Royal Caribbean Blog

Cruise loyalty is changing thanks to Royal Caribbean Group's disruption of the traditional loyalty programs.

The Points Choice program was announced last month and it's now operational, meaning you can earn cruise points across different lines within the RCG family of brands.

While it's early in the Points Choice offering, already many cruisers are rethinking which cruises they'll book because suddenly they have more options available to them without compromising their climb to the next loyalty tier.

There's suddenly so many more choices of where and when you can sail because of the Silversea and Celebrity Cruise options. This is especially important to Royal Caribbean fans that have lamented the lack of new itineraries or exotic destinations.

Consumers are pondering which destinations to visit, and it seems like there's already a shift in being more agnostic to the line than ever before.

Deeping guest loyalty

It's not often you see a corporate initiative that benefits both consumer and company equally, but Points Choice seems to have that quality.

The idea is for points that can be strategically used across Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea, which incentives cross-brand travel and greater engagement.

During Royal Caribbean Group's fourth quarter earnings call, executives were adamant about how beneficial Points Choice will be and how they expect it to work well.

"We recently shared the next evolution of our loyalty program with Points Choice, which gives consumers the freedom to earn points on any of our three vacation brands and apply them where they matter most, regardless of the ship they’re sailing.," said Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty.

"Our loyalty programs are now with that coming with Points Choice, we’re seeing more and more high quality demand from our guests." 

Royal Caribbean Group believe Points Choice improves demand quality, not just participation.

Mr. Liberty is fond of one of the catchphrase they are building a "lifetime of vacations" ecosystem, and Points Choice is integral to this.

"Together, these elements reinforce our lifetime of vacation ecosystem, attracting new guests, driving more frequency and long-term loyalty that translates into sustainable growth."

Booming business of loyalty

Cruise line loyalty has changed a lot over the years, but it's clear RCG sees its repeat cruisers as a core part of their business strategy.

During the earnings call, Mr. Liberty acknowledged that the amount of repeat business is rising, "We're seeing an increase in the percentage of our guests that are loyalists."

Points Choice is about giving those repeat customers more options and ways to come back.

By attracting repeat cruisers, the hope is they'll cruise more and spend more. On the earnings call, executives linked the rise in loyalists and the launch of Points Choice to "higher quality demand," suggesting they see loyalty as a driver of stronger, more durable bookings.

"This will definitely make me more likely to try Celebrity"

For anyone that is trying to get to a higher loyalty tier, Points Choice is making that easier.

Royal Caribbean message board user VC22 posted, "This will definitely make me more likely to try Celebrity.  I was going to hold back on Celebrity until I hit Diamond Plus (likely in a few years time)."

"I may now consider Celebrity for 2027, especially since they seem to offer more varied itineraries."

This post exemplifies many others sentiments that now they can try a new line, but still get their Crown and Anchor Society points.

• RCIFan1912: "I want to sail Celebrity but wasn't going to till we for to Diamond plus but now the points can just be directed to C&A. That is just awesome!
• JimnKathy: "This will allow Kathy and I to test out Celebrity (and perhaps SilverSea?) and keep adding points while we chase down Diamond Plus status over the next several years or so."
• whitsmom: "This is Good News for me!!  We are on a B2B with Celebrity in August 2027."

Prior to Points Choice, a cruiser might think twice about trying another line because they wanted to reach a certain level with Royal Caribbean first, such as Diamond status.

Now, they can have their cake (from the Crown Lounge) and eat it too.

Royal Caribbean's third Icon Class ship will have its very own Chief Dog Officer: Skipper. 

Earlier this month, Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean's President and CEO, announced that the then-unnamed puppy had been born. 

Within hours, Bayley's Facebook post had over 400 comments with cruise fans weighing in on what the cruise line should name the soon-to-be Chief Dog Officer of Legend of the Seas. 

Some of the ideas include nautical-inspired names like Anchor and Schooner. Others, such as Norway, paid tribute to Royal Caribbean's history and private destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

(Credit: Michael Bayley/Facebook)

In the end, Bayley revealed the winning name in a playful post alongside an AI image of himself, the recently born puppy, and Rover and Sailor, the respective Chief Dog Officers of Icon and Star of the Seas. 

"ChatGPT A.I. with my true loves!  Rover, Sailor, and baby Skipper! Thank you to all who suggested some wonderful names for our growing group of Chief Dog Officers. After an exhaustive process, our distinguished panel (🤪me) chose Skipper," Bayley shared on Facebook. 

Skipper was mentioned a few times in the previous comment section by fans, including Amy Sue, Diane Cushman, Maria Jodoin, Bridgette Hope Spence, Amanda Davis, and Christy Collins. 

Read more: New puppy born that will live on Royal Caribbean's next new cruise ship

With the name now official, cruisers can look forward to Skipper following in the previous "paw" prints of the other Chief Dog Officers. 

Icon of the Seas was the first ship to feature a full-time Chief Dog Officer

Icon of the Seas is record-breaking in more ways than one. While the massive mega-ship broke records as the world’s largest cruise ship and for having the largest waterpark at sea, the vessel was also the first in the fleet to introduce a Chief Dog Officer.

