Royal Caribbean Blog

The cruise industry as a whole had a great 2024, but Royal Caribbean clearly stood out as having one of its best years ever.

It wasn't too long ago that all the cruise lines were mired in crushing debt, negative profits, and a public perception problem all tied to the events of 2020.

Royal Caribbean's recovery has taken a meteoric path, seeing profits significantly higher than its peers along the way. 

In 2024, the cruise line truly flexed its muscles with a series of new ships, bold strategic moves, and it's counting its winnings all the way to the bank.

CEO reflects on the year

With Christmas approaching, Royal Caribbean CEO Michael Bayley posted on LinkedIn his reflections on Royal Caribbean's meteoric year.

Milestone after milestone, accolade after accolade, Mr. Bayley celebrated a big year for the cruise line and is already looking forward to an even bigger year in 2025.

Talk about an iconic year! Or, was it the utopia of all years? However you look at it, 2024 was an extraordinary year for Royal Caribbean, filled with milestones that underscore our commitment to delivering the absolute ultimate vacations. We kicked the year off with the debut of Icon of the Seas, a first-of-its-kind ship combining record-breaking features for every kind of family and vacationer, with Lionel Messi, the Icon of Icon, headlining its naming celebration. We caught our breath and then debuted, Utopia of the Seas, dubbed The World’s Biggest Weekend℠, offering the ultimate short getaway.

We announced exciting new destinations, including Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in The Bahamas and Royal Beach Club Cozumel in Mexico, offering the ultimate beach day experience with stunning beaches, pools, swim-up bars, and local cultural touches. Plus, we celebrated the opening of Hideaway Beach, the first adults-only hideaway escape on Perfect Day at CocoCay.

We also announced the upcoming glow-up of Allure of the Seas, set to redefine European adventures in 2025, and revealed our plans for Star of the Seas, which will soon join our fleet, doubling the world’s best vacation options from Port Canaveral. AND, we signed an agreement for the fourth Icon Class ship, continuing our legacy of revolutionary experiences.

This year, we also continued our strong partnership with Inter Miami CF, creating memorable experiences for families and fans. Together with Make-A-Wish, we had the privilege of granting the wishes of 23 children, offering them unforgettable adventures on Icon of the Seas and the chance to meet the Inter Miami squad and Lionel Messi.

Our Royal Caribbean team, shoreside and shipboard, has achieved so much this year that I can’t even begin to cover it all. Your dedication and hard work have been the driving force behind our success. To our trusted partners, your collaboration has been invaluable. And to our guests, thank you for letting Royal Caribbean be part of your most cherished memories and adventures. Wishing everyone a joyous holiday season and a spectacular new year!

An Iconic start to the year

The new year had barely begun when Royal Caribbean introduced its game-changing cruise ship to the world.

Icon of the Seas was launched in January 2024 and captured the attention of the world.  

New cruise ships happen frequently, but the amount of hype, interest, and attention that Icon received was unparalleled. The ship generated so much buzz from all corners of the market, that it dwarfed pretty much every other ship launch since.

In April, Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty said the launch of Icon of the Seas was a difference maker, "Our existing fleet along with our new ships continue to perform exceptionally well, highlighted by the market response to the launch of Icon of the Seas, which has exceeded all expectations."

At 250,800 gross registered tons, Icon of the Seas carries 5,610 people on a double-occupancy basis and about 7,600 passengers when every berth is filled. That's in addition to 2,350 crew members. It spans 20 decks and has its own water park onboard.

Icon has gone on to claim all sorts of accolades, along with being a popular choice among cruisers.

The introduction of a second ship

Two new Royal Caribbean ships entered service in 2024, which is out of the ordinary for any cruise line.

Utopia of the Seas began offering cruises in July 2024, and it had a different goal in mind compared to Icon.

Whereas Icon of the Seas redefined what a megaship could be, Royal Caribbean wanted to set a new standard for weekend cruises with Utopia.

Unlike every other new ship, Utopia began with just short weekend cruises. Utopia is meant to be the ultimate short getaway. In addition to all the activities onboard, there are shows, parties, and dance events meant to keep passengers in the right vibe every day of the sailing.

The aim is to deliver to customers what they've been telling the cruise line for years: they want first experiences that create family bonding moments with memories they'll take home and cherish.

Utopia of the Seas measures 236,473 gross tons, making her slightly larger than Wonder of the Seas but not quite as big as Icon of the Seas.

Opening of Hideaway Beach

Tied to the launch of Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean also opened its first adults-only expansion on its private island.

Hideaway Beach at Perfect Day at CocoCay opened this year, giving cruise ship passengers that wanted a break from the family experience.

Available only to guests at least 18 years old, Hideaway Beach has a giant swim-up bar with DJ, sports bar, crescent-shaped beach, new food options, and more.

It addressed a need to have an adult only space, which was one of the most requested attractions.

Revealed a new private beach in Mexico

Royal Caribbean turned a lot of heads when they announced plans to build its biggest private beach experience ever in Mexico.

Perfect Day Mexico will open in 2027 and will completely overhaul the port of Costa Maya.

Similar to Perfect Day at CocoCay, this will be an all-encompassing offering exclusive to Royal Caribbean ship passengers that will include beaches, pools, a waterpark, helium balloon ride, and many more details that have yet to be revealed.

The total project will encompass 90 hectares, with is about 220 acres. That's roughly double the size of Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Expect more details in Spring 2025.

An incredible year for its stock

The proof of how good Royal Caribbean did as a cruise line came in the financial results for the company.

Royal Caribbean Group had just about the best year you could hope for, with double-digit growth and monster revenue numbers.

Each quarter saw the company bringing in billions in revenue:

• First Quarter: $3.7 billion revenue
• Second quarter: $4.1 billion revenue
• Third quarter: $4.9 billion revenue

The company's financial success was driven by strong demand for cruising, supported by both loyal repeat customers and an increasing number of first-time travelers. Consumer spending onboard, was also a major factor, driving their numbers even higher.

Royal Caribbean (RCL) shares have soared all year long, closing at $240.30 per share before the holiday break.

Royal Caribbean has cancelled more scheduled visits to San Juan, Puerto Rico on one of its largest cruise ships, and cruisers are not happy.

Symphony of the Seas - measuring at 228,081 gross registered tons - was scheduled to visit San Juan on the two upcoming voyages, including the December 28, 2024 and January 12, 2025 sailings. However, due to ongoing construction at the pier, large cruise ships have been unable to dock for months in the capital city.

