Royal Caribbean Blog

Royal Caribbean's new credit cards offer better cruise perks and rewards, and you can maximize their value by earning points strategically and making the most of key cardholder benefits.

For some people, the words "credit card" bring up concerns about overspending, debt, and managing timely payments. However, when used responsibly, credit cards can be a valuable tool for earning rewards. 

Truthfully, I can't remember the last time I used my debit card. Instead, I'm always calculating which of my five credit cards will help me earn the most rewards on any given purchase and get me closer to my next travel goal.

That said, the key to being a responsible credit cardholder isn't to spend more; it's to make the most of everyday purchases you're already going to make, such as groceries, gas, and restaurants. 

Not to toot my own horn, but I've gotten good at maximizing credit cards without changing my spending habits, redeeming rewards to help offset the cost of pricey vacations I likely wouldn't pay for out of pocket. 

In this article, I'll provide a detailed breakdown of how to maximize cruise-related perks and annual credits for Royal Caribbean's new Royal ONE™ Visa Signature® and Royal ONE Plus™ Visa Signature® credit cards. 

Earn the welcome bonus

First, you should strive to meet the requirements for the welcome bonus of whichever card you apply for. It's important to stay in the loop about current offers since they're subject to change. 

At the time of writing, the Royal ONE™ Visa Signature®, which has no annual fee, offered a welcome bonus of 45,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first 90 days of account opening. According to the company, those points can be redeemed for $450 in cruise rewards!

For the Royal ONE Plus™ Visa Signature®, which has a $99 annual fee, new cardholders can earn a bonus of 70,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first 90 days of account opening. This comes out to around $700 in cruise rewards that can be redeemed for onboard credit, discounts, and more. 

Pro tip: I'd recommend waiting to apply for a new rewards card until you have larger purchases or planned expenses in the foreseeable future. This generally makes it easier to reach the minimum spending requirement for sign-up bonuses without changing your spending habits or buying things you don't really need. 

Use your card for Royal Caribbean Group purchases

Regardless of whether you're eyeing the Royal ONE™ Visa Signature® or Royal ONE Plus™ Visa Signature® credit card, you'll want to use it on cruise spending, as you will earn extra points per dollar on purchases with Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea. 

With the Royal ONE™ Visa Signature® card, you will earn three points per dollar spent on Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea. So, if you buy a drink package for $500, you'll automatically earn a whopping 1,500 points! 

Additionally, Royal ONE Plus™ Visa Signature® cardholders will earn four points per dollar spent on Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea, turning that same $500 drink package into 2,000 credit card points. 

One important caveat to keep in mind is that third-party bookings may not qualify. In other words, if you book a Royal Caribbean cruise through a travel website like Expedia, you shouldn't expect that purchase to count toward the bonus spending.

Book cruises for family and friends

On that note, if you are planning group travel, consider using your Royal ONE™ card to pay for eligible cruise expenses for family and friends and ask to be reimbursed. 

For example, if you are organizing a big family cruise and cover everyone's initial deposit, you could easily rack up thousands of points without spending more than you normally would.

The same strategy also applies to final payments and pre-cruise purchases. Of course, you want to trust the people you're booking for, so you aren't stuck chasing down payments or covering other people's vacations.

However, as long as everyone is prompt with their reimbursements, this can be a simple way to quickly build your rewards balance! 

Earn additional points on everyday spending and non-cruise purchases

While Royal Caribbean Group purchases are the best way to rack up points with the new credit cards, cardholders can also earn bonus points on other purchases in select categories.

For instance, with either card, you'll earn two points per dollar spent on gas, groceries, and electric vehicle charging purchases. This means that certain everyday spending will help you build your rewards balance — even when you aren't planning your next cruise.

All other eligible purchases earn one point per dollar, allowing you to continue accumulating points on everyday spending. Over time, those random shopping trips, movie tickets, and oil changes add up! 

Additionally, those with the Royal ONE Plus™ Visa Signature® will earn two points per dollar on eligible purchases with airlines, hotels, and restaurants.

Make the card your default option with Apple Pay

With tap-to-pay becoming increasingly common, adding your Royal ONE™ card to Apple Pay is an easy way to make sure you're earning points on purchases you already make — even if you forget your physical card at home. 

By setting the card as your default payment option, you can quickly pull the card up on your mobile device without fumbling through your wallet. 

This small convenience makes it easier to use your card consistently, rather than handing the cashier the first card you stumble upon. 

Take advantage of cruise-related benefits and perks

As a branded credit card, you'll also enjoy a slew of onboard benefits aboard Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Silversea cruises. 

All cardholders, regardless of whether you have the Royal ONE™ or Royal ONE Plus™ Visa Signature® card, can take advantage of priority boarding at the terminal. This means you can get on the ship faster and start enjoying your hard-earned vacation sooner.

Those with the Royal ONE Plus™ Visa Signature® card will also benefit from expedited luggage delivery, so you won't be stuck waiting hours for your suitcase to finally make its way on board. 

Finally, all cardholders should keep an eye out for special events during their sailings. 

Use the card's travel credits and benefits

Aside from cruise-related benefits, both credit cards offer perks that are useful for land-based travel. As a Visa Signature® cardholder, you'll have access to the Visa Signature® Luxury Hotel Collection and receive special rates and VIP status at select hotels worldwide. 

Moreover, the cards include 24-hour travel and emergency assistance, car rental coverage, access to emergency roadside assistance, trip delay and lost luggage expense reimbursement, trip cancellation and interruption coverage, and extended warranty protection. 

