all-you-can-eat, nonstop shipboard activities, plus nightly entertainment.

Question: What is there to do on a poker cruise if my companion doesn’t play poker?

Answer: If poker doesn’t interest your traveling companion, there will be plenty of activities that will. They can play games like trivia or name that tune. They can attend enrichment lectures, watch a movie, go to a live performance show, relax at the pool or jacuzzi, gamble in the ship’s casino, work out in the fitness center, get pampered in the spa, or dance the night away,. In addition to these activities, some ships like the Oasis of the Seas (the venue for the April 13-20, 2013, Card Player Poker Tour) feature a zipline, rock climbing walls, skating rink, broadway-style theater, jazz club, 24 eating establishments, a carousel, a Central Park area, a Flowrider, an aqua theater, beauty salon, duty-free shops along with many other amenities. There also is a youth program that provides licensed counselors and nonstop fun so you can bring the entire family and rest assured that everyone will have a great time.

Question: What is your favorite destination?

Answer: I love them all, but for different reasons. I like the Caribbean for the beaches and water sports, Alaska for its beauty, Mexico for the partying, and the exotic international trips for the culture and sightseeing.

Question: What games are typically spread on a Card Player Cruises trip?

Answer: Card Player Cruises offers the largest selection of games and limits of any poker cruise company. There is at least one tournament offered most days with buy-ins in the $80-$125 range. Most of the players are recreational players so there are always plenty of low-limit cash games to choose from, as well as some “red-chip” games.

Question: What is the demographic of poker cruise customers?

Answer: We have customers from every age bracket. We even had one client who celebrated her 100th birthday with us. We have almost as many female as male players. They come from all over the United States and some foreign countries as well.

Question: Why should I book with Card Player Cruises?

Answer: Card Player Cruises has been in business for 20 years, far longer than any other cruise company. During this time span, many competing businesses have been launched, but most have gone out of business in a year or two. When it comes to sheer number of actual players, Card Player Cruises blows away its competitors and has even chartered an entire cruise ship four times, booking as many as 2,500 players on a cruise.

On all of the cruises, passengers are treated to free seminars, parties, gifts, poker lessons, etcetera. The Card Player Cruises staff provides concierge service and exclusive shore excursions for its clients. There also is staff available before, during, and after every cruise to answer questions about bookings, port activities, hotels near the embarkation port, insurance, shuttle service, and anything related to the cruise experience, Roommates can be provided for singles who don’t want to pay the single supplement.

Question: How do I go about booking a Card Player Cruises vacation?

Answer: Call the office at 888-999-4880 or check the website at cardplayercruises.com. A video with information about the Card Player Poker Tour hosted by Card Player Cruises is available at www.cardplayer.com/link/cppt-cruise-interview. Also, check the ad on page 35. For best pricing and availability, passengers should book early.

In summary, I strongly urge you to contact Card Player Cruises, the best poker cruise company of all times. I have the good fortune of escorting each of the cruises and will work hard to ensure that you have the best vacation possible.
I hope I’ve answered some of your questions about poker cruises. Please feel free to contact me via email to [email protected] if you want more information or just to say hello. There’s no time like the present to spoil yourself or someone you love! ♠

You can experience the joys of cruising on the beautiful Oasis of the Seas that Linda described above while participating in a major poker tournament. The Card Player Poker Tour, featuring a $1,100 buy in, will be held on the Oasis on April 13-20. Sign up by calling 888-999-4880 or visiting cardplayercruises.com.

Linda is available to host poker tournaments, seminars, and charity events. You can contact her through her website at www.cardplayercruises.com or follow her on Twitter at FirstLadyPoker.