CruiseStar
The casino runs on its own clock
Most mainstream and premium ships carry an onboard casino with slots and table games, though it's typically absent from family-first or destination-focused lines, including most expedition and river cruises. Maritime gambling law means the casino closes whenever the ship is docked in port and opens once you're underway in international waters, usually mid-afternoon or early evening through the early morning hours on sea days and departure nights. Minimum age to play is 18 or 21 depending on the line and sometimes the ship's country of registry, so it's worth a quick check rather than assuming.
How late things actually run
Main bars, lounges, and the dance club typically stay lively until 1:00-2:00 a.m., with the casino and a handful of smaller late-night spots sometimes pushing toward sunrise on sea days. Family-oriented ships generally wind down earlier than adult-focused or party-leaning lines, which tracks with how differently those two crowds use the evening. Beyond bars and the casino, expect comedy shows, live music, trivia, karaoke, and themed deck parties running in parallel most nights, so bar-hopping between different types of entertainment across one evening is entirely normal.
Dress codes and age limits after dark
Casual bars and lounges rarely enforce anything beyond "no swimwear," but upscale cocktail lounges and the casino sometimes expect smart casual, especially on formal nights, worth checking your ship's evening guidance if you're unsure. Several late-night lounges and the dance club often restrict entry to guests 18 or 21 and older after a certain hour, even if the same room welcomes all ages earlier in the evening.
Bringing your own drinks
Policies vary, but many lines allow one bottle of wine or champagne per cabin at embarkation, sometimes with a corkage fee if you drink it in a public venue. Hard liquor and beer brought from home are typically confiscated at security and returned at the end of the cruise rather than allowed for onboard consumption, so don't plan around smuggling in a case of anything.