Those with the Royal ONE Plus™ Visa Signature® card can also take advantage of the $120 statement credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry enrollment or renewal. The benefit is available once every four years.

This is a huge benefit for frequent flyers since it makes it easier to breeze through airport security and re-enter the U.S. after an international flight. Since many travelers already plan to pay for one of these programs, the statement credit also helps offset the annual fee by covering a purchase you likely will make anyway.

Take advantage of the anniversary credit

Personally, I don't like to keep all my eggs in one basket when it comes to credit card spending. In other words, I strategically spread my spending across several rewards cards to maximize the value I earn from different loyalty programs.

However, that isn't everyone's jam — and that's okay! If you're someone who loves Royal Caribbean cruises, you may find yourself drawn to these credit cards more than others. 

Enter the anniversary credit. Those with the Royal ONE™ Visa Signature® card who spend at least $10,000 in one year will receive a $100 cruise discount. Meanwhile, Royal ONE Plus™ cardholders who spend at least $20,000 in one year will earn a $200 discount. 

There are a few caveats to keep in mind when redeeming this credit. First, it can only be applied to future cruise bookings purchased directly with Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, or Silversea. As such, travel agent bookings or those made with third parties, like Expedia or Vacations To Go, won't count. Additionally, you must use the discount before your next card anniversary. 

Bottom line: Is the Royal Caribbean credit card worth it?

Royal Caribbean's new credit card options are a huge upgrade from the existing offering, as they let cruisers earn rewards across the entire Royal Caribbean Group portfolio.

Before Royal ONE™ launched, the program wasn't as flexible, and all rewards were tied to a single brand. Now, cruisers can earn and redeem rewards seamlessly across all three brands: Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea.

In my opinion, the no-annual-fee Royal ONE™ card is a solid option for occasional cruisers. On the flip side, the Royal ONE Plus™ card has better earning rates, priority suite boarding, a higher anniversary reward, and a generous TSA PreCheck®/Global Entry credit.

As such, it's easy to justify the premium card's $99 annual fee if you cruise with Royal Caribbean Group regularly and can take advantage of its added perks. 

Over the weekend, a Royal Caribbean passenger fell off the pier into the ocean at the cruise line's private island. 

Witnesses captured the terrifying moment when a guest plunged from the pier into the water, as well as the harrowing rescue that followed, on Saturday, July 11, at Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

Two cruise ships visited CocoCay on Saturday: Adventure of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas. Although it's unclear what ship the passenger was sailing on, he fell from the pier into the water between the dock and Adventure of the Seas.

(Credit: Don Goldstein)

According to passenger reports, the secret code word "Oscar, Oscar, Oscar" was broadcast around 1:25 p.m., indicating a man-overboard incident. 

Supposedly, the guest was on a mobility scooter that suddenly malfunctioned, causing him to veer off the designated path and into the water. However, that has not been confirmed by the cruise line. 

(Credit: @dogsfamily_love / TikTok)

Moments after the guest fell into the water, a security guard immediately jumped in after him, and other crew members rushed into action, gathering life rings and other rescue equipment. 

Another crew member climbed onto one of the fenders to get a closer look at the scary situation and help coordinate the rescue with those on the dock.

(Credit: @dogsfamily_love / TikTok)

In the end, over two dozen cruise line employees took part in the rescue effort, ranging from senior officers to maintenance workers and medical staff. 

One video shows that the elderly passenger was eventually pulled from the water on a spine board stretcher before being moved to another stretcher for easier transport. He was then covered with blankets and urgently rushed on Wonder of the Seas to receive further medical treatment. 

(Credit: @dogsfamily_love / TikTok)

As he was rescued, cheers erupted from witnesses, both ashore and on the ships, who had watched the dramatic overboard incident unfold. 

Wonder of the Seas was on a three-night cruise to The Bahamas from Miami, returning to Florida on Monday, July 13, according to CruiseMapper. CocoCay was the first port of call on the short itinerary, followed by Nassau on Sunday, July 12. 

(Credit: @dogsfamily_love / TikTok)

Adventure of the Seas, on the other hand, had just kicked off an eight-night Caribbean cruise to Perfect Day at CocoCay, the Dominican Republic, Aruba, and Curaçao. The Voyager Class ship is scheduled to return to Port Canaveral, Florida, on July 18. 

At the time of publication, Royal Caribbean International had not provided a comment regarding the incident at its private island. 

Social media response

The videos quickly went viral on social media, with many viewers expressing concern for the passenger's well-being and wishing him a speedy recovery. 

"Thanks for sharing WOW hope he is ok," said Lisa Fazio Frelier on TikTok. 

user3168693269714 added, "I hope he is ok saw this yesterday we're on the adventure of the seas."

"I pray he is okay truly my family and I watched and we're really concerned ♥️♥️♥️," Brittany added. 

Not the first time someone fell off the cruise pier at CocoCay

(Credit: Henry Yeany / Facebook)

Last year, a child fell off the pier into the ocean at Perfect Day at CocoCay. The incident occurred near the area where the cruise ships are tied up to the moorings, with the fenders leaving a small gap between the vessel and the dock, as Royal Caribbean Blog previously reported.

Thankfully, passenger reports indicate that the young child was quickly rescued and brought back on Symphony of the Seas for medical treatment. 

A few months later, another Royal Caribbean passenger fell into the ocean while visiting the island. The incident happened after the guest reportedly walked too close to the edge of the dock while filming Star of the Seas, triggering "man overboard" protocols around 8:00 a.m. 

