Royal Caribbean Blog

Hurricane season is officially here — and this year is expected to be quieter than usual. However, that doesn't mean cruisers are in the clear.

June 1 marks the beginning of the Atlantic hurricane season, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting a higher likelihood of below-average activity.

Even still, one storm, even a small one, can wreak havoc on your cruise plans. From canceled flights to adjusted itineraries, tropical activity can disrupt nearly every part of a well-planned vacation, sometimes with little warning. 

So, what do you need to know now that the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season is underway? In this article, we'll take a closer look at how hurricane season can affect cruises, what travelers can expect if a storm develops, and the important steps you should take to protect your trip before hitting the high seas. 

When is hurricane season?

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30 of each year. Storms can form at any time during that window, but August, September, and October generally see the most tropical activity. This is because ocean temperatures are at their warmest, and conditions are most favorable for tropical development.

For example, the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season saw 13 named storms, including five hurricanes and four major hurricanes. However, over 75% of the tropical activity happened in August, September, and October, the climatological peak of hurricane season: 

• June: Three tropical storms (Tropical Storm Andrea, Tropical Storm Barry, Tropical Storm Chantal)
• July: No activity
• August: Two tropical storms, one hurricane (Tropical Storm Dexter, Hurricane Erin, Tropical Storm Fernand)
• September: Three hurricanes (Hurricane Gabrielle, Hurricane Humberto, Hurricane Imelda)
• October: Two tropical storms, one subtropical storm, one hurricane (Tropical Storm Jerry, Subtropical Storm Karen, Tropical Storm Lorenzo, Hurricane Melissa)
• November: No activity

2026 hurricane season outlook

(Credit: NOAA)

On May 21, forecasters at NOAA's Climate Prediction Center predicted a 10% chance of an above-normal hurricane season across the Atlantic Ocean, with a 35% chance of a near-normal season and a 55% chance of a below-normal season. 

As such, the 2026 predictions are more optimistic than in 2025, when the same scientists called for a 60% chance of an above-normal hurricane season across the Atlantic Ocean.

In the report, meteorologists said they expect eight to 14 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), down from the 13 to 19 predicted for 2025. Of those, three to six are forecast to become hurricanes with winds of 74 mph or higher, including one to three major hurricanes with winds of 111 mph or higher. 

El Niño, a natural climate pattern marked by warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, is one of the driving factors for this year's below-normal forecast. 

Occurring every two to seven years, El Niño generally brings warmer-than-average ocean temperatures and weaker trade winds, which is encouraging for this year's hurricane season.

"Although El Niño’s impact in the Atlantic Basin can often suppress hurricane development, there is still uncertainty in how each season will unfold," said NOAA’s National Weather Service Director Ken Graham. 

(Credit: NOAA)

"That is why it’s essential to review your hurricane preparedness plan now. It only takes one storm to make for a very bad season."

Royal Caribbean's hurricane policy: What happens if there's a tropical storm

Atlantic hurricanes can impact cruises sailing to The Bahamas and Caribbean, as well as departure ports in states such as Florida, Louisiana, Alabama, Texas, and New York. Sometimes, Bermuda sailings can be affected, too. 

The odds of a storm affecting your cruise are low, but you should be mentally prepared for that to occur if cruising during hurricane season. Because of the unpredictability of tropical activity, travelers need to build in a degree of flexibility when planning their cruises in June, July, August, September, October, and November. 

Royal Caribbean's top priority is the safety of the guests, crew, and ship, and they will never send a vessel near a hurricane. To that point, if a storm is predicted to go anywhere near where a ship is scheduled to be, Royal Caribbean will either cancel scheduled port stops or even change the itinerary to avoid the inclement weather.

For example, if you are scheduled to visit the Eastern Caribbean when a hurricane or tropical storm develops, Royal Caribbean may drop a port of call or switch your itinerary, turning your Eastern cruise into a Western Caribbean one with visits to Mexico, Honduras, and Jamaica. 

On rare occasions, Royal Caribbean will cancel a cruise if a storm is projected to impact an area where the ship is scheduled to embark and/or disembark. Canceling a cruise, though, is usually the last option, and they are more likely to keep a ship out at sea for an extra day or two, and subsequently shorten the next sailing, than outright cancel any given sailing.

Do cruise lines provide any compensation if a sailing is impacted by a storm?

Royal Caribbean will do everything that it can to guarantee a safe voyage, even if it means that the port order is swapped or changed altogether. As the embarkation port is not closed, your cruise will almost certainly sail.

However, per the cruise contract that you agreed to when you booked the cruise, no compensation is required to be given if your itinerary changes. That means that if your cruise changes from an Eastern Caribbean cruise to a Western one, you will not be compensated for the change. 

If, however, Royal Caribbean has to make the difficult decision to cancel the cruise, you will be issued a full refund. It must be Royal Caribbean's decision, though. If you choose not to sail, you will lose the money that you paid for the vacation.

You should absolutely buy travel insurance

Most travel insurance policies include Trip Cancellation protection, which provides reimbursement for non-refundable expenses if you need to cancel your trip for a covered reason. Covered reasons generally include natural disasters and severe storms, such as hurricanes.

Trip Interruption coverage kicks in after your trip has already started and helps reimburse for unforeseen costs during your vacation. So, if you encounter a hurricane during your cruise, Trip Interruption coverage would likely cover related expenses.

When it comes to hurricanes, your original cruise itinerary could either be shortened or extended because of impending storms. In this case, a good Trip Interruption policy would help cover the unexpected costs related to the natural disaster and would help reimburse you for additional transportation, lodging, and unused portions of your trip. 

Additionally, Travel Delay coverage could provide protection during hurricane season. This type of protection kicks in for smaller, but still disruptive, delays, ranging from flights to more severe instances that cause you to miss the ship's departure.

Finally, you could consider adding a "Cancel for Any Reason" clause to your travel insurance policy. This type of coverage can help reimburse prepaid expenses when you cancel a trip for any reason that is not specifically named in your plan. 

As expected, there are important guidelines you need to follow, too. For example, you often need to buy this type of coverage within a specified window after making your first deposit, typically around 10 days to 21 days after booking. 

However, this provides a lot of travelers with peace of mind, as you can normally cancel your trip for any reason up to around 48 hours before scheduled departure.

Some credit cards include travel insurance as one of the main card perks, including the American Express Platinum Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve. These might not be as comprehensive, but the additional coverage can be helpful if you are already paying the pricey annual fee for one of these premium cards.

Key terms you need to know during hurricane season

(Credit: NOAA)

If you have cruise plans to The Bahamas or Caribbean during hurricane season, it's important to monitor the weather forecasts in the days leading up to your vacation. 

