Royal Caribbean Blog

Have you ever wondered how much it costs to operate a cruise ship? Spoiler: it’s not cheap!

Operating a cruise ship, let alone an entire cruise line, is no small feat. Feeding, accommodating, entertaining and transporting thousands of passengers around the globe requires serious logistics, planning and execution.

Diving in Royal Caribbean’s annual and quarterly financial statements, we can estimate just how much it costs to operate one of Royal Caribbean’s cruise ships. Although I cruise for both work and leisure, my day job is in the field of data analytics thanks to my background in math and statistics. I wanted to analyze Royal Caribbean’s financial statements to get a better understanding of the operational costs of a cruise ship.

Royal Caribbean is the world’s largest cruise brand and currently operates 26 ships in their fleet. In 2024, this number will increase to 28 ships with the addition of Icon of the Seas in January and Utopia of the Seas in July.

However, Royal Caribbean Group operates more than just Royal Caribbean International. The company also operates two more cruise lines, including the premium brand Celebrity Cruises and ultra-luxurious brand SilverSea. Celebrity Cruises operated 15 cruise ships in 2023 with the addition of Celebrity Ascent in Q4 of 2023. Finally, SilverSea’s fleet is comprised of 12 luxury cruise ships.

Seeing how costly it is to operate a cruise ship was eye-opening to say the least. Come along as we analyze Royal Caribbean’s recent financial statements.

Overview

Each brand of Royal Caribbean Group appeals to a distinct demographic of cruisers, with Royal Caribbean aiming to be the best family-friendly cruise line in the world. The cruise line is designed for those with children, along with old and young couples. 

Those looking for a more upscale, adult cruise experience will want to sail on sister-brand Celebrity Cruises. Finally, SilverSea operates its fleet for travelers looking for an expedition cruise or ultra-luxurious vacation with an all-inclusive style of cruising.

Since Royal Caribbean Group operates three cruise lines, the company releases one financial report for all three brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and SilverSea Cruises. Royal Caribbean is the largest of the three brands, followed by Celebrity Cruises and SilverSea Cruises.

Comparing the three brands’ capacities and gross tonnage, we can get an idea of how Royal Caribbean’s expenses and revenues are allocated. According to Royal Caribbean’s investor portal, the breakdown of each cruise line’s total capacity across its fleet based on double occupancy is the following:

• Royal Caribbean International = 92,584 (71.46%)

• Celebrity Cruises = 32,280 (24.92%)

• SilverSea Cruises = 4,692 (3.62%)

Royal Caribbean’s investor portal also provides data for each fleet’s total gross tonnage, which is how cruise ships are measured by size. According to Royal Caribbean Group, the total gross tonnage of each cruise line is the following:

• Royal Caribbean International = 3,823,107 GT (68.97%)

• Celebrity Cruises = 1,384,459 GT (24.98%)

• SilverSea Cruises = 335,400 GT (6.05%)

As expected, Royal Caribbean International makes up right around 70% of the company’s overall gross tonnage and capacity, followed by Celebrity Cruises at 25% and SilverSea at 5%.

What costs are associated with operating a cruise ship?

There are six major areas of operating expenses that are aggregated to calculate a total cruise operating expense both annually and quarterly. According to Royal Caribbean Group’s Form 10-Q for Q3 of 2023, cruise operating expenses are comprised of the following:

1. Commissions and transportation: This consists of expenses directly associated to passenger ticket revenue, which includes travel agent commissions, airfare and other transportation expenses, credit card fees, and varying port costs based on passenger head counts.
2. Onboard expenses: Includes direct costs associated with onboard and other revenues, such as cost of products sold onboard, vacation protection insurance premiums, costs for tours before or after cruises, concession revenues, procurement and management related services.
3. Payroll and related expenses: Salaries for shipboard personnel.
4. Food expenses: Includes cost of food for both guests and crew members.
5. Fuel expenses: This includes any expenses related to fueling the ship, including delivery, storage, emission consumable costs and financial impact of fuel swap agreements.
6. Other operating expenses: A catch-all category that consists primarily of operating costs related to repairs, maintenance, non-variable port costs, vessel related insurance, entertainment and losses/gains related to sale of ships.

For 2023, Royal Caribbean Group reports that 26.36% of operating expenses went to commission costs, followed by 22.80% to other operating expenses, 15.09% to payroll expenses, 14.44% to fuel expenses, 10.88% to onboard expenses and 10.43% to food expenses.

How much did Royal Caribbean spend operating their cruise ships in 2023?

In the same Q3 report for 2023, Royal Caribbean Group spent $5.9 billion on cruise operating expenses. Since this only includes data through September 2023, we can estimate cruise operating expenses for Q4 to be around $1.9 billion.