Crew members quickly responded, throwing a life ring to the passenger, who then grabbed and clung to it while awaiting rescue from the water. A rescue team on a jet ski quickly approached and safely returned him to shore.

I think Perfect Day at CocoCay is the best beach day you can find in the Caribbean, but there are mistakes I see people making there all too often.

Royal Caribbean designed its private island in The Bahamas to be an all-encompassing beach escape. Unlike traditional cruise line private islands that just have a beach, there's so much more to do.

I estimate I've been to CocoCay around 50 times over my many years of cruising. That's increased in recent years with Royal Caribbean sending more ships to include a visit to the island.

I think you should maximize your visit by taking advantage of everything you can do. First-time visitors often are unaware of all the options, and squander their time.

Here are my 12 things not to do when you visit Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Don't sleep away your day

The top mistake I've seen people make is sleep in and miss out on CocoCay.

The problem with sleeping late is you disembark late, and by the time you get to mid-day, everything is packed and it's the hottest time of the day.

If you can disembark the ship the first hour your ship is docked there, you will have the best choices of seats everywhere.  Moreover, it's the best time for the water park to minimize waits for slides.

Anytime I've slept in, it's been a real challenge to find chairs and an umbrella in a location you prefer.  While there are more beach chairs (no cost to them) than needed, you might need to go to the very back of the seating area or significantly far away from the water.

It's tempting to sleep late, but I'd recommend hitting up the island early and then either taking a nap on the island or head back to the ship for that shower and nap.

I really don't think you need to book an excursion

I've forgotten on a few occasions that Royal Caribbean actually sells excursions off the island, and I think they're all a waste of money.

There is so much to do around CocoCay, from beaches to a waterpark, to pools, that I just don't think this is the day of your cruise to spend money on a tour.

The scuba and snorkeling around CocoCay are mediocre from the perspective of what you can see, and the swimming with the pigs tour is way too expensive and short.

Jet skiing and parasailing sound fun, but I'd argue all the tours are better done on any other island you are visiting.

While you can debate the merits of certain add-on extras being worth the cost around CocoCay, I'd skip any shore excursion that takes you off the island.

The adults-only area is a party, not a quiet area

Hideaway Beach was built as an adults-only enclave, but some people assume it's going to be quiet and reserved.

The extra cost venue is meant to be an escape from kids and families, but the idea is for it to be more of a Vegas pool party.  Think of it more like an adults pool and beach day party.

There is a DJ at the center of the giant pool, and the music is pumped quite loudly and all over Hideaway Beach. Unless you go to the very ends of the beach, the music is fairly loud. 

There's also a sports bar near the entrance that offers a bar, televisions, and very comfortable seating. There's a band that plays music here most of the day.

I love the energy Hideaway Beach has, but don't go in thinking it will be a place to read a book without any distractions.

Don't run back to the ship as soon as it rains

It will almost certainly rain while you're at Perfect Day at CocoCay, but that shouldn't be the end of your plans for the day.

Rain in the tropics is common, but short lived. It might be a light passing shower or an intense thunderstorm.  But it's rarely an all-day rain out.

If it does rain, seek shelter nearby but give it time to pass. Most of the time, rain will last less than an hour. Heck, if there's no lightning, continue the fun in the water while it rains!

A lot of newbies will immediately pack up and run back to the ship as soon as it starts raining.  This means when the rain passes, crowds will be much less. This is great for enjoying more time in the water park, pools, or floating bar.

There's no coffee on the island

Since you're taking my earlier advice of not sleeping in, be sure to properly caffeinate before you disembark the ship.

There is no coffee served on CocoCay, so if you need a cup to get going in the morning, be sure to get it prior to leaving the ship. Yes, you can take it with you off the ship to continue drinking.

There is one exception, and that's at the Coco Beach Club, where they serve your basic hot coffee.  Since this area has an extra cost and limited capacity, it's likely not an option for most people looking to get their cup of joe.

You don't have to walk everywhere

CocoCay isn't a big island, but walking around it can be tiring, especially when it's hot out.

Royal Caribbean offers complimentary trams around the island that you can hop on and off at the designated stations. 

Take advantage of the tram to get around quicker and reduce fatigue. 

It can feel cool when you're on the pier, but the wind will often disappear as soon as you get to the interior of the island.

Another advantage of the tram is it's a great way to see everything there is, and the layout of where everything is situated. It's a fun mid-day "excursion" if you're considering switching spots.

Oasis Lagoon is my favorite spot, but the pool isn't heated

If your cruise sails in the winter months, be prepared for a cold pool day.

To be clear, I prefer my pool to be on the "refreshing" side than feel like a bathtub, but not everyone feels that way.

Oasis Lagoon is a massive freshwater pool and right in the middle, featuring a swim-up bar that's a lot of fun.  But prepare yourself for the chill.

In the summer, it feels great because of how hot it is outside. But even during spring break, the pool can be quite cold.

If you want a heated pool day, you'll find that at the Coco Beach Club or Hideaway Beach.

Apply sunscreen often, because you don't want to get sunburned

If it seems obvious to say it's a mistake to not get sunburned when out in the sun, clearly not enough people know this tip.

When I walk back to the ship in the afternoon, there are always dozens of people who are headed back onboard with a shiny red "souvenir" on their back.

Be sure to apply sunscreen before disembarking the ship, and then re-apply every couple of hours. Being in the water washes away the sunscreen quickly.

Don't book two extra cost areas on the same day

I recommend not booking two extra cost experiences to try to do on the same day.

For example, don't book the Coco Beach Club and Thrill Waterpark.  Or Hideaway Beach and Coco Beach Club.

