Royal Caribbean Blog - Unofficial blog about Royal Caribbean cruises

5 best reasons to stay onboard the ship while in Perfect Day at CocoCay

In:

04 Jan 2024

By:

Elizabeth Wright

Perfect Day at CocoCay is a popular port of call on Royal Caribbean cruises to The Bahamas and Caribbean. As such, it's not uncommon to find yourself repeatedly visiting the private island if you frequently seek warm-weather itineraries on some of the largest ships at sea.

When Royal Caribbean completed renovating the island in 2019, it became more than just your average beach day. Now, you can splurge on activities like riding the tallest water slide in North America, an upscale beach club, zip line, overwater cabana, and more.

While there's no denying it's easy to have a great ashore no matter how many times you've visited, you should not always feel like you have to get off the ship.

Sometimes, the perfect day at CocoCay isn't actually ON CocoCay.

Here are the 5 best reasons to stay onboard the ship while in Perfect Day at CocoCay.

You won't have to deal with chair hogs

If you awaken too late on a sea day, it's likely that when you head up to the pool deck, you'll see a sea (no pun intended) of chairs reserved with towels and personal belongings.

Chair hogs are individuals who reserve chairs for the entire day, even if they are not planning on staying nearby.

And while there should technically be pool attendants on the lookout, it's difficult for them to keep a watch on the entire pool deck.

If you want to enjoy the pool with minimal people around, consider staying onboard when your ship docks at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Rather than rushing off the ship to claim the perfect beach chairs, you can sleep in, have a late breakfast, and enjoy the top deck like it's your own chartered yacht!

The lines for onboard thrills will be shorter

Simiarly, the lines for onboard attractions can get rather long on sea days.

One of the best ways to ensure that you won't have a long wait for anything that's on your must-do list on days when everyone is onboard is to get to whatever you are hoping to do as soon as it opens.

If you're someone who wants to ride the water slides more than once or become a Flowrider surf pro, you'll have more opportunities to do so while the ship is docked, as there will be fewer people in line.

Plus, if you're short on time (i.e., on a 3- or 4-night cruise onboard Utopia of the Seas), you won't have as many chances to experience everything that's onboard. You may find it a more valuable use of time to stay on the ship, rather than spending the day on the beach.

Additionally, if you are on a Quantum Class ship, you'll be able to ride the North Star for free while docked, whereas sea day rides are not included in the cost of your cruise fare.

You'll be able to soar high above Perfect Day at CocoCay and look out over neighboring Bahamian islands, including Norwegian Cruise Line's Great Stirrup Cay.

You might be able to save money on a spa treatment

Spa treatments onboard cruise ships are costly. Massages often start around $150 for 50 minutes, while a 75-minute deep tissue couples massage can be upwards of $390.

If you want to save money while treating yourself to a much-needed day at the spa, head there on embarkation day to see if any deals are being offered. Plus, you can get a tour of the spa to get a glimpse of the treatment facilities.

Usually, they will have something available on port days to entice people to stay onboard. You can also check the night before your ship is scheduled to arrive in CocoCay, as well as the morning of.

There won't be as many people at the buffet for lunch

You won't have to worry about being patient while waiting in line for lunch if you stay on the cruise ship while it's docked at CocoCay.

It's not uncommon to see long lines for various eateries at peak times on sea days. Something as simple as lunch could take longer than anticipated if you show up to the Windjammer around 12:30pm.

When your Royal Caribbean ship is relatively empty with the majority of passengers ashore, it will be easy to grab a quick bite to eat and return to the more pressing matters, such as ensuring you have an even tan, playing a round of mini-golf, or soaring high above the Boardwalk on the zip line.

You won't feel the need to spend money on an excursion

Yes, it's true. The price of a Royal Caribbean cruise has increased. If you're planning on sailing onboard one of their newest ships, like Icon of the Seas, you can expect to spend around $1,500 per person for an interior room.

Since there's so much to do onboard, these ships are a destination in and of themselves. On Icon, for instance, you can spend the day at the Category 6 Water Park or in the brand-new Surfside Neighborhood with activities for the whole family to enjoy.

If you've visited Perfect Day at CocoCay before, you may not be willing to spend money on an excursion after splurging on one of these mega-ships. Even though the beach is complimentary, there are more active activities that can be found on the ship that you already paid for!

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24 Do's and Don'ts for your Royal Caribbean cruise in 2024

In:

Planning

03 Jan 2024

By:

Elizabeth Wright

2024 is poised to be a big year for Royal Caribbean. Not only are they launching two brand-new ships, but they’ll be unveiling a new adult-only experience at Perfect Day at CocoCay called Hideaway Beach!

Even if you’re a devout Royal Caribbean cruiser, there are some do’s and don’ts that you should keep in mind when planning your cruise in 2024 to help you maximize your time onboard and minimize any pre-vacation stress.

As was the case in previous years, you'll want to ensure that you follow timeless cruise tips, such as arriving the night before your ship is scheduled to depart, purchasing travel insurance, and repricing your cruise until final payment.

Here's our list of the best 24 do's and don'ts for your Royal Caribbean cruise in 2024.

DO book your Royal Caribbean cruise through a travel agent

Travel agents are valuable resources, and they act as your go-to expert for all things Royal Caribbean. Whether you can't decide between an itinerary, want advice on a stateroom, or have some questions about the complimentary youth programming, you'll benefit from utilizing a travel agent when booking your 2024 Royal Caribbean cruise.

In addition to their expertise, travel agents have access to the best deals, meaning that not only will they save you time when planning your cruise, but it is likely that they'll save you money, too!

Even if you're eager to book your next cruise before you disembark your current one, you can still head to the NextCruise desk and then transfer the booking to your travel agent after you get home.

DON'T assume bigger is better

With Icon of the Seas officially entering service, the "largest cruise ship at sea" will receive a new definition. For over ten years, that title has been held by Oasis Class vessels, all of which are relatively similar.

Icon will be unlike anything that's ever been done before! With a recording-breaking water park, brand-new neighborhoods, dining experiences, shows, and more, she truly will be the ICON of the seas.

Bigger, however, is not always better. If you are someone who prefers smaller ships that can visit more unique ports of call, Icon of the Seas might not be the best fit for you.

Similarly, despite Utopia of the Seas' unique features compared to other Oasis Class chips, the ship is only making 3- and 4-night cruises to The Bahamas. If you've already been to Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay, Utopia of the Seas may not have the ideal itinerary for you.

Plus, you can often find better deals on older, smaller ships, meaning that you can stretch your vacation budget a little bit further than if you were to splurge on a stateroom on one of the newest ships.

DO purchase travel insurance

Travel insurance is crucial regardless of whether you're going on a 3-night or 14-night cruise. While nobody wants to think about the worst-case scenario occurring while on vacation, life does, unfortunately, happen. Unexpected events, such as the sudden onset of an illness or injury, can impact your cruise.

If you're a frequent traveler, it might behoove you to look into an annual policy, rather than purchasing insurance directly through Royal Caribbean for each sailing.

A good policy will cover things like trip cancellation, trip interruption, travel delay coverage, baggage delays, emergency medical coverage, onboard medical expenses, and more.

DON'T try and save money by booking the cheapest stateroom available

Sometimes, you might come across a deal that you think is too good to be true. If you find yourself questioning that, then it probably is! The cheapest cruise fares tend to be for inside cabins on older ships. While bigger isn't always better, Oasis and Icon Class ships are so popular for a reason!

There are so many different ways to cruise; there's not a one-size-fits-all methodology. You may be someone who doesn't care too much about the itinerary so long as you're sailing on one of Royal Caribbean's mega-ships.

If that sounds like you, bypass the cheaper cruises on older ships, like Radiance of the Seas or Vision of the Seas, as the lack of onboard amenities could lead to a disappointing vacation.

DO know what's new for Royal Caribbean in 2024

In addition to Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas, Hideaway Beach will finally open at Perfect Day at CocoCay. This new adults-only haven is not included in the cost of your cruise fare; however, it promises upgraded experiences including a private beach and pools, new bars and restaurants, cabanas, live music, and more.

Pricing for Hideaway Beach depends on your exact sailing, but costs seem to range between $43.99 and $79.99 per person, making it cheaper than Coco Beach Club.

Additionally, you may not be docked beside another Royal Caribbean ship when visiting CocoCay, as Celebrity is going to begin cruising to Perfect Day at CocoCay in April 2024.

This, however, won't impact how many guests are ashore, as there are still only berths for two ships per day.

Those cruising to Perfect Day at CocoCay with Celebrity Cruises on Royal Caribbean can purchase Hideaway Beach admission. It is not exclusive it either cruise line, simply the island itself!

DON'T be afraid to status match with sister-line Celebrity Cruises

Even if you've been loyal to Royal Caribbean for decades, there's nothing wrong with deciding to switch it up and cruise with Celebrity Cruises. With some of the most modern and innovative ships at sea that are geared more towards adults, you may find it time to "graduate" to the more upscale cruise line.

Have no fear! You don't have to completely abandon your status and the accompanying perks. Celebrity and Royal Caribbean match statuses with the other sister-line up to Diamond and Elite. If you're a top-tier member (i.e., Pinnacle Club or Zenith), you won't be able to instantly match into the other cruise line's highest loyalty tier.