Cruisers sailing on both itineraries were alerted recently about itinerary changes because the Oasis class ship is still unable to dock in San Juan. However, both itineraries have been significantly altered due to the port change.

For the December 28 sailing, guests received the following email from Royal Caribbean:

“We wanted to inform you about some changes to your upcoming cruise. Due to ongoing construction at the pier in San Juan, the port authority has advised us that the port will not be ready in time for our visit. We understand how important each destination is to your vacation, so we have worked diligently to find the best alternatives for you.”

The 7-night itinerary will visit Perfect Day at Coco Cay as planned, but visits to St. Maarten and San Juan are cancelled. Instead of visiting San Juan, Puerto Rico, the revised itinerary has Symphony of the Seas will now be visiting Labadee, Haiti.

As one of Royal Caribbean’s private destinations, Labadee was recently reopened following violence in the country this year. The cruise line suspending visits to Labadee when tension began to rise in the spring; however, the private destination’s location is completely operated by the cruise line.

Royal Caribbean also added a new port stop in Nassau, Bahamas on the December 28, 2024 sailing, which will replace one of the sea days.

In addition, vacationers on the January 12, 2025 sailing onboard Symphony of the Seas received a similar email from Royal Caribbean about itinerary changes. The 7-night Eastern Caribbean sailing was meant to visit San Juan, Puerto Rico on January 15, 2025.

The Oasis class vessel was scheduled to visit Perfect Day at CocoCay and Phillipsburg, St. Maarten on a roundtrip itinerary from Miami, Florida. However, the continuous issues with San Juan have caused the cruise line to revise this itinerary too.

Guests booked on the impacted itinerary were told the cruise would no longer sail an Eastern Caribbean itinerary. Although Symphony of the Seas will visit Perfect Day at CocoCay as planned on January 13, 2024, the rest of the port visits are altered.

Instead of visiting Puerto Rico, the ship will now dock in Labadee, Haiti. Additionally, the new itinerary features a port visit to Falmouth, Jamaica instead of St. Maarten. The remaining two sea days on the itinerary remain unchanged. Symphony of the Seas will return to Miami, Florida as scheduled.

Ongoing issues docking in San Juan, Puerto Rico

Prior to these recent changes, Royal Caribbean also adjusted Symphony of the Seas’ itineraries in December that were meant to dock in San Juan. Sailings throughout November and December were also altered significantly to replace San Juan, Puerto Rico because of the pier issues that persist.

Unfortunately, there is no end in sight for the port cancellations in Puerto Rico due to “technical issues” with San Juan’s pier.

Royal Caribbean explained in communication earlier this month, “We’ve recently been advised by the port authority in San Juan, Puerto Rico, that due to technical issues with the pier and the work that must be done and cleared by the United States Coast Guard for accepting a ship our size, we’ll have to adjust our itinerary for our sailing.”

Currently, there is no timeline for when the pier will be completed. The dock is located in San Juan’s old town, making it one of the more popular destinations for cruisers in the Caribbean. Neither the Port Authority in San Juan nor Royal Caribbean have stated when the pier will be cleared for larger vessels, indicating the pier might not be fixed for some time.

According to local reports from elnuevodia, San Juan’s Pier 3 was damaged by MSC Meraviglia in April 2024. This forced the port to close down the west side of the facility until further notice because of the extensive damage to the pier. Neither Royal Caribbean nor the Port of San Juan have confirmed the pier damage by MSC Meraviglia.

Luckily, San Juan has two docks for cruise ships to use. Smaller ships are able to use the Pan America pier; however, Oasis class ships are only able to use the damaged pier due to the large size. As such, Royal Caribbean is technically at the mercy of San Juan to repair the damaged pier before they can resume normal operations.

Disappointment and frustration from many impacted cruisers

Although Royal Caribbean is technically not responsible for the damaged pier repairs, many cruisers are frustrated by the continued last-minute changes. The repeated itinerary adjustments are disappointing for most cruisers scheduled to vacation on Symphony of the Seas.

Cruisers impacted by the sailing have taken to social media to voice their frustrations, including a thread on Reddit and forum post on Royal Caribbean Blog.

In particular, some have expressed their dismay with Royal Caribbean choosing to replace San Juan, Puerto Rico with less-desired ports. For example, the U.S. State Department has Haiti as a “Level 4: Do Not Travel” advisory for the region. Others are not pleased with the elimination of St. Maarten for Falmouth, Jamaica.

“Skipping St. Maarten for Jamaica, Haiti and Nassau would make me cranky,” commented one user on Reddit.

Others found the wording of the communication comical considering the political unrest in Haiti. “[Haiti is] so stunning that there are armed guards who stop you from leaving the private port,” responded one commenter.

“Telling us that being diverted to Haiti (during a level 4 do not travel advisory) is suddenly safe is an insult. RC stopped visiting Labadee in March, 2024… but now 'the safety and security of our guest remains our main priority' — and just like that it’s safe again?” commented one frustrated cruiser.

“Ugh. Nassau and Falmouth in exchange for San Juan and St. Martin? That’s the downgrade of downgrades,” responded another user.

“Love how they try to make roses out of turds,” exclaimed one responder.

Others are frustrated by Royal Caribbean’s lack of planning considering the ongoing issue, especially considering the cruise line continues to advertise Oasis class cruises visiting San Juan in early 2025:

“RCCL continues to look bad on this issue. They have to know the pier issue is going to take time to get back to operations that support Oasis class ships. Rhapsody docked just fine this morning. Highly recommend the itinerary she is running right now.”

The poster replied, “Definitely knew, feels like a bait and switch to private islands. The money grab from Covid downtime is so very apparent. At least try to substitute with another eastern island.”

Which Royal Caribbean ships are impacted?

Reports of issues with docking in San Juan, Puerto Rico were reported by Royal Caribbean cruisers as early as April 2024. Guests sailing on Wonder of the Seas reported the captain chose to divert the ship from San Juan and Dominican Republic to visit St. Thomas and St. Maarten instead. At the time, guests were told the pier was damaged by an MSC ship and Oasis class ships could not dock.

After the diversion of Wonder of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas has faced the greatest impact. Since the spring, every itinerary that included a stop in San Juan has been modified.

Looking ahead to next year, Symphony of the Seas has planned visits to San Juan, Puerto Rico, throughout early 2025. While January itineraries have already been modified, no updates have been shared regarding changes to additional sailings. If the pier’s repair timeline remains unclear and adjustments continue, more itineraries could be affected.

