There is something free and exciting about hitting up a casino while on a cruise ship. It’s the idea of being out in the middle of the ocean, playing slots with the barely perceptible movements of the ocean conducting everything in the background, like a motion-based soundtrack. It’s calming, but at the same time opens you up to the exhilaration offered by games of chance. Everything tastes a little bit sweeter out on the water.
Recent research by a leading resource for slots UK players into cruise ship casinos has revealed that one ship brings extra luck to its passengers. Using reviews on sites like Tripadvisor and applying keyword filters to the listed reviews, including words such as ‘luck’, ‘lucky’ and ‘happy’, allowed researchers to create a list of the luckiest active cruise ships. This Lucky Review Percentage (LRP) revealed the World’s Luckiest Casino Cruise.
The Top Three Ships Sailing High
The number one cruise ship for those looking to strike it lucky is the Diamond Princess. The vessel operated by Diamond Cruise International achieved an LRP of 17.1%, comfortably higher than that of any other ship. The Diamond Princess offers passengers a full Las Vegas-style casino, complete with modern slots, blackjack and Texas hold ‘em tables, and hosts regular tournaments during sailings. The ship underwent a full modernisation in 2019 and further refurbishment in 2023 ahead of its Japan season, so even those who don’t win big at least get to try their luck in style.
In second place came the Royal Caribbean Cruises vessel Wonder of the Seas with an LRP of 15.6%. Celebrity Cruises’ ship, Infinity, came third with a 12.2% LRP. Both of these ships operate more like floating resorts than cruise liners, with guests able to choose from a wide range of table games and slots, whether they fancy a quick post-dinner flutter or a full evening at the tables.
The Rest of the Top Ten
Some other ships that received honourable mentions on the list include Emerald from Princess Cruises, which took fourth place with 10.1%, and the famous Queen Elizabeth from Cunard Cruise Line, which was close behind in fifth with a 10% LRP. These two well-placed ships prove that a little bit of British heritage is never a bad thing when it comes to trying your luck at sea.
Big M Gaming LLC, which operates out of South Carolina, and the P&O ship Azura took sixth and seventh place with scores of 9.5% and 9.4%, respectively. Further down, Victory Casino Cruises came in eighth with 8.8% and Wind Star from Windstar Cruises recorded an LRP of 8.6%, while the Riviera, operated by Oceania Cruises, rounded out the table with a score of 7.9%.
Interestingly, when looking at the data, Victory Casino Cruises reported the highest volume of lucky keyword mentions, with 133 total mentions. However, they also had the largest volume of total reviews, which resulted in a lower calculated LRP than the raw numbers would suggest.
Why Cruise Ship Casinos Keep Getting Better
The casino resources found on modern cruise ships have come a long way from the days of a few machines hidden away in the corner. Modern vessels have entire floors dedicated to recreating the look and feel of brick-and-mortar casinos. They now form a large part of the ship’s attractions, alongside fine dining, on-board entertainment and, of course, the various destinations visited during the trip.
Yes, cruises can offer stunning visuals and sweeping vistas. However, there are also long periods when you are out in the middle of the ocean, with water as far as the eye can see in every direction. Savvy operators noticed that passengers were starting to want more than just all-you-can-eat buffets and swimming pools. Heavy investment in casino design followed, and now most modern cruise liners offer everything from casino staples like blackjack, poker and roulette to a vast range of digital slots and other machine-based games. In some instances, these casinos rival their larger land-based counterparts while also offering breathtaking, ever-changing views of the surrounding scenery.
What Makes a Casino Feel Lucky
A key consideration when looking at this research and the LRP table is what makes certain ships and passengers mention luck in their reviews. The answer most likely comes down to the general atmosphere on board. A well-designed casino area with a good range of games, good lighting, friendly staff and the buzz of potential creates a positive atmosphere that reviewers are likely to notice and remember, especially when recalling their experiences after the fact. Whether they are casual slots players or competitive-minded tournament lovers, the design lingers long in the memory.
Of course, the importance of the setting cannot be overstated either. There is something romantic about being out at sea. Playing blackjack at a table with no land visible in any direction has an undeniably magical quality that gets people excited and talking. Gambling blends well with the sense of adventure that comes from seafaring and is quickly carried over into the words of those who take the time to write down their experiences.
Final Thoughts
There is something undeniably special about visiting a casino while sailing on a cruise ship. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter whether you are trying your luck on the Diamond Princess or enjoying the charm and luxury of the Queen Elizabeth; either way, an evening in the casinos will deliver an experience that you will surely remember. You win some, you lose some, but whatever boat you’re on, the casino will deliver something that hits differently than a land-based casino trip.
While some ships may appear luckier than others, the simple answer is they all deliver a good time. So, when you’re planning your next cruise, it’s worth giving the casino options some thought. Ultimately, though, you can’t go wrong with any vessel in the LRP rankings.