Royal Caribbean Blog

Could there be a new private beach spot for cruisers coming soon?

According to report in local media, Royal Caribbean Group is in the process of buying a defunct hotel in Freeport, Bahamas.

This project appears intended for Celebrity Cruises, instead of Royal Caribbean International.

The news was part of a reveal by The Central Bank of The Bahamas, who said Celebrity Cruises has offered to spend $348 million to acquire Freeport’s long-closed Xanadu Beach Hotel and surrounding land.

The Xanadu Beach Hotel was built in 1968 and then purchased by Howard Hughes in 1972. Mr. Hughes lived at the hotel until just before his death in 1976.

It was an escape for Hollywood stars, and included 215 rooms and an 80 slip marina. Stars such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Lucille Ball visited there.

It closed in 2011.

In total, it encompasses a 40-acre site that they intend to transform into "recreational and entertainment facilities", according to the bank.

"Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines - Celebrity Cruises Incorporated obtained approval for the acquisition of 40 acres of privately-owned land for the development of recreational and entertainment facilities. The investment is valued at $348m," the Central Bank confirmed.

The bank did not disclose the specific property, but Tribune Business is reporting it's the Xanadu site.

There has been no announcement by Celebrity Cruises or Royal Caribbean Group yet, nor have they confirmed or denied the report.

According to an anonymous source, the closing on the deal could occur in either late summer or early fall.

Royal Caribbean was first rumored to be in talks to get the Xanadu resort in December 2023

What is Celebrity going to do with the land?

When any cruise line acquires land in the Caribbean it's almost always for a private shore option for its guests.

The local news report says the buying up of the Xanadu property and other adjacent land is for the purposes of combining it all into a shore destination for the cruise passengers.

Royal Caribbean recently acquired the port and surrounding port area in Costa Maya to build Perfect Day Mexico.

They've also acquired land in other ports, such as Vanuatu, Cozumel, and Nassau, Bahamas.

One guess is Celebrity would branch out to have its first private beach property, which would offer its cruise ship passengers a secluded and exclusive day ashore.

It could be similar to either Perfect Day at CocoCay or one of the beach clubs that Royal Caribbean is developing. 

Royal Caribbean almost bought another property in Freeport

The reported purchase of the Xanadu resort in Grand Bahama Island is reminiscent of another project that almost happened.

Right before the cruise industry shutdown in 2020, Royal Caribbean was in talks to acquire both Freeport Harbour and the Grand Lucayan hotel and surrounding area.

The idea was to redevelop the port and build a water-based adventure theme park.

The Grand Lucayan resort would have been turned into a world-class beachfront destination with a 526-room hotel, shopping village, spa and wellness center, water-based family entertainment including a massive water and adventure theme park, a 40,000-square-foot convention center, adventure activities such as zip lines and off-roading, restaurants and bars, entertainment and lively nightlife. 

The resort would have been a place for both land and cruise guests to visit.

Both deals fell apart due to a combination of the financial troubles associated with the cruise industry shutting down, as well as an inability to finalize a deal with the Freeport Harbour Company.

Building on the private destination trend

If Celebrity is indeed getting in on a beach spot for its passengers, it's one of many such projects around the Caribbean.

Private beaches for cruise ship guests isn't new, but there's been an upward trend in opening new ones.

Royal Caribbean is developing two new beach clubs, with the first one opening in Nassau in December 2025.  That's in addition to Perfect Day Mexico coming in 2027.

Carnival is about to open Celebration Key this summer, which is yet another private destination for its line that seems to take many cues from Perfect Day at CocoCay.

MSC Cruises is developing a private island in The Bahamas on a natural sandbank that is aimed at offering a private, luxury beach experience.

Disney Cruise Line recently opened its second private beach spot at Lighthouse Point.

There's a major advantage for cruise lines to invest in private destinations, as it ups the guest experience while partnering with local destinations.

Cruise lines get a "walled garden" experience that give passengers the kind of picturesque, relaxing beach day they imagine.  

The ports get guaranteed visitors, and in the case of Royal Caribbean, funding and equity to the local community.

The summer cruise season is about to begin, and it brings a series of changes cruisers should be aware of before they travel.

I have five cruises planned for this summer (and maybe more to come), and as I started planning things out, it became clear there are some new things to take into account.

I'm an over planner and I like to prep as much as I can in the months leading up to my cruise. I actually think it's fun to plan a cruise out, as it gives me an outlet for my pent up excitement about the vacation.

Here are 4 changes coming to cruises this summer anyone with a sailing should think about before the trip starts.

Real ID matters, but not for a cruise

The hot button change coming to all of travel in the United States this summer is the Real ID rule mandate.

Beginning May 7, there will be new security standards for driver's licenses and state identification cards. The change applies to enhancing federal standards, including passing through airport security checkpoints.

This means if you're flying within the United States for your cruise vacation, you need to double check your driver's license meets this standard or you'll be denied entry at the airport.

If you have a passport, you can use that instead.

While these rules apply to air travel, you don't need a Real ID for a cruise vacation specifically.

Cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, allow U.S. citizens sailing round trip from the same U.S. homeport (that doesn't include a visit to Panama, Colombia, or Martinique) can sail with government-issued photo ID  and a birth certificate.  

I strongly recommend everyone cruise with a passport, but technically there's an alternative for Americans on select itineraries.

Don't wait to book a last-minute cruise

If a summer cruise sounds like a great vacation, don't wait another minute to book it.

Royal Caribbean executives said prices go up for last-minute cruise bookings, and it's a good enough reason to book your cruise as early as possible.

The cruise line doesn't slash prices of unsold cabins at the last minute. Rather, they're hiking prices to take advantage of anyone trying to squeeze a cruise in right before it starts.

Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty explained this tactic during his company's first quarter earnings call last week, "We see...an uplift in demand as we get very close in. Not only do we see an uplift in demand, we're also about to raise our pricing during that period of time."

This means you're going to want to book that summer cruise now, and now try to wait it out any longer.

Even if you don't care about higher prices, the reality is cabins left for a summer cruise are dwindling.

The company said about 86% of the 2025 cruise inventory is booked already. 

You're going to want to act quickly and book a vacation now before prices go up again.

US citizens now need to pay to enter the UK

If you are cruising the United Kingdom or your ship visits a UK port, there's a new fee and step to take.

As of January 2025, travelers coming into the UK need to obtain a new electronic travel authorization to enter the country. This applies to all visitors (regardless of age) who can travel there visa-free, including Americans.

The ETA application cost is 10 pounds ($13) and will be valid for multiple visits up to a maximum duration of six months over two years.

You need to apply before your start travel and there's a requirement to upload a photo.

Officials claim it will take up to 3 business days to obtain clearance, but in our experience, it's complete in a matter of minutes.  Regardless, don't wait until the day before your trip to do it.

It's easy to apply using the ETA app, available on iOS and Android.

Don't bring your speaker to CocoCay

A new rule change that was first spotted during Spring Break is Royal Caribbean doesn't want you bringing your speakers to its private island.

There are four rules the cruise line posted in its digital Cruise Compass on the day your ship visits Perfect Day at CocoCay.

1. Swim diapers are required for pools and Splashaway Bay for toddlers and infants
2. Don't feed the seagulls
3. No fishing
4. No glass bottles or personal speakers

While the other rules aren't that new, the prohibition on personal speakers is a change to be aware of for your visit this summer.

I can assume this rule is in place to prevent someone's music impacting someone else's ability to enjoy their day.

One of the challenges of cruising frequently is finding new things to do, whether it’s a shore excursion or activities on the ship.  

While searching my Cruise Planner for my recent sailing on Adventure of the Seas, I came across something I hadn't noticed before, a cocktail making class. I have done several mixology classes in the past on Disney cruises, but didn't know that Royal Caribbean offered them. 

The “Taste of the Caribbean” class was described as a tropical tasting experience presenting six rum-based cocktails. It goes on to say that "in the 50+ years of sailing the Caribbean, we’ve learned a lot about exotic elixirs and are passing on that knowledge to you. Learn tips and tricks to bring your favorite vacation cocktails home with you." 

The event took place in Boleros during the afternoon on the last sea day of our 8-night Southern Caribbean sailing. We were introduced to Savio, the Lead Bartender who was hosting the class. 

On each table was a placemat that had the names of every cocktail we would sample along with a description of the ingredients and the Caribbean island that made it famous. 

Going off my previous experiences, I assumed the drinks would be made before our arrival, but that was not the case. In fact, Savio wanted the class to be interactive. For each drink, he invited two people to come up to the table, where all the ingredients were set up, and learn how to make each cocktail. 

Twelve of us got to try our hand at bartending, while another server passed the samples out. Then they would use the drinks the participants made to give out extra samples to anyone who wanted a refill. 

The drinks

We started the class with the Goombay Smash, a popular drink onboard that originated in the Bahamas.  It consists of Malibu Coconut rum, Kraken Black Spiced rum, orange juice, and pineapple juice.  

It’s frequently the drink of the day, but I had never tried it. I was surprised by how much I liked it, as I’m not typically a fan of coconut or pineapple. 

I volunteered to craft our second drink, the Planter’s Punch from Jamaica. This one had Myers’s Original Dark rum, pineapple, orange and lime juices with grenadine. Like the Goombay Smash, it was fruity and delicious. 

I coaxed my husband to try his hand at the next drink, the Painkiller from the British Virgin Islands. It featured Pusser’s rum, pineapple and orange juices, coconut syrup, and a dash of nutmeg. I liked it more without the nutmeg; however, my husband didn’t like it at all. At least he enjoyed the process of creating it!

Our fourth cocktail was the Papa Jac from Puerto Rico. I hadn’t heard of this drink before. Its ingredients were Bacardi Superior rum, passion fruit syrup, and lime juice. I wasn’t particularly fond of this one. 

Every drink up to this point was made the same way, shaken 10 times and strained over fresh ice. 

