Cruises can be an unknown quantity for those who have never had the pleasure. Having been on several cruises myself, I know that using the word “pleasure” might not always fit into the experience. It is location and weather permitting – it also helps if the cruise you’re on has a vast range of options and isn’t a deathtrap.
There are many places across the globe where you can jump on a ship and cruise, but with many of these options involving multiple days at sea, cruises need to offer the sort of variety you can find in top hotel resorts. Some cruises can have over 7,000 people on board, so gaming is just one area where they need to be able to entice customers and keep people engaged.
Virtual gaming
One stereotype, and may I say it’s an untrue stereotype, is that cruises appeal solely to the older, more esteemed generation. This could perpetuate the idea that the latest technology, especially in gaming, might not pique their interest. Thankfully, I do not hold these ignorant opinions; I love and respect Boomers, so you won’t hear me making such ageist remarks. I’d never dream of it!
If you’re wondering how virtual gaming is helping those in the gaming world showcase their talents and top titles to the cruise industry, VR is considered by many to be the next technological marvel in gaming.
This might seem like a grand prediction, given that the technology has been around for close to a decade. Still, with Mark Zuckerberg plowing billions of dollars into the technology – and with the price of VR headsets slowly coming down – more people have started to explore what this technology offers and how it can transform the gaming experience. Meta’s latest headset, released in September 2024, incorporates gaming ideas as well as “a healthy dose of AI” – whatever that means.
Why is it changing the cruise business?
Cruises must have a diverse range of entertainment for people to delve into – some of the options include:
- Live cabaret shows.
- Stand-up comedians.
- Live music bands, including cover bands.
- Cinemas.
- Casinos.
- Karaoke.
- Bowling alleys.
Cruises need to stay at the forefront of any changes in the entertainment world. As already discussed, cruises appeal to a wide demographic, so their gaming options must also be broad.
Dedicated gaming lounges and luxury casino gaming
Casinos have long been an integral part of the entertainment cruise liners offer. I’ve sampled some of the casinos on cruise ships, and they are just as classy as any land-based establishment.
By ensuring they have a casino gaming selection that can rival some of the top brands, cruises keep their broader offer appealing and contemporary. Casinos can get rowdy, so remember, if you haven’t been on a cruise before, you can get kicked off. Enjoy yourself, but keep it measured and respectful.
Dedicated gaming lounges have only appeared on cruises over the last decade. Initially, the idea belonged to Royal Caribbean – they wanted to offer something unique to their passengers. It was successful and has since been rolled out to the broader industry. It’s here that virtual reality re-enters the conversation.
Although many gaming lounges resemble traditional arcades, many luxury cruises are putting their money where their mouth is, offering VR casino experiences and giving their customers a taste of what the future of gaming might look like.
Responsible gambling
The novelty of a casino on a cruise ship is not lost on people who come from countries that don’t have the sort of lenient approach to gambling that the UK or certain states in the US do.
But just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean you should disregard responsible gambling ideals. You should only play casino games for fun, with money you can afford to lose. If you begin to chase your losses or start to view gambling as a source of income, these are just two red flags to watch out for.
Gaming cruises
The impact of esports and professional video gaming resulted in gaming-specific cruising emerging during the mid-2010s. While they’re not an idea that has set the gaming world on fire, it shows just how much potential there is in both industries. The GACUCON is a cosplay gaming concept, and the idea of the gaming convention is taken out onto the high seas.While the majority of these cruises operate in North America, the idea first rolled out in 2023 and was renewed in 2024, and this year is shaping up to be equally successful. If it’s an idea that continues to generate noise in the gaming and cruise industry, it could be something other big cruise liners pick up on.
For now, it’s not something that’s causing too much of a wave in the industry, but considering how niche it is, it’s interesting to see its sustained popularity over the last three years.
Final thoughts
Gaming isn’t the first factor holidaymakers look for when booking a cruise. Likewise, it’s not the first type of holiday gamers will think of if they want to get away for a few weeks. Slowly but surely, though, the enhancements in gaming have started to permeate the tourist industry.
Cruise liners aren’t a conventional area of tourism, not in the way hotels are. Sure, you get luxury hotels, many of which have world-class gaming options, but unlike cruises, you aren’t confined to the hotel. You can explore the city you’re in – once a cruise ship leaves the dock, it’s up to you to find entertainment and explore the vessel.
The onus is also on the cruise company to ensure you’re not sitting around twiddling your thumbs. While the cure to boredom doesn’t always come via the medium of gaming, it’s just one of the many pieces of the jigsaw that the cruise business uses to deliver world-class entertainment. Still, those cruises that get it right can stand out from the crowd and provide something to their passengers that’s outside of the box.