Cruise

Ante Up Poker Cruises

Join Ante Up publishers Scott Long and Christopher Cosenza on one of our great Ante Up Poker Cruises, featuring exotic destinations and great poker on every cruise!

Every cruise offers:

  • Multitable tournaments. Earn Ante Up Player of the Year points!
  • Cash games for all levels with reasonable rakes!
  • Single-table tournaments with low house fees!
  • Professional management, dealers and equipment (no electronic tables)!
  • FREE poker classes, including an advanced strategy course and at least one beginner's class!
  • FREE welcome-aboard open-bar cocktail party!
  • FREE coffee, juice and danishes each morning in the poker room!
  • All the other great FREE things that come with cruising Royal Caribbean, including gourmet food, exciting shows and fun activities!

Read on for more general information about the Ante Up Poker Cruise experience, or skip directly to details on each of our upcoming cruises using these hyperlinks:

OVERVIEW

Questions? Ready to book?

Scott Long
(727) 331-4335
scott@anteupmagazine.com


Cruising

Never taken a cruise before? Or cruised, but just not on a poker cruise? Visit Ante Up's Cruise Guide page for more information on the whole process.

Poker room

Jody Russell, a veteran executive of land-based and at-sea poker rooms, will transform the ships' conference centers into the perfect place to play, complete with professional dealers, tables and equipment. The non-smoking 10-table room is always conveniently located near restrooms, a smoking lounge, the dining room and elevators, with a cocktail server on call.

Games

We'll spread any game at any limit, based on demand. Every cruise is different, but these are some of the games we've spread regularly in the past:

  • $1/$3 no-limit hold'em ($60-$200 buy-in)
  • $2/$5 no-limit hold'em ($200-$500 buy-in)
  • $3/$6 limit hold'em
  • $4/$8 limit Omaha/8
  • $3/$6 HORSE or HOE
  • $6/$12 limit HORSE w/kill
  • $1/$2 pot-limit Omaha
  • $20/$40 limit hold'em
  • Single-table and multitable tournaments

Win your way on-board!

The great poker rooms and poker leagues in our coverage area often hold satellite tournaments or cruise giveaways in their rooms or events. Details on giveaways are listed with each cruise on this page!

On-Board Professional

Lee Childs is the on-board professional for Ante Up Poker Cruises. Lee burst on to the poker scene by making the final table of the 2007 World Series of Poker Main Event, and has racked up an impressive series of cashes in major tournaments ever since, including a World Series of Poker Circuit championship. He made the final table of the World Poker Tour Main Event at the Borgota Poker Open in 2010, has eight cashes in the World Series of Poker and has made six final tables of major poker tournaments and has more than $1 million in career tournament winnings.
Also an accomplished cash game player, Ante Up strategy columnist, frequent contributor to the Ante Up PokerCast and founder of poker training company Acumen Poker, Lee has the one-two punch of being not only a top-notch professional player but also a gifted teacher who can quickly and effectively elevate every player's game. Lee, who lives in Virginia with his wife and young son, will teach a free, two-hour intermediate poker strategy class on each cruise and two $200 advanced courses, one on tournaments and one on cash games. He'll also be available for additional individual and group instruction.

Blue Shark Poker Optics giveaways

The more you play in the Ante Up Poker Run, the more chances you'll have to win a pair of Blue Shark Poker Optics, the official poker optics of Ante Up! These optics specifically designed for poker and endorsed by pros retail for more than $100 each! Several raffle drawings are held during each cruise.

SPRING CRUISE - MARCH 17-22, 2012

Ship: Royal Caribbean's Jewel of the Seas
Departs from: Tampa, Florida
Spend your spring break with Ante Up, as we’re excited to again sail from our homeport of Tampa! This will be our first cruise that visits the historic port of Costa Maya, Mexico, where you can explore Mayan ruins. The Jewel of the Seas features a rock-climbing wall, mini-golf course, spa, casino, three pools including the adults-only Solarium, 16 bars and two specialty restaurants. And, of course, 57 hours of poker in the Ante Up Poker Room! Check back often as we add tournaments and other special events to the calendar below.

