Royal Caribbean Blog

Icon Class ships are the biggest in the world, and it includes a lot of dining, entertainment, and things to do in your cruise fare.

The world's largest cruise ships aren't the least expensive, but people are curious what you get at no additional cost and what other things will cost you out of pocket.

Both Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas are sailing right now, with the addition of Legend of the Seas in 2026, followed by an unnamed Icon Class ship in 2027. 

For that price tag, you might be wondering what's included on an Icon Class ship. From multi-course meals in the Main Dining Room to family-friendly activities and jaw-dropping entertainment, there's a lot packed into the cruise fare. 

However, a vacation on an Icon Class ship isn't all-inclusive. 

Accommodations

Your cruise fare is based on the stateroom category you pick. The most affordable cabins are windowless, interior staterooms, while the most expensive options include suites within the Royal Suite Class. 

Icon Class ships have over 25 stateroom categories, with more than 70% having private balconies. Even better, over 82% of all the cabins can accommodate 3 or more guests, opening a broad array of cruise rooms for families. 

For example, certain staterooms have separate sleeping areas, bunk beds, and split bathrooms. Select suites also come with extra perks like access to the exclusive Suite Neighborhood, priority boarding, free Wi-Fi, a concierge team, and more. 

That said, even if you choose the cheapest cruise cabin on an Icon Class ship, you'll have once-per-day housekeeping and access to all the standard complimentary dining venues and entertainment. 

Read more: Guide to Icon of the Seas cabins and suites

Dining

Icon Class ships have over 20 restaurants and bars onboard, from fleetwide favorites like Chops Grille to exclusive venues you won’t find on any other Royal Caribbean ship, such as the Aquadome Market, Surfside Bites, and Basecamp. 

Not all are included, though. If you aren't careful, you could stumble into the $200-per-person supper club. Still, between the complimentary restaurants, there’s more than enough variety to satisfy most cravings without spending extra.

Read more: Icon of the Seas restaurant and dining guide

Complimentary restaurants on Icon Class ships

🍽️Pearl Café (with a few exceptions) 

🍴Park Café

🍽️Windjammer Marketplace 

🍴Surfside Bites

🍽️Surfside Eatery 

🍴AquaDome Market 

🍽️Main Dining Room 

🍴Coastal Kitchen (suite-only dining room) 

🍽️The Grove (suite-only al fresco buffet) 

🍴Basecamp 

🍽️Sorrento's 

🍴El Loco Fresh

🍽️Vitality Café (with a few exceptions) 

🍴Sprinkles

🍽️Room service (complimentary continental breakfast)

Extra cost restaurants on Icon Class ships

🍽️Empire Supper Club (Icon of the Seas) + Lincoln Park Supper Club (Star of the Seas) + unnamed, Hollywood-themed supper club (Legend of the Seas) 

🍴Celebration Table

🍽️Chops Grille 

🍴Izumi Hibachi & Sushi 

🍽️Izumi in the Park 

🍴Hooked Seafood 

🍽️Playmaker's Sports Bar & Arcade

🍴Pier 7

🍽️Starbucks

🍴Giovanni's Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar 

🍽️Trellis Bar (light bar bites) 

🍴Desserted

Read more: I ate at every new restaurant on Icon of the Seas and here's how I would rank them

Drinks

Like all Royal Caribbean ships, select beverages are included in your base fare. These include water, tea, drip coffee, lemonade, iced tea, milk, juices (not fresh squeezed), and hot chocolate. If you want anything else, like bottled water, a cocktail, fresh-squeezed juice, a glass of wine, specialty latte, or beer, you'll have to pay extra. 

You can purchase each drink individually or buy a Royal Caribbean beverage package. The Deluxe Beverage Package includes unlimited alcoholic drinks as well as non-alcoholic specialty beverages. As such, it's the most expensive Royal Caribbean drink package. 

The Refreshment Package covers all non-alcoholic drinks, like mocktails, energy drinks, soda, specialty coffees, and bottled water. However, if you’re only interested in soft drinks, the Soda Package offers unlimited soda.

Read more: I saved money by buying the coffee package

Entertainment

One of the best parts about a cruise vacation is the complimentary entertainment. On Icon Class ships, Royal Caribbean takes things to the next level with Broadway-caliber productions, ice skating performances, high-diving spectaculars, dueling pianos, fun parades, parties, and more. Here's what you don't have to pay extra for:

🎤Absolute Zero (ice skating shows)

🍿AquaTheater (high-dive and synchronized swimming water shows)

🎤Boleros (Latin-themed live music)

🍿Lou's Jazz 'n Blues (bar with live jazz music)

🎤Music Hall (two-story live music venue)

🍿Dueling Pianos (interactive sing-along piano battles)

🎤Royal Theater (Broadway-style shows and original productions)

🍿Schooner Bar (Nautical bar with live pianist)

🎤Spotlight Karaoke (public karaoke rooms, private ones are available for an extra charge)

🍿The Attic (comedy club)

🎤The Overlook (comfy lounge with live music)

Read more: What's new and different on Royal Caribbean's Star of the Seas

Kids programming

Royal Caribbean's Icon Class ships feature some of the best Adventure Ocean programming in the fleet. 

