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Royal Caribbean to Expand Wonder of the Seas’ Casino

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Royal Caribbean to Expand Wonder of the Seas’ Casino

Royal Caribbean International is expanding the casino onboard one of its Oasis-class vessels, the Wonder of the Seas.

According to a statement sent to guests, the venue will take over the area of the existing Crown Lounge on Deck 4.

As an exclusive space for guests on the higher levels of the company’s Crown & Anchor Society, the venue will be relocated to a different area on Deck 16.

“During this transition, the Crown Lounge will be closed from June 22-28, then reopen on June 29 on Deck 16,” Royal Caribbean said.

While the change takes place, eligible Crown & Anchor guests will take advantage of their perks in other parts of the ship, the company added.

“To keep the fun going, cocktail hour drinks can be redeemed at any bar or lounge. Plus, Diamond and Diamond Plus guests will enjoy extra cappuccino credits loaded onto their SeaPass cards, redeemable at Café Promenade,” Royal Caribbean continued.

Social100, Wonder’s teens’ club, will also remain closed during the transition period and is expected to reopen on June 29.

The Golden Room non-smoking casino will close on June 22 and reopen on July 13 as part of the expanded non-smoking gambling space on Deck 4.

According to the statement, the ship’s conference centres will be unavailable for guests during the construction period.

As the fifth ship in the company’s Oasis-class, the Wonder of the Seas entered service for Royal Caribbean in early 2022.

The 5,738-guest vessel is currently offering seven-night cruises to the Caribbean departing from Port Canaveral.

As the new Star of the Seas takes over the schedule from August 2025, the Wonder is set to reposition to Miami for short cruises to the Caribbean.

Royal Caribbean recently added a larger non-smoking casino to another Oasis-class ship, the new Utopia of the Seas.

After entering service in 2024, the vessel saw a new gambling room take over the space of its nightclub and comedy club.

Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas Completes 25 Years

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After being delivered to Royal Caribbean International on Oct. 29, 1999, the Voyager of the Seas has completed 25 years in service.

Built by Kvaerner Masa-Yards in Finland, the 142,000-ton vessel was the first in a series of ships originally known as the Eagle Class.

Then the world’s largest cruise ship, the Voyager of the Seas spent its inaugural season in the Caribbean, offering week-long cruises from Miami.

To accommodate the 3,115-guest vessel, a new 250,000-square-foot cruise terminal was built by Royal Caribbean at the South Florida port.

After crossing the Atlantic Ocean with no guests onboard, the Voyager arrived homeporting Miami on Nov. 11, 1999.

Following a series of pre-inaugural activities, the ship was christened by godmother Katarina Witt, a two-time Olympic gold medal skater.

The ceremony was designed to highlight one of the various new features introduced by the vessel: the first permanent ice-skating rink at sea.

The Voyager of the Seas then departed on its maiden voyage on Nov. 21, 1999, offering a seven-night cruise to the Western Caribbean.

Sailing to Jamaica, Mexico and Haiti, the itinerary featured visits to Ocho Rios and Cozumel, as well as Royal Caribbean’s private destination in Hispaniola, Labadee.

The vessel continued to sail from Miami until 2004 when it repositioned to Cape Liberty for a summer deployment sailing out of the New York City region.

In 2006, the Voyager of the Seas kicked off a series of summer programs in the Western Mediterranean before debuting in Galveston in late 2007 and in New Orleans in late 2011.

A few months later, the ship repositioned to China, becoming the largest ship to sail in Asia on a year-round basis.

Having spent considerable time in Asia, the ship underwent a major refurbishment in 2019, and the vessel returned to the Western Hemisphere in 2022.

After completing another summer program in the Mediterranean, the Voyager is scheduled to return to Florida in November for a winter season sailing to the Caribbean and the Bahamas.

In 2025, the ship offers additional sailings in Europe and the Caribbean, as well as Australia, where it is set to spend the 2025-26 winter season.

In a first in its 25-year sailing career, the Voyager of the Seas is scheduled to debut in Alaska for the 2026 summer.

Royal Caribbean Cancels Cruise Onboard Icon of the Seas

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Royal Caribbean International is cancelling the upcoming cruise of the Icon of the Seas to carry out unscheduled repairs onboard the 2023-built vessel.

“We are currently conducting unplanned maintenance onboard the Icon of the Seas. While our crew is working hard to address this as quickly as possible, there is still some work that needs to be done over a few days while the ship is docked,” the company said in a statement sent to booked guests.

Departing from PortMiami on Sep. 28, 2024, the cruise was set to sail to destinations in the Western Caribbean, including Cozumel, Costa Maya and Roatán, as well as Royal Caribbean’s private destination in the Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay.

“We understand the disappointment this news may bring and we’re truly sorry for the impact on your vacation plans,” the company added.

According to its statement, Royal Caribbean is issuing a 100 per cent refund for affected guests, which includes taxes and fees, as well as pre-paid packages, gratuities, amenities and shore excursions.

Passengers who paid for the cruise with Future Cruise Credits (FCCs) will receive a new credit certificate, as well as a refund of any new funds paid beyond previously certified amounts.

“Additionally, we want you to come back and sail with us, so we’re providing you with an FCC in the value of 100 per cent of your cruise fare paid to be used towards another sailing,” the company added.

Flights booked directly through Royal Caribbean will be automatically refunded, the company added, while passengers who made independent travel plans will also be entitled to reimbursements.

The company said it will cover any travel change fees up to $200 per guest for domestic travel and $400 per guest for international travel.

Royal Caribbean is also updating the current itinerary of the Icon of the Seas, which sailed from Miami to the Eastern Caribbean on Sep. 21, 2024.

“The ship is currently undergoing maintenance and will sail at a reduced speed. Unplanned maintenance happens, and our teams are hard at work to quickly address it,” the company told passengers onboard.

“As a result, we’ll have to skip our visit to Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, and enjoy a sea day instead,” Royal Caribbean added.

As compensation, passengers will receive an onboard credit equivalent to one day of the paid cruise fare, the statement said.

The ship’s itinerary also included visits to St. Maarten and Perfect Day at CocoCay, which are set to take place as scheduled, Royal Caribbean added.