If you’re sailing on Liberty of the Seas after the refit, one of the biggest indoor changes is the expanded Casino Royale. This isn’t just a small refresh or a bit of new carpet. The Liberty of the Seas casino has been made much larger, and it now takes up more space on Deck 4 than it did before.
Royal Caribbean describes the expanded Casino Royale as having over 400 slot machines and 35 tables, so it’s clearly one of the major changes from the amplification.
On my sailing, the casino was definitely popular. But whether this feels like a good change will depend on how you cruise. If you enjoy spending time in the casino, this will probably be a positive update. If you’d have preferred another bar, lounge or casual venue, you may feel differently.
In this guide, I’ll walk through where Casino Royale is on Liberty of the Seas, what changed after the refit, what’s nearby, and whether I think the expanded casino improves the ship overall.
Watch My Liberty of the Seas Refit Video
If you want to see all the changes onboard, I’ve included my Liberty of the Seas refit video below.
What Changed in Casino Royale After the Refit?
The main change is that Casino Royale has been expanded. Before the refit, Liberty of the Seas already had a casino, but the amplification has made it much larger and more prominent.
Royal Caribbean now describes the expanded casino as having over 400 slot machines and 35 tables. That gives you an idea of the scale of the change.
This isn’t one of those updates where you need to look closely to notice it. The casino now feels like a much bigger part of Deck 4. There are more machines, more gaming tables and more space given over to the casino area.
It also changes the feel of this part of the ship. Deck 4 already had several evening venues, but the expanded casino makes this area feel even more adult-focused, especially at night.
Where Is Casino Royale on Liberty of the Seas?
Casino Royale is on Deck 4 of Liberty of the Seas. It sits in the middle section of the ship, between the Schooner Bar and Boleros.
If you’re coming from the theatre end of Deck 4, you’ll pass Izumi Teppanyaki and the Schooner Bar before reaching the casino entrance. If you’re coming from the aft end of the ship, you’ll pass the Main Dining Room, Boleros and Starbucks before reaching the casino area.
This part of Deck 4 is one of the main indoor evening areas on Liberty of the Seas. You have the Platinum Theatre forward, Izumi Teppanyaki, Schooner Bar, Casino Royale, Boleros, Starbucks and the Main Dining Room all on the same deck. So even if you don’t use the casino, there’s a good chance you’ll walk past it during the cruise.
Deck 4 is also where you can access the outside promenade deck, which is one of the nicest places on Liberty of the Seas for a walk close to the sea.
What Is the Casino Like Onboard?
When I was onboard Liberty of the Seas after the refit, the casino was definitely busy.
That doesn’t mean it’ll be the same on every sailing, because the atmosphere always depends on the passengers onboard. But on my cruise, it was clearly a popular area.
If the casino is part of your usual cruise routine, then this will probably feel like a good update. There’s more choice, more space and the casino feels like it’s been given more importance in the layout of the ship.
It also has its own bar, so you don’t need to leave the casino area if you want a drink while you’re there.
It’s also in a good location.
Because it’s on Deck 4, close to the Schooner Bar, Boleros, Starbucks and the Main Dining Room, it’s easy to combine with other parts of your evening. You might go to the theatre, have a drink in Schooner Bar, walk through the casino, or head to Boleros later in the evening.
Even if you don’t gamble, this is still a good area to understand because it sits right in the middle of one of the ship’s main evening routes.
The Expanded Casino Is One of the Bigger Refit Changes
The Liberty of the Seas refit included several noticeable updates. The pool deck has been refreshed, The Lime & Coconut has been added, El Loco Fresh and Cantina Fresca are now on Deck 11, Starbucks has been added on Deck 4, Izumi Teppanyaki has replaced Sabor, and the Royal Escape Room has been added near the Star Lounge.
But Casino Royale is one of the biggest changes indoors. It’s also one of the changes that may divide opinion.
Some passengers will be very happy to have a bigger casino. Others may feel that the space could have been used for something different.
That’s why I think it’s worth talking about honestly, rather than just listing it as a new feature.
Would Playmakers Have Been Better?
Personally, I would have preferred Playmakers. If you’ve been on Independence of the Seas or some other Royal Caribbean ships, you may know Playmakers as the sports bar-style venue. It’s a more casual place for drinks, food, sport and a different type of evening atmosphere.
For me, something like Playmakers would have added more variety to Liberty of the Seas.
The ship already has bars, lounges and entertainment venues, but Playmakers would have given it another casual option that works during the day and evening. It would also have been good for passengers who want somewhere to watch sport or have a more relaxed bar-style meal.
That doesn’t mean the expanded casino is a bad change. It just depends what you want from the ship.
If you enjoy the casino, then the expansion probably feels like a strong improvement. If you rarely use the casino, then you may look at the space and think another venue would have added more to the overall experience.
The Unusual Deck 4 Cabins Near the Casino
One of the more unusual things about Deck 4 is that there are now cabins near the casino area. These cabins are accessed through a glass door as you move from the Schooner Bar towards Casino Royale.
It’s not a location you’d normally expect for cruise ship cabins, so this is something to check carefully if you’re booking one of these rooms.
Some passengers may like being close to the bars, the casino and the lower public decks. Others may prefer a more traditional cabin location away from busy evening areas.
I wouldn’t automatically avoid them, but I would definitely check the deck plan before booking.
If you’re sensitive to noise, or if you prefer a quieter cabin area, this is something to think about.
Is Casino Royale Included?
There’s no charge to walk through Casino Royale or enter the casino area, but gambling itself costs extra.
You can play slot machines and table games if the casino is open, but this isn’t part of your cruise fare.