Pay close attention to hurricane lingo used in forecasts, as terms like "tropical depression" and "hurricane" indicate how organized and powerful a system is — and whether it could impact your cruise plans.

• Tropical disturbance: A discrete tropical weather system of apparently organized convection that originates in the tropics or subtropics, has a nonfrontal migratory character, and maintains its identity for 24 hours or more. 
• Tropical depression: A subtropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind speed is 38 mph (or 62 km/hr) or less
• Tropical storm: A tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind speed ranges from 39 mph to 73 mph (63 km to 118 km/hr)

• Hurricane: A tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind is 74 mph (or 119 km/hr) or more. The term hurricane is used for Northern Hemisphere tropical cyclones east of the International Date Line to the Prime (Greenwich) Meridian. The term typhoon is used for Pacific tropical cyclones north of the Equator, west of the International Date Line.
• Hurricane watch: An announcement that sustained winds 74 mph (or 119 km/hr) or higher are possible within the specified area in association with a tropical, subtropical, or post-tropical cyclone. Because hurricane preparedness activities become difficult once winds reach tropical storm force, the hurricane watch is issued 48 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical storm force winds.
• Hurricane warning: An announcement that sustained winds of 74 mph (or 119 km/hr) or higher are expected somewhere within the specified area in association with a tropical, subtropical, or post-tropical cyclone. Because hurricane preparedness activities become difficult once winds reach tropical storm force, the warning is issued 36 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds. The warning can remain in effect when dangerously high water or a combination of dangerously high water and waves continue, even though winds may be less than hurricane force.

(Credit: Tim Loomis, NOAA/NESDIS/Environmental Visualization Program)

• Major hurricane: A hurricane that is classified as Category 3 or higher.

Is cruising during hurricane season worth it?

Going on a cruise during hurricane season is a big topic of debate. Although cruise fares are lower, you risk your voyage being impacted by unfavorable weather. So, is going on a cruise during hurricane season a good idea?

As mentioned, cruise fares tend to drop significantly in the fall. Not only is this due to the fact that the peak travel season has ended, but it is also to account for the uncertainty that arises when cruising during hurricane season.

That said, many travelers cruise during hurricane season without encountering a storm or any disruptions. Still, it is important to be aware of the risk — though inclement weather can impact cruise itineraries year-round. 

Another advantage of cruising during hurricane season is how much quieter many ports of call tend to be. The latter part of hurricane season overlaps with the off-season travel period for The Bahamas and Caribbean, meaning that land-based tourism has slowed down.

Bottom line: It is completely safe to take a cruise during hurricane season. Although your itinerary might get changed due to weather conditions, there's very little risk to you as a passenger aboard the ship. 

Pros of booking a cruise during hurricane season

• Lower fares
• Fewer crowds in port

Cons of booking a cruise during hurricane season

• Weather uncertainty
• Possible travel disruptions

Following weeks of upgrade work, Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas is back in service.

The cruise ship that was built in 2007, received new restaurants, refreshed certain areas, and added new cabins as well.

The ship received a "Royal Amplification", which is intended to elevate an aging ship to offer more and be more competitive with newer ships.

Royal Caribbean had originally planned to do this work in 2021, but the cruise industry shutdown in 2020 postponed those plans.

Liberty of the Seas completed her upgrade work on May 29, and we have our first look at what's new and different onboard. Many thanks to Elaine for providing some of these photos.

A new restaurant and bars

Only one new restaurant was added to Liberty of the Seas with the addition of Izumi Teppanyaki to deck four.

This replaced Sabor Modern Mexican, officially replacing the last Sabor left in the fleet.

Izumi offers both sushi and hibachi tables, with the later being incredibly popular among cruise ship passengers.  Hibachi dining is a crowd-pleaser experience because it's family friendly, fun, and has food that appeals to just about anyone.

In fact, Izumi is now the most popular specialty restaurant across the fleet. 

Starbucks was added as well, offering an option for those that are hooked on the Seattle-based coffee giant's creations.

Just like a Starbucks kiosk you'd find at a supermarket or other store, it serves the full menu of drinks and pastries.  

While you can earn Starbucks rewards points from your purchases, you cannot redeem Starbucks star rewards onboard.

The Lime & Coconut bar was added to the pool deck. This is the Caribbean-inspired bar that offers its own menu of fun cocktails.

Guests will appreciate the drink offerings go now beyond the typical stuff.  Royal Caribbean has all sorts of concoction to try, including my personal favorite: the Lime & Coconut drink.

Another pool deck addition is El Loco Fresh, which is a complimentary Mexican grab-and-go restaurant.

Serving tacos, burritos, and quesadillas, it's open for lunch and into the late afternoon.  It's a great casual spot for a snack or meal.

Plus, it has a toppings bar so you can customize the food exactly the way you want it.  Jalapenos, hot sauces, guacamole, pico de gallo, and more to choose from.

Updated pool deck

A major focus of the changes to Liberty of the Seas was around the pool deck.

The deck has more of a resort look to it now, having refreshed the seating and look of the pool deck.

Royal Caribbean also added casitas to the pool deck, which cost extra to rent.  Think of them like a reserved spot you can have for the day.

Casitas include:

• 2 Welcome Drinks
• 2 lounge chairs
• Dedicated beverage service
• 4 chilled water bottles
• Cooler
• 4 Pool towels
• 4 Hand towels
• Charging outlets

Pricing for casitas tends to be cheaper on port days than on sea days.

For the upcoming June 26 sailing, casitas cost $109.99 for a port day, but $374.99 for a sea day.

An escape room was added too

Another addition to Liberty of the Seas is an escape room experience.

EscapeU: Art Studio is described as:

Get ready to paint outside the lines during your art class final! Team up, brush up on your skills and dash to finish your exam before time runs out. Gogh beyond the canvas and ace your test to unlock a vibrant surprise and colorful masterpiece. 

Guests must be 12 years old or older to participate, and it's a timed challenge to figure out clues to solve a puzzle and "escape" the room before time runs out.

Royal Caribbean sells admission at $40 per guest for the escape room.

Expanded casino

Like other ships that have recently been updated, Royal Caribbean added more gambling space.

There's now an expanded casino area that took over the photo gallery area.  It connects to the main casino on deck 4.

Royal Caribbean has placed a major emphasis on expanding casinos on all of its ships, indicating the cruise line is looking to expand revenue opportunities.

Gambling on cruise ships is more popular than ever, and it's clear Royal Caribbean is jumping on that trend.

Other changes

Royal Caribbean also updated its kids club to reflect the updated programming that you'd find on newer ships.

There's also a new show onboard, "Boots & Blades" in Studio B.

This is a new ice skating show that has a country theme to it.

Sailing from the UK this summer

Liberty of the Seas offered a quick short sailing from Southampton, UK this weekend as it returned to service.