Elite comes with some pretty lucrative perks, though. From a complimentary nightly happy hour to priority tendering, a free bag of laundry, and discounts on Wi-Fi and drink packages, matching your Diamond or above status with Celebrity can save you hundreds of dollars and make your cruise experience more memorable!

DO remain flexible

Nobody wants their dream cruise itinerary to be altered due to a storm or medical emergency; however, these things do happen.

Sometimes, the weather will cause shows to be canceled. Other times, you might find that your favorite specialty restaurant is fully booked. When planning a cruise, it is important to remain flexible, rather than letting circumstances out of your control ruin your hard-earned trip.

Rather than sulking because of a missed port, consider splurging on a spa treatment or upgraded excursion in your next port of call. While the trip will be memorable either way, it's important that you try to have as many good memories to negate the other ones!

DON'T be surprised by policy changes

Royal Caribbean implemented various policy charges in 2023, including no longer allowing passengers to order unlimited lobster tails on formal night, limiting Diamond members' access to the Crown lounge on busy sailings with many top-tier members, and increasing the daily gratuity amount.

Looking back at these changes and those that occurred in 2022, it's likely that additional policies may either be added, changed, or removed altogether in 2024.

DO select your ideal dining preference

When booking your cruise, you'll have to decide whether you want traditional or My Time Dining. If you select the latter, you'll be responsible for making your own dining reservations for each night of the cruise, whereas with traditional dining, you'll simply go to the Main Dining Room at the same time each night and have the same wait staff.

If you make a selection that you are not happy with, you must contact your travel agent or Royal Caribbean as soon as possible. On embarkation day, you should always plan on stopping by the Main Dining Room to confirm.

Choosing the wrong dining time or preference can damper your trip. If, for instance, you're used to eating around 6:00pm each day, you likely will not enjoy having dinner around 8:00pm. Likewise, if you choose My Time Dining but forget to make reservations for 7:00pm, you will have to either wait for an available table or dine a little bit later.

DON'T fly into your cruise port the day your ship is scheduled to depart

One of the riskiest things you can do when making pre-cruise arrangements is booking your flight for the same day your ship is departing. A single flight delay or cancellation could cause you to miss the ship, and you might not have the opportunity to meet up with it at a later port of call.

To be safe, you should always ensure that you fly into your cruise port at least the night prior. Even if you think your flight is scheduled to land early enough, you need to consider how long it will take to deplane, collect your luggage, and get to the port.

While there might be a sigh of relief with an on-time arrival, traffic delays to the port, especially if it's located over an hour or two from the airport, are just as unpredictable.

DO expect ports to be busier

In mid-2023, Nassau opened the first phase of their port expansion, which increased capacity to 10,000 guests. There are berths for six ships per day, including three Oasis or Icon Class vessels.

By the end of 2024, it's estimated that Nassau will see roughly four million cruise visitors, and throughout the year, construction will continue, as builders work towards finishing the second phase.

Additionally, while not all Royal Caribbean vessels, over 100 ships are reported to visit the island of the Dominican Republic in December. In fact, the country saw the largest amount of cruise traffic to date on December 19.

Royal Caribbean ships docked with gangway

According to a Forbes research study, 49% of participants said that they expected to travel more in 2023 than they did in 2022, meaning that you can expect there to be more land-based tourists, too. If that trend continues, 2024 will be even busier!

DON'T expect your ship to be sailing at half capacity

When cruise ships began operating after the pandemic, they were doing so at limited capacity. In the first quarter of 2023, however, Royal Caribbean Group ships sailed at 102.1% capacity.

Prior to 2020, it was pretty usual for ships to sail above the 100% occupancy rate, simply meaning that some cabins had more than two people staying in them. In fact, mainstream lines typically sail between 103% and 107%, depending on the time of year and ship.

While you shouldn't expect to board a relatively empty cruise ship, a full sailing should not worry you, as venues are designed to accommodate a lot of guests at once. Plus, activities and other forms of entertainment are strategically offered to keep guests moving about the ship.

DO understand how automatic gratuities work

As of November 2023, the gratuity rate for Royal Caribbean cruises is $18.00 per person, per day for standard cabins (Junior Suites and below) and $20.50 per person, per day for suites.

This means that a family of four in a standard stateroom on a 7-night cruise can expect to pay an extra $504 for the week.

You have two options when it comes to paying them. First, you can opt to pre-pay them prior to your cruise. This can be done at the time of booking or by calling Royal Caribbean/your travel agent. Second, you can have them added to your onboard account to be settled at the end of the cruise.

Even though you can adjust the amount by visiting Guest Services, this is not recommended, as the total amount is split amongst hard-working crew members, including those who stay behind the scenes and have important jobs.

DON'T forget to check your travel documentation in advance

Not every cruise requires all guests to have valid passports. If, for instance, you're sailing on a round-trip cruise from Miami to the Caribbean, you can technically board with a government-issued photo I.D. and proof of citizenship, such as a driver's license and birth certificate or certificate of naturalization.

You will need a passport for specific sailings, though, like those from Vancouver to Whittier or Barcelona to Rome. While you can go off your memory and assume that your passport expires in 2026, it is best to make sure that you, one, know where it is and, two, ensure that it's valid at least six months after the end date of your cruise.

Let's say that you're going on a cruise in May 2024. If your passport's expiration date is before November 2024, you will want to give yourself enough time to get it renewed.

DO frequently check the price of your booking before final payment

Everyone wants to save money on vacation. This might allow you to cruise more frequently or splurge on cruise add-ons to enhance your trip. Either way, it feels good to pay less for your base fare.

For those of you who have not made your final payment yet, you should frequently re-price your cruise. If you notice that the price has dropped, simply contact Royal Caribbean, and they'll honor the lower price.

Note, however, that this is only for residents of certain countries, such as the United States and Canada.

If you don't notice a price drop, you can rest assured knowing that you snagged your cruise for the lowest possible price!

DON'T forget to purchase cruise add-ons through the Cruise Planner

Planning a cruise and all the exciting things you can do both ashore and onboard can be just as fun as setting sail! The best place to begin your planning is no place other than Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner website.

This is where you'll find Royal Caribbean-sponsored shore excursions, drink and Wi-Fi packages, specialty restaurants, and more.

Nine times out of ten, you will save money by purchasing all of your cruise add-ons in advance, rather than waiting until you board, as Royal Caribbean has sales in the time leading up to your cruise.

Plus, by making all of your reservations in advance, you will have the most options when it comes to availability.

DO complete online check-in as soon as it opens

45 days before your cruise, you'll be able to complete the first step of Royal Caribbean's check-in process. This is where you'll input your documentation and credit card information, as well as select an arrival time at the terminal.

You should write the date check-in opens on your calendar or create a notification on your phone. This will ensure that you can complete the online portion as soon as possible and snag the best arrival time for your travel party.

The earliest times tend to go first, so if you have hopes of being one of the first people onboard, make sure you don't wait too long!

Read more: Royal Caribbean check-in process

DON'T bring any prohibited items onboard

There's no denying that packing for a cruise is stressful. You want to make sure that you have everything you'll need since you won't be minutes away from a local drugstore. That being said, having an idea of what is and isn't allowed can help.

There is no point packing things like steamers or irons since they'll be confiscated during the embarkation process. It is better to save space in your luggage for essential items, like bathing suits, cover-ups, and appropriate dinner attire.

Note that if you bring something illegal onboard, you face being kicked off. TikTok user @infamousxdrew was forced to disembark his cruise onboard Mariner of the Seas while the ship was docked in Falmouth, Jamaica because the ship's crew figured out he had medicinal marijuana with him.

"...[The crew] saw my medical marijuana...and all the senior security advisors or whatever they're called...have [come] to the conclusion that I must disembark," he said.

DO ensure that you complete the muster drill on time

Before you sail away, you must complete the muster drill, even if you have been on many cruises before. Guests who fail to complete the drill will be hunted down by crew members.

Personally, I like to complete the mobile component while at breakfast on the morning of embarkation or while en route to the terminal. That way, all I have to do onboard is visit my physical muster station, which only takes a few minutes. To do this, however, you'll want to have the mobile app downloaded to your device ahead of time.

You don’t want to be that one passenger who causes the ship's departure to be delayed because you couldn't spare ten minutes of your day to complete the mandatory safety drill.

DON'T wait until the last minute to book your airfare

Airfare prices increase as the departure date approaches. If you wait too long, you could find yourself paying hundreds of dollars more for the same flight that was substantially cheaper a few months, or even weeks, prior.

While sometimes, last-minute airfare is unavoidable — like when you book a cheap last-minute cruise — you should look at prices as soon as you've booked your cruise. If your cruise is over a year in advance, you should start looking at the one-year mark, as that's when the majority of airlines release their flight schedules.

Plus, if you're hoping to use airline miles to reduce your out-of-pocket cost, airlines typically limit how many reward seats are available on each flight.

DO expect higher prices

Similarly, while you can find last-minute cruise deals, you should expect the overall cost of a Royal Caribbean cruise to be more than what you might've paid in the past.

When the cruising industry was restarting after the pandemic, there was less of a demand, so prices were pretty low. Now, however, demand is reaching new peaks.

Despite higher base fares, there are ways to cruise on a budget, including staying in inside cabins, refraining from specialty restaurants, and sailing during the shoulder season.

DON'T wait until you're home to resolve any onboard issues

If you notice any sort of discrepancy on your onboard account, don't wait until you are home to contact Royal Caribbean. You'll want to visit Guest Services as soon as possible.

