Royal Caribbean Blog

Underscoring its commitment to the local community, one of the first things Royal Caribbean is doing to improve the local area around Costa Maya is to fix the long-neglected roads.

The cruise line acquired the Port of Costa Maya, along with a lot of surrounding land in order to build Perfect Day Mexico. But before it can do that, it wants to improve the infrastructure of the surrounding area.

The first step is Royal Caribbean has announced a significant investment to improve road infrastructure in Nuevo Mahahual, Mexico.

Unveiled yesterday, community roads will be rehabilitated.  The plans were shared at a collaborative meeting between company representatives, local authorities, and residents.

Why Royal Caribbean is fixing the roads

While building Perfect Day Mexico is Royal Caribbean's ultimate aim, it wants to work as a partner with the local community. Improving roads is a win-win for both company and community.

As Costa Maya is transformed over the next couple of years, Royal Caribbean is making broader investments in the area. The new infrastructure project not only reinforces the cruise line’s presence in the region but also highlights a deeper philosophy: being an active, engaged neighbor beyond just tourism.

Better roads is more than engineering, it's something the cruise line hopes will demonstrate to community stakeholders its commitment beyond words.

At the heart of the project’s announcement was a community meeting that emphasized transparency, mutual respect, and shared priorities. Residents and local leaders were invited to help define needs and next steps, setting a tone of genuine partnership rather than unilateral decision-making.

In addition to logistical improvements, Royal Caribbean is actively working to protect the local environment.

Plans have already been revealed to conserve about 111 acres of mangroves, restoring degraded coastal areas, and powering operations with 100% renewable energy by 2040.

For years, the municipality had dumped sewage into the coastal area of Mahahual, contaminating both the mangroves and the beach adjacent to the cruise ship pier.

Royal Caribbean plans to build their own reverse osmosis system to provide drinking water as well as a treatment plant to clean up the area, which will later be transferred to the municipal government to serve the entire community.

A month-long project

The project will focus on the repair and improvement of "key roads" within Nuevo Mahahual, which is the village near the Costa Maya port.

While the press release did not specify every street or exact stretch of roadway to be improved, it outlined several key operational points:

• Start and duration: Work is set to begin in the coming days and is expected to wrap up in approximately one month.
• Qualified execution: Only qualified companies holding all required permits will undertake the rehabilitation work, reflecting an emphasis on safety, compliance, and professional standards.
• Coordination: Construction will be carried out in close coordination with community leaders to ensure minimal disruption and clear communication throughout.

The hope is when it's complete, the upgraded roads will make a meaningful impact on local day-to-day life in a relatively short timeframe.

Better roads lead to Perfect Day Mexico

The short term benefit of these improved roads will be making it easier for the people that live and work around Mahahual to get around.  But these roads will be critical for Perfect Day Mexico.

This will be Royal Caribbean's second Perfect Day destination, building on the success of the first one at CocoCay in The Bahamas. Announced as part of a multi-hundred million-dollar investment, Perfect Day Mexico is designed to include water parks, beaches, culinary venues, leisure spaces, and immersive guest experiences for cruise passengers.

In fact, the footprint is as large as the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World.

They'll need the roads as much as the locals in order to get equipment and supplies in, as well as be able to get shore excursions out to various destinations.

Dreams of bigger cruise ships coming to Tampa appear to be dead once more.

The Florida Senate approved a bill on Friday that included a provision to grant specific protections to the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve, which is the area of a land a new cruise terminal was proposed to be built on.

Last month, SSA Marine submitted plans to construct a multi-berth cruise port in Manatee County.

The location was set to be built on a roughly 328-acre coastal property known as the Knott‑Cowen tract at the mouth of Tampa Bay next to the Bob Graham Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Estimated time of completion was three to five years.

However, SB 302 would limit large-scale dredging and filling in the Terra Ceia Preserve. That's important because dredging is part of the plans to allow cruise ships to access the terminal.

Not only would the new terminal need to be built, but a 4.5-mile long channel would need to be dredged about 60 feet deep to accommodate the newest cruise ships.  

Cruise Fever reported Sen. Jim Boyd added specific protections to the land. These provisions do not mention a cruise terminal, but it effectively makes it impossible for a private company to build on the land. The only exceptions granted are for public navigation projects, public necessity, or for any project that has the goal of improving the quality of the reserve.

The Senate passed the bill with a unanimous 38-0 vote.

Now that the amendment has passed, a second amendment will need to be filed to the House Companion Bill HB 1035, currently in its second reading.

Why a new cruise terminal would make a difference in Tampa

Tampa has a cruise terminal downtown, but it can only handle smaller cruise ships. As the cruise industry has built larger ships, it's precluded Tampa from getting any newer ships.

Currently, only smaller ships, like Royal Caribbean's Grandeur of the Seas, Rhapsody of the Seas, or Serenade of the Seas are able to sail from Tampa.

The issue is the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, which blocks access to Tampa Bay. The bridge's height is not tall enough for newer, bigger ships to safely pass underneath.

According to SSA Marine's website, its terminal would solve that problem.

