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Florida Casino Cruises Recommended for Permanent Berth

FLORIDA – As reported by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel: "A Broward County panel on Thursday recommended that St. Tropez Casino Cruises get a permanent berth at Port Everglades, stranding runner-up SunCruz Casinos at its dock in Hollywood, where it is unpopular with some residents.

"Florida Entertainment LLC, which owns St. Tropez, must negotiate terms with the panel, which includes five county commissioners.

"County finance director Phil Allen, also a panel member, suggested that Florida Entertainment guarantee it will carry 275,000 passengers annually.

"Both Florida Entertainment and SunCruz submitted proposals after the county sought bids for a new gambling ship.

"… A study for the county done by California-based Economic Research Associates concluded a third day-cruise ship could swell port revenue by $2.6 million, by spurring additional docking fees, parking and other charges.

"…SunCruz is the more established of the two companies that applied. It was founded in 1994 and has ships in seven ports -- six in Florida and one in South Carolina. But it also has been in Chapter 11 bankruptcy for two years since the death of former owner Gus Boulis.

"St. Tropez has run gambling cruises since May from Pier 22 at Port Everglades under a temporary permit that expires next month. Its president is August Ceradini Jr., who, along with partner Karl Andren, operates the Circle Line tour boats in New York City.

"…The uncertainties posed by SunCruz's bankruptcy seemed to tip the balance in favor of Florida Entertainment…"

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