Any other issues should be addressed, too. Crew members are there to ensure that everything onboard is to your liking, and if there is a way that they can improve something, they will certainly try their hardest.

Keeping problems to yourself and assuming they'll be resolved on their own is a surefire way to ruin your vacation.

DO step out of your comfort zone

Royal Caribbean offers sailings all over the world. If you have been to The Bahamas or Caribbean a few times, perhaps you should consider going on your first-ever Alaska or European cruise. You will still get the same Royal Caribbean service that you have come to love, just new ports of call to explore!

Perhaps stepping out of your comfort zone simply means trying an excursion that you've been thinking about for years, such as zip lining through the lush canopies of Jamaica or taking an ATV tour of St. Maarten.

It could even mean going to an event that you would otherwise overlook. From pool deck parties to scavenger hunts, production shows, craft workshops, all-access tours, fitness classes, and more, there's so much offered on every sailing; it's impossible to do it all, no matter how hard you try!

DON'T forget to leave your worries behind as you set sail

No matter what is going on in your personal life when you board the ship, try your best to leave those worries behind.

Grab a cocktail during sailaway and watch the horizon disappear, then head to dinner and enjoy a delicious three-course meal knowing that you are not responsible for any dishes!

Plus, you do not have to worry about constantly entertaining your children, so you can truly have a well-deserved break! They will probably have even more fun in Adventure Ocean, anyway!

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Icon of the Seas is ready: Here’s the timeline for Royal Caribbean’s new cruise ship debut

In:

Icon of the Seas

02 Jan 2024

By:

Elizabeth Wright

Icon of the Seas will finally welcome guests onboard later this month. The brand-new vessel still has to undergo a few more preparations before that can happen, though.

Currently, Icon of the Seas is docked in Ponce, Puerto Rico for some final touches and inspections. This is one of the final steps before the 250,800 gross registered ton vessel launches in late January.

Here's a timeline of Icon of the Sea's long-awaited debut.

Icon of the Seas sailed from Cádiz, Spain to Ponce, Puerto Rico, arriving on January 2, 2024

Icon of the Seas' transatlantic crossing took over one week, with the largest cruise ship in the world departing Spain on December 22, 2023.

This meant that crew members, contractors, shoreside teams, yard workers, and more celebrated the New Year somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic while en route to Puerto Rico.

A video posted to Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michel Bayley's Facebook reveals Icon's first countdown as a completed ship. The Royal Promenade was packed, and the cheering continued as the clock struck midnight and balloons were released.

Icon of the Seas moved to Cádiz for some finishing touches

Despite being delivered in late November, Icon was not fully completed. The delivery ceremony was held at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, where the majority of the ship's construction took place.

"Seven years ago, we had an ambitious idea to create the first vacation truly made for every type of family and adventurer," said Mr. Bayley, "Now, it’s in our hands, and in this final stretch, we’ll bring it all to life for the biggest debut in our history in January 2024."

Following the ceremony, Icon of the Seas was relocated to a shipyard in Cádiz, where she received some final outfitting touches before beginning her transatlantic voyage to North America.

She had to sail underneath the Great Belt Bridge, an 11-mile bridge located in Denmark, in order to reach Cádiz. The 20-deck high had to have her funnels retracted to barely squeeze underneath. It required expertise from the entire crew, including meteorologists to ship operators.

Work continues in Ponce

Over the next few days while in Puerto Rico, Icon of the Seas will have to pass some regulatory inspections. Additionally, there will be loading and off-loading of equipment, and yard workers will disembark the ship to return home, with more crew arriving to begin their contracts.

Ponce is located in the southern region of the island, whereas the popular port of San Juan can be found on the northern shore.

When Icon departs Ponce to sail to Miami, it will be over one year until she returns to the island, as San Juan isn't a scheduled port of call on Eastern Caribbean itineraries until May 2025. The May 3, 2025 cruise also visits St. Maarten and Labadee, Haiti, foregoing a stop at the cruise line's private island in The Bahamas.

Following the move to her homeport of Miami, there will be a series of shakedown and media cruises

On January 9, Royal Caribbean will host the ICON arrival party at 7am at the Port of Miami. While more details can be expected in the coming days, it is exciting to think that we're only one week from welcoming Icon to her homeport.

Following this milestone, Icon will host a few shakedown cruises, which can be thought of as a dress rehearsal. While the ship is just about ready, they serve as a time for the crew members to experience what their job will actually be like with guests onboard before welcoming paying customers.

Typically, shakedown cruises are comprised of cruise line employees and their families. It is not uncommon for them to sometimes double as preview sailings for the media and travel agents.

Prior to embarking on her maiden voyage, Icon will have two shakedown and media cruises, both of which will be only three nights: January 20-23 and January 23-26.

Naming ceremony on January 23 in Miami, Florida with Lionel Messi

Back in mid-December, Royal Caribbean announced that, rather than having a traditional godmother or godfather, Lionel Messi would be the "official icon of Icon of the Seas." Messi is a famous soccer player who was born in Argentina and spent the majority of his career playing for FC Barcelona.

On January 23, Messi will take part in Icon's naming celebration. His role will be comprised of bestowing safekeeping onto the new ship, its crew, and the millions of people who will board in hopes of creating ICONic memories in the years to come.

"I’m thrilled and honored to join the Royal Caribbean family to celebrate the arrival of the game-changing Icon of the Seas," said Messi, "Icon is beyond anything else that’s out there for family vacations, with incredible never-before-seen features, all designed for making memories together."

Finally, guests will be welcomed onboard Icon for her maiden voyage to the Eastern Caribbean

On January 27, Icon of the Seas will embark on her inaugural cruise. This 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise will depart from Miami and sail to Perfect Day at CocoCay, St. Thomas, and St. Kitts & Nevis. She will return on February 3, 2024.

Icon of the Seas' maiden voyage will signify the ship's completion, as the ship will be ready for regular service.

While this will mean that her construction and arrival journey will finally come to an end, Icon Class and Royal Caribbean fans alike can stay tuned to everything exciting that Star of the Seas will have to offer when she launches in 2025.

Similarly, Utopia of the Seas, the sixth Oasis Class ship, is scheduled to set sail in July 2024 on 3- and 4-night cruises to The Bahamas.

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I spent 10 days in a 170 square foot windowless cabin for $202 per night: take a look inside my Brilliance of the Seas stateroom

In:

Brilliance of the Seas

02 Jan 2024

By:

Jenna DeLaurentis

Deciding which cabin to book for a Royal Caribbean cruise can seem daunting. With so many cabin categories available, from small interior cabins to multi-story suites, it’s helpful to get an idea of what each type of cabin offers.

On my most recent Royal Caribbean cruise, I booked a 170 square foot interior cabin on Brilliance of the Seas, a Radiance Class cruise ship that launched in 2001.

The total cost of my interior cabin for a South Pacific itinerary on Brilliance of the Seas was $2,018. This included taxes, fees, and gratuities for two people in the cabin, which brought the cost to $1,009 per person. Because the cruise was ten nights long, the price per night was around $202, or $101 per person, per night.

Initially I was a bit skeptical to spend ten nights in a tiny interior cabin, as I had never taken a cruise over seven nights long before. In fact, I even considered upgrading to an oceanview or balcony room, but ultimately decided against it. Saving money on my cruise fare enabled me to spend more on extras like shore excursions and even an additional post-cruise night in my disembarkation port of Sydney, Australia.

While my windowless cabin was certainly nothing luxurious, it quickly became a cozy place to call home on Brilliance of the Seas. Let’s take a look inside.

My interior cabin had a king-sized bed, which was two twin-sized beds pushed together. The bed took up the majority of this area of the cabin, with just a small amount of space on each side of the bed.

A nightstand with a drawer and a nightlight were placed on each side of the bed, too. The master lights could be controlled via a switch on just the left bedside, with the stateroom’s telephone on the right.

My friend and I later had the bed separated into twin beds. Each bed was pushed to the wall and our nightstands were placed in the middle. By doing so, our cabin seemed to have more walking space, as the space on each side of the king bed was combined together in the middle between the two twin beds.

While my cabin was quite small, I appreciated the fact that we had a couch. Some interior cabins on Royal Caribbean ships only feature a small chair, and this is never ideal when both guests want to relax in the cabin without sitting on the bed.

Like all Royal Caribbean cabins, my Brilliance of the Seas cabin also featured a desk and vanity space. In this space was a desk with seven drawers along with a television, cooler, and additional shelving. I found the desk chair comfortable when getting ready for dinner in front of the mirror or working at my computer.

There were two North American-style outlets and two European-style outlets at my cabin’s desk. Because Brilliance of the Seas is an older Royal Caribbean ship, you will not find outlets by the bedside or elsewhere in the cabin.

While I do prefer charging my phone by my bed, I still found the amount of outlets adequate in the cabin. Bringing a European plug adapter ensured I could take advantage of all four outlets, too, and this was an essential item to pack for my sailing.

Depending on your cruise market, a kettle may be available in the cabin. Cruises from Australia and the United Kingdom, for instance, typically place a kettle on your ship’s vanity or dresser.

Above the television was a safe along with two additional shelves. Because of the amount of storage elsewhere in the cabin, though, I did not have a need for these extra shelves. Instead, I stored the cabin’s kettle in this area so it was out of the way for the sailing.