Royal Caribbean has a summer cruise season planned from the UK to destinations in Northern and Western Europe.

This fall, Liberty moves back to the United States to offer Caribbean sailings.

After trying different cruise hacks over the years, I wanted to put all the best tricks for an inside room to the ultimate test.

When I booked a last-minute cruise on Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas in a tiny inside room, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to gather every tip I've amassed into one stay.

I love discovering new ways to make a cruise better, especially unconventional ideas, and gadgets you can buy online. While not all of them work as well as someone claims, I've slowly amassed a list of tips and tricks that definitely do work.

Every little hack can make a big difference when you're in an inside room.  Space is so limited and not having any windows or access to the outside makes these rooms less than ideal.  That's all the more reason I wanted put it all to the test.

I've included affiliate links in this article, which means I make a small commission if you buy anything form these links. It doesn't cost you anything extra.

I came up with ten of the absolute best inside cruise ship cabin hacks that made my room better.

You don't know if it's morning in an inside room, so I brought a sunrise alarm clock

Besides the room being small, there's really no way to know if it's 3am or 3pm without a clock.

Relying on your phone means you have to open your eyes and then be temporarily blinded from the brightness of your phone as you check the time.  And then you have to hopefully be able to fall back asleep if it's not time to get up yet.

A sunrise alarm clock worked so much better than I ever expected because it allows you to wake up more like you would at home.  

You set the alarm time and then how much lead up you want for the light to start.  The idea is the clock slowly illuminates the room leading up to your alarm time.

Just like at home when the sun rises and your room starts to get brighter, so will your inside cabin.

The reason I really liked this clock is if I woke up before my alarm, I could tell if there was some light in the room with my eyes closed. That made it easier to fall back asleep without having to check the time.

Moreover, there are all sorts of melodies and sounds for the actual alarm. I picked birds chirping so I wouldn't get as jolted out of bed as I would with a regular alarm.

ecozy Sunrise Alarm Clock on Amazon

I brought heavy duty magnets to fix the worst thing about these cabins

When you sail on an older Royal Caribbean ship, you'll quickly discover the shower is different than on new ships.

Instead of a plastic or glass shower enclosure, Radiance class ships have a cloth curtain that tends to cling to you while in the shower.

Our readers recommended bringing magnets to keep the curtain away from me, because I could use the magnets to hold the curtain against the wall.  The walls in the bathroom and cabin are made from metal, so you can use magnets nearly anywhere.

This strategy definitely worked well, and I enjoyed the shower more as a result.

Plus, heavy duty magnets can be used in the room to hold up clothes and other items. That keeps the room tidier and reduces the amount of things that would otherwise be strewn about.

8 Pack Magnetic Hooks on Amazon

Bringing a battery operated fan was like having a ceiling fan and helped cool me down

My new favorite cabin hack is to bring a USB chargeable fan because it has a magnet at the base and be attached just about anywhere.

Even though this cruise was in early May and not quite summer, it was very hot and humid while our ship sailed to Cozumel, Mexico. 

I placed the fan near the air conditioning vent on the ceiling, which blew cold air right on me while I lay in bed. It was perfect for sleeping.

When I returned to my room after a hot and sweaty day in Cozumel, I moved the fan and placed it on the wall to help cool me down faster.

I was impressed by how well bringing a fan worked and what a difference it made in my overall comfort.

Magnetic cruise ship fan on Amazon

I put a digital thermometer so I knew exactly what temperature to set

This one probably sounds weird, but I swear bringing a thermometer makes a difference in keeping the room at the temperature you want.

If you're like me, you're used to having your house set to certain temperature because you have a smart thermostat that you can set precisely.  But on most cruise ships, there's just a dial with "hot" and "cold".

While you can play the game of "how cold is too cold", I placed the magnetic thermometer above the thermostat dial.  Then, I could adjust the room's thermostat and be able to better track if it was indeed the right temperature I prefer.

Is it critical or totally necessary? No, but it made my stay better because I knew exactly what temperature the room was at any time.

Mini Indoor Thermometer on Amazon

A magnetic toothbrush holder made my tiny bathroom counter less cluttered

No matter if you're in an inside room or a balcony, cruise ship bathrooms are really small, especially the counter tops.

Buying a magnetic toothbrush holder freed up my razor, toothbrush, and toothpaste from taking up space on the counter or in the glasses that are usually provided.

Every inch of counter space I didn't need was welcome, and I think this would be especially important if you're sharing the room with someone else. If you're cruising with kids, I'd buy one for each one and that will make a world of difference.

Magnetic Toothbrush Holder on Amazon

Storing my luggage under the bed frees up closet space

I think one of the first cruise ship cabin hacks I ever learned was you could shove your suitcases under your bed instead of putting them in the closet.

When you're staying in a small stateroom, you'll want to take advantage of every inch of space you have.  Underneath your bed is a vastly underutilized area.

You can nest the luggage inside each piece, and then slide it under the bed until you need it at the of the sailing.

Not only is out of sight, but it means your closet can be fully leveraged.

I was skeptical splitting the beds would make the room feel roomier, but it works

The first time I heard I should split my bed instead of keeping them together, I thought this was crazy. But it really does work.

When you have the beds together in an inside room, the bed is in the middle of the room and the only way around it is off to the side.

But splitting the beds apart and pushing them against the wall opens up a walkway in the middle of the room, and it's undeniably easier to get around.

I tried with the beds together and apart while on this cruise, and it certainly made a difference having the beds split.

Bringing a travel spray for the bathroom ensured odors never become problematic

Real talk: there are no fans in the bathroom of a cruise ship stateroom, so odors don't have anywhere to go.

Packing a travel sized Poo Pouri spray should be standard issue for everyone in their cruise packing list for your sake and everyone in your cabin.

Yes, it works, and yes you'll be happier to avoid situations where everyone has to avoid the bathroom for 25-35 minutes. If you know, you know.

Poo-Pourri Pocket Toilet Spray on Amazon

Packing a power outlet extender is a must-have when sailing on an older ship

Cruise ships have very few power outlets in their cabins, and that can create a problem with who can charge their device first.

My room had just two American power outlets, so I was glad to bring a power outlet extender with me.

It's important to note Royal Caribbean has banned power strips and multi-plug extenders, so you need to have the right one that won't get confiscated.

The rule to follow is the device can only have one AC outlet, but unlimited USB outlets.

EPICKA Universal Travel Adapter on Amazon

Bringing a nightlight so I didn't walk into a wall

The only time your room is going to be completely dark is at night, and if you have to get up in the middle of the night, it can be difficult to get around.

I brought a motion activated nightlight to place near the bathroom. I didn't want it activating when I moved around in bed, but I would want it to work if I got up and made my way to the entry way.

