Beginning next month, the Blue Horizon—formerly the Island Breeze casino ship—will offer twice-daily cruises out of the Port of Palm Beach, Florida, said Robert Weisberg, managing partner of PB Gaming Inc. The 160-foot, 600-passenger boat has undergone millions of dollars in upgrades including new slot machines, electronic bingo and blackjack. Currently, Weisberg said, onboard operational and gaming systems are being upgraded and reconnected for a soft launch.
Weisberg, a former executive at SunCruz, said port commissioners recently approved a five-year agreement with PB Gaming. He noted the vessel’s two previous operators were bound to fail because they lacked marine experience required to run a casino cruise ship, plus they had limited or no casino experience and insufficient funding. In contrast, PB Gaming offers significant experience and financing to make the venture succeed, Weisberg said.
A subsidiary of SourcePoint LLC of Puerto Rico, PB Gaming took possession of the casino boat and its charter agreement earlier this year after the assets of its former operator, Island Breeze International Palm Beach, were liquidated in bankruptcy. SourcePoint was the major creditor when IBI Palm Beach filed for bankruptcy last November. The Palm Beach Princess casino cruise ship operated out of the Riviera Beach Seaport for more than 10 years before ceasing operations in 2010.
The port projects earning an average of $730,000 in passenger fees, an estimated $80,000 in parking revenue and $36,000 in office rent annually from PB Gaming, said Jarra Kazcwara, senior director of business development.
Weisberg said details regarding the Blue Horizon’s schedule, pricing and onboard offerings will be announced in the next few weeks. “We’re proud of this boat. “We’re delighted by what we’ll have onboard,” he said.
