People come to Alaska for its natural wonders and wild frontiers, and because the states key destinations are not completely accessible via road, many discover Alaska through vacation cruises. However, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the flourishing cruise and hospitality industries in Alaska, fueled by their two million annual visitors, came to a halt. Fortunately, this year, as case counts decrease and vaccination rates rise, tourism experts have seen a "trickling of intrepid" visitors throughout the seasons. Despite that, they still continue to advertise the open areas and secure health protocols that their places have to offer, which satisfy most travelers' concerns for safety.
But while cruise ships are not absolutely immune from COVID transmissions, cruise lines, including the Royal Caribbean International, are constantly monitored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This ensures the safety of anyone on board and encourages more travelers to join.
Aside from that, the cruise line also offers interesting activities and amenities. Since 2019, Royal Caribbean International, in partnership with Card Player Cruises, has organized an annual 7-night poker cruise from Seattle, Washington to Alaska. Onboard the Quantum of the Seas, a 4,100-capacity cruise ship, guests are treated to a one-of-a-kind tour of Alaskas cities, seaways, and natural beauty.
In between enjoying these destinations, guests can join the onboard poker tournament in the ships dedicated poker room. This year, the tournament room will be tentatively located at the ships 13th deck, which means awesome views for poker players.
Itinerary and Destinations
Day 1
Photo by Thom Milkovic on Unsplash
On August 29, 2022, the Quantum of the Seas will embark on its Alaskan journey from the city of Seattle. After the ship departs in the afternoon, the poker room opens at night.
Day 2
Photo by Dusan Kipic on Unsplash
While the ship is at sea, the poker room opens in the morning. This includes a beginners lesson on the game by The First Lady of Poker, Linda Johnson. If youre an amateur player, it might be wise to take this chance to brush up on the basic poker rules, too. After all, poker has different variants, from classics like Texas Hold'em to newer versions such as Omaha. Each has its own set of rules you need to be aware of. You can even join the Low-limit Hold'em game available to beginners on deck before you mingle with seasoned poker players who are used to playing in tournaments.
Day 3
Photo by Fernando Jorge on Unsplash
Wild whales and orcas, lush forest islands, glaciers, and gorgeous bays are just some sights to see as the ship goes through the Inside Passage. At 8:00am, the ship will be docking at the city of Ketchikan. With the poker room taking a break, even the cruises dedicated poker players can experience Ketchikan's different attractions. This includes whale watching and wildlife viewing, a floatplane tour in Misty Fjords, and rainforest walks. The ship will depart the city in the afternoon, at which point the poker room will reopen.
Day 4
Photo credit: dancingnomad3 under CC BY-ND 2.0 License
By the next morning, the ship will arrive at Sitka, a city and borough notorious for its Russian heritage. You can drop by St. Michael's Cathedral, the earliest Orthodox cathedral in America, and the Baranof Castle Hill, where the 49-star United States flag was first flown after Alaska became a state in 1959. Sitka also boasts various parks and museums, like the Sitka National Historical Park, Sitka Historical Museum, and Sheldon Jackson Museum.
Day 5
Photo credit: Skye D. under CC BY-ND 2.0 License
The next stop is Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier. Filled with mountain scenery and wildlife, this might be the most beautiful part of the cruise. So, enjoy your short stay here and soak in the breathtaking view! With the poker room open in the morning, players can enjoy the scenery while at the tables.
In the afternoon, the ship will pass through the Inside Passage and dock at the city of Juneau, the only US capital completely inaccessible by road. Surrounded by mountain terrains and glaciers, the city offers many interesting activities like whale watching, visiting glacier gardens, and helicopter rides. And don't forget to stop by Tracy's for the best king crab in the world, too.
Day 6
Photo by Sheila Jellison on Unsplash
While the ship is at sea, the poker room will be open all day, and so will the rest of the ships attractions. This includes its casino room, several pools, rock climbing, bars, a theater, an arcade, and even live entertainment.
Day 7
Photo by Armon Arani on Unsplash
The last stop on the way back to Seattle will be Victoria, British Columbia. Apart from Victorian architecture, guests can also kayak or hike the citys beautiful gardens. The poker room will be open all day long, and the cruise ends in Seattle the next day.
