Royal Caribbean Blog

Perhaps no Royal Caribbean cruise add-on is more popular than a drink package, and it seems there might be better day to buy it for a lower price.

The cruise line has employed "dynamic pricing" for years, which means the cost of a drink package can vary from ship to ship, and sailing. And since we know Royal Caribbean uses AI to manage prices, the exact cost could fluctuate from passenger to passenger on a daily basis.

According to new tracking data compiled by All Aboard Deals across 30 Royal Caribbean ships, there has been a notable pattern to how beverage prices ebb and flow.

The Deluxe Beverage Package offers unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks for the entire sailing while onboard the ship or at one of the cruise line's private destinations.

I think everyone wants to pay the least for a drink package, so I was curious to learn there is a possible methodology to finding the cheapest cost.

What the data found

Their data shows the weekly pricing spike that had consistently landed on Tuesdays suddenly shifted to Wednesdays in late April 2026.

The report tracked 89 days of pricing data between February 13 and May 13, 2026, and found that for nine consecutive weeks, Royal Caribbean routinely increased Deluxe Beverage Package prices every Tuesday before lowering them again by Wednesday morning. Then beginning April 28, the entire cycle moved forward by one day.

Tuesday now appears to be the cheapest day to buy a Royal Caribbean drink package, while Wednesday has become the most expensive.

That may sound like a tiny detail, but the difference can easily add up to more than $100 on a weeklong cruise for two people.

The report identified nine weeks where Tuesday was clearly the expensive day:

• Feb. 24
• Mar. 3
• Mar. 17
• Mar. 24
• Mar. 31
• Apr. 7
• Apr. 14
• Apr. 21

Only one Tuesday during that stretch, March 10, failed to show a meaningful spike.

Then everything changed after April 21.

Instead of Tuesday prices jumping, Wednesdays suddenly became the expensive day across the fleet. The report found three consecutive Wednesday spikes on April 29, May 6, and May 13.

According to the data:

• April 29 Wednesday pricing averaged $82.87 per day versus Tuesday’s $71.54
• May 6 Wednesday pricing averaged $80.71 versus Tuesday’s $70.21
• May 13 Wednesday pricing averaged $80.57 versus Tuesday’s $70.21

You could pay more than $100 more if you bought a drink package on the wrong day

The average Wednesday premium during the new cycle measured roughly $10 to $12 more per person, per day than Tuesday pricing.

That means a couple on a 7-night cruise could potentially pay around $140 to $170 more simply by purchasing on Wednesday instead of Tuesday.

More importantly, this data suggests there may also be an internal weekly pricing rhythm that cruisers can use to their advantage.

If the Wednesday pattern continues, cruisers looking for the lowest possible drink package price may want to avoid buying midweek and instead check prices on Tuesdays.

Equally important, the data reinforces how important it is to never assume the current Cruise Planner price is the best price you will see.

Royal Caribbean allows guests to cancel and rebook most Cruise Planner purchases before the sailing, which means many cruisers regularly monitor pricing and re-purchase packages when prices drop.

Instead of randomly checking prices every day, guests may want to focus their attention around Tuesday and Wednesday price movements.

Some ships saw much bigger spikes than others

Something else I found interesting was the discrepancy in which drink package prices would change depending on the ship.

Some ships experienced bigger Wednesday spikes than others. Here's the largest average Wednesday price increases compared to Tuesday:

• Grandeur of the Seas: +$23.20
• Jewel of the Seas: +$22.20
• Navigator of the Seas: +$20.16
• Mariner of the Seas: +$19.92
• Vision of the Seas: +$17.85

Once again, buying the drink package on one day could mean a significantly higher bill than if you bought it a different day.

For a couple sailing seven nights on Grandeur of the Seas, the difference between Tuesday and Wednesday pricing could exceed $320 total.

The report also found several ships that barely participated in the original Tuesday cycle but became major Wednesday movers after the shift.

Navigator of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, and Star of the Seas all showed much stronger Wednesday spikes than they ever did during the Tuesday era.

So what day should you buy a Royal Caribbean drink package?

If this trend holds up, Tuesday now appears to be the best day to buy a Royal Caribbean Deluxe Beverage Package, while skipping buying it on Wednesday.

Of course, that doesn't mean prices can't change at other times.

Royal Caribbean still runs flash sales, holiday promotions, and sailing-specific discounts throughout the year. Major holidays tend to introduce deep savings and make it one of the best times to check for a drink package sale.

My takeaway is Royal Caribbean's AI pricing can follow a pattern, so it's important to never buy it and then forget about it. It may actually be more predictable than I previously considered.

The exact days may change over time, but this dataset suggests Royal Caribbean may be operating on recurring pricing schedules rather than purely random fluctuations.

Nonetheless, you should track prices periodically, and look if there's a better price later. 

A new survey sent to select Royal Caribbean passengers asks them a question about gratuities that we haven't seen asked before.

Royal Caribbean doesn't include gratuities with its cruise fare, as it does with port fees and taxes. It's an extra cost that gets added later on after booking.

Passengers have the choice of how they are charged for it, and if they choose to use the automatic payment method or opt to pay on their own.

A copy of the survey sent to select passengers asks them which tipping methodology they prefer. Like all survey questions, it's not a confirmation of anything, but does show the line is looking to get more feedback on a policy.

How gratuities work on a Royal Caribbean cruise

Every passenger is expected to pay gratuities on their cruise vacation as a thank you to the hard working crew members that take care of them during their voyage.

This has been a tradition for decades, and Royal Caribbean has two options.  You can either pre-pay them before the cruise and they will distributed to the select crew members, or you can be charged daily for them once onboard.

Gratuities cover:

• Stateroom attendant
• Main Dining Room waiter
• Main Dining Room assistant waiter
• Main Dining Room head waiter

Since November 1, 2024, the rate is $18.50 per person for standard cabins, and $21.00 per person for person in suites.