Read more: Top 10 cocktails to try on your next Royal Caribbean cruise

The fifth drink was the classic Rum Punch from Barbados made with Captain Morgan Original Spiced rum, Bacardi Superior rum, guava and passion fruit syrups, and pineapple and lime juices.  

Instead of shaking this one, we were instructed to roll it back and forth in the shaker. After straining, it was topped with a float of Kraken Black Spiced rum. 

Our final sample was the Dark 'n Stormy from Bermuda with Gosling’s Black Seal rum and Gosling’s ginger beer. This drink used a layering method where you could see the rum just sitting on top.  

I didn’t like this one at all, as I’m not a fan of ginger beer. However, the woman who made the drink was excited to do so because it is a favorite of hers. 

The app said the class would last an hour, but ours ended up being 90 minutes. The price for our sailing was $50 per person. It is neither included in the drink package nor is there a discount if you have it. However, I thought it was a good value for what was included. 

Classes are also available for wine, champagne, and scotch. Their availability and prices vary by sailing, so be sure to check your cruise planner early as they can sell out. 

It's smart to book in advance because the maximum number of participants is 35. We made our booking just a little over three months before our cruise. 

Read more: How much is a Royal Caribbean drink package?

I enjoyed the class a lot and would definitely do another one

I was impressed with the hands-on experience rather than just listening to a lecture.  

It was interesting to see the difference between the drinks that we made versus the professionals while using the same ingredients and measurements. 

It wasn’t just about learning the components of the drinks but the technique that goes into making them — it really is an art. I loved being able to try new cocktails that I wouldn’t normally order for myself while having fun! 

No one wants to get seasick on a cruise, and I've discovered it really does matter where your cabin is located.

Over the years, I've gone on plenty of cruises and stayed in cabins across high decks and low decks, forward and aft, starboard and port side. Despite all my cruising, I still get seasick from time to time.  I'd estimate one or two cruises a year it happens to me.

When the weather cooperates and the seas are smooth and winds calm, you won't even notice any movement and there are times you have to remind yourself you're on a ship moving through the ocean. But when the seas are swaying, it serves as a constant reminder.

Picking a cabin in a good location can have a significant impact on how much sensation you feel as the ship moves. In my experience, any relief is welcome.

Knowing which part of the ship has the least motion can not only lessen the chance of getting seasick, but also reduce any anxiety about it.

A cruise ship is like a seesaw

I think the chances of you getting seasick are pretty low to start with, but a lot of new cruisers are understandably worried about it because it's new to them.

The best analogy I ever heard about movement on a cruise ship is its akin to being on a seesaw.

If you imagine a seesaw, the least amount of movement is at the center, but the ends experience the most. By far the greatest movement is felt at the front and back of the ship.

The deck you're on also plays a factor.  Most experts recommend being on a low deck (instead of a high deck) because if the seas are rolling (side to side), then it helps being lower on the ship.

In short, being on a low deck and midship is the best spot to be in to minimize the feeling of movement.  Royal Caribbean is known for building the biggest cruise ships in the world, so you don't have to worry about being on an old vessel that would truly be problematic. But of course, no spot is necessarily going to be immune to the movement.

Most people do fine as cruise ships are massive vessels that can deploy stabilizers to reduce rolling to tolerable levels in most situations. Unless you are highly susceptible to seasickness, you should be okay.

How each part of the ship compares

When you consider where your cabin is located, there are advantages and disadvantages to picking cabins in different areas.

Conventional wisdom says the best spot is a cabin midship and on a low deck, but what this advice doesn't take into consideration is the room type.

In almost all cases, your choice of staterooms on a low deck and mid ship is going to be either an inside cabin or an oceanview cabin.

These are usually the least expensive rooms to book, but they also lack space or amenities that you'll find in other room categories.

Besides being in an area with less movement, they're also near the middle elevator bank, and that's convenient for simply getting around the ship.

If you want a balcony or suite, you're going to need to move to the upper decks.

Royal Caribbean begins offering cabins with a private balcony about halfway up the ship, sometimes as low as deck six. The higher up on the ship, the better the view you'll have.

However, if you compared the sensation of movement on deck 10 vs deck 2, you'd likely find it better on the lower deck.

Deciding between the front or back of the ship also plays a factor.

People that cruise a lot tend to love picking cabins on the back of the ship for the amazing views you can get.  Keep in mind, they mean cabins that face backwards, and not cabins that are still on the side of the ship, but towards the rear.

Some special cabins at the very rear corners of a ship might even feature a balcony that wrap around the vessel in an L-shape, giving you views on two sides.

Movement at the back can feel like you're going up and down.

Taking a cabin at the front is like being in the front seat of a car.  It has great views of what's coming up, assuming your cabin faces forward.

I think cabins at the very front are the worst for risk of movement.  The higher the deck, the more noticeable that rolling and swaying motion tends to feel. 

Because this part of the ship is what's encountering the waves first and it's far from mid-ship, it seems to always generate the sensation of seasickness in me the most.

