The Emerald Princess is a 200-foot casino boat that sails from Brunswick, on Georgia's coast, four days a week. It rates 3.7 from 989 Google reviewers, a middling score that reflects an ageing vessel, a short window at the tables and a meal that is included rather than impressive.

What it has that nothing else in the state has is a working casino floor. The catch is where that floor is allowed to switch on.

How the cruise works

Georgia's constitution bars commercial casinos, so there is no floor on dry land anywhere in the state. Federal law separately prohibits operating gambling devices on a vessel while it is docked or within three nautical miles of its port, and Georgia's own waters extend the same three miles. That is the whole business model: board in Brunswick, motor past Jekyll Island into the Atlantic, cross the three-mile line, and only then do the slots light up and the tables open.

The boat leaves from Gisco Point, at the south end of the Sidney Lanier Bridge. Guests on Tripadvisor put the run to the line at 30 to 60 minutes; one noted that on a night the boat left late the casino did not open until about 8:30pm on a 7pm sailing. On a five-hour cruise that is a real chunk of time spent as a passenger rather than a player, with the same again coming back.

The line is enforced. In 2012 federal prosecutors indicted the manager and two captains of Savannah's Diamond Royale for running games inside state waters; all three pleaded guilty, and Savannah has had no casino boat since.

What's on the floor

Two of the four decks are gaming. The operator lists more than 250 slot and video machines, live blackjack at $5, $10 and $25 minimums, two roulette tables, a craps table and a handful of house poker variants: Emerald Princess Stud, Triple Time and High Roller Bonus Poker. Video blackjack and Bonanza Bingo round it out. Tourism listings put the blackjack count at about a dozen tables.

For a floor that only operates for roughly three hours per sailing, that is a reasonable spread. It is not a resort casino.

Food and price

The fare is $25 per passenger on regular sailings, including tax and port fee but not gratuity. That covers the cruise, casino access, parking and a meal on the Bistro Deck. Rates move with monthly specials; older $10-era reviews are still online, so check the current figure.

The operator describes the meal as light, served first come, first served; reviewers call it adequate for the price. There is a bar, the Calypso Bar & Club has live music on some sailings, and the open-air Observation Deck is the best part of the boat if you are not there to play.

Tips before you go

You must be 21 with a valid government-issued ID to board.

The 2026 schedule is Thursday 7pm to midnight, Friday and Saturday 11am to 4pm and 7pm to midnight, and Sunday 1pm to 6pm. No sailings Monday to Wednesday. Arrive at least 20 minutes early; the operator says it departs promptly, and unclaimed reservations are released 30 minutes before sailing.

Dress is casual, but no high heels, tank tops, flip-flops or open-toed shoes. Weather can cancel sailings; the operator's stated approach is to move you to the next available cruise rather than refund. Reservations are by phone at (800) 842-0115 or through the website.

Alternatives

There is no other in-person casino floor in Georgia. Jacksonville, Florida, just over an hour south on I-95, has card rooms but no slots; full casino resorts are several hours away in North Carolina or Alabama. See all Georgia in-person options.

If you would rather play from home, our guide to sweepstakes casinos available to Georgia players covers the platforms open to the state.

FAQ

Why does the Emerald Princess sail three miles out before the casino opens?

Federal law prohibits gambling devices on a vessel while docked or within three nautical miles of its port, and Georgia's state waters extend the same distance. The boat has to clear both before any game can run.

How long does the Emerald Princess cruise last?

Five hours, of which roughly 30 to 60 minutes each way is transit to and from the three-mile line. Expect closer to three hours of open casino.

How much does the Emerald Princess Casino cost?

$25 per passenger in 2026, including tax, port fee, a meal and parking. Gratuity is extra.

How old do you have to be to board the Emerald Princess?

21, with a valid government-issued ID.

What days does the Emerald Princess sail?

Thursday evenings, Friday and Saturday afternoons and evenings, and Sunday afternoons. Nothing Monday through Wednesday.

Rather stay on land tonight? See our Georgia sweepstakes rankings.

Updated September 2026 · Details verified against the operator's published schedule and reservation terms and Google Places data. Sailings and rates change without notice — confirm before you go.