Cruise lines have taken a fresh approach to the smoking issue in onboard casinos, raising an ongoing question: Should all cruise casinos be smoke-free? In an era where many travelers are more health-conscious than ever, Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean are experimenting with changes to smoking policies that could redefine cruising experiences.
Let’s dive into how these major players in the cruise industry handle smoking in their casinos, what passengers think, and why cruise lines might be rethinking smoking areas altogether.
Celebrity Cruises and Virgin Voyages Lead the Smoke-Free Charge
Celebrity Cruises has set the tone by not allowing smoking at all in its casino spaces. That’s a bold move, especially considering how even the Las Vegas Strip only has one fully smoke-free casino, Park MGM by MGM Resorts International. Virgin Voyages, a company known for breaking the mold, doesn’t go quite that far but has limited smokers to a small, isolated room within the casino. In that hazy, confined space, smokers puff away, while the larger casino area remains smoke-free. This unique approach gives non-smoking guests a more enjoyable, cleaner experience, while keeping the casino staff relatively shielded from secondhand smoke.
Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Lines: The Split-Casino Solution
On the other hand, Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line have taken a more traditional approach. Each company offers a main casino area where smoking is allowed in designated sections, alongside a non-smoking area. It’s a solution that sounds fair on paper. However, in reality, smoke doesn’t always respect boundaries, and it drifts between areas despite ventilation upgrades. That makes it tough for either cruise line to enforce smoking rules, which state you can only smoke if actively playing at a slot machine or gaming table.
Despite these rules, non-smoking passengers often find themselves involuntarily sharing space—and secondhand smoke—with smokers. Enter: the smoke-free casino. Both cruise lines have introduced secondary, smoke-free casinos on certain ships to create truly smoke-free gaming spaces.
The New Smoke-Free Casino Experience
Royal Caribbean has made smoke-free casinos available on its Oasis-class and Icon-class ships. Meanwhile, Carnival has retrofitted several of its popular ships, including Dream, Magic, Breeze, Vista, Panorama, Venezia, and Firenze to include smoke-free casinos. Additionally, its newer ships, Celebration, Jubilee, and Mardi Gras, were all built with dedicated smoke-free casinos from the start.
This new split model—featuring both smoking and smoke-free casinos—has garnered positive attention from many passengers. But some suggest that cruise lines should take it one step further. Many cruise-goers argue that Royal Caribbean and Carnival should go all in, relegating smokers to separate, smaller spaces instead of splitting the main casino in two.
The Health Debate: Secondhand Smoke on the High Seas
The American Cancer Society has been a vocal advocate for the protection of casino workers and guests alike from the dangers of secondhand smoke, which is packed with harmful chemicals. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, there’s no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. That’s troubling news for cruise ship staff who spend extended hours in casinos, and also for non-smoking passengers who may be exposed to secondhand smoke simply by visiting the casino.
In a 2023 statement, the American Cancer Society highlighted the risks to casino employees, saying, “Secondhand smoke has the same harmful chemicals that people who smoke inhale… Exposure to SHS is an occupational hazard for many casino workers.” This concern doesn’t just apply to land-based casinos—workers and guests on cruise ships face the same health risks.
What Are Carnival and Royal Caribbean Passengers Saying?
If you’ve ever been on a cruise, you know that passengers are passionate about their onboard experience. Carnival’s Brand Ambassador John Heald’s Facebook page often serves as a sounding board for guest opinions, and smoking policies are a frequent topic. Many Carnival passengers have spoken out about the challenges of finding smoke-free spaces on board, urging the company to follow Virgin Voyages’ example by creating separate smoking rooms or even going entirely smoke-free.
It’s not just passengers who have chimed in. Royal Caribbean International CEO Michael Bayley has also weighed in on the economics behind smoking policies. According to Bayley, “If nonsmoking casinos made more money, ALL casinos would be nonsmoking. Because smokers gamble more. Just like drinkers gamble more.” He makes a point—there is a financial incentive to cater to smokers, who are known to be high-spending casino patrons.
Why Haven’t All Cruise Lines Gone Smoke-Free?
It boils down to a combination of guest preference and profits. Smokers tend to gamble longer and spend more, which makes them highly desirable customers for any casino. For cruise lines, which operate on slim margins in their casino spaces, the idea of banning smoking entirely could mean losing significant revenue.
However, the tide is turning. As more passengers demand smoke-free options and public health awareness grows, cruise lines are starting to explore middle-ground options, like smoke-free casinos on select ships.
The Future of Cruise Casino Smoking Policies
So, what does the future hold for smoking policies on cruise ships? While it’s unlikely that Royal Caribbean or Carnival will go fully smoke-free across all their casinos, the current trend suggests they may keep expanding smoke-free options. Virgin Voyages and Celebrity Cruises have proven there is demand for completely smoke-free gaming spaces, and more cruise-goers are looking for options that prioritize clean air and health.
In the end, the most likely scenario is a mix: some ships with dedicated smoke-free casinos, others with designated smoking areas. This way, cruise lines can continue to cater to both smokers and non-smokers, striking a balance that keeps everyone (relatively) happy.
Should Cruise Lines Go All Smoke-Free?
That’s the million-dollar question, and one that brings up a range of responses. For many, going all smoke-free would be the best move for passenger health, air quality, and overall comfort. For others, however, the casino is a place to kick back, drink, and light up—no holds barred. Until the financial implications line up with health and comfort concerns, cruise lines will likely maintain their cautious approach.
The Bottom Line: As cruise lines tiptoe into more smoke-free casino spaces, the debate continues. Whether you’re a nonsmoker seeking fresh air or a smoker who loves gaming, it’s clear that smoking policies on cruise ships are evolving to meet changing expectations. One thing’s for sure: the days of smoke-filled casinos may finally be drifting out to sea.
Leave a Reply