“I think what’s interesting here is that gambling used to have an aura of exclusivity. Think Monte Carlo. Now, it’s becoming more of a stigma of the middle class. There’s more to this discussion than just a cruise ship’s policy. It’s more a question of how gambling is changing (or at least the perceptions, thereof).”
A QUESTION ABOUT CRUISE CHIPS AND GAMBLING/POKER
One thing I’ve never done before is taking a cruise. That’s right, I’ve never been on a cruise ship. I’m not opposed to cruises and many people I know love the experience of cruising from port to port and maximizing both time and affordability when traveling. I also have close friends who have been active for many years in the “poker cruises” business. So, my lack of knowledge and experience is a bit odd.
I noticed a TV commercial for VIKING CRUISES recently. The content of the ad is striking for promoting what they do NOT offer, and that’s “CASINOS.” The advertisement even goes so far to say (paraphrasing): “Viking Cruises is for the thinking person. There are no casinos.”
I’m not making any judgements here. I don’t know enough about this to have an opinion. But I am curious as to why a major cruise company would promote NOT having something. NO children? Great, please sign me up. NO casinos (or poker)? Uhh, I’m not so sure.
Do casinos/poker change the atmosphere of cruises so severely that this is something people actually want to avoid? I just assumed most cruises offered this option and it was like the bar or the lounge act — you had this as one of many menu items to chose from.
I just find it odd that a company would market to a non-casino crowd and even throw in a line about the intelligence of patrons (a cruise for the “thinking person.”
Indeed, what’s interesting here is that gambling used to have an aura of exclusivity. Think Monte Carlo. Now, it’s becoming more of a stigma of the middle class. There’s more to this discussion than just a cruise ship’s policy. It’s more a question of how gambling is changing (or at least the perceptions, thereof).
I’m interested in comments from those who know more about this subject. I wouldn’t think casinos/poker on cruises would be controversial, nor their omission be such a strong selling point.
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