It appears to be like like Royal Caribbean is doing one thing totally different and including a brand new on line casino to considered one of its cruise ships in an uncommon place.
Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas went in for its recurrently scheduled upkeep work in January. The ship, inbuilt 2006, arrived in at a shipyard in Cadiz, Spain for a three-week drydock.
Routine drydocks normally simply encompass upkeep work, but it surely appears to be like like a brand new thought is coming to Freedom.
Up to date deck plans inside the Royal Caribbean present the ship’s wine bar, Vintages, is being changed.
Instead of Vintages is “On line casino Royale Non-Smoking”.
Royal Caribbean hasn’t formally introduced a change.
Vintages was the ship’s wine bar, the place you could possibly discover the widest choice of wines. All eating places and bars provide wine, however Vintages had probably the most sorts and was a bar finest recognized for its comfy furnishings.
The situation of the on line casino is only one deck above the principle on line casino, with a staircase close by for handy journeys between the 2.
The brand new non-smoking on line casino will not be almost as giant as the principle on line casino. Vintages was a smaller location, and from the deck plans, it is clear that it is roughly the dimensions of two outlets.
Including a non-smoking on line casino to Freedom of the Seas would comply with a development the road first started implementing on the Oasis Class ships.
In 2023, Royal Caribbean started changing the jazz membership to a non-smoking on line casino. Marvel of the Seas was the primary ship to debut this function, and the conversion course of started on the opposite Oasis Class ships.
The three,926-passenger ship is on the point of resume cruises from Fort Lauderdale in February.
Addressing an issue that is plagued the on line casino for years
Including a non-smoking on line casino has been a technique to supply a playing location for people who do not need to cope with second-hand smoke.
Royal Caribbean permits smoking in its casinos. Technically, the rule is for energetic gamers, however the on line casino has ended up being a glorified indoor smoking venue in apply.
The controversy over permitting smoking within the on line casino has been contentious through the years, with many cruise ship passengers voicing their opinions on the matter and it is left Royal Caribbean within the center.
Royal Caribbean Worldwide President and CEO Michael Bayley spoke on the topic at an occasion in 2022, admitting, “smoking within the casinos is a little bit of a conundrum.”
“The dilemma is that there are lots of individuals who do need to smoke within the on line casino. I do know that is not a well-liked response, but it surely’s it is the reality.”
“I am not judging anybody or something, however there’s a big group of people that do need to smoke within the on line casino.”
Whereas there is a non-smoking facet to the on line casino, the odor of the smoke nonetheless travels.
The cruise line has not gone so far as banning smoking within the on line casino outright, offering a non-smoking different venue appears to be their new technique.
By providing a non-smoking on line casino on the Royal Promenade, it is doubtless the corporate needs to draw gamblers who do not need to be round smoking, again to the on line casino.
Extra on line casino area is sweet enterprise
Providing extra on line casino area means extra alternatives to drive up income on a cruise ship.
Playing within the on line casino is considered one of Royal Caribbean’s high income producing companies. It is huge enterprise, and extra in style than ever.
Royal Caribbean Group lumps on line casino revenues in with different additional value gadgets, similar to drink packages, shore excursions, wifi, and anything not included together with your cruise fare.
Within the second quarter, Royal Caribbean Group reported “onboard and different” income was $183,000,000 throughout all manufacturers. That is $14 million greater than the identical quarter in 2023.
Anecdotally, many cruise followers have taken discover of the particular gives made by the onboard on line casino with a view to reap the benefits of discounted and complimentary sailings.
Freedom of the Seas returns to service this weekend
With Freedom ending up its 3-week dry dock, the ship is able to begin cruising once more.
The drydock work included basic upkeep for the ship’s propulsion, in addition to substitute of carpets, and extra.
The ship will start crusing with a 7-night voyage that visits Nassau, St. Thomas and St. John’s, Antigua.
In Could, Freedom of the Seas repositions to Miami,