Its important to note that given the current climate, all aforementioned details are subject to change. That being said, the Alaskan cruise industry is very much intent on bouncing back from last years losses. The Royal Caribbean International featured here is even one of the first cruise lines to return to the state, making them one of the main reasons for the resurfacing cruise economy in the area. And if everything goes according to plan, those who have signed up can look forward to a truly memorable experience.
Main photo by Kayti Coonjohn on Unsplash
Go here to read the rest:
Everything you need to know about the Alaska Poker Cruise - Travel Daily News International
- Most Poker Rooms Remain Closed As Gambling Markets And Casinos Reopen In The United States - CardPlayer.com [Last Updated On: June 17th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2020]
- New poker rules in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic - Tampa Bay Times [Last Updated On: June 17th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2020]
- Genting Ceases All Live Poker Activity in the United Kingdom - PokerNews.com [Last Updated On: June 17th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2020]
- Ike Haxton Raises Concerns About the Health of Live Poker Players - HighstakesDB [Last Updated On: June 17th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2020]
- King's Casino reopening poker room soon with plenty on the schedule - World Casino Directory [Last Updated On: June 17th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2020]
- Advt: 5 reasons why everyone is hooked to online poker! Have you joined the party yet? - Times of India [Last Updated On: July 21st, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2020]
- Orange City OKs more poker players, and Greyhound racing in Daytona is over - The West Volusia Beacon [Last Updated On: July 21st, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2020]
- How Coronavirus changed the perception of Poker - CalvinAyre.com [Last Updated On: July 21st, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2020]
- Natural8 2020 WSOP Online Hand of the Week: A Wholesome Hand for Ryan Depaulo - PokerNews.com [Last Updated On: July 21st, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2020]
- How Has Poker Changed Over Many Years? - Loop21 [Last Updated On: July 21st, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2020]
- Trump's approach to politics bears the hallmarks of a bad poker player, author says - CBC.ca [Last Updated On: July 21st, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2020]
- Today's lottery news: the Poker Lotto numbers and results for Monday July 20, 2020 are here... - Born2Invest [Last Updated On: July 21st, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2020]
- The Deck Is Not Rigged: Poker and the Limits of AI - Undark Magazine [Last Updated On: July 21st, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2020]
- Key Points To Consider When Choosing Online Poker Tables - Top10PokerWebsites [Last Updated On: July 21st, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2020]
- NJ Special Legislation and the Impact on Online Casino Players in NY - Blog - The Island Now [Last Updated On: July 21st, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2020]
- The Phil Ivey Of Poker - HBCU Buzz [Last Updated On: July 21st, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2020]
- Venetian poker room going to 8-handed tables - Las Vegas Review-Journal [Last Updated On: July 21st, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2020]
- Chasing Poker Greatness: #68 Andrew Brokos: Co-Host ThinkingPoker Podcast & Author of Play Optimal Poker - Pokerfuse [Last Updated On: July 21st, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2020]
- FULL-HOUSE VS QUADS in the WSOP Main Event! Could Selbst have gotten away? - PokerNews.com [Last Updated On: August 3rd, 2020] [Originally Added On: August 3rd, 2020]
- Error in partypoker US Online Network PKO Series Finale Results in Nearly $50K Overlay - PokerNews.com [Last Updated On: August 3rd, 2020] [Originally Added On: August 3rd, 2020]
- Facebook develops AI algorithm that learns to play poker on the fly - VentureBeat [Last Updated On: August 3rd, 2020] [Originally Added On: August 3rd, 2020]
- Why Negreanu thinks Ivey is the best poker player in the world - Comcast SportsNet Chicago [Last Updated On: August 3rd, 2020] [Originally Added On: August 3rd, 2020]
- An Open Letter To The WSOP: Why Mixed Games Are Good For Poker Player Development - Poker News - CardPlayer.com [Last Updated On: August 3rd, 2020] [Originally Added On: August 3rd, 2020]
- What Site Offers the Best Online Poker Bonus in 2020? - PokerNews.com [Last Updated On: August 3rd, 2020] [Originally Added On: August 3rd, 2020]
- Man, 60, in custody in connection to death of professional poker player Susie Zhao - Detroit Free Press [Last Updated On: August 3rd, 2020] [Originally Added On: August 3rd, 2020]
