YMMV but do not pay attention to any of the above posts as a fact or even the cruise line web sites. The major cruise lines rules differ on each ship. Most cruise ship Casinos are run as an actual separate entity or tracked as another entity. Example: RCL listed on the NYSE has several cruise lines and each line has at least several ships. I have been on RCL cruises that do not charge and easily walked with 9,000 in cash. I have been on ships with a signs that say they charge a fee but have had it waived, So once again YMMV.