Texas Gold Nugget Cruises may be launching its first gambling ship into international waters in March 2015. Courtesy Photo
A local man plans to begin operation of two gambling cruise ships out of Corpus Christi next year. Although he was not expecting to announce operation of the Texas Gold Nugget Casino Cruises until January 1, owner Vidal Conde said a web site in development went live by mistake and, thanks to social media, has almost sold out the 1,000 tickets available for the maiden voyage, currently set for March 2015.
The cost of a 5-hour cruise into international waters runs $30 per person. The high-speed Jet Catamaran that Conde is outfitting as a gambling ship can provide up to 1,200 passengers aged 21 and older access to blackjack, poker, roulette, baccarat, craps, bingo, slot machines and gambling on sporting events. Except for an upper bridge level, the ship will be non-smoking.
Conde says Corpus Christi is ready to support this level of entertainment. He already operates the Pharaoh Casino Tour Bus, which transports passengers from the local area to the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino in Eagle Pass some 220 miles away. Also, he's going to school on a semi-successful gambling cruise, the Texas Treasure, that closed in 2008. That ship sailed successfully for eight years before a legal dispute closed it down.
Current plans have the Texas Gold Nugget Casino docking at Barge Harbor in the SEA District, the Sports, Entertainment and Arts district near downtown. Cruises are currently scheduled to leave at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. seven days a week once the business kicks off.
