Cunard Line Casino Review: Empire Casino on the Queens and Blackjack at Sea

Cunard is the oldest name in passenger shipping, with a history that stretches back to 1839, and its four ships, Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Anne, carry that heritage into every public room. The casinos are no exception. Cunard describes them as Monte-Carlo inspired, combining elegance and excitement, and on Queen Mary 2 the casino carries the historic name Empire Casino. For blackjack players, a Cunard voyage offers a refined casino with croupiers who teach during the day and a lively room after dark.

This review covers the casino on each Cunard ship, the games you will find, minimums and opening hours, the unusual rules on when Cunard casinos can open, tournaments, and the age, smoking and payment policies.

Cunard Casino at a Glance

The Casino on Each Cunard Queen

Cunard's casinos share the same Monte-Carlo inspiration, but each ship gives the room its own character:

Queen Mary 2 is the only true ocean liner in service, built for the rigors of the North Atlantic. Its Empire Casino offers card tables and a bar where you can order a drink and chat while watching the action. Third-party sources have described Queen Mary 2 as having around nine gaming tables, including roulette, blackjack, Three Card Poker and heads-up Texas Hold'em, plus dozens of slot machines.

Queen Victoria places its casino on Deck 2 in stylish Art Deco surroundings, with a mix of table games and slots.

Queen Elizabeth has an open-plan casino nestled under the boutiques of the Royal Arcade.

Queen Anne, Cunard's newest ship, which entered service in 2024, takes a more playful approach. Its casino features casino-themed decor, a giant spinning wheel and the stylish Room 1840 bar, where you can roll the dice and let fate choose your cocktail.

Details of each casino are on Cunard's official casino page.

Games You Will Find

• Blackjack, available on all four ships.
• Roulette, a staple of the Monte-Carlo inspired design.
• Three Card Poker.
• Heads-up Texas Hold'em, a house-banked version of Hold'em where you play against the dealer rather than other guests.
• Slot machines, ranging from classic reels to modern video slots.

Minimums and Limits

Cunard has historically offered some of the lowest minimums of any line, with older guidance listing roulette from 25 cents and blackjack and poker from $1, along with penny slots. Those figures are dated and minimums can change, so expect to confirm current limits onboard. Even so, Cunard has traditionally been an affordable place to play.

When Cunard Casinos Open

Cunard follows the industry rule of opening casinos only in international waters and closing them in port. Third-party sources note that the casino typically opens about 45 minutes after leaving port, and closing time is at the discretion of the casino manager.

Cunard also has one important quirk. Voyages that have no foreign ports of call on the itinerary may not open the casino at all, depending on the flag and local regulations. This affects some round-trip voyages from the United Kingdom. If you are booking specifically to play, check with Cunard that the casino will be open on your voyage.

The Transatlantic Advantage

Queen Mary 2's regular transatlantic crossings between Southampton and New York are among the best casino voyages at sea for one simple reason: seven nights with no port calls. The casino can stay open for most of the voyage, giving you long evenings and quiet afternoons at the tables. For blackjack players, it is an ideal setting to:

• Take daytime lessons with Cunard's croupiers on the first sea days.
• Build up to longer sessions as the voyage continues.
• Enjoy relaxed tables in the afternoon while many guests attend lectures and events.
• Join casino events that may run on the crossing.

Tournaments on Cunard

Cunard focuses more on elegant play than on tournament culture. Casino events and competitions may run on some voyages, especially on transatlantic crossings and world voyages with long stretches at sea, but they are less frequent than on mainstream American lines. Check the daily program and ask the casino team.

Tournament Tips for a Crossing

• Register early in the voyage if a tournament is announced, since small fields fill quickly.
• Learn your opponents' styles. On a week-long crossing, you will see the same players at the tables.
• Practice tournament math during quiet afternoon sessions.
• Plan for the final hands, which decide most rounds.
• Use heads-up Hold'em to sharpen decisions. Playing against the dealer is a good way to practice reading situations without other players.

Daytime Lessons

During the day, Cunard's croupiers are on hand to teach game rules and help you sharpen your skills. These sessions are a good way for first-time players to learn blackjack, roulette and poker variants in a low-pressure setting before the casino comes alive at night.

Payment, Age and House Rules

You can play with cash or charge play to your onboard account. Any unused casino chips must be cashed in onboard before the end of the voyage, since they cannot be redeemed ashore.

The minimum age is 18.

Smoking is not permitted in the casino on Cunard ships.

Cunard's evenings include formal-style Gala nights, and the casino reflects that elegant mood. Dress as you would for the evening's dress code.