Based on this estimate for the fourth quarter, we could guess the 2023 annual cost for cruise operating expenses will be around $7.84 billion. This would be an increase from an annual expense of $6.6 billion in 2022 and $6.1 billion in 2019. Of course, this is an estimate based on data given in the report from Royal Caribbean Group.

Similar to many industries, Royal Caribbean Group has dealt with the rising cost of inflation. Moreover, the cruise line reported additional capacity and higher occupancy on its cruise ships, which has also contributed to increased expenses. The quarterly report for Q3 cites the following as major contributors to increased cruise expenses in 2023:

1. $586.8 million increase in Commissions, transportation and other expenses

2. $190.0 million increase in Onboard and other expenses

3. $163.4 million increase in Food expense

4. $136.4 million increase in Other operating expense

5. $70.0 million increase in Fuel expense.

Let’s make a few assumptions about Royal Caribbean’s cruise operating costs

Unfortunately, Royal Caribbean Group does not provide any ship-specific data in their financial reports. Because of this, we have to make some more assumptions regarding operating cruise expenses with the information we are given. Most of these assumptions are based on fleet size and ship size.

Royal Caribbean International operates the largest fleet of the three brands with the most capacity and gross tonnage. As such, we can assume the Royal Caribbean International has the highest overall cruise operating expense. Based on gross tonnage, Royal Caribbean International makes up about 68.97% of the company’s operating fleet.

Because of this, let’s keep it simple and assume that 68.97% of Royal Caribbean Group’s operating costs are spent on the Royal Caribbean International brand. Using this logic, we can allocate 24.98% of operating costs to Celebrity Cruises and 6.05% to SilverSea.

I realize this is a high-level assumption, as one could argue that Royal Caribbean International is cheaper to operate per guest than Celebrity Cruises and SilverSea. Premium and luxury cruise brands are more expensive and likely require more operational spending on a guest-level.

But, I want to keep the math simple and keep the proportions based on overall fleet size, capacity and gross tonnage.

How much does Royal Caribbean spend to operate its entire fleet?

Based on our general assumptions, we can estimate that Royal Caribbean Group spent the following on cruise operating expenses for each brand. Again, these are estimations based on the company’s 2023 quarterly report, along with fleet size and general expense assumptions based on each brand of Royal Caribbean Group.

• Royal Caribbean International = $5.41 billion (68.97%)

• Celebrity Cruises =  $1.96 billion  (24.98%)

• SilverSea Cruises = $474 million (6.05%)

Now that we have a general idea of how much Royal Caribbean Group spends to operate each brand annually, let’s figure out how much it costs for Royal Caribbean International to operate their individual cruise ships.

With little data available from Royal Caribbean Group, we can really only draw assumptions from the gross tonnage and capacity if we want to understand the cost of operating a single cruise ship.

How much does it cost to operate a Royal Caribbean cruise ship based on capacity?

Royal Caribbean operates a fleet of 26 ships currently with 6 different classes of ships. This will change in 2024 with the Icon Class, but we are only looking at operating costs for 2023.

Royal Caribbean’s Vision Class is home to the oldest and smallest ships, which are arguably the least expensive to operate. A smaller ship means less guests to feed, entertain, transport and accommodate. In addition, these older ships have the least amount of crew members to pay.

The oldest ship, Grandeur of the Seas, has an estimated capacity of 1,950 guests with gross tonnage of 74,100 - as reported by the cruise line. On the other end of the spectrum is the Oasis Class, which are the biggest ships in the world (excluding Icon of the Seas for 2023). Wonder of the Seas is currently the largest ship operating for Royal Caribbean International with an estimated capacity of 5,734 guests and a gross tonnage of 236,857.

We can assume Oasis-class cruise ships are the most expensive to operate using similar logic: more guests to feed, entertain, transport and accommodate, along with more crew members to pay. Fuel expenses are likely more for these massive ships as well.

Based on an annual cruise operating expense of $5.41 billion for Royal Caribbean International, we can calculate an estimated cost based on the cruise line’s total capacity of 92,584 guests at double occupancy. This will allow us to get a general idea of how much Royal Caribbean spends annually for each ship based on capacity. Similar rates can be calculated for Celebrity Cruises and SilverSea.

• Royal Caribbean International = $58,449

• Celebrity Cruises = $60,718

• SilverSea Cruises = $101,171

Using this calculation, Wonder of the Seas would have an annual operating expense of $335.15 million based on capacity. This is nearly $1 million dollars per day! We can also calculate the rate for Grandeur of the Seas too with an annual operating expense of $113 million. Here are the average annual cruise operating expenses by ship class based on capacity for Royal Caribbean International:

• Oasis Class: $322 million

• Quantum Class: $243 million

• Freedom Class: $221 million

• Voyager Class: $188 million

• Radiance Class: $123 million

• Vision Class: $119 million

Looking at the entire fleet of 26 ships and calculating the annual cost per ship, we can calculate an average estimate of $208 million to operate one of Royal Caribbean’s cruise ships each year.