Passengers are allowed to modify the amount once onboard the ship by going to Guest Services onboard at any time prior to the morning of disembarkation.

Of course, passengers can tip anything they wish in addition to the automatic gratuity.

This automatic gratuity does not cover pre-cruise and onboard purchases of beverages and beverage packages, spa and salon, specialty dining and specialty dining packages, room service and mini bar purchases.

Which way do you pay your gratuities?

I've never seen this particular question asked in a post-cruise survey, and it certainly got the attention of a lot of other cruisers too. A Royal Caribbean Blog reader sent me a screenshot of it to include here.

The survey asks passengers, "when it comes to gratuities on this cruise, which of the following best describes what you did?"

• I pre-paid gratuities before my cruise
• Gratuities were automatically charged to my stateroom during my cruise
• I opted out of the automatic gratuities to handle it my preferred way
• I don't recall/prefer not to say

The question is trying to asses which option passengers use, but I'm curious why they're asking it.

Gratuities have been a traditionally polarizing topic among cruise passengers, because they've effectively become an extra fee, rather than an optional consideration.

All the mainstream cruise lines don't include gratuities with their fare, presumably to advertise a lower price.

Virgin Voyages attempted to bundle gratuities with its fare, but in 2025 the line removed them from the fare (for all accommodation categories, including suites) and bringing all fares down by $20 per person, per day.

Virgin said their decision was two fold. First, so guests could see how much crew are actually getting. Second, to compare Virgin Voyages pricing with other premium cruise lines that don’t include gratuities.

A representative from the line said the "feedback was loud and clear".

How you can prepay gratuities

Every guest has the option of prepaying gratuities up to 48 hours prior to the start of the cruise and having it added to their reservation.

The choice is first given to you at the time of booking, but you can change your mind later if you prefer.

If you booked directly with the cruise line, you can call Royal Caribbean to have the change made. If you booked with a travel agent or other third party, contact them to have it added.

If you select My Time Dining for dinner, you'll be forced into prepaying gratuities before the cruise begins. This is because you could have different waiters each night, so for logistical reasons, it's easier to go with automatic gratuity.

Royal Caribbean's plans to build a new private destination on the east coast of Mexico won't happen after Mexican authorities denied plans for it.

Mexican Environment Minister Alicia Barcena confirmed plans for Perfect Day Mexico won't be approved, following a massive backlash from environmental groups concerning the impact the project would have on the area.

"It is not going to be approved," Barcena said at a press conference on Tuesday. She added Royal Caribbean was moving on withdrawing plans for the project.

Royal Caribbean issued a statement on Wednesday to respect the Mexican government's decision, but says it will continue working on a solution that respects the environment and local community.

"We are disappointed by SEMARNAT’s decision and respect the role of Mexico’s environmental authorities. Mahahual is a special place that deserves care and protection. We continue to believe in Mexico, and are optimistic in the potential to advance our investment responsibly."

"Over the coming weeks, we will re-engage stakeholders to move forward in a way that delivers shared prosperity through the development of essential environmental infrastructure, the creation of thousands of local jobs, and community programs that support the people of Mexico."

The prepared statement by the cruise line appears to indicate they still have an intention to move forward with the project in one form of another. It's simply too early to know exactly what that will look like, but a new proposal will need to be sent to the Mexican government for approval.

What happened to Perfect Day Mexico

In May 2025, Royal Caribbean revealed it had purchased the port of Costa Maya, near the small village of Mahaual, Mexico.

The project would be a new exclusive offering to Royal Caribbean cruise line guests that had beaches, pools, a lazy river, and adults-only area, and water park.

There would have been more than 30 waterslides across five towers, including Jaguar's Peak, a 170-foot-tall slide tower with multiple record breakers like the tallest slides in the Americas and the longest coaster-style waterslide.

Their intention was to redevelop the port and transform it into a new private destination for cruise ship guests. Their plan was to also significantly overhaul and improve the local infrastructure to support such plans.

Moreover, they planned to follow regulatory requirements and minimize environmental impact as the project moved forward. 

In an interview in 2025, Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer, said, "We are not going to touch anything at all in the mangrove conservation area," adding that the mangroves are already dying due to pollution from the municipal water treatment plant.

A petition was launched in 2025 online to stop the project. 

The petition claims the private destination would have been built on protected mangroves. 

At the announcement for the project, Royal Caribbean was adamant they were going to protect the mangroves, "There are mangroves and we're committed to protecting the mangroves that are there."

In fact, Royal Caribbean emphasized the cruise line's plan to restore the mangroves' health by building a new water treatment plant for the Mexican community.

Currently, an incomplete water treatment plant that was built years ago leaks raw sewage into Mahahual’s coastal mangrove forest and the nearby reef.

The company has also recognized the presence of endangered species like the ocelot, margay and white turtle. According to the Environmental Impact Statement it submitted, mitigation measures will be undertaken to “reduce stress and ensure the physical integrity of the individuals.”

Nonetheless, last week environmental group Greenpeace got wind of the project and became suddenly interested in stopping it.

They warned that the region was at a "crucial juncture," noting that the project and its link to expanded cruise tourism could cause ​significant environmental consequences.

Spam bots subsequently took to social media to flood repeated comments on Royal Caribbean and this site's social media channels.

On Monday, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum was asked about the project and directed that question to Ms. Barcena to oversee it.

"SEMARNAT is conducting a very detailed analysis, but I can already tell you that we are not going to do anything that puts the ecological balance of that area at risk."

"But I want to tell everyone who is concerned about this situation that the government is not going to do anything that would put the ecosystem in that area at risk." 

The next day, Mexico's Environment Minister announced Perfect Day "is not going to be approved." Her comment was shared in a video on social media.

According to local media, Barcena said the decision was based on the area's ecological importance and the need to protect marine and coastal ecosystems associated with the reef.

Greenpeace warns it will "remain vigilant"

Greenpeace celebrated the Mexican government's decision, vowing to track if this idea moves elsewhere within Mexico.