  • Saturday, March 17
    5 p.m.: Open-bar welcome aboard cocktail party!
    7 p.m.-3 a.m.: Room open for cash games/SNGs
  • Sunday, March 18
    Enjoy a relaxing day at sea!
    9 a.m.-3 a.m.: Room open for cash games/SNGs. Drawings for Blue Shark Optics and Ante Up T-shirts throughout the day/night!
    9:30 a.m.: $125 multitable tournament. Top 10 earn Ante Up Player of the Year points, and if you knock out our professional Lee Childs, you'll win a pair of Blue Shark Optics!
    2 p.m.: $20 turbo multitable tournament
    3-5 p.m.: FREE Poker 101 course (taught by Ante Up publisher Chris Cosenza)
    3-5 p.m.: FREE Basics of Omaha course (taught by Ante Up publisher Scott Long)
  • Monday, March 19
    Enjoy beautiful Cozumel, Mexico, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.!
    3-5 p.m.: FREE intermediate Texas Hold'em strategy course (taught by our on-board professional Lee Childs)
    7 p.m.-3 a.m.: Room open for cash games/SNGs. Drawings for Blue Shark Optics and Ante Up T-shirts throughout the night!
  • Tuesday, March 20
    Enjoy beautiful Costa Maya, Mexico, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.!
    7 p.m.-3 a.m.: Room open for cash games/SNGs. Drawings for Blue Shark Optics and Ante Up T-shirts throughout the night!
    3-5 p.m.:$200 advanced Texas Hold'em tournament class (taught by our on-board professional Lee Childs)
    6-8 p.m.:$200 advanced Texas Hold'em cash game class (taught by our on-board professional Lee Childs)
  • Wednesday, March 21
    Enjoy a relaxing day at sea!
    9 a.m.-midnight: Room open for cash games/SNGs. Drawings for Blue Shark Optics and Ante Up T-shirts throughout the day/night!
    9:30 a.m.: $125 multitable tournament. Top 10 earn Ante Up Player of the Year points, and if you knock out our professional Lee Childs, you'll win a pair of Blue Shark Optics!
    2 p.m.: $20 turbo multitable tournament
  • Thursday, March 22
    Arrive in Tampa at 7 a.m.

RATES
The rate guarantee deadline for this cruise was Jan. 19, but we'll continue to book passengers up until 72 hours before we sail at prevailing rates and availability. Please use the rates below as a guide only. All rates are per person, based on double occupancy, and include cruise fare, port charges and government taxes & fees and are guaranteed through Jan. 19 or while supply lasts, whichever comes first. Ship staff gratuities of $58.25 per person ($69.50 per person in suites) will be automatically charged to passengers’ on-board account on the first night. (Royal Caribbean reserves the right to impose a fuel surcharge. Details below)

  • Category N - Inside: $579
  • Category H - Oceanview: $767
  • Category E3 - Deluxe Balcony: $807
  • Category JS - Junior Suite: $1,107
  • Single rates: Inside ($1,027), Oceanview ($1,347), Deluxe Balcony ($1,527), Junior Suite ($2,027). We try to pair roommates on request.
  • Third/fourth passengers sharing stateroom: $436 ($516 suites)

OPTIONAL

  • Roundtrip airport transfers: Call for rates
  • Travel insurance: Starts at $59 per person. Final rate based on total price of stateroom.

Book today!

Scott Long at (727) 331-4335 or scott@anteupmagazine.com.
Players MUST book through Ante Up to play in the poker room, per Royal Caribbean policy!

Win your way aboard!

Ante Up works with poker rooms and leagues across the country to offer ways for their players to win their way on board. Check back often for details on new giveaways, and ask your poker room manager or poker league owner to call Scott Long at (727) 331-4335 to arrange for a satellite or giveaway if your favorite place to play isn't listed.

  • DERBY LANE - Five packages to be given in January during the 2012 Grab Bag promotion from 4-11 p.m. Monday-Thursday.
  • TAMPA BAY DOWNS - $60 buy-in satellite at 4 p.m. on Feb. 12, with one package guaranteed. Players start with 3,000 units and get an additional 3,000 for a $20 add-on ($10 for dealers/$10 to prize pool). Four other packages to be given away in other promotions. Check back soon for more details.
  • EBRO GREYHOUND PARK - At 2 p.m. every Saturday in January, an enhanced package (including shipboard gratuities and $400 in poker room credit) will be given to the winner of a freeroll. Players can qualify for for the freeroll by hitting high hands in cash games the week prior.
  • NAPLES-FORT MYERS GREYHOUND TRACK - Four packages to be given away on Feb. 29, one each to the highest hand between open and 2 p.m., 2 to 5 p.m., 5 to 8 p.m. and 8 to 11 p.m.
  • DAYTONA BEACH KENNEL CLUB - Three packages are guaranteed in a $140 satellite at 6 p.m. on Feb. 14. Players start with 8,000 units and get an additional 2,000 with a $10 dealer add-on. Levels are 20 minutes.

