For VIP players interested in wagering moderate-to-serious money while enjoying a cruise, the casino aboard the new Norwegian Pearl is hard to beat.

NCL's blackjack games are the most player-friendly found at sea. Unlike one major cruise line that uses eight-deck shoes and where the dealer hits on soft-17, the Norwegian Pearl -- like other NCL ships -- uses six-deck shoes and the dealer stands on soft-17.

And unlike another major cruise line that now uses continuous shuffling machines at all its blackjack tables, NCL uses the machines only on its $5 tables -- where casual players don't seem to care. All higher-stakes games are dealt from a shoe.

The Pearl casino is a large, brightly colored room, similar in configuration and decor to the casino on its year-older sister ship, Norwegian Jewel.

The Pearl casino has 17 tables arrayed in three banks -- an nine-table main bank, a five-table bank with a $25 minimum minimum and $1,000 maximum, and a three-table "high-roller" alcove with $50 and $100 minimums. The casino was open on this cruise nightly past 3 a.m., and remained open later when demand was there.

In an interesting innovation, the Pearl on sea days also opens three low-limit tables at one end of the pool-deck for those seeking a brief respite from the sun.

The Pearl also was the first ship where we encountered the new Interblock Megastar automated roulette table, an eight-position game that needs only players and requires no dealer.

This is a multi-player automatic version of roulette, which uses a real roulette wheel and ball with players placing their bets using a keyboard or a touch screen.

Roulette players seemed to like playing this machine, with one boasting that he had won $2,500 in the span of two hours against what he called the "Evil Robot." (We understand this roulette machine can now be found on the Norwegian Jewel as well.)

The Norwegian Pearl also offers a conventional roulette table (with human dealer), and other table games included craps, Ultimate Texas Hold 'em, three-card poker and Let It Ride.

At one end of the casino, the Pearl also has a Texas Hold 'em table.

On this cruise, it did not keep fixed hours. Basically, the casino seemed to open the table when a critical mass of poker players were ready to play.

Surrounding the tables are a couple of hundred slots offering wagering opportunities ranging from 1 cent to $100.

As we have noted before, NCL is the most advanced of any of the major cruise lines in establishing a Players Club and issuing the same type of card you get in a land-based casino to track play and reward VIP players. While you still need a new card each time you sail, just contact NCL's Casinos at Sea before embarking, and you can expect to find your Players Club card waiting in your cabin when you arrive.

Slot players only needed to insert the card in the machine of their choice to accumulate points that could be redeemed for rebates on onboard charges on the final night of the cruise. Players Club members who preferred table games also were rated by casino supervisors for purposes of a rebate, and were generally well cared for, with a comped drink often on the way within seconds of settling in at the table.

Our only small quibble with an otherwise excellent gaming experience was that some of the dealers weren't -- shall we say -- as outgoing as those we have encountered on a couple of other lines. In some cases, this reflects the policies of casinos in a home country that discourage dealer fraternization with players. But on a cruise ship, most players like to engage in friendly banter with the dealers, and more of this should be encouraged..

Bottom line: For VIP players seeking an experience commensurate with what they are accustomed to at major casinos in Las Vegas or Atlantic City, NCL remains the standard-bearer at sea.

--The Savvy Cruiser