Gamblers in St. Petersburg and close to the northern capital can attend legal casinos. However, these clubs are not in the city. They are located on comfortable ferries, Princess Maria and Princess Anastasia that sail between St. Petersburg, Helsinki, Tallinn, and Stockholm.
The idea, as you know, is not new. You must have heard about river steamers with casinos on board. In the nineteenth - early twentieth century, plenty of vessels sailed down the United States rivers.
The main idea of Princess Maria and Princess Anastasia is that the authorities can not prevent this type of gambling, as bets on ferries can be made only in neutral waters.
About the Cruise Ferries
Princess Maria and Princess Anastasia belong to St. Peter Line.
Passengers can enjoy numerous services:
- bars,
- restaurants,
- comfortable cabins of various classes,
- an aqua area,
- a cinema,
- a kids club,
- a duty-free shop,
- the Captain Nemo casino.
The famous PAF opened the casino founded more than forty years ago. Its land-based casino is located on the Aland Islands. It is more a respectable gaming company worldwide. Most of its profits go to charity.
Now let's talk about the ferries, where the casinos are located.
Princess Anastasia
It was built in one of the Finnish shipyards in 1986 and was launched as Olympia. Later it was renamed the Pride of Bilbao.
In 2010, the ferry was purchased by St. Peter Line and became Princess Anastasia, named in honor of the Grand Duchess Anastasia, the youngest daughter of Emperor Nicholas II.
Since March 2011, the Princess Anastasia ferry has gone in two directions: on Monday in Stockholm and back, and on Thursday on the route St. Petersburg - Helsinki - Stockholm - Tallinn - St. Petersburg.
Princess Maria
The ship was built in the same shipyard as Princess Anastasia, but five years earlier. At first, it was called Finlandia and cruised from Helsinki to Stockholm. Then it was purchased by another company renamed Queen of Scandinavia. In 2000 the ship was rebuilt in Poland. Several routes were changed, and it even was on loan by the Danish police.
St. Peter Line bought the ferry in 2010 and called it Princess Mary (in honor of the Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna, the third daughter of Nicholas II). It cruises from St. Petersburg to Helsinki and back.
Recently, the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation and St. Peter Line agreed that ferries would be used as floating hotels during the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
On-board Casinos
Game tours of Princess Anastasia and Princess Maria are a little different from each other, though in general, they are very similar. Both casinos have the same betting limit, starting from one euro at roulette and ten euros in card games. Only Princess Mary has arcades, and the coins' denomination begins with one, two, or five euro cents.
Players can purchase special tours on ferries. Depending on the client's deposit, they can enjoy the casino or other services. It is from five, one, three or five thousand euros at Mary. At Anastasia, the program costs from one to seven thousand euros.
High rollers have a luxurious cabin, breakfast, and dinner in the restaurant; they get a free transfer to the ships. It is noteworthy that participants in the program at any level should hold the game for at least four hours.
Fans of the sport of poker can participate in Texas Holdem tournaments or play for cash.
Casino customers can join the Captain's Club. Its membership entitles you to receive bonuses, participate in promotions, discounts at restaurants and bars, as well as other privileges.
Both ferries regularly give valuable prizes, like tours, sightseeing, dining in a restaurant, etc.
More Information
You can find all news about ferries Princess Maria and Princess Anastasia on the official website of St. Peter Line. The casino has its own internet resources: Princess Maria and Princess Anastasia.