It's free for cruisers between the ages of 3 and 12 until 10 p.m. From 10 p.m. onwards, Adventure Ocean's late-night programming incurs an additional hourly fee. All activities are supervised by the youth staff. 

Teens aged 13 to 17 have a separate hangout space called Social020. It's designed for them to relax, socialize, and enjoy activities away from the younger kids and adults.

Thrills

Icon Class ships have some of the best thrills at sea, from the record-breaking Category 6 Waterpark to the over-water Crown's Edge ropes course/zip line. Like with dining, however, not all activities are included. 

Many attractions, such as the rock climbing wall, mini-golf course, and water slides, are free to enjoy as much as you'd like throughout the cruise. That said, some experiences, like Crown’s Edge, arcade games, and escape room, are available for an extra charge. 

Here's a breakdown of the included thrills on Icon Class ships:

🚢Adrenaline Peak (rock climbing wall)

🛝Baby Bay (baby splash zone)

🚢Splashaway Bay (kid-friendly aqua park)

🛝Carousel (Surfside family ride)

🚢Category 6 Waterpark (record-breaking waterpark at sea with 6 slides)

🛝Fitness center (gym with complimentary machines, weights, and more)

🚢FlowRider (surf simulator)

🛝Lost Dunes (mini-golf course)

🚢Playscape (outdoor play area for kids with climbing features and interactive games)

🛝Running track (open-air track that loops around the ship)

🚢Sports Court (basketball, pickleball, volleyball, and other court games)

🛝Absolute Zero (free skating sessions)

Chills

As fun as it is to take advantage of the adrenaline-pumping attractions on Icon Class ships, there are plenty of spots to relax by the pool, too. 

One important distinction compared to other ships is that there isn't an adults-only Solarium. Instead, it was replaced with The Hideaway, which has a more lively, upbeat atmosphere, with a live DJ and suspended infinity pool. 

😎Cloud 17 (upscale retreat tucked away on the top deck)

🛟The Cove (oceanfront infinity pool)

😎Whirlpools (nine on Icon, ten on Star of the Seas)

🛟Swim & Tonic (adults-only swim-up pool)

😎The Hideaway (adults-only retreat with suspended infinity pool)

🛟Royal Bay Pool (the largest pool at sea)

😎Water's Edge (family-friendly pool in the play-all-day Surfside neighborhood)

🛟The Grove (suite-only pool and sun deck)

Read more: Royal Caribbean's Star of the Seas is the plussed-up version of the best cruise ship in the world

Megaship fans will find new reason to try an Alaska cruise.

Royal Caribbean on Wednesday posted its new 2027 cruises to Alaska, which officially kickstarts its new deployments for the 2027-2028 year.

Four ships will offer cruises to Alaska, including two Quantum Class vessels.  These are the line's third-largest class of ships and they're barely 10 years old.

Here's the breakdown of which ships are sailing to Alaska and where.

Alaska cruises in 2027

Quantum of the Seas will sail from Seattle, Washington and offer 7-night voyages via the Inside Passage.

Ports include Sitka; Skagway; Victoria, British Columbia; and Juneau.

There is one difference, in that only select Quantum cruises will sail to Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier.

Anthem of the Seas is positioned to be offer visits deeper into Alaska, as it's sailing one-way  sailings from either Vancouver, British Columbia or Seward, Alaska.

The advantage of these "open jaw" routes is the ship can go to places a traditional roundtrip voyage cannot. 

Anthem has sailings that visit Hubbard Glacier, as well as offering the option of a cruisetour.

Cruisetours are pre- and post-land trips you can add-on to a cruise that are operated through Royal Caribbean and can take you to inland places, such as Denali National Park and Preserve and Banff National Park.

New CruiseTours available in summer 2027 include a 9-night Destination Denali CruiseTour and a 12-night Mountain Panorama & Alyeska CruiseTour. 

Not only do you get to see more of inland Alaska with a CruiseTour, but you can earn Crown and Anchor points too.

Voyager of the Seas will also homeport in Seattle, offering 7-night sailings to popular Alaskan ports.

Similar to Quantum, not all Voyager sailings go to Dawes Glacier. Instead, they offer visits to Ketchikan or Sitka.

Rounding out the deployment is Serenade of the Seas, based in Vancouver.

Serenade will cruise 7-night roundtrip sailings, and select sailings include visits to Tracy Arm Fjord, Icy Strait Point, or Prince Rupert, British Columbia.

You can also book a Pacific Coastal Cruise that goes from San Diego to Vancouver at the very start of the cruise season.

It's a rare 7-night cruise that goes up the West Coast of the United States, with stops in Astoria, Oregon & Seattle, Washington.

The 2027 Alaska cruises are available to book between May and September 2027.

Should you pick a cruise that visits a glacier?

Not all of the sailings include a glacier visit on the itinerary, and I would recommend prioritizing a voyage that includes a glacier visit.

While you certainly can see glaciers in one of your port stops, there's simply nothing like seeing one from the ocean.

The risk with a glacier visit by sea is it's dependent on the weather to be safe enough to transit. It's common for a glacier visit to be cancelled or has to stop far from the glacier because of sea ice or poor visibility.

Nonetheless, I think it's worth trying to book because when the weather cooperates, glaciers are amazing to see from the ship.

If all else fails, be sure to book a shore excursion that takes you to Mendenhall Glacier while in Juneau.

