Royal Caribbean Blog

Lee is a major hurricane and a storm of its magnitude results in cruise ship itinerary changes.

The tropical storm went from a category 1 to a category 5 before falling back to a category 3 on Friday night.  After quickly reaching category 5 intensity 36 hours ago, Hurricane Lee has been struggling against wind shear.

Nonetheless, Lee is currently a Category 3 hurricane and larger than it was a few days ago. Lee's hurricane-force winds extend up to 90 miles from its center, with tropical storm-force winds extending for some 205 miles. 

As of early Tuesday afternoon, and it's expected to turn more northward by the middle of this week , with a potential impact to the U.S. Northeast and Atlantic Canada.

Lee is already impacting some cruise ship itineraries, with Royal Caribbean announcing course changes.

Royal Caribbean made these changes to ensure an enjoyable and safe experience, "To ensure we have a safe and smooth journey, and to stay well away from Hurricane Lee's path, we've adjusted our itinerary," said the email sent to booked passengers. 

Here's the list of cruise ship changes so far.

Last updated: September 13, 2023

Jewel of the Seas - September 14, 2023 sailing

Royal Caribbean informed guests booked on Jewel of the Seas that the ship will overnight in Manhattan, New York instead of visiting Halifax, Nova Scotia.

After that, the ship will proceed to Greenland and resume its normal itinerary.

Vision of the Seas - September 14, 2023 sailing

Vision of the Seas will remain in Baltimore on the 14th and then depart on the afternoon of September 15th.

Guests will need to be onboard the ship on the 14th.

Vision of the Seas - September 9, 2023 sailing

New: Vision of the Seas will return to Baltimore one day earlier, on September 13, with passengers staying aboard until their scheduled disembarkation date of September 14.  

Vision of the Seas is sailing from Baltimore and will depart as scheduled.

Instead of going to Bermuda, Vision will go to Perfect Day at CocoCay on Day 3 and Nassau, Bahamas on Day 4.

Liberty of the Seas - September 7, 2023 sailing

Liberty of the Seas will skip a scheduled visit to New Brunswick, Canada and instead head back to Cape Liberty for an overnight stay before the cruise ends.

Liberty will depart Halifax, Nova Scotia at 3pm on September 13 and head back to Cape Liberty, where the ship should arrive around 11pm on September 14.  She will remain in Cape Liberty until September 16th.

The ship's shops and casinos will remain closed while the ship is in Cape Liberty.

Guests on Liberty will receive compensation because of the skipped port and returning to the ship's homeport earlier than expected.

• Inside & Oceanview rooms: $75
• Balcony staterooms: $100
• Suites: $200
• $25 for each third and fourth guest

Adventure of the Seas - September 9, 2023 sailing

Royal Caribbean plans for Adventure of the Seas to depart Fort Lauderdale on Saturday as planned.

The ship will now visit Roatan, Honduras on Day 3 and Cozumel, Mexico on Day 4.

Wonder of the Seas - September 10, 2023 sailing

Royal Caribbean changed Wonder of the Seas to go from an Eastern Caribbean itinerary to the Western Caribbean.

The ship was scheduled to visit Perfect Day at CocoCay, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten.

Instead, the world's largest cruise ship will visit CocoCay on September 11; Cozumel, Mexico on September 13; and Roatán, Honduras on September 14. 

Harmony of the Seas - September 9, 2023 sailing

Harmony of the Seas is also swapping itineraries.

The September 9th sailing is now going to Roatán, Honduras; Cozumel, Mexico; and Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

Monitoring the hurricane

Royal Caribbean employs its own full-time meteorologist to help track the path of the storm.

Craig Setzer has been Royal Caribbean's Chief Meteorologist since August and is involved with the National Hurricane Center, teaching at World Meteorological Organization workshops, and presenting at American Meteorological Society conferences around the country.

Guests on ships with revised itineraries were informed by Aurora Yera-Rodriguez, the Assistant Vice President of Guest Experience for Royal Caribbean International, how the company is making these changes: "Along with our Chief Meteorologist and nautical experts, we’re closely monitoring the development of Hurricane Lee and any potential impacts to our itineraries."

The path of Lee

Most weather experts are calling for Lee to make a turn to the north, but it's unclear when that may occur.

Hurricane Lee is about 440 miles east of the northern Leeward Islands with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The hurricane is moving west, northwest at 13 mph, and is forecast to pass to the north of the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico over the weekend and into early next week.

According to Mr. Setzer, the uncertainty occurs when & where the turn to the north takes place on Wednesday. A sooner turn, a more likely recurve (out to sea), a later turn/faster motion before the turn, a less likely recurve (out to sea).

"I cannot stress this point enough. Until that turn takes place, and we observe where it happens, we will not know exactly who in the US, Canada, Bermuda will be impacted, or if impacted at all," he posted in a tweet on Friday.

He was also quite blunt about providing any kind of accurate predictions, "With that in mind, there is no need to ask me about your specific area and its threat, because I have no idea, nor does anyone else."

There's good and bad things about every cruise, including the one I just enjoyed.

I recently disembarked from a seven-day voyage onboard Adventure of the Seas. I had a fantastic time, but like many things in life, it wasn’t perfect.

Honestly, it’s easy to come up with things that I loved about my time on Adventure. I always love the food, entertainment, activities, and relaxation that comes with cruising. Adventure of the Seas is over 20 years old, but she is in excellent shape and offers a great value for cruisers.

Finding bad things about my trip was a little more difficult to do. I’d say that’s a good thing!

Nonetheless, here are the five things I loved and the five things I hated about my trip on Adventure of the Seas.

Love: The cruise director

Most cruise directors don’t stand out to me that much, but that is not the case with Kabir Bageria. Kabir was awesome! He made my trip on Adventure very memorable.

So many things about Kabir impressed me. His energy, enthusiasm, and upbeat personality are unmatched. He makes it his priority to ensure every guest feels welcome onboard.

He loves teaching his energetic signature dance classes on the pool deck multiple times throughout the voyage. He had a plethora of dad jokes he would share before and after shows, which were always funny (some more than others). He shared with me he tries to respond to every message he receives, and that truly sets him apart in my mind.

Every time he saw me or my mom, he would go out of his way to say hello and chat with us. Of all my cruises, Kabir was the most hospitable and accommodating! He made his home at sea feel like mine for my seven days onboard.

Kabir was nice enough to meet with me during his busy day so we could make content together for our social media channels. You can watch the interview here, and be sure to follow him on Instagram if you want to see what it’s like to be a cruise director!

Hate: Lack of outlets in our cabin

The thing I hated the most about this cruise was the lack of electrical outlets in our stateroom. There were only two outlets on the vanity for me and my mom to use. Between both of us, we had two cell phones, two smartwatches, two iPads, a laptop and camera to charge throughout the week. 

There were also a few instances when we had to blow dry our hair. We were constantly shuffling around our devices to see what needed to be charged first and plan ahead. 

Read more: I stayed in the cheapest cabin on Adventure of the Seas. It was small and windowless, but for $300 a night, it was a great deal. Take a look inside.

I thought I had read online that there was an outlet or two behind the beds. I made sure to check behind both of our beds for an outlet, and I was disappointed to not find one.

I will definitely look at bringing a power adapter like this one next time.

Another thing I wanted to note about our cabin is that I wasn’t sure if our air conditioner worked as it should have.

We had the air conditioner on the coldest setting we could and it was comfortable enough, but some may have found our cabin a little warm. It matched the refrigerator in our cabin — not that cool.

Love: Location of our cabin

While I hated there not being enough outlets in the cabin, I loved its location on the ship. We stayed in cabin 9379, which is on the ninth floor.

This floor proved to be very convenient because we were only two floors below the Windjammer and pool deck. Then, we had to go down just four floors to be at the Royal Promenade, the hub of activity on Voyager Class ships. 

