Veendam Canada NE Cruise Casino

[marycang]

What times and how many days out of seven is the casino open for this cruise?

[sail7seas]

The casino is open within about an hour of leaving port each day. If there is an overnight, the casino is closed. Like almost everywhere, the casino is closed in port.

 

[jtl513]

The casino is open within about an hour of leaving port each day. If there is an overnight, the casino is closed. Like almost everywhere, the casino is closed in port.

 

Even while going up and down the St Lawrence and not in "international waters"? Or is the river "international waters"?

[aliaschief]

Even while going up and down the St Lawrence and not in "international waters"? Or is the river "international waters"?

 

Casino was open after we left ports of call coming down the Saint Lawrence.

 

What I have never understood is the Canadian Law that regulates only one bar open per deck while in port in Canadian waters.:confused:

[sail7seas]

Even while going up and down the St Lawrence and not in "international waters"? Or is the river "international waters"?

 

 

Yes. :) Casino is open when we sail the river.

 

[jtl513]

Yes. :) Casino is open when we sail the river.

Okay ... if they don't have to get 12 miles off shore, do they open the casino right after leaving the pier in Quebec City or other ports along the river? Edited November 20, 2013 by jtl513

[sail7seas]

The casino is open all the times it would be open after leaving ports in Caribbean, Europe or anywhere else. Those after sailing hours and sea days (which is the day on the St. Lawrence for Maasdam's itinerary), the casino is open.

 

We've done that cruise over and over and over and the casino is open every night of Maasdam's Boston to Montreal to Boston's itinerary. :)

 

[jtl513]

The casino is open all the times it would be open after leaving ports in Caribbean, Europe or anywhere else.

What I'm getting at is that the reason the casino is not open for the first 45 minutes to an hour or so in most places is because that is how long it takes to get outside the 12 mile territorial waters limit, into international waters. Leaving Port Everglades the casino can open much sooner than when leaving Tampa as it takes about an hour to get out of the bay, and then another 40 minutes or so to cover the 12 miles.

 

So, in the St Lawrence, where the 12 mile limit doesn't apply apparently, do they still wait a while after leaving the pier?

 

It's not really important, but I was just curious. :)

Edited November 20, 2013 by jtl513

[sail7seas]

I know what you are getting at and I don't know the law well enough to discuss it.

 

All I can tell you is what we have experienced on a great many Maasdam, Boston to Montreal to Boston, cruises. I cannot explain the law, the distance from shore the ship is or why the casino should or should not be open. We have never been on that itinerary when the casino was closed any one of the nights. :)

[jtl513]

I know what you are getting at and I don't know the law well enough to discuss it.

I'm past that question, and just wanted to know if they opened the casino immediately after undocking or waited a while, since there's apparently no reason to wait. Just forget it! :)

[sail7seas]

I cannot say for sure at exactly how many minutes away from the dock the casino opens as we are never there at that time. We are almost always in our cabin/on our verandah and not rushing to the casino. I can only say by the time we come to Ocean Bar for our pre-dinner cocktails, Casino is open and operating and that would be at about 6:50 - 7:00 most nights when we arrive for cocktails. :)

 

[sail7seas]

I actually think it an interesting question now that it has arisen.

Were I inclined, some research of the 12 or however many mile rule might be an exception on the St. Lawrence for some obscure or not so obsure reason. I will comment it's lovely sailing the river and they often leave the dining room curtains open so we can enjoy the lights as we sail by. We love sailing under the bridges and the passage to Montreal is very pleasant.

 

Edited November 20, 2013 by sail7seas

[g&gtravel]

jtl, I have never been in the casino at sail away, but have within 30 minutes, and they are open. I seem to remember the opening time is 15-30 minutes after moving away. I assume the laws are written similar to the ones on the Mississippi river where ship in the water are lawful, even though they never leave the dock. Everyone wants to compete for the tax revenue, so allow in the waterways.

[doublebzz]

 

What I have never understood is the Canadian Law that regulates only one bar open per deck while in port in Canadian waters.:confused:

 

Maybe it has something to do with restraining the Mayor of Toronto, Rob Ford.

[JudeeJim]

On our last cruise on the Nordam I made an interesting observation. The casino was devided for smokers and non-smokers. The non-smokers area was very small and had poor choices of slot machines. In the smokers area there were many more slots and not many smokers. Since so many people have quit smoking you would think HAL would reverse the areas. Just a thought and yes I am a reformed smoker.

 

Judee