Florida Casino Cruise Ship’s Extended Dry Dock Leaves Workers High and Dry

A Florida casino cruise ship is undergoing unexpected maintenance that will keep the vessel out of commission for an extended period of time. The dry dock has resulted in employees of the gaming excursion being furloughed.

Victory Casino Cruises has sailed out of Terminal B-2 at Port Canaveral for the past 16 years, serving more than three million gamblers. Voyages, however, were put on hold following the Sept. 28 excursions for Victory I, the company’s lone ship, to undergo maintenance.

“We understand how disappointing this may be, and we sincerely appreciate your patience, understanding, and continued support during this unexpected delay. For more than 15 years, our passengers have been an important part of the Victory family. The Victory Team is incredibly grateful for your loyalty, and for the many calls, messages, and words of encouragement we have received,” the captain continued in his Facebook post. “We miss having you aboard, and we look forward to welcoming you back very soon.”

Captain Tim said all paid reservations and deposits will be refunded, and future reservations are on hold until the boat’s maintenance is completed.

Workers Furloughed

Captain Tim didn’t discuss employment matters in his social media message. However, Victory Casino Cruises employees responded to questions about their status, saying they’ve been placed on furlough.

A furlough is a temporary, mandatory leave of absence without pay, though some employers do continue to provide benefits. Furloughed employees can apply for unemployment benefits, including weekly pay and the Continuation of Health Coverage (COBRA) through the US Department of Labor.

The dry dock is related to maintenance of the casino boat’s mechanical systems. The company explained that the dry dock is not cosmetic and will not result in interior upgrades like new carpet, lighting fixtures, or gaming machines.

Victory Casino Cruises

Before the dry dock, Victory I sailed twice a day Tuesday through Sunday, with onboard gambling beginning once the boat reached international waters, typically about 45 minutes after departure. According to American Nautical Services, international waters start at 12 nautical miles from the coast, where a country’s territorial waters end.

Victory I features more than 600 slot machines and live dealer table games for blackjack, craps, roulette, poker, and baccarat. The boat also offers bingo and sports betting.

Alcoholic drinks are free when gambling, and smoking is prohibited everywhere except outside on Deck 4. Boarding costs are $25 per person, with special discounts for groups of 10 or more.