The fact that we were in the far aft of the ship, the amount of people walking by our cabin was minimal. This made for a secluded cabin both in the mornings and the evenings when we really appreciated the quiet. 

Hate: Disrespectful kids

Because our over-capacity sailing (3,947 total passengers) had nearly 1,000 people under the age of 18 onboard, kids were everywhere. My guess is that many families were having their last summer vacation before school started (keep in mind, we cruised in early August).

Of course, kids onboard are fine, but my complaint is about the ones that weren’t respectful during shows.

My mom and I went to every headliner show in The Lyric Theatre. We usually went to the earlier show at 7:30 p.m., and these were well attended by all ages.

But, there were kids and teenagers that would be there who clearly didn’t want to! So many teenagers would be on their cell phones the entire show, and the light from their phones was distracting. Others would talk during the show – pretty loudly.

Many instances, parents would drag their young kids into the show and sit in one of the front rows – during the show! Families would come in last minute, start to crawl over us, and no more than 15 minutes later, crawl over us again to go the bathroom or leave because they’re bored. I don’t know why they would come to the front of the show when they can sit in the back or the side where they can easily slip out if they need to.

One night, a young boy kept bopping up and down so hard in his chair behind us that our chairs rattled and vibrated during the show. My mom had a kid behind her kick her seat throughout the show another night. I know it is their vacation as well, but I wish these parents would’ve had their children be more courteous to those of us around them.

We were thrilled if we had a non-interrupted 45 minutes of viewing enjoyment.

This leads to the next thing I loved about Adventure of the Seas.

Love: Entertainment and activities

The entertainment and activity options onboard Adventure of the Seas were plentiful! I was never bored. As mentioned earlier, my mom and I attended every headliner show. Sometimes, we saw the shows twice because we enjoyed them so much!

Read more: Royal Caribbean's Adventure of the Seas review: What it's like to cruise on this ship today

The comedian, IMPACT, and the ice skating shows were some of my favorite entertainment. I also attended many of the game shows in the Imperial Lounge, including Majority Rules, Battle of the Sexes, and The Quest.

After attending the “Up Close & Personal with our Entertainment Family” event, Kabir, the cruise director, explained how important filling out the post-cruise survey is in terms of what entertainment the ship offers.

For example, after reading all the survey comments, Adventure of the Seas is considering adding an 80’s party in addition to the popular 70’s party. I like how they take into account what we as guests liked (or disliked) and want to see on a future cruise.

Hate: Numerous time zone changes

Our cruise visited Cozumel, Mexico; Belize City, Belize; Roatan, Honduras; and Perfect Day at CocoCay. We had a total of four nights with time changes.

For some reason, our cell phones didn’t always update when there was a time change. We found ourselves getting times messed up and missing a few activities because of it. 

Gaining an hour twice at the beginning of our trip was great (yay extra sleep!), but then it wasn’t so great when we had to lose them a few days later.

There was an instance when we were taking our sweet time getting ready before dinner in the Main Dining Room. I was in the shower when my mom frantically yelled, “It’s actually 5:30, not 4:30! We are late for dinner!” My mom ran to our dinner table and told our waiter, and luckily, they were nice enough to still serve us even though we were about 30 minutes late. They were so accommodating and didn’t make us feel bad for messing up their schedule.

It is only because my mom checked the Royal Caribbean app that she realized it was actually 5:30 p.m. instead of 4:30 p.m. With all the time changes, I would recommend using the trusty Royal Caribbean app when in doubt because the app is in ship time, the time you need to know for all onboard activities, events, dining, etc.

Love: The staff

Speaking of being accommodating, the staff on Adventure of the Seas took excellent care of us!

Our stateroom attendant did everything she could to keep our cabin well stocked, clean and comfortable. She brought us extra pillows, extra towels, extra lotion and daily Cruise Compasses upon our request. If we requested something, she was always on it and did it with a smile on her face.

We chose to eat in the Main Dining Room every night. Our waiter and assistant waiter did a spectacular job! If we weren’t happy with something, they were great about recommending something else. They would always give us their honest opinion if something was good or not. We found them to be spot-on and we appreciated their candor.

My mom and I also made a friend in the Windjammer. After his initial question about getting us drinks, we stirred up a conversation with him. He shared how he missed his family and six dogs in the Philippines. 

The next day morning, he showed us a picture of his dogs! After making a connection, he took great care of us each morning, even when the Windjammer was super busy.

Hate: Inconsistent food temperature

While I liked having dinner in the Main Dining Room every night, there were times when my food wasn’t hot like I would’ve wanted.

Either the food was super hot and steaming, or it was lukewarm. For example, the spinach artichoke dip appetizer was nice and hot while my mom’s escargot was not on the same night.

The food still tasted good when it was lukewarm, but it would’ve been better if it was hotter.

Love: The Key

This cruise was the first time I tried The Key. After experiencing it, I would definitely consider getting it again for a future cruise.

Our embarkation day was amazing mostly because of The Key. Being able to check in at 11 a.m. (an hour earlier than our regular check-in time) was extremely convenient and within a few short minutes, we were able to walk onto the ship.

After a quick muster drill, we enjoyed a tasty lunch in the Main Dining Room with a menu from Chops Grille. Before we even had dessert, our cabin was ready. When we opened our stateroom door, my carry-on was there on the couch.

All the perks of The Key made the first day of our vacation much more relaxing. Day one of our voyage felt like a full-day experience instead of a travel day! Basically, if you subtract the internet we wanted to get for the seven days onboard, the extra benefits were less than $60 per person. 

I wrote an article detailing my Key experience that you can read on our sister site, Cruise.Blog, here.

Hate: A stinky situation

We had quite the stinky situation for two days. I was sitting in my cabin when I all of a sudden got a whiff of the skunky smell of marijuana. I went into the hallway and could smell it wafting from someone’s cabin.

For the next two days, we noticed the same bad smell in our hallway as we left our cabin. Then one time as we were trying to figure out the exact location of the smell, a stateroom attendant started talking to us and explained how he smelt it too. He stated that it wasn’t allowed on the ship and that he was going to report it. We were happy to hear that.

After this conversation, we never noticed the smell again. We assumed the warning was made and we were pleased that it was dealt with quickly!

Read more: Things that can get you kicked off a cruise ship in an instant

I almost always book an inside cabin for my Royal Caribbean cruises. Because these staterooms are both affordable and functional, I can save so much money by staying in an inside stateroom. However, once in a while, I will make a splurge to stay in a more spacious and luxurious cabin. But, I still try not to break the bank when I upgrade to a higher-end stateroom. 

Last October, I sailed on a bucket-list 12-night itinerary from Rome to Israel onboard Royal Caribbean's Odyssey of the Seas with my family. We originally booked our stateroom more than a year in advance, but opted to place a last minute bid to upgrade our room for this special cruise with our parents. Although I initially booked an inside cabin with my sister, I ended up placing a bid for a junior suite through the cruise line’s Royal Up program.

Much to our surprise, our minimum bid was accepted within a few weeks of our sailing! My parents also bid on a junior suite and their bid was accepted as well. For just $300 per person, my sister and I were able to upgrade from an inside cabin to a junior suite during our 12-night itinerary. The Royal Up program shows how competitive your bid is, and this $300 bid was considered very competitive. 

Since Odyssey of the Seas is part of the Quantum Ultra-class, suites onboard are considered part of the Royal Suite Class. Our entry-level junior suite was considered part of the Sea Class, which is the lowest tier; but, we still received upgraded amenities during our stay, such as luxury shower products, mattresses and bathrobes. We also had access each evening to enjoy dinner in Coastal Kitchen, which is only available to suite guests. 

