There's a new casino to enjoy on Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas without any smoking concerns.
The construction walls are down and a new casino space is open for guests, expanding the gambling space available.
Last month plans were revealed that it would replace two venues with non-smoking casino space: The Attic and The Crown Lounge.
The Attic was the first to be replaced, and it opened to guests today.
Photos have begin to emerge taken by guests of the space, which features slot machines and table games in an open and inviting space. Thanks to Steve Notarnicola and Ron Bacon for sharing photos.
The biggest difference is there's no smoking allowed here.
It's located opposite the original non-smoking casino space across the hall.
The Attic used to be the ship's combination comedy club and late night dance party. Comedy shows have been moved to the Royal Theater and presumably the club scene is elsewhere as well.
There's still a bar in this new gambling area, carrying over from The Attic.
Next up, Royal Caribbean will do similar work and change out the Crown Lounge for a casino space.
The Crown Lounge is a dedicated area for Crown and Anchor Society members that are at least Diamond level or above.
The Crown lounge will be relocated on May 16, so that a third non-smoking casino space can start construction. No word on exactly how long that will take, but it will be in-service work, which means the ship is still sailing. The expectation is the Crown Lounge & existing casino to open May 30-June 2.
The Crown Lounge will move to Deck 16 to replace the Teen Club. The Teen Club will be renovated and become smaller.
The goal is to attract more gamblers who don't want to deal with smoke
The change in venues is about generating more revenue while addressing a need among non-smokers.
Royal Caribbean has shifted its views on smoking in the casino, seeing there's a desire among those to gamble without the smoking odor wafting around them.
Traditionally, cruise casinos have a smoking and non-smoking side, but the smoke odor doesn't respect boundaries. In reality, there's a smell and it's been a turn off for non-smokers.
"So glad there is a non smoking casino I don’t care if I’m the only one there," wrote one person on Facebook after seeing the photos.
Christina Anderson added, "Oh I love this! Looks so nice. Glad they expanded it. They needed more slots there."
Royal Caribbean experimented with a non-smoking casino with the debut of Wonder of the Seas and since then it's been a hot trend for them.
Shortly thereafter, all the Jazz on 4 clubs were converted to non-smoking casinos and the jazz entertainment was relocated to Central Park.
Most recently, the Vintages bar on Freedom of the Seas was converted over to a non-smoking casino.
Now, more space is on the Oasis ships are shifting to non-smoking.
Wonder of the Seas will get these changes too
Expect these same changes on Wonder of the Seas soon.
Royal Caribbean will hold off on these changes on Wonder until the ship begins offering short weekend cruises later this year. Then, they'll make the same changes to the Crown Lounge and Attic.
Wonder of the Seas will move to Miami and begin offering short cruises on September 1, 2025.
We're not aware yet of plans for other ships to get this change, but it's likely other Oasis Class ships may get it too in time.
