You arent 'required' to gamble if you board, the staff is pleasent and the entertainment that they offer on the way out and back can be decent.

As for running aground and having to sit there until tide comes in.to my knowledge this has only happened once, and was caused by another boat not giving way (the cruise boat had the right away) and made the captain cut his course a bit short.the trip is not for everyone, but for some its the only way that they get to see this area from the water prespective. However, they do go thru pretty intense inspections by the coast guard on a regular basis - and I would think with that type of inspection they would be required to have ample life saving apparatus (lifeboats/vests) on board. All of the casino gambling lunch and dinner cruises have an All You. Yes, I agree if you are boating on the waterway, and get a chance to see them from that perspective they dont look much better than some of the ferries that I used to see while vacationing in the Phillipines. Onboard, you can enjoy your favorite casino table games, and the newest and loosest slots. The gambling cruises, IMO, fill an entertainment void for the area.