Page 262 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Alaska

260  TR A VELERS ’ NEEDS

Life on Board Casinos
After shopping and sunning
The day-to-day goings on of a cruise to Alaska mirror life on on deck, spending time and
board any other cruise, but with a few major exceptions – money in the casino is one of
there is unlikely to be a white sand beach for tanning, and the popular cruise pastimes,
there may be more hiking boots than sandals on deck. despite poor odds of winning.
Gambling options depend on
Likewise, ship staff never try to re-create tropical themes, the cruise line and the class of
leaving the grandeur of Alaska to speak for itself with every the ship and can range from
passing seascape, fjord, and glacier-topped peak. However, craps, roulette, and simple slot
it is still a cruise, and passengers can expect levity, dancing, machines to blackjack, poker,
late-night parties, theater productions, and casino action, as and baccarat. Most ship casinos
also offer video poker machines.
they would on a cruise anywhere in the world.
Ship casinos have a vested
interest in educating their
clients, so the house often offers
classes on how to play some of
the more esoteric games.
A shipboard casino is more or
less like a land-based one, but
with a few differences. It is
open only while the ship is
actually sailing in inter national
waters. Only pas sengers over
21 years of age are allowed to
play, although anyone may
pass through when it is closed
to take pic tures. It would be
con sidered unusual, and
possibly an infringement of
casino rules, to photograph
ongoing games or people
Enjoying sunshine and a wide-ranging view from the deck gambling. While every ship
has a bar that exclusively serves
Entertainment and usually manage to bring in a the casino, patrons are usually
Activities
large crowd of cruisers. not offered free drinks, except
Ship theaters on the larger lines Given the variable climate, at occasional promotional
boast professionally lit stages Alaskan lines make none of events, such as when the
with state-of-the-art audio, and the promises that tropical casino first opens.
draw full-house crowds for operators do. Ships shy away
events on each night of the from planning too many
cruise. Talent and musicianship outdoor activities that could Shopping
vary among cruise lines, and suffer cancellations due to Those interested in buying
the Vegas- and Broadway-style bad weather. However, deck luxury items such as tobacco,
produc tions alternate with parties do take place, along spirits, designer clothing and
stand-up comics. Some of the with midnight fiestas, usually cosmetics, digital cameras,
latter have content older than with a Mexican theme. and jewelry will find them at
the ocean, while others present excellent prices, all tax- and
risqué humor. Bigger ships often duty-free. Usually designed to
maintain a separate venue for resemble upscale shopping
game shows hosted by cruise malls, onboard arcades can
directors who urge audiences sprawl over two decks, or
to participate. simply consist of a string of
A good ship will also have interconnected shops. All
country singers, jazz crooners, through the cruise, selected
string trios and quartets, and merchandise is also sold at
classical pianists to entertain slashed prices in hallways or
lounge patrons, atrium visi tors, outside on the upper deck,
and strollers on the ship’s and liquor tastings are also
interior promenades. common. Passengers should
Art shows represent an outlet note that they cannot take
for buyers interested in originals possession of their alcohol
or numbered prints signed by Glitzy stage show providing live purchases until their last night
the artist. Onboard art auctions onboard entertainment on board the ship.

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