Take a look inside our junior suite onboard one of Royal Caribbean’s newest cruise ships - and why it was absolutely worth the $300 upgrade!

For this cruise, we were assigned a junior suite on Deck 10. We would be staying in 10638 during the cruise, which was conveniently located mid-ship.

Being located on a higher deck, the suite also had quick, easy access to the pool deck and Windjammer buffet. Since we had many early morning excursions in Israel, being close to the buffet saved us time each morning. We appreciate the convenience of being located in a premium spot onboard. 

Since our parents were staying in a junior suite too, we were pleased to find that out that our rooms were literally right next to one another. This was presumably since we had our reservations linked, but it was a relief to know we would be next to one another. 

However, when you bid through the Royal Up program, you do not have the option to choose the specific stateroom. Instead, you are assigned a stateroom through the cruise line if your bid is accepted. This is a risk you take when you bid on a stateroom through the program, as you could get a less-than-ideal location onboard. Luckily, our gamble paid off, but we know this is not always the case. 

Once we boarded Odyssey of the Seas in Italy for our 12-night cruise, we were blown away by the junior suite!

To start, the cabin was extremely spacious and featured a beautiful, modern design. We found there to be a large bedroom area with two night stands, along with a small living room with a sectional. There was also a large bathroom with a separate space for the toilet, meaning we had dual sinks to use. The balcony was extra large as well, which gave us sweeping views of the Mediterranean Sea. 

Our junior suite was 300 square feet - this is about double the size of a standard inside cabin on most cruise ships. The balcony was an additional 80 square feet, so we had plenty of space to enjoy the sea views. 

The sheer size of the cabin was very impressive and much bigger than we had expected. I am accustomed to the coziness of an inside cabin, so having this much space really did feel like a luxury. We really needed the extra space since we our suitcases were packed to the brim!

Also, because junior suites are classified as entry-level, these staterooms are not the largest or most luxurious suites onboard. These are more affordable suites that provide extra room and a few special amenities. For us, the extra space and amenities made this cruising experience extra memorable.

As you can imagine, we had generously packed our suitcases in anticipation of a 3-week trip to Europe with multiple climates. 

My sister and I independently visited Paris before the cruise, which was experiencing cool fall weather. But, we still had to pack for the hot, summer weather in Israel with highs in the 90s. As such, we had both filled up our suitcases to the brim with necessities for our European adventure.

Our stateroom had a large closet and vanity for storage. We quickly filled up the shelves, hangers and drawers with clothes for our 12-night adventure to Israel. After lugging around two suitcases to Paris and then Rome, we were both excited to get settled into our cabin for the entirety of the cruise. The junior suite really became our home away from home during this cruise. 

Our suitcases fit under the twin beds after we had unpacked all of our clothes. This kept the suite feeling roomy and less cluttered. I find this is always important regardless of which stateroom you stay in, as it really optimizes the space. 

Because I was sailing with my sister, we opted to have the room configured with two separate twin-sized beds instead of a king bed.  

The beds were located between a small sectional and the bathroom in our cabin. Directly across from the bed was the TV, vanity and closet. The room was so wide that we had more than enough space to navigate around the stateroom. 

When we arrived to our suite on the first day, the beds were configured into a king-size bed. Although I typically prefer to have the beds together in this manner, my sister was insistent that we separate them. We asked our stateroom attendant to separate the beds, and this was quickly done while we were at dinner on the first night. 

With a very port-intensive itinerary, it was vital that we had good rest each night so we could have energy for our 13-hour excursions! The mattresses in our junior suite were considered elevated from a standard mattress onboard. We both agreed the beds felt extra comfortable, but this could have been the result of long-days exploring in port and fighting off jet lag.

I find that separating the beds in a smaller cabin can make the space feel more open; however, in a larger cabin like this, it really does not make much of a difference. 

Because our stateroom was part of the Royal Suite Class, we received some extra perks, including access to Coastal Kitchen and an espresso machine in our stateroom.

If you choose to stay in a suite on your cruise vacation, you will typically receive extra perks and amenities. Top-tier suites will come with a laundry list of amenities and perks. Because a junior suite is considered entry-level, you will only receive a full suite benefits compared to higher-end suites. 

As you know, we received upgraded shower products, a more luxurious bed and also softer bathrobes. In addition, our junior suite also featured an espresso machine on the vanity to use throughout the week. This was perfect for our busy mornings getting ready for the day. 

For junior suite guests, Royal Caribbean provides evening access to Coastal Kitchen, but access is a little restricted. Junior suite guests can dine here as long as there is room onboard for all suite guests and Pinnacle loyalty members to dine as well. This exclusive dining venue is only for suite guests and it is supposed to provide higher-quality service and meals. 

We had to make an individual reservation each evening, as we could not be guaranteed a dining slot for the entire cruise. We were excited to try out this venue for the first time, but we found the ambiance to be a little too snooty and uptight for our liking. We also did not find the service or menu to be worth the nightly reservation debacle or unwelcoming vibe. 

This could have been a one-off bad experience for us, but we opted to go to the main dining room for the rest of the cruise. We ended up meeting nice table mates next to us, who we enjoyed chatting with each evening. This was a much more welcoming experience and we throughly enjoyed the food and service in the main dining room.

Finally, we also received priority embarkation and disembarkation as additional perks of staying in a junior suite. In our experience, it was a breeze getting on and off Odyssey of the Seas at the port of Civitavecchia so the priority embarkation and disembarkation was not as lucrative as a more congested port could be.  

The junior suite featured an oversized balcony, which is nearly double the size of a standard Royal Caribbean balcony. 

One of the biggest perks of a junior suite is having an oversized balcony. Since I am used to not even having a window, let alone a balcony, having this private veranda was a huge luxury. We were able to watch the ship pull into port each morning from the balcony, which was very nice.

Having a private balcony meant we could take advantage of the views right from the comfort of our suite. In an inside cabin, you have to venture to an outer deck to see any sort of views from our cabin. If you’re sailing somewhere scenic, this means you spend more time outside of your stateroom than inside. 

In addition, the balcony featured upgraded furniture with padded chairs. We had two plushy loungers to enjoy on our cruise, along with a small table. This was the perfect space to relax during sea days or in the evenings while the ships sailed away from each port into the Mediterranean. The sunsets were unbelievable each evening and we could watch them from the comfort of our own suite. 

Our favorite feature of the junior suite was the upgraded, large bathroom with a separate space for the toilet. 

The best feature of our junior suite was the amplified bathroom with a bathtub, walk-in shower, marble-designed flooring, and an entirely separate area for the toilet. This separate space had an additional vanity, mirror, sink and shelving, which was a huge time saver in the morning when my sister and I were both getting ready. 

The bathroom was beautifully designed with modern finishings, such as the marble-designed flooring. This made the bathroom feel bright and more spacious than any bathroom I've had in a cruise ship cabin.

Our bathroom also featured a full-sized bathtub. I am not one to take baths frequently at home, but this tub was nicer than the one in my own home. So, you can bet that I took a few relaxing baths here during the cruise!

I had never experienced a split-bathroom in a cruise ship cabin before; however, I hope this is a trend that sticks around! Having the separate space felt like another luxury, as my sister and I could each get ready at the same time without having to take turns using the sink and vanity. 

Additionally, the walk-in shower was by far the nicest and most modern shower I’ve ever used on a cruise ship. The floor had a marble design and featured a ledge for sitting and tons of space. An inside cabin, especially on an older ship, normally has a shower capsule that is barely big enough for one person. This shower was truly one of the best features of the junior suite!

I found myself spending more time in the suite than I normally do when sailing in a lower-end cabin.

Inside cabins are very cozy, so I tend to not spend as much time in my stateroom when cruising. Instead, I will spend more time exploring the ship and enjoying views from places like the Solarium.