Of course, these are generalizations based on my cruises.  Everyone's body handles it differently and the weather will play a major role in how good or bad the sea conditions are.

Picking a cabin midship is still the best advice if you're worried about getting seasick

Sometimes conventional wisdom is outdated, but I think picking a cabin towards the middle of the ship still makes the most sense.

When I try to save money and go with a guarantee cabin that puts me towards the front, I usually regret that decision if the seas are rough.

In those situations, I'll be in the ship's casino or a restaurant that is mid ship and then go back to my cabin to suddenly feel the difference.

You probably won't even get seasick, but if you have the choice in where your room is located, picking one midship helps with that.  Plus it's just more convenient to get around.

Staying in a balcony can help too

While your room location is a factor, I also think being in a room that has access to a private verandah helps too.

Being able to see the horizon and having access to fresh air are two things that can settle your brain if there's movement.

It helps me to have fresh air if I am feeling seasick.

To be fair, if you were in an interior room you could go out to a public deck and achieve the same thing. But if I'm feeling miserable, I'd rather be in private.

Prepare for seasickness with the right remedies

No matter which stateroom I book on any deck, I'll always bring the right seasickness medication with me.

I prefer to rely on over-the-counter medications to help and I always pack Bonine. (This is an affiliate link, which means I get a small commission if you buy from it, but it costs you nothing extra)

There are other medications you could take, such as getting a prescription before the cruise from your doctor for scopolamine, which is a patch behind your ear that you wear throughout the cruise. Benadryl also works for some people.

Be sure to bring your own medications with you, because the ship may or may not offer them onboard. And even if they do, I'm betting it's going to be cheaper at home.

Something else that can work well is to consume ginger.  

Ordering a ginger ale or taking a ginger supplement helps. You might also consider going to the Windjammer and see if you can find green apples, peppermint tea, or even a lemon. Everyone's physiology is different, and these can assist in reducing the symptoms.

I bet no other extra cruise purchase is as popular as a Royal Caribbean drink package because of how convenient it is.

But before you book it, you probably want to get the lowest price, especially considering how expensive these packages can be.

For two people, the Deluxe Beverage Package on a 7-night cruise can cost over $1,000 in total when purchased onboard. 

I've got good news and I've got bad news about getting a drink package for up to 40% less than the onboard price.

The good news is, you can absolutely save money by pre-booking it at the right time before the cruise begins.

The bad news is, you need to know when that is and it's not so obvious.

I was scrolling through the Royal Caribbean sub Reddit and someone shared they saw the price of a drink package at just $56.99 per person, per day.  That's one of the lowest prices in recent memory that I can see, and a lot of people thought the same thing.

"How'd you get this deal? The most I get offers for is 35% off," is what one person asked. Another posted, "how'd you get it that low? Any special codes or anything?"

In the case of the person that posted the deal, they said it was luck they ran into a random sale.  But you don't have to let lady luck dictate if you get a good price.

I've found there's a real advantage to making one change so you can jump in on these sales and get the best possible drink package price.

Use the Royal Caribbean app to get notified

I used to be like the person on Reddit that randomly logs into the Cruise Planner site to see if prices have gone down.

I changed my strategy this year because Royal Caribbean has embraced a cavalcade of pop-up sales.

In the past, most sales were primarily centered around major holidays, like July 4th, Christmas, and Black Friday. Those holidays are still excellent times to look for sales, but the cruise line has gotten creative since then.

I've seen more and more sales for seemingly minor reasons, and some don't even have a pretense.

Frankly, I got to the point I was relying on random people on the internet to post about a sale for me to go in and check it.

But I've found a better strategy is to rely on the Royal Caribbean app.

Royal Caribbean's app is essential to use while on the ship, but it's value pre-cruise has become enormous as well.

In the case of these sales, Royal Caribbean has started utilizing push notifications to alert users of a new sale.

Once you have the app installed on your phone, you just need enable app notifications for sales offers.

It's buried in their settings, but I've come to rely on it for how I see sales first.

To get to it, click on the Person Icon (option on the right) and then click Profile at the very top right corner.

Scroll down to the Settings section and click Offers & communication.

From there, enable email or mobile app notifications for Royal Caribbean.  I have it on for Royal Caribbean.

That should do the trick, provided your iPhone settings allow for regular push notifications to come from the Royal Caribbean app in the first place.

There's no guarantee you'll see super low prices

Before you turn on your app notifications and wait for the super low drink prices to roll in, I need to offer a reality check.

Royal Caribbean's drink package prices are vary depending on the ship, itinerary, sail date, and more. 

If you're booked on the brand new Star of the Seas and going over Christmas, don't expect to see prices anywhere as low as this. The bottom line is you'll pay a premium for a drink package (and many other aspects of a cruise) when you sail over a holiday and/or on a new ship.

The difference is you might be able to snag a drink package for a lower price than normal when one of these sales pop up.

Remember, you can always cancel and rebook your Cruise Planner purchases before the sailing begins with no penalty.  So if you buy the drink package today at $72.99 per person, and it drops to $68.99 per per day, per person next month, you can still take advantage of it.

