If you can't wait to try Royal Caribbean's newest and largest casino, the Casino Royale on the new Freedom of the Seas is waiting for you in the Caribbean.

As befits the casino on the world's largest cruise ship, Freedom's Casino Royale is larger, has three additional tables, and a more spacious feel than the casinos on Royal Caribbean's five Voyager-class ships -- Explorer of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas.

The casino's 19 tables 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 generally offer eight multi-deck blackjack games, two 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 preview cruise, among those sizing up the new Freedom were a group of Las Vegas casino executives evaluating the ship as a venue for junkets for their high-rollers.

Because of the nature of this cruise, there were relatively few VIP players aboard, and the casino only offered two $25-$500 blackjack tables. But Royal Caribbean always has been pretty quick to open higher limit tables when there are VIP players looking to play for higher stakes, and because of the size of Freedom, we would guess there will be a $50-$1,000 table on a good many of its sailings.

Occupying the center and starboard side of the casino are 306 slots -- about a dozen more than on the Voyager-class ships -- offering wagering opportunities ranging from 5 cents to $25.

The dealers on Freedom currently are all Royal Caribbean veterans, drawn from casinos on the line's other ships to get Freedom's Casino Royale off to a strong start. Time and again, we find Royal Caribbean casinos have many of the most friendly and competent dealers at sea -- and Freedom has some of the best of them.

With Freedom set to begin sailing seven-night Western Caribbean cruises out of Miami, the Casino Royale seems ready to provide a summer of gaming fun for VIP players.

--The Savvy Cruiser