Rover, an adorable Golden Retriever, made history as Royal Caribbean’s first-ever Chief Dog Officer when Icon debuted in January 2024. She lives on the ship full-time with her handler (talk about a dream job!) and became a celebrity before the ship even set sail. 

The following year, Royal Caribbean welcomed Sailor aboard Star of the Seas, continuing the trend of having a "family dog" on its family-focused cruise ships. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean will have a dog that lives on Star of the Seas

With Rover joining the Icon of the Seas' crew around six months old, Skipper will likely follow a similar time frame. This will give Royal Caribbean ample time to properly train her and help her develop her much-needed sea legs. 

If this is true, based on Sailor's birthday, she won't embark on Legend of the Seas until around August 2026, after the ship's maiden voyages in July. This, however, is just speculation; Royal Caribbean has not confirmed anything about when Skipper may make Legend her full-time home — other than that she will definitely be on board while the Icon Class ship is in Europe. 

Legend of the Seas' maiden voyage is scheduled for July 2026

Legend of the Seas is the next highly-anticipated Icon Class ship. While the bones are nearly identical to the other two vessels, what makes Legend so special is that she's the first Icon Class ship to offer European cruises. 

When Legend debuts in July 2026, she'll sail on a series of round-trip voyages from Barcelona, Spain, and Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy. Then, she'll move to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for the winter season before returning to Europe in May 2027. 

Combining a sailing on an Icon Class ship with bucket-list destinations like Marseille, France; Naples, Italy; and Palma de Mallorca, Spain, gives travelers the chance to pair Royal Caribbean’s newest, most groundbreaking hardware with some of the Mediterranean’s most iconic destinations. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean adds an even earlier first sailing on Legend of the Seas

While I go on lots of Royal Caribbean ships often, I find I tend to skip some parts of the ship almost every time.

Everyone has a style they cruise to, even if they've only taken a couple of cruises. What I mean is people gravitate towards certain areas, but not others.

As an example, someone on a budget or with young kids might not spend much time at all in the casino. Or someone that looks for a party on a cruise will spend more time at the pool deck.

In thinking about how I like to cruise, I came up with a list of areas on Royal Caribbean ships that I tend to avoid for one reason or another.

Surf simulator

Other than occasionally going to watch people wipe out, you'll never find me at the Flowrider surf simulator.

I have a lot of respect for those that have the balance, grace, and tightly bound bathing suits to enjoy and do well with the Flowrider, but I am not one of them.

I not only lack the right balance to attempt to stand-up surf, but I also am too concerned with the impact my body would have when it inevitably hits the (padded) floor after wiping out.

There's no doubt you can learn to surf on a cruise ship, but it's just not my thing.

If you're like me, there are seats to watch others give it a try. It's about as close I get when I venture in that area.

Card room

While I have set foot in card rooms, I don't think I've ever sat down and spent any time in one.

The card room is essentially a multi-purpose room for playing board games, card games, or quietly socializing. It certainly serves this purpose, but it's never something I've ever thought to go do.

On the rare occasions that I play a game of Exploding Kittens on a cruise ship, I've always ended up in the Crown Lounge or a bar that doesn't have any entertainment at the time.

Some people have very intricate board games they bring that look like Risk-level complexity. I wish I had the dedication for such games.

If I was ever going to play a board game on a cruise ship, I'd love to try Axis and Allies, but I cannot fathom bringing the giant box and then taking the time to set it all up.

Maybe someday I'll bring my Royal Caribbean Monopoly edition with me on a ship.

DJ parties

Even in the prime of my college days, I was never really that into a DJ party. Sure, I hung out at Webster Hall in New York City around 2002-2003, but I can't say that was my preferred party spot.

Royal Caribbean has some high energy DJ events now, especially on new ships, like Utopia of the Seas.

I can appreciate these are the sort of events anyone that wants a DJ party will enjoy, but it's not my jam.

Royal Promenade dance parties

Just to prove I'm not just against dance parties involving DJs, I avoid the Royal Promenade events too.

They're loud, and I am not the type of person to ever want to join in for a group rendition of YMCA.

I also think Promenade parties are passé at this point, because they've been doing them for as long as I've been cruising.

Because the Royal Promenade parties shut everything down on the Promenade, it almost feels like the muster drill of entertainment.

Art auctions

I've changed my tune about a few things on Royal Caribbean cruises over the years, but not art auctions.

First and foremost, I'm not an art collector and I don't see value in owning prints of art. On the rare occasions we've ever bought art, it's usually the mass produced stuff in a store.

The other issue is art auctions have a reputation for being a bit "creative" with how they present the valuations and how long it takes to actually get the pieces (no, you don't take home the art you see in the auction).

I've spoken with some folks that enjoy it for what it is, especially the free champagne. It's definitely an event to go in with both eyes wide open and not with the idea the art you'll buy is going to make you rich some day.

Sports court

Royal Caribbean holds all sorts of activities on its sports court, but you won't find me there.

Basketball, pickleball, soccer, or volleyball are all played there, but I get sweaty just thinking about going out there. There's no shade and it seems like it's easily the hottest spot on the ship at any given time.

Before you assume I'm an out of shape coach potato, I do enjoy the fitness center and have been going to the gym for over a year. But that kind of exercise is sweaty, but far more manageable.