Moreover, you should book it now if you want a drink package because the price can go up and might never come back down.

Royal Caribbean's added a way to track the ships and places you've been, and it's captured the attention of a lot of people who want them all.

Cruise fans have always been a competitive bunch, whether it's bragging rights to be on the maiden voyage of a new ship, reaching the top tiers of the loyalty programs, or sharing impressive itineraries they have book.  

Now there's one more way to prove you are a top cruiser.

Virtual Badges are an achievement tracker that you can find in the Royal Caribbean app, and it's been improved already with new options.

Track destinations and ships

In March, Royal Caribbean quietly added the badges to the app that listed which ships you've sailed on.

There's a total of 29 ships listed that are lit up if you've sailed on it at least once.

It will also indicate how many other cruisers have earned the badge. For instance, according to Royal Caribbean's app, over 1.1 million passengers have sailed aboard Allure of the Seas. 

Freedom and of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas are tied for second with 1 million.

Royal Caribbean has added a new feature with destinations.

There are 20 places around the world you can track your progress with.

Different regions of the world Royal Caribbean ships visit are listed, including Bermuda, Perfect Day at CocoCay, Europe, and Mexico.

Not surprisingly, The Caribbean is tops with 4.7 million people with a badge. Perfect Day at CocoCay is a close second with 3.6 million.

The least badges are for South America, with just 14,000 badges out there.

There's no reward or benefit of unlocking new ships.  It's really meant to be a fun way for guests to fondly reminisce.

In a statement, Royal Caribbean explained, "These digital rewards celebrate milestones like ships sailed and destinations visited, creating a visual timeline of each guest’s journey. "

How to see your badges

You can view the badges you have in the Royal Caribbean app.

After opening the app, click the person icon in the top right and then look for the "Profile >" link at the very top. It's to the right of your name.

You'll see "Recent Badges" on that screen. Click "View All" to see them.

If you don't see them yet, you might need to wait a bit. Royal Caribbean says badges can take up to 30 days post-cruise to display.

In the app it says if you're missing any, you can make a request to have it manually added as long as it's been within 12 months after the debarkation date of the sailing.

It's available for Celebrity too

The new feature isn't just for Royal Caribbean, as you can track your Celebrity cruises too.

Being sister companies, the two lines share a common app platform and the new feature is available for those ships too.

"It brought a smile to my face today"

Ever since they first appeared in the app, cruisers have quickly taken to admiring the badges as a fun new extra.

"Thank you for posting this, it brought a smile to my face today," wrote DNelson3055 on Reddit.

Reading_and_Cruising quipped, "This is exactly the kind of motivation I didn't need to have, lol."

Time_Slayer_1 added, "This will be the reason I’ll actually book on the older ships now."

One notable missing feature: retired ships

Now that destinations have been added, I hope retired ships are next.

Royal Caribbean cruisers are a proud bunch, and being able to show off they go back many years is just as important as getting on the new ones.

Unfortunately ships like Monarch of the Seas, Sovereign of the Seas, Empress of the Seas, Splendour of the Seas, Song of America, Song of Norway, and the original Legend of the Seas aren't in the app yet.

Royal Caribbean is going to offer a one-of-a-kind cruise it never usually has.

Typical Royal Caribbean cruises are on right around 7-nights, with longer sailings getting up to two weeks.

However, the cruise line is going to step out of its usual assortment of cruises with an epic, 25-night repositioning cruise aboard Quantum of the Seas.

Sailing from Los Angeles to Brisbane, this isn't your typical cruise. Royal Caribbean sees it as a bucket-list adventure as it combines coastlines, tropical islands, and two continents.

Quantum of the Seas will depart Los Angeles and then visit Catalina Island, California, before making their way to Hawaii. Even better? The itinerary includes an overnight stop in Oahu (Honolulu). 

From there, Quantum will continue its journey across the Pacific Ocean, calling at Raiatea, French Polynesia; Papeete, Tahiti; and Moorea, French Polynesia before finally arriving at her new home — Brisbane. 

This is all part of Australia's new 2026-2027 deployment  that was released today.

Two Quantum Class ships — Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas — sail from Australia, offering guests the opportunity to explore stunning destinations while experiencing the familiar Royal Caribbean standard of service and innovation. 

Itineraries will depart from Sydney and Brisbane, Australia, and sail to Australia, New Zealand, and the sun-soaked South Pacific islands.

Quantum will sail from Brisbane, while Anthem's seasonal homeport will be Sydney

Quantum Class ships aren't new to the South Pacific. As such, it's not a surprise that Royal Caribbean is doubling down with two of its most popular vessels for the 2026-2027 season. 

These ships are some of the most innovative at sea, offering skydiving simulators, robot bars, multi-purpose indoor spaces, enclosed observation capsules, and more. 

While the ships themselves are destinations, they're even more special when combined with a bucket-list-worthy itinerary. 

