Poker fans sailing with Princess will need to book carefully if they want a seat at the table
Princess Cruises is reportedly phasing poker tables out of most of its shipboard casinos, a move that has surprised and disappointed many longtime guests. The change came to light through recent discussions on Cruise Critic forums, where cruisers noticed poker was no longer available on several ships.
A Princess Cruises spokesperson has said that the poker tables have been removed fleetwide, with the exception of Coral Princess and Island Princess. The company said the decision followed a review of guest demand and overall casino performance.
According to Princess, interest in poker had remained low compared to other casino offerings. Removing the tables allows the cruise line to repurpose space for games and entertainment options that see heavier use and stronger participation from guests.
Reaction from cruisers has been mixed. Some players said poker was a key part of their sea-day routine and one of the few casino games that felt social rather than purely transactional. A number of posters shared that poker kept them coming back to the casino during longer voyages.
Others said the move was expected. Several cruisers recalled conversations with casino staff in past years who suggested poker tables were less profitable than slot machines, especially after higher rakes failed to boost revenue. From that perspective, many saw the decision as a business call rather than a surprise.
Not all feedback is centered on poker alone. Some guests said the change might reduce their time in the casino entirely, while others used the discussion to raise broader concerns, including smoking policies in casino areas.