- 60-year-old man arrested in connection with Oakland Co. professional poker player's death - WXYZ [Last Updated On: August 3rd, 2020] [Originally Added On: August 3rd, 2020]
- VIEW: Poker has a lot to offer to the Robinhood generation - CNBCTV18 [Last Updated On: August 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: August 26th, 2020]
- Key Elements to Consider When Searching for the Best Poker Game Software Development Company - Communal News [Last Updated On: August 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: August 26th, 2020]
- LOCK, STOCK AND TWO SMOKING BARRELS To A BIG HAND FOR THE LITTLE LADY : Best Poker Movies To Perfect Your Game Plan - The Fan Carpet [Last Updated On: August 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: August 26th, 2020]
- Casino Games: Online Poker | What Happened To Full Tilt Poker? - GamingTodaySlotsToday [Last Updated On: August 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: August 26th, 2020]
- Who Are the All-Time Leaders in Poker in North America? - Poker News Daily [Last Updated On: August 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: August 26th, 2020]
- UPDATE: One Arrested After Poker Game Argument Leads to Machete Attack in Lexington Park | Southern Maryland News Net - Southern Maryland News Net [Last Updated On: August 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: August 26th, 2020]
- Caribbean Sports - Best Caribbean Poker Tips & Tricks To Win - Caribbean and Latin America Daily News - News Americas [Last Updated On: August 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: August 26th, 2020]
- Author and former professional poker player Annie Duke on how conspiracy theories gain ground - TechCrunch [Last Updated On: August 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: August 26th, 2020]
- Poker Market Size and Growth By Leading Vendors, By Types and Application, By End Users and Forecast to 2020-2027 - Scientect [Last Updated On: August 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: August 26th, 2020]
- When Will Live Poker Rooms Reopen in Pennsylvania? - Play Pennsylvania [Last Updated On: August 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: August 26th, 2020]
- 5 of the best gambling apps to play real money poker games - European Gaming Industry News [Last Updated On: August 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: August 26th, 2020]
- Poker - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: August 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: August 26th, 2020]
- Andre Akkari Brings eSports and Poker Together as Industry Revels in Good News - HighstakesDB [Last Updated On: November 29th, 2020] [Originally Added On: November 29th, 2020]
- Five True-Life Poker Stories Primed To Be Hollywood Blockbusters - PocketFives [Last Updated On: November 29th, 2020] [Originally Added On: November 29th, 2020]
- Christopher Nunnally Wins Pearl River Poker Open $600 Main Event ($57835) - PokerNews.com [Last Updated On: November 29th, 2020] [Originally Added On: November 29th, 2020]
- What Losing 40 Tournaments In A Row Should Tell You About Your Poker Game - Poker News - CardPlayer.com [Last Updated On: November 29th, 2020] [Originally Added On: November 29th, 2020]
- Phil Ivey's Most Memorable Hand that Changed the Course of Poker History - HighstakesDB [Last Updated On: November 29th, 2020] [Originally Added On: November 29th, 2020]
- Legendary poker player goes all in on Bitcoin, liquidates Ether and Monero - Crypto News Flash [Last Updated On: November 29th, 2020] [Originally Added On: November 29th, 2020]
- Poker Club: All Bluff And Bluster | Screen Rant - Screen Rant [Last Updated On: November 29th, 2020] [Originally Added On: November 29th, 2020]
- What Does Another WSOP Main Event Mean for Poker? - PokerNews.com [Last Updated On: November 29th, 2020] [Originally Added On: November 29th, 2020]
- 2020 PokerNews Holiday Gift #4: SimplePoker.com GTO Poker Solvers and Tools - PokerNews.com [Last Updated On: November 29th, 2020] [Originally Added On: November 29th, 2020]
- Why Casino Royale Director Sweated the Poker Scenes Over Any James Bond Action - MovieWeb [Last Updated On: November 29th, 2020] [Originally Added On: November 29th, 2020]
- What Kinds Of Basics Beginners Should Know In Live Poker Gambling? - - VENTS Magazine [Last Updated On: December 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 26th, 2020]
- Poker Legend Maria Ho Details Her Experience on 'The Amazing Race' and 'American Idol' (Exclusive) - PopCulture.com [Last Updated On: December 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 26th, 2020]
- Great minds: 10 players who excel at both chess and poker - chess24 [Last Updated On: December 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 26th, 2020]