Below the television was a mini cooler, which came empty. Using the cooler was helpful during our cruise, whether to store beverages like Powerade and water bottles before a port day or to store fruit and desserts I brought back to my cabin.

Next to the vanity, closest to the cabin’s door, was a closet.

Inside the closet were six shelves along with ample space for hanging clothes. If you would prefer to use your cabin’s vanity drawers for storing belongings like snorkel gear and electronics, you should find more than enough space in the closet to unpack your clothing.

Being an older ship, I expected storage space in the cabin to be lacking, but I did not find this to be the case whatsoever, and there were more than enough shelves and drawers to fit my belongings, both in the vanity and closet.

It’s not a cruise from Australia if you don’t bring a pack of Tim Tams with you to the cabin, and these delightful cookies had a permanent spot in my cabin’s cabinet (until they were gone, of course).

My cabin had a private bathroom, and while not very spacious, it was well maintained given the ship’s age.

Like the rest of the cabin, the bathroom also had storage space, with shelving behind the mirrors for toiletries, hair styling tools, and makeup.

The shower had a cloth curtain, and while a combination body wash and shampoo was provided, I recommend bringing your own body wash, shampoo, and conditioner. Additionally, there were two small shelves in the shower.

Overall, I found my Brilliance of the Seas cabin to be comfortable during my ten night stay onboard. I found the cabin better maintained than the cabin I stayed in last year on sister ship Radiance of the Seas. There did not appear to be much wear and tear in my Brilliance of the Seas cabin compared to her sister ship.

Ultimately, there is no right or wrong cabin to book on a Royal Caribbean cruise. Booking an interior cabin could be the perfect choice for those on a budget, but a nightmare cabin for passengers in search of something more opulent.

Having such a tiny cabin encouraged me to spend time elsewhere onboard, allowing me to experience more activities and make friends with fellow passengers during the sailing.

I found my small, windowless cabin to be the perfect place to call home during my cruise.

Comments

How much does a cruise ship cost to operate per day?

In:

Ships

01 Jan 2024

By:

Allie Hubers

Have you ever wondered how much it costs to operate a cruise ship? Spoiler: it’s not cheap!

Operating a cruise ship, let alone an entire cruise line, is no small feat. Feeding, accommodating, entertaining and transporting thousands of passengers around the globe requires serious logistics, planning and execution.

Diving in Royal Caribbean’s annual and quarterly financial statements, we can estimate just how much it costs to operate one of Royal Caribbean’s cruise ships. Although I cruise for both work and leisure, my day job is in the field of data analytics thanks to my background in math and statistics. I wanted to analyze Royal Caribbean’s financial statements to get a better understanding of the operational costs of a cruise ship.

Royal Caribbean is the world’s largest cruise brand and currently operates 26 ships in their fleet. In 2024, this number will increase to 28 ships with the addition of Icon of the Seas in January and Utopia of the Seas in July.

However, Royal Caribbean Group operates more than just Royal Caribbean International. The company also operates two more cruise lines, including the premium brand Celebrity Cruises and ultra-luxurious brand SilverSea. Celebrity Cruises operated 15 cruise ships in 2023 with the addition of Celebrity Ascent in Q4 of 2023. Finally, SilverSea’s fleet is comprised of 12 luxury cruise ships.

Seeing how costly it is to operate a cruise ship was eye-opening to say the least. Come along as we analyze Royal Caribbean’s recent financial statements.

Overview

Each brand of Royal Caribbean Group appeals to a distinct demographic of cruisers, with Royal Caribbean aiming to be the best family-friendly cruise line in the world. The cruise line is designed for those with children, along with old and young couples.

Those looking for a more upscale, adult cruise experience will want to sail on sister-brand Celebrity Cruises. Finally, SilverSea operates its fleet for travelers looking for an expedition cruise or ultra-luxurious vacation with an all-inclusive style of cruising.

Since Royal Caribbean Group operates three cruise lines, the company releases one financial report for all three brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and SilverSea Cruises. Royal Caribbean is the largest of the three brands, followed by Celebrity Cruises and SilverSea Cruises.

Comparing the three brands’ capacities and gross tonnage, we can get an idea of how Royal Caribbean’s expenses and revenues are allocated. According to Royal Caribbean’s investor portal, the breakdown of each cruise line’s total capacity across its fleet based on double occupancy is the following:

Royal Caribbean International = 92,584 (71.46%)
Celebrity Cruises = 32,280 (24.92%)
SilverSea Cruises = 4,692 (3.62%)

Royal Caribbean’s investor portal also provides data for each fleet’s total gross tonnage, which is how cruise ships are measured by size. According to Royal Caribbean Group, the total gross tonnage of each cruise line is the following:

Royal Caribbean International = 3,823,107 GT (68.97%)
Celebrity Cruises = 1,384,459 GT (24.98%)
SilverSea Cruises = 335,400 GT (6.05%)

As expected, Royal Caribbean International makes up right around 70% of the company’s overall gross tonnage and capacity, followed by Celebrity Cruises at 25% and SilverSea at 5%.

What costs are associated with operating a cruise ship?

There are six major areas of operating expenses that are aggregated to calculate a total cruise operating expense both annually and quarterly. According to Royal Caribbean Group’s Form 10-Q for Q3 of 2023, cruise operating expenses are comprised of the following:

Commissions and transportation: This consists of expenses directly associated to passenger ticket revenue, which includes travel agent commissions, airfare and other transportation expenses, credit card fees, and varying port costs based on passenger head counts.
Onboard expenses: Includes direct costs associated with onboard and other revenues, such as cost of products sold onboard, vacation protection insurance premiums, costs for tours before or after cruises, concession revenues, procurement and management related services.
Payroll and related expenses: Salaries for shipboard personnel.
Food expenses: Includes cost of food for both guests and crew members.
Fuel expenses: This includes any expenses related to fueling the ship, including delivery, storage, emission consumable costs and financial impact of fuel swap agreements.
Other operating expenses: A catch-all category that consists primarily of operating costs related to repairs, maintenance, non-variable port costs, vessel related insurance, entertainment and losses/gains related to sale of ships.

For 2023, Royal Caribbean Group reports that 26.36% of operating expenses went to commission costs, followed by 22.80% to other operating expenses, 15.09% to payroll expenses, 14.44% to fuel expenses, 10.88% to onboard expenses and 10.43% to food expenses.

How much did Royal Caribbean spend operating their cruise ships in 2023?

In the same Q3 report for 2023, Royal Caribbean Group spent $5.9 billion on cruise operating expenses. Since this only includes data through September 2023, we can estimate cruise operating expenses for Q4 to be around $1.9 billion.

Based on this estimate for the fourth quarter, we could guess the 2023 annual cost for cruise operating expenses will be around $7.84 billion. This would be an increase from an annual expense of $6.6 billion in 2022 and $6.1 billion in 2019. Of course, this is an estimate based on data given in the report from Royal Caribbean Group.

Similar to many industries, Royal Caribbean Group has dealt with the rising cost of inflation. Moreover, the cruise line reported additional capacity and higher occupancy on its cruise ships, which has also contributed to increased expenses. The quarterly report for Q3 cites the following as major contributors to increased cruise expenses in 2023:

1. $586.8 million increase in Commissions, transportation and other expenses

2. $190.0 million increase in Onboard and other expenses

3. $163.4 million increase in Food expense

4. $136.4 million increase in Other operating expense

5. $70.0 million increase in Fuel expense.

Let’s make a few assumptions about Royal Caribbean’s cruise operating costs

Unfortunately, Royal Caribbean Group does not provide any ship-specific data in their financial reports. Because of this, we have to make some more assumptions regarding operating cruise expenses with the information we are given. Most of these assumptions are based on fleet size and ship size.

Royal Caribbean International operates the largest fleet of the three brands with the most capacity and gross tonnage. As such, we can assume the Royal Caribbean International has the highest overall cruise operating expense. Based on gross tonnage, Royal Caribbean International makes up about 68.97% of the company’s operating fleet.

Because of this, let’s keep it simple and assume that 68.97% of Royal Caribbean Group’s operating costs are spent on the Royal Caribbean International brand. Using this logic, we can allocate 24.98% of operating costs to Celebrity Cruises and 6.05% to SilverSea.

I realize this is a high-level assumption, as one could argue that Royal Caribbean International is cheaper to operate per guest than Celebrity Cruises and SilverSea. Premium and luxury cruise brands are more expensive and likely require more operational spending on a guest-level.

But, I want to keep the math simple and keep the proportions based on overall fleet size, capacity and gross tonnage.

How much does Royal Caribbean spend to operate its entire fleet?

Based on our general assumptions, we can estimate that Royal Caribbean Group spent the following on cruise operating expenses for each brand. Again, these are estimations based on the company’s 2023 quarterly report, along with fleet size and general expense assumptions based on each brand of Royal Caribbean Group.

Royal Caribbean International = $5.41 billion (68.97%)
Celebrity Cruises = $1.96 billion (24.98%)
SilverSea Cruises = $474 million (6.05%)

Now that we have a general idea of how much Royal Caribbean Group spends to operate each brand annually, let’s figure out how much it costs for Royal Caribbean International to operate their individual cruise ships.

With little data available from Royal Caribbean Group, we can really only draw assumptions from the gross tonnage and capacity if we want to understand the cost of operating a single cruise ship.

How much does it cost to operate a Royal Caribbean cruise ship based on capacity?