Read more: I tried my first Australia cruise: here are 7 things that surprised me

Another noteworthy itinerary is Anthem of the Seas' 18-night cruise from Oahu (Honolulu) to Sydney. Many of the ports are the same as Quantum's lengthier Transpacific cruise, making it an appealing option for those who may not have nearly a month to spare on a cruise. 

Prices for Quantum's Transpacific journey start at a staggering $2,292 per person. However, this breaks down to less than $90 per night when sailing in a windowless interior stateroom. Comparatively, Anthem's 18-night cruise starts at $1,896 per person, or roughly $105 per night. 

Of course, those looking to cruise to Australia and beyond will be more interested in the coastal and island-focused sailings from Sydney and Brisbane. 

Sample itineraries include:

• 11-night New Zealand cruise on Anthem of the Seas: Departs Feb. 1, 2027
• 9-night South Pacific cruise on Anthem of the Seas: Multiple departures
• 8-night South Pacific cruise on Quantum of the Seas: Multiple departures
• 8-night Queensland cruise on Anthem of the Seas: Departs Jan 24, 2027
• 4-night Airlie Beach cruise on Quantum of the Seas: Multiple departures 

The new Australia cruises are open for booking now 

Royal Caribbean's 2026-2027 Australia deployment is open for booking. You can either book directly through the cruise line's website or contact your travel agent for assistance. 

Waiting on one more deployment

Royal Caribbean is set to release its October 2026 - March 2027 sailings from Singapore sometime the week of May 12, 2025. 

This is the last deployment for the 2026 - 2027 schedule. 

There's nothing more awkward than talking about how much to tip someone on a cruise, but the last thing anyone wants to do is insult a hard working crew member by stiffing them.

Gratuities have been a part of the cruise industry for decades, but they've also evolved to reflect changing views. The rates and how tips are offered have changed since I first started cruising.

New cruisers usually have two questions about tipping on a cruise ship: How much to tip and who to tip.

Here's what you need to know about how gratuities work and how much you should tip.

Automatic gratuities cover the basics

Royal Caribbean has an automatic gratuity that you'll run into off the bat.

There's an automatic daily charge, and you can either pre-pay it or wait to have it charged onboard. Residents of Australia actually have the automatic gratuities included in their cruise fare.

There's no right or wrong answer, it's up to you if you'd rather get it paid in advance or pay it later. Personally, I pre-pay just to lessen my onboard spending bill.

The automatic gratuities cover:

• Your stateroom attendant
• Dining Room waiters
• Head waiter

The current gratuity rate is $18.50 per person, per day in standard cabins, and $21.00 per person, per day in suites.

You don't have to tip more than that, but if you wanted to, you could give those people extra cash as you see fit.

Why tip them more? If you feel that crew member went above and beyond and truly did something special for your family, there could be a reason to give them something extra.

How much extra? I've tipped stateroom attendants anywhere from $20 to $100 extra, depending on the situation.  For waiters in the restaurants, about $20.  

The automatic gratuity does not include gratuities you'll encounter elsewhere on the ship.

For example, if you order a drink, there's an automatic 18% gratuity that gets added to your bill.  Or if you visit the spa for a massage, you'll see a service charge added to that too.

There's nothing to do, it's a line item on your bill.

Beyond that, there's a number of discretionary tips you should plan on.

Porters

When you arrive at the cruise terminal, there are porters to take your luggage and deliver it to your cabin.

Likewise, at the end of the cruise, there are porters to assist you with picking up your luggage and taking it through the terminal and to your car, bus, or taxi.

I'd recommend tipping $1-$2 per bag.

When ordering a drink

As I mentioned earlier, any drink you order comes with an automatic 18% service charge and that is effectively your tip.

I'll still tip $1 per drink in cash on top of that, but it has less to do with the service.  I do so because tipping just $1 extra tends to get me better service later.

When the bar is busy, the bartenders and waiters definitely give preferential treatment to those that tip extra.  

I think it's worth it not only to reward attentive service, but ensure I'm not waiting a long time for my next one.

Occasionally, it gets me a free drink too, but you can't bet on that.

Specialty restaurants

Similar to drinks, you'll pay an automatic gratuity at the specialty restaurants on top of the cover charge or cost to eat there.

I usually tip $20 per meal extra, but it depends on the service we get.

I don't have a good rationale why I do or even how I came up with that number, but it's what I do.

Room service

Royal Caribbean includes a service charge with the cost of room service, but the complimentary continental breakfast has no cost.

I very rarely ever order room service other than breakfast, so I'll tip them between $2-$5 extra for bringing my food to the room.

Royal Genie

I've been lucky enough to stay in a few of Royal Caribbean's biggest and most expensive suites, which includes the services of the Royal Genie.

The Royal Genie is shared between a few suites, and they make your cruise as easy as possible. They can cut the lines for you, get priority elevators, make any reservation you need, and otherwise be your "magic maker".

The first time I stayed in Star Class I was completely lost how much to tip them.

The overwhelming consistent answer I found in the Royal Caribbean Star Class Facebook group is to tip the genie $100 per day.

I really don't think any genie would scoff at any tip amount. They appreciate what you feel is appropriate, and they're certainly not standing with their hand open on the final morning.