On this cruise, I ended spending more time in the junior suite because it felt so much more luxurious than a typical cruise cabin. I enjoyed spending my time there and wanted to retreat to this quiet space where I could take in the sweeping balcony views to myself.

The suite was so warm and welcoming that it felt like a comfortable place to relax each day - and I did not have to worry about missing out on any of the ocean views. 

Spending $300 each to upgrade to a junior suite was absolutely worth it for this 12-night itinerary. 

Staying in a junior suite truly amplified our cruising experience onboard Odyssey of the Seas. Being in an entry-level suite on a newer ship was quite the luxurious experience, especially since my sister and I tend to sail on older ships in an inside cabin.

At the end of the day, it felt like a steal snagging this junior suite for just $300 each. Having the extra space was more than worth this upgrade cost. We felt lucky that our bid was accepted for this price, especially considering we received a suite located mid-ship. Having our parents right next to us with their accepted bid as well.

We appreciated having access to Coastal Kitchen, although the reservation system felt cumbersome, especially when Odyssey of the Seas has so many dining options. Having the upgraded amenities, such as the plush loungers on the balcony, soft bathrobes and higher-end shower products, were all nice touches to elevate the experience even more. 

My sister and I both agreed that having the extra space alone made this junior suite worthwhile, especially for a longer itinerary where we had packed much more than we normally do. I would not hesitate to book, or bid on, another junior suite in the future.

If you have a Radiance of the Seas cruise booked in the near future, there's good news to share.

Royal Caribbean has had to cancel two Alaska cruises so far on Radiance of the Seas because of problems with the ship's propulsion.  This has others with upcoming cruises worried about the fate of their sailings.

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley posted an update on Thursday to provide more context into what is happening.

On his Facebook page, Mr. Bayley posted three "thumbs up" emojis with some positive news to share, "The team report continued positive progress and increased confidence all will be good to go for the 15th.    

He added that the ship is scheduled to put the repairs to the test this weekend, "We have a sea trial on the 10th and if all goes as expected then Bingo off we go!  Thanks for the patience and understanding."

The trouble began for Radiance of the Seas last week when the cruise line cancelled the September 1st sailing after the ship experienced problems with its propulsions. On the last night of the August 25th sailing before it concluded in Seward, Alaska is likely when the issues cropped up.

Radiance of the Seas has two Azipods, which are multidirectional pods that drive the ship and can be rotated 360 degrees and are have been the standard form of propulsion for all of Royal Caribbean's new cruise ships in recent years.

Royal Caribbean cancelled the September 1st sailing on the same day guests were boarding the ship for their cruise. They received the unfortunate news while the ship was docked in port.

A cancelled cruise is quite rare, and two cancelled cruises is even rarer.

The September 8th sailing was also cancelled just a few days later.

Guests on the cancelled cruises received a full refund, as well as a future cruise credit equal to what they paid for the sailing.

Mr. Bayley originally commented that the issue was troubling, but the company had a plan, "One of the ships Azipod’s had a problem requiring highly specialized technicians from Northern Europe to travel to Alaska to fix and repair that problem."

He added for those on the next scheduled Radiance of the Seas sailing, the plan is still for that cruise to happen, "To our September 15th guests we are confident repairs will be completed in the next few days in time for your sailing. and we will keep you informed should that change."

Mr. Bayley also thanked the crew members and shoreside staff working to manage guests affected by the cancellations, "To our shipboard Crew and shoreside Staff who have worked tirelessly to manage this situation and support getting our guests home safely a big thank you and to our guests whose vacation was so rudely interrupted our apologies."

As of the publishing of this article, data shows Radiance of the Seas is sailing outside of Seward.

Radiance is wrapping up her 2023 Alaska cruise season, where she's offering alternating 7-night Northbound and Southbound Alaska and Glacier sailings.  It's also a popular option to add-on a cruisetour, where guests can include a tour of inland Alaska before or after their cruise.

Radiance of the Seas is a 90,900 gross ton Radiance Class cruise ship. She had her maiden voyage in 2001.

Radiance is a smaller ship by today's standards, and has a capacity of 2,466 guests at double occupancy.

She is 962 feet long.

Booking my first cruise ever opened my eyes to a few lessons I never would have known before trying Royal Caribbean.

Last month, I booked my first cruise on Wonder of the Seas. The 7-day sailing traveled from Port Canaveral, Florida, to Perfect Day at CocoCay, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten.

There was lots to do to prepare. In addition to packing and planning my travel, I had to actually book the cruise, check-in online, and plan my onboard events. 

Although there was a lot to do, planning wasn’t impossible. I had plenty of help from our travel agent, and the Royal Caribbean app and website was easily accessible.

However, booking and preparing for my cruise was still a longer learning process. I made sure to do research as I went along, to save money and get the best experience possible.

Read more: Top things you didn't know travel agents can do for your cruise vacation

Here are the 7 most surprising things I learned when booking my first cruise.

1. Many features are included in the fare

As expected, the base fare was expensive: we paid $2,674.76 for myself and my sister, totaling about $382 per night. 

But as I began planning ahead for the cruise, I was surprised to learn how much was included in this base fare. 

This fare includes meals in the Windjammer, the main dining room, the Solarium bistro, room service like continental breakfast, and grab-and-go spots like Sorrento’s Pizza, Park Cafe, and Cafe Promenade. 

Some of my favorite meals were ones included in the fare, like the Windjammer's beef stew and cheesecake at the main dining room.

As a coffee lover, I was also satisfied with the complimentary coffee options. 

The fare also includes access to accommodations, entertainment shows, the fitness center and jogging track, pools, sun decks, and hot tubs.

Gratuity will also be prepaid in your base fare, so tipping is not expected while onboard. 

2. You can book a guarantee stateroom

During the booking process, I learned that you can choose a guarantee stateroom to save money. This means that you give up your choice of a specific room, and are assigned one for a lower price.

We ended up getting assigned a windowless inside cabin at the very front of the ship, and I later learned why it was a less desirable location. The cabin turned out to be quite noisy, and I suffered seasickness from all of the movement at the front.

However, my sister and I both sleep soundly and were active enough to be out of the cabin most of the day, so saving money was worth it in the end.

3. It’s important to arrive at your port a day early

When I started booking and preparing for my cruise, I learned that it’s recommended to arrive at your port the day before you board the ship.

This was a surprise, as I had to push up my travel plans one day. Since the cruise left on a Sunday, we decided to get into Port Canaveral on Saturday afternoon.

For Saturday night, we booked a hotel room near the port and were able to take a shuttle straight to the ship in the morning. It definitely made the process smoother and stress-free. 

And who doesn’t appreciate an extra night in a good hotel?

The only downside with this extra day of travel was that it made our cruise feel extra long. 

Read more: The costly cruising mistake newbies make planning their first cruise

Instead of just a 7-day cruise, we had about 8 full days of travel. And by the end, I was ready to be home in my own bed.

4. A passport isn’t required

I frequently travel internationally, so I had my passport ready to go, and it did make the process a bit smoother. However, my sister didn’t bring a passport, only her birth certificate, and she didn’t run into any problems.

Departure day was the only time we felt a difference: I simply got off the ship and had my photo taken, while she had to stand in a line to get her birth certificate checked. 

As far as international travel goes, I was surprised at how little we had to prepare beforehand. No visas, passports, or customs forms were required. 

5. Shore excursions are offered through the cruise line

As someone unfamiliar with the booking process, it was a pleasant surprise to see that you can easily find shore excursions through the Royal Caribbean app or website and book them ahead of time.

I was able to scroll through a list of options for our days on St. Thomas and St. Maarten, add the ones I wanted to my cart, and pay right away.

For our first shore excursions on St. Thomas, we met the staff at the Royal Theater on-ship and were guided down the gangway. 

