Palm Beach casino ship resuming service. Casino cruising anyone?

[Jason]

The casino ship that operates out of the Port of Palm Beach, recently renamed the Island Breeze, is expected to begin sailing again in mid-to-late October, port spokeswoman Julie Houston Trieste said Tuesday.

Island Breeze International, which took over the gambling cruise ship May 1, is completely remodeling the ship and installing new gaming equipment. It plans to offer dining and entertainment also.

Bellmawr, N.J.-based IBI had originally planned to launch operations in late August, CEO Brad Prader said in a statement. After taking possession of the former Black Diamond, management determined that the ship’s entire layout needed to be reconfigured.

Equipment upgrades are being made to bring the ship up to the company’s operating standards.

“IBI’s management believes that the customer experience is extremely important, and thus wants to ensure that all aspects of the ship from the standpoint of comfort and aesthetics meet and exceed guest expectations,” Prader said.

Trieste said the port welcomes the development. “While the Port of Palm Beach is anxious for Island Breeze to begin operations, we are encouraged by their willingness to invest both the time and effort needed to ensure the success and longevity of their business at our port,” she said.

In February, after operating for three months, the Black Diamond’s previous operator, Black Diamond Casino Cruises, suspended operations.

By Susan Salisbury, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

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[Mach]

Sounds like great fun! We used to have a gambling ship based here on the Texas Gulf Coast... the Texas Treasure. She sailed out of Port Aransas. If I remember correctly, she was 574 feet and actually very nicely appointed. Tons of space to gamble including slots, poker tables, roulette, craps... pretty much anything imaginable.

They had a very nice buffet that was included in the $20 fee for the 10 hour voyage. A lounge and band stand graced the aft end of the ship and, generally, the music was island inspired if not real reggae or calypso.

I sailed on her a number of times and was very disappointed to learn that she fell to mechanical problems and was towed to Vera Cruz, Mexico where I think she rests until this day.

If I lived in the Palm Beach area I'm sure I'd be on the Island Breeze, too!

[Sarge6870]

I remember many years ago while staying at the Ron Jon Resort in Port Canaveral, they had a gambling ship that ran twice a day called "Ambassador II" and run by Sterling Casino Lines. We decided to give it a try on their 11am to 6pm sailing. It was pretty cool. The vessel was an old car carrier that was transformed into a casino ship. The funny thing was it would sail beyond the 3 mile limit so they could open the casino and the ship would do ovals in the ocean (yep, once they got out there, they just did circles). Every time the ship made a turn, they would announce over the P.A. to hold on to something. The ship would do a tight 180 degree turn and the ship (because of it's age and not equipped with stabilizers) would list....severely!! The casino ship stopped operating some years ago due to not being able to reach a lease agreement with the Port of Canaveral. Also, because of it's short trips, it was a great way for new cruisers to check out their sea worthiness in regards to sea sickness.

[Mach]

I remember many years ago while staying at the Ron Jon Resort in Port Canaveral, they had a gambling ship that ran twice a day called "Ambassador II" and run by Sterling Casino Lines. We decided to give it a try on their 11am to 6pm sailing. It was pretty cool. The vessel was an old car carrier that was transformed into a casino ship. The funny thing was it would sail beyond the 3 mile limit so they could open the casino and the ship would do ovals in the ocean (yep, once they got out there, they just did circles). Every time the ship made a turn, they would announce over the P.A. to hold on to something. The ship would do a tight 180 degree turn and the ship (because of it's age and not equipped with stabilizers) would list....severely!! The casino ship stopped operating some years ago due to not being able to reach a lease agreement with the Port of Canaveral. Also, because of it's short trips, it was a great way for new cruisers to check out their sea worthiness in regards to sea sickness.

The Texas Treasure didn't orbit. She would head out, about 12 miles or so, and sit... fairly motionless... until the ship drifted closer to shore then they would head back out!

Frequently, I wouldn't bother with the casino at all but simply park my posterior on the aft deck, listen to the music and enjoy a few cocktails!!!

[KeithnRita]

Our local river town also has a gambling boat. It used to be required to cruise the Ohio River. The big problem was Kentucky owns the river from the navigation channel to its shore. The boat would back down the Indiana side of the river a half mile or so and then back. If the boat was turned it would be in Kentucky waters and they threatened to board the ship and confiscate all the gaming equipment since KY is a horse racing state and did not want the competition. Now the "boat" is permanently moored as Indiana changed the law requiring gambling cruises.

[Mach]

Our local river town also has a gambling boat. It used to be required to cruise the Ohio River. The big problem was Kentucky owns the river from the navigation channel to its shore. The boat would back down the Indiana side of the river a half mile or so and then back. If the boat was turned it would be in Kentucky waters and they threatened to board the ship and confiscate all the gaming equipment since KY is a horse racing state and did not want the competition. Now the "boat" is permanently moored as Indiana changed the law requiring gambling cruises.

Well... that certainly is different! My congrats to those folks for being inventive enough to be able to circumvent somewhat odd laws!

Cool!