Scandinavian Ferries With a Casino on Board: Which Ships Have One (and Which Don't)

Short answer: if you want a casino on a ferry out of Norway, you need Color Line. Its big cruise ferries between Oslo and Kiel have a full casino, and its faster Denmark crossings and the Sandefjord–Strömstad ferry have smaller gaming corners. The overnight boat between Oslo and Copenhagen, now run by Go Nordic Cruiseline, has no casino at all, and neither do Fjord Line's ships. Everywhere it exists, the age limit is 18.

That's the quick version. Below you'll find what each casino actually offers, when it's open, where it sits on the ship, and what to do instead if your boat has none. I've checked every detail against the ferry companies' own pages (fall 2026), because ship facilities change more often than travel forums admit.

Why Ferry Casinos Are a Thing in Scandinavia

Norway doesn't allow land-based casinos, so for many Norwegians the ferry to Germany or Denmark has long been the closest place to sit down at a real roulette table. That gives these crossings a particular feel. On a Friday departure you'll see groups of friends, couples on a weekend getaway and retirees who have done the same mini cruise a dozen times, and for some of them the casino is part of the ritual, right alongside the tax-free shop and the buffet.

If you're new to the region and still sketching out your trip, our guide to exploring Norway, the land of fjords and northern lights is a good place to start. Then come back here to pick your boat.

Color Line Oslo–Kiel: The Real Casino at Sea

The Oslo–Kiel route is the one most people mean when they talk about a "casino ferry." Two ships, Color Fantasy and Color Magic, sail it daily. Both leave at 2:00 p.m. from Oslo and Kiel and arrive at 10:00 a.m. the next morning, so you get a full evening on board. Color Line sets the tone itself:

"Experience authentic Las Vegas vibes on board Color Fantasy and Color Magic." – Color Line, Kiel–Oslo casino page

Here's what you'll find:

• Location: Deck 6, forward, opposite the buffet restaurant.
• Games: slot machines, blackjack and roulette. Color Poker is offered only on Color Magic.
• Opening hours: 7:00–9:45 a.m. and 2:15 p.m.–1:00 a.m.
• Age limit: 18.
• Extras: its own bar, plus an ATM right outside that pays out both Norwegian kroner and euros.

The timing is cleverly built around the sailing. The evening session opens 15 minutes after departure, and the morning session closes 15 minutes before you dock. That means you can play a few hands before breakfast and still be at the car deck on time. One thing to note: smoking isn't allowed near the roulette or blackjack tables, though the ship has designated smoking areas.

Mind the age rules for the trip itself, too. They're separate from the casino rule. The casino lets you in at 18, but Color Line's two-night cruise package has a minimum age of 20, so an 18-year-old on that package won't get on board at all. If you read Norwegian, or don't mind running a page through a translator, there's a Norwegian guide to the casino on the Oslo–Kiel ferry that also covers check-in times, car rules and shopping in Kiel.

Color Line SuperSpeed and Color Hybrid: Smaller Casinos on Shorter Crossings

Color Line's daytime crossings to Denmark are a different experience. The SuperSpeed ships are fast, practical ferries, not floating resorts. SuperSpeed 1 sails Kristiansand–Hirtshals and SuperSpeed 2 sails Larvik–Hirtshals, a trip of 3 hours 45 minutes. Both have a compact gaming area:

"Try your luck in the ship's casino, located next to Bluefins Lounge & Bar." – Color Line, Denmark–Norway food and drink page

Expect blackjack and slot machines rather than a full roulette floor. Color Line says the casino is open every day, all year, and the age limit is 18. With only a few hours at sea, most people pair it with a drink in Bluefins and the sea view.

Further east, Color Hybrid runs between Sandefjord in Norway and Strömstad in Sweden. Color Line's Swedish site lists a casino on board that's open every day, all year, with an 18 age limit. It doesn't spell out the games, so treat it as a small bonus on a short crossing, not a destination in itself.

Go Nordic Cruiseline Oslo–Copenhagen: No Casino on Board

This is the question I see most often, usually from people who remember the old DFDS "Copenhagen boat." The overnight route between Oslo and Copenhagen is now run by Go Nordic Cruiseline, which took it over from DFDS in late 2024, with the ships Nordic Crown and Nordic Pearl. Its FAQ is refreshingly direct:

"No, there is no casino on board our ships." – Go Nordic Cruiseline FAQ

Older reviews describing a casino on this route date from the DFDS era, so don't let them steer your booking. If you want the full back story, here's a detailed piece (in Norwegian) on whether the Oslo–Copenhagen ferry still has a casino, including when the old one closed.

What you get instead is a lively cruise-style evening: bingo, live music, a nightclub, several restaurants, a kids' club and the Go Shop tax-free store. Age rules are 16 for return and one-way trips and 18 for a MiniCruise. Prices on board are in Danish kroner, but you can pay in DKK, NOK, SEK, EUR or GBP, or with most debit and credit cards.

Fjord Line and Stena Line

Fjord Line (Bergen–Stavanger–Hirtshals on MS Bergensfjord and MS Stavangerfjord) doesn't list a casino on board. The fun on board is quizzes, bingo, live music and themed evenings, with family activities during school holidays.

Stena Line no longer sails from Oslo. It shut its Oslo–Frederikshavn route for good in March 2020, so any casino reviews you find for that crossing are history.

Comparison Table: Casino Ferries From Norway

Practical Tips for a Casino Night at Sea

• Bring ID. You need a passport or national ID card to travel anyway, and it's the easiest way to prove you're 18 at the casino door.
• Plan around the hours. On Oslo–Kiel, the casino is closed from 9:45 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. Arriving in Kiel or Oslo means a morning session at best.
• Bring cash or use the ATM. The Oslo–Kiel casino has an ATM outside dispensing NOK and EUR, which is handy if you're mixing currencies between Norway and Germany.
• Set a budget before dinner. A buffet with wine, a show and a few rounds of roulette is a great evening. Decide what the roulette part is worth to you before you sit down.
• Check the trip's age rules. The casino says 18, but cruise packages can say 20. The booking rules decide whether you sail.
• Combine it with the rest of your trip. If you enjoy life at sea, our cruise travel guide has packing and cabin tips that work just as well on a Baltic or Skagerrak ferry, and our tips for finding a cheap ferry to Rotterdam show how to save on European crossings.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a casino on the ferry from Oslo to Kiel?

Yes. Color Fantasy and Color Magic both have a casino on Deck 6 with slots, blackjack and roulette, open 7:00–9:45 a.m. and 2:15 p.m.–1:00 a.m. Color Poker is only on Color Magic.

Is there a casino on the Oslo–Copenhagen ferry?

No. Go Nordic Cruiseline, which runs Nordic Crown and Nordic Pearl on the route, says there is no casino on board. Expect bingo, live music and a nightclub instead.

What is the age limit for ferry casinos in Scandinavia?

18 on every Color Line ship. Some cruise packages have a higher minimum age for the trip itself, such as 20 for Color Line's two-night Oslo–Kiel cruise.

Does the ferry from Norway to Denmark have a casino?

Yes, on Color Line's SuperSpeed 1 (Kristiansand–Hirtshals) and SuperSpeed 2 (Larvik–Hirtshals). The casino is next to Bluefins Lounge & Bar and offers blackjack and slot machines. Fjord Line's ships have no casino.

Can I pay in euros in the ship casino?

On Oslo–Kiel, the ATM outside the casino dispenses both NOK and EUR. For other payment questions, check with the casino bar on board, since policies can vary by ship.