At the start of the excursion, our group got onto a truck-like taxi with a tour guide. After driving around the island, we stopped at Magen’s Bay, where we enjoyed the beach for a few hours on our own.

Afterward, we got back in the taxi and stayed with the guides until the end of the excursion. 

On our second shore excursion on St. Maarten, we met staff on the dock just outside the ship, where we were guided to bicycles for our bike tour of St. Philipsburg. 

We also stayed close to our guides until the tour was over, and we were able to do some shopping on our way back to the ship.

For each tour, we had a lovely experience and felt assured that no one would be left behind on shore.

6. Porters carry your larger luggage on and off the ship

Much like an airplane, you can pack a large suitcase and a smaller carry-on bag for your cruise. 

I also learned that your larger suitcase can be carried on and off the ship for you, so that you don’t have to lug it around with you during the boarding process.

Before the trip, I made sure to print out the provided luggage tags for our suitcases and staple them on.

On embarkation day, my sister and I took a shuttle from our hotel to the port. Once we arrived, porters took our larger suitcases and loaded them onto carts. We took our carry-ons onto the ship at around noon and proceeded to explore. 

I noticed that Royal Caribbean advises you to pack any medicine or essential items in your carry-on. While I didn’t take that advice, I later found myself wishing that I did, as our luggage wasn’t delivered to the room until about 4:00 p.m. 

When it was time to depart, I was able to select my departure preferences on the app and I opted for “luggage assistance.” 

Luggage tags were delivered to our room on day 6 (the next-to-last-day), and that was when I learned that our bags needed to be outside our stateroom by 10:00 p.m. that night.

Thankfully, we came back to the cabin after dinner and spent some time packing up our bags and leaving them outside our door so they could be taken off the ship. 

On the last day, we exited the ship, went through customs, and found our bags at the provided station number. Other than the longer times we spent without our bags, it was an easier process than I expected.

Read more: 6 tips to help keep a cruise line from losing your luggage

7. Reserve specialty restaurants ahead of time

We purchased the 3-night specialty dining package for our cruise. Our first day onboard, we decided to go in person to Izumi Hibachi to make our reservations for the 3 dinners.

At the time, we were waitlisted for Izumi Hibachi, and able to make reservations at Wonderland and Mason Jar. 

Although we later got a call that there was a cancellation for Izumi, and we could have dinner there, we received a $35 upcharge for our reservation.

In the future, I would definitely attempt to reserve specialty dining ahead of time on the app or website, to avoid any waitlists or upcharges. I know now that the restaurants fill up fast, especially Izumi Hibachi!

Read more: First time cruisers: When can I prebook entertainment, dining and more for my Royal Caribbean cruise?

Welcome our guest writer, Mike Scudiero.  Mike is a Royal Caribbean Blog reader who wanted to share his experience trying a Carnival Cruise after years of sailing with Royal Caribbean.

2023 has been the "Year of the Cruise Ship" in my household. Living in Central Florida certainly makes it easier and more affordable to cruise frequently, and we got the “bug” after a post-covid cruise with our kids in 2022.

Since then, we have taken six different Royal Caribbean cruises and have several more planned between now and early 2025. But tempted by attractive pricing and a rare visit to Bimini, we recently took a 3-day cruise on the Carnival Liberty.

Read more: Royal Caribbean vs Carnival: Which is a better choice?

While there were several things we both felt Carnival got right and perhaps stood out in a positive way compared to Royal Caribbean, the overall experience reminded us why we prefer Royal Caribbean and will continue to sail with them almost exclusively. 

Things Carnival got right

Before I point out the reasons Carnival left us frustrated and less likely to cruise with them anytime soon, let me first offer some positive reasons one might choose Carnival over a similar-sized and similar-length cruise with Royal Caribbean. 

Room numbering

While perhaps trivial, we liked that each side of the ship was divided for room number purposes by “odd” and “even.”

No matter which direction you came off the stairs or elevator when heading back to your stateroom, it was easy to look at the signs indicating which way to odd-numbered rooms versus even-numbered ones. 

Room comforts

On this cruise, we opted for the best-priced interior option Carnival had on this sailing. For the age and class of the ship and stateroom, we both felt the beds were more comfortable than a Royal Caribbean bed typically has been on an equivalent sailing.

Also, the mini refrigerator provided was very cold and seemed to be a better option than the coolers provided in Royal Caribbean staterooms, most of which never seem to keep bottled waters cold. 

Towels in room

We appreciated the Carnival method of placing two pool towels in our room up front.

Sure, they will hit you for $25 apiece if you keep them. Still, the idea of having them right there and easily swapped out by the room attendant made this process appear more seamless than on Royal Caribbean ships. 

Stateroom attendant

Even though it was quick, 3-day weekend cruise, our stateroom attendant was highly professional and attentive. He introduced himself on the first night with a firm handshake and asked what, if anything, we needed from him.

I haven’t always found this to be the case with Royal Caribbean, though it certainly seems this is a mileage-may-vary situation from ship to ship, and maybe even cruise line to cruise line.

Some dining options were better

While clearly not an across-the-board situation (more on this below), there were some food offerings that we found much more enjoyable than Royal options.

For example, the Blue Iguana taco bar we felt was tastier than El Loco Fresh. Guy’s Burgers, apparently a staple on all Carnival ships, was one of the best cheeseburgers I’ve had anywhere, let alone at sea. And Pirate Pizza we both agreed was superior to Sorrento’s. All of these options were free and highly enjoyable.

Adults-only pool area

While not necessarily better than the Solarium on Royal Caribbean, we did find the Carnival adults-only pool to be a great option for lounging, and both the pool and hot tubs themselves to be a tick better than the options found on the comparable Royal ships. 

Casino

There were pros and cons with the Carnival casino. On the positive side, the position in the ship – with windows overlooking the water on both sides – was a nice change and even included plenty of casual seating along each side.

A small stage was setup and typically had a guitar player performing each night to keep the vibe up. I liked that the craps table was open early each day and that tier points were visible in the Carnival Hub app minutes after you finished playing, whether at a slot machine or table game. 

The Modern Trio Project (ship violinists)

Lastly, the trio of professional violinists that perform in the main lobby each night should not to be missed on Carnival Liberty.

These talented musicians were amazing to listen to, and we hadn’t seen a performance of that caliber on a Royal Caribbean ship that wasn’t an actual theatre/production show. Hats off to those three folks for keeping everyone entertained for a few hours each night.

Things Carnival for wrong

Suffice to say, there were plenty of nice features and options available on the Carnival Liberty that might be difference makers for those looking for something different.

That said, we found the shortcomings problematic enough that we missed the Independence of the Seas before even sailing away from Port Canaveral and watching it pass us in the open Atlantic a few hours later. Here are some of the reasons.

Beverage and table bussing service was slower or non-existent

Not only were the bar servers constantly in the weeds, seemingly unable to keep pace with demand, not once the entire cruise, in any bar or pool area, did we have a waiter or waitress come by to take a drink order. And along with that came the piling up of plates and cups on tables.

With Royal Caribbean, we find that we barely finish a drink before there’s a waiter coming to ask if we want another and taking our empty glass away. Not the case at all on Carnival Liberty, at least not this past weekend.

Limit of 15 alcohol drinks per day and signing for every purchase…and Pepsi

At my age and weight, it’s quite possible for me to drink 15 drinks over the course of a day and not be too drunk to safely make it back to my room. The Carnival drink package that caps you at 15 drinks per day is not a good fit for everyone, and it made me appreciate that while Royal may charge more for their Deluxe Beverage Package, there is no such predetermined limit.

Add to it that Carnival requires you sign a receipt for every drink, even sodas and bottled waters, and it was another check in the box for Royal. If nothing else, the receipt issue slows down the overall service at crowded bars, leaving less time to enjoy your vacation.

