A gambling Warwick man who bet $1 that he could sneak onto a cruise ship docked in Hamilton — won his prize — and then spent 32 hours in jail.

At Magistrates' Court, Crown counsel Paula Tyndale told the court that Ronald Hook, 46, of Spice Hill Road, made the wager with friends on May 23, while walking along Front Street at around 11 p.m.

After betting he could board the Azamara Journey without a ticket — and make it to the top floor — he hopped a fence at the Number Six dock and entered through a staff doorway.

He made his way up to one of the ship's balconies where he waved down at on-looking friends.

However, suspicious crew spotted him and asked him to produce his credentials and he told them his wife was waiting outside with his ticket.

When staff did not buy the story, they called security after Hook admitted: "Look, I'm a Bermudian citizen and it's just a joke."

Police were called and Hook was arrested for boarding the vessel without the permission of the Director of Marine and Ports.

He asked officers "are the handcuffs really necessary?" as they lead him away to the Hamilton Police Station.

"It was just a joke," he said.

Hook told Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner he was drunk at the time, saying: "I'm very sorry. I did something very silly, had some beers and I've spent 32 hours in jail."

"How much was the bet?" asked Mr. Warner — "About $1," he replied.

Mr. Warner fined him $200 or 20 days default.