WPT Voyage vs. WPT at Sea – What's the Difference? Here's Everything You Need to Know

October 27, 2023

By now you’ve no doubt heard about the World Poker Tour (WPT) and a cruise ship, but do you know if it was WPT Voyage or WPT at Sea? Honestly, did you even know there was a difference? Well, there certainly is, and in this article, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about both.

For starters, know that WPT at Sea is an actual poker room on Virgin Voyages (currently on the Scarlet Lady cruise ship but soon to expand to others) whereas WPT Voyage is a standalone event, one that may currently be overshadowed by the upcoming WPT World Championship at Wynn Las Vegas, but could very well, and mark our words, earn the WPT another “Event of the Year” nomination in 2024.

Click here to read about the WPT World Championship!

WPT Partners with Virgin Voyages

Back in May, the WPT announced their partnership with Virgin Voyages, which launched in 2021 and had earned a number of top awards (it recently claimed five awards at this year’s Cruisers’ Choice Awards).

"This partnership fits nicely into our adult-only experience."

“Virgin Voyages has totally re-imagined the cruising experience, and their ideals perfectly align with the evolution of WPT in our commitment to build unique memories for poker players across the globe,” WPT CEO Adam Pliska said at the time. “The WPT Voyage will elevate an already amazing onboard experience with world-class poker and entertainment, creating one of the most fun and sought-after events on the calendar.”

Tom McAplin, CEO of Virgin Voyages, echoed those sentiments: “Hosting the World Poker Tour at Sea is an industry first and bringing the Main Tour experience to Valiant Lady is very exciting. This partnership fits nicely into our adult-only experience, and we’re honored to have one of our ships as the main stage for this exciting tournament.”

Since then, the WPT at Sea Poker Room has been operating on the Scarlet Lady cruising seven days a week!

What is WPT Voyage?

From March 31-April 6, 2024, the WPT will take over an entire Virgin Voyages cruise ship – the 1,400-cabin Valiant Lady – for a six-day poker festival that features $1.5 million in guarantees, including a $5,000 buy-in, $1,000,000 GTD WPT Main Event. The cost of the cruise varies depending on cabin, number of guests, etc., but had a general range of $1,300-$5,300 per person (does not include tournament buy-ins).

There will be more than 80 poker tables on board, and not only will there be cash games of all stakes and varieties, but there is a full tournament slate planned. The WPT has confirmed that the following tournaments will take place:

• $1,100 WPT Prime ($500,000 GTD)
• $5,000 WPT Main Event ($1,000,000 GTD)
• $10,000 High Roller
• $25,000 Super High Roller
• $1,100 Pot-Limit Omaha
• Other planned tournaments with buy-ins ranging from $150-$660 include satellites, PLO, Ladies Event, Tag Team Event, Heros Tournament, Omaha 8, Nightly $150, and more.

The WPT Voyage will surely attract some of the biggest names in poker, and of course, the WPT family will be on board including hosts Tony Dunst & Vince Van Patten, Lynn Gilmartin, Brad Owen & Andrew Neeme, and many more.

While poker is the main attraction, there are plenty of other things to do on WPT Voyage including endless entertainment, a plethora of drink and dining options (more than 20 boutique restaurants are on board), private karaoke rooms, an on-board tattoo parlor, pub games & trivia nights,

The cruise will sail from Miami on March 31, 2024, with stops in Grand Cayman and Bimini, Bahamas. While docked, poker will be on hold but sailors will have the opportunity to get off the ship and participate in a wide variety of land and sea-based excursions (think snorkeling, cultural tours, and more). There will also be poker-specific activities such as a golf tournament in Grand Cayman hosted by WPT Executive Tour Director Matt Savage, a pickleball tournament hosted by Vince Van Patten, and a Player Party.

Here are some other quick hitters to know about WPT Voyage:

• Sailors must be age 18+ to set sail (in other words, no kids allowed on Virgin Voyages)
• You must have a valid passport with an expiration date at least 6 months after the voyage end date.
• There will be a massive player pool party at Bimini Beach Club, which is the ship’s private beach area on the island. PokerNews has been there and trust us when we say it’s sure to be one of the most epic player parties in the history of poker, no exaggeration. Rumor has it that world-class DJs will be fueling the festivities.
• Pickleball Cayman, which features 12 covered courts and 8 uncovered courts, will host the Vince Van Patten Pickleball Invitational, while in Grand Cayman. There will be Pickleball lessons for beginners, fun challenges with amazing prizes, tournaments for all skill levels, and money challenge matches.
• More WPT Voyage announcements are coming. Don’t be surprised to see some big names, such as WPT Ambassador Phil Ivey, get involved someway, somehow.
• Water and non-alcoholic drinks are included, but alcohol will cost extra. You can either take advantage of a prepaid drink package or simply purchase the drink while on board. The good news is the drink prices are extremely reasonable (cheaper than most places in Vegas in fact).
• Tipping is included in the cost of the cruise, except with your poker dealers of course, always be sure to tip them.
• If you plan to go and want to book connecting cabins with friends, you’ll need to book early as there are a limited number available.

Sailing Itinerary

What is WPT at Sea?

Not to be confused with WPT Voyage, WPT at Sea is an actual poker room on the Scarlet Lady ship (and soon-to-be other Virgin Voyages). That poker room is operating on the high seas right now as you read this.

“After witnessing the magic of cruise-line poker with Virgin Voyages last season, we instantly sought to establish a permanent fixture,” said WPT CEO Adam Pliska. “Scarlet Lady provides the perfect residence for WPT at Sea, which will bring the WPT poker experience to the high seas.”

The room features eight custom poker tables staffed with professional dealers. For cash games, the rake is a reasonable 10% up to $10, which is much lower than other cruises. As for tournaments, buy-ins on a typical sailing range from $80-$320.

Recently, WPT at Sea has held a $240 buy-in Main Event, which awards a WPT prize package to a future sailing.

Check out the WPT at Sea Poker Room review here on PokerNews!

The room caters to players of all experience levels, from absolute beginner to seasoned pro. For the former, the staff holds beginner training courses on each sailing, and dealers also offer their services if 1:1 instruction is desired.

WPT at Sea goes wherever the ship does, meaning those who go for the poker will also get to experience new and exciting destinations. The room is closed when the ship is docked so sailors are incentivized to get off the ship and check things out. But fear not, when everyone is back on board it doesn’t take long for cards to get back in the air.

Here are some other things to know about WPT at Sea:

• The WPT at Sea poker room doesn’t accept cash. Sailors handle all transactions via their wearable devices (all sailors have a bracelet they wear that allows them to be scanned at various outlets across the ship), meaning buy-ins can simply be charged to your account. Likewise, tournament winnings are credited to the account as well (you can cash out either at the casino cage or at the end of the cruise).
• Private and meet-up games are allowed at WPT at Sea.
• There is a casino area next door that features a wide variety of slot machines, roulette, craps, Blackjack, and other table games.
• The WPT at Sea poker room has windows, so you can get a view of the ocean outside.
• The poker room has its own set of private bathrooms.
• Not only is there a bar located in the casino just outside the poker room, but drink serves are quick to serve the poker-playing sailors.
• WPT at Sea offers up to 25% off and up to $600 in free drinks depending on the cruise, so be sure to inquire when you book.
• WPT at Sea is very active on Instagram, which you can follow by clicking here.

PR & Media Manager

PR & Media Manager for PokerNews, Podcast host & 2013 WSOP Bracelet Winner.

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