A new cruise port will complement existing cruise activities in the region by being able to accommodate the newer, larger, low-emissions cruise vessels that would otherwise be unable to visit due to the height restrictions of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge

As cruise ships continue to modernize, the region will be well positioned to align with and support the cruise industry’s future growth. Additionally, locating a new cruise port on the seaward side of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge could serve as a valuable community asset in the event of extreme weather or other emergency situations.

Not everyone is in favor of building a new terminal.

Since the new plans were announced, Manatee County official says staffers and their family members have received threats and harassment from constituents.

Some residents fear the port's construction and operations could negatively impact the environment and put unnecessary strain on infrastructure.

In a news release, Manatee County Administrator Charlie Bishop said some of those comments have crossed the line "to harassment, threats, and intimidation" of county workers and their families.

"This is unacceptable. No county employee should be harassed for performing their professional duties. No child should ever be targeted because of where their parent works. These actions must stop."

Project not officially dead, but prospects look poor

While the Senate passed the bill, the Florida House still needs to pass it and then Florida's Governor needs to sign it into law.

There's no official announcement or confirmation of a change in plans for the proposed new cruise terminal. But the Senate Bill's passing makes the chances look poor for the project to be practical.

Perfect Day at CocoCay has something for everyone, from thrill seekers to partiers, families, and sun-seeking relaxers. However, if you've never been to the private island before, you might not realize that some of the best areas are those frequently overlooked by guests. 

Bryan James, a former Royal Caribbean entertainer, recently took to social media to share a vlog documenting his recent visit to CocoCay. Since being published, the nine-minute YouTube video has received over 40,000 views, 2,000 likes, and 150 comments.

In this video, James' girlfriend Jaidyn, a dancer aboard Star of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's newest Icon Class vessel, explained where crew members like to go when they have free time at the private island.

"This is one of the beaches that's not really on the map, I'd say," she said, talking about Breezy Bay.

"I feel like the main ones are Chill Beach [and] South Beach. [Breezy Bay] is the one that the cast comes to because they don't really advertise it...It's definitely one of the quieter places to be."

"There's a lot going on over here, but not many people, which is nice. I think that's why we come here," she added. 

Chill Island is the first beach most cruisers encounter as they walk along the main pathway around the island. It's also the best snorkeling spot at CocoCay, with calm, clear water, schools of tropical fish, and a sunken shipwreck. For those reasons, Chill Island gets crowded quickly. 

South Beach is another popular spot for guests. While it's further from the arrivals area, it offers a wide stretch of soft sand, tons of lounge chairs, and easy access to nearby bars and dining, including the floating tiki bar. The area also has a lot of sports activities, including a life-sized pool "table" and beach volleyball. 

Read more: 41 Perfect Day at CocoCay tips, tricks, and secrets

Is Breezy Bay worth it? 

Between the two lies Breezy Bay. If you've visited CocoCay before, likely, you've at least walked past Breezy Bay when grabbing the island's famous mozzarella sticks, chicken sandwich, or funnel cake from the Snack Shack. But unlike Chill Island or South Beach, Breezy Bay remains largely untouched by cruise passengers compared to other areas on CocoCay. 

"Personally, I love Breezy Bay because of how close it is to Oasis Lagoon (pool), bathrooms, Snack Shack, Bar, and Chill Grill (Buffet). There are also beach games, basketball, and hammocks in the area," shared Jenn Yazzetti in a public Facebook group. 

Someone else agreed on Reddit, writing, "We did Breezy Bay and loved it for our family (with 3 young kids). We were so close to everything we needed - multiple food options, pool, restrooms. The water was calm and clear and the beach wasn't rocky at all."

When they aren't splurging on admission to the Coco Beach Club, TheSilliestMoose agreed that Breezy Bay at Chill Beach is their favorite "normal" spot at CocoCay. 

Breezy Bay at Chill Island also has some day beds available to rent. For an upcoming cruise on Utopia of the Seas in July 2026, pricing starts at $248.99 when purchased in advance through the Cruise Planner. 

The price includes two floating beach mats, two reserved lounge chairs, a pre-stocked cooler with four water bottles (other drinks are available at an extra charge unless a beverage package has been purchased), and beach towels. A maximum of four guests can use the beach bed, making it a good option for families or small groups who want a little extra comfort during their "perfect" beach day. 

Something else worth mentioning is the bar near Breezy Bay is quite lovely. It has a wooden deck to it, where you can watch people around the beach or the nearby excursions that depart.

There are two downsides to Breezy Bay. First, it's probably the furthest distance from the cruise ship, since it's located on the opposite side of the island from the pier.

The good news is you can take the island's complimentary tram service to get there.

The other issue is the beach and swimming area is partially obstructed by some Coco Beach Club Cabanas.

Not only is the view not pristine, but you cannot swim near the cabanas or you'll be reprimanded by the lifeguards.

You can easily shift down the beach and avoid that, but coming later in the day may be an issue.

That said, you can take advantage of the complimentary lounge chairs if you don't want to shell out any extra money — it isn't a paid-only admission area like Hideaway Beach or the Coco Beach Club. 

In fact, you can split your time ashore easily between Breezy Bay and the Oasis Lagoon pool. The lagoon, which is open to all guests, is not far from the heart of Breezy Bay, making it easy to rotate between fun in the sand and pool all day long. 