Radiance of the Seas actually has built-in motion-activated nightlights, but you never know if your room will actually have one. Nonetheless, it's great having a way to have a little bit of light without blinding you by turning on the cabin lights.

Motion-Activated Battery LED Light on Amazon

Happy weekend! In case you missed any Royal Caribbean news, here is a look at everything that happened this week!

Royal Caribbean scrapped the plans it submitted to Mexico to build a new private destination, but it's going to make another attempt.

In an effort to rework its proposal and come up with a new option, the cruise line withdrew its plans for Perfect Day Mexico.

A surge of negative public feedback over environmental concerns seemingly influenced Mexico's government to push back on the proposal.

Royal Caribbean News

• Mexico says Royal Caribbean can explore a different location for its Perfect Day project
• Celebrity announced new loyalty tiers and rewards
• I packed for a 7-night cruise with just a carry-on and personal item
• 5 things I do to maximize my drink package value
• I took my sister on a cruise. It brought us closer together
• I stopped asking to have my cruise room cleaned in the morning
• I tried Royal Caribbean's flexible dinner option
• Should you sleep with the balcony door open on a cruise ship?
• Royal Caribbean's new credit card has an easy way to redeem points for your next cruise
• Samba Grill has a new menu
• Best things about an Alaskan cruise instead of a tropical sailings
• Royal Caribbean just posted its best veteran's discount we've seen in a long time
• 13 Best things to do in Ketchikan, Alaska

New RCB Video: Harmony of the Seas Full Walkthrough Ship Tour

Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — Harmony of the Seas Full Walkthrough Ship Tour — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Royal Caribbean didn't ban decorating your cruise ship cabin door

Despite some news reports out there, Royal Caribbean did not put a halt to cruise ship passengers being able to decorate their stateroom door.

A letter that was recently distributed to guests was misreported as a policy change by a few national news outlets that didn't bother to investigate the story.

This lead to confusion among passengers that the policy had changed.

Royal Caribbean forced to change itinerary due to propulsion problems on a cruise ship

A "technical issue" forced Royal Caribbean to change the sailing on Allure of the Seas earlier this week.

A couple of days into a 6-night sailing, guests were informed they would have to cancel one port stop and add a second visit to Nassau.

The exact problem was not disclosed by the cruise line, but the ship would need to slow down.

9 things I always pack for a cruise (and 3 I never bring)

Packing for a cruise isn't always easy, but there are a few things worth bringing on every sailing.

After some trial and error, we've come up with the must-pack items that are worth the luggage space.  However, there are also a few things that just don't work at all.

While a lot of what you pack for a cruise is subjective, a few items make a lot of sense to bring every time.

Harmony of the Seas: What surprised me after all the changes the ship

With Harmony of the Seas back in service after a massive refurbishment, a few things that were changed (and not changed) jumped out as surprises.

Royal Caribbean invested millions of dollars to upgrade the ship, and there are some real improvements that were made to offer more than ever before.

However, some decisions made are head scratchers too.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 610th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, sharing what to do in London before or after a cruise.

Matt shares embarrassing stories of things that have happened to him on cruises, as well as a few funny stories.

Please feel free to subscribe via iTunes or RSS, and head over to rate and review the podcast on iTunes if you can! We’d appreciate it.

Talks appear to be happening behind the scenes between Royal Caribbean and the Mexican government regarding a new private destination.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum says government officials are discussing the possibility of relocating Royal Caribbean’s proposed Perfect Day Mexico development. 

According to an article published by El Universal and translated from Spanish to English, Sheinbaum discussed the future of Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day Mexico project during a May 27 press conference.

The president said the federal government remains in talks with Royal Caribbean to determine whether there may be another location in Mexico where the project could be developed. She added that any potential future site would first need to be evaluated for environmental viability and assessed to ensure it would not create the same concerns identified in Mahahual.

“We are in talks with the company to see if there are any locations where the project could be developed without these environmental impacts, and we will first analyze whether it truly has environmental viability,” said the president.

Sheinbaum added, “In this area (Mahahual), the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) and the governor herself are evaluating the possibility of granting it an additional protection category, for example, allowing ecotourism only under certain conditions.”

The comments mark the latest development in an ongoing saga surrounding Royal Caribbean’s planned Perfect Day Mexico destination. The project was expected to become one of the cruise line’s largest private destination investments near Costa Maya, Mexico.

However, while Mexican officials say discussions are taking place, Royal Caribbean has not publicly commented on the possibility of relocating the project. The cruise line’s most recent public statement came after Mexican regulators rejected the original proposal on May 20, when Royal Caribbean said it was ‘disappointed’ by the decision but remained optimistic about advancing its investment in Mexico responsibly.

Government says environmental protection and investment must be balanced

During the press conference, Sheinbaum defended the role of Mexico’s environmental regulators, explaining that Semarnat evaluates both environmental concerns and economic investment opportunities when reviewing major developments. According to the president, projects can ultimately be modified, relocated, or rejected depending on the findings of the environmental review.

“They envision both issues: on the one hand, that there be investment in the country, but at the same time, in areas where a project is not suitable, the project is redefined so that it does not have those impacts, or it is relocated to another place, or it is simply rejected,” she said.

Sheinbaum also revealed that Mexican officials are evaluating added protections for the Mahahual area itself. According to the president, Semarnat and Quintana Roo Governor Mara Lezama are discussing whether the area should receive an additional category of environmental protection beyond the protected natural areas already established there.

One possibility mentioned by Sheinbaum would involve limiting future development in the area and allowing only certain ecotourism activities under specific conditions. She said officials are currently considering what protections may be necessary to prevent tourism developments that could negatively impact the local environment.

Perfect Day Mexico plans were rejected earlier this month

The latest comments come less than two weeks after Mexico’s Environment and Natural Resources Ministry (Semarnat) announced that Royal Caribbean’s proposal would not be approved in its current form. 

On May 19, Environment Secretary Alicia Bárcena confirmed that the project would not move forward after regulators completed their environmental review. According to the government, the proposed development was considered too invasive for the area.

Valued at approximately $600 million, Perfect Day Mexico was expected to include beaches, pools, restaurants, bars, an adults-only area, and a massive water park with more than 30 waterslides. The project represented one of Royal Caribbean’s largest destination investments to date.

Sheinbaum reiterated that Semarnat determined the project was not suitable for the location and that Royal Caribbean had already been notified that three portions of the proposal were deemed unacceptable. According to Reuters, the three denied permits included one associated with the project’s proposed pier infrastructure.

The government’s decision followed growing scrutiny from environmental organizations, activists, and members of the public who argued that a project of this size could permanently alter the area’s ecosystem. Some activist groups also argued that large-scale tourism developments in the region could amount to the privatization of natural spaces and cause irreversible environmental damage.

Why did regulators reject the project?