Hawaii cruises also available to book

Royal Caribbean typically doesn't offer cruises to Hawaii, except when a ship needs to reposition from Australia to Alaska (and back).

Anthem of the Seas has a 8-night voyage between Oahu and Vancouver on April 29, 2027.

It has an overnight stop in Kailua Kona before heading to Vancouver.

Before that, there's a 16-night Transpacific cruise between Sydney, Australia and Oahu, Hawaii. 

This sailing doesn't visit Hawaiian islands, but does offer visits to islands in French Polynesia.

If you want a really long cruise that includes a visit to Hawaii, Quantum of the Seas has a 23-night Transpacific cruise with stops in:

• Papeete, Tahiti
• Moorea, French Polynesia
• Raiatea, French Polynesia
• Oahu (Honolulu), Hawaii
• Kailua Kona, Hawaii

Now is the best time to book an Alaska cruise

The new 2027 Alaska cruises are available to book beginning today, and getting in on a cruise early is one of the best ways to get the best price.

It's been my experience that some of the best prices, especially for suites, are found when new itineraries are released.

This is especially true if you want to book a summer Alaska cruise in July or August, when it's the peak season.

Plus, specific cabins can sell out quickly on popular sailings. For example, if you want to book a suite or aft balcony cabin on Serenade of the Seas, you'll need to book as early as possible to ensure your preferred category.

As a rule, placing your initial deposit as soon as you can gets you the best price.

Each of my two kids have been cruising since they were six months old, and as they enter their teenage years, I think cruising has been the best experience for them.

Cruise ships are often referred to as "floating cities" and that analogy holds up with raising kids, because learning to navigate cities (and the world) is part of growing up.

As my kids grew older, how they cruised changed and a certain amount of independence started to creep into it all. We like cruising together as a family, but there are times they want to do their own thing (and my wife and I do too).

In observing my kids at home, it's clear their years of cruising truly helped them with important life skills.

Letting go a little bit at a time

I remember the first time I let my kids go on their own to go down to Sorrento's to grab pizza and then come back to the cabin.

Today, that's not a big deal, but as a parent it was scary letting them walk down a few decks and back.  But it taught them (and us) how to operate.

They had cruised enough with us at that point to understand where things are located, how to act in public, and what to expect when ordering the food.

Slowly, we introduced little trips and "missions" for them.  It gave them fleeting moments of independence to feel grown up, without letting them go completely on their own.

Pizza runs, trips to the ice cream machine, or an arcade trip are all examples of giving them the trust to be on their own and know how it feels.

Trust builds independence

As they got older, we gave our kids more freedom to do their own thing onboard the ship.

We started off by allowing them to be alone when with friends. I joked as a group, they'd all be too annoying to kidnap. 

Giving them more leeway allowed them to enjoy that freedom, but they also understood it was based on trust.

I think giving them spurts of time to be alone on the ship was safer than doing the same thing in public places on land, like a mall or Starbucks.

There's risk with everything, but cruise ships are more self-contained.  Nonetheless, the guiding principles of being out without parental supervision is the same.

We give them rules to prevent them from being "those kids"

Because we cruised with them when they were little, we all quickly noticed kids behaving badly on ships.

Most of it is typical teenage antics, like hanging out in elevators, hanging out in stairwells, or packing hot tubs with friends. But we've seen and read about teens who clearly cross the line of bad behavior.

With my kids now around teenage years, they're well aware we do not condone acting running amuck, being obnoxious, or pressing all the buttons in the elevator.

They've earned their freedom, and it comes with expectations and rules meant to keep them safe and not be a problem.

Communication is the most important rule.  We have regular check-ins, as well as curfews.  

We also told them they're never allowed in anyone else's cabin, nor inviting anyone else into their cabin. 

I don't lock down their SeaPass card to charge, but they also know to ask before buying anything. 

Luckily, my kids are more interested in simply hanging out with their friends than being loud and problematic. And I'll try to invite friends from home to cruise with us so that they have a built in network of friends that keeps them from feeling lonely.

Seeing the world is so important for kids

My kids learned independence on the ship, but they've been exposed to different cultures thanks to cruising.

I've taken my kids around the Caribbean, Alaska, and Europe, and there's no question in my mind it's opened their minds to the world beyond their home.

Meeting different people, picking up words in different languages, and simply seeing how the rest of the world works are lessons no school can teach but are just as important.

They meet all sorts of people on the ship from all over the world, but going to cities and villages outside the United States is something that can truly shape someone.

By taking them to different countries, I hope it plants a seed of a love of travel and demonstrates how valuable traveling is.

I think it finally clicked with my oldest daughter on our cruise in Europe when she was talking to a friend she made on the ship. She casually mentioned all the cruises she's taken, and her friend was in astonishment how much she's been able to travel and said how lucky she was. 

When a peer says it, it resonates more with teens, and it made me proud as a parent she appreciated all of the cruising.

This week is off to an early start with Royal Caribbean updates and developments that you should know about.

We spotted a few changes that you should know about, plus the cruise line did something no one else has ever done in one particular port. 

It's easy to overlook some of these changes, so we've packaged up everything into this quick hit post.

Here is a rundown of some news that you should be aware of!

New beach club in Bahamas is making lots of progress

We reported last week that Royal Caribbean moved up the opening of the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, and I think it's clear why.

