Casino comparison guide
Cruise ship casinos and smoking policies
A casino can be a highlight—or a dealbreaker. Compare what cruise lines currently say about gaming and smoking, then verify the exact ship, sailing and departure region before booking.
Compare casino and smoking policies
This table separates direct cruise-line statements from cautions and conflicts. “Non-smoking section” does not necessarily mean an enclosed room, and smoke can move between adjacent areas. Use the official source as a starting point, then ask about the exact ship if casino air quality matters to you.
| Cruise line | Casino / smoking classification | What the line currently says | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Caribbean | Mixed or designated areas | Smoking and non-smoking areas are used on most sailings. Casinos are non-smoking on departures from Australia and the United Kingdom; rules differ for China and Hong Kong departures. | Verify policy ↗ |
| Celebrity Cruises | Fleet described as smoke-free | Celebrity describes its fleet casinos as smoke-free, with slots, table games and tournaments. | Verify policy ↗ |
| Disney Cruise Line | No onboard casino | Disney Cruise Line says its ships do not have onboard casinos. | Verify policy ↗ |
| Virgin Voyages | Casino with a smoking room | Virgin’s current casino page describes 115 slot machines—including 11 in a smoking room—plus table games. Confirm the layout on your exact ship. | Verify policy ↗ |
| Carnival Cruise Line | Designated smoking areas | Smoking is limited to designated casino areas while seated and playing. The exact layout and non-smoking area vary by ship. | Verify policy ↗ |
| MSC Cruises | Smoking permitted while playing | MSC permits smoking in casinos during opening hours for guests who are seated and playing. | Verify policy ↗ |
| Margaritaville at Sea | Conflicting official policies; verify | Margaritaville’s conduct policy limits smoking to designated outdoor decks, while its ticket contract also names designated casino and nightclub spaces. Confirm the current rule for your exact ship and sailing. | Verify policy ↗ Additional policy ↗ |
| Norwegian Cruise Line | Varies by ship | On most Norwegian ships, active casino players may smoke during gaming hours. Bliss, Joy and Encore use a designated smoking room instead. | Verify policy ↗ |
| Princess Cruises | Designated machines | Princess permits smoking at designated machines while the casino is operating; table games are non-smoking and some ships have an additional non-smoking room. | Verify policy ↗ |
| Holland America Line | Ship-specific: smoke-free or designated areas | Holland America lists three ship casinos as non-smoking and eight others with designated smoking areas for active players, subject to a Netherlands distance restriction. Check the named-ship list. | Verify policy ↗ |
Smoke-free and no-casino choices
Celebrity makes the clearest fleetwide smoke-free casino statement in this comparison. Disney Cruise Line says its ships do not have onboard casinos. Margaritaville at Sea is not classified as smoke-free here because its conduct policy says smoking is limited to outdoor decks while its ticket contract also names designated casino and nightclub spaces.
Designated, mixed or smoking-room policies
Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, Norwegian, Princess and Holland America publish some form of designated, mixed or ship-specific casino smoking guidance. Virgin’s current casino page describes 11 slot machines in a smoking room. The practical experience can differ by layout, ventilation, operating hours, itinerary and departure country.
Ships our quiz treats as more expansive casino choices
The ships below are part of a Cruise Made Clear matching category, not a measured floor-area ranking. Casino layouts and availability can change, and “more expansive” does not mean the casino will match every traveler’s smoking preference.
Why the exact sailing matters
Smoking rules can vary by ship, departure country, itinerary and current operating policy. A line-level guide cannot guarantee the environment on your sailing. Check the official policy, look at the exact ship’s deck plan, and contact the cruise line before final payment when the answer would change your booking decision.