How much does it cost to operate a Royal Caribbean cruise ship based on size?

Now that we’ve looked at cost based on capacity, let’s look at some estimates based on gross tonnage. We can calculate the operational cost based on gross tonnage under the assumption that larger ships are more expensive to operate.

In this case, Royal Caribbean’s total gross tonnage for its entire fleet is 3.8 million (excluding Icon of the Seas). Taking into account the annual operating costs for each cruise line, we can estimate that Royal Caribbean International spends approximately $1,415 per gross ton annually.

Using this rate, the biggest ship, Wonder of the Seas (236,857 gross tons), would show a similar annual cost around $335.26 million. The smallest ship in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, Grandeur of the Seas (74,100 gross tons), would have an annual operational cost of $104 million.

How much does it cost to operate a cruise ship daily?

Here are the average daily cruise operating expenses by ship class based on capacity for Royal Caribbean International:

• Oasis Class: $883,440

• Quantum Class: $667,768

• Freedom Class: $605,849

• Voyager Class: $517,240

• Radiance Class: $338,288

• Vision Class: $328,279

While these are simply estimates, other sources online have provided similar values for the daily annual cost to operate one of Royal Caribbean’s cruise ships. For example, Business Insider reported in 2022 that Symphony of the Seas costs $1 million each day to operate. My calculations show an estimated daily cost around $883,440 for an Oasis-class ship.

How much will it cost to operate Icon of the Seas?

No one knows how much it will actually cost to operate Icon of the Seas - and we may never know the exact cruise operating expense unless Royal Caribbean provides that number. We might get a better idea of Icon’s operating expense when Royal Caribbean Group releases their quarterly reports in Q1 or Q2 of 2024.

However, Icon of the Seas is expected to cost Royal Caribbean a whopping $2 billion. In comparison, Allure of the Seas held the previous record for most expensive cruise ship to build at $1.43 billion. Due to its sheer size, we can assume Icon of the Seas will be the most expensive cruise ship for Royal Caribbean to operate in 2024.

Based on size and using our previous assumptions, Icon of the Seas at 250,000 gross tons would have an estimated operational expense of $355 million annually or a daily cost of $920,000.

I would venture to guess the actual cost of operating Icon of the Seas will be more than $355 million; however, without any further data from Royal Caribbean Group, we really cannot forecast accurately.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, I’ve simply drawn a few high-level assumptions and calculated estimates based on these assumptions. I would love to see more brand, fleet and ship specific data from Royal Caribbean Group regarding operating cruise costs, as it would be fascinating to see.

My estimates show that the average annual cost of operating a cruise ship for Royal Caribbean is around $208 million. The biggest cruise ships in the Oasis Class are likely the most expensive to operate while Royal Caribbean’s Vision Class ships are the most affordable. We can estimate that Oasis Class ships cost $322 million, which is around $1 million to operate daily. On the other hand, Vision Class ships might cost closer to $119 million annually. 

When it comes to data analytics, it’s important to remember not everything is as black and white as we want to believe. Royal Caribbean Group operates three distinct cruise lines between Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and SilverSea. Each of these brands offer very different cruising experiences at drastically different price points. In the same way, Royal Caribbean Group has differing expenses to ensure each brand is successful.

I will be interested to see Royal Caribbean Group's annual financial report for 2023 to see the operating cruise expense for the year. Of course, with a new ship class launching in 2024, Royal Caribbean International's expenses will certainly increase. 

Cruising was expensive in 2023, leading to many to seek out cheaper alternatives to the the premium prices new ships have. It's a great way to save money on a cruise in 2024 and 2025.

Social media has popularized the concept of "dupes", which is when you seek out cheaper duplicates. It's something Gen Z and millennial influencers trotted out as travel prices starting to rise.

Of course, a dupe is a fancy term for what travelers have been doing for decades of bargain hunting. It's akin to "do this, not that" approach to trip planning and you can apply this strategy to cruises too.

With land travel, you might look at a trip to Memphis, Tennessee instead of Nashville, Tennessee. Or Liverpool, England, instead of London.

It's a hot trend in travel, and here's how you can apply this to a Royal Caribbean cruise.

It's not about picking the oldest ship possible

You might think all you have to do is find the oldest, smallest cruise ship and this exercise is over. But that's over simplifying the idea.

Sure, a cruise on Grandeur of the Seas will almost always be the cheapest option, but finding a dupes is about saving money, not necessarily the lowest price.

