Card Player Cruises
BackBased in Las Vegas, Card Player Cruises has carved out a distinct and highly specialized corner in the vast market of travel packages. This is not a general-purpose travel agency; its focus is singular and clear: providing comprehensive poker cruises for enthusiasts of the game. For over 30 years, the company has merged the leisure of a sea voyage with the competitive thrill of a poker room, creating a unique vacation experience. This sharp focus is both its greatest strength and its most significant limitation, attracting a loyal following while naturally excluding the average traveler.
The Onboard Poker Experience
The core of the Card Player Cruises offering is its professionally managed, Vegas-style poker room at sea. Unlike the small, often poorly managed single-table games found in a standard ship's casino, this agency organizes a full-scale, private poker event exclusively for its clients. To even enter the poker room, passengers must book their trip directly through Card Player Cruises, ensuring a dedicated community of players. The operation is substantial, with past cruises hosting as many as 27 tables and 600 players. They offer a wide variety of cash games and limits, with Texas Hold'em being the most common, but also spreading Omaha and mixed games upon request. Tournament play is a major component, with buy-ins ranging from approximately $80 to over $1,100, often held in partnership with recognized tours like the Heartland Poker Tour (HPT) or the RunGood Poker Series (RGPS).
A significant advantage noted by players is the structure of the game itself. The rake (the house commission) is managed professionally, typically at 10% with a max cap of around $5, which is considerably more favorable than the exorbitant rakes often found in ship-run casino games. Furthermore, the environment is curated to be friendly and welcoming, with a strict no-abuse policy that appeals to recreational players. The company estimates that about 90% of its clientele are recreational players, fostering a less intimidating atmosphere than a typical high-stakes casino floor. To support this, they offer free poker lessons for beginners and advanced seminars for more seasoned players, often hosted by the owners and poker professionals Linda Johnson and Jan Fisher.
Service, Value, and Partnerships
Customer feedback consistently highlights the quality of the staff, from the owners who escort every cruise to the dealers and operational team. Multiple reviews describe the staff as "amazing," "friendly," and creating a family-like atmosphere. This hands-on approach by the company's leadership ensures a high level of customer service and immediate attention to client needs. Travelers have expressed that the experience exceeded their expectations, praising the professional poker staff and the overall organization.
In terms of value, clients report competitive pricing, with one reviewer noting "Great prices and additional add ons." The agency often secures group rates well in advance, which can be lower than booking directly with the cruise line later on. These vacation packages are positioned as an affordable option, bundling accommodation, food, and entertainment with the exclusive poker event. The agency primarily partners with major cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean and Holland America, ensuring that the non-poker aspects of the themed cruises—such as dining, shows, and port excursions—meet a high standard of quality.
Points of Concern and Limitations
While the majority of feedback is overwhelmingly positive, potential customers should be aware of some issues. The most serious is a detailed negative review that makes a severe allegation against a specific staff member. The reviewer warns of a female poker dealer with a purported felony background and gang affiliations, accusing her of manipulative behavior. While this is a single, unverified claim among many positive testimonials, its gravity is notable and warrants consideration for travelers who prioritize the background and conduct of all staff members. It stands as a stark contrast to the otherwise glowing reviews about staff professionalism and friendliness.
Beyond this specific complaint, the primary drawback is the agency's niche nature. These all-inclusive vacations (in the cruise sense) are designed around the poker room. The poker room is closed while the ship is in port and during dinner hours to encourage guests to experience the rest of the cruise, but the social center of gravity remains the card game. This makes it an ideal choice for poker players but a potentially isolating one for non-playing travel companions. While these companions have access to all the standard cruise amenities, from pools and spas to nightly entertainment, they may feel disconnected from the main group activity.
Who Should Book with Card Player Cruises?
This cruise agency is unequivocally tailored for a specific client. If you are a poker player, from a novice looking for a friendly environment to a serious amateur seeking a well-structured tournament, this company offers a product that is difficult to match. The combination of a professionally run poker room, a strong sense of community, excellent service, and the amenities of a modern cruise ship creates a compelling package. Experienced cruisers who are also poker players have stated they will "NEVER cruise again except with Card Player Cruises," which is a powerful endorsement.
Conversely, if you are not interested in poker, there is little reason to book through this agency. You would be joining a group whose primary shared interest is the card room, and you could book the same cruise directly with the line, often with more flexibility. The strength of Card Player Cruises is its specialization, and for the right customer, it provides a highly refined and enjoyable poker vacation that blends competition with relaxation on the high seas.
