Bet It All

Fancy new casino destination opens only three hours from Dallas

See it — and experience it — live.

Photo courtesy of Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana

The gaming and entertainment landscape of Louisiana has reached a new pinnacle with the grand opening of Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana, a $270-plus million resort that's a mere three-hour drive from Dallas.

As the first land-side casino in the Shreveport-Bossier market, this luxurious venue introduces an unparalleled experience that seamlessly blends high-energy gaming, top-tier accommodations, and premier dining and entertainment.

“Just over a year ago, we broke ground on what is now a world-class entertainment destination — a true game-changer for Bossier City,” says Jon Cordish, principal of The Cordish Companies. “With every detail thoughtfully designed to deliver a premier guest experience, Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana is set to become the cornerstone of excitement, hospitality, and economic growth for this region.”

A landmark development
Strategically positioned along the Red River, Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana is easily accessible from U.S. Highway 71 and Interstate 20, just 20 miles from the Texas border and 40 miles from Arkansas.

“We have eagerly awaited this moment, knowing that Live! will bring an unparalleled level of entertainment excellence to our city. We couldn’t be prouder to welcome the Live! brand," says Bossier City Mayor Tommy Chandler.

Photo courtesy of Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana

Unmatched experiences
Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana offers a premier entertainment experience with:

Gaming: Over 47,000 square feet of gaming space, including 1,000-plus slot machines, 40-plus live-action table games, and a DraftKings Sportsbook.
Luxury accommodations: A 549-room upscale hotel featuring a resort pool and fitness center.
Live! Event Center: A 25,000-square-foot venue for concerts, meetings, and conventions.
RV Park: A 31-site facility with full hookups and concrete pads.

The resort boasts an exciting lineup of dining and nightlife experiences, including:

Sports & Social: Home to the DraftKings Sportsbook, this high-energy bar features an 80-foot LED media wall, craft food, and cocktails.
PBR Cowboy Bar: A country-western venue with live music and mechanical bull riding.
Luk Fu: An Asian-inspired eatery offering dim sum, pho, sushi, and wok-fried dishes.
The Prime Rib: A fine-dining steakhouse renowned for its award-winning Prime rib and fresh seafood.
Ridotto Grand Café: A Venetian-inspired café serving Italian specialties.
R Bar: A lively spot featuring oysters, shareable plates, and craft cocktails.
Center Bar: Located at the heart of the gaming floor and spotlighting a 40,000-pound color-changing chandelier.
High Limit Bar: A private lounge for exclusive gaming patrons.

Photo courtesy of Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana

Entertainment and events
The Live! Event Center is poised to become the premier venue in Northwest Louisiana, with a lineup of top-tier entertainment, including Clint Black on March 29.

Beyond concerts, the venue offers customizable event spaces for galas, weddings, and corporate functions. The high-tech Harbor Boardroom, River Room, Delta Room, and expansive pre-function space make it an ideal choice for meetings and private events.

A bright future
With its state-of-the-art amenities, luxurious accommodations, and unmatched entertainment offerings, Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana is set to redefine the gaming landscape in the Ark-La-Tex region.

As general manager John J. Chaszar puts it, “From the moment guests walk through our doors, they will be inspired by the spectacular venue we’ve created. Our team is second to none, and we are ready to create unforgettable memories for our guests.”

For more information on upcoming events and reservations, visit Louisiana.LiveCasinoHotel.com.

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out to sea

Carnival opens bookings for new showstopping cruise ship from Galveston

Carnival Tropicale begins sailing in 2028

Photo courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Tropicale will begin sailing from Galveston to destinations in the Caribbean, The Bahamas, and Mexico in 2028.

The Carnival Tropicale, Carnival's newest cruise ship that will set sail from Galveston, is now accepting reservations for its maiden voyages to destinations throughout The Bahamas, the Caribbean, and Mexico, beginning in 2028.

Carnival Tropicale is the fifth and final Excel-class ship that will be offered from the cruise line, and it will be able to accommodate over 6,000 passengers. It is named after MS Tropicale, Carnival's original "Fun Ship" from 1982, but the new luxury liner promises showstopping experiences inspired by Las Vegas' "golden era of show business."

Four-to-eight-day cruises are now available to book with departure dates as early as April 15, 2028. Six destinations in Carnival's Paradise Collection are on the itinerary, including Cozumel and Progreso, Mexico; Isla Tropicale in Roatan, Honduras; and Nassau, Bahamas. Eight-day cruises will include stops at Celebration Key and RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, two private islands owned by Carnival.

"From innovative attractions and dining to unforgettable destinations throughout the Caribbean, The Bahamas, and Mexico, Carnival Tropicale will bring an exciting new vacation option to Texas when she debuts in 2028," said Ben Clement, EVP of maritime and new builds at Carnival Cruise Line, in a release.

These are the cruise options passengers can book on the Carnival Tropicale starting in 2028:

6-Day Western Caribbean Cruise to Cozumel and Isla Tropical, Roatan – 26 dates from April 15, 2028 to April 29, 2029
8-Day The Bahamas Cruise to Nassau and RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay – 26 dates from April 29, 2028 to May 6, 2029
8-Day The Bahamas Cruise to Celebration Key and RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay – April 21-29
5-Day Western Caribbean Cruise to Cozumel and Progreso, Yucatán – December 23-28 and December 28-January 1, 2029
4-Day Western Caribbean Cruise to Cozumel – January 2-6, 2029

Major attractions on the new Carnival Tropicale include Sunsation Point, a top deck "family fun" entertainment zone, and Carnival WaterWorks Ultra, an all-ages water park with six waterslides and splash pads for kids.

Other family-friendly attractions include multiple sport courts — including a redesigned Fairway 66 Mini Golf course inspired by Route 66 — a Treehouse Adventure Trail, new arcade spaces, and to-be-announced "new entertainment experiences and exclusive spaces."

Carnival Tropicale Grand Central Atrium A rendering of the Grand Central Atrium. Courtesy of Carnival

Carnival Tropicale will also feature three new dining concepts that highlight "flavors from around the world," including one in partnership with famous chef Emeril Lagasse.

"Guests will be able to enjoy Uku Lei Lei, offering Hawaiian-inspired cuisine with Asian influences; Fetaccine, blending Greek and Italian flavors; and Emeril's Coastal Seafood, showcasing seafood dishes inspired by America's coastlines and created in partnership with Carnival's Chief Culinary Officer Chef Emeril Lagasse."

Carnival Tropicale cruises departing from Galveston can be booked on the Carnival website . Rates vary depending on the duration of the trip and accommodation preference.

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out to sea

Carnival opens bookings for new showstopping cruise ship from Galveston