One of our readers, Mike Pastore, shared photos of the progress in his Facebook group all about the new beach club.

While sailing on Utopia of the Seas, he took photos of the nearby area to see what's changed.

In just a few weeks, there's been so many more buildings are visible. When I visited the construction site last month, I was told there are over 500 people working every day working.

The official opening date for the beach club is December 21, which is exactly two months from today. However, there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony on December 13, followed by a series of "soft openings".

These soft openings will invite select cruisers to experience the club so the line can test and adjust their operations as needed before welcoming in bigger crowds.

Admission to the new beach club costs extra, which means you have to buy a pass.  This is unlike Perfect Day at CocoCay, where everyone on the ship can go ashore and enjoy a variety of included options. Only Royal Caribbean passengers can buy a pass.

New Alaska cruises coming this week

Royal Caribbean will release its new Alaska cruises this week, but it's not out quite yet.

According to the deployment schedule for 2027-2028 cruises, Alaska will be released first. It can be confusing when they say sailings will be available "The week of October 20", as some people infer that to mean actually on October 20.

In reality, it can be at any point during the week, but it's almost always later in the week.  Typically, on Wednesdays or Thursdays.

Based on early test loads, it appears four ships will be based in Alaska in 2027:

• Voyager of the Seas
• Quantum of the Seas
• Anthem of the Seas
• Serenade of the Seas

Once the deployment is open, we'll share the full details.

Royal Caribbean achieved a first at its Galveston terminal

Royal Caribbean's cruise terminal in Galveston, Texas opened in 2022 and just did something no other cruise terminal can tout.

The building is the the first cruise facility to formally achieve both Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Net-Zero Energy and LEED Net-Zero Carbon certifications for its ongoing operations. 

This is in addition to the existing LEED Gold certification for the design and construction of GCT.

What this means is the terminal's operations balance out their energy use and carbon emissions over the course of a full year. When you combine that with the building's certification for design and construction, this gives the Galveston facility three separate sustainability achievements in under three years. That's something few large buildings, let alone cruise terminals, have managed to pull off.

So why does this matter? It's an incredible achievement because the Galveston cruise terminal is running efficiently enough using clean or renewable energy sources that the total energy it uses is offset by the energy it produces or saves. 

Plus, the carbon footprint from how it's run on a daily basis has been reduced or balanced through measurable, verifiable methods.

New ship arrives in Singapore

The cruise season has restarted in Singapore, with Ovation of the Seas sailing there.

From now through March 2026, Ovation will primarily sail 3- to 5-night cruises, along with some longer 8-night cruises.  The ship will visit places such as Penang, Malaysia; Phuket, Thailand, and Bali, Indonesia.

The short 3- or 4-night cruises go to Penang or Phuket. The 5-night sailing combines both, along with an overnight experience.

Those sailing on the 8-night cruise will spend two full days in Celukan Bawang and Benoa in Bali. Plus, there's a visit to Lombok, Indonesia.

Reservations are open now to book these sailings.

Having grown up cruising on Royal Caribbean ships, it's not easy considering other lines. But I was intrigued by an adults-only cruise.

Recently, I tried Virgin Voyages for the first time.  

While Royal Caribbean remains the gold standard for family-friendly fun, Virgin excels at creating an adult-centric experience, complete with drag performances, late-night parties, and more. In short, the two couldn't be more different.

As a child-free woman in their mid-20s, Virgin's onboard experience was a welcome change. Yet, there were a few things I wish they had stolen from Royal Caribbean's playbook. 

Here's what stood out on my cruise aboard Brilliant Lady and where Royal Caribbean excels. 

Dining

Virgin Voyages revolutionized the onboard dining experience by getting rid of crowded buffets and noisy dining rooms. 

Instead, every ship offers a food hall with stalls serving freshly prepared dishes such as sushi, tacos, burgers, and spicy ramen, as well as six complimentary restaurants. Each specializes in a different cuisine, like Mexican, Italian, Spanish-inspired tapas, and Korean BBQ.

While the concept itself was great, I found myself missing Royal Caribbean's fast-casual options. On Royal Caribbean ships, it's easy to go to El Loco Fresh for tacos or a quesadilla whenever I want, but on Virgin Voyages, I had to carve out more time to wait for my food in The Galley. 

Even the pizza on Virgin Voyages is made-to-order, which means I couldn't grab a single slice between activities or late at night. The grab-and-go options were mostly limited to pastries, pre-made salads, and wraps. 

Moving on, I missed the basic options available in Royal's dining room. Virgin’s specialty menus focus on innovative and trendy dishes, meaning classic staples like shrimp cocktails and French onion soup are not available.

Although I loved the Dakgangjeong crispy chicken at Gunbae, corn custard and black bean salad from The Wake, and Pink Agave's achiote-marinated smoked pork, it became evident that Virgin isn't the best cruise line for selective eaters.

Planning is also more important than ever. Since there are no assigned dining times, you'll need to log in right at midnight when reservations open. Otherwise, you may get stuck with inconvenient meal times, especially at popular restaurants like Razzle Dazzle, The Wake, and Pink Agave. 

As such, my partner and I ended up with a lot of 9:00 p.m. reservations. Instead of waiting that late, we typically arrived at 5:45 p.m., right when the restaurants opened, and asked to sit at the bar. 