Read more: I went to CocoCay for the first time, and here's what I'd do differently

For most cruisers, going to the Main Dining Room for dinner is the best option. After all, it's included, has great service, and you're bound to find a few things each night that will satisfy.

Cruise ships have other places to eat, such as the Windjammer buffet or a specialty restaurant, but I think the Main Dining Room has a more casual and family-friendly environment groups find appealing.

But just because the Main Dining Room seems like a pretty straightforward restaurant doesn't mean that there aren't mistakes you can make when you're dining there.

I've compiled this list of some of the most common mistakes people make when they eat there, and by avoiding these mistakes, you can ensure you're getting the best possible dinner experience the next time you visit.

Filling up on the (admittedly delicious) bread

After being seated at your table, the first thing you'll offered is a basket full of bread rolls. There are a few different varieties and honestly, it's really hard not to have a couple.

Cheese rolls, sliced baguette, pumpkin seed, and another one or two options are available to choose from, along with butter. As you wait for your food to come out, these rolls look more and more appetizing.

But newbies will have a few rolls and then struggle when the rest of the food comes out. These rolls will fill you up fast, leaving no room for your actual entree.

It's a potential mistake you can make in a lot of restaurants, but I'd hold off on devouring them.

Enjoy a single roll, sure, but then leave the rest for after your entree arrives. That way, you'll have room in your stomach for everything you want to taste at the table.

Not having a reservation if you're on My Time Dining

If you picked My Time Dining (Anytime Dining), there are two lines for tables: people with a reservation and those without one.

The people with a reservation are seated first, and the line for both can be quite long. This is especially true if you're looking to eat before 8pm.

The advantage of My Time Dining is you have flexibility in when you eat, but you should try to make a reservation whenever possible to ensure you minimize how much waiting there is.

You can make a reservation before the cruise with the Royal Caribbean app or in the Cruise Planner site.  But you can still make reservations once onboard the ship by calling the dining hotline from any phone.

As soon as you have an idea when you'd like to eat, I recommend making a reservation so you can enjoy dinner closer to the time you prefer.

Thinking you're going to be getting a fancy meal

A lot of people see a beautiful dining room, white tablecloths, and giant chandelier, and assume they're going to get a meal that's on the fancier end of the spectrum.

Don't get me wrong, the Main Dining Room is a lovely restaurant to dine in, but it's not nearly as formal or as high-end a restaurant as it may look.

The Main Dining Room isn't a fancy restaurant by any means. Royal Caribbean wants it to be a welcoming, family-friendly place for a great dining meal. It's far closer to casual dining than the aesthetics would lead you to believe.

The restaurants that offer a fancy, high-end meal are reserved for the specialty restaurants, such as Chops Grille or the supper clubs.

In truth, the MDR is more about casual dining. That's not a bad thing, I love that you can come in with a nice pair of jeans and collared shirt and enjoy a meal seated with friends and family without any pretenses. Its a great casual, family restaurant.

Assuming you order the same as you would at a land restaurant

I order food completely differently at a land restaurant compared to a cruise ship restaurant, especially at the Main Dining Room.

There is no extra charge to order more than one appetizer, entree, or dessert. In fact, the crew members encourage you to order what sounds good because they want you happy.

While this may sound gluttonous, the serving sizes of dishes tends to be smaller than what you'd get at a land restaurant. They're not miniscule portions by any means, but ordering two entrees isn't as crazy as it sounds when you get your food.

Some new cruisers won't really know they can, or should, order multiple dishes until perhaps after a few cruises. 

I recommend ordering two appetizers and entrees not only to try each, but to hedge your bet if one dish isn't what you expected.

Suffering in silence

If what you ordered isn't what you expected, or the food isn't hot enough, don't sit there and take it!

The Main Dining Room staff want you to be happy and very satisfied. They are more than happy to bring you something else or prepare the dish differently if it will be more to your liking.

I understand no one wants to be a nuisance or a pain, but if you even hint you didn't love your food, any waiter or manager will insist on bringing you something else.

On a few occasions I've tried a dish and almost instantly knew this isn't what I like. I wanted to sample it to see if this could be something new I'd love, but it's not the case.

In those situations, I explain "it's me, not you" situation and ask for something else. The waiters are quite happy to step in and swap out dishes.

Not checking the menu before you arrive

There are lots of places you dine at your cruise, so I think it's a mistake if you don't check the evening's menu before arriving.

Royal Caribbean rotates its dinner menu each night in the Main Dining Room, and there might be a better place instead because of the entree choices. You might prefer the Windjammer or splurge and go to a specialty restaurant.

You can find the menu posted on a digital screen outside the Main Dining Room, as well as being in the Royal Caribbean app.

For picky eaters, this can be a good strategy for avoiding the, "there's nothing I like on the menu" situation. 

Or if you want to make sure you don't miss a certain dish (like lobster night), knowing which night not to make a specialty restaurant reservation is important.

Is there such a thing as being too old to go on a cruise?

While cruise lines have minimum age restrictions, there's no set age when you're banned from setting sail. In fact, cruising is often the preferred way to travel for seniors and retirees, who appreciate the convenience and comfort that ships offer. 