Lastly on this section, I am the grandson of a Coca-Cola warehouse supervisor and have grown up with zero use for Pepsi products. Royal wins that battle for me all day, every day over Carnival. If you’re like me and dread the, “Is Pepsi OK?” response from servers when you ask for a Coke some place, Carnival isn’t for you.

Casino downsides

As I noted above, there were several aspects of the Carnival casino that I enjoyed, but there were some definite downsides.

For starters, if you’re an experienced Blackjack player, be aware that the tables on this ship were all using continuous shuffle machines, which adds to the house advantage. They were also paying out 6-5 on natural Blackjacks, another decided blow to the players.

The slot machines do not print out tickets when you cash out. Instead, they add the funds you left in the machine to your ship card, and you have to go to the cashier to cash out. Considering my wife ran down to the casino late on the last night when remembering that she had $100 on her card, it’s easy to see where many might forget, adding to the Carnival casino profit margin.

Stateroom problems

For a ship renovated in 2016, our interior stateroom on Carnival Liberty fell woefully short of our expectations. There was only one outlet in the room, with another tucked up in the ceiling corner above the sink in the bathroom.

Speaking of the bathroom, the décor itself was a stale green theme straight out of a horror movie and had a shower curtain instead of a door.

The deadbolt didn’t work in our room door, leading to some cause for concern safety-wise. And for an 8th floor room, it was rather noisy. Whenever the ship was sailing, we could hear the engine noise in our ears from the bed, as though we were in the bowels of the ship. Add to that the walls and doors seemed to allow for much more hallway noise in your room, and it’s easy to see where Royal just does better by us.

Buffet was subpar, even by mass market cruise ship standards

Look, I get it. The food at any cruise ship buffet is not going to rival a 5-star dining spot. Nonetheless, we found ourselves once again appreciating the comforts of the Windjammer on Royal Caribbean when we went to the Carnival buffet the first night.

The options were extremely limited and the quality regrettable. The next day for breakfast proved no better. It reached a point where we planned our remaining meals around the peculiar hours of Blue Iguana and Guy’s Burgers. 

Why we'll remain Loyal to Royal

For my wife and I and what we desire when cruising, the choice was clear, and we knew it the first night.

Royal Caribbean simply seems a cut above Carnival in most areas and worth whatever reasonable extra cost comes with this choice. From the specialty dining options to the staff service and the comforts of home we feel when on a Royal ship, the positive attributes Royal has make them a clear leader in mass market cruising.

While I try not to deal in absolutes and would not want to say “never again," with several other Royal cruises in my app on the horizon, the things we appreciate about our favorite cruise line are the reasons we will book almost exclusively with them in the years ahead.

Another Alaska cruise has been canceled on Radiance of the Seas because of a problem with the ship's engine.

Guests booked on the September 8th cruise received an update on Tuesday that their sailing has been cancelled due to time needed to complete repairs to Radiance of the Seas' engines.

This is the second sailing in a row to be cancelled.

Radiance of the Seas was scheduled to offer a 7-night Northbound Alaska & Hubbard Glacier sailing.

Royal Caribbean had intended to conduct this sailing, but evidently repairs will take longer than anticipated.

Reddit reader legilimensmaster posted a copy of the letter.

The email to guests stated they tried their best to get the work done, but need more time.

"As you may know, Radiance of the Seas' propulsion system experienced a technical issue. Our crew started working on restoring the system immediately and we deployed the best experts."

"Despite our efforts, we were unable to complete the needed repairs to make it in time to Vancouver. As a result, we'll be canceling our Radiance of the Seas September 8th, 2023 sailing. "

As of the publishing of this article, Radiance of the Seas is still in Seward.

Royal Caribbean also apologized for having to cancel the cruise, "We know how much time and effort go into planning your cruise, and we're truly sorry for this disappointing news."

The problem began on the last night of the August 25th sailing before it concluded in Seward, Alaska, when guests reported hearing a strange noise overnight.  Radiance made it to Seward, but it became apparent the cruise had to be cancelled.

Unfortunately for the people booked on the September 1st sailing, they didn't know the cruise would cancelled until they boarded the ship that day.

Later on embarkation day, it was announced the sailing was cancelled.

Guests booked on the September 8th sailing received an email update on Monday to inform them that "repairs are underway and we are progressing to resolve the issue."

"At this time, we intend to sail as planned on September 8th".

The Tuesday update confirmed many guests fears that their sailing would also be impacted.

Compensation

Just like anyone booked on the September 1st sailing, those affected by the September 8th cancellation are entitled to a 100% refund, including taxes and fees, pre-paid packages and gratuities, amenities, shore excursions and any flights purchased through Royal Caribbean.

Additionally, to make up for this, passengers will also receive a 100% Future Cruise Credit (FCC) to be used towards a future sailing departing within one year.

Any non-refundable, pre-purchased travel fees will be re-imbursed (such as flight, hotel, train ticket or rental) car for up to $250 for domestic changes and up to $500 for international changes.

The problem with the cruise ship

We don't have many details as to the exact nature of the issue, other than the ship's propulsion system is damaged in some way.

Royal Caribbean's only official comment on the problem is that the ship's "propulsion system experienced a technical issue."

Radiance of the Seas has two Azipods, which are multidirectional pods that drive the ship and can be rotated 360 degrees and are have been the standard form of propulsion for all of Royal Caribbean's new cruise ships in recent years.

On the final night of the August 25th sailing, some guests reported hearing a noise that seemed to come from the direction of the engines. 

There's all sorts of speculation as to what the possible malfunction could be, but there's nothing but rumors at this point.

Given that Radiance is headed south, it stands to reason the ship needs to go somewhere else to conduct repairs.  Seward is not a major cruise port, so it may not have the personnel, parts, or both needed.

"We're gutted"

As you might imagine, anyone booked on on the cancelled cruise is likely disappointed and disheartened of the change.

"We're gutted. Months planning this trip to celebrate our 10 year anniversary down the drain with no time to pivot," is what SnuggleCookie posted on Reddit about the now cancelled cruise.

"This was so much more than a cruise or anniversary for us. It's been a hard couple of years and this trip has felt like our only light to look forward to."

"Absolutely devastated."

Kids Sail Free is a promotion Royal Caribbean offers from time to time on select sailings that are usually a great vacation discount.  Throughout the year, Royal Caribbean will offer Kids Sail Free deals as a way to encourage new bookings. 

 In this post, we will cover information about the promotion, tips for booking it, and offer answers to frequently asked questions.

For starters, Kids Sail Free is an offer Royal Caribbean offers selectively throughout the year.  It is not available all the time and there is no way to know exactly when it will be offered again. 

We always post new cruise promotions on this site, so be sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook for notifications when a new Kids Sail Free promotion begins.

What is Kids Sail Free promotion?

The exact offer details may vary, but Royal Caribbean's Kids Sail Free offers are usually consistent in their basics. Third guests and higher who are 12 years old or younger on select 4 nights or longer sailings are eligible for free cruise fare.

The "catch" with a Kids Sail Free deal are the blackout dates that prevent you from booking the promotion.

There are usually many blackout dates associated with any Kids Sail Free offer, which means if your cruise begins on or in any of the blackout dates, the Kids Sail Free offer does not qualify. Not surprisingly, most of the black out dates are over major school holidays in the United States calendar year. 

Here are some sample blackout dates from past Kids Sail Free offers:

• Spring break sailings departing March 8, 2024 – March 22, 2024
• Holiday sailings departing December 20, 2024 – January 3, 2025
• Easter sailings departing March 22, 2024 – April 4, 2024

Kids Sail Free dates

Last updated April 2, 2024

Royal Caribbean is offering Kids Sail Free in April 2024.