Activities and nightlife

Royal Caribbean's ships are known for their endless activities, ranging from water slides to zip lines, rock climbing walls, FlowRider surf simulators, ice skating rinks, escape rooms, and more. 

Virgin's daytime offerings focus more on relaxation and wellness, and let guests gear up for the high-energy nightlife. As such, you won't find many onboard attractions, other than the main pool, outdoor Athletic Club, arcade, private karaoke rooms, and tattoo parlor.

While Virgin's claim to fame is the iconic Scarlet Night party, the first night started off strong with a late-night PJ party, followed by an electric glow party on the second day. 

That's not to say that Royal doesn't have fun parties, but Virgin strayed away from the typical silent discos and predictable theme nights. Everything was edgier and felt like we had a VIP invite to the coolest nightclub in town, rather than a cruise ship dance party. 

Entertainment

Royal Caribbean's entertainment is top-tier, especially if you're sailing on a newer ship with Broadway-style productions (i.e., The Wizard of Oz on Icon of the Seas and Back to the Future: The Musical on Star of the Seas). Oasis and Icon Class ships also have AquaTheater and ice skating shows, which showcase jaw-dropping stunts and cutting-edge technology. 

That said, Virgin's entertainment is scaled down in comparison and specializes in edgy and unconventional shows. Instead of the standard theater productions, Brilliant Lady features a brand-new murder mystery comedy that focuses on debunking the suspicious activity surrounding the untimely death of pop star Sheena.

The resident drag queen also hosted different events, such as bingo, karaoke, a pop-up storytime in The Roundabout, and more. My favorite, however, was the country-inspired Diva Goes West drag performance. 

My biggest gripe with Virgin's entertainment is that there wasn't a reservation system. 

Whereas on Royal ships, you can easily make reservations to secure your spots at popular theater, ice skating, and AquaTheater shows, we had to queue up as early as two hours ahead of events for seats in the tiny venues. 

Although it's recommended to arrive early for the best seats, I've never had to worry about wasting hours in line on a Royal Caribbean cruise. 

Fleet variety

When it comes to fleet variety, it's no surprise that Royal Caribbean takes the cake. They have a ship for every type of traveler, from smaller, intimate vessels to the world's largest cruise ships. 

In contrast, Virgin's modest fleet of four is nearly identical. Although you may find a few minor changes (i.e., Brilliant Lady doesn't have a record shop, and Razzle Dazzle has a new Spanish-inspired tapas menu), the bones are the same. 

Surprisingly, Virgin offers a variety of itineraries despite its limited fleet, ranging from Caribbean getaways to port-intensive Mediterranean cruises and even voyages to The Last Frontier. The diversity helps keep each Virgin cruise interesting, even if the ship is pretty much the same. 

Still, because Royal Caribbean has 29 ships (with more on the way), it’s hard to compete with the number of experiences they offer. 

For example, next summer, you can book a European cruise aboard Legend of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's next-gen Icon Class ship. However, if you want something more low-key with fewer crowds, Royal will have five other vessels deployed in Europe, so you can choose the perfect ship based on your travel style.

In comparison, Virgin Voyages will have just two ships in Europe next summer. This means that, in addition to fewer itineraries, Virgin sailors have less flexibility when it comes to departure date. 

Read more: I chose an inside cabin on my recent Virgin Voyages cruise because it was the cheapest option

Inclusive fares

While finding good cruise deals is still possible, it's more expensive to take a cruise vacation today than in the past. Cruise fares increased by over 15% in 2023 compared to 2019, meaning that travelers are trying to be more strategic with their planning to make their budgets go further. 

Royal Caribbean's cruise fares don't include everything. In addition to the base price, passengers will often shell out hundreds of dollars on add-ons like drink and Wi-Fi packages, specialty meals, and gratuities. 

It can be frustrating for guests who hate feeling like they're being nickel-and-dimed. 

Virgin Voyages, however, prides itself on having more inclusive fares. Although not all-inclusive, guests do not have to worry about budgeting extra for gratuities, essential drinks (like soda, drip coffee, water, and tea), and Wi-Fi.

All dining is included, too. Unlike Royal Caribbean ships, where you have to pay extra for specialty meals, ice cream, etc., Virgin Voyages offers a wider variety of dining options at no additional charge. 

Drink packages

One thing you must pay extra for on Royal Caribbean and Virgin ships is alcohol. Royal Caribbean offers three core drink packages, where guests can enjoy unlimited soda, non-alcoholic, or alcoholic beverages for a set daily price. 

Virgin, however, doesn't have any traditional drink packages. Instead, you must pay for each drink individually. You can, however, save money by pre-purchasing a bar tab. Essentially, you'll get a little extra free money by preloading your onboard account before your cruise. 

The amount of free money depends on how much you spend:

• $225 worth of drink credits for $200 (12% of pre-cruise savings)
• $350 worth of drink credits for $300 (16% of pre-cruise savings)
• $600 worth of drink credits for $500 (20% of pre-cruise savings)
• $925 worth of drink credits for $750 (23% of pre-cruise savings)
• $1,250 worth of drink credits for $1,000 (26% of pre-cruise savings)

That said, make sure you attend Virgin's sailaway party. They have free-flowing champagne available during the celebration. 