According to the Cruise Lines International Association's (CLIA) 2025 State of the Industry Report, 81% of Baby Boomers (i.e., those born between 1946 and 1964) are enthusiastic about taking a cruise vacation. The same generation is spending around $157 billion annually on travel. 

That said, seniors face increased health risks while traveling, and the possibility of a life-threatening medical issue occurring at sea increases as you age. 

To better understand the risks and considerations for older cruisers, we spoke with Squaremouth, a leading travel insurance comparison site. In this article, we'll go over their insights into how age can impact travel planning, the types of coverage seniors should purchase, and tips for cruising when you're older. 

Understanding the age requirement for cruise travel

Cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, do not have a maximum age limit of any kind. As such, choosing a cruise should be a decision made in consultation with a healthcare professional. 

To determine whether it's safe for you to cruise or not, it's important to understand the risks of traveling internationally. If a medical emergency happens in another country, access to care may be limited, and treatment could be costly or more complicated than at home.

"Travel insurance coverage often becomes more important as travelers age. Older cruisers are typically more likely to experience medical issues while traveling, whether it’s a new issue or a pre-existing condition, and medical care while at sea can be costly. This is where travel insurance can help, protecting seniors from unexpected medical costs they could encounter due to injury or illness while on their cruise," Squaremouth explains. 

To that point, older sailors need to find a travel insurance plan that has a pre-existing condition exclusion waiver. A pre-existing medical condition is any medical condition that has been diagnosed, changed, or treated in the last 60-180 days, depending on the plan. Without the waiver, you're responsible for any medical bills or unused trip expenses that are related to the pre-existing health challenges. 

"Timing is very important for any travel insurance benefits, especially for seniors. If you wait too long to buy your policy after booking your trip, you may not be eligible for pre-existing condition coverage, and your medical conditions could be excluded," Squaremouth says. 

To qualify for this coverage, you must meet the following criteria: 

• Buy a policy with pre-existing condition coverage within a specific time frame (typically within 14-21 days of your initial trip deposit, depending on the plan)
• Insure 100% of your prepaid trip costs, such as flights, hotels, cruises, tours, and excursions
• Be medically able to travel at the time you buy coverage

It's also important to look at the age requirements, as some providers do enforce age maximums. Squaremouth claims that travel insurance premiums often increase with the traveler's age due to the higher possibility of health-related challenges. As such, it's not uncommon for seniors to pay more for their travel insurance coverage compared to younger travelers, even for the exact same policy.

According to Squaremouth's 2026 Cruise Insurance Cost Report, cruise insurance costs begin to spike after age 50 and peak at age 70. Consequently, travelers over 70 years old can expect to pay 311% more on their cruise insurance policy compared to those under 50.

Does Medicare cover you on a cruise ship?

"Most U.S. health insurance plans, including Medicare, do not cover medical expenses while traveling abroad. This highlights the importance of travel insurance for international cruises, since medical care expenses that occur while cruising would be your responsibility to pay without a travel insurance plan," says Squaremouth. 

"While there are exceptions (e.g., emergency care in a foreign country when closer than a U.S. facility), standard Medicare does not provide comprehensive protection abroad. However, Medicare can cover the costs of treatment on domestic cruises."

Read more: This Medicare mistake leaves seniors uncovered on cruises, experts say

Best cruise travel insurance for seniors

Cruise insurance is absolutely worth it, regardless of your age. When browsing travel insurance plans, Squaremouth recommends that seniors look for a policy that has the following protections and coverage levels:

• Emergency medical coverage of at least $100,000 to cover costs associated with illness and injury while traveling
• Medical evacuation coverage of at least $250,000 to pay for and arrange transport to a proper medical facility if necessary
• Pre‑existing condition coverage if you have existing medical conditions that may cause an issue while traveling
• Primary medical coverage to ensure a faster, more efficient claims process

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), medical evacuations can cost upward of $250,000. Yet, Squaremouth found that 35% of travelers are underinsured for medical evacuation, buying less than $250,000 in coverage.

For example, Royal Caribbean's standard travel insurance policy only includes up to $25,000 in emergency accident medical coverage and $50,000 in emergency medical evacuation coverage — well under the $100,000 and $250,000 recommended by Squaremouth. 

"Medical evacuations off of cruise ships are more common than travelers may think. During my time as Director of Operations at Jet ICU, I led a team of medical evacuation dispatchers and managed account relationships with domestic cruise lines. In my role, I was coordinating at least one medical evacuation per day off of a cruise ship within the Caribbean alone," Chrissy Valdez, Senior Director of Operations at Squaremouth recalls. 

If you are underinsured, you’ll need to cover the remaining cost of an emergency medical evacuation. Without any coverage, you would be fully responsible for the entire expense.

Before buying a policy, it's smart to compare providers and products side-by-side. Squaremouth's website can help you find plans specifically designed for seniors, understand possible age limits, and review how your premium may be impacted by your age so you can select the proper coverage.

Read more: I took my 64-year-old mom on a cruise

Royal Caribbean will add a new cruise ship this summer, and there are a few dining surprises that were announced.

Legend of the Seas will be the third Icon Class cruise ship, and it will have 28 places to eat onboard. It's not only among the biggest cruise ships in the world, but it will be home to more casual, sit down, and fine dining choices.

I scoured the full list of restaurants and dining choices on the ship, and there were a few things that jumped out because they're new and unexpected.

