Grand Princess Casino CA Review

Even though the age of the paddleboat casino is long past, you can still experience the inimitable experience of gambling and dining at sea with Princess Line, owned by Carnival PLC. This Santa Clarita casino ship is one of an entire fleet that has been named Best Cruise Line for Food Lovers by Food & Wine Magazine. It is based in Santa Clarita and accommodates 2,600 guests in 1,301 rooms and 1,150 crew. Refurbished in March 2019, it offers luxury accommodations and amenities to rival the best of the land-based USA casinos. It is full of great places to eat and drink and all kinds of other leisure activities when you want a break from gaming.

Casino Games

The casino floor covers 6,500 square feet and has a good mixture of slots, video games and live table play.

Slots

There are more than 260 slots on board, from established favorites to the latest entrants. Look out for well-known names like Spartacus Gladiator of Rome, Forbidden Dragons and Lazer Lock Ice Sapphire.

Table Games

Although there are no dedicated poker tables, there are 20 tables offering live games including variants of poker like Let it Ride, Crazy 4 Poker and No Limit Holdem. You can also play roulette, blackjack, lottery games and electronic versions of the most popular table games.

History

Princess Cruises was founded in 1965 and has grown to become the second-largest cruise line by net revenue. For its first decade, it remained independent but was bought by P&O in 1974, who spun it off into a subsidiary in 2000 before it was merged with Carnival Corporation in 2003. The Grand Princess was built in 1998. At the time, it was the most expensive ship ever to be constructed.

Features and Amenities

In addition to the casino, there are restaurants, shops, a sports court, freshwater pools and hot tubs, an art gallery and even a 9-hole putting course. There are also special kids’ areas for age groups 3 to 7, 8 to 12 and 13 to 17.

Dining

Top deck dining venues include Slice Pizzeria, The Mix, Salty Dog Grill and Coffee & Cones. For a slightly more upscale dining experience, there is fabulous Italian cuisine at Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria, the wood-paneled Crown Grill steakhouse, the very special Chef’s Table Experience and the Vines Wine Bar voted one of the Best Wine Bars at Sea by USA TODAY. You are also invited to enjoy breakfast on your balcony served by their waiting staff.

Entertainment

Live music, magicians and Broadway-style shows are regular features on cruises in the Princess Theater. You can also stroll through the Piazza surrounded by street performers, boutiques, cafes and panoramic views.

Accommodations

Grand Princess Casino hotel accommodations are as luxurious as you would expect, with seven different levels of rooms and suites including two-bedroom family accommodations and rooms with balconies. All rooms have TVs and refrigerators as standard.

Loyalty Program

Membership in the Princess Captain’s Circle is free, and the more cruises you take, the greater the benefits you accrue and the higher you rise from the entry-level Gold all the way to Elite. While other cruise lines reward frequent travelers, with Princess Cruises, you start earning benefits the first time you board.

Grand Princess Casino CA Review

The Grand Princess provides a world-class casino experience but doesn’t compromise on all the other pleasures and delights of a genuine luxury cruise. Your only problem will be how to fit in everything the Grand Princess offers.