In a statement, the Mexican wing of the organization posted, "Greenpeace Mexico will remain vigilant regarding the possibility of moving the project to another location."

After cruising for 20 years, I experienced my cruise ship losing power temporarily for the first time. While concerning, it wasn't nearly as scary as you might expect.

While I've sailed around hurricanes and been to the ship's medical center, I had never lost power at sea. 

No one expects something like this to happen to them, and I never would have predicted it either. A ship losing power while sailing is quite rare. So when it happened to me while sailing on Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas last week, I was more than a bit surprised.

Like any unexpected event, you go through a range of emotions quickly.  But the truth is the constant communication from crew members made the experience far less scary than you'd expect. 

I wanted to share my experience as an example of how dedicated crew members are to keeping passengers safe, and the realities of how much redundancy modern ships are.

The cruise ship lost power right after leaving Mexico

I was sailing on Radiance of the Seas for a 4-night Western Caribbean cruise from Tampa, with a visit to Cozumel, Mexico. This is one of Royal Caribbean's older ships, with an age of 25 years.

We had just departed Cozumel when there was a medical emergency and our Captain told us we'd have to return to Cozumel to disembark the passenger safely and get them additional medical care.

That process went smoothly, but as our ship departed Cozumel, the lights went out.

I was in the casino watching a hockey game and on the phone with my wife when it happened. 

At first, I assumed something had shorted out the power to the casino.  When the lights didn't come back on after a few seconds, it became apparent this wasn't a localized issue.

One thing to note is how much emergency backup lights there are on a ship. You'll notice that in the photos I took, the ship is remarkably bright even on backup power. It's really the decorative and flood lights that are what rely on primary power.

I walked back to the ship's Centrum to discover the power loss was not just in the casino, but across the ship.

There was a sense of disbelief and even some humor.  I didn't detect any panic, as there was enough light around the public areas where you could easily see where you're going.

The Captain made an announcement very quickly to explain the situation

As soon as we lost power, the crew members around us all remained calm and pretty much kept operating as normally as they could. It helped provide a sense this isn't a major problem.

In fact, bartenders were happy to dispense drinks that didn't require power.

I'd estimate in less than 10 minutes the Radiance's Captain came on the public address system to give us an update. He apologized for the problem, and confirmed the ship was experiencing a power loss.

He was quick to note that the Chief Engineer and his staff were already hard at work getting the ship's secondary generator online to restore power.

He assured us it wouldn't take very long, and he would make another announcement once power was back to give us an update.

Just like hearing from your airplane pilot in bad turbulence, it was very reassuring to hear they had a grasp on the situation.

We had enough light, and even the Wi-Fi still worked

I was pleasantly surprised to discover we never lost the ship's Wi-Fi signal during the entire blackout. 

I found it interesting that the satellite internet and all the access points work off emergency power, and it helped I think keep everyone somewhat more relaxed so they didn't feel "alone".

My top worry was how long it would take to restore power, as well as air conditioning. 

Because the Captain gave us a quick update, I was not anxious. Like most other passengers, I just wanted the power back on so we could go about the fun again.

I wandered the ship some more, and the one area where the power loss was most apparent was in the cabins. I had an inside room with no windows and there was no emergency lights in the cabin.

As you might imagine, the ship's elevators didn't operate either.  

I headed up to the pool deck to see what it was like up there, and make a pit stop at Park Cafe to get a slice of pizza before they ran out.

As I ate my slice of pizza, the power came back online and we had power for the rest of the sailing.

The Captain made one more announcement to confirm main power was back online and things would be back to normal. Furthermore, there would be no impact to our timeline of returning to Tampa on time.

It's unlikely I'll ever experience power loss on a cruise ship again, but I was grateful for how quickly things were repaired

In reflecting on my roughly 30-45 minutes without electricity on a cruise, I think the biggest takeaway is how quickly and efficiently the crew worked to get it everything fixed.

Most importantly, the communication by our Captain and the crew members keeping things calm helped considerably.

Even if there was a bit of dark humor shared among passengers during the incident, things never remotely approached any kind of level of concern that I would have become nervous about.

Cruise ships, like Radiance of the Seas, have heavy redundancies in place, such as dual engine rooms and independent power grids.

According to Royal Caribbean's website, "we have plans for a contingency and we move to using the emergency generators.  These are typically located on the upper decks and they have their own fuel supply and are completely independent. 

"The generators can provide emergency lighting, fire detection systems, operate elevators and even provide power to re-start the engines, if necessary." 

"They can also power communication channels - radio, telefax, email, so the ship can continue to communicate with shoreside."

You don't need to worry about losing power on a cruise ship, because it's so rare for it to occur. But if it did, take solace in the fact there are systems in place to get it back quickly.

In the real world, things like landing a job, graduating from college, or having a baby are wildly celebrated. But somehow, earning 80 cruise points with Royal Caribbean feels just as monumental in the cruise industry. 

The significant milestone comes with some impressive benefits, including access to the Diamond Lounge, complimentary internet, and free drink vouchers every day of the cruise.

I didn't reach Diamond status until I was in my 20s, but it's already changed how I cruise. For example, drink packages have become a thing of the past thanks to the four daily Diamond drinks. 

In turn, this has freed my mind from the seemingly constant "is a drink package worth it" debate, since I can begin my mornings with a specialty latte, sip on a crisp Diet Coke by the pool, and sample the ship's extensive cocktail selection — all at no extra charge. 

Here's why I love my Diamond Crown and Anchor status — and why I think every diehard cruise fan should strive for it. 

How do you become a Diamond member on Royal Caribbean?

Royal Caribbean's Crown and Anchor Society has six different loyalty tiers, starting with Gold. The more you cruise, the faster you will move up the ranks. However, the real benefits don't kick in until you reach Diamond status at 80 cruise points.