In addition to returning foodie favorites, here are the four surprises we can look forward to eating at on Legend of the Seas.

The first Korean food choice

Royal Caribbean will add its first dedicated Korean food offering when Seoulmate opens.

This is one of six stations that will make up Aquadome Market, the complimentary food hall.

Royal Caribbean trademarked the name last year, leading to speculation a Korean offering was coming.

Korean rice bowls are on the menu, and it signals a new kind of option never before offered on Royal Caribbean ships. I think it's exciting when we get variations.

Tacos coming to Aquadome Market too

Royal Caribbean is pretty much overhauling the Aquadome Market lineup with, five out of six locations new options.

• 🆕 Seoulmate: Korean rice bowls
• 🆕 La Espanola: Spanish-style bites
• 🆕 Cajun kitchen: New Orleans gumbo
• 🆕 Adobo: Mexican street tacos
• 🆕 Simply Pressed: Fresh smoothies & juices
• Creme de la Crepe: Sweet French crepes

What surprised me is one of the food halls is offering Mexican food, when there's an El Loco Fresh down the deck.

To be fair, El Loco Fresh is more Tex-Mex than traditional/authentic Mexican food, and that may be the difference.

If you've never eaten at Aquadome Market, it's my favorite included restaurant on any Royal Caribbean ship. The variety of food, the fact it's open late night, and how fresh everything is prepared truly makes it stand out.

Plus, it's convenient to the pool deck since you can easily get to it from the Chill Island neighborhood.

To be clear, I'm all for more tacos in my life. So I'll take it upon myself to "research" the differences between this and El Loco Fresh.

Pier 7 isn't going anywhere

After the launch of Icon of the Seas, it looked like Pier 7 was going to be removed on Star of the Seas.  Fast-forward two ships and it's still here.

It's easily overlooked because it's located deep within the Surfside neighborhood, which is an area guests without young kids usually avoid.

To be clear, I think Pier 7 is the most underrated Royal Caribbean restaurant and given how cheap it's priced, I think it's worth eating at for everyone.  

Kids under 12 eat free, and if you pre-book a reservation, adults can have brunch for as little as $9.

I appreciate the menu offers very different options than what you'd find elsewhere, and there are some great healthier options available.

Plus, having an all-day brunch menu is welcome for anyone that enjoys breakfast for dinner.

The immersive train restaurant will have fine dining choices

We already knew Legend of the Seas will debut the first Royal Railway on an Icon Class ship, but now we have a look at what the menu will have.

I was able to test an early version of the restaurant at a mock-up at Royal Caribbean's headquarters, but everything at that point was conceptual.

Travel through China and indulge in mouthwatering Pork and Shrimp Siu Mai garnished with delicate caviar. And feast on butter chicken and palak paneer in India before awe-inspiring explorations through Persia, Turkey and Italy.

Since the Royal Railway Utopia Station was based in the Old West and a family-focused show, the menu had a different aim.

It looks like Legend Station will lean more into cuisine, and less on schtick.  This is a welcome change for those that eat at any specialty restaurant for the food first.

All the restaurants coming to Legend of the Seas

Royal Caribbean says Legend of the Seas will have the most places to eat at sea, so here's a look at what's coming.

• Quick Bites
  • Park Café ✅
  • El Loco Fresh ✅
  • AquaDome Market ✅
  • Surfside Bites ✅
  • Izumi in the Park $
  • Basecamp ✅
  • Trellis Bar $
• Around-the-Clock Cuisine
  • Pearl Café ✅
  • Sorrento’s ✅
• Sit-Down Eats
  • Surfside Eatery ✅
  • Windjammer ✅
  • Pier 7 $
  • Dining Room ✅
  • Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade $
• Celebration-Worthy Meals
  • Celebration Table $
  • Chops Grille $
  • Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar $
  • Hooked Seafood $
• Savor the Show
  • Hollywoodland Supper Club $
  • Royal Railway: Legend Station $
  • Izumi Hibachi & Sushi $
• Sweet Treats
  • Sprinkles ✅
  • Desserted $
  • Starbucks $
  • Sugar Beach $
• Suite Exclusives
  • Coastal Kitchen ✅
  • The Grove ✅

Cruise ship restaurants are going well beyond a dining room, buffet, or steakhouse.

The supper clubs available exclusively on Royal Caribbean's Icon Class blend fine dining, crafted cocktails, and live music into a must-see-to-believe "eatertainment" experience.

Unlike traditional specialty restaurants, the supper clubs were designed to blend three pillars — food, beverage, and music — into an elevated, immersive take on "dinner and a show."

"As we thought of experiences that we want to create for Icon Class ships, we really thought about this series of supper clubs and bringing unique and special experiences to each ship that tells the history of great food [and] great cocktails, and ties together the amazing entertainment of live music paired in a very unique and special way," said Linken D'Souza, Senior Vice President, Food & Beverage for Royal Caribbean International. 

Empire Supper Club was the first to debut aboard Icon of the Seas. Along with other record-breaking firsts, the upscale specialty restaurant quickly became a defining feature of the line’s newest class of vessels — despite its $200-per-person price tag. 