The offer runs on bookings made between applies to new bookings made between April 2 – May 1, 2024 on sailings 3 nights and longer departing from May 2, 2024 – April 25, 2026.

It provides $0 cruise fare for additional guest 12 years old and younger as of Offer Cruise departure date booked in the same stateroom as the first full far paying and second guests. 

Kids Sail Free excludes all sailings departing on or during any of the following dates November 22, 2024 – November 29, 2024; November 20, 2025 – November 28, 2025; December 20, 2024 – January 3, 2025; December 18, 2025 – January 6, 2026, March 8, 2024 – March 22, 2024; March 7, 2025 – March 28, 2025; March 6, 2026 – April 9, 2026, March 22, 2024 – April 4, 2024; April 12, 2025 – April 24, 2025, May 22, 2024 – August 30, 2024; May 22, 2025 – August 29, 2025 and Radiance Alaska Cruise Tour sailings departing May 17, 2024 – September 13, 2024; May 16, 2025 – September 12, 2025. 

Taxes, fees, and port expenses are additional and apply to all guests.

How often does Royal Caribbean offer Kids Sail Free?

There is no pattern to how many times a year or when the offer will become available.

Kids Sail Free is usually available a few times throughout the year. In fact, Royal Caribbean has been offering Kids Sail Free deals far more regularly than ever before.

Is it really free?

Assuming your kids qualify for the deal, their cruise fare cost will be zero.

You are still responsible for paying for the taxes and port fees associated with the children, along with any other charges onboard.  But if you look at the cruise invoice, their cruise fare will be zero. 

Like all guests, a daily gratuity will be charged per passenger, including the kids.

Be sure to check the fine print before booking to understand exactly the full price of the cruise.

When comparing prices, it is critical to compare the exact cabin type to each other. 

Often, people will look at the price of a cabin designed for two people and then increase the amount of people in the cabin to four people, and get a different cabin category.

The easiest cabin category to see how much money Kids Sail Free can save are suites because most suites can accommodate up to 4 people all the time. Not to mention the per-person savings in a suite will be significantly higher than in lower cabins.

Kids Sail For Less

In addition to the Kids Sail Free offer, Royal Caribbean may also offer the Kids Sail For Less offer, which is typically 25-30% off cruise fare for third guests and higher booked in the same stateroom as the first two qualified guests.

The primary advantage of Kids Sail For Less is there are no blackout dates associated with Kids Sail For Less.  This means if you have a couple of kids in your stateroom, you receive a discount on them. 

Moreover, Kids Sail For Less often does not have age restrictions in place, so really any guest of any age who is a third guest, fourth guest, fifth guest, et al in the same stateroom as the first two guests can get a discount.

Is Kids Sail Free a lie?

A common question asked is when comparing prices, adding kids to a reservation in order to take advantage of a Kids Sail Free offer ends up increasing the overall price.

The reason why this occurs is when you select a cabin for two passengers, the system assigns you a stateroom designed just for two guests. When you add kids, it selects a different stateroom that is larger in living space so it can accommodate four people.

The vast majority of cabins on a cruise ship can only sleep two people.  Because they are plentiful, there is more supply, and higher supply means lower prices.  

Generally speaking, cabins that can sleep more than two people are fewer in supply.  There are not nearly as many, so they are in demand, they sell out quicker and that demand drives up the rate.  

If you were to compare booking a cabin as if everyone in your party was an adult and then compare that to two adults plus kids, you would see the price difference.  Only then is it apples-to-apples.  

Growing up and into adulthood, I had the privilege of being able to travel to many different states and countries.

I fell in love with travel, marveling at how much you can learn and explore in a new place. I’ve been able to experience many different cultures and learn other languages. 

I believe that travel lets you discover more about the world and more about yourself at the same time.

In my lifetime, I’ve traveled by planes, cars, trains, scooters, and motorboats, but until this past month, I had never been on a cruise ship.

This August, I took my first cruise on Wonder of the Seas. I took my sister along on the sailing, and we traveled from Port Canaveral, Florida, to Perfect Day at CocoCay, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten.

On this cruise, I saw a part of the world I’d never been to before. Additionally, I found that being on a ship for seven days was a completely new method of travel. 

Cruising provided a distinct experience, different from my usual travels. Here are the 8 most notable differences between cruising and my previous traditional travel experiences.

1. Payments were quick and easy

Anytime I travel, I expect to use several methods of payment, including cash and card. During international travel, I also have to convert my cash into local currency.

In contrast, our cruise simply used our SeaPass for all payments, and all our ports of call used US currency. 

Payments were simple and easy, without requiring extra planning to convert cash.

2. The ship felt safe

As a young woman of color, I have to be extra cautious of my safety when it comes to travel. 

It’s essential to stay aware and alert. For example, I use special door locks at hotels and don’t share my location or travel plans.

However, I felt very safe on a cruise ship with security guards, lots of staff members, cameras everywhere, and private rooms with locked doors. We also felt reassured knowing that there was a medical bay located on deck 2 if we ever needed it.

Of course, I didn’t let my guard down completely—it’s always important to take precautions—but we felt very secure on our cruise.

3. The ocean was inescapable

The most significant difference between this cruise and my previous travels was the presence of the ocean.

Being in the middle of the sea meant constant movement. I experienced seasickness when we first set sail, but daily doses of Dramamine kept me feeling healthy for the rest of the cruise.

On the other hand, we also had a special view of passing boats and islands. The sight of the ship pulling into its ports was uniquely beautiful.

Despite the ship’s size, I did experience some moments of claustrophobia knowing that I was stuck on a boat in the middle of the sea—I couldn’t leave until the cruise was over. 

4. Everyone was friendly and welcoming

I was pleasantly surprised to notice how friendly and helpful everyone was. The crew members were lovely and kind, greeting us with "good morning"s and “hello”s throughout the ship.

The waitstaff in the dining areas were charming, and this open atmosphere extended to fellow passengers.

Contrasting other travels where you may explore an entire city, you start seeing familiar faces around the ship during a week-long cruise. Everyone uses the same dining halls, pool, and elevators, so it became common to recognize my fellow passengers.

I delighted in having conversations with everyone and exchanging smiles in the halls.

5. A wide variety of events onboard

In my past travels, I often visited one area with a few main goals in mind for that city. Orlando has Disney World, for example, or we’d visit Pattaya City, Thailand, for the beach.

But the cruise had many different activities, all on one ship! I was blown away by the options, from laser tag to ice skating, water parks, and more. 

In addition to that, we visited multiple ports with their own events and tourist spots.

It would be almost impossible to thoroughly prepare ahead of time for all the activities. But now I know for the future just how diverse my options will be.

6. Everything is scheduled for you on one app

Most of my previous travels have been very independent, combining ideas from Google, Tripadvisor, or friends in the area. This travel requires a lot of self-driven planning and forethought to get your activities in order.

But being on a cruise was utterly different. I found that all the activities were scheduled out for me in convenient proximity. I simply had to decide which events I wanted to attend.

I could even create and update my itinerary in the Royal Caribbean app. The app provides a full daily schedule and event details such as timing, location, pricing, and age restrictions. 

The Royal Caribbean app also has a free chat feature, which can connect you to other passengers even without Wifi. This allows cruisers to communicate, connect schedules, and plan their day all in one app. 

These features made my cruise so much more convenient. I could put down my planner and relax, just going along with the ride. 

7. The world is brought to you

The best way I can describe a cruise is that it feels as if the world's wonders are brought right to you. Usually, land travel feels like rugged exploration: you go out, find a location, and make the most of it.

On the other hand, a secure cruise ship has everything and everyone you need onboard. I was surprised by the diversity onboard, in both crew and passengers, that made me feel as if I was having an international experience.

I spent most of my teenage years living in Java, Indonesia, and I don’t usually expect to be reminded of the country unless I return.