Although cruises are meant to be fun and relaxing, you can't disregard the rules that come with being on board. These regulations aren't meant to restrict your enjoyment, but to ensure everyone's safety and comfort during the sailing. Breaking the rules can have serious consequences. 

A recent TikTok shows teenagers climbing on their balcony's railing while at sea. According to the poster, @dvandzzedsw, the stunt happened aboard Wonder of the Seas, an Oasis Class ship sailing from Miami, Florida. 

Climbing on balcony railings is not allowed on Royal Caribbean cruise ships. "Sitting, standing, jumping, laying or climbing on, over or across any exterior or interior railings or other protective barriers is strictly prohibited," reads the company's cruise contract. 

The fate of the cruisers is unknown, but other guests have been banned from future sailings for similar reckless behavior, even if no one was injured. 

(Credit: @dvandzzedsw/TikTok)

For example, a woman was banned for life in 2019 after posing for a photo on her balcony's railing. She was caught by a fellow guest sailing on Allure of the Seas, who snapped a picture to share with crew members. 

The teens captured themselves inching along the narrow railing as the open ocean churned up white seafoam below. One was even wearing flimsy flip-flops and seen protuding their stomach over the railing while holding onto the ceiling above. 

The video may have been meant as clout for social media, but it showcases a dangerous activity that could result in serious injuries — or even death. According to data calculated by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), out of the 212 overboard incidents between 2009 and 2019, just 48, or 28.2%, were successfully rescued. 

No amount of likes or views is worth putting your life at risk. Moreover, these boys will likely be banned from sailing with the cruise line again, hindering future family vacations with Royal Caribbean and its sister lines, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea. 

Read more: What happens when someone goes overboard on a cruise ship?

"You need to teach and watch your children or deal with the consequences"

Cruisers have taken to social media to express their outrage after watching the short 5-second clip. 

One Redditor went as far as saying that the teenagers, along with their parents, should be banned from sailing with Royal Caribbean. 

"Not only should the teens be banned for 10 years but their parents or guardians they had with them on the cruise should be banned as well," they wrote.

"I'm sorry, but you need to teach and watch your children or deal with the consequences. If you have a teen that would engage in this sort of risky behavior you should not be bringing them on a cruise." 

Other users added that they're worried the cruise line may go as far as banning balcony cabins or restricting them to guests 18 years or older. However, one Redditor reassured them that such a move is unlikely:

"They will only ban balconies when the cost outweighs the profits, no matter how many people fall off of them."

I was one cruise away from making it to Royal Caribbean's highest loyalty status, and I paid for an ultra-luxurious suite to celebrate the occasion.

Around a year ago, I saw a path to reach Crown and Anchor Society’s top loyalty level, Pinnacle Club, but I knew I would need a few sailings to be booked in suites.  While sailing in a suite you get double points, but you can get triple points per night if you book a suite solo.

With a little bit of organization, I was able to line everything up perfectly for a 7-night Oasis of the Seas sailing. I picked this sailing because I could combine reaching the magic number of 700 cruise points and celebrating the Royal Caribbean Blog group cruise.  

Originally, I booked a Grand Suite, which is an incredible cabin.  However, I was looking at some rates on the Star Class cabins and came across the Star Loft Suite.

Thanks to my loyalty benefit of a reduced single supplement rate, booking the Star Class suite for just one person came out to be $11,693.

The catch with booking a Star Class suite is I was planning to sail with my family, so I came up with a strategy of booking myself solo in the Star Class suite and booking them in the cheapest inside cabin I could find for around $1,500.

While that’s certainly a lot of money for a 7-night cruise, I knew I wanted to celebrate this milestone celebration in a big way. So booking a suite like this certainly was going to check that box!

What Royal Caribbean does to celebrate reaching Pinnacle

Around two days prior to boarding, the ship's Loyalty Ambassador emailed me to congratulate me on reaching this top status and asked me to provide: 

• A photo of myself
• How many years I've been sailing
• My favorite ship
• My favorite port
• My number of sailings

On the cruise you reach 700 points, there's a special event that recognizes your achievement at the Top Tier party. There were seats reserved for my family in the front row.  

During the event they invited us on stage to get a photo with some officers, and I asked my Royal Genie to join us for the photo.

They hand you a few items for the photo, but our kit with all of our Pinnacle Club materials will be mailed to us in 30 days. This includes name tags, luggage tags along with a few more items.  

We did get a printed photo delivered to my cabin, along with a certificate for a free 7-night Caribbean cruise!

After the top tier event was over, I went straight to the Schooner bar for a celebration toast of champagne with some friends.

Having a Genie was a great way to make this cruise extra special

Around an hour after, we went back to our suite to find the room decorated by my Genie and a fun celebration cake.  

While having a Genie during this week is certainly not necessary, it provided a little extra fun with the celebration and of course the cabin was a huge perk.  

Our Genie was a huge help all week: private escort off the ship, holding seats at shows, arranging dinners or just sending up afternoon Starbucks.  

I closed up our week by renting the Owner’s Box at Playmakers for $200, which the Genie arranged and it came with beer and a lot of food!  

Since most of us all had the ultimate dining package, we just kept ordering just about everything on the menu while watching four hours of college football.  

Happy Sunday! We are so happy that you stopped by and hope you are having a wonderful weekend. Grab a mug of your favorite hot beverage, sit back, and check out the latest cruise news.