As with any cruise ship casino, it’s worth setting a budget before you start. It can be easy to spend more than planned, especially when everything onboard is linked to your SeaPass account.
The casino is part of the onboard entertainment, but it’s not the same as included entertainment such as theatre shows, live music or quizzes.
When Is the Casino Open?
The casino is usually open when the ship is at sea, but it’s not normally open while the ship is in port.
Opening times can vary depending on the itinerary, port times and local rules, so the best thing to do is check the Royal Caribbean app or the Cruise Compass once onboard.
This is especially worth doing on a port-heavy itinerary, because you may have less casino opening time than on a cruise with several sea days.
Who Will Like the Expanded Casino Most?
The expanded Casino Royale will suit passengers who enjoy spending time in the casino during a cruise.
If you like slot machines, table games or having another lively evening space onboard, then this will probably feel like a good improvement.
It may also suit passengers who prefer more adult-focused evening areas, especially after dinner or after a show.
But if you’re not interested in the casino, this change may not add much to your cruise personally.
Is the Expanded Casino a Good Change?
I think this depends on what you wanted from the Liberty of the Seas refit.
From Royal Caribbean’s point of view, the expanded casino clearly makes sense. The casino was busy when I was onboard, and it’s obviously a venue that many passengers use.
For casino players, this is probably one of the most positive parts of the amplification.
But personally, I would have preferred a venue like Playmakers.
Liberty of the Seas already has a lot of traditional Royal Caribbean features, including the Royal Promenade, Schooner Bar, Boleros, Studio B, the theatre and the FlowRider. A sports bar-style venue would have added something different.
So I’d describe the expanded casino as a good change for the right passenger, but not necessarily the most exciting change for everyone.
Final Thoughts on the Liberty of the Seas Casino Refit
Casino Royale is now one of the bigger indoor changes on Liberty of the Seas after the refit.
It’s been expanded, it has more machines and tables, and it feels like a much more important part of Deck 4 than before.
If you enjoy the casino, this is likely to be a positive update. It gives you more choice and a larger space to use during the cruise.
If you don’t use the casino, you may feel that the space could have been used for something more appealing, such as Playmakers or another casual venue.
For me, the casino expansion is one of the changes that sums up the Liberty of the Seas refit quite well. Some areas feel much improved, some changes will appeal more to certain passengers than others, and not every update will suit everyone.
But if you’re sailing on Liberty of the Seas after the refit, Casino Royale is definitely one of the Deck 4 changes to know about before you go.
Related Guides
For a broader overview of the whole ship, my What’s Onboard Liberty of the Seas guide covers the pools, dining, bars, entertainment, cabins, family areas and layout.
If you want to know what all the changes were during the amplification, my Liberty of the Seas refit guide covers the new venues, updated pool deck, new cabins, Adventure Ocean changes, casino expansion and the areas that were still being worked on after the refit.
My Liberty of the Seas dining options guide explains what’s included, what costs extra, where to eat onboard and which venues are worth knowing about before your cruise.
You may also find my Liberty of the Seas bars guide helpful if you want to understand the best places for drinks around the ship, including Schooner Bar, Boleros, The Lime & Coconut, Vintages and Hoof & Claw Pub.
Liberty of the Seas Casino: Frequently Asked Questions
Does Liberty of the Seas have a casino?
Yes, Liberty of the Seas has Casino Royale on Deck 4. It’s been expanded as part of the recent refit.
Where is Casino Royale on Liberty of the Seas?
Casino Royale is on Deck 4, between the Schooner Bar and Boleros. It’s also close to Izumi Teppanyaki, Starbucks, the Centrum area and the Main Dining Room.
Has the casino on Liberty of the Seas been expanded?
Yes, Casino Royale has been expanded as part of the Liberty of the Seas refit. Royal Caribbean describes the expanded casino as having over 400 slot machines and 35 tables.
What changed in Casino Royale after the refit?
The casino has been made larger, with more slot machines, more gaming tables and more space given to the casino area on Deck 4.
Is the casino free to enter?
You can walk into the casino area without paying an entry fee, but gambling costs extra.
Is Casino Royale open while the ship is in port?
Cruise ship casinos are usually closed while the ship is in port and open when the ship is at sea. Opening times can vary, so check the Royal Caribbean app or Cruise Compass once onboard.
Is the Liberty of the Seas casino near any bars?
Yes, Casino Royale has it’s own bar and is also close to the Schooner Bar and Boleros. Starbucks is also nearby on Deck 4.
Are there cabins near the casino on Liberty of the Seas?
Yes, there are now cabins on Deck 4 near the casino area. They’re accessed through a glass door near the casino entrance, so check the deck plan carefully before booking.
Would Playmakers have been better than an expanded casino?
That depends on what you enjoy onboard. Personally, I would have preferred Playmakers because it would have added a casual sports bar-style venue. But if you enjoy spending time in the casino, the expanded Casino Royale will probably feel like a good change.
Is the expanded casino one of the main Liberty of the Seas refit changes?
Yes, the expanded Casino Royale is one of the more noticeable indoor changes after the refit, especially on Deck 4.
Useful Cruise Items to Consider
These are a few simple items that can make your cruise on P&O Arvia more comfortable and help you stay organised onboard.
I personally use variations of these when cruising, and they’re all practical rather than essential.
Magnetic hooks Perfect for extra storage in your cabin
Packing cubes Keep your suitcase organised
Cruise luggage tags Protect your tags at the port
Travel Extension Lead UK For charging multiple phones, cameras, and laptops
Toiletry organiser Great for small bathrooms
You can also browse my full Cruise Essentials list for more useful items I use or recommend for cruise holidays.
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