Cruise Casinos Under Fire: Passengers Complain About Expanding Gaming Floors, Dwindling Decks, and Pools

Royal Caribbean has unveiled details of its next ship, Legend of the Seas, which is set to elevate the standard for cruise casinos by introducing the line’s first-ever two-story gaming floor. This massive addition promises an unmatched level of excitement for those seeking the ultimate casino cruise experience, yet the expansion has not been met with universal acclaim.

• Legend of the Seas will feature the first two-story casino in Royal Caribbean history.
• The vessel is set to set sail in July 2026.

Despite the positive features of the ship, some seasoned cruisers are voicing concerns over the expansive casino area. This Casino Royale space will host smoking and nonsmoking sections but has led to murmurs that it might be excessively large for a cruise environment.

“Can’t find a single empty pool deck chair or more than 6″ of space in a pool after 8:45 am, but they can add a second level for gambling,” commented one passenger on a Royal Caribbean Reddit page.

Another user expressed their displeasure, stating, “Cool, an even bigger smoke-filled area to avoid.” Furthermore, the Casino Royale is expected to house several hundred slot machines and 40 live-dealer table games.

Casino of the Seas?

Casino.org has reported on various cruise lines reinvigorating their onboard casino offerings recently. In May, Carnival launched a series of adult-only, gambling-centric voyages, responding to changes in dry-dock scheduling.

These promotions, dubbed ACES (All-Casino Exclusive Sailings), provided passengers with free play and various incentives related to the casino experience.

Given the extent to which cruise lines are expanding casinos, it’s surprising they haven’t branded a ship as Casino of the Seas,” joked one Reddit user.

Despite speculation and query, cruise lines do not disclose the total revenue generated from their casinos. This gaming income is generally categorised under “onboard revenue,” encompassing money generated from sales for goods and services not included in the cruise fare, which also covers cancellation fees, vacation insurance, and food and beverage upcharges.

Cruises Maintain Family Focus

Casino executives argue that these new casino spaces are not significantly increasing overall deck area. Instead, they aim to position these floating resorts as competitive options against any land-based resort destination, including Las Vegas.

“We’re transitioning from a traditional cruise holiday to becoming a world-class multigenerational family destination that can stand alongside places like Orlando and Las Vegas,” said Jason Liberty, CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, during a recent earnings call.

This new era, according to the cruise line, aims to provide “next-level family experiences”. The introduction of the Legend of the Seas seeks to create a legendary vacation that merges adventure-filled activities with extraordinary destinations in Europe and the Caribbean.

Legend of the Seas is expected to set sail in July 2026, promising an enticing combination of entertainment options that could delight both casual and seasoned tourists alike.

In summary, while the introduction of the two-story Casino Royale on Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas reflects a trend towards expanding onboard gaming capabilities, it has sparked concerns among frequent cruisers about reduced leisure options on deck. The ship aims to provide a multifaceted experience by combining gambling facilities with family-oriented activities, creating a modern cruise adventure.