Through Royal Caribbean's loyalty program, every cruiser gets one point for every night of the cruise. You can earn two points per night if you stay in a Junior Suite or higher, as well as if you're traveling solo. 

Crown and Anchor points never expire, which means you can continue to accrue points even if your last Royal Caribbean cruise was over a decade ago. Plus, once you reach Diamond status, you'll never be bumped back to Gold, Platinum, or Emerald. 

It takes the average cruiser about 12 seven-night sailings to finally reach the Diamond tier. Guests who primarily sail on shorter itineraries may take longer to hit the milestone. For example, you'd have to take 20 four-night cruises to earn 80 points in the Crown and Anchor Society. 

As mentioned, cruisers booking suites or traveling by themselves can reach Diamond status faster. Regardless of how long it takes, hitting Diamond is a rewarding achievement for all Royal Caribbean fans. 

What are the best Royal Caribbean Diamond benefits?

The best benefits of Royal Caribbean's Crown and Anchor Society are reserved for the top-tier members (AKA Diamond and above). Although all cruisers will receive some level of recognition through the loyalty program, the perks become noticeably more valuable once you hit 80 cruise points. 

Royal Caribbean Diamond drinks

By far, one of the most popular Diamond benefits is the four free drink vouchers. Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Club members receive four, five, and six complimentary drink vouchers per day, respectively, leading to significant savings throughout any cruise. 

These can be used on both non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, each of which would cost up to $14 without the voucher. This means you can save upwards of $56 each day of your cruise, totaling around $392 on a seven-night voyage!

There are a few exclusions to be aware of. For starters, drink vouchers can't be used at the onboard Starbucks or the Bionic Bar. Additionally, there’s a $14 price limit per beverage. For the most part, however, you can order just about whatever you want, whether soda, a cocktail, a glass of wine, or beer.

There are other drink perks, too. For example, Diamond cruisers also get two coupons for 50% off any glass of wine, beer, or soda, along with 50% off Johnny Rockets milkshakes. 

Royal Caribbean Crown Lounge

The Crown Lounge (formerly the Diamond Lounge) is another perk I enjoy about being a Diamond member. 

This exclusive space is a private, relaxing environment on a Royal Caribbean cruise, complete with a dedicated concierge who will help with dining reservations, tender tickets, and more. Complimentary food is available in the mornings and evenings, and there's a self-serve coffee/latte maker in the lounge, too. 

The biggest downsides of the Crown Lounge are that non-Diamond members aren't allowed in, so if you're cruising with other people who have lower status, you likely won't use the lounge all that much. 

Moreover, due to the high number of top-tier loyalty members, access for Diamond cruisers can occasionally be restricted during peak hours on crowded sailings. 

Wash & Fold laundry bag discount

Although the $10 discount likely is not enough on its own to send you straight down to Next Cruise to put down a deposit on your next sailing, it still adds up as a small but appreciated perk.

Returning home from a cruise with clean clothes is convenient, especially after longer voyages or if you simply don't want to deal with multiple loads of laundry before returning to work. 

Once you reach the higher Diamond Plus tier, you’ll even receive a complimentary Wash & Fold laundry bag on all cruises of five nights or more.

Complimentary professional photograph

Many travelers don't want to haul around a professional camera on vacation, especially when it could get exposed to elements like sand, saltwater, or rain. 

Well, good news! As a Diamond cruiser, you can get one professional photograph per sailing. This makes it a little easier to capture your family's memories without having to awkwardly ask a stranger if they'll snap a picture with your phone. Diamond members also get a 30% discount on another single picture, photo package, or photo book. 

The best part is that it does not cost anything to have the pictures taken. As such, if you end up not liking any of the options, you aren't required to take any home. There's not really a downside to stopping for a few photos, especially on formal night or when debarking the ship in port, throughout your cruise.

Casino FreePlay

Unfortunately, gambling on a cruise ship is one of my favorite vices, especially since I cut out drinking. Even more unfortunate is that I rarely seem to walk away ahead.

Although it is very unlikely to change my life, I love using the Diamond FreePlay benefit. The $6 means I can sit down at a slot machine and play a few rounds without immediately drawing from my wallet — and you never know when that $6 will be doubled, tripled, or even quadrupled! 

Moreover, Crown and Anchor Society members get free jackpot cards when they purchase a multi-game bingo package. It is not a life-changing perk, but the six cards could boost your chances at walking away with a little extra cash. 

Royal Caribbean status match

As I've gotten older, I've noticed that my travel preferences do not always align with the Royal Caribbean brand. Enter the company's lucrative status match program, which rewards brand loyalty across the Royal Caribbean Group portfolio.

My Diamond status with Royal Caribbean automatically grants me Elite status with Celebrity Cruises, allowing me to enjoy a range of benefits even though I have few cruise points with the premium line. My favorites are the Elite Happy Hour, complimentary laundry bag, and the free access to the Persian Garden thermal spa when in port (once per sailing). 

Plus, as of this year, you no longer have to earn points with the brand you sail. In other words, you can choose which line's loyalty program you want your points to be added to. This means that you can sail with Celebrity and continue to work your way toward Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Club status. 

Are the Royal Caribbean Diamond perks worth it?

Overall, being Diamond greatly enhances my cruise experience with Royal Caribbean. Of course, it took a lot of time and money to reach this coveted tier. Still, the perks, recognition, and added convenience make every sailing feel rewarding. 

The daily drinks, especially, are a huge benefit of reaching Diamond status. Having complimentary beverages each day of the voyage saves money, whether I was going to get a drink package or not. 

I also love the free professional photograph. Normally, I would never spend $20 or more on a single picture, so getting one for free is much appreciated.

Plus, being able to match my status to Celebrity Cruises has been beneficial on numerous occasions, from sailing the Greek Isles on Celebrity Ascent to exploring Norway on Celebrity Eclipse. 

All in all, Diamond status is genuinely worth it for frequent cruisers. The combination of everyday benefits, savings, and reciprocal status across sister brands makes the time and money put into climbing the Crown and Anchor Society worthwhile. 

