Gambling cruises were once a popular tourist activity in Florida, but competition from land-based casinos drove many out of business. In 2009, the global recession put Jacksonville's last casino. Get reviews, hours, directions, coupons and more for SunCruz Casinos at 4378 Ocean St, Jacksonville, FL 32233. Search for other Casinos in Jacksonville on The Real Yellow Pages®. SunCruz Casino Cruise - Port Richey - Florida SunCruz Port Richey casino cruise ship has a 13,000 square foot casino with 325 slots, 13 table games including craps and roulette. High speed shuttle takes you to the mother ship anchored two miles off shore, so you can stay as long as you want. Daily 9:30am to 1am.
| Type | Private (Owned by Ocean Casino Cruises) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Transportation |
| Founded | 1994 |
| Defunct | 2009 |
| Florida, Myrtle Beach, SC | |
Key people | Robert Weisberg, Chairman & CEO |
| Products | Cruises |
| 1,000 | |
| Website | http://www.suncruzcasino.com |
SunCruz Casinos was one of many cruise lines that offered 'cruises to nowhere,' legally transporting passengers into international waters beyond the reach of federal and state gambling laws.
Four ships operated out of four ports including Jacksonville (SunCruz VII), Key Largo (SunCruz I), Myrtle Beach (SunCruz VIII), and Port Canaveral (SunCruz XII).[1]
On December 16, 2009, SunCruz Casinos was reported to be closing amid reports of owing $300,000 to the Canaveral Port Authority.[2] Parent company Ocean Casino Cruises filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy December 28.[3]
At the time of the filing of bankruptcy, there were about 300 full-time and part-time employees.[4]
History[edit]
Suncruz Casino Cruise - Mayport - Florida Residents
In 1994 Gus Boulis, already a multi-millionaire by founding the Miami Subs sandwich shop franchise, bought a number of luxury yachts. He remodeled the yachts as casinos, and began to operate his 'cruises to nowhere,' sailing three miles from the Florida coast into what was then considered international waters.[5] There, out on the sea, passengers would gamble on poker, blackjack and slot machines. Boulis called his fleet of 11 ships the SunCruz Casino line. By the time he sold the company in 2000, SunCruz Casinos was earning tens of millions of dollars in annual profits, and employed over 2,000 people.
In September 2007, SunCruz discontinued operation at Palm Beach.[6] Service was subsequently discontinued at Daytona and Treasure Island.
Investigation[edit]
In the 2000s, lobbyists such as Jack Abramoff became involved illegally with the sale of the line. Boulis was murdered in 2001.
See also[edit]
Footnotes[edit]
- ^'SunCruz website'. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
- ^NBC News
- ^http://www.cfnews13.com/Business/LocalBusinessHeadlines/2009/12/29/suncruzs_parent_company_files_for_bankruptcy.html
- ^Price, Wayne T. (11 January 2010). 'SunCruz offers apologies'. Florida Today. Melbourne, Florida: Florida Today. pp. 14A.
- ^New York Times retrieved June 8, 2008
- ^'Port of Palm Beach statement'. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
The below schedule and dining options have been temporarily suspended.
Our buffet service has been temporarily suspended and only à la carte service will be available.
À la carte must be purchased on the ship.
We are voluntarily closing on Mondays and Tuesdays, on a temporary basis,
in order to provide ample opportunity for additional deep cleaning of all Victory facilities.
The departing and arrival times, listed below, for Wednesday thru Sunday cruises remains the same.