The reason is you're unlikely get full value out of either one if you split your time. Royal Caribbean only docks their ships at CocoCay for about 8-9 hours, and each of these experiences is designed to be a full day activity.

If you're trying to do all the water slides and wave pool, that will take up most of your day.  That doesn't leave a lot of time for enjoying the beach clubs.

Book one or the other, but not both.

You don't need to bring towels off the ship if you booked an extra cost area

If you booked a cabana or Coco Beach Club, leave the ship towels onboard.

These extra cost areas include towels you can use, meaning it's one less thing to haul around.

In fact, the towels at the Coco Beach Club are must bigger and softer than the ones from the ship. It's a nice upgrade to enjoy.

There are towel exchange stations around the island. In my experience, you could get towels from there's a chance they could run out of clean towels. So bring towels off the ship if you're headed anywhere else.

Babies can go to any pool or beach

While swim diapers aren't allowed to be used in your cruise ship's pools or slides, your infant can wear them around the island.

The health regulations are different on land versus on a ship.  This means your baby can come with you into Oasis Lagoon or the other pools and splash areas.

The waterpark is a mistake if your kids are younger than 7 years old. Go to the free splash areas instead

Families see a water park and think it's great for kids, but it's probably a mistake for young children.

The water slides have strict height requirements and the wave pool is pretty intense. I think kids that are younger than 6 or 7 years old are probably too short to get value from it.

Instead, go to Splashaway Bay and Captain Jill's Galleon for water and slide fun at no additional cost.

Splashaway Bay has a few slides that are perfect for younger children, and there are other small slides at Captain Jill's. 

For parents, there are comfortable adirondock chairs surrounding Splashaway Bay, and Captain Jack's bar a few steps away.

Happy Sunday! We hope you are having a great weekend! Now it’s time to sit back, relax, and catch up on all the Royal Caribbean news from the week!

There's a new rival for Royal Caribbean's Icon Class megaships.

Carnival began construction for its first Ace Class ship, which is over 50,000 gross tons bigger than its current largest ship.

Once complete, these will be the largest cruise ships ever built.

Royal Caribbean News

• Typhoon delays return of Royal Caribbean ship
• Royal Caribbean expands its most creative wearables to its newest ship
• Royal Caribbean added these rare one-time cruises for 2027
• I always get off my cruise ship as early as possible
• How is Legend of the Seas different from Icon and Star of the Seas?
• I tried all the new food hall stands
• How much a "free" cruise from the casino actually costs
• What a balcony cabin looks like on Legend of the Seas
• Ways to get reservations at the popular specialty restaurants
• I cruise with my kids a lot, but sharing a cabin has been a disaster. I came up with a rule to keep everyone happy
• I skipped the cruise line excursion and found a better way to see Palma de Mallorca
• My $8,500 European trip included a $1,500 cruise on Liberty of the Seas

New RCB Video: Legend of the Seas walkthrough ship tour

Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — Legend of the Seas walkthrough ship tour — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Court overturns approval required for Royal Caribbean's new Rome cruise port

A court in Italy has blocked a new port project proposed by Royal Caribbean to proceed.

Royal Caribbean has plans to build a new cruise port near Rome's Leonardo da Vinci International Airport, which would reduce the travel time to the city of Rome.

Now, those plans are on pause with the judge's ruling.

Royal Caribbean is asking fans to help name its next cruise ships

A new survey is asking for suggestions what to name Royal Caribbean's new cruise ship.

The Discovery Class ships are just a few years away from arriving, but the cruise line is ready to think of a name that will perfectly encapsulate this ship.

As a cruise ship destined for exotic destinations, Royal Caribbean is looking for naming ideas that would fit.

Royal Caribbean plans to launch 7 cruise ships in 6 years

Now that Legend of the Seas is sailing, Royal Caribbean's ship building plans will only accelerate.

Over the next six years, we will see a burst of ships arriving.

In fact, there will be two ships debuting in the same year on a couple of occasions.

7 Surprising things about trying the new supper club restaurant

Royal Caribbean invited Matt to try the new Hollywoodland Supper Club, which is different from other specialty restaurants.

From the lengthy duration to the carefully themed food and drinks, it's a sensory experience that goes beyond conventional dining.

Anyone trying this restaurant will want to know some of the carefully orchestrated details before sitting down.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 616th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available.

After sailing on Legend of the Seas for the first time, Matt lists the things he didn't like about this new ship.

Please feel free to subscribe via YouTube, iTunes or RSS, and head over to rate and review the podcast on iTunes if you can! We’d appreciate it.

Royal Caribbean is a victim of its own success by introducing so many new specialty restaurants that look so darn good.

The first "I can't get a reservation" restaurant was Izumi hibachi, because it's a crowd pleasing meal that is as satisfying to eat as it is fun to watch.

Over the past five years, Royal Caribbean has really put its creative thinking hat on, because they've introduced so many new specialty restaurants that are undeniably fun.  

The new supper clubs on the Icon Class ships are a culinary and beverage journey that combines music, food, and entertainment.

Now there are two immersive railway restaurants that leverage a show element to go with dining.  I was really impressed when I tried it out on Legend of the Seas.

Both of these types of restaurants have extremely limited seating, and sell out regularly well before anyone steps onboard the ship.

So how do you get a reservation to ensure your family can try it out? With a little extra effort and the right approach, here are a few of my best strategies for getting a reservation at Royal Caribbean's popular restaurants.