According to findings released by Semarnat, officials identified multiple environmental concerns during their review of the proposal. One of the primary concerns involved mangroves located within and around the project area.

Mangroves are considered critical to coastal ecosystems because they help prevent erosion, improve water quality, and provide habitat for wildlife. Mexican regulators specifically cited concerns about the presence of mangroves near portions of the proposed development and their importance to the area’s environmental health.

Prior to the project’s rejection, Royal Caribbean had repeatedly emphasized that it did not intend to develop within protected mangrove conservation areas.

Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean’s Senior Vice President of Product Innovation, said in a 2025 interview, “We are not going to touch anything at all in the mangrove conservation area.”

The cruise line also argued that portions of the region’s mangroves were already being impacted by pollution from local wastewater infrastructure and said the project would include environmental improvements aimed at restoring mangrove health. According to previous project materials, Royal Caribbean planned to leave roughly 64% of the property undeveloped because of mangroves and other environmentally sensitive areas.

Regulators also raised concerns about the project’s potential impact on the Mesoamerican Reef System, which is one of the largest coral reef networks in the world. Other concerns involved groundwater systems and underground hydrological networks located beneath the region.

According to the agency’s findings, officials believed the size and scale of the proposed development could create environmental risks that were difficult to mitigate.

Another factor involved the way the proposal was submitted. Rather than evaluating the water park, beach facilities, cruise infrastructure, restaurants, and entertainment venues separately, regulators assessed the entire proposal as a single integrated development. 

As a result, officials concluded that the cumulative environmental impact of the overall project was too significant to approve.

The review process has also attracted substantial public attention. According to Semarnat, more than 14,000 public comments were submitted regarding the project between February and March 2026. Environmental organizations, including Greenpeace Mexico, publicly campaigned against the proposal and urged regulators to reject it. 

The group warned that the project and its connection to expanded cruise tourism could have significant environmental consequences for the region. Following the government’s decision, Greenpeace said it would “remain vigilant” regarding the possibility of the project being relocated elsewhere in Mexico.

Royal Caribbean says it still believes in Mexico

Following the government’s rejection, Royal Caribbean issued a statement expressing disappointment while also emphasizing that it remained committed to investing in Mexico.

“We are disappointed by SEMARNAT’s decision and respect the role of Mexico’s environmental authorities,” the company said. “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.”

The company also stated that it planned to continue engaging stakeholders while exploring ways to move forward that support environmental infrastructure, local jobs, and community programs.

"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."

More recently, reports indicated that Royal Caribbean withdrew portions of its original proposal, including plans for the massive water park component. That move reportedly allows the company the opportunity to potentially submit a revised proposal in the future. However, Royal Caribbean has not publicly detailed what any revised project might include.

Perfect Day Mexico was first announced in 2024

Royal Caribbean first announced Perfect Day Mexico in 2024 as part of an ambitious expansion of its private destination portfolio. The project was planned for Costa Maya near the village of Mahahual on Mexico’s Caribbean coast after Royal Caribbean acquired the Costa Maya cruise port.

The cruise line envisioned a destination similar to Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas, but on an even larger scale. The proposed development would have covered approximately 230 acres and carried an estimated cost of roughly $600 million.

“Perfect Day at CocoCay has been a gamechanger for both our guests and our business. With travelers prioritizing unique experiences and destinations driving their booking decisions, we’re excited to expand our Perfect Day Collection by creating Perfect Day Mexico to super serve guests who want to explore the Western Caribbean,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group. 

“Our momentum for reimagining the ultimate vacation experience for guests of all ages continues as we help guests turn the vacation of a lifetime into a lifetime of vacations across our brands," he continued. 

Among the headline attractions was Jaguar’s Peak, which was meant to be a 170-foot-tall slide tower that Royal Caribbean said would feature several record-breaking experiences. This included the tallest waterslides in the Americas and the longest coaster-style waterslide.

The project was designed to accommodate thousands of cruise passengers per day. Additionally, Perfect Day Mexico was expected to become a major attraction for Royal Caribbean ships sailing from Florida, Texas, and other Gulf Coast homeports.

“Since the introduction of Perfect Day at CocoCay in 2019, our top-rated destination, the memories made by millions have paved the way for the unbelievable experience that will be Perfect Day Mexico,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International at the time of the project's announcement. 

“Destinations are a big part of why families and adventurers vacation with Royal Caribbean, and in collaboration with Mexico’s state of Quintana Roo, we are unlocking new and unparalleled ways to make memories in a destination known and loved for its natural beauty, warm culture and prime location," Bayley added.

A Royal Caribbean drink package costs hundreds of dollars, so you'll want to do everything you can to get the most out of your purchase.

The daily price of a Deluxe beverage package can easily cost at least $60 per person, per day, but in reality, it will cost more than that. For my upcoming Legend of the Seas sailing, it would cost me $438 to have it for the week.

Even if you time your sale with a good discount, like when Royal Caribbean has a 40% off sale, it's still going a big upfront cost.

If you're like me, then you'll want to get your money's worth.  That's why I always do a few things anytime I buy a drink package.

Here are five easy things I do every time I have a drink package.

I never order a drink by name only

It may seem like you're doing the right thing when you order a pina colada, but you're actually making a mistake.

When you order a drink on Royal Caribbean and request it just by name, you're short changing yourself.  For example, don't order like this:

"I would like a pina colada, please."

The reason this is a mistake is you're not specifying the liquor, and almost certainly your waiter or bartender is going to use the well liquor. This is the cheapest and least smooth liquor option.

Instead, always request the liquor when requesting a drink.

"I would like a pina colada with Kraken rum, please."

Your Royal Caribbean drink package includes most liquors, even higher quality stuff.  Unless you want a super top shelf liquor, it's not included. Any drink up to $14 in value is included.

You can request liquors like Belvedere, Grey Goose, Casamigos, Kraken, or Captain Morgan.

I think you'd be surprised how much higher quality liquors are included with a drink package.  Almost every time the waiter or bartender will warn you if you try to order something that would cost more than the drink package includes (you'd only pay the difference).

This is especially important if you order a shot, because you want something smooth.

I always ask my waiter for an extra thing when I order cocktails

When I order a cocktail or shot, I'll add to the order a bottle of water too.

Both the Deluxe Beverage Package and Royal Refreshment packages include bottled water. While technically you can only order one beverage at a time, crew members don't have a problem giving you a bottle of water too.

The reason I do this is two fold.  Suffice to say, I want to stay hydrated and avoid a hangover.  So drinking water to counter balance the booze you consume is a good strategy.

The second reason is I don't always drink every bottle I get.  Instead, I bring it back to your stateroom and begin stockpiling them.

Having extra bottles of water in your cabin not only offers a convenient option when you're thirsty, but you can take them on shore excursions or anywhere else around the ship.

