Days after the debut of the latest James Bond thriller, an exciting new Casino Royale opened in Fort Lauderdale this week, brought to you by Royal Caribbean.

Independence of the Seas is the first of the three sister ships, currently the world's largest, to make Fort Lauderdale its home port for the winter, and its Casino Royale seems even livelier (if possible) than the casinos on its two sisters, Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas, which sail out of Miami.

The 19 tables on Independence, as on its sisters, are clustered in two banks, with eight tables forming the centerpiece of the Casino Royale's midships foyer, and eleven more spread along the main casino's port wall.

The tables offer seven multi-deck blackjack games, three single-deck blackjack, one Caribbean stud poker, two three-card poker, one low-limit Texas Hold 'em, one Let It Ride, three roulette tables and one craps table.

On this first four-night sailing to Cozumel, the casino was packed each evening and offered both $25-$500 and $50-$1,000 blackjack tables. With a number of Royal Caribbean's VIP players expected to visit Independence this winter, the casino is prepared to open $100-$2,000 tables to accommodate those looking to play for higher stakes.

Occupying the center and starboard side of the casino are 306 slots offering wagering opportunities ranging from a penny to $25.

Because Independence made its debut in Europe this past summer, a number of Royal Caribbean's top dealers opted to join the ship because of the European itineraries -- and as we have reported on a number of occasions, Royal Caribbean's dealers are among the most friendly and competent at sea.

With Independence preparing to sail alternating eastern and western Caribbean cruises for the next four months before returning to Europe next spring, Royal Caribbean is now prepared to give the Seminole land-based casinos a sail for their money this winter with their three largest casinos -- on Independence, Liberty and Freedom -- cruising out of South Florida.

--The Savvy Cruiser