Royal Caribbean hints at major casino change on Oasis-class ship
For many cruisers, the casino is either a major part of the vacation experience, a source of casual nighttime entertainment - or a place they avoid altogether because of the smoke.
That divide has become more noticeable as travelers increasingly prioritize cleaner indoor spaces and family-friendly environments while sailing. Cruise lines have spent years balancing guests who smoke in casinos with those seeking smoke-free gaming options.
Royal Caribbean has gradually expanded its non-smoking casino offerings across several ships in recent years, a move that has drawn strong reactions from loyal cruisers. Some passengers have praised the quieter, cleaner atmosphere, while others argue casinos and smoking have traditionally gone hand in hand at sea.
The issue is especially noticeable on Oasis-class ships, where casinos sit near busy entertainment areas. Smoke drifting into nearby venues can affect the onboard experience for gamblers and non-gamblers alike - including passengers who simply want to be in the casino to simply enjoy a drink or watch friends play.
Travelers sailing on Symphony of the Seas could soon notice major changes involving both the ship's casino footprint and one of its most exclusive loyalty spaces, according to information shared with TravelHost during a recent sailing.
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Royal Caribbean continues expanding non-smoking casino options
Royal Caribbean has steadily tested and expanded non-smoking casino spaces across parts of its fleet as traveler demand evolves.
Royal Caribbean previously added a dedicated non-smoking casino aboard Radiance of the Seas, reflecting a broader industry trend toward smoke-free gaming.
Unlike many land-based casinos, cruise ship casinos often still allow indoor smoking while sailing in international waters. That has created an ongoing tension between casino revenue and guest comfort, particularly on larger ships carrying thousands of passengers.
Related: Royal Caribbean adds non-smoking casino to another cruise ship
Royal Caribbean has not eliminated smoking casinos fleetwide, but it has increasingly experimented with dedicated non-smoking gaming areas on select ships. Those changes have often required repurposing lounges, bars, or adjacent public spaces.
Some cruise lines have gone further. Virgin Voyages operates mostly non-smoking casinos with separate smoking rooms, while Celebrity Cruises maintains fully non-smoking casinos fleetwide.
On Oasis-class ships like Symphony of the Seas, space is especially valuable. Any redesign involving casinos or lounges typically signals a larger operational strategy rather than a minor refresh.
Symphony of the Seas may relocate Crown Lounge summer 2026
During a recent sailing aboard Symphony of the Seas, a crew member told TravelHost that Royal Caribbean is planning to expand the ship's non-smoking casino area and relocate the Crown Lounge as early as June 2026.
Royal Caribbean has not publicly announced the changes, and the cruise line has not yet released official details regarding the timeline, scope, final design plans or whether the project would involve additional slot machines and or table games.
According to the crew member, the current Crown Lounge space will eventually be repurposed as part of the casino expansion project and the lounge will be relocated. The Crown Lounge currently serves Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Club members within Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society loyalty program.
Related: Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises add key app feature for casino players
The lounge offers complimentary snacks during select hours, concierge assistance, and a quieter retreat away from the ship's busiest public areas. For many loyal cruisers, the location and atmosphere of the lounge are major parts of the onboard loyalty experience.
If the reported changes move forward, the Crown Lounge would relocate while the ship's non-smoking casino expands. Royal Caribbean has already tested similar moves on other Oasis-class ships, including Allure of the Seas, Utopia of the Seas, and Wonder of the Seas. While some Allure passengers disliked the lounge's move near the sports complex - and noted the newer lounge is smaller - many Utopia guests responded positively to the larger lounge and expanded smoke-free casino area added in 2025.
Still, the potential move aligns with broader industry trends as cruise operators attempt to modernize casinos while appealing to a wider demographic of travelers.
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What the reported changes could mean for Royal Caribbean cruisers
For non-smokers, the possibility of a larger smoke-free casino aboard Symphony of the Seas may be welcomed news.
Casino smoke remains a common complaint, especially on ships where passengers must walk through smoking areas to reach non-smoking casino sections (and sometimes smoke carries over anyway). Expanding smoke-free gaming areas could help Royal Caribbean appeal to travelers who previously avoided onboard casinos altogether.
That strategy has already shown traction elsewhere in the cruise industry. Celebrity Cruises' fully non-smoking casino model has attracted travelers who specifically seek cleaner indoor environments, while Virgin Voyages has attempted to balance both audiences by separating smoking and non-smoking gaming spaces as distinct rooms.
Related: Cruise casinos smoking vs non smoking
At the same time, relocating the Crown Lounge could spark mixed reactions among the cruise line's most loyal guests based on feedback TravelHost has heard directly from frequent Royal Caribbean cruisers.
Location matters aboard massive Oasis-class ships. Frequent cruisers often become attached to familiar venues, especially private lounges designed as quiet escapes from crowded public areas. A new location could improve the experience - or create frustration depending on accessibility, size, and amenities.
The reported changes also highlight how cruise ships continue evolving long after launch.
For now, Royal Caribbean passengers may want to keep a close eye on future sailing updates on Symphony of the Seas.
Because if the reported plans become reality, one of the cruise line's busiest ships could soon feel noticeably different for both casino players and loyalty members alike.
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This story was originally published May 7, 2026 at 9:26 AM.