But on our cruise, we met many Indonesian staff members, including our waiter and assistant waiter in the main dining room. It was an unexpected delight to chat with them in Indonesian and reminisce about the country. 

The passengers we met, as well came from all over: Toronto, East London, and Turks and Caicos, to name just a few. I enjoyed making new friends and learning all about their homes and cultures. 

8. Access to WiFi made the cruise less relaxing

Before the cruise, I purchased the Vroom WiFi package on one device for all seven days. 

Whereas other trips might require me to use my data plan or even to purchase an international SIM card, the package gave me access to a typical WiFi network, similar to what I might have at home.

The WiFi access was very convenient, easing my mind whenever I needed to research something quickly and allowing me to post photos on social media immediately.

It also allowed me to cast to the cabin’s TV and stream my favorite shows from my phone, a comforting way to relax during a long day.

However, I also found that the constant WiFi connection made the cruise feel less relaxing. We all know how consuming social media can be—a beach vacation just isn’t the same if you can instantly pull up your email. 

In the future, I think I would follow my sister’s example: she purchased the WiFi package for just one day (day 5, when we were cruising and not stopping at any ports). That allowed her to check any important notifications for that day and relax for the rest of the cruise.

Have you ever wondered how cruise ship captains live compared to other crew members?

On his last contract as Captain of Harmony of the Seas, Captain Johnny Faevelen, took to TikTok (@captainjohnnyfaevelen) to show viewers what his living quarters were like. 

Spoiler alert: Captain accommodations are nothing like the videos you have seen of the tight living quarters of those who have to share rooms and sleep on bunk beds.

Keep reading to see just how luxurious Captain Faevelen lived while he was commanding one of the world's largest cruise ships. 

Who is Captain Johnny Faevelen?

Captain Johnny is perhaps Royal Caribbean's best known Captain, primarily because of his flamboyant style. 

The Captain known for having a parrot and motorcycle, "We were encouraged many, many years ago to pop up unexpectedly and do something funny or something memorable. I have kind of followed that idea for many, many years."

According to Faevelen's LinkedIn, he is an experienced Royal Caribbean Officer with 45 years of international sailing experience, the last 26 of which he has been a Captain for Royal Caribbean International cruise ships. 

Previous ships he has worked onboard include Nordic Prince, Sun Viking, Sovereign of the Seas, Monarch of the Seas, Splendour of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, and, of course, Harmony of the Seas. 

When Harmony of the Seas set sail in 2016, she became the world's largest cruise ship, surpassing Allure of the Seas. Today, she is still one of the largest cruise ships at sea, followed only by Symphony of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, and -- in January 2024 -- Icon of the Seas. 

The ship measures a whopping 226,963 gross registered tons, 1,188 feet in length, and has a width of 215.5 feet. Any captain who mans a ship this big has to be more than experienced in order to keep everyone safe! 

Let's take a look at Captain Faevelen's living quarters

A Captain's room is surprisingly large, and it provides a lot more space than most cruise ship passenger cabins.

As soon as he opened the door, we are greeted by a spacious foyer.

To the right is the guest bathroom, and directly across the hall is the Master Bedroom. 

The Master Bedroom is complete with a queen bed, walk-in closet, flat-screen television, and large ensuite bathroom. 

You might be surprised to find a Captain's room just as nice looking as guest cabins.

The typical crew member room is much more spartan in design than what passengers enjoy, but the captain's quarters definitely look more like guest accommodations.

The Master Bathroom has a large shower and soaking tub, as well as an expansive vanity with plenty of storage.

There are no dual sinks, though. Imagine if all cruise ship bathrooms were outfitted this way! 

Non-suite cabins on a Royal Caribbean ship for passengers will have a sink, shower, and toilet.

The open concept main living area features a dining table that can seat four, as well as a sofa, loveseat, comfortable recliner, coffee table, and 55-inch television.

It is decorated with pictures and gifts from guests, which gives it a more personalized touch, rather than feeling like a suite that greets new passengers each week.

Just like a Grand Suite, Captain Johnny's room has lots of space.  Part of the appeal of a suite is to get more living space (along with the incredible suite perks). 

Most rooms on a cruise ship feel smaller than your average hotel room, but suites offer substantially more living space.

Plus, he has his Martin Guitar on display near the television, which allowed him to keep his brain and fingers moving when he had some free time! 

If you're unfamiliar with guitars, Martin Guitars are crafted of a higher quality, and they are rather expensive acoustic guitars.

It's a brand that's been around for a very long time, and they've carved out their section of the acoustic guitar market.

The living and dining area flows seamlessly into the kitchen. It, however, is not a standard kitchen that you would find on land. While there's no oven or range, it is equipped with a fridge, dishwasher, microwave, and toaster oven.

Fire is the biggest threat to any cruise ship, so open flames are major no-no.  It's why you can only smoke in designated areas, and will never see lit candles onboard.

If you look closely above the counter, you will see Captain Faevelen's collection of coffee mugs! 

Additional seating for two is available at the kitchen island's bar.

The amount of counter space that the Captain's quarters have is really impressive.  

Next to the television in the primary living area is a door that leads directly into the Captain's Office.

Like his personal quarters, he has pictures hung throughout to make it feel more homely. The Captain's Office is connected to The Bridge, which gave him possibly one of the shortest commutes ever! 

You might wonder why the Captain's room is so close to the bridge, and that's to make it as easy and quick for the Captain to reach the bridge at any time.

The bridge is where the Captain and officers navigate the ship. It's command central and somewhere passengers are not allowed to go, unless part of a pre-arranged tour.

Since the situation can change at any time, it's important the Captain be able to get to the bridge for any emergencies or important situations without having to wait for an elevator or walk up and down stairs.

Captain Faevelen's tour is not the first time a cruise ship Captain has gone to social media to give viewers an insider's look at their living quarters

In August 2020, Captain Kate McCue posted a TikTok about her living quarters! Since then, the video has amassed over 1.1 million likes.  

In 2015, Captain McCue made history as the first American woman to be named captain of a mega cruise ship when she became the commanding officer of Celebrity Summit. Plus, she was only 37-years-old!

Captain McCue made history as the first American woman to be named captain of a mega cruise ship. In 2015, she became the commanding officer of Celebrity Summit at only 37-years-old. 

Today, she is the captain of Celebrity Beyond, one of Celebrity Cruises' newest Edge Class vessels, and continues to post on social media to give viewers an insight into what being a captain is all about! 

Read more: Take a look inside a cruise ship captain's living quarters

Who a cruise ship Captain works with onboard

A cruise ship Captain is the person in charge of the ship, and it's why they are referred to as the "master of the vessel".

Of course, the Captain is supported by other officers in the operation of the ship.

While on the bridge, there's always at least two licensed officers, and one lookout. Usually, there's more people there, including the Captain.

Similar to an airplane, routes are often navigated by the ship's autopilot, until manual intervention is needed.

While many people imagine a cruise ship's bridge handing where a ship goes, it's also the primary hub for the ship-wide safety operations. Any emergencies or situations are managed from the bridge, and orders are given from there.

The Captain has many responsibilities, and it's why all of that duty gets you a really nice stateroom.

Social media star

Cruise ship captains are not usually known for having a big personality, but Captain Johnny certainly breaks that mold.

He has amassed over 115,000 followers on TikTok, where he shares glimpses of his work on cruise ships, golfing, and time at home.

In one video, he shared a look at the engine control room, which is usually a restricted area. He showed what the engineer on duty has to do in order to monitor the ship's operations, with a possible 40,000 alarms to track.

He also has a video where he gave crew members guitar lessons.

Off duty in his regular clothes, he guided other crew members in learning how to play.

The variety of content has endeared him to his viewers, and catapulted his viewers considerably.