For instance, Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas, a Quantum class ship measuring 167,000 gross registered tons, is also scheduled to visit San Juan on January 30, 2025. Currently, this sailing has not been impacted.

Finally, Rhapsody of the Seas is home-ported in San Juan and sails roundtrip itineraries from the capital city to the Southern Caribbean. Because Rhapsody of the Seas is one of the cruise line’s smallest ship, the vessel operates at the alternative San Juan dock. Therefore, the Vision class ship has not been impacted and continues to operate as scheduled. 

Are impacted cruisers receiving compensation?

Even with the adjusted sailings, cruisers on impacted itineraries are not being offered the opportunity to cancel for a refund. This has created additional frustration for vacationers who are visiting ports of call they did not originally plan to visit. 

"They sold and marketed this New Years Holiday Cruise as an Eastern Caribbean itinerary knowing that it was unlikely that the San Juan port would be fixed,” argued another cruiser online.

Itinerary changes are not uncommon in the cruise industry, especially for weather-related changes. However, because cruise lines have the power to make itinerary changes as needed for any reason, guests are not currently being offered any sort of refund or compensation for the change.

For previous itinerary changes caused by the pier issues in San Juan, Royal Caribbean announced that guests would automatically be refunded to their original form of payment for any prepaid excursions at the canceled ports. Additionally, new excursions will likely be offered through Royal Caribbean for ports of call in Falmouth (Jamaica), Nassau (Bahamas) and Labadee (Haiti). 

I love a good cruise deal, but sometimes splurging and staying in a suite is the way to go while on a cruise.

Royal Caribbean has many kinds of suites, but the ones that always capture people's attention are their signature Star Class suites on its biggest ships.

In 2024, I had the chance to review three giant cruise ship suites: Royal Loft Suite, Aquatheater Suite, and the Ultimate Family Suite.

I paid an average of around $4,000 - $5,000 per night for these suites, making them far from a cheap deal.

Each suite was indeed massive, but I think everyone expects that.  What truly stood out about these rooms were some of the surprises I didn't expect with these sort of suites. They may not be the top reasons to book them, but I think they make a difference.

Being escorted through check-in made me feel like a VIP

All suite guests have their own line for check-in at a cruise terminal, but when you book a Star Class room, you get escorted inside.

There's a special meet area for Star Class guests, where you drop off your luggage. You don't need to print out the regular luggage tags, because Star Class guests get their own luggage tags added on the spot.  In fact, your luggage is taken onboard the ship by a specific porter just for Star Class guests, so that means no waiting around for your bags to arrive.

The agent then escorts your group into the cruise terminal and through security and check-in.  They find the shortest lines and get you moving as quickly as possible.

Royal Caribbean's check-in process is already very fast, but as you whizz past everyone, it's a surreal feeling getting the most exclusive service even before the cruise begins

I loved being able to my suite as soon as I boarded the ship

No matter which cruise I go on, I always want to board the ship as quickly as possible.

A loyal Royal Caribbean Blog reader, (and long-time suffering Vols fan) Michael Poole, once reminded me you can either wait at the hotel room or the cruise terminal, so may as well get there early.  With Star Class, this even more important.

Your Royal Genie will take you right to your suite as soon as you board the ship.

This means you can not only drop off your things in the room, but get to start enjoying the suite you paid a lot of money for in the first place.

Having early access to your suite before other cabins are ready is a treat, and it's great for entertaining friends.  I invited friends up to the suite immediately to hang out and get the cruise fun started.

Even if you're not looking to invite anyone, being in the room early means you could nap, enjoy the amenities within the cabin, or just have a quieter start to your cruise.

The special SeaPass card got attention of crew members

When you go around the ship and flash your Star Class card, crew members take notice.

Like all things with being in Star Class, it's easier, and when you show your SeaPass card at the theater, order a drink at a bar, or borrow towels at the pool deck, you're almost always just waived through.

It's not only easier, but it speeds things up.

I didn't expect the exclusive suite entrance to be quieter

In the case of the Royal Loft Suite on Wonder of the Seas and Ultimate Family Suite on Utopia of the Seas, there is a dedicated entrance.

At first, I thought having these special glass doors to get to my suite was more of a vanity thing.  I joked it was a way to keep my friends' kids out.

As it turned out, the real benefit of not having a suite on a shared hallway is you hear no noise at all from outside your suite.

I don't think hallway noise is a big deal to begin with (especially on the suite deck), but after a day or so I really started to notice I heard nothing from outside our room.  In other cabins, you'll occasionally hear someone talking loudly, running, or some sort of commotion.  

The exclusivity of being in one of these giant suites really stands out.

I didn't think I'd use the hot tub more than the kids did

Two of the suites I stayed in had their own hot tub, but I probably spent more time in there than my kids.

Like many children, my kids like to do something to say they've done and then move onto the next thing.  This was the case with the hot tub too.

The best times to enjoy the hot tub are when the ship is sailing in or out of a port, at night, or if there's a sunset in view.

I don't usually hit the pools and hot tubs on the cruise ship's main deck because of how crowded they can be, so it was nice having my own and it's definitely an added bonus.

One of the biggest surprises was how much time the kids preferred to be in the suite

Royal Caribbean is known for offering so much to do on its ships, but my kids tended to hang out in the suite more than when we are in other kinds of cabins.

I certainly don't blame them for wanting to enjoy what the suite offered, but many times they just wanted to have dinner delivered to the suite and watch TV, call their friends, or enjoy the entertainment in the suite.

The kids were glued to the game table in the Ultimate Family Suite, which has all sorts of multi-player games to try.

Plus, they liked being able to stay in the PJs and not bother getting dressed up for dinner and have their meal brought to the suite.  One of the best benefits of being in Star Class is you can have room service deliver food from the Main Dining Room or Specialty Restaurants to your suite.

As a parent, I liked knowing they weren't roaming the ship, and I didn't mind being able to go to dinner with just my wife.  Date nights are a rare commodity when you have kids, so it was a nice benefit I didn't count on.

When Royal Caribbean resumed cruises following the COVID pandemic, the cruise giant introduced e-muster drills that effectively replaced the traditional, in-person muster drills. While this move has allowed for a more efficient, less crowded process, the creator of the digital e-muster argues the true potential of the invention has yet to be realized. 

