In Florida, gambling on land is limited. However, you can enjoy casino games to your heart’s content by hopping on one of the many casinos boats cruising offshore. You can play all of your favorite slots, table games, and poker without having to travel to a land-based casino in another state.
This guide provides you with everything that you need to know about cruising along the Atlantic Ocean while playing a few hands at some of the top casino boats near West Palm Beach, Florida.
Are Cruise Ships with Casinos Legal in Florida?
Casino cruise ships operating just outside of the territorial limit are legal in Florida. Three nautical miles from the coast is international waters, and once a ship has sailed beyond that point, it can offer whatever gambling services it likes.
Some people still believe that you can be arrested for getting off of a gaming ship; this couldn’t be further from the truth. Gaming cruise ships operate on their own set of rules, so make sure that you abide by them so that your experience is as enjoyable as possible.
Palms Casino at Sea®
100% UP TO
$1225
Visit Site
Best Casino Ships Near West Palm Beach, Florida
There are several casinos offering gaming cruises from Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale), Jacksonville, and Port Canaveral (Cape Canaveral / Orlando).
However, these ports are over an hour’s drive from West Palm Beach. If you are looking for a casino boat in West Palm Beach, Vicente Fox, and Donald Trump’s former neighbor, Mariah Carey‘s favorite casino, Ceremony Belle, is just a short walk from Trump Plaza.
You don’t have to worry about feeling seasick when you board this gambling ship because she doesn’t sail the high seas; instead, he’s docked on the Intracoastal Waterway. Let’s take a look at what Ceremony Belle has to offer.
Ceremony Belle
- Boat Type: Stationary Casino
- Address: 2860 N Flagler Dr, West Palm Beach, FL 33407
- Phone: (561) 683-9800
- Website:
- Hours: Please call + check website for up-to-date hours
- Distance from West Palm Beach: 0.9 miles (a short walk from Trump Plaza)
- Games: Blackjack, Super Fun 21, Electronic Roulette, Slots.
- Promotions: Refer a Friend, Free Play, Anniversary & Birthday Offers, VIP Program
- Notes: Full bar & kitchen serving food until 11 pm. Ceremony Belle is a non-smoking casino, but they have a designated smoking area outside of the vessel. All players must show ID. Dress code: Smart casual (no flip flops or tank tops.)
You can enjoy all your favorite slot machines and table games aboard this luxurious casino ship. With regular promotions and a great VIP program, you can earn free play and points for every dollar that you wager.
The Ceremony Belle might be small compared to other casino boats in Florida, but she packs a punch. If you love playing , this is the place for you.
Super Slack is one of several progressive jackpot slots that you can win six figures on. They also have plenty of multi-line video slots that generate in excess of 95% returns.
If table games are more your thing, you’ll be pleased to know that Ceremony Belle has numerous blackjack tables and roulette machines. Their dealers are friendly, and since this floating casino can accommodate no more than a few hundred players at a time, the games never feel rushed.
The friendly dealers and first-class service keep players coming back for more. The ship is docked on the Intracoastal Waterway, which is well worth a visit during the day. At night, the waterway comes alive with lights reflecting off the water. It’s a beautiful location for a casino ship.
You can park for free right in front of the casino, and it’s only a short drive from downtown WPB and the Palm Beaches. If you live in the city or are visiting West Palm Beach, it’s definitely worth checking out. Just remember to take a photo of your player’s card before you leave because I didn’t receive mine when I visited.
Related:
Other Florida Casino Boats
As mentioned, there are no other West Palm Beach casino boats; Ceremony Belle is the only gambling boat in West Palm Beach. So if you want to play poker and table games or spin the reels of the hottest slots, you’ll have to drive to another port.
Here are some of the best gaming ships in Florida outside of West Palm Beach.
Victory Casino Cruise
- Boat Type: Passenger Ferry equipped with casino games
- Address: 1902 E Coastal Dr, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
- Phone: (321) 783-2020
- Website:
- Hours: Please call + check website for up-to-date hours
- Distance from West Palm Beach: 190 miles (~3hr drive)
- Amenities: 3 decks, open air viewing deck, full bar and restaurant, regular entertainment and events
- Games: 850+ slots machines, 70 live table games, poker
- Promotions: Slot Tournaments, Poker tournaments, Player’s Club rewards
Victory Casino Cruise is by far the biggest casino boat in Florida. This massive passenger ferry has been converted into a gambler’s paradise. She sets sail twice a day from the port of Cape Canaveral. It’s around a three-hour drive from West Palm Beach, but it’s worth it if you want to play on 850+ of the latest slot machines.
The slots selection includes plenty of progressive jackpots, including Gold Party which often hits $10,000 +. They also have a large poker room that hosts daily tournaments.
Victory Casino Cruise offers 70 different table games such as Ultimate Texas Hold ’em, Mini and Midi Baccarat, and 4-Card Poker. Have a scan of the ship’s deck plans to get an idea of what’s in store.
This gaming ship has three decks filled with high-end slot machines spread across the main gaming area, the Grand Queen Buffet, and the open-air Topside Deck. There are also plenty of bars where you can grab a refreshing drink and watch the game.
Victory Casino Cruise also has a dedicated poker room with low, medium, and high stakes Texas Hold’em and Omaha ring games and tournaments. Satellites are run for the bigger events like the $50k Guaranteed Poker Tournament held monthly. Daily and weekly poker tournament schedules can be found on their website.
If you’ve always wanted to try your luck at pai gow, craps, or roulette, this is the best casino boat from West Palm Beach to visit. Even if gambling isn’t your thing, victory casino cruise west palm beach still offers a great day trip thanks to the stunning views of the space coast and occasional dolphin sightings.
