• Find Las Vegas-style gaming aboard these ships.blackjack 1 image by dbvirago from Fotolia.com
  
  Because international waters are so close, the greater Miami area is a choice place for casino cruises. Several companies operate day trips from ports throughout South Florida. For an admission fee, they'll take you a short boat ride away and then dock, allowing you several hours of legal gaming. Many offer free food and drink, or even entertainment, with that fee, and many offer group rates as well.
  
  

Imperial Cruise Lines

• Imperial Cruise Lines isn't just a casino cruise per se. Rather, the company offers short, two-night trips from Fort Lauderdale to Nassau and Grand Bahama Island. While the trips are shorter than the average cruise, the ship offers the full cruise experience with entertainment, dining and of course, casino gaming. To get a cruise rate, you must book a minimum of eight cabins or 16 passengers.
  
  Imperial Cruise Lines
  At Port Everglades
  1850 Eller Drive, Fort Lauderdale 33316
  (954) 453-4625
  www.imperialmajesty.com
  
  

Discovery Cruise Line

• Like the Imperial Majesty, Discover offers short-term trips. Its most popular is a day-long "cruise to nowhere," that departs from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale in the morning, heads to the Bahamas and arrives back at the original port in the evening. Now, it also offers overnight stays in the Bahamas. Discovery offers a full cruising experience as well, and its casino includes Vegas-style gaming complete with craps, blackjack and roulette. Group rates are available for parties of 15 or more.
  
  Discovery Cruise Line
  At Port Everglades
  1850 Eller Drive, Fort Lauderdale 33316
  (888) 259-1579
  www.discoverycruiseline.com
  
  

Palm Beach Princess

• The Palm Beach Princess leaves from Palm Beach County, about an hour's drive north of Miami. Still, with its beautiful environs, it's worth an extra day trip. What sets this trip apart are the Vegas-style table games, in addition to the usual video slots and poker. There is live entertainment, massage and even skeet shooting on board if you get tired of gambling. The casino cruise definitely offers group rates; however, they vary depending on the number of guests and the day and time of the cruise. Contact the group sales leader to make a specific request.
  
  The Palm Beach Princess
  1 E. 11th Street, Suite 500
  Riviera Beach, FL 33404
  (800) 841-7447
  www.pbcasino.com