Royal Caribbean recently launched a new brunch option that I wanted to try because this has historically been an underserved meal option.

The cruise line has offered brunch occasionally in the Main Dining Room, and it does have it at the Mason Jar specialty restaurant. But Chops Grille rolling out a brunch option means the opportunity to try it on every ship in the fleet.

After booking a 4-night cruise on Radiance of the Seas, I reserved brunch on one of our sea days to give it a try.

Lunch is still offered on some days, but Royal Caribbean has now added a brunch option with its own menu.

Booking it pre-cruise, I was able to get a reservation for $48 per person.

Chops Grille brunch menu

At first glance, the brunch menu is quite large.

You start off with the choice of a specialty beverage.  The first round is included, but any additional drinks will cost you extra (unless you have a drink package).

Starters and desserts are served family style, but you can request as many as you like.

The rest of the menu is all a la carte, similar to other meals at Chops Grille.

I was impressed by how much food you could have, especially when you mix and match

I usually over order when I'm on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship because serving sizes are usually smaller than on land. I quickly found myself surrounded by food.

As you're seated, a selection of bakery items are brought to you.  Many of the items are the same ones you could get at Cafe Promenade or the Windjammer, such as the very popular cinnamon roll.

I chose a cappuccino for my beverage, which may seem like a faux pas to brunch aficionados who always opt for a mimosa or Aperol spritz. I needed caffeine, so I stand by my decision.

Next was the avocado toast, which I was disappointed by because the avocado is that prepared stuff that comes out of a bag. 

I then made the always difficult choice of waffles or pancakes, and went with pancakes.

I was pleased to see two freshly made pancakes that even had searing on the edges. Certainly not something off the buffet here.

They were fluffy and very satisfying.  I tried to go healthier and skip the syrup, but that was a mistake and I quickly dunked each piece in it with great enjoyment.

The bowls is the heart of this menu, and I struggled what to order. There were so many good options to consider, but I ultimately went with the Steak & Eggs. How can you go wrong with filet mignon?

The menu says you get filet and fried egg, but my server informed me they didn't have fried egg that day and scrambled egg was the option. Personally, I don't like runny eggs, so this substitution didn't bother me one bit!

As I'd expect from Chops Grille, the steak was fantastic. Having eggs along with it is a nice touch. 

I was very tempted to order a second item from the Hearty Bowls section, but there was already so much food.  There's no way I could have finished it all.

For the sides, I went with the mashed potatoes and arugula and parmigiano salad. Both sounded good because I wanted the potatoes with the steak, and a salad seemed like a good lighter option to delve into.

The salad reminded me of the Giovanni's Italian Kitchen house salad, and I thought it was quite tasty.

Brownie from Chops Grille

"Chocolate Bar" from Park Cafe

To finish my meal, I had the chocolate brownie. I was surprised to see this was straight out of the Park Cafe menu, because I had it earlier in the cruise.

I wanted to love brunch, but the high price and some items disappointed me

I love that Royal Caribbean is trying to offer a quality brunch option, because it's a meal that's largely been underserved despite how popular it is on land.  Nonetheless, I think the price is too high for what's being served.

The main courses look like the real winner here.  You can argue the filet mignon alone is worth $20, given that's how much it costs to order one from the Main Dining Room at dinner.

The steak was top quality, and I really enjoyed it.

But I think there are ways to improve brunch going forward.

First and foremost, I don't think a specialty restaurant should serve food you can get at other complimentary venues. At least two of the main menu items were things I've had elsewhere, and I'm guessing the entire bakery option is also.

To be fair, I doubt anyone but someone like me notices that. 

Regardless, I think they just priced brunch too high.

Brunch cost $47.99, but lunch at Chops Grille was just $21.99. Moreover, the cruise line's dining packages include lunch but brunch has a $30 surcharge applied once on board.

I suspect Royal Caribbean will listen to the feedback from guests and adjust the price moving forward, but in the meantime, it's a pricey meal.

If I could offer one more piece of advice, I think brunch should have a bottomless mimosa or champagne option to go with it. That seems to be a fairly standard practice among brunch options, including Royal Caribbean's Sip. Tour. Brunch. experience.

I'd return to brunch if it was fully included with a dining package. I'm hopeful we'll see tweaks soon.

At a May 18 press conference in Mexico City, Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum responded to ecological concerns about Royal Caribbean’s upcoming private destination, Perfect Day Mexico.

Set to launch in 2027, Perfect Day Mexico is currently under construction in the small town of Mahahual, located in the country’s state of Quintana Roo. Mahahual is more commonly known as the Costa Maya cruise port, which accommodates over 550 cruise ships per year.

Royal Caribbean purchased the port in July 2025 with big plans. The cruise line promptly submitted an environmental impact assessment of the site last year in line with Mexico’s federal guidelines.

Yet while Perfect Day Mexico has been met with excitement in the cruise industry, some activists have expressed concern about the ecological impact of the destination.

Mexico's President referenced its government approval process for Perfect Day Mexico

Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum responded to these concerns today, reinforcing that the country would not approve a project that would damage the local ecosystem.

“There have been many protests and many people who are against it,” said Sheinbaum at the May 18 press conference.

"I asked Alicia Bárcena to take a close look at the project." She is Mexico’s Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT).

She went on to say her request to Ms. Bárcena is to "review it very carefully."

More important, Mexico's President reiterated its government is focused on ensuring any project is going to analyze the proposal.

"SEMARNAT is conducting a very detailed analysis, but I can already tell you that we are not going to do anything that puts the ecological balance of that area at risk."

"But I want to tell everyone who is concerned about this situation that the government is not going to do anything that would put the ecosystem in that area at risk." 

Perfect Day Mexico has already been assessed for environmental impacts

Despite concerns from online activists, both Royal Caribbean International and the Mexican government are following the necessary procedures to ensure Perfect Day Mexico does not cause lasting damage to the local ecosystem.

