If you enjoy playing poker in your free time, why not take it further and make it part of your next vacation? Many poker enthusiasts already add the card game to their travel itineraries, which is probably why destinations with comprehensive poker offerings are popular among tourists. This includes Las Vegas, Monte Carlo, and Macao—a territory Global Finance recognizes as having the world’s second-highest GDP per capita thanks to its casinos and their poker rooms.
One region that probably doesn’t come first to mind for poker, however, is the Caribbean. Famous for its pristine beaches, warm climate, and diverse island cultures, it’s recently emerged as a premier destination where you’ll find elegant casinos and prestigious poker events—all amid luxurious vacation accommodations.
The Caribbean is arguably best explored by cruise. This mode of travel is particularly ideal for offering multiple onboard amenities and opportunities for hassle-free island-hopping, especially with operators like Princess Cruises providing expanded itineraries that stop by the most Caribbean ports of call in the industry. The best part is that Caribbean cruises have so much to offer poker enthusiasts, too!
Here’s more on why they’re the perfect choice for poker-filled vacations:
High-profile poker tournaments
Credit: @moneymakertour on Instagram
Many high-profile poker brands and personalities hold professional tournaments in the Caribbean, and embarking on cruises in the region can be beneficial because their itineraries can align with when those events are held. That means you can easily participate in those tournaments on vacation!
One great example of this can be found in the Caribbean programs offered by Carnival Cruises. In September this year, many of its eight- and 14-day itineraries will traverse a route that includes Bonaire, Curaçao—and Aruba. If you sign up for one, you’ll be able to catch the Moneymaker Tour on that last stop.
This prestigious poker tournament is organized by none other than legendary poker player Chris Moneymaker. Widely regarded as the catalyst of the early 2000s poker boom, he’s now signed with ACR Poker. This is America’s biggest online poker site, and it’s already known for organizing other international poker events like the Punta Del Este Satellites in Uruguay.
As the most prominent name on ACR’s roster of professional poker players, Moneymaker was able to launch his very own poker tournament with its help. Launched in 2023, the Moneymaker Tour expanded to Aruba last year and will return to the island country this September—the exact same time when the ships from Carnival Cruises will be in the area.
Curated poker rooms
Credit: @binickimaging on Instagram
As part of their suite of amenities, many top-of-the-line cruise ships offer richly designed casino rooms where you can try various slot machines and table games—including poker, of course. On Norwegian Cruise Line ships like the Epic and Escape, those rooms can accommodate more than 300 slot machines and upwards of 20 table games, including poker variants like Three Card Poker and Ultimate Texas Hold’em.
The poker experiences you can have here can be refreshingly different from the gameplay you’re used to getting at casinos and online poker sites. Because most cruise-goers at the table will be casual enthusiasts who aren’t traveling solely to play poker, you’ll be competing against both new and experienced players—-making cruise poker great for all skill levels. Many cruise casinos also offer food, drinks, and live entertainment, so you can play in a relaxed environment more suited for vacations.
However, some Caribbean cruises go even further by partnering with major brands to curate more dedicated poker experiences. If that’s what you’re looking for, consider booking a trip with Virgin Voyages. In 2023, it partnered with the World Poker Tour (WPT), one of the most widely televised international poker tournaments, to create exactly that.
Now, passengers on the Scarlet Lady ship can play in the more exciting conditions offered by the WPT at Sea poker room. It boasts over eight custom poker tables helmed by professional dealers, offers beginner poker classes, and even hosts both satellite and Prize Package tournaments that you can enter with as little as an $80 buy-in. This year, the Scarlet Lady will sail out of Miami to exclusively traverse the Caribbean, illustrating just how ideal cruises in the region can be for poker enthusiasts on vacation.
Streamlined poker experiences
Credit: @albinokid1026 on Instagram
There are also some more technical financial aspects you’ll have to consider when playing poker on or through a Caribbean cruise. The most relevant involves filing taxes.
In particular, American poker enthusiasts must report their winnings to the IRS regardless of where they earned their cash prizes. If you nab a jackpot, for example, you’ll have to fill out a W-2G form when you file. Many major cruise lines will also withhold 24% of larger payouts for taxes. Finally, you may take home less of your winnings due to inflation.
These are details you definitely don’t want to worry about when relaxing on your poker-filled Caribbean cruise. Fortunately, the likes of the Royal Caribbean—which will have multiple ships sail to the Caribbean in 2025 and 2026—are working to streamline that process.
Whether you’re exploring the Caribbean on the Odyssey of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, or Allure of the Seas, you can benefit from new tax-friendly services when you’re on a Royal Caribbean cruise. After registering with the cruise line, you can start playing poker in its Casino Royale room—and it’ll record your wins and create the necessary IRS forms for you. That way, you can better enjoy poker games on your Caribbean vacation without the thoughts of taxes hampering your experiences.
Keep exploring Cruise Addicts for more cruise tips, forums, ship tracking—and even cruise deals that are great for planning your next poker vacation to the Caribbean.