However, developing a concept that intertwines a 10-course tasting menu, handcrafted cocktail pairings, and choreographed live music was no small feat.

"Creating the recipes, testing them, checking ingredients, bringing in the ingredients to check, it was a big team effort. So, it took really everyone, from equipment to product development to inventory [to pull it off]," explained Bruce Venter, Royal Caribbean's Senior Executive Chef.

If that does not sound difficult enough, the Royal Caribbean team took it upon themselves to shift to new themes and effectively reimagine the restaurant from the ground up for each Icon Class vessel. 

Empire Supper Club on Icon of the Seas is based on New York City, while the Lincoln Park Supper Club on Star of the Seas transports guests to the windy city of Chicago, Illinois. 

The Lincoln Park Supper Club has an entirely different menu, new music, and an overall themed experience compared to the original supper club on Icon of the Seas — all while adding their own memorable twists. For example, while Chicago is known for having more wind and brass instruments, they added a trumpet to give the music sets another layer of flair. 

"[It delivers on] the notion of 'eatertainment,' but in a whole new way," exclaimed Royal Caribbean's Senior Director of Product Development, Jennifer Goswami.

The upcoming Legend of the Seas will also have an entirely new supper club inspired by the birth of the golden age of cinema. 

"The supper club is a very unique, upscale celebration-type experience in really exquisite surroundings. The atmosphere is really phenomenal. It really gives you a great evening out," said Michael Bayley, President & CEO of Royal Caribbean International. 

Each course is paired with a handcrafted cocktail

Pairing cocktails with food isn't as easy as it might sound, Alex Palmeri, Senior Manager of Beverage Operations for Royal Caribbean, explained:

"[It is] a very intense process because you have to make sure you have the right cocktail with the right food, and it's at the right pace. We want these cocktails to be great and crafty." 

The Royal Caribbean team brought in master mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim to ensure that each pairing met the same elevated standard as the fine dining cuisine.

Abou-Ganim loved pairing cocktails with the menus. However, the task wasn't without its challenges. "Sometimes, pairings can be difficult with cocktails," he explained.

"Sometimes, it's not the most obvious. A lot of times, we have to tweak things. You know, we don't always hit a home run, but that is the fun part, kind of the journey getting to that end."

Cocktails are only one aspect of the three-part winning formula

"We've blended what we call 'eatertainment,' where we've got both live music and food together. And that live music and food will be very choreographed, so it'll feel like an intimate yet very luxurious fine dining experience — something we've never done before," said Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean's Chief Production Officer.

Regardless of whether you dine at Empire, Lincoln Park, or Hollywoodland Supper Club, you'll notice that music is integrated into the experience, with songs carefully synchronized with the dishes and cocktails served.

Vanessa Fourla, the Manager of Live Music and Entertainment for Royal Caribbean, said she begins by taking notes on things like the timing, theatrical aspects, instrumentation, volume, intensity, and thickness of the musical texture. After that, they'll spend hours fine-tuning everything until they get what they deem is "an absolutely seamless experience." 

"[A]s we look at the big idea, we also have to look at the very minute details, anything from the menu design to the table and chairs that are in the venue to the venue itself, the lighting levels, the sound levels, the smells that you have. We'll spend hours debating that minutia of detail to make sure that every time our guests enjoy a new experience, they're blown away," added Jay Rosser, Senior Manager of Product Development for Royal Caribbean International.

Hollywoodland on Legend of the Seas is themed after Hollywood, California

For Hollywoodland, Royal Caribbean is centering on the glitz, glamour, and fame of the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s in Hollywood. 

While many details are still under wraps, we can expect an exciting new menu that visually showcases the transformation of cinema throughout the years. For example, the meal starts with dishes presented in sepia-like tones, transitions through a series of black-and-white courses, and culminates in a vibrant, colorful explosion.

Guests will also feel like celebrities for the evening, with every aspect (i.e., good food, beverages, and music) designed to make them feel like they're an A-list movie star. 

Former Royal Caribbean International CEO Adam Goldstein is back, but he's on his way to work with a different cruise line.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) has undergone big changes and the drum beats demanding more change are echoing still.

NCLH is the parent company of Norwegian Cruise Line (and two other lines). The major problem has been NCLH has struggled financially compared to competitors, and some of its investors have had enough. Especially when competitors, like Royal Caribbean, are doing so much better.

On Thursday, Mr. Goldstein announced he's now working with activist investor Elliott Investment Management to help reshape Norwegian's future.  As the former head of Royal Caribbean, it has potential major impact for the industry.

This isn’t just a board seat pursuit. It's part of a broader bid to sharpen strategy, performance, and shareholder returns.

Who is Adam Goldstein?

Adam Goldstein is a name within Royal Caribbean that used to be among the most important people in the company.

Adam Goldstein joined the company in 1988 and later went on to serve as President & CEO of Royal Caribbean International from 2007 to 2014. From 2014 to 2018, he served as President & COO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. His last role was vice chairman.

Then he suddenly left the company in 2020 without any explanation.

On Thursday, he announced Elliott has put his name forward as a potential director to serve on the Board of Directors.

"If appointed to the board, I would serve as a director for all of Norwegian’s shareholders, cruisers and travel agent partners – not any single investor," he said in his open letter to the cruise industry.