Royal Caribbean operates a fleet of 26 ships currently with 6 different classes of ships. This will change in 2024 with the Icon Class, but we are only looking at operating costs for 2023.

Royal Caribbean’s Vision Class is home to the oldest and smallest ships, which are arguably the least expensive to operate. A smaller ship means less guests to feed, entertain, transport and accommodate. In addition, these older ships have the least amount of crew members to pay.

The oldest ship, Grandeur of the Seas, has an estimated capacity of 1,950 guests with gross tonnage of 74,100 - as reported by the cruise line. On the other end of the spectrum is the Oasis Class, which are the biggest ships in the world (excluding Icon of the Seas for 2023). Wonder of the Seas is currently the largest ship operating for Royal Caribbean International with an estimated capacity of 5,734 guests and a gross tonnage of 236,857.

We can assume Oasis-class cruise ships are the most expensive to operate using similar logic: more guests to feed, entertain, transport and accommodate, along with more crew members to pay. Fuel expenses are likely more for these massive ships as well.

Based on an annual cruise operating expense of $5.41 billion for Royal Caribbean International, we can calculate an estimated cost based on the cruise line’s total capacity of 92,584 guests at double occupancy. This will allow us to get a general idea of how much Royal Caribbean spends annually for each ship based on capacity. Similar rates can be calculated for Celebrity Cruises and SilverSea.

Royal Caribbean International = $58,449
Celebrity Cruises = $60,718
SilverSea Cruises = $101,171

Using this calculation, Wonder of the Seas would have an annual operating expense of $335.15 million based on capacity. This is nearly $1 million dollars per day! We can also calculate the rate for Grandeur of the Seas too with an annual operating expense of $113 million. Here are the average annual cruise operating expenses by ship class based on capacity for Royal Caribbean International:

Oasis Class: $322 million
Quantum Class: $243 million
Freedom Class: $221 million
Voyager Class: $188 million
Radiance Class: $123 million
Vision Class: $119 million

Looking at the entire fleet of 26 ships and calculating the annual cost per ship, we can calculate an average estimate of $208 million to operate one of Royal Caribbean’s cruise ships each year.

How much does it cost to operate a Royal Caribbean cruise ship based on size?

Now that we’ve looked at cost based on capacity, let’s look at some estimates based on gross tonnage. We can calculate the operational cost based on gross tonnage under the assumption that larger ships are more expensive to operate.

In this case, Royal Caribbean’s total gross tonnage for its entire fleet is 3.8 million (excluding Icon of the Seas). Taking into account the annual operating costs for each cruise line, we can estimate that Royal Caribbean International spends approximately $1,415 per gross ton annually.

Using this rate, the biggest ship, Wonder of the Seas (236,857 gross tons), would show a similar annual cost around $335.26 million. The smallest ship in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, Grandeur of the Seas (74,100 gross tons), would have an annual operational cost of $104 million.

How much does it cost to operate a cruise ship daily?

Here are the average daily cruise operating expenses by ship class based on capacity for Royal Caribbean International:

Oasis Class: $883,440
Quantum Class: $667,768
Freedom Class: $605,849
Voyager Class: $517,240
Radiance Class: $338,288
Vision Class: $328,279

While these are simply estimates, other sources online have provided similar values for the daily annual cost to operate one of Royal Caribbean’s cruise ships. For example, Business Insider reported in 2022 that Symphony of the Seas costs $1 million each day to operate. My calculations show an estimated daily cost around $883,440 for an Oasis-class ship.

How much will it cost to operate Icon of the Seas?

No one knows how much it will actually cost to operate Icon of the Seas - and we may never know the exact cruise operating expense unless Royal Caribbean provides that number. We might get a better idea of Icon’s operating expense when Royal Caribbean Group releases their quarterly reports in Q1 or Q2 of 2024.

However, Icon of the Seas is expected to cost Royal Caribbean a whopping $2 billion. In comparison, Allure of the Seas held the previous record for most expensive cruise ship to build at $1.43 billion. Due to its sheer size, we can assume Icon of the Seas will be the most expensive cruise ship for Royal Caribbean to operate in 2024.

Based on size and using our previous assumptions, Icon of the Seas at 250,000 gross tons would have an estimated operational expense of $355 million annually or a daily cost of $920,000.

I would venture to guess the actual cost of operating Icon of the Seas will be more than $355 million; however, without any further data from Royal Caribbean Group, we really cannot forecast accurately.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, I’ve simply drawn a few high-level assumptions and calculated estimates based on these assumptions. I would love to see more brand, fleet and ship specific data from Royal Caribbean Group regarding operating cruise costs, as it would be fascinating to see.

My estimates show that the average annual cost of operating a cruise ship for Royal Caribbean is around $208 million. The biggest cruise ships in the Oasis Class are likely the most expensive to operate while Royal Caribbean’s Vision Class ships are the most affordable. We can estimate that Oasis Class ships cost $322 million, which is around $1 million to operate daily. On the other hand, Vision Class ships might cost closer to $119 million annually.

When it comes to data analytics, it’s important to remember not everything is as black and white as we want to believe. Royal Caribbean Group operates three distinct cruise lines between Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and SilverSea. Each of these brands offer very different cruising experiences at drastically different price points. In the same way, Royal Caribbean Group has differing expenses to ensure each brand is successful.

I will be interested to see Royal Caribbean Group's annual financial report for 2023 to see the operating cruise expense for the year. Of course, with a new ship class launching in 2024, Royal Caribbean International's expenses will certainly increase.

Comments

The ‘dupe’ trend hit travel. It's a good way to save on your next cruise too

In:

Money Saving

01 Jan 2024

By:

Matt Hochberg

Cruising was expensive in 2023, leading to many to seek out cheaper alternatives to the the premium prices new ships have. It's a great way to save money on a cruise in 2024 and 2025.

Social media has popularized the concept of "dupes", which is when you seek out cheaper duplicates. It's something Gen Z and millennial influencers trotted out as travel prices starting to rise.

Of course, a dupe is a fancy term for what travelers have been doing for decades of bargain hunting. It's akin to "do this, not that" approach to trip planning and you can apply this strategy to cruises too.

With land travel, you might look at a trip to Memphis, Tennessee instead of Nashville, Tennessee. Or Liverpool, England, instead of London.

It's a hot trend in travel, and here's how you can apply this to a Royal Caribbean cruise.

It's not about picking the oldest ship possible

Serenade and Mariner of the Seas docked in Cozumel

You might think all you have to do is find the oldest, smallest cruise ship and this exercise is over. But that's over simplifying the idea.

Sure, a cruise on Grandeur of the Seas will almost always be the cheapest option, but finding a dupes is about saving money, not necessarily the lowest price.

Think of it like buying a television. You don't want the cheapest model they have, because it's going to probably not the size you want. Instead, you want to find the best price of the same class of television you're in the market for.

When it comes to cruise ships, the idea is you compromise a little on the ship in exchange for a much better price.

Big ship dupe

Given that Royal Caribbean is well-known for its biggest cruise ships, you might be tempted to book one of their newest and biggest ships: Icon of the Seas or Wonder of the Seas.

These represent the latest and greatest Royal Caribbean has, but they will also have the highest prices.

Assuming you want to go on a big ship with lots to do, water slides, and great entertainment, there are a couple ships to consider instead.

Oasis of the Seas is the best alternative to sail on instead. It's the original game changer of the Oasis Class ships, and got a massive upgrade in 2019 with $165 million in upgrades.

It has lots for families, including water slides, a Broadway show, a revamped pool deck, and updated kids programming.

Here's a look at prices to see the difference:

Spring Break 2024 - March 17, 2024

Icon of the Seas: Starting at $1,806 per person
Wonder of the Seas: Starting at $953 per person
Oasis of the Seas: Starting at $875 per person

Summer 2024 - July 6, 2024

Icon of the Seas: Starting at $2,934 per person
Wonder of the Seas: Starting at $1,276 per person
Oasis of the Seas: Starting at $1,046 per person (Oasis will be in Europe)

Christmas 2024 - December 21, 2024

Icon of the Seas: Starting at $2,146 per person
Wonder of the Seas: Starting at $1,295 per person
Oasis of the Seas: Starting at $964 per person (6-night itinerary)

You'll easily save a few hundred dollars per person by choosing an older Oasis Class ship over a brand new ship.

Alaska cruise dupe

If you're like me, you'd love to take an Alaska cruise and experience everything this beautiful part of the world has to offer.

Finding the right dupe is about balancing dates and ships. There's a big difference in time of year, as much as which ship you pick.

Royal Caribbean offers cruises on two types of ships: Quantum Class and Radiance Class ships.

The bigger Quantum Class ships sail from Seattle, and that will get you a convenient embarkation port, and lots to see and do on your ship.

The Radiance Class ships sail from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It's a bit more difficult and expensive to get flights there (compared to Seattle), and the ships have less to do onboard. But they usually have a much appealing itinerary.

It's also important to note Radiance of the Seas does open-jaw sailings instead of roundtrip. She also offers land tours. For the purpose of this exercise, we're going to omit Radiance since it's so different in terms of itinerary to the other ships.

Just like the Oasis Class, if you opt for the older ship in the class, you'll probably get a better price.