Jugglers or magician shows

In the previous six areas of a cruise ship I avoid, I pointed out why I understand why others might enjoy them.  However, I fail to see the appeal at all of jugglers, ventriloquists, or magic shows on cruise ships.

I feel it's one of those, "if you've seen it once, you've seen them all" experiences. And even if you've never seen them, the jokes are corny and get old quickly.

I love comedy shows on Royal Caribbean ships, but I'd rather go to a DJ dance party than sit through a juggling act.

One cruise ship just made history after earning the first-ever Five-Star rating from the Forbes Travel Guide for one of its fine dining restaurants at sea.  

Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud aboard Celebrity Xcel, the cruise line's newest Edge Series ship, earned the prestigious honor and joined an elite group of restaurants that hold Five-Star accolades across the globe. 

The upscale restaurant, which was created in partnership with Celebrity Cruises’ global culinary ambassador and Michelin-starred Chef Daniel Boulud, first debuted in Celebrity Beyond. It's more than just a fine dining experience, too. Each meal is a cultural journey that invites guests to experience flavors from around the world, all inspired by Chef Daniel Boulud's travels. 

Le Voyage offers diners a choice between expertly prepared à la carte dishes and a carefully crafted five-course tasting menu. The meal isn't cheap, costing over $100 per person. However, the recently-awarded Forbes Five-Star distinction reinforces that this isn't just another specialty steakhouse on a cruise ship. It's one of the best culinary experiences in the world — that just so happens to be at sea. 

"We are extremely proud and honored to earn Forbes Travel Guide's first Five-Star rating for a restaurant at sea. This industry-leading recognition reflects our unwavering commitment to culinary excellence," said Laura Hodges Bethge, President of Celebrity Cruises. 

Chef Daniel Boulud added, "I have the honor of being Celebrity Cruises’ global culinary ambassador, supporting their delivery of elevated culinary experiences. Throughout the years of partnership, I recognized Celebrity’s drive for culinary innovation and dedication to quality service. We began expanding our collaboration, first featuring my menus for their Suite guests, then trusting Celebrity to launch my first-ever restaurant at sea.

"Le Voyage is the culmination of our years-long partnership, and we are thrilled to be recognized with Forbes Travel Guide's Five Stars. Together, we look forward to continuing to redefine the possibilities of dining at sea."

Forbes Travel Guide is widely regarded as the gold standard for excellence in hospitality. It remains the only independent, global rating system for luxury hotels, spas, restaurants, and ocean cruises. In fact, every Forbes Travel Guide Star Rating comes from anonymous evaluations that are measured against hundreds of objective standards that prioritize exceptional service. 

Le Voyage's award isn't the first time that Celebrity Cruises has made history with the travel guide, either. In 2023, the premium cruise line was the first to earn a prestigious Forbes Travel Guide Star Award. 

Read more: 9 things I wish I knew before setting foot on a Celebrity ship

Three other restaurants earned Four-Star ratings

"At Celebrity Cruises, elevated hospitality is in our DNA. Guided by our guests, we dream up and deliver experiences that create memories and stories they cannot experience anywhere else," explained Hodges Bethge. 

As such, it should not come as a surprise to learn that not one, not two, but three other Celebrity restaurants walked away with Four-Star ratings from Forbes Travel Guide: Le Voyage on Celebrity Ascent, Fine Cut Steakhouse on Celebrity Ascent, and Fine Cut Steakhouse on Celebrity Apex. 

Additionally, four Celebrity Cruises ships earned an overall rating in 2026, including Celebrity Xcel (recommended), Celebrity Ascent (Four-Stars), Celebrity Apex (recommended), and Celebrity Flora (recommended). 

These eight awards are a testament to Celebrity's promise that "Nothing Else Comes Close." From world-class dining to elevated service and transformational accommodations, the cruise line continues to set new standards for what travelers can expect at sea. 

The outlook for the line remains strong, with the first river ships expected to debut in 2027. These first-of-its-kind vessels are taking a lot of inspiration from the Edge Series — three of which walked away with Forbes overall ratings in 2026. 

Read more: I ate my way through a luxury cruise ship. These are the 6 dishes I'm still thinking about

Weeks after Royal Caribbean quietly updated its prohibited items list to tighten onboard safety and cybersecurity, the cruise line clarified that certain smart glasses are now restricted in specific areas of its ships.

Like other cruise lines, Royal Caribbean has a long list of prohibited items that aren't allowed aboard its fleet of ships. Many of the items, including illegal drugs and explosives, are common sense. 

Sometimes, however, the line between what's banned and what guests consider harmless isn't very clear. For instance, many passengers assume they can bring extension cords and steamers, but they are actually banned on Royal Caribbean ships. 

Recently, Royal Caribbean updated the verbiage on its prohibited items list to read: "'Smart' glasses from any of several manufacturers that can record video and audio are not allowed to be used in certain areas onboard the ship, including, but not limited to, public restrooms, Youth Program areas, medical areas, as well as the casino."

While the change was only recently made official on Royal Caribbean's website, passengers began noticing the updated policy online in late January. 

"Now RCL is apparently not allowing smart glasses even if just used as prescription glasses or sunglasses," catlovingcryptofella posted on the r/royalcaribbean Reddit thread, along with a screenshot from the Cruise Compass on Royal Caribbean's mobile app. 