We contacted Royal Caribbean today for additional information about the environmental concerns.

Royal Caribbean submitted an environment impact assessment last year, which followed the appropriate federal process that Mexico's President alluded to.

A summary of Royal Caribbean’s environmental impact assessment can be found here.

Environmental measures include conserving 100% of the site’s existing mangrove areas, preserving 64.09% of the site as natural areas, and guaranteeing the rescue, transfer, and relocation of low-mobility wildlife species in the area.

An online petition calls for the cancellation of Perfect Day Mexico

Perfect Day Mexico has been met with opposition due to concerns about the destination’s ecological impact on the town of Mahahual, despite the fact that Royal Caribbean and the Mexican government have already conducted environmental research on the site.

The quaint fishing village of Mahahual is home to fewer than 3,000 permanent residents. It sits in a remote area on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula and is surrounded by jungle, mangroves, and coral reefs. Environmental activists worry that construction of Perfect Day Mexico could permanently damage the local ecosystem.

A petition on Change.org currently has over 2.5 million signatures. The petition, "@Claudiashein: Let’s save Mahahual — Let’s stop Royal Caribbean’s destructive project," calls for the immediate cancellation of the Perfect Day Mexico project.

Perfect Day Mexico’s grand opening is still more than a year away

Perfect Day Mexico is still in the early stages of construction. Although the private destination was originally set to open in September 2027, the opening has now been delayed.

On April 30, 2026, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley provided an update on Perfect Day Mexico. He confirmed that the project is progressing, but that it will now open in two stages.

The soft opening of Perfect Day Mexico will take place in Q4 2027, but additional features and areas of the destination will open throughout 2028.

“As we move into ‘28,” Bayley explained, “we’ll be fully opening the whole experience, which is, you know, in many ways very similar to often how we open up big attractions or big events of new ships, for example.”

According to these recent statements from both Michael Bayley and Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum, it appears that plans are still proceeding as planned with Perfect Day Mexico.

Seward’s highly anticipated new cruise terminal won’t open as scheduled after a recent inspection uncovered issues that still need to be resolved before larger cruise ships can safely dock.

The delay has impacted several Alaska sailings across multiple cruise lines. As a result, several vessels were forced to temporarily reroute to nearby Whittier instead of Seward, including Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas.

The new terminal was originally scheduled to welcome passengers beginning May 14, 2026, but officials have now pushed the opening date back to May 22, 2026. During the delay, cruise ships that were expected to embark or debark in Seward will instead use Whittier, temporarily changing homeport operations during the start of Alaska’s busy summer cruise season.

The opening delay impacts Seward’s major “Port of Tomorrow” redevelopment project, which has been years in the making. The initiative was first announced in 2022 as a partnership between the Alaska Railroad Company, Royal Caribbean Group, Turnagain Marine, and the Seward Company.

The project essentially rebuilt Seward’s cruise infrastructure with a new double-berth floating pier and upgraded marine facilities. The 41,500-square-foot cruise terminal is also designed to support larger vessels and growing passenger numbers.

The massive investment cost an estimated $137 million and is expected to play a major role in future Alaska cruise operations. However, the project needs a little more time before opening.

“Port of Tomorrow” project hits an unexpected setback

According to the Seward Chamber of Commerce, a recent inspection found “several large clusters of piles” that still need to be removed before cruise ships can safely use the new facilities. In a social media post, Seward Chamber of Commerce shared:

“The Cruise Ship Terminal will delay opening and receiving passengers until May 22nd (rather than the originally scheduled date, May 14th). The ships that were to dock in Seward prior to May 22nd will be rerouted to Whittier, AK.”

“The delay is due to a recent inspection that revealed several large clusters of piles that need to be removed prior to receiving ships. Beginning May 22nd, the dock will remain fully functional for the remainder of the season with the temporary trestle and mooring dolphin in place.”

These pile clusters are associated with marine dolphin structures, which help support docking and mooring operations. Officials determined the remaining clusters must be removed before the port can begin receiving larger ships.

Once operations begin, the port plans to use this temporary trestle and mooring dolphin system for the remainder of the season. The setup will allow larger vessels to dock safely, including Royal Caribbean’s Quantum Class ships.

Ovation of the Seas temporarily moves operations to Whittier

During the delay, impacted vessels will dock in Whittier, Alaska, instead of Seward. The two ports are located about 88.5 miles apart by road, with the drive typically taking just under two hours.

One of the biggest impacts involves Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas. The 168,666-gross-ton Quantum Class ship was scheduled to split Alaska homeport operations between Vancouver and Seward. The vessel will be sailing one-way, 7-night itineraries between the two destinations throughout the Alaska season this summer.

Instead, guests sailing from Vancouver on Ovation of the Seas’ May 15, 2026 itinerary will now end their cruise in Whittier rather than Seward. Royal Caribbean informed passengers of the change just one day before embarkation, according to a post on Reddit.

“Due to port construction in Seward, Alaska, debarkation for your sailing will now take place in Whittier, Alaska,” the cruise line shared with guests.

The next sailing will also be affected. Guests booked on Ovation of the Seas’ May 22, 2026 departure must now board the ship in Whittier instead of Seward for their southbound Alaska itinerary. Luckily, those travelers received roughly one week of notice to adjust transportation and post-cruise plans.

Royal Caribbean emphasized that the change is strictly related to port construction and not the ship itself. The cruise line confirmed there are no propulsion issues, mechanical problems, or technical concerns impacting Ovation of the Seas.

At this time, sailings departing Vancouver on May 29 and Seward on June 5 have not been modified. If construction stays on schedule and the terminal opens on May 22, those voyages should still operate normally.

Guests scramble to adjust Alaska Railroad plans and post-cruise travel

The unexpected switch from Seward to Whittier created logistical challenges for many guests, especially those who had pre-arranged transportation independently. In communication sent to impacted passengers, Royal Caribbean explained that guests booked on cruise tours would still be accommodated despite the port change.

