Opening
The casino follows the route.
The cruise line sets opening hours according to ship, sailing area and applicable law. In port and in territorial waters the casino generally stays closed and opens only at sea.
After the harbour · when permitted
A brighter room, kept carefully in scale.
A factual guide to age checks, opening conditions and the way a casino visit can fit into the voyage without becoming the voyage.
Entry
Age and identity first.
The casino is reserved for adults aged 18 and over. Expect an ID check on board – even when your booking was confirmed long ago.
Cashier
Ask before you play.
The onboard cashier explains payment methods, currency (usually EUR or USD), settlement and any fees. These are not part of our quote and are not handled by us.
Limits
Visible, understood, chosen.
Table and machine limits are visible before play. Choose a personal limit below the maximum – and stop when it is reached.
Perspective
The ticket is not a gambling balance.
Your fare pays for the cruise line's services. Gambling stakes are separate and should come only from money you can afford to lose.
A considered evening
Eat. Ask. Set a limit. Decide.
- Before
Set a money limit and a time at which you leave.
- At entry
Show ID, ask about currency and limits.
- During
Pause regularly. Never raise a limit to recover a loss.
- After
Close the session. Back to the ship and the voyage.
Legal note for guests from Switzerland
What the Swiss Gambling Act means on board – and what it does not.
The Federal Act on Gambling (BGS) regulates gambling in Switzerland. Licences and permits are valid only within Switzerland (Art. 4 BGS). Casinos on cruise ships are subject to the law of the flag state and operated by the cruise line – they are not supervised by the Swiss Federal Gaming Board (ESBK).
Vela Alpina is a travel agent, not a casino. This website offers no gambling, accepts no stakes or deposits and holds no gaming accounts. We arrange cruises; the casino is a ship amenity of the cruise line, like the restaurant, theatre or spa.
Minors are not admitted to the casino (Art. 72 BGS matches cruise line practice: 18+). A Swiss exclusion order, whether imposed or self-requested (Art. 80 BGS), does not automatically apply on board. Anyone who is excluded should avoid the ship's casino and may ask us to leave casino information out of their advice.
Winnings from gambling on board may be taxable in Switzerland. Please clarify your situation with your tax office or a professional adviser.
SOS Spielsucht · 0800 040 080 · Responsible gambling
Games are optional