Cruise lines Royal Caribbean and Carnival have implemented
controversial changes to their casino policies, sparking debate among passengers. Both companies have introduced smoke-free casino areas on select ships, while maintaining smoking sections in their main casinos.
Royal Caribbean has added smaller, non-smoking casinos to all of its Oasis-class vessels and its new Icon-class ship. Carnival has followed suit by retrofitting several ships, including Dream, Magic, Breeze, Vista, Panorama, Venezia, and Firenze, with smoke-free casino areas. The newer vessels Celebration, Jubilee, and Mardi Gras were built with these non-smoking gaming spaces already incorporated.
However, many cruise-goers believe this approach doesn’t go far enough. They argue that the smoking and non-smoking areas should be reversed, with smokers relegated to smaller, enclosed spaces. This sentiment aligns with the model employed by Virgin Voyages, which confines smokers to a small room within their casinos, leaving the primary gaming areas smoke-free.
The issue of secondhand smoke exposure is a significant concern for both passengers and crew members. The American Cancer Society has highlighted the dangers of secondhand smoke in casinos, stating that there is no safe level of exposure. Casino workers, in particular, face occupational hazards from prolonged exposure to smoke-filled environments.
Passengers have voiced their opinions on social media, with many urging Carnival to make changes. Some individuals with respiratory issues or asthma report difficulty navigating through smoke-filled areas of the ship. Others express frustration at having to take alternative routes to avoid smoky spaces.
Despite passenger preferences, cruise lines face a challenging balancing act. Royal Caribbean International CEO Michael Bayley has suggested that smokers tend to gamble more, implying that completely smoke-free casinos might impact revenue. This economic consideration likely influences the cruise lines’ decisions to maintain smoking areas in their main casinos.
In contrast, some cruise lines have taken more decisive stances on the issue. Celebrity Cruises, for instance, has implemented a complete smoking ban in its casinos. This policy puts Celebrity at the forefront of smoke-free gaming at sea, with only one casino on the Las Vegas Strip – MGM Resorts International’s Park MGM – having a similar all-encompassing ban.
The debate over casino smoking policies reflects broader societal shifts in attitudes towards smoking in public spaces. As health concerns continue to mount and more passengers advocate for smoke-free environments, cruise lines may face increasing pressure to reevaluate their current policies.
For now, Royal Caribbean and Carnival are attempting to cater to both smoking and non-smoking guests by offering separate areas. However, the effectiveness of this compromise remains questionable, as smoke can still travel between designated zones despite improved ventilation systems.
Enforcing smoking rules presents another challenge for cruise staff. Current policies typically allow smoking only when actively playing at a table or slot machine, but monitoring and enforcing this rule can be difficult in practice.
As the cruise industry continues to evolve, the issue of casino smoking is likely to remain a point of contention. Cruise lines will need to weigh passenger preferences, health concerns, and potential economic impacts as they navigate this complex issue. Whether more cruise ships will follow the lead of Celebrity Cruises and implement full smoking bans in their casinos remains to be seen, but it’s clear that many passengers are eager for change in this area of onboard entertainment.