Tampa Bay area - Ocean Jewel cruise ship

[alekhine8]

http://www.OceanJewel.com

The Ocean Jewel is a cruise ship that will be operating in international waters departing from the Port of St. Petersburg. You take a half hour 'luxury catamaran' ride out to the ship which is open from approximately 10:30am-2:30am. It will have a bunch of slots, table games and a poker room.

Has anyone heard an update on the status of this thing? My wife heard something on the radio about it but I don't believe it is open yet.

Thanks in advance.

[Gambit]

It is open and operating now. I believe they are in what they are calling their "soft" opening, meaning that the high speed catamaran shuttles are not being used yet and the ship itself comes in to dock at the St. Pete Pier every night and departs every morning...so you are on for the full day if you go.

I have not been on it yet, so I can not offer an opinion or review. Their web site has been updated with the sailing schedule, and some pictures under the "about us" link (poker room is on the Ruby deck).

Looks like this was taken before they opened to full capacity:



Hmmm, hope these aren't the real chips they use: [img]/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]

[alekhine8]

Thanks for the reply. I heard about the opening on the news the other night - I guess the ship had a few minor problems with its first few trips out. There was a few wet carpets or something and its a bit of a pain without the catamarans (probably an hour or so out to international waters).

We'll have to wait and see. If anyone has been on it and has any feedback, that'd be great. Thanks

[pokerswami]

alekhine8:
When you find out the real scoop(s), please post on this thread. Interested in <font color="red"> games, limits, rake and other charges, tight vs. loose, atmosphere, seasickness, etc. </font>
Thanks.
I'll add this thread to my favorites, hoping to learn the real deal.

[spacemonkey57]

Bump.

I'll be in Tampa for the holidays and the 1-2 at the Hard Rock doesn't sound too appealing. Has anybody played here yet? Do they charge you admission to get on the boat? Thanks.

[MrMax48]

I don't know about the cruise ship, however I wouldn't recommend playing at the Hard Rock, unless you play in their single table tournaments. It is No Fold'Em Hold'Em.
Have fun in Tamps.

[KowCiller]

[ QUOTE ]
I wouldn't recommend playing at the Hard Rock, unless you play in their single table tournaments. It is No Fold'Em Hold'Em.


[/ QUOTE ]

This is a bad thing?

KoW

[pokerswami]

monkey:

I don't have any Florida gambling info.
I live over 600 miles from Tampa. I wanted to know about the cruise ship in case it's worth planning ahead to go there when I'm down South visiting relatives.

[spacemonkey57]

[ QUOTE ]
monkey:

I don't have any Florida gambling info.
I live over 600 miles from Tampa. I wanted to know about the cruise ship in case it's worth planning ahead to go there when I'm down South visiting relatives.

[/ QUOTE ]

I leave Thursday, so I'm going to try and get down there over the next week or two. If I make it I'll post impressions.