"Smart glasses with video and audio recording capabilities are not permitted onboard. If a guest fails to abide by this policy, the chief security officer and captain are authorized to confiscate the smart glasses," the discreet notice reads. 

(Credit: @catlovingcryptofella/Reddit)

Since smart glasses can discreetly record video and audio, the devices invade the privacy of passengers and crew in public areas on its ships, particularly in spaces where individuals may not realize they are being filmed.

The prohibited items list continues to specify that guests who have prescription smart glasses should bring a backup pair that isn't smart-enabled. 

Royal Caribbean tightened the rules on cybersecurity and electronic interference equipment

Sometime after December 10, 2025, Royal Caribbean updated its previously vague "cybersecurity and deliberate electronic crime equipment" clause to include "satellite dishes, routers, and other networking equipment, any other deliberate electronic interference which would constitute criminal activity."

Because cruise ships rely on high-tech digital systems for navigation, communication, and entertainment, the clarification ensures that the critical systems are protected from unintended (or intended) interference. 

For example, the precise wording explicitly targets devices intended to hack, disrupt, or manipulate the onboard systems. These include signal jammers, hacking toolkits, and unauthorized travel Wi-Fi routers.

While some devices, such as satellite dishes, routers, and other networking equipment, were previously listed on the banned items list, the recent addition zeros in on the purpose of the item. 

Travel routers, for instance, were once used to save money by extending the connectivity of one internet package to multiple devices. Though seemingly harmless, they can also be used to create rogue networks that interfere with the ship’s Wi‑Fi system or even bypass security controls.

According to a survey released by the consulting firm Protiviti, cybersecurity is a top priority for businesses. 

Cybersecurity Drive reported that corporate leaders, including board members, chief financial officers, and chief operating officers, are "increasingly aware that cyber resilience must be embedded into enterprise strategy."

"This widespread prioritization underscores the almost universal recognition that cybersecurity is no longer a siloed IT issue but rather a strategic enterprise risk with implications for brand reputation, operational continuity, and regulatory compliance," Protiviti said.

As such, Royal Caribbean’s updated policy highlights the company's recognition that cybersecurity at sea is equally important as on land.

Read more: Royal Caribbean adds cyber threat equipment to its list of banned items on cruise ships

Royal Caribbean isn't the first cruise line to ban smart glasses

In December, MSC Cruises confirmed that smart glasses were banned from its ships, with its website saying, "devices capable of covertly or discreetly recording or transmitting data (e.g. smart glasses) are not allowed in [the ship's] public areas."

The news did not exactly come as a surprise, given MSC's reputation for being strict about filming on board its ships. In 2024, popular YouTubers Ben & David were banned from filming during a cruise on the MSC World Europa. The trip wasn't sponsored by the cruise line, as the couple had paid for the sailing themselves. 

While MSC eventually apologized to Ben & David, the incident highlighted just how seriously the cruise line takes privacy and why smart glasses, including Meta Ray-Bans or Google Glasses, suddenly appeared on the prohibited list.

Read more: MSC Cruises' unexpected ban angers passengers

What you bring on a cruise ship is so important because you don't have access to stores or online shopping to pickup something you need later.

We have our ultimate cruise packing list that has every basic you'll need, but what about the things that go beyond the obvious. What are the sort of things you could bring on a cruise that would be useful and a neat idea too?

I'm a sucker for finding new trends in cruise packing. Often, I'll walk down the Royal Promenade and notice another guest holding something I've never seen before and it piques my interest.

After all, who doesn't want to make their cruise easier or better? 

Over the last few cruises I've taken, I started looking for the best new ideas for cool gadgets you could bring on a cruise too.

There are affiliate links, which cost you nothing but I make a small commission if you click on them and order it.

Magnetic ceiling fan

Bringing a rechargeable fan on a cruise isn't a new idea, but having it mounted on the ceiling is a new twist.

The reason to bring a fan is to not only cool yourself off while in bed, but also to provide white noise. A lot of people are used to sleeping with a fan on at home, and cruise ship cabins don't have fans of any kind.

It's not practical to bring a standard fan, but a battery operated fan isn't a fire hazard. Plus, this one can magnetically stick to the wall or ceiling of your cruise ship cabin.

The advantage of this kind of a fan is you position it exactly where you need it so that it cools you down in bed without taking up valuable counter top or nightstand space. And this one won't fall over because it's attached to the wall or ceiling.

It provides air flow, which can be very useful if you're staying in an inside cabin that has no windows. 

Drink cup sling

If you bought a Royal Caribbean drink package, you get a souvenir cup. But how about a better way to haul it around?

I spotted a few people with a Drink Cup Sling and thought that's actually a smart idea.

The souvenir cup can be used at the Coca-Cola Freestyle machines onboard or brought to any bar or restaurant to be refilled. They're not cumbersome, but you'll need to hold it as you go around.

The smart idea about having a sling is it frees up your hands, which could be very helpful for parents who already have their hands full. It's also useful to free your hands if you're taking the cup off the ship with you, like to Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Plus, there's a pocket to stick your SeaPass card in it. They added a carabiner for attaching your key or other tiny must-haves.

Bluetooth speaker for the shower

While a Bluetooth speaker isn't a new idea for something to bring on a cruise, I think the JBL Go 4 Eco is a revelation.