Check manually once you start getting within 4-6 months

There is no minimum amount of time that Royal Caribbean specialty restaurants open up for reservations, so you're going to need to check manually.

Once you're about six months from your cruise, it's time to start planning. I find specialty restaurants tend to open closer to 3-5 months before the sail date, but there's really no pattern.  It's actually worse with brand new ships, because it seems someone at headquarters literally has to activate the bookings for each sailing.

I log into the Royal Caribbean Cruise Planner site regularly, and will make it part of my daily routine until it opens. 

I prefer checking on the website instead of the app, but either should work.

You're going to need to be patient, as sometimes reservations may not open until a month before your sail date.

Sign up for a Facebook group

While I generally don't like signing up for Facebook groups for my sailings anymore, they can be valuable to serve as another set of eyes.

If the group is active in the least bit, someone usually will post when they spot dining reservations open up. This is especially true on new ships, because there's far more excitement for a sailing on Star of the Seas than on Radiance of the Seas (in terms of new cruisers and novelty).

While I just said I check the Royal Caribbean site regularly, life happens and I get busy.  So while I try to be vigilant, it's not practical to check every day.

Being alerted by someone else in the Facebook group has saved me a few times.

Got a dining package? Book a reservation anyway

If you booked a Royal Caribbean dining package already, you probably want to take advantage of the discount that comes with it.  But if the restaurant isn't bookable yet, you're caught in no man's land.

My recommendation is to book one of these popular restaurants individually so you can be assured of a reservation.

When you arrive to the restaurant, let the host know you have a dining package and would like the discount applied.  They'll refund you back as onboard credit the difference.

Because reservations are so quick to go, I wouldn't risk waiting until getting on the ship to show up and then apply your dining package.

Go to the restaurant as soon as you board the ship

Let's assume you're reading this and it's too late.  You missed your chance, and now the specialty restaurant you want to eat at is sold out.

Besides manually checking the Cruise Planner to see if any spots open up (people cancel all the time), your next best strategy is go to the restaurant as soon as you board the ship.

Occasionally, I've observed a specialty restaurant listed as "sold out" online, but there are still a few spots available onboard.  This is especially true of hibachi.

I would go immediately to the restaurant you want to dine at upon boarding the ship and asking.  If it's still sold out, ask to be put on a waiting list.

It's not a foolproof plan, but it's better than nothing.

Try waiting at the restaurant for no-shows

One last ditch effort you can make is to go to the restaurant and wait to see if someone misses their reservation.

Approach the check-in desk and politely inform them you are here if there are any open tables because someone doesn't make it.

This strategy likely works better on port days because passengers are tired from their day ashore and oversleep or just can't make their reservation.

I wouldn't bet on this strategy, but when all else fails, there's a low chance it could work. I've seen it happen more often than you might think. 

One cruise ship is stuck at sea due to a major storm — but it has nothing to do with the Atlantic hurricane season. 

Spectrum of the Seas was scheduled to return to Shanghai, China, on July 11, but her arrival has been delayed due to Super Typhoon Bavi.

"We have been monitoring the progression of Typhoon Bavi as it slowly moves toward Shanghai. Due to the development of the storm and its impact, and the government closure of the Port of Shanghai (Baoshan), the previous Spectrum of the Seas sailing has been delayed returning to port," reads an email sent to guests. 

The email continued, "[A]s a result, our 4-Night, 11 July 2026, sailing has unfortunately been cancelled. We're truly sorry for the impact that this has on your vacation plans."

(Credit: Deena Patel / Facebook)

Those on the cancelled voyage will receive a full refund of the paid portion of the cruise fare, including non-refundable deposits. The cruise line will also automatically refund guests who booked airfare through Royal Caribbean.

"You'll also be reimbursed for non-refundable, pre-purchased transportation change fees incurred," the letter states. However, guests must be able to provide documentation by September 10, 2026. 

In addition to the refund, Royal Caribbean is also handing out Future Cruise Credits (FCC) that can be used on any Royal Caribbean sailing through July 11, 2027. 

Credit amounts vary depending on stateroom category. Passengers booked in suites, for example, will receive RMB 3,400 (~$500 USD) per stateroom. Balcony cabins will receive RMB 1,700 (~$250 USD), while those in ocean view staterooms will get RMB 1,300 (~$190 USD). 

Finally, passengers in inside cabins will receive RMB 1,000 (~$147 USD), and third and fourth guests in each stateroom will get an additional RMB 340 (~$50 USD).

According to passenger reports, Spectrum of the Seas cannot return to Shanghai until July 13, around 6:00 p.m., due to the port closure. Additionally, the ship is being rerouted to Jeju, South Korea, to avoid being impacted by the storm. 

The July 7 cruise's only scheduled port of call was Busan, South Korea, so this extended delay means passengers will get to visit another destination, as well as spend more time aboard the 169,379 gross-ton ship. 

Typhoon Bavi takes aim at China

Typhoon Bavi, which extends 620 miles at its widest point (roughly the width of France), is heading across the Pacific toward China. The storm is expected to make landfall in southeastern China on Saturday, after dumping rain on Taiwan and a chain of remote Japanese islands, the BBC reported. 

Reuters added that Typhoon Bavi has the potential to be the most powerful storm the country has seen in years, with authorities in Beijing issuing the highest-level heavy rain alerts for six districts, forecasting the possibility of around six inches of rain within six hours in some areas.

Beijing's municipal government has also shut down parks, public events, some construction projects, and train services, and residents living in high-risk areas in the suburbs were evacuated on Thursday.