What to Wear in a Cunard Casino

Cunard keeps more of the traditional cruise dress code than almost any other line. Evenings are designated as either Smart or Gala, and the casino follows the evening's code. On Gala evenings, many men wear dinner jackets or dark suits and women wear evening gowns or cocktail dresses, and the casino takes on an almost cinematic glamour. On Smart evenings, jackets for men and smart dresses or separates for women are the norm. Daytime dress for lessons is relaxed.

The Queen Anne Casino Experience

Queen Anne's casino is the most playful in the fleet. Its giant spinning wheel and casino-themed decor make the room feel like a celebration, and the Room 1840 bar adds a cocktail twist with a dice roll that chooses your drink. It is a good choice for groups and first-timers who want a fun, social casino evening, while experienced players will still find blackjack and roulette tables ready for serious play.

Gaming Traditions on the Atlantic Liners

Long before modern cruise casinos existed, the great transatlantic liners had their own gambling culture. First-class smoking rooms hosted card games that could run late into the night, and many crossings featured the ship's pool, a daily sweepstake in which passengers bet on how far the ship would travel in the previous 24 hours. Professional card sharps were a known hazard on some crossings, and shipping lines warned passengers to be careful about playing cards with strangers.

Today's Empire Casino is a far more regulated affair, with trained croupiers, surveillance and house-banked games, but it continues that tradition of evening entertainment during a long ocean voyage. For many guests, a few hands of blackjack on Queen Mary 2 in the middle of the Atlantic feels like a link to that golden age of ocean travel.

Heads-Up Texas Hold'em Explained

Heads-up Texas Hold'em, offered on Queen Mary 2 and other Cunard ships, is a house-banked game where you play your hand against the dealer instead of against other guests. It suits blackjack players because, like blackjack, the opponent is the house and the rules are fixed:

• You place an ante and usually an optional bonus or blind bet.
• You receive two hole cards, and the dealer receives two.
• You decide when to raise before the flop, after the flop or on the river, with larger raises allowed earlier in the hand.
• The best five-card hand wins, using your two cards and the five community cards.
• Some hands qualify for bonus payouts, such as a straight or better on the blind bet.

The key strategy point is to raise aggressively with strong starting hands before the flop and to check weaker hands until you have more information. Ask the croupier for a strategy card if one is available.

Basic Strategy at a Cunard Blackjack Table

Cunard's relaxed tables are a good place to practice basic strategy. A few of the most important rules for a standard shoe game:

• Always split aces and eights.
• Never split tens or fives.
• Double 11 against any dealer card except an ace in most rule sets.
• Stand on hard 17 or higher.
• Hit hard 12 against a dealer 2 or 3, and stand on hard 12 to 16 against a dealer 4 to 6.
• Avoid insurance, which is a side bet with a high house edge for basic strategy players.

Following basic strategy reduces the house edge in a typical 3:2 game to well under one percent, making your bankroll last longer on a long crossing.

Rewards and Comps

Cunard does not publish a dedicated, tiered casino rewards program comparable to Royal Caribbean's Club Royale. The Cunard World Club, the line's general loyalty program, is based on nights sailed rather than casino play. Cunard is part of Carnival Corporation, so if you play regularly, ask the casino team about any casino promotions or offers available on your voyage.

Pros and Cons

Which Cunard Voyage Is Best for Casino Players

Tips for Cunard Casino Guests

• Check that the casino will open on your voyage if gambling is a priority.
• Choose a transatlantic crossing for the most casino time.
• Take a croupier lesson during the day.
• Cash in your chips before the final evening.
• Try heads-up Hold'em if you enjoy poker but prefer playing against the house.
• Enjoy the Room 1840 bar on Queen Anne for one of the most playful casino bars at sea.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all Cunard ships have casinos?

Yes. Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Anne all have casinos.

What is the Empire Casino?

Empire Casino is the name of the casino on Queen Mary 2.

What is the minimum age to gamble on Cunard?

The minimum age is 18.

Can I smoke in a Cunard casino?

No. Smoking is not permitted in Cunard casinos.

Is the casino open every night?

The casino opens in international waters and closes in port. Some voyages without foreign ports of call may not open the casino at all, so check your itinerary.

Final Verdict

Cunard offers some of the most elegant casinos at sea, with a Monte-Carlo inspired design, non-smoking rooms, daytime lessons and a classic British atmosphere that suits relaxed blackjack play. The Queen Mary 2 transatlantic crossing is one of the best casino voyages available, thanks to seven straight nights at sea. Tournament fans and comp chasers will find more structure on the big American lines, but for a refined evening of blackjack and roulette aboard a historic Queen, Cunard is hard to match.

Casino rules, games, minimums and loyalty benefits change often and vary by ship and itinerary. Always confirm current details with the cruise line or the casino host onboard before you play. Gamble responsibly and only with money you can afford to lose.