This speaker is small, waterproof, and hangable. This means you can not only bring it on the ship to use at the beach or on your balcony, but also in your shower (and always at a reasonable volume).

It's ultra-portable and advertises up to 7 hours of playtime. 

Because this it's waterproof, this would be a good speaker to have so you can have tunes while you get ready in the morning, take a shower, or enjoy a bath in suite bathtub.

To be clear, you should always keep the volume at a low level so it doesn't disturb anyone else. It's a great idea for a convenient way to enjoy a cruise podcast!

Travel clothesline

Whether you're looking to reuse clothing or just dry out bathing suits, having a clothesline helps a lot.

While there is a clothesline in your bathroom shower, that can be an issue if someone wants to use the shower or if you think the clothes would dry quicker elsewhere.

The Flexo-Line Travel Clothesline offers a simple way to set up a clothesline almost anywhere you need it. Heck, you could bring it on a shore excursion if you needed to.

Neck fan

This is a no judgement zone, and I'll do just about anything to cool off on a hot summer day.

The Gulaki Neck Fan claims to be quieter than most models, even at higher speeds. It comes in four colors and has a battery life of just over five hours.

Neck fans may look strange, but they really do work. They have multiple speeds to help keep the air around you moving, and they come in different colors so they can be somewhat fashionable.

Plus, I'm always a fan of gadgets that are useful both on a cruise ship and at home.

For reviving a dying phone while traveling light

I thought a smart idea for those that prefer to travel light without a giant power brick is the TravelCard Plus.

It's a super lightweight and small portable charger that fits in your front jeans pocket. It could even fit into a wallet.

There are two built-in charging cords that work with both iPhone and Android devices and has a 3000 mAh battery.

It might be the perfect solution to being on a shore excursion and your phone running dangerously low on power.

Most first-time cruisers don't break rules on purpose because they just don’t know them.

The rules on a cruise ship can be very different than what you're used to on land, and that's because of complicated maritime law as well as safety at sea.

Regardless of why the rule is in place, you certainly don't want to do something that could get you in trouble or create any danger. 

Since new cruisers can feel like they're drinking from a firehose of cruise knowledge, here are some commonly broken cruise rules that you should always avoid.

Being too loud in your room

Your stateroom is your "home away from home," but it the walls are far less soundproof than your house.

Noise nuisances aren't allowed, including playing your music loudly.

In fact, the cruise line prohibits boom boxes, loud radios, or other noise nuisance(s). That being said, it's not against the rules to actually bring a Bluetooth speaker with you on the ship.  It's all about the volume level you play it at.

Technically, Royal Caribbean publishes that Bluetooth speakers aren't allowed while ashore on Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

If you do have a speaker with you, keep the volume at a low setting to avoid a visit from the cruise ship's security staff.

That drink package isn't for anyone else

No, you can't buy a drink for your kid with your drink package.

Royal Caribbean has very strict rules about not sharing drink package benefits. Each drink package purchase is exclusively for the person who purchased it.

This means you cannot get a soda with your benefits and give it to your kid. Or let someone else use your souvenir Coca-Cola cup, even if you have no intention of using it.

It might seem like a harmless thing to do, because one drink here or there isn't like a couple trying to share the package outright.  Nonetheless, it's against the cruise line's rules.

You risk having your drink package cancelled with no refund if you're caught sharing drink package benefits.

Weed isn't allowed, even if you have a prescription

When you step aboard a cruise ship, it's almost like stepping onto foreign soil in some respects. How Royal Caribbean views marijuana use is one example of that.

Marijuana is not allowed on Royal Caribbean's ships, regardless of why you have it.

"Marijuana, even in its medicinal form or for medicinal purposes, shall be prohibited," is what the Guest Conduct policy says.

Royal Caribbean aren't prudes or the "fun police". Rather, they have to obey the international laws of the countries they visit.  Many countries a ship visits do not allow it, which is why Royal Caribbean carries this law.

This prohibition includes CBD oil or CBD products.

You shouldn't use your balcony to dry clothes

I'll admit, I've broken this rule without knowing it, but you're supposed to leave anything on your balcony without being there to take care of it.

The issue here is something you're not monitoring could fly off the ship and into the ocean (or elsewhere).

"Guests may not leave items unattended on balconies, as the wind may cause items to fall overboard."

Royal Caribbean takes ocean pollution very seriously, and they don't want anything going into the ocean that shouldn't be there.

If you want to sit on your balcony and read a book while your clothes dry, go for it. But don't leave anything there without you being there to grab it if it were to start drifting away.

Feeding the fish, birds, or anything else that isn't your child

Another "it seems harmless" thing some people do is feed animals.

Feeding animals is against the rules because it encourages the animal to return for more later. Plus, they don't understand "okay, that's it!".  So it disrupts their behavior.

Not to mention some animals have a tendency to defecate when they're fed, especially seagulls.

"Seagulls frequently defecate while being fed, largely because the high-energy, often processed food causes faster digestion and because they are highly social, flock-oriented birds that congregate in large, active, and messy groups."

The issue of feeding birds is much worse when at Perfect Day at CocoCay because the birds get excited and a feeding frenzy commences as they compete with each other for that fry.