Gone are the days when Royal Caribbean passengers had to cram together in designated muster stations while listening to safety demonstrations. With the introduction of e-muster drills, passengers can complete their safety briefing at their convenience without worrying about baking in the warm Florida sun. 

Rather than listen to a crew member relay important safety information, passengers can watch a brief video and listen to the emergency alarm on their mobile app or stateroom television before heading to their assigned muster station to check in with the ship's crew within a specific time frame after embarkation. 

Before sail away, a few more announcements are made over the public address system, and the emergency alarm is sounded. However, guests are not required to report to their muster stations and may continue to lounge by the pool, explore the ship, or unpack. 

The digital approach was conceived before the pandemic to help better inform cruisers about essential information. Ensuring guests absorbed the safety information during traditional muster drills when crammed together like sardines was difficult. 

Not only that but the old muster drill was painstaking for parties with young children and elderly cruisers who often require extra assistance when navigating to their assigned assembly stations. 

The completion of the muster drill is required by maritime law. If you choose to not watch the required videos or show up to your assembly station before sail away, your name and stateroom number will be given to crew members who will track you down. 

In short, don't be that person. The sooner you complete the drill, the sooner you can get back to enjoying the first day of your cruise vacation. 

Read more: Years after Royal Caribbean revolutionized the cruise ship safety drill, it's still the best change in the industry

The e-muster is designed to be 100% digital

Nick Weir, the former Head of Entertainment for Royal Caribbean International, was the visionary behind the e-muster concept. However, he says there's room for improvement to make the process even more efficient. 

"The use of geolocation technology in combination with personal devices and/or wearables, is actually the main event of my big idea. By installing a network of locator beacons around each muster station (similar to the system that is being used to locate and guide the indoor drone swarms that I introduced to Royal Caribbean’s production shows), guests would be able to participate in the eMuster process without the need for crew participation," he explains in an X post. 

What does this mean? Instead of requiring tons of crew members to be positioned at muster stations on embarkation day, the digital muster system would leverage guests' personal devices to automatically track and confirm their presence. 

The abstract of the patent, which was filed on March 3, 2020, reads: 

"During the period, as each mobile device is sensed within a geographically defined area of a correspondingly assigned muster station, a record of the completion of the muster drill by the passenger associated with the sensed mobile device is recorded in the memory."

"These steps can be performed digitally," Weir continues, "The arrival of a guest at their muster station can be tracked, geolocated and confirmed automatically, without the need for deploying dozens of crew members to do the [time-consuming], repetitive manual work, standing on their feet all day." 

The overall plan still includes one crew member at each station to "tie up any loose ends" and answer questions. First-time cruisers may have extra concerns they want to address before departing, so it makes sense to have a trained crew member available to provide reassurance. However, their presence would likely be phased out as society evolves and technology improves. 

"The function of eMuster—as I intended when I created it—is for it to be a fully digital, fully automated system and fully in line with the norms of modern society," he says. 

Weir adds that there's the possibility of the guests' presence at their muster stations being confirmed using facial recognition. This would benefit passengers without mobile devices or families with younger children. However, this part of the patent needs to be developed.

One of the most popular Caribbean destinations will be increasing port fees for cruise passengers in 2025.

During a public hearing on December 17, 2024, the Virgin Islands Port Authority announced that cruise ship fees in the St. Thomas–St. John district will increase across three separate categories. Along with higher port dues, guests will also face increased wharfage fees in 2025. 

According to the Virgin Islands Port Authority, generated revenue from the higher cruise fees will support necessary dredging and marine operations next year. Technically, the Virgin Island Port Authority is responsible for harbor dredging in St. Thomas, but currently lacks the financial resources to complete the project. Therefore, the increased port fees for cruise ship passengers are necessary to ensure vessels can safely dock and navigate the harbor. 

To raise funds, port dues for the St. Thomas - St. John district in U.S. Virgin Islands will be increasing by $3 for each cruise passenger. This means port fees will increase from $6.84 to $9.84 per person, which will be used to directly fund the Charlotte Amalie Harbor Dredging Project. The higher port fee will go into effect by April 1, 2025 for cruise ship guests.

The dredging project will help support larger vessels at the St. Thomas cruise port and allow for improved navigation for vessels. The Charolette Amalie Dredging Project will take approximately two years and is expected to be completed sometime in 2026.

According to NOAA’s National Ocean Service, dredging involves the removal of silt and debris from the bottom of harbors to increase the water depth. “It is a routine necessity in waterways around the world because sedimentation—the natural process of sand and silt washing downstream—gradually fills channels and harbors,” explains NOAA.

Wharfage fee increases begin in January 2025

In addition to hiked port dues, the island is planning to increase wharfage fees for cruise ship passengers starting as early as January 1, 2025. 

According to the Virgin Islands Port Authority, the increased wharfage fees will be used to support marine operations and maintain docking facilities. All cruise ships docking in the district will be subject to the increased wharfage fees.

Cruise ships visiting the West Indian Company Dock (WICO) will increase port fees by $0.44 on January 1, 2025. The new fees will increase from $7.80 per person to $8.24 for the WICO dock. Ships that dock at Crown Bay in St. John will pay the same higher fee in 2025, but this change will not go into effect until April 1, 2025.

The wharfage fees will be collected by the West Indian Company (WICO) or the Virgin Islands Port Authority depending on the ship’s docking location. For ships docking at the West Indian Company Dock in Havensight, WICO will collect the fee. On the other hand, the Port Authority plans to collect the fees for ships docking at the Austin ‘Babe’ Monsanto Marine Terminal in Crown Bay and on St. John.

Cruise ship passengers already pay a $1 marine tax for visiting St. Thomas, which remains unchanged in 2025. It’s also important to note that St. Croix will not impose tariffs to cruise ships entering the district. Currently, St. Croix charges a port fee of $3.45 and $3.55 wharfage fee per person.

Why the Virgin Islands Port Authority is increasing fees

St. Thomas is one of the most popular cruise destinations for Eastern Caribbean itineraries. Most of the major cruise lines visit the island year round, including some of the industry’s newest and biggest cruise ships. For example, Royal Caribbean’s brand-new Icon of the Seas regularly visits St. Thomas on its Eastern Caribbean & Perfect Day itinerary.

According to a local report from St. Thomas, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line requested the harbor to be dredged to 40 feet deep in the port’s main channel. This will allow the port to accommodate larger vessels and maintain St. Thomas’ competitiveness for cruise lines as one of the top destinations.