According to a live Typhoon Bavi tracker, the storm had sustained winds of around 178mph as of July 10 at 4:10 p.m. EST. Additionally, the storm was moving northwest at 13mph.

Spectrum of the Seas fast facts

Spectrum of the Seas, which launched in 2019, is a Quantum-Ultra Class ship that was designed specifically for the Asian market. As such, she's different from other ships in the fleet, with unique dining options, entertainment, and design features. 

According to the cruise line, she measures 169,379 gross tons, has a passenger capacity of 4,246 at double occupancy, and comes in at 1,139 feet long. 

Spectrum will offer three- to eight-night cruises from Shanghai through November 2026. Then, she will relocate to Hong Kong, China, for three months before returning to Shanghai in late January. 

Royal Caribbean is crowdsourcing names for its next new cruise ship.

Earlier this year, Royal Caribbean revealed long-rumored plans to build a new class of cruise ship that is slightly smaller than its current megaships.

Known as the Discovery Class, the first of these will debut in 2029 with two ships confirmed, and options for four additional ships.

Select past cruisers received an email survey this week that asks them questions about this new class, including ship name suggestions. 

Here's what the survey included.

Getting feedback about what people want on these new ships

Royal Caribbean Blog reader Stelli from La Floating Adventures, sent us a screenshot of these questions.

"Royal Caribbean Group recently announced a new class of ships called Discovery Class, designed to mark a new era of vacation experiences visiting the most sought after destinations around the world."

"Based on what you just read, what stands out to you most about this new ship class?"

Email surveys are a powerful tool for Royal Caribbean to collect data from its customers, and the latest survey was focused on the Discovery Class ships.

The cruise line research team spends time getting lots of feedback from guests, including in targeted surveys.

The "most sought after destinations around the world" statement seems to reinforce the idea these new ships are going to sail to places beyond simply the Caribbean.

Exotic destinations, such as Alaska, Asia, and Europe, are where executives have said the Discovery Class will head.

"Discovery Class is a class for Royal Caribbean. It is a class by its name that will go to Asia, it will go to Alaska, it will go to European itineraries," he said during a question and answer event last week.

"That ship will be specifically designed for those types of more exotic experiences."

Royal Caribbean wants ideas for ship names

Another question in the survey asked guests to name the ships.

"Imagine you got to name the first ship in Discovery Class! What are some names you would love to see for this very first ship? Tell us up to 5 names in the space below."

Typically, Royal Caribbean will name the first ship in a class after the class name.  Subsequent ships in the class sometimes have a name that relates to the original name, but not always.

Mr. Bayley recently explained they used to pay for a research company to generate a list of ship names based on analytical data, but that's changed recently.

"Some years ago, we just said, why don't we just, you know, make our own list," he recalled.

"We got a huge number of suggestions from, from our guests... We get names sent to us all the time, and we literally keep a list of names."

From those names, cruise line executives pick out the best ones and try to come to a consensus on the best one.

"We go through this process of either deciding which is the best name and/or doing more research to validate it. And then, and then we go through a process of getting everybody to agree."

Royal Caribbean asked what they expect from the name

If the Shakespearean quote, "What's in a name?" rings true, it certainly does for cruise ships.

The next question asked what guests expect from the ship name.

"Thinking about Royal Caribbean ships more generally, what (if anything) do you expect from the name of the first ship in a new class?"

This question speaks to the legacy of ship names and how branding plays into choosing one name over another.

A ship name will be in use for at least 30 years, so it's got to evoke the right feeling.

What's important to a ship name

The final question asked guests to rank in order of importance factors that go into a ship name.

"Which of the following, if any, matter to you when it comes to the name of a Discovery Class ship?"

• Something entirely new/different
• Connection to exploration or discovery
• Sense of adventure
• Sense of scale or grandeur
• Innovation or new experiences
• Continuity with past ship naming styles
• Connection to destinations or travel

Like the previous question, this is about getting a better understanding of what people expect from a Royal Caribbean ship's name.

Ship names are as much about branding as they are about distinguishing one from another.

Strong ship names like "Icon of the Seas" signify something being special and different from the rest. It not only is easy to remember, but it likely stands out.

The first Discovery Class ship arrives in 2029

The first Discovery Class ship will be built in the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint Nazaire, France.

It will be ready in the fourth quarter of 2029 for delivery, and be the first new ship class since the Icon Class.

According to Royal Caribbean Group's form 10-Q filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, the new ship will have an approximate passenger count (berths) of 4,300.

That's about 1,300 passengers less than the Icon Class ships.

Carnival Cruise Line has officially begun construction on the largest ship in its 54-year history, marking a major milestone for the industry — and introducing new competition for Royal Caribbean. 

On July 10, Carnival held a steel-cutting ceremony at Fincantieri's shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, for Carnival Destiny, the first vessel in the line's upcoming Ace Class. 

When she enters service in summer 2029, Carnival Destiny will take the title of Carnival's largest cruise ship ever, surpassing the line's existing Excel Class ships by roughly 50,000 gross tons, or 27%. 

Each of the three Ace Class ships is expected to measure approximately 230,000 gross tons and accommodate 8,000 passengers, making them among the largest cruise ships ever built. 

"Carnival Destiny builds on a legacy that changed cruising once before, reimagining what guests can experience at sea. With this ship, we're elevating the guest experience again creating a ship that feels more expansive, while helping guests feel more connected and ultimately have more fun," said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. 

"And the name of the first ship in this new class will carry a name that I think will bring meaning for all of us because we are building on our history while we move forward with the new Carnival Destiny. Like her original, she is a big step forward, not only for Carnival, but we believe for the industry.”