Royal Caribbean has big plans for 2026, and you ought to know what to expect in the coming next year.

Between new ships, new destinations, and new updates, there's going to be a lot happening by the time we reach the end of the year.

I think it will be a transitional year, setting up an even bigger 2027.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Beach Club in Nassau will open even earlier than expected
• Royal Caribbean cruise ship stuck in New York Harbor because of powerful nor’easter
• The pros and cons of balcony cruise ship cabins
• Inside cabin on Oasis of the Seas room tour
• The 5 best rooms on a cruise ship after trying them all
• I took my first Royal Caribbean cruise. Two days on one of the world's largest ships wasn't enough
• Royal Caribbean has the best entertainment in the industry — and it's not even close

New Video: The most unpredictable cruise I've ever taken

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 — The most unpredictable cruise I've ever taken — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Sneak peek at the new Royal Railway restaurant

Matt was invited to Royal Caribbean headquarters for a first look at the Royal Railway restaurant that is coming to Legend of the Seas.

The immersive train car experience is unlike any other specialty restaurant.

This is an all new theme that follows the journey of Marco Polo, and it includes food from five different countries.

Oasis of the Seas ship review

How does Oasis of the Seas compare to newer ships that have come since?

Matt sailed for 7-nights on the original game changing ship and shared what's great about it, and what he missed from other ships.

Oasis remains a fabulous cruise ship choice, and also has a number of enhancements that still stand out.

What I wish I packed for my cruise

We asked our readers what's one thing they regretted not bringing with them on their cruise.

It's common to go on a cruise and either notice they forgot something or quickly realize they should have brought something with them.

Between the ordinary and "I wish I thought of that", we compiled a list of what cruisers wish they brought onboard.

Famous Royal Caribbean cruise ship now looks like a ghost ship

Majesty of the Seas was sold off in 2020, and while it's still intact, it looks to be in general disrepair.

During the cruise industry shutdown, Royal Caribbean found a buyer for Majesty.  

But nothing has been done with the ship since.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 579th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available at all our links.

In this episode, Matt and Beci share what they liked and didn't like about Oasis of the Seas.

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

Balcony cabins are the most popular type of cruise ship room because they offer a mix of additional living space and a private outdoor space.

Having natural light and an outdoor area just for you makes them an attractive option for many cruisers.

Those added benefits come with a higher price when compared to an inside room. Sometimes the cost difference can be substantial.

Let's go over the pros and cons of balcony rooms and consider which option might be best for different kind of cruisers.

Why should I get a balcony cabin?

First, let's review the advantages of a balcony room over an inside room.

Balcony rooms have more living space

Compared to an inside room, moving up to a balcony will get you a bigger room and the private space of the balcony.

Because cruise ship rooms are usually smaller than hotel rooms you might be used to on land, every square foot of living space matters.

In an inside room you'll often do a shuffle in order to get from one side of the room to another, but that's less an issue with a balcony.

And of course more living space makes a big difference if you're sharing the cabin with other people.  Families opting to put 3 or 4 passengers in the same room will appreciate any extra space they can get.

Having your own balcony means not competing with anyone

The balcony itself is the top reason to book this type of stateroom, and it's a great perk.

When you have your own balcony, it's your own little retreat to enjoy the views as your ship sails, get a view of sail away, or enjoy outdoor space at your leisure. Plus, you can enjoy the view from inside your room too.

Best of all, you don't have to worry about someone else taking your seat.

Could be better if you're worried about motion sickness

Some people swear by booking balcony rooms if they are sensitive to motion sickness.

I've heard from other cruisers that having a balcony makes it easier to acclimate if the motion of the ocean starts to get to them. Being able to see the horizon and get fresh air are two strategies for reducing the effect of seasickness.

While there are plenty of other ways to avoid getting seasick, a balcony room offers a convenient way to readjust yourself should you start to feel off.

Why shouldn't I get a balcony cabin?

All the pros aside, there's still an extra cost associated with upgrading to a balcony. Here are some of the considerations to be mindful of.

How much time will you really spend in your room?

One truth of cruising is there is so much to do around your Royal Caribbean ship, so you may end up just using your stateroom as a place to sleep, shower, and change clothes.

If you're going to be out and about enjoying the ship, why spend extra on a balcony room?  

Sure, it's nice to have a balcony, but if you aren't in the room to take advantage of it, then you're paying for something you won't really use.

The price difference between a balcony and interior room can be a lot

Sometimes the difference in price to move up to a balcony can be a lot.

While I love balcony cabins, I wouldn't pay any price for them.  If an interior room is hundreds of dollars cheaper, you can make the argument that money is better spent on other things.

You'll often see the balcony price gap significantly higher on destination focused itineraries, such as Alaska. When demand is higher for balcony rooms because everyone has the notion to get one to enjoy the scenery, it drives up the price.

How much is too much? That depends on your budget, but all the benefits of a balcony stateroom can't make up for a room cost that's too expensive.

Not all balcony rooms are the same

Royal Caribbean offers balcony rooms that go beyond an ocean view, and that may not be to your liking.

Some of the bigger Royal Caribbean ships have balconies that face inwards to one of the public areas. 