However, no dedicated funding was initially allocated to complete the dredging project. While the U.S. Virgin Islands government has provided approximately $17 million for the effort, this amount falls short of the total required funding. As a result, the increased cruise ship fees will only partially cover the project’s costs.

Local reports indicate that some stakeholders and businesses have voiced concerns about raising port dues for the project, fearing that the higher fees might discourage ships from docking in the district altogether. However, the Virgin Islands Port Authority emphasized that the dredging project is essential for ensuring the long-term sustainability of port operations and accommodating larger cruise ships in the future.

The public information officer for the port authority stated in a released statement, “This significant development will ensure improved access and navigability for cruise traffic, benefiting the local economy and supporting continued growth and development in the region.”

The Virgin Islands Port Authority has also emphasized that cruise ship operations should not be impacted by the dredging projects. With careful coordination, the project should be complete while cruise ship operations continue as scheduled. The port authority is also addressing environmental considerations with the project, such as relocating coral and a historic shipwreck.

Additionally, cruise ships visits are expected to increase by nearly 20% in 2025. With more passengers visiting the Virgin Islands than ever, improved infrastructure and routine maintenance are necessary to ensure smooth operations. 

Theoretically, guests could be subject to multiple fee increases if their itinerary docks at both St. Thomas and St. John. This would include the increased port dues, along with higher wharfage fees for visiting both docks.

Other Caribbean destinations raising fees

Rising port taxes have been a hot topic recently for destinations throughout the Caribbean. Just recently, Mexico announced a new tax that was scheduled to begin in early 2025. The immigration tax would be known as the “Non-Resident Fee."

At $42 per person, the significant fee increase for visiting Mexican ports was highly criticized by the cruise lines. In addition, critics questioned why more than two-thirds of the expected revenue from the tax would be allocated to the Mexican Army. Instead, many argued the revenue should be used to maintain port facilities, harbor infrastructure and general port operations.

“If this measure is implemented, it would make Mexican ports of call among the most expensive in the world, severely affecting their competitiveness with other Caribbean destinations,” the Mexican Association of Shipping Agents said in response to the tax.

Other critics included the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), a not-for-profit trade organization that currently represents 23 different cruise lines. The association expressed concerns on behalf of the cruise lines to the Mexican president in a letter, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC Cruises.

According to a local news source, the FCCA stated that cruise lines were already considering itinerary adjustments to avoid Mexican ports because of anticipated costs increasing. Nearly 10 million passengers could be deterred from visiting the Caribbean destination over the increased cost, explained the association.

Mexico relies heavily on tourism for its economy, including multiple cruise ports across the region. With the new tax implications, the FCCA warned that massive investments from the cruise lines could be at risk. Notably, Royal Caribbean is planning to build Perfect Day Mexico at the Costa Maya port as its next private destination in the Caribbean. The massive investment is scheduled to be complete in 2027.

The significant pushback from the cruise industry caused the Mexican government to defer the new tax by six months. Now, the Non-Resident Fee is scheduled to go into effect on July 1, 2025.

As a frequent cruiser, I stay in many types of cabins, but balcony rooms tend to be the most common choice I make.

I tend to book balcony rooms the most because they offer a great balance of space, amenities, and price. They aren't the cheapest option, but usually a balcony is a reasonably higher cost compared to interior cabins.

This year, I stayed in a balcony cabin on five different Royal Caribbean ships: Liberty of the Seas, Utopia of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Icon of the Seas, and Mariner of the Seas.  

In the case of Utopia of the Seas, I actually stayed in two different balcony rooms on separate sailings.

Here's how the spaces stacked up — and which cruise room I liked best for its excellent value.

My balcony room on Liberty of the Seas was all the way forward

In June, I booked connecting balcony cabins at the very front of Liberty of the Seas.

This was a 5-night cruise to Bermuda that I took my family on after my kids finished their school year. Because our schools finish up before Memorial Day weekend, we're able to hop on a summer cruise before the summer season rush starts.

Each cabin was a category 3B Spacious Ocean View Balcony room, with a cost of $4,296.98 per cabin.  

I was able to get one room for free because it was offered to me by Royal Caribbean's Crown and Anchor Society as a reward for reaching Pinnacle Club status.

I liked the fact these rooms were spacious balcony rooms, which meant they had more living space so there was less shuffling.  

Plus, booking two connecting cabins is still one of my favorite family cruise hacks for saving money (and sanity).

Liberty of the Seas is a middle-aged cruise ship, so the aesthetics of the cabin are not going to wow anyone, but it's certainly quite functional.

The downside to this cabin was it was all the way forward.  It gave us great views from our balcony, but it meant a longer walk back and forth between the room and other places on the ship. Plus, cabins all the way forward can be more susceptible to motion.

I stayed in two balcony rooms on Utopia of the Seas

Royal Caribbean launched two new cruise ships in 2024, Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas.

I ended up sailing on Utopia six times in 2024, with two of those sailings in an oceanview balcony.

The first time was a media preview sailing, in which Royal Caribbean invited me to sail as their guest prior to the ship's launch.

For this short 3-night weekend cruise, I had a category 1C cabin that was midship.

One thing you'll notice on a brand new ship is how modern everything looks.

Storage space on Royal Caribbean's newer Oasis Class ships always stands out to me, because there is so much of it. 

Compared to older Oasis Class ships, the cruise line figured out how to add so much more storage options inside it. On both sides of the couch is a closet. One closet was wide open and contained 20 hangers to hang up dresses or suits. It's even big enough to store your suitcase, backpack, and other luggage.

The second closet had five shelves along with a safe to store valuables.

Another tremendous upgrade within cabins on a new ship are how many USB outlets there are.

There's USB outlets on both sides of the bed, along with USB and power outlets elsewhere in the cabin.  This is so helpful for families and it means less reliance on having to remember to pack an outlet extender.

In October, I went back on Utopia again in a category 4D Ocean View Balcony cabin.

This cabin was "free" in the sense I got it through Royal Caribbean's casino program.  Essentially, I gambled enough money on a previous sailing to qualify for a free balcony offer.

All I had to pay were the taxes and fees, which came out to 312.94 per room.

Just like on Liberty of the Seas, I booked two connecting balcony rooms (my wife and I both qualified for a casino offer on this sailing).

I'm not sure you can really tell a difference between the ocean view balcony cabins between my two sailings other than location. 