Cabana attendant

You can rent cabanas at Perfect Day at CocoCay or Labadee, and you'll have a cabana attendant for the day with your cabana.

The cabana attendant is there to bring you food, drinks, towels, or anything else you need during your stay.

The amount to tip depends largely on how much you utilize their services and size of your group. Some cabanas can accommodate up to 8 people.

Given that you're there for the entire day and that person might be running back and forth bringing food and drinks a lot, the amount to tip varies considerably.

I usually tip between $50 - $100 to the cabana attendant, and I'll often split that cost with friends.

Shore excursion tour guide

Tour guides are optional to tip during shore excursions, and I think how much to tip truly depends on a number of factors.

Tour guides play different roles depending on the nature of the trip. A snorkel excursion with someone actively helping you or a family member in the water is vastly different than a bus tour narrator.

In addition, you're almost always with a group and theoretically others are tipping too.

It's hard to give a good number, but $10-$20 for a tour host that is helpful, passionate, or insightful would be appropriate.  To be fair, I have not tipped tour guides in the past if they're glorified babysitters.

Entertainers in bars

Royal Caribbean has some amazing performers in various bars and lounges, and you could tip them too.

Most people don't tip the singers or performers, so it's really a matter of your choice in rewarding their skills and entertaining.

An unwritten rule of these bars is if you make a song request and they play it, you should tip them.

I'll tip bar entertainers $5-$20, depending if I'm tipping for one song or a few song requests.  Yes, I did tip the Mason Jar band $100 once to stop playing "Sweet Caroline" immediately. You're welcome.

Casino

Another unwritten rule is you should tip the casino dealers periodically.

Casino dealers at the various table games are there to keep the fun going, and the good ones will even step in and help you avoid making a mistake.

A dollar or two periodically works, especially if you're winning money.

You do you

All of the tipping amounts are ballpark figures of what you could consider, they're not rules about what you should or shouldn't do.

I have no doubt the comments section for this article have already erupted because some people cannot handle how others choose to spend their money.  Ignore them, and always rely on the principle of do what feels right for you.

The only people that absolutely should be tipped extra beyond Royal Caribbean's automatic gratuity include:

• Porters
• Cabana attendants
• Royal Genies

Everything else is completely discretionary and there is no right or wrong answer. 

Crew members are appreciative of anything you can provide them, and I can safely say I've never heard of a crew member that was insulted by an additional tip from a guest.

The one faux pas you can make with tipping is not tipping at all.  Removing the automatic gratuity at Guest Services as a cost-savings measure is a really egregious act. 

I recently disembarked a 4-night cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas. During the short trip, I called a tiny, windowless inside cabin my home away from home.

Although inside cabins are extremely basic, they’re the most budget-friendly option on cruise ships. There’s no natural light in the room, but you’ll still find essentials like a bed, vanity, and private bathroom.

For my short itinerary, I paid $1,260 for the inside room. The price included the cruise fare, taxes, and prepaid gratuities for two adults. At $157 per person, per night, I found the price fair for a cruise on one of Royal Caribbean’s biggest ships.

Let’s take a look inside my interior cabin on Allure of the Seas to see what the cheapest cabin option is really like.

Allure of the Seas just completed a $100M renovation, but cabins were not updated

Allure of the Seas launched in 2009, but she recently completed a major amplification to modernize the vessel.

New restaurants, bars, and activities were added, and minor aesthetic changes were made to existing venues around the ship.

Read more: A look inside Allure of the Seas' $100M amplification

One aspect of Allure of the Seas that was not updated, though, were the cabins.

Royal Caribbean rarely updates cabins when renovating cruise ships in its fleet. With thousands of cabins onboard, the cruise line forgoes this massive undertaking in favor of updating other areas.

Therefore, cabins on Allure of the Seas appear slightly outdated. There are fewer power outlets compared to Royal Caribbean’s newest ships, for example, and passengers should expect more wear and tear throughout the stateroom.

I loved my cabin’s location on deck 11

After boarding Allure of the Seas, I headed to my cabin to drop off my carry-on and check out my stateroom for the first time.

When I booked my cruise nine months before departure, I selected an interior guarantee cabin. This was the cheapest option, and it meant Royal Caribbean would assign me a stateroom location closer to the sail date.

Read more: Royal Caribbean cabins to avoid

I was assigned room 11273, located near the aft of deck 11 on Allure of the Seas. The room was conveniently located just steps from the aft elevator lobby and stairwell.

Some passengers may be wary of cabins near the elevators, but I didn’t encounter any noise issues during my cruise. Plus, I loved the easy access from my stateroom to anywhere else onboard.

The tiny room felt surprisingly spacious

Interior cabins aren’t winning any awards for their size—most inside rooms on Allure of the Seas measure between 150 and 180 square feet.

That being said, I was pleasantly surprised with the size and layout of my interior cabin.

The bed was pushed against the back wall, so I never had to walk around it to reach other areas of the room.

