Published on: May 21, 2026, at 09:47h.
Updated on: May 21, 2026, at 09:48h.
- Harmony of the Seas boasts the largest casino on any Royal Caribbean vessel
- The ship’s recent refurbishment enhanced Casino Royale with over 500 slot machines
Royal Caribbean is renowned for constructing the largest cruise ships globally. A recent renovation of one of its ships now offers one of the biggest casinos at sea.
Harmony of the Seas recently finished its drydock refurbishment. This Oasis-class ship, which first launched in 2016, currently ranks as the sixth largest ship worldwide by gross tonnage.
The Harmony of the Seas aligns with a growing trend in the cruising industry to incorporate more gaming options. The six-week drydock entailed expanding the Casino Royale area, converting The Attic Comedy Club, Crown Diamond Lounge, and Jazz on 4 into gaming venues.
This renovation has resulted in the largest casino in the Royal Caribbean fleet. Passengers on Harmony of the Seas can now explore over 500 slot machines as well as enjoy 37 live dealer table games.
Casino Royale offers a wide variety of popular table games, including blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat, and three-card poker, along with exciting Texas Hold’em options.
The drydock update also included the addition of approximately 100 new staterooms, replacing a largely unused conference center.
Casino Expansion Challenges
Royal Caribbean has been transforming its Jazz on 4 lounges across most of its ships into smoke-free casino areas. The demand for onboard casino gaming has surged over recent years as gaming has gained mainstream acceptance in the U.S. with the rise of sports betting.
With smoking rates on the decline, guest surveys indicate that more travelers would participate in gambling if secondhand smoke was not an issue. Royal Caribbean is not the only cruise line increasing its gaming options.
Last year, Carnival Cruise Lines organized multiple adults-only casino-themed excursions. The ACES (All-Casino Exclusive Sailings) featured slots, table promotions, and competitive tournaments. Carnival also made history as the first cruise line to join the American Gaming Association.
However, some passengers harbor reservations about the increased gaming options on their cruises. Last fall, Casino.org reported multiple complaints about the newly added gambling areas.
“Can’t find an empty pool deck chair or more than 6 inches of space in the pool, yet they can create a second level for gambling,” one comment on a Royal Caribbean Reddit thread stated.
Another user noted, “With the cruise lines expanding casinos, I’m surprised they haven’t named a ship Casino of the Seas.”
“Great, just what we need—an even larger smoke-filled area to avoid,” remarked another commenter.
Cruise Casino Regulations
Though the odds at casino cruises may not be as favorable as those at land-based establishments, the games are rigorously regulated for fairness and consumer protection.
The Cruise Lines International Association, located in Washington, DC, mandates its members to adhere to casino regulatory standards similar to those set by the Nevada Gaming Control Board. These regulations are esteemed as a benchmark for gaming governance, requiring slot machines to yield a minimum payout rate of 75%.
Many casinos program their slots to pay out even higher, typically around 85-90%. Slots on cruise ships generally have lower payout percentages, ranging from 80-85%.