My next cabin was on Anthem of the Seas in Europe

In August 2024, I sailed alone in a balcony cabin on Anthem of the Seas from Southampton, UK on a 7-night cruise to France and Spain.

I stayed in a category 4D ocean view balcony that cost me $2,822.55. 

You might be wondering why I went for a balcony if it was just me in the room, and there are two reasons why I went with a balcony.

First, the price was good. This balcony cost me almost half as much as the balcony on Liberty of the Seas, and this sailing had two more nights.

Second, because the scenery in Europe is so different to me, I valued being able to easily see my surroundings.  This was especially true for sailing in and sail away, when there was a lot to enjoy.

Also, the weather in Europe was quite mild, so I really enjoyed being able to use my laptop from the balcony and do some work while enjoying temperate weather.

Even though Anthem is about 10 years old, I think the room looks quite up to date with its modern touches.

There are USB outlets around the cabin, and lots of storage too.  While Royal Caribbean may have tweaked options more with its newer ships, I don't think you'll be at a disadvantage with the amenities of a Quantum Class ship.

At 55 square feet, the balcony is average for a Quantum class ship and it has enough room for two chairs and a table.  It's enough space for two people to comfortably enjoy the view and ocean air.

I spent 3 nights in a balcony on the brand new Icon of the Seas

Just like Utopia, Royal Caribbean invited me to stay in a balcony room on Icon of the Seas when she debuted.

Being a brand new ship, you come to expect a beautiful cabin with modern touches. There were the most USB outlets I've seen on any Royal Caribbean ship, but there were two changes that stood out about a balcony room on Icon.

The first change was adding a seat in the shower.

I have never seen a cruise ship shower with a seat before, so this is very unique to Icon of the Seas. 

I also appreciated the size of the shower, as cruise cabin showers have been notoriously small in older ship designs.

The other change that I didn't love as much was the shift from drawers to baskets in some areas.

There are baskets in one of the storage areas, and I can't say I thought it was a good idea.

They didn’t seem to fit well in the shelves: they were heavy and slid harshly over the wood below. They didn’t slide as easily as a drawer, and I had to pull them all the way out if I wanted to get an item out of the basket.

Of course, baskets are not a deal breaker when it comes to a balcony room.  

If I had to pick a winner, I'd say my balcony on Mariner of the Seas felt like the best bang for my buck

The first cruise I took in 2024 I think ended up being the best dollar-for-dollar value.

While still on winter break, I took the family on a 5 night Western Caribbean & Perfect Day on Mariner of the Seas.

Once again, I booked two connecting balcony cabins. The total for two balcony cabins was $3,864.28, making each cabin less than $2,000 each.

Mariner is similar to Liberty of the Seas in age, but unlike Liberty, Royal Caribbean added significant updates to the ship more recently.

Unfortunately, the cabins weren't updated. Royal Caribbean rarely, if ever, updates cabins as part of its ship refurbishments.

Nonetheless, I think the price is perfect for a ship like this.  

I think most cruisers are willing to overlook the curtain color, bathroom motif, and lack of USB plugs if the price is right.

I strongly considered Anthem of the Seas for the best value, but because I had to also think about airfare and other costs of a European cruise, I had to give the edge to Mariner.

With 2024 coming to a close, I can't help but look back on a great year of cruises.

In 2024, I took 16 Royal Caribbean cruises and 1 Celebrity Cruise. It was a busy year, and I'm incredibly lucky to be able to have taken the most cruises I've ever had in a single calendar year.

In reflecting back on these sailings, I wanted to handpick the five best moments of the year for me, and why these sailings stood out.

Here are my favorite travel experiences of the year.

Visiting Spain & France for the first time

I was able to go back to Europe after taking my first European cruise in 2023, and this time it was to ports in Northern France and Spain.

While this might not have been the most exotic European itinerary, I relished it because I always wanted to visit France. I studied French for many years in school, and I was fascinated by the opportunity to try out my skills.

My cruise visited Bordeaux and Paris, although both cities required a multi-hour bus ride to get there. While the bus rides were as dull as you probably expected, the opportunity was worth it.  

I might not sit on a bus for as long as I did again to visit these places, but to be able to say I've been to both was totally worth it.

The surprise for me was how much I enjoyed Spain.  I visited La Coruna and Bilbao, and each had its own charm, history, and appeal. 

I think I preferred Bilbao a little bit more because of its natural beauty, history, and terrific food. Nonetheless, it was a great experience to explore each city, and I didn't have to sit on a bus for either one!

My eyes were opened to the possibilities of a European cruise last year when I went to Norway, but now I really see just how incredible it can be to mix things up and get out there.

I loved going to Europe so much that I'm already planning to return in 2025 (and I'm inviting you to join me for it!).

Getting to see Icon of the Seas

There's no question Icon of the Seas the ship of the year, and when Icon launched in January, it was an amazing moment.

The lead up to Icon last year brought a great deal of attention and intrigue. Royal Caribbean had put so much work into this brand new ship that they generated a lot of hype to go with it.

I think, the ship lived up to the hype and when I stepped onboard in January 2024, I was so impressed by this next evolution in ship design.

A new ship is exciting for just about anyone, but it's rare to get a brand new cruise ship class that attempts to set a new standard. Certainly, Royal Caribbean had high ambitions with Icon, and I couldn't get enough of the ship. I went on a couple of the preview sailings, and then the inaugural cruise, followed by a group cruise with friends and family.

What I especially like about Icon is the flow of passengers that really addresses minimizing crowds. I'm not saying there aren't lines or crowds, but their impact on your vacation seems to be the least of any cruise ship I've been on.

Plus, you can see where Royal Caribbean put a lot of energy into new offerings. An incredible culinary experience, new entertainment options, and arguably the best laid out pool deck in the fleet.

The proof for me is that while I got to sail on many more ships in the months since I went on Icon, I always judged each of those against Icon.

Staying in the Ultimate Family Suite

I couldn't believe I was actually staying in a suite I thought I'd have the opportunity to be in, but I took my family for a weekend cruise in the Ultimate Family Suite on Utopia of the Seas.

I had toured this sort of suite on other ships, but the price is as crazy high as you probably can imagine. So I didn't think it was possible until my wife and I got creative with the cruise dates.

Sometimes if you book early and look around a lot, you can find better prices on a particular cruise. I hesitate to call it a deal considering the room cost $12,000, but it was a better price than average for this kind of a room.