I won't order any drink when I go to a bar

Royal Caribbean has a beverage team who's job it is to create some truly different beverages that go well beyond pina coladas, daiquiris, or cosmos.

While there's nothing wrong with those drinks, there's been a clear emphasis to develop new cocktails that might become your new favorite option.

For example, when Royal Caribbean designed Icon of the Seas, they created 13 new bar menus to offer passengers more than just the usual assortment.

There's a fleetwide menu that you'll find at many bars, but more of them are starting to get their own specialized menus. Look for them placed on tables or across the bar.

Some of my favorites include:

• Mason Jar Bar
• Lime & Coconut
• 1400 Bar
• Pesky Parrot
• Rye & Bean
• Playmakers
• Bamboo Room

If you really want a pina colada, go for it.  But look for any special cocktails that you can't order elsewhere first.

Don't overlook non-alcoholic beverages

One of the hottest trends right now in the beverage business is actually lower-ABV and non-alcoholic drinks.

Mocktails and zero proof drinks are gaining ground in popularity, and you'll find more options than ever before on a Royal Caribbean ship.

Not only are these good for passengers that are too young to drink, but adults enjoy them too as a way to sip on something without overdoing it.

You'll find drinks that go well beyond simply a "virgin" version of a well-known cocktail.  Royal Caribbean has come up with a number of compelling mocktails that stand alone quite well.

Check out our list of the best mocktails to order, but don't overlook these as a way to slow down your intake without missing out on maximizing your beverage package investment.

Coffee is the secret weapon to getting my money's worth

I would also be remiss if I didn't mention the included premium coffees and teas.

You can enjoy unlimited lattes, frappucinos, and cold brews from Cafe Promenade/Pearl Cafe/Cafe Latte-tudes with a beverage package, and this is an awesome perk.

To be clear, a Royal Caribbean drink package does not include these drinks at a Starbucks kiosk. Places like Cafe Promenade serve very similar drinks, which are included.

I'll have one in the morning and another after lunch, and that's an easy strategy to staying perked up and also break even on the drink package cost.

When you're calculating if a drink package is worth it, you can rack up some serious savings with a few coffees every day.

I took my younger sister on a three-night Royal Caribbean cruise in Europe. Although we had loads of fun exploring new ports of call and taking in the ship's amenities, we also encountered unexpected challenges. From dining times that didn't work for us to choosing the wrong excursions, not everything was perfect about our Harmony of the Seas cruise. 

Throughout my 40 cruise vacations, I've been fortunate to travel with friends and family to various destinations across the globe. I explored Alaska with my dad, island-hopped in the Caribbean with my best friend, toured the Greek Isles with my fiancée, and sailed the Mexican Riviera with my "adoptive" mom.

I've been cruising with my sister, Catherine, since I was five years old, starting with our first-ever cruise aboard the Disney Magic in 2005. Since then, we've sailed on ships like Freedom of the Seas, Disney Fantasy, Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, and Harmony of the Seas for family vacations to the Caribbean. However, it wasn't until recently that we took our first European cruise together. 

We've had plenty of ups and downs over the years, but traveling has always been one of the ways we stay close, whether planning trips to European Christmas markets or reminiscing about past cruises with our now-deceased mom. 

(Pictured above: The author and her sister on a seven-night Caribbean cruise aboard Harmony of the Seas in 2018)

With Catherine starting medical school in a few months, we figured now was the perfect opportunity to take a trip to new-to-us destinations before her schedule becomes demanding and unpredictable. 

So, we boarded Harmony of the Seas in Barcelona, Spain, after the 226,963 gross-ton Oasis Class ship finished up her Royal Amplification. Although the cruise was short, we made the most of every moment, wandering through new European ports and checking out all the ship's exciting activities. 

That said, we encountered a few unexpected challenges along the way. While they weren't make-or-break issues, they required us to remain flexible and adjust our expectations.  

My Time Dining started too late for us. 

I always select My Time Dining on Royal Caribbean cruises because I like the flexibility of planning dinner around my day, rather than planning my day around dinner. 

In this case, however, I regret not choosing a set dining time, as My Time didn't open for passengers until 7:30 p.m. After walking a minimum of 25,000 steps each day, we were starving by the time 5:00 p.m. rolled around. 

On the second night, Catherine suggested that we ask the head waiter if we could possibly be seated with the earlier traditional dining time. To our surprise (and relief), they had no issue accommodating us! 

The following night, we returned to the dining room and asked to be seated earlier. Once again, the crew members were accommodating and quickly found us a table. 

This was an important lesson for me in actually discussing plans together, rather than defaulting to what I've done out of habit. Had I simply asked my sister about her dining preference, we could have had set plans from the start. 

We should have booked a different excursion in Marseille, France. 

Initially, we planned to shuttle to Marseille and walk around on our own. However, we decided that we'd prefer an excursion, so we could explore somewhere more interesting and avoid the stress of navigating a new city on our own. 

Catherine found an affordable Royal Caribbean-sponsored excursion to Aix-en-Provence. It wasn't a guided tour. Rather, it simply provided round-trip transportation to the charming town, giving us a set amount of time to explore at our own pace.

Having previously visited Aix-en-Provence on another Mediterranean cruise, I was excited to return and revisit some of the places I remembered, especially the churches.

In reality, the small town was much busier than I recalled, and we happened to visit during a sweltering heat wave. This meant it was much harder to enjoy the sights, with the crowds and heat making the experience far more draining than expected. 

As such, we both agreed we would have preferred a more relaxed excursion sailing through the Calanques. After several busy days filled with walking, sightseeing, and navigating new cities, something slower-paced and on the water would have been a much better fit. 

Still, we made the most of our day in France and found a few quality souvenir shops (highly recommend Franc 1884 for lavender spindles and Expressions for local art), ate plenty of pastries, and took breaks in the shade whenever we could.

I regret not booking the same flights. 

I'm a loyal American Airlines flyer, but I couldn't justify the pricey flights from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Barcelona, Spain. Instead, I found cheaper, more reasonable flights aboard Lufthansa, coming in at less than $1,100 round-trip. The price included a checked bag. However, I couldn't select my seat assignment until 24 hours before departure. 

My sister is even more of a devout American Airlines loyalist and refused to fly with me. As such, she flew separately from Greensboro to Philadelphia (to take advantage of the new flagship lounge) and onward to Barcelona. 

We both ended up in Barcelona on time before the cruise, but flying separately added an extra layer of logistics, with different schedules and layovers. In fact, Catherine arrived eight hours earlier than I did, which gave her a full day to explore Spain.

In the end, her flights weren't much more expensive than mine, costing $1,375.83. I wish I had booked the same flights instead, even if it required driving an hour and a half to a smaller airport. Arriving earlier would have made the start of the trip feel far more relaxed, and we would have had more time in Barcelona together. 