Keep an eye on the weather forecast before you go and check the website for more info about dress code, smooth sailing, and other useful tips.
Gambling Cruises From Miami
Miami is only about 150mi/240km southwest of West Palm Beach, so the casino cruise ships here could also be considered among the best day trips from West Palm Beach. Here are two of the most popular ones.
Book Your Miami Cruise Here:
Majesty of the Seas
- Boat Type: Cruise Ship with casino
- Address: Port of Miami, 1015 North America Way, Miami, FL 33132
- Phone: (305) 530-6100
- Website:
- Hours: Departs daily at 4:30 PM (returns at 1:30 AM)
- Distance from West Palm Beach: ~150mi/240km (~2.5 hr drive)
- Amenities: Multiple pools, hot tubs, waterslides, rock climbing wall, minature golf course, basketball court, ice skating rink, casino, duty-free shopping, multiple restaurants, bars, and lounges.
- Games: Slots, Table Games, Poker
- Promotions: Players Club Rewards, Slot Tournaments, Poker Tournaments, Special Events
If you’re looking for a real break from reality, then jumping onboard the Majesty of the Seas is the best choice of gambling cruise from Miami. It takes you 12 miles out to the ease where all gambling is permitted.
Majesty of the Seas is a full-size cruise ship, not just a converted gambling boat like Victory Casino Cruise. That means it has all kinds of entertainment for everyone in your group, including rock walls, a water park, and even an ice rink. Oh, and did we mention an awesome casino?
Most folks take a Gambling Cruise from Miami just for the casino alone. The ship spends roughly 17 hours at sea, giving you more than enough time to play your favorite table games, slots, and poker. Plus, there’s plenty of time to hit up the buffet and other dining options or catch a Broadway-style show after the sun goes down.
Like other casinos near West Palm Beach, Florida, Majesty of the Seas casino welcomes all players with open arms and no judgement. You’ll find tons of low limit options—perfect for new gamblers who have just discovered how fun blackjack or roulette can be.
Seasoned pros will appreciate high stakes tables for ultimate thrills and chills. The newest slot machines are ready and waiting to part you from your money (or give you a windfall you never expected).
You won’t even need a passport to go on this West Palm casino cruise because the one-time departure point of the Port of Miami is within the US territory. Still, it’s always wise to carry some form of photo ID with you.
Paradise Artemis Cruise
- Boat Type: Yacht with casino
- Address: Bayside Marketplace, 401 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132
- Phone: (305) 379-7100
- Website:
- Hours: Departures daily at 7:00 PM (Returns at 12:30 AM)
- Distance from West Palm Beach: ~150mi/240km (~2.5 hr drive)
- Amenities: Multiple Bars, Live Entertainment, Open Air Deck, Panoramic Viewing Lounge
- Games: Slot Machines, Table Games, Poker
- Promotions: Players Club Rewards, Slot Tournaments, Poker Tournaments, Special Events
Another great casino cruise from Miami is operated by Balinese Luxury Yachts under the name Paradise Artemis. She looks like a traditional yacht but is actually a converted gaming ship. Like Majesty of the Seas, she sets out from the Port of Miami to allow gambling while international waters are within easy reach.
Once on board, you’ll find plush seating, panoramic windows, and bars on multiple decks. Upstairs on the Sun Deck, you can enjoy the ocean breeze and live music while drinking something frosty. It truly is one of the best Miami casino boats for enjoying the finer things in life.
Of course, if you’re going to gamble in style, you’d better bring some serious cash to the table. Paradise Artemis doesn’t mess around when it comes to betting limits. Their table games have higher minimum bets than most casinos in South Florida. But if you’ve got the dough, you’ll get the star treatment.
Slots range from a penny to a dollar each spin, but many of them accept much higher maximum bets. Some even have progressive jackpots that regularly climb above $10,000. Head to the casino lobby to see exactly what your options are.
One unique feature of this casino boat from West Palm Beach, Florida is its VIP Casino Suite. This private room is reserved for whales who want to do some serious betting. You’ll need to contact the casino in advance to reserve the suite or a private table for you and your crew.
Free valet parking is available at the Bayside Marketplace, and check-in begins one hour prior to departure. Don’t be late unless you want to hear some booing and hissing from the other gamblers.
Book Your Paradise Artemis Cruise Here:
How Far Is the Closest Casino to West Palm Beach, FL?
The closest casino cruise from West Palm Beach, Florida is from the Palace Belle Casino located at the Lake Buena Vista Plantation resort in Orlando. However, it’s over 140 miles north of WPB, almost a three-hour drive.
If you don’t fancy such a long journey, Vicente Fox’s former neighbor, Maria Carey’s favorite casino, Ceremony Belle, is only a short walk from Trump Plaza in West Palm Beach. It’s the only casino ship in WPB. Alternatively, you can drive to either the Port of Palm Beach or Port Everglades for access to several gambling boats.
Gambling boats leaving from Fort Lauderdale and Port Canaveral are approximately the same distance from West Palm Beach as those departing from Port of Miami. However, you will likely face longer traffic jams driving through downtown Miami than you would encounter further west.
I hope this guide helps you pick the perfect casino boat near me in West Palm Beach!
Jim is a writer and lifelong gambler. He started out writing basic instructional guides for his friends when they were learning games like blackjack and Texas Hold’em, and over the years his passions for writing and gambling have combined into a career as an author and analyst in the gambling space.
When he's not at his computer you canfind him at the poker table or the blackjack table, and his office is usually the major tournaments and highest stakes tables you can find.