Even so, Carnival's new ships won't eclipse Royal Caribbean's record-breaking Icon Class. Icon of the Seas, which debuted in 2024, became the world's largest cruise ship at 248,000 gross tons — a title that she and her two sister ships continue to hold.

Although the cruise line hasn't revealed many details about its Carnival Destiny ship, here's a look at how the upcoming flagship compares with Royal Caribbean's Icon Class. 

Editor's note: This article was last updated on July 10, 2026. We will continue to update it as Carnival Cruise Line releases additional details about Carnival Destiny, including her accommodations, onboard attractions, dining venues, entertainment, and more, ahead of her 2029 debut.

Royal Caribbean's Icon Class vs Carnival's Ace Class

Size 

Royal Caribbean's Icon Class ships measure 248,663 gross tons and 1,196 feet long, according to the cruise line. Additionally, the ships feature 20 decks, including 18 passenger-accessible decks, and measure approximately 219 feet wide. 

Comparatively, Carnival Cruise Line has stated that its upcoming Ace Class ships, including Carnival Destiny, will come in at around 230,000 gross tons. Based on conceptual mockups, it appears that Carnival Destiny will have around 17 passenger-accessible decks, though the exact number hasn't been confirmed. 

Capacity 

Although Icon Class ships are larger in terms of gross tonnage, Carnival's Ace Class ships are expected to have a larger passenger capacity. According to the cruise line, these massive vessels will have over 3,000 cabins and carry around 8,000 guests at full capacity. 

On the flip side, ships like Legend of the Seas have 2,805 cabins and can accommodate 5,610 passengers at double occupancy, increasing to approximately 7,600 guests when every available berth is filled.

Design 

In terms of design, we know that Carnival's Ace Class ships will be the most outward-facing ships at sea, with the largest number of ocean-facing balcony staterooms, a new promenade deck, and over 4.5 acres of glass. Additionally, 70% of the ships' venues and attractions will be brand-new to the cruise line.

This isn't necessarily surprising for a new ship class. When Icon of the Seas launched, the vessel introduced several firsts for the cruise line, including Category 6, the largest water park at sea; the Empire Supper Club; the enclosed AquaDome entertainment venue; Absolute Zero, the largest ice rink at sea with a unique circular design; and other new onboard concepts.

Fuel and sustainability

Finally, both Carnival's Ace Class and Royal Caribbean's Icon Class represent a shift toward more sustainable ship design, with both classes powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). 

LNG is one of the cleanest fossil fuels used by cruise ships, helping reduce carbon emissions by around 30%. LNG is a natural gas that has been cooled to approximately -260°F. This shrinks its volume by about 600 times, making it easier to store and transport.

No matter how often I cruise, the last morning is the worst feeling because it's an abrupt end of vacation.

You would think after over 100 cruises, I would be used to winding down my trip and disembarking the ship. But it's always an early start that seems leave me tired and disappointed the fun has to come to an end.

Royal Caribbean ships usually arrive into port and begin allowing passengers to leave the ship around 7am or so.  Some of the big ships will get in earlier and start the disembarkation sooner.  Regardless, everyone is usually off the ship by about 9 or 9:30am.

While the cruise line gives you options of what time to disembark, I always opt for the earliest time to leave.

From avoiding lines later to getting home sooner, here are 7 reasons to get off your ship as early as possible.

There's less traffic to deal with earlier in the morning

With thousands of guests disembarking the ship, there's bound to be lots of cars trying to get them all on their way.

I've found most of the car traffic coming in and out of the terminal tends to be worse as the morning goes on.  By being one of the first people off the ship, I can usually get in my car or taxi and be on my way quicker.

This is especially true of ports like Cape Liberty and Miami, which are notorious for bad traffic issues.

Not only are you dealing with traffic from people on your ship, but there will be more cars on the road from other ships as well.

Staying onboard is boring

While Royal Caribbean will let you stay on their ship as late as 9am, the truth is there's nothing to do.

Restaurants are open for breakfast, and the cafe will serve coffee. But there aren't any bars or entertainment open.  Even the pools are closed down for cleaning.

Moreover, you have to be out of your cabin by 8am.  

This leaves little to do other than have somewhere to sit and wait.

When you add in the other issues outlined in this article, it seems to me waiting onboard the ship doesn't add much value while the other problems get worse.

There can be long lines to disembark older ships

I've found older ships have longer lines to disembark the ship than newer ones.

This is partly because older ships tend to start the disembarkation process later than the newest ships. It's also because older ships may be docked at older cruise terminals that aren't as adept at processing more passengers.

As an example, anytime I cruise from Tampa, the earliest it seems disembarkation begins isn't until almost 7:30am.  But on Utopia or Star of the Seas, the gangway is open around 6:30am or earlier.

Truly, I think what time a ship begins allowing guests off the ship plays a major role. The sooner Royal Caribbean can get the line moving, the shorter the line gets.

Ride share costs are lower

If you're taking Uber or Lyft from the cruise port, surge pricing can quickly add to the price.

Surge pricing is a function that occurs when demand for a rideshare starts to outpace demand. This happens at concerts, airports, and cruise terminals.

The first people off the ship typically pay less than those disembarking later when many more passengers are trying to get a ride.

Even if it's just a few dollars cheaper, I'll take it.

Avoid lines in parking garage

If you have your own car, the parking garage can get backed up with other cars trying to leave at the same time.

Luckily, most cruise terminal parking garages require payment upon entry (instead of exit), because that reduces backups to exit the building.  However, too many cars trying to exit at the same time can add to traffic trying to back out of parking spots and down the narrow ramps.