Besides the price, I was concerned the suite would have a novelty factor that ran out quickly.  I thought after a couple of hours, the suite would be underwhelming when you look past all the glitzy elements.

The truth is it's a giant suite with just about the best comfort qualities you can find in a room. You can entertain really well in it, and as the name implies, my kids absolutely loved hanging out in the cabin.

Add onto it the VIP privileges with the Royal Genie and access to Thrill Waterpark, and it's a heck of an experience.

I don't have any cruises booked in any of the Ultimate Family Suites or Townhouses that Royal Caribbean has, so whether or not I ever stay in another kind of these rooms, I can safely say this first time was an incredible experience.

Chartering a catamaran in Bermuda

I took my family on a quick 5-night cruise to Bermuda in the summer, and the highlight was what we did on the first night in Bermuda.

Leading up to the cruise, we didn't book any tours.  We assumed we'd just take the ferry to Hamilton and the bus to the beach.  

While we did explore Hamilton as planned, I found a last-minute catamaran rental opportunity for a sunset ride and swim.

The 3-hour catamaran charter was just for my family, and it was the perfect way to see Bermuda's beauty.

We started out going around the island and sailing past the coastline. There were bean bags at the front where we could sit and enjoy the view as the sun started to set.

We then got to feed a school of fish that lived near a ship wreck, and then it was off to a pristine cove for swimming.

Our captain then took us to the perfect spot for a beautiful unobstructed sunset that will probably be the source of family photos we will look back on fondly for decades.

It may not have been the cheapest excursion option, but darn if it didn't create amazing memories for my family.

Three new dining experiences

In addition to launching two new cruise ships in 2024, Royal Caribbean also introduced three new dining experiences.

According to Royal Caribbean's internal research, food is one of the top two reasons anyone books a cruise. So upping their restaurant choices is a major priority for the cruise line.

Three restaurants were added in 2024: Izumi Omakase, Empire Supper Club, and Royal Railway Utopia Station.

Each of was incredibly different from the other.

Empire Supper Club is a glitzy themed meal that incorporates high quality food, live entertainment, and cocktail pairings.

It's the best date night offering I've ever found on a cruise ship, and I think the level of thought that went into typing the music, food, and beverages together is why I love cruises so much.

Royal Railway was perhaps the most hotly anticipated new restaurant I can recall on a cruise ship, and it's because of how innovative this idea is.

Royal Railway Utopia Station makes you feel like you're on a classic train having dinner. There's a story element that appeals to parents and kids alike, and an all-new menu.

In total, I tried it three times this year and I think it's a fantastic memory maker for families. The sort of activity that you'll be talking about when you get home after the cruise.

I really don't think it's "just another specialty restaurant" because it has much higher ambitions. Once Royal Caribbean rolls out subsequent themes to it, then the true power of what it can do will be apparent, and I think that's when Royal Railway will be more than just "the train restaurant".

Finally, we have Izumi Omakase on Utopia of the Seas. I had never tried a chef-driven meal like this, but I think it's the perfect option for Japanese fans.

First and foremost, it's not just more sushi. The biggest surprise for me was how little sushi there was in this meal.

There are eight courses with impeccable service to go along with it. There was was nothing on the menu I didn't like, and I discovered a couple of new favorites, such as the miso broiled cod.

These new restaurants prove the appeal of a cruise vacation in that it makes things approachable, convenient, and most importantly, fun.

Merry Christmas! The holidays are here, and so is our weekly round up of this week's Royal Caribbean news.

The big Royal Caribbean news this week centered around a passenger that died soon after being detained for chaotic incident caught on video.

The man allegedly attacked two crew members aboard the Navigator of the Seas and was attempting to kick down a door to a towel room.

According to the man's family, he died shortly after being detained by ship security.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean quietly adds new surcharges to its most expensive suite program
• Royal Caribbean cruisers are getting accidentally hit with a fee. What I do every cruise to avoid it
• Video: Cruise Ship Medical Evacuation 40 Miles From Shore
• I went on a Royal Caribbean ship that is a cult favorite among cruisers to see why they liked it so much
• I spent 70 days on Royal Caribbean cruise ships this year. Here are 6 things I always do onboard
• Why every hardcore Royal Caribbean fan will be on Utopia of the Seas on September 22
• Dancer reveals her tiny crew-only cabin she lives in on a cruise ship
• Royal Caribbean updates: How to ban yourself from the casino, Beach club construction photos and more
• I paid $100 for a specialty restaurant on Royal Caribbean. It was pricey, but I loved the food

Video: 5 big changes coming to Royal Caribbean in 2025

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 — 5 big changes coming to Royal Caribbean in 2025 — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 552nd episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, with a first-timer's guide to Star Class.

Royal Caribbean's top tier suite program offers a tantalizing amount of service and choices well above anything else you can find on its ships.  So how can you properly take advantage of it all?

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

A $11,000 suite on Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas

Want to experience a mega suite with equally impressive amenities?

The two bedroom AquaTheater Suite on Utopia of the Seas is the least expensive Star Class cabin you'll find, and Jenna got to try it out for the first time.

It has two full bedrooms and bathrooms, along with the biggest cruise ship balcony you've probably ever seen.

Crew member reported overboard from Royal Caribbean ship

Passengers on Vision of the Seas reported a rescue effort to locate a crew member that went overboard.

Reports from the ship indicate the crew attempted to locate the person in the ocean, but search efforts were unsuccessful.

A ship-wide announcement was made to alert crew that someone had gone overboard.  Later, the Captain informed guests it had been a crew member.

Royal Caribbean passenger refused to pay for expensive medication after a severe allergic reaction

A woman complained on TikTok about how much she was charged for medicine on a ship after suffering an allergic reaction.

The woman went to her ship's medical center to get treatment, but balked at a cost of $390 for Benadryl.

She refused to pay it, and her story triggered hundreds of comments from cruisers who reacted to her experience.

6 places I avoid on a cruise ship

Matt goes on lots of cruises, but realized he tends to skip a few venues all the time.

Sometimes these areas he doesn't go to are a matter of personal preference, while other times he thinks it's a mistake to go there.

Everyone has their own cruising style, and it's easy to overlook an area or simply run out of time to get there too.

A cruise ship is my favorite place to vacation, but there are a few areas of the ship I rarely, if ever, visit.

Cruising is a matter of style, and I've learned everyone cruises different. That's part of this vacation's charm: it's not the same experience for everyone. You could get on the ship and spend it all in your cabin, or go and be the life of the party at the different events onboard.

