Carnival to Offer Big Prizes in Casino Tourneys

Carnival Cruise Lines and the Ocean Players Club, a casino rewards program for cruise passengers, have joined forces to host 20 slot and blackjack tournaments throughout 2007 (next tournament: March 22, slots, Imagination). Total prize money will be more than $100,000.

The tournaments will be held on 19 different three- to eight-day Carnival cruises operating through October 2007. In November, the schedule will culminate in a special "Grand Final Event" aboard the Carnival Freedom, currently the line's newest ship.

Each of the 19 preliminary tournaments offer $5,000 in cash prizes, with a first prize of $2,500 and a complimentary cruise for two on Carnival Freedom's November 12 voyage to participate in the Grand Final Event. There, gamblers will vie for $20,000 in cash prizes for the slot tournament and $10,000 in cash prizes for the blackjack tournament. Entry fees are $50 for the 19 prelim rounds and $100 for the final event.

Participants can check dates and pre-register for the tournament on the Ocean Players Club Web site.