Keep those french fries, pieces of bread, and chicken tenders for yourself or simply throw them away when you're done.

You can't reuse dishes at the buffet

Cruise ship or not, you shouldn't bring back a plate to reuse at the buffet.

While it may seem like you're cutting down on how much the crew have to clean, reusing plates can lead to cross-contamination and the spread of germs.

Leave your used plate at the table and go back up and get a new plate, even if it's just for one thing.

Read more: 11 things you should never do at a cruise ship buffet

The first day of your cruise marks the beginning of your vacation, and there's plenty you'll want to see and do upon embarkation.

It's a busy day, too. From checking out of your pre-cruise hotel to navigating the terminal, exploring the ship, and enjoying a well-deserved cocktail during sailaway, embarkation day is filled with activity from morning until night. 

Amid all the excitement, however, you must know what to expect to help make embarkation smoother and less stressful. With a little preparation, you can move through the physical check-in process more efficiently, make the most of your first day on the ship, and finish any last-minute cruise planning before you pull away from the pier. 

Here's an in-depth guide as to what you can expect on your Royal Caribbean embarkation day. 

Read more: 16 Do's and Don'ts of taking a Royal Caribbean cruise

Royal Caribbean Check In Process

Before embarkation day arrives, you should complete the online check-in process through Royal Caribbean's mobile app. This will ensure that your terminal express is as painless as possible!

45 days before your cruise, you can access the online check-in portal, where you'll input your travel documentation, credit card information for onboard purchases, and select your desired arrival time.

Once you’ve completed the online check-in, be sure to download your SetSail Pass. This serves as your boarding pass and will be scanned throughout the physical check-in process. Having it ready and downloaded will save you time and stress on embarkation day, as terminals typically do not have the best cellular service. 

Online check-in closes 48 hours before your sailing. If you forget to complete it, you can do it at the terminal. However, this will slow down your overall check-in process and delay your boarding time.

Read more: Royal Caribbean check-in process

Royal Caribbean Cruise Terminal Arrival

More often than not, your Royal Caribbean ship will arrive in port early in the morning, with hundreds of crew members, port agents, and suppliers working behind the scenes to prepare the vessel for its next sailing. While you call it embarkation day, it's often referred to as "turnaround day" in the cruise industry. 

All passengers from the previous sailing must be off the vessel before new guests are allowed on board. Generally speaking, boarding passengers can access the terminal around 10:00 a.m., though the exact time can vary by itinerary, ship, and port. 

Keep in mind that entering the terminal doesn’t necessarily mean you can step onto the ship right away. The first guests are typically able to board somewhere around 10:30 or 11:00 a.m.

Each cruise terminal has on-site parking. However, you can sometimes save money by using a third-party parking service. If you aren't parking a car, rideshares, taxis, and shuttle services are convenient options for getting you to the terminal and often drop you off closer to the entrance. 

No matter how you arrive at the terminal, you’ll hand your larger bags to a porter, who will ensure they make it onto the ship. This is done before you enter the building. Since you won't see your bags again for at least an hour or two, you need everything important for the first part of your day in a carry-on. This includes things like travel documents, medications, and electronics.

To speed up this process, you can print your Royal Caribbean luggage tags in advance. If you forget, however, make sure you have your cabin number handy, as porters will need it to properly label your suitcase. 

Royal Caribbean Embarkation Process

Once a porter has your bags, you will make your way inside. This is where you will go through security, have your travel documentation checked, take an embarkation photo, and finally board the ship. 

As mentioned earlier, you'll want to keep your SetSail Pass handy throughout this time, as it will be scanned to pull up your reservation, and before you head to the gangway. You will receive your physical SeaPass card once staterooms are ready, generally around 1:00 or 1:30 p.m.

Royal Caribbean Embarkation Lunch

The first stop for many guests is the buffet, as embarkation typically falls somewhere around lunchtime. As such, the Windjammer is busier than it otherwise might be on port days or at other times during the sailing. 

If you want to avoid the masses, consider reserving a low-key specialty lunch at a restaurant like Giovanni's or Chops. Making a reservation ensures that you can sit down and enjoy a relaxed meal before diving into the first day of your cruise vacation. 

Plus, specialty restaurants offer better lunch deals than dinner. It's not uncommon to find deals for multi-course specialty meals for around $20 per person on embarkation day. 

Depending on your ship, you can also have lunch at spots like Sorrento's, Café Promenade, El Loco Fresh, Boardwalk Dog House, or Playmakers. 

Royal Caribbean Embarkation Tips

Wondering how to spend your time after lunch before the festival sailaway party? The first thing you’ll need to take care of is the mandatory muster drill. This safety drill can be completed on your own time by watching a few videos on the Royal Caribbean app, then visiting your in-person assembly station for a short safety briefing. 

Once that's done, you have a few options. You can register your children at Adventure Ocean, check out your Main Dining Room table assignment, make specialty reservations, purchase a drink package, take a spa tour, or simply explore everything that is on board. I'd highly recommend taking a few moments to ensure that you have reservations for popular shows, too. 

Your stateroom should be ready anywhere from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Once available, you can drop off your carry-on bags and grab your SeaPass card. If your luggage has already been delivered, you can take a few minutes to unpack and settle in. 