I can make an earlier flight so I can get home sooner

If there's an earlier flight that not only gets me home sooner, but avoids waiting around for hours at the airport, I'll opt for that every single time.

Ideally you want a flight that allows you to disembark the ship, get to the airport, and have just enough time to get through security and get sometime to eat without feeling like you live at the airport.

I've found disembarking the ship earlier often opens up a flight option that would minimize my time spent in the airport.

When I was flying home from my Alaska cruise in Vancouver, there was a morning flight we could make if we hustled off the ship. The alternative was to spend all day in the airport waiting around for the next flight.

Make sure you have enough time to make it to the airport and through security before booking an early flight. Part of this equation is knowing what time you can disembark the ship.

Give me more time for security at airport

In general, the airport gets busier as the day goes on, and that's another good reason to get there early.

As the morning goes on, so do the amount of flights departing and that bring is many more passengers.

I've found the line for airport security is much shorter in the 7am hour, than the 8am hour, and so on.

I would much rather get through security and into a chair somewhere to relax, than have to wait in a long security line and worry about how much longer the experience would be.

One of the questions I get asked most often is, "How are you taking so many Royal Caribbean cruises?"

Over one casino year, we took six Royal Caribbean cruises, stayed in suites we'd never normally book, and brought family and friends along. In total, we spent $9,634 out of pocket. 

How did I do it? The answer is simple: Royal Caribbean's Club Royale. Gambling, while dangerous and addictive, ended up saving my family money because of how we strategically used the casino loyalty program. 

I want to start by saying that everyone's experience will be different. What worked for my husband and me may not work for someone else. Some people lose more money, some lose less, and some walk away ahead. This is simply a look at our experience over the past casino year.

Disclaimer: The casino is not for everyone. This is simply my personal experience with Royal Caribbean's Club Royale program. Gambling is always risky, and the casino is designed to make money. If you have a gambling problem or think you may be developing one, please call The National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER (426-2537).

Understanding the Club Royale Year

The Club Royale casino year runs from April 1st through March 31st of the following year. To reach Prime status, you need to earn 2,500 casino points.

My husband and I primarily play slot machines, where you earn approximately 1 point for every $5 cycled through the machine. That means reaching Prime requires roughly $12,500 in coin-in (money run through the machine).

A common misconception is that you need to spend $12,500 to earn Prime. In reality, the same money can be played over and over again throughout a cruise. Wins are frequently recycled back into the machines, which helps generate points without necessarily spending the full amount out of pocket.

Our 2025-2026 Cruise Year

During one casino year, we sailed on:

• 9 Nights on Liberty of the Seas
• 7 Nights on Star of the Seas
• 7 Nights on Harmony of the Seas (2 cabins)
• 6 Nights on Oasis of the Seas
• 7 Nights on Independence of the Seas (2 cabins)
• 7 Nights on Icon of the Seas (2 cabins)

The extra cabins allowed us to bring family and friends along. For example, on Harmony of the Seas, we brought friends who only paid taxes and fees. On Independence of the Seas, we brought my stepson and mother-in-law, and on Icon of the Seas, we brought another set of friends.

Plus, something many cruisers don't realize is that Club Royale players can sometimes combine offers (subject to availability and terms and conditions).

For example, on our Oasis of the Seas sailing, I had an oceanview offer while my husband had a balcony offer. By working with Club Royale, we were able to upgrade to a Crown Loft Suite and pay only the taxes and fees. That single suite would have cost thousands of dollars if booked outright!

What We Actually Spent 

Casino Losses: $6,329.48

• My total casino loss for the year: $4,698.96
• My husband's total casino loss for the year: $1,630.52

Taxes and Fees: $3,305.34

• Liberty of the Seas: $486.68
• Star of the Seas: $268.34
• Harmony of the Seas (Cabin #1): $279.12
• Harmony of the Seas (Cabin #2): $279.12
• Oasis of the Seas: $305.04
• Independence of the Seas (Cabin #1): $451.36
• Independence of the Seas (Cabin #2): $451.36 
• Icon of the Seas (Cabin #1): $392.16
• Icon of the Seas (Cabin #2): $392.16

Grand Total: $9,634.82

• Total casino losses: $6,329.48
• Total taxes and fees: $3,305.34

Putting the Numbers Into Perspective

To better understand the value of my Club Royale offers, I looked up the retail pricing of just a few of the cruises we sailed:

• Oasis of the Seas Crown Loft Suite: Over $7,500 for two people
• Icon of the Seas: Over $4,000 for two people
• Star of the Seas: Over $5,000 for two people

Those three cruises alone would have cost more than our entire annual out-of-pocket spending through Club Royale. And that's before considering the additional cruises, extra cabins for family and friends, complimentary offers, and other casino benefits.

Is Club Royale Worth It?

For us, the answer is yes. We enjoy spending time in the casino while cruising, and the offers we've received have dramatically reduced the cost of our vacations. 

Not only that, but we've been able to stay in cabins we would never normally book and bring family and friends along for experiences they otherwise might not have had.

That said, gambling is entertainment, not an investment strategy. Never gamble more than you can afford to lose, and never chase losses. The casino can be a fun part of a cruise vacation, but it should never become a financial burden.

My experience is only one example, and your results may be completely different. Some players receive better offers, some receive worse offers, and everyone's gambling habits and luck vary. 

For our family, Club Royale has helped us create incredible memories while spending far less than we would have paid booking the same cruises at retail prices.