Multiple cruise lines have made headlines over recent unpopular changes. Although Royal Caribbean has stayed on the sidelines, many travelers are watching closely to see if (and when) the line will follow suit.
Generally speaking, the cruise industry follows trends, and it's not uncommon for one line to make a major change, then see other lines incorporate a similar approach.
Royal Caribbean, for example, was the first cruise line to redefine the private island experience with its massive renovation of CocoCay. Carnival and Norwegian later copied Royal's successful blueprint and upgraded their private destination experiences.
Along those lines, it's impossible to ignore the smaller-scale changes quietly shaping the cruise experience, from sudden gratuity increases to itinerary changes and more.
Royal Caribbean has not made any formal announcements regarding the following changes. However, these trends have already shaken the industry, and it would not be surprising if Royal Caribbean eventually adopts similar changes.
Raise cruise gratuities
Not even halfway through 2026, and four major cruise lines have increased their gratuities. Margaritaville at Sea kick-started the trend when cruisers noticed that the line had quietly raised the daily gratuity rates on its website back in January.
Carnival Cruise Line quickly followed suit, sending an email to passengers in early February announcing a modest (but noticeable) increase in daily gratuities across its fleet, along with its Bottomless Bubbles soda package for adults.
By mid-April, Princess Cruises and Holland America Line (two lines that operate under the Carnival Corporation & plc. umbrella) also adjusted their daily gratuity rates, aligning them with the increases implemented by their sister brands.
Royal Caribbean hasn't publicly announced any gratuity increases. However, we wouldn't be shocked if an email popped up in travel advisors' inboxes sooner rather than later.
Royal Caribbean last raised its daily gratuity rate in November 2024, bringing the new rate for standard cabins to $18.50 per person (up from $18) and suites to $21 per person (up from $20.50).
Read more: Another cruise line suddenly raises the daily gratuity charges
Implement an oil surcharge
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has caused fuel prices to skyrocket, which is impacting the cruise industry. As a result, two Asian cruise lines, StarCruises and Dream Cruises, both owned by Resorts World Cruises, implemented new fuel surcharges.
The fees, which range from ~$11.70 to ~$25.52 USD, went into effect on March 20, 2026, for all new bookings and require all passengers over the age of two to pay, including children. This means that on a five-night cruise, a family of four could be forced to pay upwards of $525 in added fees.
"[The] fuel surcharge will be introduced for new bookings made on or after 20 March 2026. This surcharge is determined based on the operating requirements of each ship and itinerary; and may therefore vary across our fleet," reads the letter sent to booked guests.
"This surcharge will be reviewed in line with fuel price movements and may be adjusted downward if prices ease or revised for new bookings should prices continue to rise."
Fuel is one of the cruise industry's largest and most volatile expenses, and although Royal Caribbean hedged (or pre-bought) 60% of its 2026 fuel at $474 per metric ton, the remaining 40% is subject to market fluctuations.
Like StarCruises and Dream Cruises, Royal Caribbean's cruise contract states that the cruise line has the right to impose a fuel surcharge on its guests without warning, either when booking the cruise or anytime before the sailing begins. This means that, although no surcharge has been announced, Royal Caribbean could add one if fuel prices continue to rise and stay high.
Read more: Royal Caribbean stock has been falling as Iran war fuels oil price fears
Royal Caribbean joins the growing list of cruise lines dropping popular Alaska fjord from its 2026 itineraries
Moving on, Holland America Line was the first cruise line to cancel all excursions to Tracy Arm Fjord in Alaska due to "unstable ice and geological conditions." As such, all excursions from Juneau, Alaska, will visit Endicott Arm Fjord.
Carnival Cruise Line also canceled all visits to the popular fjord for the entirety of the 2026 Alaska cruise season, claiming that the waterways aren't suitable for cruise ship navigation.
Most recently, Virgin Voyages called off all visits to the Tracy Arm Fjord during the line's inaugural Alaska season because of the "ongoing landslide risk."
Read more: Carnival cancels all 2026 Alaska cruise visits to popular glacier
Although neither Carnival nor Holland America Line's emails explicitly state it, the cancellations are also likely a result of the major landslide that occurred in the fjord last August, which caused millions of cubic feet of rock to tumble into the water. The impact then triggered a localized tsunami within the fjord.
The area remains under observation, as continued rockfall and smaller-scale landslide events are expected, according to scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey.
We previously reported that Royal Caribbean had not announced any changes to its Alaska itineraries. However, on April 7, they sent an email to passengers, confirming they also axed the fjord from its schedule.
"Due to a recent landslide and ongoing navigation safety concerns, we’ll no longer be able to cruise through Tracy Arm Fjord (Sawyer Glacier), Alaska. Instead, you’ll enjoy breathtaking scenic cruising through Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier," the email reads.
"We apologize for the last-minute change caused by this unfortunate event – your safety is always our top priority."
