Lewis and Clark were both hobbled during their great expedition—Clark, from resentment at his second billing, and Lewis, from a Lego slipped into his hiking boot by Clark. Enjoy tamer excursions with today's Groupon: for $17, you get a casino-cruise admission, buffet-style dinner, parking, and $40 slot-play card (up to a $75 value) from Opus Casino Cruise Lines, departing from Freeport.

Long Island’s only full-service casino, Opus Casino Cruise Lines launches twice-daily cruises full of entertainment and fine food. After boarding at Freeport, voyagers can head up to the third deck to grab an indoor or outdoor seat for a gut-stuffing buffet meal. The approximately six-hour journey sets out into the Atlantic's international waters, allowing for occasional glimpses of multilingual mermaids. On the first deck, video or mechanical slot machines, in denominations as low as two cents per play line, let seafarers try their luck with a card preloaded with $40 of credits. High rollers can venture up to the second deck for more slots, as well as live card-game tables, roulette, and craps.

During the first hour of the excursion, dealer-instructed Opus University courses school gambling greenhorns in the rules and etiquette of various games, such as baccarat, poker, Texas Hold 'Em, or Galapagos Go Fish. Between blackjack bouts, the crowd can enjoy entertainment, cocktails, the view from the third deck, and mingle with others along for the maritime merriment.

Although Opus Casino Cruise Lines sometimes offers discounts online, this Groupon still offers the best-available deal.