Despite a few minor issues, most of our European cruise was great, and I'm thankful for the quality time with my sister!

No cruise vacation is ever 100% perfect. From inclement weather to packing mistakes, bad cabins, and annoying neighbors, it's important to prepare for the unexpected. 

Even though Catherine and I encountered a few issues during our European Royal Caribbean cruise, we refused to let it put a damper on our vacation. Most of our trip was incredible, and we made so many wonderful memories together aboard Harmony of the Seas and in our two ports of call: Palma de Mallorca and Marseille, France. 

We got to watch breathtaking sunsets on the pool deck, wander the cobblestone streets of Aix-en-Provence, eat tapas in Barcelona, and enjoy the unique entertainment aboard the ship, including AquaTheater and ice skating shows — I'll definitely remember the shared experiences far more than the mishaps!

Celebrity Cruises is revamping its loyalty program to better reward its most dedicated cruisers. 

Effective June 11, 2026, Elite Plus and Zenith members can enjoy additional Captain's Club perks at specific point levels between tier thresholds — as well as two new tiers designed to reward the line's most dedicated passengers. 

In other words, by introducing new milestone benefits, Celebrity Cruises is raising the bar with opportunities to earn new rewards between Elite Plus, Zenith, and beyond.

The new benefits include Premium Wi-Fi minutes, specialty dining discounts, complimentary professional photographs, free cruises, and more. 

The breaking loyalty news follows Royal Caribbean Group's introduction of Points Choice, which allows guests sailing with one brand to apply their earned points to any of the three programs: Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, and Silversea. 

This further builds on the company's lucrative Status Match program, which launched in May 2024 and allows loyalty members to receive equivalent status across the Royal Caribbean Group portfolio. 

This means if you're a Pinnacle Club member within Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society, you can automatically match into Celebrity's Zenith tier without ever setting foot aboard one of the company's ships (and vice versa). 

Celebrity's new milestone perks start at 1,500 points. As cruisers continue climbing the loyalty ranks, additional benefits are awarded at higher milestones, such as 2,250, 3,000, 6,000, and 9,000 points. 

New Celebrity Captain's Club loyalty perks for existing tiers

Captain's Club Elite Plus members (those who have earned a minimum of 750 Club Points) will begin unlocking new milestone perks once they hit 1,500 points, giving loyal cruisers additional rewards to enjoy on their journey toward Zenith status.

These include:

• 480 minutes of free Premium Wi-Fi — twice the minutes Elite Plus members currently receive during each sailing
• 20% off specialty dining
• One complimentary photo from Celebrity's photographers
• A surprise in-room amenity on their milestone sailing

At 2,250 Club Points, the rewards become more valuable, with cruisers receiving additional Wi-Fi minutes and more:

• 720 minutes of free Premium Wi-Fi — an increase from the 240 minutes Elite Plus members currently receive during each sailing
• 25% off specialty dining
• Two complimentary photos from Celebrity's photographers
• Complimentary "Extend Your Stay" experiences on disembarkation day, where available
• A surprise in-room amenity on their milestone sailing

Currently, the highest tier within Celebrity's Captain's Club is Zenith and requires passengers to earn a whopping 3,000 Club Points. Starting June 11, loyalty cruisers who reach this coveted tier will earn even more benefits, including:

• 35% off specialty dining
• Three complimentary photos from Celebrity's photographers
• A surprise in-room amenity on their milestone sailing

But Celebrity isn't stopping there. 

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

Two brand-new tiers beyond Zenith

The cruise line is also introducing two new recognition levels beyond Zenith: Double Zenith (6,000 Club Points) and Triple Zenith (9,000 Club Points).

While Zenith has long been considered the pinnacle of the Captain's Club program, the addition of Double and Triple Zenith gives members something new to aspire to after reaching the top-tier Zenith status, which is an impressive achievement in and of itself. 

New benefits at 6,000 points for Double Zenith cruisers include:

• All 3,000-point Zenith milestone perks
• A complimentary lunch at a specialty dining venue on embarkation day of each sailing
• A specialty dinner on any day of their milestone sailing
• Champagne to celebrate their loyalty achievement

At 9,000 Club Points, cruisers will reach the new Triple Zenith level — Celebrity's highest-ever loyalty recognition tier. These special passengers will receive the following benefits when sailing with Celebrity Cruises:

• All 3,000-point Zenith milestone perks
• Complimentary seven-night Bermuda or Caribbean sailing in a Sky Suite
• A specialty lunch on any day of every sailing
• One specialty dinner on any day of their milestone sailing
• Champagne to celebrate their loyalty achievement

How to earn Celebrity Captain's Club points

Unlike Royal Caribbean, where you earn one cruise point per night (unless you're sailing in a suite or by yourself), you earn points in Celebrity's Captain’s Club based on your stateroom category and the number of nights you sail. 

Here is how many Captain's Club points per night you will earn based on different cruise cabins:

• Inside or ocean view: 2 points per night 
• Veranda: 3 points per night 
• Concierge Class and AquaClass: 5 points per night 
• Sky Suites and Aqua Sky Suite: 8 points per night 
• Celebrity, Signature, Royal, and Sunset Suites: 12 points per night 
• Penthouse, Reflection, and Edge Villa: 18 points per night 
• Iconic Suite: 24 points per night

Additionally, you can earn Captain's Club points when sailing with Royal Caribbean or Silversea. Points will be converted using brand-specific exchange rates, and these exchange rates will be reviewed and published annually on Royal Caribbean Group's branded websites.

For example, a guest sailing with Royal Caribbean International in a balcony cabin on a seven-night cruise would earn seven points total — one base point per night. If that guest chose to transfer those points to Celebrity Cruises, they would receive 21 Captain's Club points. 

Royal Caribbean revamped its Brazilian steakhouse menu aboard Harmony of the Seas. 

Samba Grill was added to the 226,963 gross-ton cruise ship during its Royal Amplification in May 2026. Like other vessels, Samba Grill is located in the Solarium Bistro, with the complimentary by-day buffet being transformed into a specialty restaurant at night.

While it's found on other ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet, the new menu on Harmony of the Seas sets it apart from the restaurants on Allure of the Seas and Radiance of the Seas. 

Although most of the offerings are the same, the dessert selection has been enhanced to feature a yummy twist on a classic Brazilian steakhouse staple: grilled pineapple. 

The cinnamon sugar pineapple is fire-grilled until caramelized and carved warm at your table, like the curated selection of grilled meats included in the cost of your meal. 

Here's a full look at the new Samba Brazilian Steakhouse menu available exclusively on Harmony of the Seas. And don't worry, the all-you-can-eat buffet with starters is still very much part of the experience! 