Norwegian Cruise Line investors call for big changes, want to be like Royal Caribbean

Things are getting dicey at NCLH as change has churned up more change.

Elliott Investment Management has built over a 10% stake in NCLH, and earlier this week went as far as to set up an activist campaign.

They believe Norwegian has lagged behind Royal Caribbean Group and Carnival financially because of mismanagement, overspending, and poor decisions.

They presented an entire new program that illustrates the differences between the three companies, and routinely uses Royal Caribbean Group as an example of how to do things better.

Elliott is calling for board changes, strategic overhaul, and stronger execution.

Why Adam Goldstein is getting involved now

After leaving Royal Caribbean abruptly, he's been largely missing in action from the cruise industry.  Now, he wants back in.

In his post, he says many people have reached out and asked him out of concern what is happening at Norwegian.

He believes Norwegian has world-class assets and can do much better financially.

"There are signs that Norwegian could be doing much better. Norwegian possesses industry-leading assets, leading the industry in investment-per-berth and featuring a premium cabin mix and compelling onboard amenities."

Financial results, he says, follow a strong guest experience and differentiated product.

"Financial results follow the guest experience, not the other way around."

He sees such strong demand for cruising across the entire industry, and believes Norwegian should be taking advantage of that growth.

"Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings... should be capitalizing on this moment."

Mr. Goldstein's involvement signals not just financial pressure, but adding someone who can help drive strategic and operational fixes.

Can this really fix things?

The investor counterstrike is massive in its scope, but its ambitions might be more than what's practical.

Vince Ciepiel is an Analyst with Cleveland Research Company, and reviewed the "Norwegian Now" plan that outlines the problems and ways to fix the poor corporate governance, cost mismanagement, and strategic errors.

He believes the plan has merit, but isn't realistic with how quickly it could make changes, "We view much of Elliot’s overall messaging in the plan as fair in general but likely too aggressive/optimistic on the solutions and timeline."

He was also quick to point out that Elliott takes special aim at Norwegian costs, but believes NCLH has gotten better at managing costs in recent years.

Moreover, he raised a red flag that cuts have already begun to negatively impact the customer experience.

"We would also flag that investors have been concerned on Norwegian’s cost cuts leading to brand/customer experience damage (i.e. reducing portion sizes in F&B, cutting back on onboard shows/performance budgets, reducing housekeeping) so the $ value of low hanging fruit operationally may not be as easy to capture as the Elliott presentation implies."

NCL: The new Southwest Airlines?

Cruise fans have already taken note of what's happening at NCLH, and it has them concerned.

X user The Cruise Life laid out the potential problems with Elliott's plan and how it could spell cutbacks and poor guest experiences. They base this on the fact Elliott Management is the same activist investor group behind the major changes at Southwest Airlines that have been criticized for disrupting what made that airline so beloved by fans.

"Loyal NCL cruisers have definitely seen unpopular cost cuts over the past decade in favor of profits. But let me make it clear: If Elliott Management has their way, the cost cuts of the past were paper cuts. This group wants to cut off the entire head in favor of profit."

"Make no mistake, change is coming for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. Today is a dark day for a brand we love so much. And while we disagree with several recent changes (Subway CEO?!), trust me when I say an activist investor group is NOT the solution any of us want."

Did you know that you can match your Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor Society status to other cruise lines?

While Royal Caribbean wants you to continue sailing with them, they also understand the evolving needs of today’s cruisers.

Rather than forcing loyal guests to start from scratch, the parent company, Royal Caribbean Group, created a cohesive ecosystem that rewards brand loyalty across its entire portfolio — from Royal Caribbean International to Celebrity Cruises and Silversea.

This offers cruisers a way to instantly earn perks and benefits with another Royal Caribbean Group line, despite never having sailed with them before.

Through the Royal Caribbean status matching program, Crown & Anchor Society members can receive equivalent tier recognition in Celebrity’s Captain’s Club and Silversea’s Venetian Society. This ensures that guests stay within the Royal Caribbean Group network.

The program has recently gotten even better. Now, instead of automatically earning loyalty points with the brand you sail, guests can choose which line’s loyalty program they want their points to be added to.

In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the Royal Caribbean status match program, including how it works, how the different tiers align, and how to choose where you want your loyalty points to accrue.

Read more: Royal Caribbean introduces a new way to status match between its other cruise lines

Does Royal Caribbean Status Match?

You can only match your Royal Caribbean loyalty status to other brands in the Royal Caribbean Group umbrella, including Celebrity Cruises and Silversea. This means that you can’t take your American Airlines or Delta Airlines status and hope to cheat your way up the loyalty ladder.

Effective June 2024, cruisers can enjoy reciprocal status across the brands — this even includes the top-tier levels. That means if you’ve reached Pinnacle Club with Royal Caribbean International, you can sail as a Zenith member of Celebrity’s Captain’s Club.

In other words, your hard-earned loyalty isn’t diluted from one brand to another. That said, the perks within each program aren’t identical.

For example, while Diamond Crown & Anchor Society cruisers get four complimentary drinks per day, Elite Captain’s Club members get access to a limited happy hour from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

This means that, on Royal Caribbean, you can redeem your drink vouchers for a beachside piña colada at Perfect Day at CocoCay or a morning mimosa, but you’re limited to a set window in the evening when sailing with Celebrity Cruises.