The email stated, “For guests joining one of our Cruise Tours, your journey will continue seamlessly, with your train service now taking you directly to Whittier for embarkation.”

Additionally, Royal Caribbean stated that shore excursions and post-cruise transfers booked through the cruise line would be adjusted automatically.

“All Royal Caribbean shore excursions and post-cruise transfers will be adjusted to reflect the updated times. Revised information will be communicated directly to you by our Shore Excursions team and through our onboard As You Depart Flyer. If you previously reserved a Royal Caribbean coach transfer, train transfer, or shore excursion, no action is required on your part, as we will make the necessary adjustments for you.”

However, the situation is proving more complicated for travelers who made their own arrangements.

Royal Caribbean advised that “guests with independent transportation or privately arranged excursions are encouraged to contact their providers directly,” leaving some passengers scrambling to adjust plans.

One guest explained they had built their entire trip around ending in Seward before receiving the unexpected update.

“We originally planned everything around ending in Seward and already booked the Alaska Railroad train from Seward to Anchorage at 6 PM the same day,” the impacted cruisers wrote. “Now I’m trying to figure out what to do.”

The passenger added that they booked directly through Alaska Railroad rather than Royal Caribbean and discovered their tickets were non-refundable. “I’m supposed to get off now in Whittier, but have two nights booked in Seward with two non-Royal excursions and the train from Seward to Anchorage afterward,” the passenger wrote.

Multiple cruise lines have been impacted by the delay

Royal Caribbean is not the only cruise line affected by the delay. Several other ships that were expected to use Seward have also been redirected to Whittier. According to Seward Folly, three vessels have been impacted by the last-minute delay: Silver Moon, Celebrity Summit, and Viking Venus.

One passenger sailing aboard Silver Moon on a one-way Alaska cruise to Vancouver shared in a Facebook group that they had already arranged transportation before learning of the port change.

“[Silversea] just announced departure from Seward to Whittier,” the guest wrote. “We had made arrangements for transfer from Anchorage to Seward. Purchased bus tickets on Alaska transit. Canceled. Now I have to ask for refund of lost money. Just a little put out about last minute change. Just frustrated.”

Celebrity Cruises passengers reported similar changes aboard Celebrity Summit. One guest who sailed on the May 8 to May 15 itinerary warned future passengers to double-check embarkation details as work continues around the port area. 

“There was a change from Seward to Whittier,” the guest wrote on Facebook. “For next cruise, the terminal for Seward is under complete construction. It has been under construction for a while. Check your final destination.”

Several passengers praised Celebrity’s handling of the situation, saying transportation plans and rail arrangements were automatically updated.

“We found out on Tuesday afternoon that we’d be boarding in Whittier,” another cruiser shared. “Celebrity has handled it well. Train tickets were automatically switched from Seward to Whittier. On board now and life is good.”

Another passenger echoed that experience, noting the transition just added extra travel time.

“Celebrity took care of our transportation from Seward to here,” the passenger wrote. “Just took a little longer to get to the ship.”

Seward’s “Port of Tomorrow” project aims to transform Alaska cruise operations

The delayed terminal is part of Seward’s larger “Port of Tomorrow” redevelopment project, an ambitious effort to completely modernize the city’s aging cruise infrastructure ahead of future growth in Alaska cruising. The project is led by The Seward Company in partnership with the Alaska Railroad, Royal Caribbean Group, and Turnagain Marine. 

The partnership aimed to replace Seward’s existing dock facilities with a new floating cruise berth and upgraded terminal complex designed to handle larger ships and streamline passenger operations.

The redevelopment features a 41,500-square-foot enclosed cruise terminal along with an additional 27,000 square feet of open luggage transfer and flex space. During the Alaska cruise season, the building will support embarking and debarking guests, while the space can transition into community and storage use during the winter months.

The project features a floating double-berth pier measuring approximately 748 feet long and 100 feet wide, creating one of the largest cruise docking facilities in Alaska. The floating design allows the berth to rise and fall with Alaska’s extreme tides while accommodating ships on both sides of the structure.

The terminal complex also incorporates a transportation hub spread across roughly 13 acres of upland space with dedicated areas for buses, passenger loading, and parking. The redesigned layout includes 32 bus stalls, 48 vehicle spaces, dispatch-style loading lanes, and improved connections intended to streamline transfers between cruise ships, Alaska Railroad service, and ground transportation.

Royal Caribbean Group serves as the project’s anchor partner and will receive preferential berthing rights under long-term agreements, although the port will continue operating as a multi-line facility open to other cruise operators.

The World Cup will be arguably the biggest sporting event of the summer, and Royal Caribbean ships are ready to host the fun onboard.

To put any concerns at ease, Royal Caribbean wants soccer fans to know they won’t have to choose between taking a cruise vacation and watching the FIFA World Cup.

The cruise line announced it will broadcast FIFA World Cup 2026 matches across its fleet during the tournament. This means you'll be able to watch the games live on pool decks, in sports bars, theaters, and even inside passenger cabins.

This year's World Cup is a big deal given that it's being hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Miami is one of the key host cities, and Royal Caribbean is leaning heavily into that connection with onboard programming and citywide events.

How to watch the World Cup on your cruise ship

From June 11 through July 19, 2026, guests sailing on Royal Caribbean ships will be able to watch matches live through the Sport 24 television channel.

According to Royal Caribbean, every ship in the fleet will carry the broadcasts in real time.

You'll be able to watch both from your stateroom TV, as well as throughout public venues onboard.

Royal Caribbean said matches will air in venues like Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade, pool deck screens, theaters, and other gathering spaces around the ship.

Traditionally, internet access limitations and time zone differences made following live sporting events difficult on a cruise ship.

For cruise passengers, it removes one of the biggest concerns about traveling during a major sports tournament: missing live games because they are at sea.

However, Royal Caribbean is ensuring there's no compromise with being able to watch the games.