SUMMER CRUISE - AUGUST 27-31, 2012

Ship: Royal Caribbean's Monarch of the Seas
Departs from: Port Canaveral, Florida
Say goodbye to summer with our annual budget cruise for travelers looking for a lot of poker for the least amount of money! This is the same rate as we charged last year! The Monarch of the Seas features a rock-climbing wall, basketball court, spa, casino, two pools, nine bars and an Asian specialty restaurant. And, of course, 49 hours of poker in the Ante Up Poker Room! Check back often as we add tournaments and other special events to the calendar below.

  • Monday, August 27
    5 p.m.: Open-bar welcome aboard cocktail party!
    7 p.m.-3 a.m.: Room open for cash games/SNGs
  • Tuesday, August 28
    Enjoy beautiful CocoCay, Bahamas, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.!
    9 a.m.-3 a.m.: Room open for cash games/SNGs. Drawings for Blue Shark Optics and Ante Up T-shirts throughout the day/night!
    9:30 a.m.: $125 multitable tournament. Top 10 earn Ante Up Player of the Year points!
    2 p.m.: $20 turbo multitable tournament
    3 p.m.: FREE Poker 101 course (taught by Ante Up publishers Chris Cosenza and Scott Long)
  • Wednesday, August 29
    Enjoy beautiful Nassau, Bahamas, from 7 a.m. to midnight!
    3-5 p.m.: FREE intermediate Texas Hold'em strategy course (taught by our on-board professional)
    6-8 p.m.: $200 advanced Texas Hold'em strategy course (taught by our on-board professional)
    7 p.m.-3 a.m.: Room open for cash games/SNGs. Drawings for Blue Shark Optics and Ante Up T-shirts throughout the night!
  • Thursday, August 30
    Enjoy a relaxing day at sea!
    9 a.m.-midnight: Room open for cash games/SNGs. Drawings for Blue Shark Optics and Ante Up T-shirts throughout the day/night!
    9:30 a.m.: $125 multitable tournament. Top 10 earn Ante Up Player of the Year points!
    2 p.m.: $20 turbo multitable tournament
  • Friday, August 31
    Arrive in Port Canaveral at 7 a.m.

RATES
*All rates are per person, based on double occupancy, and include cruise fare, port charges and government taxes & fees and are guaranteed through June 15 or while supply lasts, whichever comes first. Ship staff gratuities of $55.60 per person (call for rates for suites) will be automatically charged to passengers’ on-board account on the first night. (Royal Caribbean reserves the right to impose a fuel surcharge. Details below)

  • Category N - Inside: $369
  • Category H - Oceanview: $422
  • Category JS - Junior Suite balcony: $762
  • Single rates: Inside ($601), Oceanview ($671), Junior Suite ($1,351). We try to pair roommates on request.
  • Third/fourth passengers sharing stateroom: $312

OPTIONAL

  • Roundtrip airport transfers: Call for rates
  • Travel insurance: Starts at $59 per person. Final rate based on total price of stateroom.

Book today!

Scott Long at (727) 331-4335 or scott@anteupmagazine.com.
Players MUST book through Ante Up to play in the poker room, per Royal Caribbean policy!

Win your way aboard!

Ante Up works with poker rooms and leagues across the country to offer ways for their players to win their way on board. Check back often for details on new giveaways, and ask your poker room manager or poker league owner to call Scott Long at (727) 331-4335 to arrange for a satellite or giveaway if your favorite place to play isn't listed.

  • SUNCOAST CASINO: Two oceanview cruise packages for two plus up to $1,000 in airfare will be awarded in a drawing on March 13. Players get one ticket for every 20 hours of live play between Jan. 19-March 15. Two oceanview cruise packages for two plus up to $1,000 in airfare will be awarded in a drawing on June 12. Players get one ticket for every 20 hours of live play between April 1-June 1. $125 satellites that award one oceanview cruise package for two plus $1,000 in airfare will be awarded for every 17 entrants on Feb. 19, March 18 and April 15.

WINTER CRUISE - NOVEMBER 10-17, 2012

Ship: Royal Caribbean's Enchantment of the Seas
Departs from: Baltimore, Maryland
Shake off the chill of winter with a cruise to the Bahamas and Florida! This is our first time sailing out of Baltimore, and will be our longest cruise of the year with the most poker we’ve ever offered. The Enchantment of the Seas features a rock-climbing wall, bungee trampoline, spa, casino, two pools including the adults-only Solarium, eight bars and specialty steakhouse restaurant. And, of course, 94 hours of poker in the Ante Up Poker Room! Check back often as we add tournaments and other special events to the calendar below.