I hate to make generalizations because I try to experience as much of a cruise as I can, but I've found there are a few spots I just don't go to anymore.

It could be because my personal cruising style has changed, or I simply have no interest in it.  Keeping in mind that this isn't meant to be a list of places you shouldn't go. Rather, I'm sharing my own experience.

Call me crazy, but these are the six places I really never go to on a Royal Caribbean ship.

Sports court

Insert your own comment here about a blogger that doesn't spend much time at the sports court, but I'll own it.

Any time of day, I'll see plenty of people playing basketball, pickleball, soccer, or volleyball on the sports court of a ship. I just never had the urge to go.

Royal Caribbean offers organized games as well as "free play", and it's an opportunity to get out and play a favorite game.

I think my disdain for the sports court has less to do with the activities offered, but rather it's usually exceptionally hot on the sports court.  There's no shade and most months of the year, I'd start sweating before my first volley or basket.

I think I've been on the sports court engaged in a game twice that I can recall: when pickleball first got added to ships, I remember playing a game once on Mariner of the Seas.  And the other time was badminton in the SeaPlex on Odyssey of the Seas.

DJ dance parties

Even in my college days, I never loved a really loud dance party.  So it's no surprise I don't get into the offerings on a cruise ship.

Royal Caribbean's dance parties have become quite popular, from the fleetwide Red party to the new offerings on Utopia of the Seas.

One of the sure fire signs you're getting old is when the music at a party always seems too loud, so I guess that's me.

Just like the sports court, there's plenty of other cruisers to take my place at the dance parties onboard.

Royal Promenade dancing

If your Royal Caribbean ship has a Royal Promenade, then there will be a few evenings where there's a dance party held here.

This is more of a "street party" vibe than the DJ music I touched up on earlier.  

My issue with these dance parties is they seem passé and clichéd in the sense Royal Caribbean has been doing them forever it seems, and many are rooted in an aging demographic.

Besides the theme or music preferences, my bigger issue with the Royal Promenade parties is it shuts down everything else on the promenade. It's like the muster drill of entertainment.

Cruising has many traditions, and the street party is one of them that I wouldn't mind see retired. 

Read more: What it was like to go on a Royal Caribbean cruise in the 1970s

Art auctions

Another activity that's seemingly been on cruise ships forever are the art auctions, and this was a "one and done" for me.

To be fair, I'm not a connoisseur of fine art by any means. If you're into all of this stuff, that is wonderful. Just know that it isn't necessarily a bargain — no matter what the salespeople try to tell you.

Read more: I went to the controversial cruise ship activity to see if its reputation is as bad as I've read

Card room/Library

Every Royal Caribbean ship has a few public spaces for gatherings, such as a card room or library.

I understand why these spaces exist, but I'd rather go to the art auction because at least something would be happening there.  I'm not against quiet spaces, but I have no desire to go hang out in one of these places.

If I was going to read, I'd rather go to the pool deck, balcony, or promenade deck seating areas. 

For what it's worth, I think Royal Caribbean also punted on the idea too. Icon of the Seas, their newest ship design, has no library intentionally.

FlowRider

Proving I have no athletic ability, I'll add one more physical activity on a cruise ship you will never, ever find me on.

Royal Caribbean made a name for itself when it added its first FlowRider surf simulator to one of its ships. 

As advertised, you can actually learn to surf on a cruise ship and I've seen plenty of people love it.

It's free to try, and a really neat activity.

I not only have no good sense of balance, but can also foresee my own demise on this thing trying to stand up and then subsequently faceplanting. Bathing suit flying off at the same time, optional.

Most people seem to love trying it out, and I'll gladly watch from the nearby seats.

As Congress remains stuck in how to fund the country, a government lockdown looms large.

If a funding bill isn't passed by midnight on Friday, most federal agencies would stop work, and most government workers would be furloughed, except for those who work in agencies deemed as "essential services."

The good news is federal workers involved in travel are deemed essential, but there could still be impacts to your upcoming trip.

How would the government shutdown affect cruises?

The good news is control of the ports would not be impacted because they are one of those essential groups.

Based on what we've seen in previous shutdowns, agencies like customs and the Coast Guard remain operational. Immigration, border patrol, TSA are all essential government functions and will continue during a shutdown.

Funding to agencies like Customs and Border Protection would be on hold. However, the agents who you typically interact with at cruise ports are considered essential and will be working without pay during the shutdown. 

All federal employees will receive back pay. They won’t be paid during the shutdown, they will get paid when the money becomes available.

The bigger impact is long term, as hiring and training functions get halted. Crucial safety functions like inspections should continue.

Will the shutdown impact air travel?

Just as important as the ship is getting to your cruise, so what should air travelers expect?

It's a mix of good and bad news.  

The government deems agencies like the Transportation Security Administration and the Federal Aviation Administration essential services. Also, airport security workers and air traffic controllers will still be required to work even though they will not receive paychecks until the shutdown eventually ends.

That sounds good, but the issue the TSA has faced in the past has been agent no-shows.

When there was an extended government shutdown in 2019, after about two weeks of no pay, FAA controllers and TSA agents started not showing up for work. That lead to delays at security checkpoints and flight times.

A few airports actually shutdown, including airports in Philadelphia, Newark, New York, and Atlanta. One benefit to that was it exacerbated the problem and arguably got the shutdown to end quicker.

What should you do if you have a cruise during a government shutdown?

While no one knows if there will be a government shutdown, how long it would last, and what impact it would have, there's a few good ideas to consider.

First and foremost, you should pack extra patience. If ports are understaffed, inspections by local authorities could take longer to clear your cruise ship.

When a ship returns to port in the United States at the conclusion of a sailing, the ship needs to be cleared before passengers can disembark.

Under normal circumstances, this could be a very quick process.  However, sometimes customs agents want a more thorough look before they can allow passengers off the ship.

Royal Caribbean Blog reader Don Goldstein shared an experience where he was on a ship returning to port the day after a shutdown begin, "[We] came into port after a cruise, Port Everglades, I think, and it took us about 4 hours to get off the ship due to lack of ICE staffing at the port."

Can I renew my passport for my cruise during a shutdown?

The Department of State says passport processing is essential and will continue during the shutdown.

However, if a passport office is in a building run by a different shuttered agency, then it could close.

Just like the airports, employees in the State Department would be unpaid during the shutdown and there could be absenteeism issues.