Because the World Cup lasts more than a month, some fans might hesitate to go on cruises because they do not want to lose access to games. Royal Caribbean is clearly trying to eliminate that hesitation.

Royal Caribbean did not announce special themed cruises or dedicated soccer sailings, but the company did say guests can expect onboard activities centered around the tournament.

That could include viewing parties, trivia contests, themed food and beverage offerings, or other fan-focused events.

The exact programming will likely vary by ship and itinerary.

High speed internet access is another way you can stay up-to-date

Royal Caribbean passengers also have the option to purchase an internet package and stream the World Cup from the ship.

Thanks to the cruise line's partnership with Starlink, connectivity has never been better at sea. 

Guests can realistically stream highlights, follow social media reactions, check scores, and communicate with friends while at sea far more easily than they could just a few years ago.

Royal Caribbean is supporting the World Cup celebrations in Miami too

The company is the Official Miami World Cup 2026 Host City Supporter, which means the cruise line will play a visible role in local events tied to the tournament.

One of the biggest activations will take place at the FIFA Fan Festival Miami at Bayfront Park in downtown Miami.

The festival will run throughout the tournament and feature live broadcasts of every match on giant screens alongside entertainment, food, and fan experiences.

Royal Caribbean said it plans immersive brand activations at the event and additional marketing displays throughout Miami during the tournament.

Given Royal Caribbean is headquartered in Miami and a primary sponsor of the Inter Miami CF soccer team, this sponsorship makes a lot of sense.

For 4 nights, I woke up in a pitch dark room that had no windows or views outside while sailing the Caribbean Sea.

I was aboard Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas, which is one of the line's oldest and smallest ships.

During my long weekend voyage from Tampa, Florida, I sailed to Cozumel, Mexico. It was a last-minute getaway and the perfect opportunity to get out of town for a few days.

I stayed in an inside stateroom on deck eight for $792. There was a special group rate I was able to take advantage of because I used a travel agent, which cut the fare down to about half of it would have otherwise cost me.

Take a look inside the 162-square-foot space.

My room was a low-tier cabin in the middle of deck eight

My inside cabin is the lowest category of stateroom you can book on a cruise ship, with no windows or outside access.

It's two steps below a balcony, which is arguably the most popular type of cruise ship room. I chose room 8581, which was the first cabin in the hallway off the Centrum.

Why did I pick this room? It was inexpensive! Before taxes and gratuities, it cost just $592. That's just $148 per day!

When I stepped inside my stateroom, I noticed how it had just the basics

Right away, I opened the cabin door to discover a room that would just fine for a couple days.

The choice of an inside or balcony room has many factors, but you have the basics covered with an inside room.

It's a small space, but since I was cruising solo, it was plenty of space for just me.

One side of the room was filled with a mirror and a desk with several outlets for charging electronics with American and European ports

The vanity area is designed for getting yourself ready, but I used it as my work desk.

My stateroom attendant would deliver flyers and other important paperwork here about what was going on each day.

There are no USB ports, because this ship is over 25 years old. However, there are two sets of American and European outlets.  Since I brought my cruise-approved power adaptor, I was able to keep everything charging.

I was surprised how much storage space this tiny room had

Next to the desk, a set of drawers included a cabinet with a minifridge inside.

Frankly, I was impressed how much storage space I had.  There were sets of drawers, a full closet, and another set of drawers in a separate closet elsewhere.

Two people could easily share this cabin and have more storage space than they need.

Across from the desk, I had a new couch

Radiance of the Seas had a quick refurbishment in January 2026, and I noticed the couch was actually replaced.

Royal Caribbean does not typically update its soft goods inside a cabin during a drydock, but this blue couch was clearly new.

It's a small seating area that would be too small to sleep on (unless you were a toddler).  Nonetheless, it's nice having somewhere else to sit to watch TV.

The bathroom is the worst part of this room, but I used clever hacks to improve it

Cruise ship bathrooms are notoriously small, and my bathroom was no different.  It also had the worst feature still on some ships.

The shower curtain is a cloth curtain instead of a plastic or glass divider. This means the curtain easily clings to you during the shower, and I hate it.

I came prepared, and used magnets to keep the curtain attached to the wall and away from me.  Using heavy duty magnets that cost just $4, I was able to mitigate the problem easily.

As for the bathroom, even though it was just me, counter space is limited.  I brought a magnetic toothbrush holder that I could place anywhere on the wall and free up space.  

In the bathroom, Royal Caribbean provided two glasses, a bar of soap, and a two-in-one hair and body wash.

My king-size bed at the back of the room was actually two twin beds pushed together

All Royal Caribbean cabins come with this configuration so that they may be separated for additional guests.

I had my room attendant split the beds because it makes the room feel bigger. I know it sounds strange, but it's the truth.

Plus, when the beds are pushed together I sometimes wake up in the middle of the night in the crevice.

There are two nightstands on both sides of the bed with reading lights and lamps.

There was a small flatscreen TV mounted to the dresser

There is a television in a swivel arm that you can adjust to make it easy to watch TV from the couch of bed.

Royal Caribbean provides a limited lineup of channels, but there's enough to pass the time.

The Wi-Fi signal was barely useable in my room

The most frustrating part of this room was the ship's Wi-Fi had a very weak signal in my cabin.

Unlike newer ships that have more repeaters closer together, the Voom signal would go in and out periodically. Moreover, when it did work, it was slow.

The ship's Wi-Fi worked very well in other areas of the ship, so I did most of my work there. But the lack of good internet access in my cabin was painful when I was in bed and wanted to check email or social media.

While most people prefer rooms with a balcony, this room was just right for me

This no-frills cruise cabin was perfect for a quick cruise, especially one where I was solo.

While I would have preferred a window and view to the outside, I did relish how cold my room was kept as a result of no sunlight radiating in.  Plus, the lack of natural light meant I slept really well.

It looks small, but there's deceptively more storage space than you might expect inside.