  • Saturday, November 10
    5 p.m.: Open-bar welcome aboard cocktail party!
    7 p.m.-3 a.m.: Room open for cash games/SNGs
  • Sunday, November 11
    Enjoy a relaxing day at sea!
    9 a.m.-3 a.m.: Room open for cash games/SNGs. Drawings for Blue Shark Optics and Ante Up T-shirts throughout the day/night!
    9:30 a.m.: $125 multitable tournament. Top 10 earn Ante Up Player of the Year points!
    2 p.m.: $20 turbo multitable tournament
    3 p.m.: FREE Poker 101 course (taught by Ante Up publisher Scott Long)
  • Monday, November 12
    Enjoy beautiful Port Canaveral, Florida, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.!
    9-11 p.m.: FREE intermediate Texas Hold'em strategy course (taught by our on-board professional)
    11 p.m.-3 a.m.: Room open for cash games/SNGs. Drawings for Blue Shark Optics and Ante Up T-shirts throughout the night!
  • Tuesday, November 13
    Enjoy beautiful Nassau, Bahamas, from 1 p.m. to midnight!
    3-5 p.m.: FREE Basics of Omaha course (taught by Ante Up publisher Scott Long)
    7 p.m.-3 a.m.: Room open for cash games/SNGs. Drawings for Blue Shark Optics and Ante Up T-shirts throughout the night!
  • Wednesday, November 14
    Enjoy beautiful CocoCay, Bahamas, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
    9 a.m.-3 a.m.: Room open for cash games/SNGs. Drawings for Blue Shark Optics and Ante Up T-shirts throughout the day/night!
    9:30 a.m.: $125 multitable tournament. Top 10 earn Ante Up Player of the Year points!
    2 p.m.: $20 turbo multitable tournament
    3-5 p.m.: $200 advanced Texas Hold'em tournament course (taught by our on-board professional)
  • Thursday, November 15
    Enjoy a relaxing day at sea!
    9 a.m.-3 a.m.: Room open for cash games/SNGs. Drawings for Blue Shark Optics and Ante Up T-shirts throughout the day/night!
    9:30 a.m.: $125 multitable tournament. Top 10 earn Ante Up Player of the Year points!
    2 p.m.: $20 turbo multitable tournament
    3-5 p.m.: $200 advanced Texas Hold'em cash game course (taught by our on-board professional)
  • Friday, November 16
    Enjoy a relaxing day at sea!
    9 a.m.-midnight: Room open for cash games/SNGs. Drawings for Blue Shark Optics and Ante Up T-shirts throughout the day/night!
    9:30 a.m.: $125 multitable tournament. Top 10 earn Ante Up Player of the Year points!
    2 p.m.: $20 turbo multitable tournament
  • Saturday, November 17
    Arrive in Baltimore at 7 a.m.

RATES
*All rates are per person, based on double occupancy, and include cruise fare, port charges and government taxes & fees and are guaranteed through Aug. 31 or while supply lasts, whichever comes first. Ship staff gratuities of $81.55 per person ($97.30 per person in suites) will be automatically charged to passengers’ on-board account on the first night. (Royal Caribbean reserves the right to impose a fuel surcharge. Details below)

  • Category N - Inside: $599
  • Category I - Oceanview: $752
  • Category D1 - Deluxe Balcony: $1,072
  • Category JS - Junior Suite: $1,220
  • Single rates: Inside ($1,006), Oceanview ($1,266), Deluxe Balcony ($1,906), Junior Suite ($2,166). We try to pair roommates on request.
  • Third/fourth passengers sharing stateroom: $512 ($542 suites)

OPTIONAL

  • Roundtrip airport transfers: Call for rates
  • Travel insurance: Starts at $59 per person. Final rate based on total price of stateroom.

Book today!

Scott Long at (727) 331-4335 or scott@anteupmagazine.com.
Players MUST book through Ante Up to play in the poker room, per Royal Caribbean policy!

Win your way aboard!

Ante Up works with poker rooms and leagues across the country to offer ways for their players to win their way on board. Check back often for details on new giveaways, and ask your poker room manager or poker league owner to call Scott Long at (727) 331-4335 to arrange for a satellite or giveaway if your favorite place to play isn't listed.

LEGAL DISCLAIMERS
All ships registries: Bahamas
Fuel supplement: Royal Caribbean International reserves the right to impose a fuel supplement on all guests if the price of West Texas Intermediate fuel exceeds $65 a barrel. The fuel supplement for 1st and 2nd guests would be no more than $10 per guest per day, to a maximum of $140 per cruise; and for additional guests would be no more than $5 per day, to a maximum of $70 per cruise.

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FAQs

If you've never been on a cruise before, or a poker cruise, visit our Cruise Guide page for more details on the experience.