43 broadway newport ri 02840. Casino cruise in jacksonville fl. Victory I Cruise Schedule: Boarding is one hour prior to departure | ||
| Departs | Returns | |
| Monday thru Saturday AM Cruises | 11 AM | 4:15 PM* |
| Sunday thru Thursday PM Cruises | 7 PM | 12:30 AM* |
| Friday PM Cruise | 7 PM | 1 AM* |
| Saturday PM Cruise | 7 PM | 1 AM* |
| Sunday Day Cruise | Noon | 6 PM* |
| *All return times are approximate. |
Victory I Pricing Per Person For Cruise (Includes Port Fee/Parking/Federal Tax) | |||
| Boarding | Advance Dining | Dining Purchase On Ship | |
| Monday thru Saturday AM Cruises | $13 | $15 | $17.50 |
| Sunday thru Tuesday PM Cruises | $13 | À La Carte Menu Available Only | |
| Wednesday and Thursday PM Cruises | $13 | $15 | $17.50 |
| Friday and Saturday PM Cruises | $13 | $20 | $22.50 |
| Sunday Noon Cruise | $13 | $20 | $22.50 |
| Buffet may have special pricing on holidays and special events. Atlantic Café is available on the Sunday Noon cruise, Monday AM cruise, Tuesday AM cruise and Wednesday through Saturday AM & PM cruises. Buffet is not available on the Sunday, Monday and Tuesday PM cruises. À la Carte menu is available, for your dining needs, on Deck 1 everyday. |
Four ships operated out of four ports including Jacksonville (SunCruz VII), Key Largo (SunCruz I), Myrtle Beach (SunCruz VIII), and Port Canaveral (SunCruz XII).[1]
On December 16, 2009, SunCruz Casinos was reported to be closing amid reports of owing $300,000 to the Canaveral Port Authority.[2] Parent company Ocean Casino Cruises filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy December 28.[3]
At the time of the filing of bankruptcy, there were about 300 full-time and part-time employees.[4]
History[edit]
Suncruz Casino Cruise - Mayport - Florida Residents
In 1994 Gus Boulis, already a multi-millionaire by founding the Miami Subs sandwich shop franchise, bought a number of luxury yachts. He remodeled the yachts as casinos, and began to operate his 'cruises to nowhere,' sailing three miles from the Florida coast into what was then considered international waters.[5] There, out on the sea, passengers would gamble on poker, blackjack and slot machines. Boulis called his fleet of 11 ships the SunCruz Casino line. By the time he sold the company in 2000, SunCruz Casinos was earning tens of millions of dollars in annual profits, and employed over 2,000 people.
In September 2007, SunCruz discontinued operation at Palm Beach.[6] Service was subsequently discontinued at Daytona and Treasure Island.
Investigation[edit]
In the 2000s, lobbyists such as Jack Abramoff became involved illegally with the sale of the line. Boulis was murdered in 2001.
See also[edit]
Footnotes[edit]
- ^'SunCruz website'. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
- ^NBC News
- ^http://www.cfnews13.com/Business/LocalBusinessHeadlines/2009/12/29/suncruzs_parent_company_files_for_bankruptcy.html
- ^Price, Wayne T. (11 January 2010). 'SunCruz offers apologies'. Florida Today. Melbourne, Florida: Florida Today. pp. 14A.
- ^New York Times retrieved June 8, 2008
- ^'Port of Palm Beach statement'. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
The below schedule and dining options have been temporarily suspended.
Our buffet service has been temporarily suspended and only à la carte service will be available.
À la carte must be purchased on the ship.
We are voluntarily closing on Mondays and Tuesdays, on a temporary basis,
in order to provide ample opportunity for additional deep cleaning of all Victory facilities.
The departing and arrival times, listed below, for Wednesday thru Sunday cruises remains the same.
43 broadway newport ri 02840. Casino cruise in jacksonville fl. Victory I Cruise Schedule: Boarding is one hour prior to departure | ||
| Departs | Returns | |
| Monday thru Saturday AM Cruises | 11 AM | 4:15 PM* |
| Sunday thru Thursday PM Cruises | 7 PM | 12:30 AM* |
| Friday PM Cruise | 7 PM | 1 AM* |
| Saturday PM Cruise | 7 PM | 1 AM* |
| Sunday Day Cruise | Noon | 6 PM* |
| *All return times are approximate. |
Victory I Pricing Per Person For Cruise (Includes Port Fee/Parking/Federal Tax) | |||
| Boarding | Advance Dining | Dining Purchase On Ship | |
| Monday thru Saturday AM Cruises | $13 | $15 | $17.50 |
| Sunday thru Tuesday PM Cruises | $13 | À La Carte Menu Available Only | |
| Wednesday and Thursday PM Cruises | $13 | $15 | $17.50 |
| Friday and Saturday PM Cruises | $13 | $20 | $22.50 |
| Sunday Noon Cruise | $13 | $20 | $22.50 |
| Buffet may have special pricing on holidays and special events. Atlantic Café is available on the Sunday Noon cruise, Monday AM cruise, Tuesday AM cruise and Wednesday through Saturday AM & PM cruises. Buffet is not available on the Sunday, Monday and Tuesday PM cruises. À la Carte menu is available, for your dining needs, on Deck 1 everyday. |
Minimum Age: 18 years of age to sail and/or gamble, 21 years of age to consume alcohol. Valid Government I.D. Required.
Proper attire required (shoes and shirts).
Suncruz Casino Cruise - Mayport - Florida Live Cam
Wheelchair and handicap scooter accessible (except for Transportation for scooters). We have 3 elevators on board and we also have a marine crew that will be happy to assist you up and down the ramp; if necessary. If you require a wheelchair during the cruise, you would need to provide your own.
