Tournaments at Sea
Bridge, cards, trivia and tiles — bring your game on vacation.
Plan a Game CruiseWhere the Game Comes on Vacation
For some travelers the best part of a cruise is a card table, a crossword in the library or a hard-fought trivia final in the lounge. Tournaments at Sea is a guide to game cruises: bridge sailings with teachers and masterpoints, poker and casino tournaments, trivia, chess, mahjong, puzzles and board-game groups — and how organized game cruises actually work.
The appeal is simple. Sea days give you long, uninterrupted hours to play, the ship takes care of meals and housekeeping, and you share the week with people who love the same game. Between sessions you still get the ports, the shows and the sea.
Bridge Cruises
Teachers, duplicate games and masterpoints at sea, with sailings we have verified.
Poker & Casino Tournaments
How onboard tournaments work, age rules and playing responsibly.
Trivia & Quiz Nights
The most popular free game on any ship, and how to win it.
Chess, Mahjong & Board Games
Tile, board and puzzle groups at sea.
Organizing a Game Group
Cabins, playing rooms, schedules and prizes for your own club.
Game Cruise FAQ
Quick answers for players and their partners.
Three Ways to Play at Sea
| Style | What it is | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Ship activities | Trivia, bingo, casual card games and casino play run by the ship | Anyone, with no planning needed |
| Hosted group | An organizer brings teachers or directors and a private playing room | Serious players who want structure |
| Your own club | Your friends or club book a group and set their own schedule | Clubs, leagues and regular game nights |
Most game cruises are not full-ship charters. They are groups of players sailing on ordinary cruises alongside other guests, with private space reserved for their sessions. That keeps fares in line with the regular cruise and lets non-playing partners come along.
Choosing the Right Sailing
- Count the sea days. More sea days mean more playing sessions.
- Check the playing room. Ask where your group will play and whether the room is private.
- Meet the host. A good teacher or tournament director makes the week.
- Look at the extras. Is the program included, or a separate fee on top of the cruise?
- Think about partners. Choose a ship with plenty for non-players to do.
Game cruises are one branch of theme cruising. For music, food, hobbies and more, see our sister site Special Interest Cruises. For golf, fishing and sports-fan sailings, see Sporting Cruises.
Book With People Who Understand Groups
Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise can match you to a hosted game sailing, or help your own club arrange cabins and a playing room on a ship that suits the group.
Tournaments at Sea is part of the Smart Traveler network, led by Mister Cruise. He has sold travel since 1972 and worked full-time in the industry since 1977. He has sold or originated more than $500 million in cruises and has trained more than 500 travel agents.
When you ask for a quote, our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise handle it personally — not a call center — and book everything for you. Meet Mister Cruise →
Game Cruise Questions
What is a tournament cruise?
A regular cruise where a group of players — bridge, poker, mahjong, trivia or another game — sails together with its own schedule of games, lessons and events. The organizer books the cabins and arranges a private playing room with the cruise line.
Do I need my own group to play games on a cruise?
No. Every mainstream ship runs trivia, bingo and casual games open to all guests, and many keep cards and board games to borrow. Joining an organized group simply adds structured play, teachers and fellow enthusiasts.
How old do you have to be to play in a ship casino?
On most major lines the minimum is 18, and some raise it to 21 on certain itineraries. Royal Caribbean, for example, sets 21 as the minimum on all Alaska cruises. Check the rule for your line and sailing.
Can non-players come along?
Yes. Partners who do not play enjoy the ship, the ports and the evenings together. Organized groups usually leave plenty of free time, and the non-player pays the same cruise fare.
Plan a Cruise Around Your Game
Tell us your game, your level and when you would like to sail. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will find hosted sailings or help your group book its own.
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