You still get the same private balcony, but it faces into these areas. Not only can people in these neighborhoods see you, but there are balcony rooms on the opposite side of the ship facing you. 

In addition to a lack of privacy, neighborhood balcony rooms can be louder than ocean balconies.

From people taking, to parties, to shows, there will be a certain level of noise that can be heard.  The noise issue is really only an issue on the actual balcony, as the stateroom does a good job of muffling the sounds in my experience.

You should also know some ocean balconies might be blocked somehow by an object.

The cruise line calls these obstructed balconies, and it's often the kind of balcony room you might get if you book a guarantee balcony room.

The issue with obstructed view balcony rooms is you don't have a full range of view to see from your balcony.  Depending on what percentage your view is blocked, this may or may not be an issue.

You can't smoke on your balcony

Just in case you're thinking to book a balcony to have a convenient place to smoke, that isn't allowed.

Royal Caribbean banned smoking in your cabin or on balcony rooms many years ago. Instead, there are designated smoking areas on the ship.

You'll be charged a $250 cleaning fee if you're caught smoking there.

Our advice

A balcony room is a great stateroom for almost any cruise, but it's not necessarily a slam dunk choice every time.

If the extra cost to move up to a balcony room isn't too high, I think it's a great room choice for most cruisers.  Who wouldn't want a bigger room and easy access to outdoor space?

I'd caution against letting Royal Caribbean pick your balcony room if you're at all concerned about getting an obstructed view or neighborhood balcony. This is more an issue for new cruisers who aren't used to these rooms.

Royal Caribbean has big plans for 2026, some of which will fundamentally shape the future of the cruise industry.

Royal Caribbean is in the midst of a building spree, with new ships and land destinations opening, and 2026 should be a catalyst for moving those plans forward.

Coming on the heels of launching Star of the Seas and its first beach club that will have opened in December 2025, we already have big things to look forward to in the new year.

Here are five big changes that we know about already for Royal Caribbean in 2026 that you should be tracking now. 

Legend of the Seas launches

We will get a brand new Royal Caribbean cruise ship in 2026 when Legend of the Seas joins the fleet.

The third Icon Class ship will have its first sailing July 11, 2026, and sail in the Mediterranean for the summer.

Then Legend moves across the Atlantic to call Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) home for the winter, with the first North American sailing November 9th.

A brand new cruise ship is always a big deal because it not only adds a new option, but comes with new changes and innovations.

If you're shopping for a 2026 cruise, it's hard to overlook a new ship because it's the latest and greatest.

Royal Caribbean will feature a number of new offerings:

• Roald Dahl’s "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" musical
• Royal Railway Legend Station
• Hollywoodland Supper Club
• Reimagined Surfside
• New Aquadome Market options

Expect a lot of fanfare for the launch.

New beach club opens in Cozumel, Mexico

The second Royal Beach Club is set to open in the second half of 2026.

The first will open at the very end of 2025 in Nassau, Bahamas, but then work will shift to get the Royal Beach Club Cozumel open in December 2026.

Cozumel's beach club is all about providing the best day in the beach or pool, with lots of sun, food, and culture too. There are two heated pools, plus a fabulous beach.

All Royal Beach Clubs have an extra cost to go to them. Think of it like a shore excursion that's built and run by Royal Caribbean.

Located about 10 minutes away from where cruise ships dock in Cozumel, you'll be able to access it by bus, taxi and water transportation as well.

There will be a pool with a swim-up bar, along with a side that's toes in the sand that stretches over to the beach.

Full details haven't been released yet, but the cruise line is adamant this will deliver the best beach day.

Three cruise ships will get major upgrades

Royal Caribbean is reinvesting in its fleet by giving three ships the Royal Amplified treatment.

In early 2026, these vessels will go out of service for about a month to get upgraded:

• Ovation of the Seas
• Harmony of the Seas
• Liberty of the Seas

This means there will be restaurants, activities, suites, and even new suites on each ship.  The purpose is to bring each of them up to the standard set by newer ships.

The reason to be excited for these changes is it will truly enhance these ships. As newer ships come out, it can feel like older ships fall behind. But amplification work, like this, can make a big difference.

A return to Labadee?

We're crossing our fingers that Royal Caribbean ships will be able to return to Labadee again in 2026.

The cruise line halted all visits to its private beach spot in Haiti since April 2025, and it cancelled future stops until at least May 2026.

The issue is the civil unrest that's been plaguing the country, and the cruise line feels it's best to skip visits until the situation improves.

The change was made "in an abundance of caution" according to the cruise line, but there's no indication if visits will resume.

While this isn't the first time Labadee has been shut down due to problems in the country, it is the longest duration of continuously skipping visits.

If you have a cruise booked that is scheduled to visit Labadee, I would caution there's a chance your stop could be cancelled. Cruises that previously included Labadee have been re-rerouted to places like Turks & Caicos, Grand Cayman, or Cozumel.

However, I'm hopeful we'll see ships going back sometime in 2026.

A new homeport in SoCal

There will be a new homeport in California when Royal Caribbean starts sailing from San Diego.

Beginning in October 2026, Serenade of the Seas will offer a variety of sailings down to Ensenada, Mexico and the Mexican Riviera. Serenade will also visit La Paz, a new stop for the line.

Up until now, Royal Caribbean has only used Los Angeles (San Pedro) as its homeport in California.