There was a couch, too, which is always a nice perk. Many interior cabins on cruise ships have a small chair in lieu of a couch, so I appreciated the expanded seating area.

The couch’s upholstery was definitely showing its age, however, and I thought it was in need of a refresh.

A full-length mirror was next to the couch, which both reflected light in the cabin and made it appear more spacious.

My inside stateroom was packed with storage

Storage is an important feature in cruise ship cabins. Given their compact size, it’s helpful to have an abundance of storage throughout the room, whether closets, drawers, or shelves.

My Allure of the Seas cabin had a surprising amount of storage space.

First, there were three drawers next to the mini fridge. These drawers were easy to access, and they were convenient for storing smaller items like socks and shorts.

There were also two additional shelves under the desk as well as a narrow column of shelves above it.

Additionally, a closet provided extra shelving and hanging space.

Most older cruise ships lack significant storage, so I was nervous my room wouldn't have enough space to unpack my belongings. Luckily, this was not the case, and I was pleased with the number of closets, shelves, drawers.

The storage variety made it easy to unpack and stay organized for the duration of my cruise.

Storage was abundant, but outlets were not

One thing I wish I could have changed about my Allure of the Seas cabin were the number of electrical outlets.

Outlet availability was extremely limited, with just three outlets on the desk and one in the bathroom. I traveled with a laptop, wireless headphones, my phone, a Kindle, and camera, among other electronics. It was a hassle to charge everything with just three outlets.

I also missed having a USB charging port by the bedside.

The lack of outlets was another area where my cabin showed its age. I regretted not packing a USB hub, which would have increased the room's charging capacity.

Lastly, I was impressed with the cabin’s bathroom

Tiny cruise ship bathrooms aren’t glamorous by any means, but I thought my Allure of the Seas bathroom had nice features and a calming color scheme.

Everything in the bathroom seemed to be in great condition, from the vinyl floor to the backsplash and storage shelves. I loved the blue tile, which gave a clean aesthetic to the small space.

Next to the sink were shelves and a drawer. This was extremely useful for storing my toiletries, and a metal bar kept items from falling off the shelf due to ship movement.

Read more: 7 bathroom hacks to use in your cruise ship cabin

I also liked how the bathroom had a glass shower door.

This is far preferable to the cloth curtains used on older ships.

If I cruised on Allure of the Seas again, I’d pick one of the new cabins added during amplification

My short stay in cabin 11273 was comfortable, but I’d pick a different room next time.

During Allure of the Seas’ amplification, a number of new cabins were added to the ship. These include interior rooms on decks 6, 11, and 12 along with the Ultimate Panoramic Suites above the ship’s bridge.

Presumably, the new cabins feature more updated furnishing and decor. When Liberty of the Seas was refreshed in 2016, for instance, Royal Caribbean added 86 cabins to the ship. These rooms look more modern compared to other cabins on the vessel.

Read more: We tried 4 cabins on Liberty of the Seas: here's how they compared

The next time I cruise on Allure of the Seas, I would specifically book one of these new cabin locations. Although cruising in a cabin built in 2009 wasn’t a dealbreaker, I’d certainly prefer sailing in a 2025-style stateroom on the same ship.

Two of the biggest cruise companies in the world shared different outlooks on how they see the rest of the year going.

On April 29, Royal Caribbean Group released its first quarter results, revealing the company is seeing strong demand for its products, ranging from Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas to Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Ascent. 

The surge in demand isn't slowing down, either. RCG reported that they are 86% booked for 2025 and warned of higher prices for last-minute cruisers. 

"Bookings for 2025 have remained on track, cancellation levels are normal, and we continue to see excellent close-in demand," said Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO, during the company's Q1 earnings call.

Record bookings continued into April, with Liberty reporting that the company's bookings were greater than during the same period last year. 

However, Norwegian Cruise Line's first quarter results weren't as positive. 

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) posted its earnings the very next day. Revenue for Norwegian came in at $2.13 billion, below the estimated $2.15 billion as per data compiled by LSEG. This means that the company's quarterly revenue declined 3%, marking the first year-over-year decline since the second quarter of 2021. 

Norwegian also reported adjusted profit of 7 cents per share, below estimates of 9 cents. Consequently, NCLH's stock tumbled 9%, as reported by Reuters. 

The company warned of weak consumer spending on pricier voyages, citing growing concerns about a possible recession that may be affecting spending.

One area they are seeing softness in is European cruises. 

“[Europe] was actually booking really, really well till about a month or two ago. And then the American consumer seemed to be a little skittish about doing far-from-home travel,” CEO Harry Sommer told CNBC.

Now, the annual net yield is expected to increase between 2.0% and 3.0%, compared to its earlier forecast of 3.0%. In contrast, Royal Caribbean raised its annual profit forecast. 

Despite the disappointing Q1 results, Sommer believes the cruise industry has an advantage during economic turmoil because of the value proposition compared to land-based vacations. 

“You know, you may have a weak month, a weak quarter, but consumers continue to take vacations,” Sommer said. “It’s sort of one of their God-given rights, and they enjoy them...they come back.”