June 14, 2024

Ovation of the Seas: $1,434 per person
Quantum of the Seas: $1,418 per person
Brilliance of the Seas $1,006 per person

July 12, 2024

Ovation of the Seas: $1,497 per person
Quantum of the Seas: $1,209 per person
Brilliance of the Seas $1,059 per person

August 9, 2024

Ovation of the Seas: $946 per person
Quantum of the Seas: $986 per person
Brilliance of the Seas $698 per person

Alaska's prices aren't as varied as the Caribbean because there's less choices and the season is so short.

Still, you can see there are price savings in almost every scenario if you choose to cruise on Quantum or Brilliance over the newer Ovation of the Seas.

It's more than just the cruise price

Voyager of the Seas docked in Costa Maya

However, not all dupes will necessarily pay off for cruisers. You may need to rely on other ways to find savings.

Which picking a "dupe" cruise, you should consider what the ship's amenities are, such as dining venues, top deck activities, and entertainment.

Depending on which week you're looking at cruising, you might find less of a discrepancy than you might have wanted. If you're willing to change the time of year you cruise, you can often save much more money on the cruise fare.

Avoiding peak season times to go on a cruise can be net you much bigger savings than picking one ship over another.

To save money on a cruise in general, try being flexible with your trip dates. For example, pick a Caribbean cruise in September or May instead of July.

Picking a shoulder season cruise, along with booking a year or more in advance, is the best combination to saving the most money and getting the lowest price for almost any cruise.

Comments

Royal Caribbean News Round-up December 31, 2023

In:

Royal Caribbean Post Round-Up

31 Dec 2023

By:

Calista Kiper

Happy New Year! Before we pop champagne and toast to a better year next year, we have a look back at all the Royal Caribbean news from this week to share.

We're less than a month away from Icon of the Seas debuting, and photos of the ship have begun to leak online.

Photos of Royal Caribbean's new cruise ship begin to leak online

As the new ship has gotten staffed up by crew members, some crew have shared photos and video of the ship. Even Royal Caribbean has gotten into act by sharing snippets of what we can expect on their social media channels.

The first revenue cruise of Icon of the Seas is on January 27, 2024, with preview sailings in the week leading up to that cruise.

Royal Caribbean News

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 522nd episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, which has a list of things for Royal Caribbean to change in the coming year.

From policy changes, to new ideas, Matt and Billy share the top 3 changes we would like to see Royal Caribbean make in 2024.

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.

Video: 11 cruise fees you should know about!

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 — 11 cruise fees you should know about! — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Wonder of the Seas Cabins to Avoid

Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas is an extremely popular ship to sail on, but which cabin should you choose?

Wonder of the Seas offers 2,867 staterooms you can stay in, but there are a few types of cabins you might want to think twice about booking.

Whether you’re worried about seasickness, loud noises keeping you awake, or getting the best view, it’s important to be aware of the more disappointing staterooms out there.

We scoured deck plans and online reviews to figure out the types of cabins you need to avoid.

Drama on 9-month world cruise? Not really

Royal Caribbean's first-ever world cruise sailed three weeks ago, and social media has blown up with videos about the "drama" onboard. But is there really any drama?

Certainly there's been plenty of attention so far online, but a lot of the perceived drama mentioned in TikTok videos are pretty much things that happen on any cruise. Guest misbehaving, accidents, and strange occurrences aren't unique to a world cruise.

Here's a reality check on what's really happening on the world cruise right now.

15 bestselling cruise ship accessories our readers love

There are thousands of travel accessories out there, but which really stand out as the best ones for a cruise ship vacation?

Our goal is to make the decision of what to get easier in order to help you travel better, smarter and more comfortably.

We asked our readers for the one item they bought for a cruise that they cannot cruise without. If it works for them, maybe it's what you need to boost your holiday vacation before it begins.

6 Things I'll do differently on Royal Caribbean in 2024

A new year means a new opportunity to make changes, including how Matt takes a cruise.

Cruising is different for everyone, and Matt picked out a few ways he intends to change up his cruise habits in the new year.

From hitting the pool after dark to saving money on a drink package, here's what Matt will do differently in 2024.

Does Royal Caribbean have irons? How laundry works on a cruise ship

How is laundry done on a cruise ship? This question has been asked many times in recent weeks, especially with the launch of longer cruises such as the 9-month world cruise.

Royal Caribbean does not allow you to bring irons or steamers onboard. If you do, it will be confiscated and returned to you at the end of your cruise.

So how can you get your laundry cleaned and pressed?

Royal Caribbean does allow you to send your laundry away to be washed, folded, pressed, or dry cleaned. Suite guests also receive complimentary pressing on the first formal night of their cruise.

And if you don’t want to pay any extra charge to get clothes clean and smooth, there are several hacks cruise fans have devised.

Comments

Royal Caribbean's 9-month world cruise is getting attention for "drama", but it's nothing new

In:

World Cruise

30 Dec 2023

By:

Matt Hochberg

TikTok and the media have become obsessed with Royal Caribbean's first ever world cruise for all the things that happen on pretty much any cruise.

I'm not sure why this cruise has become so obsessed over. Maybe it's the slow news cycle that occurs around the holidays, but a number of major media outlets have written about how TikTok blew up with so-called drama on the Ultimate World Cruise that will take 9-months and began a few weeks ago.

Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas kicked off the world cruise on December 10 from Miami, and she will spend 274-nights traversing the world with hundreds of people onboard for the entire transit.

As soon as the ship set sail, it seemed to ignite an overnight sensation on TikTok among people who were intrigued by the notion of spending almost a year on a cruise ship.

Like so many things on social media, a bigger deal was made out of it than it really is. The problem is the media picked up on it, and is reporting on the sort of things happening so far on the cruise as if it's something new, when it's really not.

I'm all for fun videos about cruises. Heck, our team makes our own silly videos too. But before you share that article that there's drama on the world cruise, here's a reality check.

Why is the world cruise all over TikTok?

Photo by mamanee117

In the lead up the world cruise, a number of people booked on the cruise started publishing videos about the cruise and used the #RoyalCaribbeanUltimateWorldCruise hashtag.

All sorts of videos started popping up, and when it was time to board the ship, even more videos got posted and there's been 9 million views on the platform.

Nine million views is a lot of views, for sure. But in reading through the comments and looking at the videos, what we're basically seeing is people post about things that happen on any vacation when you have a lot of people together in one place.

The comments are also a hot bed of people that have never cruised and/or Never Cruisers that like to share their opinion on why cruising is silly. But this is just another day on the internet.

The world cruise is not any more dramatic than any other cruise

People on TikTok became as interested in the cruise itself as the personalities of the creators. Given that the vast majority of the public has never been on a cruise before, all sorts of assumptions and predictions were made. Many were just plain crazy.

"Can you imagine the type of drama that is gonna happen on that boat?” user @nchimad on TikTok said in a video

"If something big goes down, I want to hear from different people, different angles, perspectives."

I'm not sure what constitutes "something big", but misbehaving guests, accidents, and strange occurrences happen on pretty much every cruise (and high school, theme park, or Starbucks) around the world.

While there will certainly be people who get in trouble, annoyances, or other instances of guests behaving badly, this is not unique to a world cruise by any means.

Photo by whimsysoul

Another person created a bingo card for things that could happen on the world cruise. She isn't actually on the sailing, just following along.

The video has over 300,000 views so far and the squares range from the mundane to the absurd.

Getting sunburned
Norovirus
Brands sponsors for passengers
Pirate takeover
A wedding
Someone goes home early
Port errand runs
Minor mystery to solve

If we overlook the laughable squares (pirates?), getting sunburned, married, gaining 15 pounds, or having a mental breakdown are not unique to any single cruise.

Anyone that's been on a cruise ship would tell you these sort of things happen.

Then there's a video by Little Rat Brain that showed what her cabin looked like, and it has 1.4 million views.

Photo by little_rat_brain

She did a great job at creatively decorating her cabin for the entire voyage so it feels more like home, "I’m creating custom mail from each of the ports. Obviously, as it’s an interior cabin, we had to bring the outside in, so we did that with some help from IKEA – shout out to their plant walls."

Photo by little_rat_brain

"I also created some of these custom murals, to just brighten everything up. This is a sneak peek of what’s to come, it’s not quite done yet."

She has put a lot of effort into her cabin decorating, but plenty of people do this sort of thing on any cruise. Cabin decorating is a popular cruise ship activity.

Many cruise ship passengers will decorate their cabin doors, while others will go as far as to decorate the inside of their room too.

Cabin photos by Don & Judy "Meet me at Vintages" Goldstein

Inside cabins aren't as bad as you think

If you read the comments made to the cabin tour video, there's people who can't believe little_rat_brain would stay in an inside room for 9-months.

“My claustrophobia can’t,” a viewer commented.

"Is it not a fire hazard to have no windows in a room?" another questioned.

Inside cabins are commonplace on cruise ships, and while they aren't spacious, there are advantages to staying in them.

Booking an inside cabin doesn't mean you're in your room all day. Most cruise ship passengers are out and about doing things. Hanging at the pool, grabbing a meal somewhere, on shore exploring, or enjoying music around the ship.

In most cases, cruise ship cabins are used as a place to sleep, change, and shower.

In addition, booking an inside room means a lot of money saved that can be used towards other aspects of this epic trip.

The price for the full 274-nights was between $53,999 per person to $117,599 per person. Suffice to say, the inside room was closer to the low end of that range.

Bottom line

In short, the people sailing on the world cruise are just like the people on pretty much any other Royal Caribbean cruise. The only difference is the length of their sailing.