Read more: What to expect in Royal Caribbean's Main Dining Room

The most exciting part of embarkation day is the sailaway party. The exact timing will depend on your itinerary, so check the Cruise Compass to figure out where you need to be! The party is best enjoyed with a fruity cocktail or beer in hand as you watch the skyline disappear from the horizon. 

After that, your vacation is in full swing. Typically, the casino will open a little bit after departure, though it may not open until the following day if you're cruising from somewhere like Seattle or Baltimore. The same goes for the onboard stores. 

Dinner tends to be more casual on the first night, with many passengers still sporting their embarkation outfits. After you eat, you can take in the first night's entertainment lineup, which may consist of anything from high-diving AquaTheater performances to ice skating shows, comedy acts, and live music. 

Reaching Royal Caribbean's highest casino loyalty tier requires a level of play most cruisers will never experience, and it raises an obvious question: is it actually worth it?

Craig Hart is an avid cruiser and also enjoys playing in the ship's casino.  Up until this year, he had gambled enough to make it to the first two tiers of the casino loyalty program. However, he pushed to make it to Masters level to see what it was all about.

Many cruisers have leveraged the casino on a Royal Caribbean cruise not just for entertainment, but as a strategy to take advantage of its loyalty perks. You can earn free cruises, drinks, and even get money back. All of it comes at great financial risk, as you'll need to wager enough money to earn the points.

While we've heard from casino players who have made it to Prime or Signature, Masters is an entirely different level that requires a lot of play to reach. 

Gambling is is risky and addictive, and there's a good chance you'll lose a lot of money. Please gamble responsibly.

I asked Craig to share his insight on making it to Masters, what the perks are like, and if he thinks it was worth it.

$500,000 through the casino, is it worth it?

First off, gambling can be highly addictive and you can exclude yourself from Royal Caribbean’s Club Royale, with that being said, if you play your cards right, you can earn big rewards. But is it worth $500,000 through the casino for me?

Everyone who has a Crown and Anchor account that is 18 and over, which is created on their first sailing on Royal Caribbean, also has a reward account with the casino. It uses the same account number. 

There are four levels of Club Royale: 

• Choice
• Prime
• Signature
• Master

Each comes with perks that progressively get better as you level up. As a brand-new Master Level player for Club Royale, do I find the perks worth the play?

Choice is everyone who has accumulated at least 1 point, which is equivalent to $5 through a slot machine or $10 average bet on table games over the course of an hour. Prime is 2500 points, Signature is 25,000 points and Master is 100,000. Each level has their perks and they only get progressively better.

The most valuable perk on the ship that I use is the free internet. Starting at Signature, you get one device at Master you get two. This is great for working from the ship if you need a phone and computer or if you and a partner go on a sailing as you can share the internet. Since travel routers are banned on Royal Caribbean, this adds a value above Signature benefits. 

From the time I turned Master, on December 14, 2025 until the end of the current casino year benefits April 1, 2027, I currently have 70 nights booked. At an average of $20/day/device that is a savings of $2800 on internet! I will book many more sailing with all the instant certificates as well as random offers that appear in my account that only add to this savings!

The next major benefit that I use is the free drinks in the casino! Anyone Prime or higher gets free drinks in the casino, when it is open. Since I am also Diamond Plus, I get 5 free drinks onboard the ship or at their private islands. From this benefit, I do not purchase the drink package unless I am travelling with a group of friends like I do on the Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruises!

A mixed use benefit is Coastal Kitchen access on Oasis, Quantum and Icon Class Ships! I have used this benefit several times on my sailing. This perk is also available if you book a full suite, if you are a Pinnacle Club member of Crown and Anchor Society or for dinner if you book a Junior Suite. 

If I am with a group of people who do not have access like this past guys trip, I tend to skip Coastal Kitchen and eat with the group. 

I did, however, use the 20% off credit in the spa to get a haircut on that sailing. When I went to book my appointment, they did not provide the discount, in fact they were not sure of the discount amount. When I checked out after the haircut, they also did not apply the discount, so they had to refund and reissued the transaction with the proper discount. This benefit is only for full retail price services. 

If you like to prebook, you may save more using the cruise planner. Often, they may even have specials onboard, so this perk really is only beneficial for last-minute services.

The one perk I use 100% of the time (and mostly in the casino) is the onboard credit. Typically, several hours after the casino is open a non-cashable credit is applied to your account. $50 on 3-4 night sailings, $75 on 5-6 night sailings, and $100 on 7+ night sailings. Although this credit does not have to be used in the casino, if you do, it is eligible to earn points unlike the free play that is offered on some certificates. 

Since I often get comped junior suites, I already have priority access to the terminal as a suite perk, but it can be a nice perk when you are not sailing in a suite. Although at Port Canaveral, which I would consider my home port based on how often I sail out of there, they are so efficient, it often does not make a difference on what line I am in.

The next several benefits are the same if not very similar as The Key:

• Priority Entertainment Access and Dining Reservations
• Carry-on bag onboard drop off with priority delivery to stateroom
• Welcome lunch in Main Dining Room featuring Chops Grille menu
• Flexible departure with à la carte breakfast

The two times I had The Key, I only used the carry-on bag drop once and skipped the rest of the benefits. Since I am on Utopia of the Seas so often, I prefer the Windjammer seafood buffet on embarkation day! If I am not there, I would rather go to Coastal Kitchen, which is open for lunch on embarkation day, so these benefits to me have no value.