Moreover, whereas Celebrity offers a complimentary bag of laundry for Elite cruisers and above, only Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club members are eligible for a free bag when sailing on voyages that are 5+ nights.

Some perks cannot be attained through the Status Match Program, as they're exclusively reserved for those who earned their status by sailing with the brand directly. These include:

Crown & Anchor Society

• Complimentary Pinnacle Club milestone cruises
• Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club amenities
• Single supplement cruise fare reduction
• Cheers with an Officer onboard event
• Milestone recognition (Crystal Block)
• Upgraded bathroom amenities
• Pinnacle Club milestone kits
• Chef’s Choice amenity 

Captain’s Club

• Complimentary Zenith cruises
• Zenith milestone kits
• WWF® donations
• Retreat Lounge access when not staying in the Retreat (Status match members will only be permitted to access the Retreat Lounge when not staying in the Retreat, based on availability and at the sole discretion of Celebrity Cruises) 

Venetian Society

• "Sail with Us: referral offer before your first Silversea voyage
• Complimentary cruises
• Milestone recognition during the Venetian Society Party

Here’s how each loyalty status tier within the Royal Caribbean Group aligns across the three programs:

How To Match Your “Royal Caribbean Loyalty Program” Status

If you're currently a member of one or more Royal Caribbean Group brands’ loyalty programs, the company will automatically verify your information and determine whether you qualify for a status upgrade. Those who are eligible will receive an email confirming their new status — typically within one week.

If it’s been more than seven days since you’ve enrolled, you should call to further review your information. According to Royal Caribbean, those who do not receive an automatic status match may have different names, addresses, or phone numbers listed on the accounts.

Here are the best numbers to call to help get your status match sorted before your next cruise:

• Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society: 1-800-526-9723 or (541) 285-9723 if outside of the U.S. and Canada (charges may apply)
• Celebrity Cruises’ Captain’s Club: 1-800-760-0654 or 1-316-554-5961 if outside of the U.S. and Canada (charges may apply)
• Silversea Cruises’ Venetian Society: 1-888-978-4070 (North America) or call your local Silversea Office (charges may apply)

Royal Caribbean MGM Status Match

Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor Society members can get a complimentary tier match into MGM® Rewards and benefit from the perks at all MGM destinations nationwide. You must visit an MGM Rewards desk at any MGM Rewards destination to validate your Crown & Anchor Society status.

Here’s how each of the Crown & Anchor tiers matches across MGM’s loyalty program:

MGM Rewards destinations in Las Vegas, Nevada, include the Bellagio, ARIA, Vdara, MGM Grand, The Signature at MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, W Las Vegas, Park MGM Las Vegas, NoMad Las Vegas, New York-New York, Luxor, and Excalibur.

The regional MGM Rewards destinations are the Beau Rivage, Borgata, Empire City Casino, MGM Grand Detroit, MGM National Harbor, MGM Springfield, and MGM Northfield Park.

Read more: How do Royal Caribbean and MGM Resorts' shared benefits work?

What is the MSC Status Match program?

While you can't use other loyalty statuses to climb the Royal Caribbean Group ladder, you can leverage your existing status with Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, or Silversea to gain a head start through the MSC Status Match program.

Thanks to MSC Cruises' status match initiative, you can sail as a top-tier member in their Voyagers Club immediately, unlocking lucrative benefits like 20% off spa treatments, priority check-in, a complimentary picture, specialty restaurant dinner, and more. 

Enrollment is easy. All you have to do is submit the one-time request on MSC's website. Note that you will need to attach a scan or screen capture of your current loyalty status for proof. 

Read more: I cruised on Royal Caribbean's and MSC's biggest cruise ships. One was a better experience, but the other was a better value

An Israeli man was arrested at PortMiami on Monday after he was found with child sexual abuse material on his cellphone, according to a report from the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office. 

Basilios Grayeb, 29, of Haifa, Israel, was detained after U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers received a "suspicious activity report" regarding "the purchasing of child sexual abuse material," CBS News reported. 

Grayeb was sailing aboard Freedom of the Seas. Rather than waiting for him to disembark and pass through the terminal, federal agents boarded the 156,271 gross-ton ship to take him into custody. 

According to the arrest report, an officer conducted a border search on the suspect's phone and found a video showing a man sexually assaulting a girl who appeared to be younger than five years old. 

(Credit: Miami-Dade County Corrections and Rehabilitation)

Grayeb confessed to viewing and possessing the material after being read his Miranda rights. He was then brought to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Facility, where he was booked on February 16, 2026, around 4:00 p.m.

He is being held on a $2,500 bond as of Tuesday morning, The Times of Israel reported, and was also placed on an immigration hold. 

According to Cruise Mapper, Freedom of the Seas had just completed a 4-night Bahamian cruise to Freeport and Nassau, departing on Feb. 12. 

(Credit: Mugshots Zone)

The 19-year-old ship set sail on her maiden voyage in May 2006. She measures 1,111 feet long and has a passenger capacity of 3,926 at double occupancy. Freedom will remain in Miami, Florida, through at least April 2028, embarking on a series of cruises to The Bahamas and Caribbean.