Samba Brazilian Grill Menu (NEW 2026)

STARTERS

Frango (Tender chicken breast wrapped in bacon)

Linguiça (Brazilian-style cured pork sausage)

Coxinha de frango (Brazilian croquettes)

Bread with pão de queijo (Brazilian cheese bread)

MEATS

Costela (Fall-off-the-bone, juicy beef ribs)

Fraldinha (Tender and juicy cut from flank steak)

Lombo (Parmesan cheese and herb-crusted pork loin)

Cordeiro (Succulent grilled lamb chops)

Beef tenderloin (The most tender cut of beef, slowly roasted)

Pincanha (Our signature cut of beef, the prime cut of top sirloin)

DESSERTS

Beijinho (Indulgent coconut and condensed milk treats, hand-rolled in shredded coconut)

Chocolate brigadeiro (Decadent chocolate-fudge sponge cake with chocolate sprinkles)

Cinnamon sugar grilled pineapple (A skewer of cinnamon sugar pineapple, fire-grilled until caramelized and carved warm at your table). 

The Samba Grill menu on other ships varies slightly

On Allure of the Seas, for example, the cinnamon sugar grilled pineapple is not listed as a dessert on the mobile app. 

Moreover, Radiance of the Seas' menu lists an extra cut of meat, contrafilé con alho, which is described as an "exquisite garlic-marinated striploin [that's] full of flavor." Caramel flan and mango passion fruit mousse are available for dessert, too, while abacaxi com canela, or roasted cinnamon pineapple, is served to finish off the "fantastic rodizio." 

At the time of publication, it wasn't clear whether the menus would be updated on Allure and Radiance of the Seas. 

Samba Brazilian Grill Cost

According to the Cruise Planner, dinner at Samba Grill costs $50 to $55 per adult. However, booking through the Cruise Planner ahead of your sailing is the easiest way to score a good deal. 

For example, on an upcoming eight-night cruise aboard Allure of the Seas, the cruise line is currently offering a 25% discount off the onboard rate, which brings the cost down to $36.99 per person. 

Another pre-cruise sale aboard Radiance of the Seas is even better, with the Cruise Planner promotion reaching up to 30% off of the onboard price. This means the cost of dinner at Samba Grill is only $34.99 per adult. 

Finally, an ongoing sale for an upcoming Mediterranean cruise on Harmony of the Seas has reduced the Samba Grill to $40.68 per person, which is 25% off the onboard price of $55. 

Samba Grill is also included in Royal Caribbean's Unlimited Dining Package. 

Dinner on a Royal Caribbean cruise has a few options, but I gave Anytime Dining a try to see how it compares to the traditional alternative.

I'll be honest, I usually avoid free-time dining on cruise ships because I don't think the perceived flexibility it offers is as good as it sounds.

When I eat in the Main Dining Room, I usually pick traditional dinner and have the same time, waiters, and tablemates each evening.

But when I recently sailed on Radiance of the Seas for a 4-night cruise, I decided to flip my script and give My Time Dining a try. Because I booked my cruise at the last-minute, the only traditional dinner time left was the late time at 8pm.  When I boarded the ship, I spoke with a crew member who said they could get me into dinner every night at 6:45pm so I had the perfect "Goldlocks time" to eat.

I saw I had been assigned to My Time Dining, but decided to give it a try and see how it works.

How flexible dining works

Royal Caribbean's My Time Dining (sometime called "anytime dining") allows you to either make a reservation for dinner or show up and wait for an open table.

The idea is to give passengers more flexibility in when they can eat. Rather than have a single time, you could mix up dinner times to match up better with your shore excursions or pool deck fun.

Upon arrival at the Main Dining Room, there are two lines: people with a reservation and people without a reservation.  You get in one of the lines and then are assigned a table.

Unlike traditional dinner, you might have a different table and/or waiter assignment.

Read more: My Time Dining vs Traditional Dinner

There was a wait every night

Because I picked 6:45pm, that was the earliest My Time Dining option available and it was clearly a popular time for dinner.

Each night, there was a line for those with and without a reservation.  I quickly learned there wasn't much advantage to lining up early because within 5-10 minutes, the people in line got their tables assigned quickly. 

The head waiters and maître d's worked quickly to get everyone seated. They understand guest satisfaction is enormously important (because their entire job is judged primarily by guest surveys), and thus, they try to get everyone to their table as soon as possible.

Instead of lining up 10 minutes or more early, I tried to time it so I'd arrive right at 6:45 or shortly thereafter to minimize my wait.

One thing that I found frustrating was while I had a reservation, those without reservations were seated just as quickly as us.  Effectively, they split two check-in locations for those with a reservation and two for those without one, instead of prioritizing us with a reservation. That being said, the line for those with a reservation was always shorter.

However, it was clearly an advantage to eating alone because small tables are more plentiful and on two occasions, I got to skip ahead in the line.

I ended up with the same table and waiters each night

To my surprise, I had the same table assignment every evening.  

I expected to be given different tables each night, but I always had the same table for two.  

Speaking of my table size, another concern I had was being seated with strangers. I wouldn't necessarily hate it, but I understood that was a risk with My Time Dining.

However, each time I checked in for dinner, I was told the same table number. In fact, by the third evening, the host asked if I knew where my "usual table" was located.

The advantage of having the same table assignment was I had the same waiters, who not only learned my name quickly but also knew I brought my own soda to dinner and had glasses of ice waiting.

Anytime dinner isn't quite as versatile as it sounds

I booked dinner for the same time each night, but I think it's not quite convenient as advertised.

The early traditional dinner time begins at 5pm, but the earliest time you can eat with My Time Dining is 6:45pm.

Everyone has their own sense of "how early is too early" for dinner, but I wish MTD started service closer to 6pm.  That would be truly more useful.

I was also surprised how many people didn't have reservations.  On the first night of the cruise, their wait seemed to be the longest.  As the cruise went on, it seemed demand for the Main Dining Room subsided, and lines shortened each evening.

I enjoyed My Time Dining more than I thought, but I'll stick with traditional

While there was a line every night, I can't say I hated trying My Time Dining as much as I expected.

The line before seating begins looks daunting, but the truth is they moved through it quickly and once the clock hit 6:45pm, I don't think I waited more than five minutes.

If you're going to try My Time Dining, I highly recommend making a reservation.  You can do so via the Royal Caribbean app before your cruise or even on the ship.

My friend actually got a notification in her app when her table was ready, so she didn't have to (theoretically) wait in line.

That being said, there is no line with traditional dinner. You just walk in and head to the table that's assigned to you (the number is written at the bottom of your SeaPass card).

Perhaps if I book a cruise with very port intensive itinerary and realize early dinner just won't work, I'll give My Time Dinner a try again.