Spoil Yourself With a Card Player Cruises Poker Vacation!

You probably know by now how addicted I am to cruises, especially poker cruises. This is one of the reasons I originally became involved in Card Player, and why I am one of the owners of Card Player Cruises. In fact, I have been on approximately 50 poker cruises, as well as many more "check the ship to see if it will work well for poker" cruises. Many people have misconceptions about poker cruises, which I will try to dispel in this column.

Myth No. 1: I can't afford to take a poker cruise. Reality: Poker cruises are one of the cheapest vacations you will ever take, because your room, food, and shipboard entertainment are all included in the cruise price. In fact, Card Player Cruises has two seven-day cruises remaining this year with prices starting at less than $500 per person. The Mexican Riviera cruise, scheduled for Sept. 28-Oct. 5, is priced from $499, and the Nov. 9-16 Western Caribbean cruise has the lowest prices ever offered for a poker cruise, starting at just $389 per person. The third- and fourth-person rate for cruisers who share the same cabin is incredibly low, making a family vacation a great value.

Myth No. 2: People who go on poker cruises are professional poker players.

Reality: Wrong! I would estimate that more than 90 percent of our players are recreational players who are on the cruise to have a good time and play some poker. Most of our games fall into the $1-$2 to $20-$40 range, although we will spread higher limits if there is enough player interest to do so.

Myth No. 3: I can't go on a poker cruise because I don't want to spend my entire vacation playing poker.

Reality: You are not required to play poker at all. The poker room is there for you as a convenience, and there is no minimum number of playing hours required to be part of the poker group. Play as much or as little as you want. We close the poker room when we are in port, and also during first dinner seating, so that players can enjoy the cruise experience.

Myth No. 4: My traveling companion doesn't play poker, so a poker cruise is out of the question.

Reality: There is no difference between a poker cruise and a non-poker cruise as far as activities are concerned. All of the scheduled cruise events are offered, with the only difference being that a poker cruise includes a poker room for your enjoyment. Usually, our poker players comprise about 25 percent to 50 percent of the total passengers on the ship, so non-poker players have plenty to keep them busy.

Myth No. 5: Cruises are only for old people. I've also heard the reverse of this one: Cruises are only for young people.

Reality: Cruises are for people of all ages. We have many repeat passengers from every age group. The main thing is that cruises are for people who want to enjoy themselves.

Myth No. 6: I can't take a cruise because I get seasick.

Reality: Ships today are built so well and have such good stabilizers that you can hardly tell you are on the ocean. However, there are many types of preventatives available if you have serious seasick problems. I take Bonine once a day when I am cruising, and it completely prevents any motion sickness problems.

Myth No. 7: I am too busy to take a cruise vacation.

Reality: Sometimes you just have to make time to stop and smell the roses! There is an Internet center on the ship, as well as Internet cafes and phones in all ports. Phone service to and from the ship is available, although it's not recommended unless necessary, due to the expense involved.

Myth No. 8: I will be bored on a cruise.

Reality: There is so much to do that you definitely won't be bored. In addition to poker tournaments, live games, and free lessons and seminars, there are movies, trivia, a full casino, a spa, dance classes, sports activities, lectures, cooking lessons, poolside games, barbecues, ping-pong, shuffleboard, a disco, and lots of opportunities for sightseeing while in port.

So, what are you waiting for? Surprise your loved one by going on a cruise for a birthday, anniversary, or "just because." Warning: Poker cruises are addicting. You will definitely want more!

Now, let's play poker!