Any cruise you pick is going to have a myriad of personalities and backgrounds. That's what makes travel so compelling, because you're exposed to different cultures and get to meet new people.

The internet may be freaking out about the drama that may or may not occur on Serenade of the Seas. But there's no reason to believe this is really anything out of the ordinary.

Comments

The 15 best-selling cruise ship products our readers can't stop buying in 2023

In:

Packing

30 Dec 2023

By:

Allie Hubers

With so many great travel products to choose from, how do you know which are the best items to purchase and pack for your cruise?

We recently asked our readers, “Name one item you bought for a cruise that you now can't travel without”. We received hundreds of responses from our readers with their favorite cruise purchases of 2023. Our readers loved everything from packing cubes to portable fans to pack for their cruises.

While your cruise cabin will have the majority of what you need for a comfortable stay, there are some must-have items that you should consider purchasing. These include many gadgets, tools and devices that you can bring onboard your cruise ship to enhance your experience.

We’ve compiled a list of the top 15 best-selling cruise ship products for 2023 that our readers can’t stop raving about! If you are looking to expand your cruise travel must-have products before setting sail in 2024, take a look at the list below.

As a note, we have provided affiliate links these Amazon products. Our site receives a small commission when you purchase items from these links - at no extra cost to you. The small commission helps support our site.

In addition, RoyalCaribbeanBlog now has its own Amazon store front! Here, you can see all of the popular Amazon items that we recommend for your cruise travel needs. Everything from outfit suggestions to cruise gadgets and devices are linked here. We also receive a small commission when you purchase from our Amazon store front.

1. Portable USB fan

I was surprised to see this as the top response from our readers! Many commented how they pack a portable USB fan to keep in their cabins while cruising. A small, USB-charged fan like this helps provide airflow in the cabin, which is great for sleepers who prefer to sleep with a fan on. Cruise cabins do not have fans, so packing a small one in your luggage is a great idea.

Here are two portable fans powered by USB that have rave reviews. The first one has adjustable tripod legs so you can clip it wherever you need. The second item would work well on a nightstand or cruise vanity.

Link: snawowo Mini Handheld Personal Portable Fan, Baby Stroller Fan, Car Seat Fan, USB or Battery Powered, with Flexible Tripod Clip on Student Bed Desk Bike Crib Treadmill Camping Traveling(Dark Blue) | Price: $22.99

Link: Gaiatop USB Desk Fan, 3 Speeds with Strong Airflow, 5.5 Inch Quiet Small Portable Table Fan, 90° Rotate Personal Cooling Fan For Bedroom Home Office Desktop Travel (Black) | Price: $8.99

2. AirTags

In a post-pandemic cruising world, many travelers are purchasing and using AirTags, which are small tracking devices that connect to Apple products. The small tag can be placed inside luggage while traveling to your cruise embarkation port. You can track your items right on your phone so you know exactly where to find your belongings at all times.

AirTags work on a single battery for about one year, so no need to recharge. The devices connect using bluetooth, so you can be sure to know exactly where you luggage is while traveling and cruising. I even like to use these after handing off my luggage to the cruise porters so I know for sure that my luggage was boarded on the ship.

Link: Apple AirTag - Single | Price: $23.99

Link: Apple AirTag - 4 Pack | Price: $78.99

3. Magnetic hooks

One of the best-selling cruise products is a pack of magnetic hooks! This was one of the top responses from our readers as an item they simply cannot cruise without.

Since cruise cabins are made of magnetic walls, these magnetic hooks can be used to hang a variety of things, such as coats, hats, lanyards, umbrellas, etc. With cruise cabins being so small, it’s important to be as organized as possible to keep the stateroom from getting cluttered.

Link: Neosmuk Magnetic Hooks, 27 lb+ Heavy Duty Earth Magnets with Hook for Refrigerator, Extra Strong Cruise Hook for Hanging, Magnetic Hanger for Cabins, Grill (Silver White, Pack of 10)

Price: $7.80

4. Motion-activated nightlight

Many readers shared they always bring a motion-activated nightlight on their cruises. If you’re someone who stays in an inside cabin when cruising, you have likely have done the ‘zombie walk’ to the bathroom in the middle of the night.

Without any window or balcony, an inside cabin stays completely black throughout all hours of the day. Even if you cruise in a cabin with some natural light, it can be difficult to navigate the small and unfamiliar space in the night. Packing one of these portable, motion-activated night lights can help you safely walk around your cabin in the night. Here are two popular options from our readers.

Link: Night Light Motion Sensor [Battery Powered] with Rotating Base for Indoor Use in Bathroom, Hallway, Cruise Cabin & More White | Price: $17.99

Link: WYZE Rechargeable Night Lights with Dusk to Dawn & Motion Sensors, Warm & Soft White Step Lights for Bathroom,Hallway, Bedroom, Kids Room, Kitchen, Stairway, 3 Pack | Price: $35.98

5. European adapter

Another top-selling product from cruise fans is this 2-pack of European USB adapters. Many cruise ships have limited charging outlets, especially older cruise ships. However, almost every cruise ship has a European outlet to use. Instead of letting this outlet go to waste, purchase one of these adapters so you can easily charge your devices.

In fact, I personally never cruise without this adapter! It’s one of the best cruise products that I purchased in 2023 and even gave these as gifts to my cruise-loving family members.

Link: . [2-Pack] European Travel Plug Adapter, VINTAR International Power Plug Adapter with 1 USB C, 2 American Outlets and 3 USB Ports, 6 in 1 Travel Essentials to Most of Europe Greece, Italy(Type C)

Price: $22.99

6. USB charging hub

Similar to the European adapter, our readers can’t stop purchasing these USB charging hubs and cruise-approved power strips. Having enough chargers for all of your devices is a necessity when cruising.

If you’re like me, this means charging upwards of four to five devices each night between my phone, laptop, watch, iPad, etc. Those traveling with multiple people in the same stateroom will undoubtedly want to pack one of these products! Here are three of the most popular items on our Amazon storefront to ensure you have enough outlets for charging devices during your cruise.

Link: Cruise Power Strip No Surge Protector with USB Outlets - Ship Approved (Non Surge Protection) Cruise Essentials in 2023, 2024 & 2025 | Price: $17.99

Link: Anker Charger, 60W 6 Port Charging Station, PowerPort 6 Multi USB Charger for iPhone 15/Pro/Pro Max/14/13, iPad Pro/Air/Mini, Galaxy S23/S22/S21, Note 20 Ultra, LG, HTC, and More | Price: $29.99

Link: Cruise Essentials,6 Ft Power Strip with 3 Outlets and 4 USB Ports(1 USB C), Non Surge Protector for Cruise Ship, Travel, Home Office, ETL Listed, White | Price: $13.98

7. Packing cubes

This would be the number one item on my cruise essential list! I simply cannot travel without packing cubes once I started to use them last year. Our readers also loved purchasing packing cubes in 2023, as it was one of the top-selling products from our Amazon storefront this year.

Packing cubes help you stay organized in your suitcase, while compression packing cubes can also help you save space in your luggage. Once you’re onboard your cruise, simply remove the cubes from your suitcase and place in the drawers or shelves of your cruise cabin. It couldn’t be easier! These are three of the most popular packing cube sets in 2023.

Link: Veken 8 Set Packing Cubes for Suitcases, Travel Essentials for Carry on, Black Luggage Organizer Bags Set for Travel Accessories in 4 Sizes (Extra Large, Large, Medium, Small) | Price: $16.98

Link: Veken 6 Set Packing Cubes for Suitcases, Travel Organizer Bags for Carry on Luggage, Suitcase Organizer Bags Set for Travel Essentials Travel Accessories in 4 Sizes(Extra Large, Large, Medium, Small) | Price: $16.99

Link: PFEYRPK Lightweight Compression Packing Cubes for Suitcases, Compressible Expandable Travel Packing Organizer with Clear Toiletries and Backpack Bag, Travel Essentials for Carry on Luggage 7 Set | Price: $19.99

8. Travel white noise machine

This is one product that I am eyeing for my 2024 cruises and it’s one product that many of our readers considered a must-have item! Similar to a fan, many cruisers like to sleep with white noise playing.

Cruise ships can be noisy, especially when you cruise during peak times, like spring break. This small, portable white noise machine is the perfect solution to keep you sleeping soundly in the night. This one below is a battery operated and reviews state that it lasts a few nights on each charge.

Link: White Noise Machine Babelio Mini Sound Machine for Adults Kids Baby | 15 Non-looping Sounds | Timer | Easy to Pocket and Travel - White

Price: $18.99

9. Over-the-door shoe organizer

Cruisers raved in our comment section about how much they love packing an over-the-door shoe organizer for their travels. With cruise cabins being so small, it’s crucial to stay as organized as possible.

Packing an over-the-door shoe organizer helps keep clutter off the floor. You can hang up more than just shoes, as many claim to put anything and everything in these small compartments.

Link: 24 Pockets - SimpleHouseware Crystal Clear Over The Door Hanging Shoe Organizer, Gray (64'' x 19'')

Price: $8.87

10. PooPouri Spray

This one needs little explanation. All of that delicious cruise food has to go somewhere! You’ll likely be sharing your cabin bathroom with at least one other person, if not multiple people.