One benefit I am going to try this year is the Hard Rock Partnership. I am going on Wonder of the Seas in February and what better way to take advantage of free nights and $600 of resort credit during the stay. This is saving me at least $200 on a hotel for the night as long as I don’t spend it in the casino!

One of the best perks, and this comes regardless of your status, you can receive random casino offers, which will show up in your online account, email and physical mail flyers. These can offer inside staterooms or even Junior Suites, slot tournaments, special events or even include perks! 

Casino Royal does not publish how they determine offers, but it is believed based upon your last several sailing play. Short sailings with lots of play each night may result in better offers, longer sailings with the same amount of play may lower the offers. We truly do not know.

The single biggest perk I use are the comped sailing offers. When you play on each sailing, there is a list of comped sailing at the host desk that is based on the number of points you accumulate during that sailing. 

The big benefit is you can also earn free play in the casino. Although free play does not earn points in the casino, you can use it on tables or slots to earn cash. If you want to have fun and use all your free play on my lucky number 13 in roulette, you are not out of any of your own cash! 

I will often book a refundable deposit on sailing I know I want to go on and as I get closer will cross reference the offers to see if the sailing is on the list. 

For instance, a new year’s 7-night sailing was on an instance certificate I earned on my January sailing of Utopia of the Seas. I was able to pick up the points needed for a balcony, which I was already booked. 

The cash price of the sailing was $2742 whereas I lost $1200 on Utopia and was able to get my room comped in addition to $750 in free play. Since I was already going on that sailing and I lost less than the cost of the sailing, it is a win, win for me!

Is Masters a level I will strive for every year? No, but while I am here, I will take advantage of the benefits I have and continue to enjoy the casino to prepay for my cruises and have additional fun on the ship!

Happy sailing and good luck!

Bad weather can change cruise ship plans anytime of year, negating the myth that you should avoid hurricane season because it's when the worst weather is.

A handful of Royal Caribbean cruise ships this winter have had to divert and skip scheduled port visits because of high winds and big waves. 

In just the past few weeks, many ships scheduled to go to Perfect Day at CocoCay or Nassau, Bahamas have ended up with sea days instead. Both Icon of the Seas and Explorer of the Seas were unable to dock at the private island. A week earlier, Utopia of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas skipped it too.

In fact, Wonder of the Seas and Celebrity Reflection had "cruises to nowhere" because of bad weather.

This year's winter weather has reinforced that there is no guaranteed time to cruise for perfect weather, so you need to be flexible.

Hurricane season isn't the only time when bad weather happens

Every year when there's a hurricane that changes cruise ship itineraries, I'll see comments on social media along the lines of, "this is why I don't cruise during hurricane season."

The problem with this line of thinking is two fold.

As we can see in January and February, bad weather can happen anytime. When the winds kick up, waves get bigger, and you don't need a tropical system for that to occur.

Plus, hurricane season technically encompasses half the year. It begins June 1st and runs through November 30th. That's a long time to sit out cruising.

In reality, the worst of hurricane season is between mid-August to mid-October, so the June, July, and November are usually tamer times of the year.

But the idea that you don't get itinerary changes or bad weather other times of the year is simply inaccurate.

Winter cold fronts can stir up trouble

This winter has seen cold fronts make their way well into Florida and The Bahamas, which has been the source of the diverted ships.

Most cruise ship piers are designed for optimal docking conditions.  While a pier will work better than attempting to tender, once the waves start to crest over the pier, it's generally unsafe to dock.

In some cases, the wind can be so troublesome that the ship cannot safely approach the pier. This is especially true at CocoCay, which has no natural barriers to protect the pier from larger waves.

In February 2024, winds got so bad that an announcement was made to evacuate the island and return to their ships.

Two ships were able to dock, but by 1pm conditions had deteriorated so badly that an early end to the day was necessary. A rapidly moving storm was approaching the island and that caused the cruise line to make the decision to cut their day short.

At 1pm, an announcement was made over the island's speaker system to return to the ship.

Even if the sea conditions aren't a problem, cruising in the winter isn't always hot.

When the high temperature is barely in the 70s or lower, it's not going to feel as tropical.

Don't try to guess the weather. Be flexible instead

The lesson with this year's winter weather is don't ever assume one season, month, or time is going to be automatically the best or worst weather.

In fact, don't book a cruise based on weather alone. Pick a sailing because of the ship, itinerary, and things you want to do, but you have to have a certain level of flexibility that those plans might change.

A Western Caribbean itinerary could be flipped to an Eastern Caribbean because of a hurricane just as quickly as a cold front in January prevents you from visiting The Bahamas.

There simply isn't a time of year when there's no chance or better chances of milder conditions.

If you're logic is cruising outside of hurricane season reduces the chances of altered itineraries, you're missing the bigger picture about how the opposite of tropical energy caused quite a few changed cruises. There's simply no guarantees or promises any one cruise will have better weather, smaller waves, or less wind.

Nature is notoriously unpredictable, so you have to go into any cruise with an expectation you'll probably go to the places you booked, but not necessarily.