Replacing Jazz and Comedy Clubs with Smoke-Free Casino Venues at Royal Caribbean
In a strategic move to enhance guest experience and broaden the appeal of its cruise offerings, Royal Caribbean International is expanding its smoke-free casino spaces across several of its Oasis-class ships. This shift towards accommodating non-smoking passengers and enhancing the onboard experience is part of the company's wider efforts to compete with land-based options like Orlando and Las Vegas, and cater to the evolving preferences of its passengers.
The cruise line's CEO, Jason Liberty, stated that Royal Caribbean is transitioning from being a traditional cruise vacation to a world-class multi-generational family option. This transition is reflected in the growing segment of gamblers who are demanding clean indoor air spaces, leading to the phasing out of certain entertainment like Jazz on 4 and dedicated comedy lounges, such as The Attic on the Utopia of the Seas, which will become home to slot machines and live dealer table games.
One of the most significant changes can be seen on the Utopia of the Seas, where the originally small smoke-free casino was significantly enlarged by taking over the former Crown Lounge space. This expansion added about 100 new slot machines and installed a dedicated bar inside the casino, which previously only had drink servers. The Diamond/Crown Lounge has been relocated to deck 16, and the Attic bar has been closed to create the expanded smoke-free area.
Similarly, the Wonder of the Seas is undergoing a casino expansion by converting the Crown Lounge on Deck 4 into a larger non-smoking gaming venue, called the Golden Room. This non-smoking casino will temporarily close for renovations and reopen with a larger space dedicated to smoke-free gambling. The Crown Lounge for higher-tier loyalty guests will be relocated to Deck 16.
These changes are likely to appeal to a broader demographic, including non-smokers who previously might have avoided casino areas due to smoke exposure. By providing larger, dedicated non-smoking gaming areas, Royal Caribbean can attract younger, health-conscious, and more diverse passenger groups who appreciate smoke-free environments. The enhancements, including improved bar service and lounge amenities, also cater to higher-tier loyalty members, potentially increasing customer satisfaction and retention among frequent cruisers.
The average age of a cruise passenger has dropped significantly, with the average age trending younger. According to the CDC's 2022 National Health Survey, the smoking rate among adults aged 25 to 44 years old is 12.5%, which suggests that the demand for smoke-free environments is on the rise. This shift coincides with Royal Caribbean’s effort to modernize its fleet and appeal to the evolving preferences of passengers, including those seeking upscale and comfortable onboard environments without cigarette smoke.
Cruisers in search of standup comedy shows on future Utopia sailings will need to visit the Royal Theater, as The Attic comedy club has been eliminated to make way for the expanded smoke-free gaming facility, which is slated to open on May 9.
This strategic move by Royal Caribbean is aimed at satisfying gamblers who don't smoke and poaching business from Las Vegas, a market it directly competes with. The company's CEO, Michael Bayley, acknowledges the controversy surrounding casino smoking aboard cruise ships as a "conundrum", but the expanding smoke-free casino spaces indicate a clear commitment to catering to a broader demographic and staying competitive in the evolving cruise industry.
[1] Royal Caribbean Press Center. (2025, April 9). Royal Caribbean International Announces Significant Expansion of Smoke-Free Casino Spaces. Retrieved from https://www.royalcaribbean.com/news/press-releases/2025/04/royal-caribbean-international-announces-significant-expansion-of-smoke-free-casino-spaces
[2] Cruise Industry News. (2025, April 9). Royal Caribbean's Smoke-Free Casino Expansion on Utopia of the Seas. Retrieved from https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-lines/040925-royal-caribbeans-smoke-free-casino-expansion-on-utopia-of-the-seas.html
[3] Travel Weekly. (2025, April 9). Royal Caribbean expands smoke-free casino spaces on Wonder of the Seas. Retrieved from https://www.travelweekly.com/cruise-news/cruise-lines/royal-caribbean-expands-smoke-free-casino-spaces-on-wonder-of-the-seas
[4] Seatrade Cruise News. (2025, April 9). Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas to feature larger smoke-free casino. Retrieved from https://www.seatrade-cruise.com/news/royal-caribbeans-wonder-of-the-seas-to-feature-larger-smoke-free-casino
[5] Cruise Critic. (2025, April 9). Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas to Feature Larger Smoke-Free Casino. Retrieved from https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?id=3142659
- The casino-culture aboard Royal Caribbean ships is evolving, with a focus on creating smoke-free environments, like the Utopia of the Seas' expanded casino, which offers casino-games such as slot machines and live dealer table games.
- In an effort to cater to non-smokers and attract a broader demographic, Royal Caribbean is phasing out certain entertainment like comedy lounges to create larger non-smoking gaming areas, reminiscent of the vibrant casino culture found in cities like Las Vegas.
- The growing segment of gamblers who prefer smoke-free indoor spaces is reflected in Royal Caribbean's strategic move to transform casino spaces across several Oasis-class ships, such as the Wonder of the Seas' converted Crown Lounge becoming the Golden Room, a non-smoking gaming venue.
- By following industry trends and responding to the demand for smoke-free environments, Royal Caribbean is striving to create a utopia of the seas where passengers can enjoy casino-and-gambling experiences comparable to renowned land-based options like Las Vegas.
- The expansion of smoke-free casino spaces on Royal Caribbean's ships is not just about catering to the preferences of non-smoking passengers, but also about staying competitive and modernizing the fleet to appeal to a younger, health-conscious, and diverse passenger group.