We know that sharing a small space on a cruise ship can be tough enough, even when your cabin is clean. Having some of this travel-sized Poo-Pourri spray can help keep your stateroom smelling fresh and inviting for all.

Link: Poo-Pourri Before-You-Go Toilet Spray, On-The-Go, Travel Size Variety 10 mL - Original Citrus, Lavender Vanilla and Fresh Air 0.34 Fl Oz (Pack of 3)

Price: $9.97

11. Hanging cosmetic bag

Another top selling cruise product from 2023 was a hanging cosmetic bag. Organization is key in your cruise cabin, if you haven’t picked up on that yet. With limited bathroom space, I love to pack a hanging cosmetic bag that hangs from the back of the bathroom door.

This hanging cosmetic bag is easy to travel with. It folds up conveniently and also has waterproof storage compartments. All of your cosmetics will be in one location from your suitcase to your cruise stateroom.

Link: BAGSMART Toiletry Bag Travel Bag with Hanging Hook, Water-resistant Makeup Cosmetic Bag Travel Organizer for Accessories, Shampoo, Full-size Container, Toiletries.

Price: $22.39

12. Luggage tag holders

Luggage tag holders continue to be one of the top-selling products for cruisers. Every cruise line requires guests to print out luggage tags to be placed on suitcases that will be checked at the cruise terminal.

Instead of using tape or staples, place the printed luggage tag into these plastic luggage tags. This will ensure your tags stay put on your luggage and do not get ripped or damaged. These from Amazon are specifically designed for Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises.

Link: Highwind Cruise Luggage Tag Holder for Suitcases | Compatible with Celebrity 2022 Royal Caribbean Luggage Tag Holders Travel Essentials Cruise Lanyard - 4 Pack

Price: $7.99

13. Pop-up hamper

One simple product can make your cruise cabin exponentially more organized! Many readers responded that they cannot cruise without packing a pop-up mesh hamper. No one wants to think about laundry while cruising, but you also don’t want a huge pile of dirty, stinky clothes on the bottom of your closet.

Instead, consider packing one of these small hampers. These mesh hampers pack super easily at the bottom of your suitcase and pop-up once you’ve reached your cruise cabin. You can keep all of your dirty laundry in the hamper, just as you might do at home.

Link: Collapsible Mesh Pop Up Laundry Hamper with Wide Opening and Side Pocket – Breathable, Sturdy, Foldable, and Space-Saving Design for Laundry Clothes and Storage. (Black

Price: $7.99

14. Small liquid hand soap

Most cruise ships will only provide you a small bar of soap to use for hand-washing in your cabin. But washing your hands is crucial on a cruise to ensure you have clean hands to stay healthy. My family has been packing liquid hand-soap for years and we love the ease and convenience.

Many readers responded to our poll that they love to pack some liquid hand-soap for their cabin. It’s a small luxury, but totally worth it. You can even buy reusable bottles to bring on your cruises.

Link: Softsoap Liquid Hand Soap, Fresh Breeze - 7.5 Fl Oz (Pack of 6) | Price: $7.35

Link: Owlyee 2oz Foam Bottle (3PCS) Empty Foaming Pump Dispenser for Hand Soap, Lash Cleanser, Shampoo to Travel (60ml, Green) | Price: $7.99

15. Motion sickness medication

While it might not be likely that you will get seasick on your cruise, it’s best to be prepared for the worst. Cruise ships can encounter rough seas or storms unexpectedly. Whether you’ve earned your sea legs or not, it’s a good idea to be prepared for seasickness.

Many of our readers commented that they pack seasickness medication like Bonine and Dramamine. Make sure you purchase a non-drowsy formula to use during the day, such as the options linked below. In addition, some find that Seabands work well to combat motion sickness.

Link: Non-Drowsy Bonine for Motion Sickness Relief, Sea Sickness, Car Sickness, Nausea and Vomiting, with Meclizine Hcl 25mg, Raspberry, Travel-Sized 16ct (Packaging May Vary) | Price: $5.94

Link: Dramamine Non-Drowsy, Motion Sickness Relief, Made with Natural Ginger, 18 Count | Price: $6.98

Link: LYJEE Motion Morning Sickness Wristbands for Anti-Nausea, Car Sea Sickness, Acupressure Relief Bands for Pregnant Women Adult | Price: $7.98

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6 Things I'll do differently on Royal Caribbean in 2024

In:

Planning

29 Dec 2023

By:

Matt Hochberg

When I go on my cruises in 2024, I'll be making a few changes to how I cruise.

I went on 11 cruises in 2023, including 9 of them on Royal Caribbean ships. It was my best year yet of cruising, and I was able to sail to a variety of destinations around the world.

With the new year nearly upon us, I can't help but look back at what I did this year, and the new year resolutions I'll make to being a better cruiser in 2024.

With any cruise, you can alter the dynamic of how you approach it. It's not a "one size fits all" product, and that means you have the option to change it.

I came up with five changes I want to make in my 2024 cruises so that I can save money, avoid pitfalls, or simply improve my experience overall.

Book my second half cruises sooner (to save money)

The cost of travel went up in 2023, and cruises were no exception.

The average price of a Royal Caribbean cruise is higher now than in 2019, and as as consumer, I need to adjust my strategies.

While I have a number of cruises already booked for 2024, my plan is to be more proactive with booking anything new.

In the past, I would still rely on booking a cruise with about three months or so left to be able to squeeze another cruise in. This was partially because I live in Florida and can drive to any cruise port in the state, but also because I was slow to come up with ideas for articles to write and subsequently find a cruise to make it happen.

Instead, I'll book my cruises sooner to hopefully get a better price than if I try to get a last-minute deal.

I'd recommend anyone reading this to also aspire to book their cruises earlier. Prices are only going up, so booking early is still the best overall strategy for a better price.

Skip the drink package

Depending on how long you've read posts on this site, you know I've generally been a fan of the Royal Caribbean drink package. But I think that may be changing this year.

Even at the higher prices, I still think the drink package is a good investment for someone looking to indulge during their cruise. It still has the propensity to save money.

However, I've found an alternative way to enjoy alcoholic beverages on my cruise without paying the price of a drink package.

Many readers have told me about how lucrative Royal Caribbean's casino loyalty program can be, as it includes unlimited free drinks in the casino as one of its perks.

I'm not a big gambler by any means, but I cruise enough during the year that I can spend a little bit during each sailing to accrue enough points to reach Prime in the Casino Royale program.

Having achieved that status, I can now get free drinks in the casino. Combined with the free drink vouchers I get from Royal Caribbean's Crown and Anchor Society, I want to try relying on this instead of buying a drink package.

The downside to this strategy is I'm reliant on going to the casino to get a drink. On big ships, this is quite the schlep.

Nonetheless, the money-saving opportunity this strategy has is too alluring to pass up, so I want to try it this year.

Take the train instead of driving to South Florida

From the first time I took the new Brightline train between Orlando and Miami, I was hooked.

It's about three and a half hours to traverse Central and South Florida, and it's an extremely boring drive. Much of Florida's interior is rural and there isn't much to see. Plus, that's a lot of time to be out of pocket for covering what's happening in the world of cruising.

Brightline opened daily service between Orlando and the ports Royal Caribbean ships sail out of in South Florida, and it has been a godsend for people like me that hate to fly but were sick of the drive.

I've taken the train five times now, and when Icon of the Seas begins her cruises from Miami, I'll be taking the train instead of my car to get back and forth.

Driving is still cheaper, but my time is worth more to me, especially if it means never having to get stuck in traffic or slowed down by a downpour.

Rethink the unlimited dining plan

Earlier I said I'd skip buying a drink package, but for the specialty dining package, I'm going to commit to thinking twice before buying it.

I've bought the unlimited dining package for plenty of my cruises because it's a great way to enjoy many specialty restaurants.

But like the drink package, the price of the dining package has gone up. And equally importantly, Royal Caribbean has stepped up with its complimentary food. While I love the hibachi or a filet, I never regret the stir-fry station in the Windjammer or a bowl of French onion soup in the Main dining room.

I think a lot of people are coming to a similar conclusion, especially on Icon of the Seas.

Jeffrey Robinson bought the unlimited dining package the first day it became available for the Icon of the Seas inaugural sailing, but then cancelled it a few weeks ago because he realized how much great complimentary food there was on Icon.

I didn't cancel my dining package for Icon, but as I plan out the rest of my 2024 cruises, I might reconsider the investment.

Finally try the rock climbing wall

Believe it or not, I've never tried the rock climbing wall on any Royal Caribbean ship.

The rock wall has been a staple of Royal Caribbean ships ever since it was first introduced on Voyager of the Seas in 1999.

I've always wanted to try it, but never got around to doing it. A few years ago I actually went to the wall to try it, only to hear it was closed because the wall itself was too hot.

I'm not sure which ship I'll try it on, but I aspire to finally get up on the rock wall this year! The Crown's Edge on Icon of the Seas can take the rock wall's place on my "never done it" list.

Go for a night swim with my kids

Not my kids

When I was brainstorming this list, I thought of something to do differently as it relates to my kids.

We've always talked about going up to the pool for a swim after dinner, but never end up doing it. Either the kids find something else to do, or I realize we have plans elsewhere on the ship. Or we just get lazy and call it a night.

In any case, I want to find time to go up at least one night per cruise with the kids up to the pool to get some time in for a night swim. Maybe it's for half an hour, maybe it's for an entire movie, but I think this is a good year to make it happen.

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