- Head of Marketing- Poker Powher - PEAK6 - Built In Chicago [Last Updated On: December 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 26th, 2020]
- 'Twas The Night Before Christmas - Poker Edition - PocketFives [Last Updated On: December 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 26th, 2020]
- Maria Ho Reflects on Hall of Fame Poker Career, Teases Her Future Plans (Exclusive) - PopCulture.com [Last Updated On: December 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 26th, 2020]
- Bitcoin And Crypto Trading Tips From Poker World Champion Annie Duke - Forbes [Last Updated On: December 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 26th, 2020]
- Chemistry Lessons: Building the Perfect High Stakes Poker Cast - PocketFives [Last Updated On: December 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 26th, 2020]
- Poker Stories of the year: Negreanu and Polk's high stakes feud - CalvinAyre.com [Last Updated On: December 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 26th, 2020]
- 2021 Poker Predictions: Will COVID-19 Force a WSOP Cancellation? - CardsChat.com [Last Updated On: December 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 26th, 2020]
- Huck Seed inducted to Poker Hall of Fame - CalvinAyre.com [Last Updated On: January 7th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 7th, 2021]
- Conor Beresford Wins 2020 Online Poker Player of the Year - PocketFives [Last Updated On: January 7th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 7th, 2021]
- WPT Readies for Live Poker in Las Vegas and Florida - LegalUSPokerSites.com [Last Updated On: January 7th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 7th, 2021]
- Run It Once Poker in 2020: Innovation, Promotions and Growth - Pokerfuse [Last Updated On: January 7th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 7th, 2021]
- Jail for woman who attacked neighbour with poker in Cork town - EchoLive.ie [Last Updated On: January 17th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 17th, 2021]
- Poker Coming Back to Detroit This Week - USGamblingSites.com [Last Updated On: January 17th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 17th, 2021]
- This woman used her Psychology Ph.D. to become a poker star - Yahoo News [Last Updated On: January 17th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 17th, 2021]
- Looking Ahead To The World Series Of Poker Finale - LA Canyon News [Last Updated On: January 17th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 17th, 2021]
- Sheldon Adelson Died and the Poker Community has Mixed Feelings - CardsChat.com [Last Updated On: January 17th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 17th, 2021]
- Poker Is on the Cards for Detroit This Friday - GamblingNews.com [Last Updated On: January 17th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 17th, 2021]
- FIVE THINGS: The Poker Hall of Fame Deserves a Next Level Upgrade - PocketFives [Last Updated On: January 17th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 17th, 2021]
- Tony G Resigns from Parliament; Will He Head Back to Poker? - PokerNews.com [Last Updated On: January 17th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 17th, 2021]
- High Stakes Poker S8, E5: You Won't Believe the Pot Tom Dwan Won - PokerNews.com [Last Updated On: January 17th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 17th, 2021]
- 5 key concepts in poker and chess | chess24.com - chess24 [Last Updated On: January 17th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 17th, 2021]
- Several States Begin To Lift Casino Closures And Ease Restrictions - CardPlayer.com [Last Updated On: January 29th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 29th, 2021]
- Jack Hardcastle Wins the WPT Montreal Main Event at partypoker ($447859) - PokerNews.com [Last Updated On: January 29th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 29th, 2021]
- Los Angeles Poker Rooms Given Green Light to Reopen this Week - CardsChat.com [Last Updated On: January 29th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 29th, 2021]
- Partypoker US Network Posts Big Online Poker Revenue Gains in New Jersey During the Final Quarter of 2020 - Pokerfuse [Last Updated On: January 29th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 29th, 2021]
- 888 Executive: US Online Poker to Benefit from Latest Wire Act Ruling - Casino.Org News [Last Updated On: January 29th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 29th, 2021]
- The FIVES Poker Podcast: WPT in the Headlines, Polk Tilts Negreanu - PocketFives [Last Updated On: January 29th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 29th, 2021]
- Justice Kagan: Poker Shark - Above the Law [Last Updated On: January 29th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 29th, 2021]
- Is online poker in the cards for North Dakota? - The Dickinson Press [Last Updated On: January 29th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 29th, 2021]