Read more: I've sailed on all of Royal Caribbean's oldest ships. Here's why I don't mind sailing on these small ships

Think of it like buying a television. You don't want the cheapest model they have, because it's going to probably not the size you want. Instead, you want to find the best price of the same class of television you're in the market for.

When it comes to cruise ships, the idea is you compromise a little on the ship in exchange for a much better price.

Big ship dupe

Given that Royal Caribbean is well-known for its biggest cruise ships, you might be tempted to book one of their newest and biggest ships: Icon of the Seas or Wonder of the Seas.

These represent the latest and greatest Royal Caribbean has, but they will also have the highest prices.

Assuming you want to go on a big ship with lots to do, water slides, and great entertainment, there are a couple ships to consider instead.

Oasis of the Seas is the best alternative to sail on instead. It's the original game changer of the Oasis Class ships, and got a massive upgrade in 2019 with $165 million in upgrades.

It has lots for families, including water slides, a Broadway show, a revamped pool deck, and updated kids programming.

Here's a look at prices to see the difference:

Spring Break 2024 - March 17, 2024

• Icon of the Seas: Starting at $1,806 per person
• Wonder of the Seas: Starting at $953 per person
• Oasis of the Seas: Starting at $875 per person

Summer 2024 - July 6, 2024

• Icon of the Seas: Starting at $2,934 per person
• Wonder of the Seas: Starting at $1,276 per person
• Oasis of the Seas: Starting at $1,046 per person (Oasis will be in Europe)

Christmas 2024 - December 21, 2024

• Icon of the Seas: Starting at $2,146 per person
• Wonder of the Seas: Starting at $1,295 per person
• Oasis of the Seas: Starting at $964 per person (6-night itinerary)

You'll easily save a few hundred dollars per person by choosing an older Oasis Class ship over a brand new ship.

Alaska cruise dupe

If you're like me, you'd love to take an Alaska cruise and experience everything this beautiful part of the world has to offer.

Finding the right dupe is about balancing dates and ships. There's a big difference in time of year, as much as which ship you pick.

Royal Caribbean offers cruises on two types of ships: Quantum Class and Radiance Class ships.

The bigger Quantum Class ships sail from Seattle, and that will get you a convenient embarkation port, and lots to see and do on your ship.

The Radiance Class ships sail from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It's a bit more difficult and expensive to get flights there (compared to Seattle), and the ships have less to do onboard. But they usually have a much appealing itinerary.

It's also important to note Radiance of the Seas does open-jaw sailings instead of roundtrip. She also offers land tours.  For the purpose of this exercise, we're going to omit Radiance since it's so different in terms of itinerary to the other ships.

Just like the Oasis Class, if you opt for the older ship in the class, you'll probably get a better price.

June 14, 2024

• Ovation of the Seas: $1,434 per person
• Quantum of the Seas: $1,418 per person
• Brilliance of the Seas $1,006 per person

July 12, 2024

• Ovation of the Seas: $1,497 per person
• Quantum of the Seas: $1,209 per person
• Brilliance of the Seas $1,059 per person

August 9, 2024

• Ovation of the Seas: $946 per person
• Quantum of the Seas: $986 per person
• Brilliance of the Seas $698 per person

Alaska's prices aren't as varied as the Caribbean because there's less choices and the season is so short. 

Still, you can see there are price savings in almost every scenario if you choose to cruise on Quantum or Brilliance over the newer Ovation of the Seas.

It's more than just the cruise price

However, not all dupes will necessarily pay off for cruisers. You may need to rely on other ways to find savings.

Which picking a "dupe" cruise, you should consider what the ship's amenities are, such as dining venues, top deck activities, and entertainment.

Depending on which week you're looking at cruising, you might find less of a discrepancy than you might have wanted. If you're willing to change the time of year you cruise, you can often save much more money on the cruise fare.

Read more: When is the best time to go on a cruise?

Avoiding peak season times to go on a cruise can be net you much bigger savings than picking one ship over another.

To save money on a cruise in general, try being flexible with your trip dates. For example, pick a Caribbean cruise in September or May instead of July.

Read more: The best time to book cruises by day, month, and last-minute

Picking a shoulder season cruise, along with booking a year or more in advance, is the best combination to saving the most money and getting the lowest price for almost any cruise.

Happy New Year! Before we pop champagne and toast to a better year next year, we have a look back at all the Royal Caribbean news from this week to share.

 We're less than a month away from Icon of the Seas debuting, and photos of the ship have begun to leak online.

As the new ship has gotten staffed up by crew members, some crew have shared photos and video of the ship.  Even Royal Caribbean has gotten into act by sharing snippets of what we can expect on their social media channels.

The first revenue cruise of Icon of the Seas is on January 27, 2024, with preview sailings in the week leading up to that cruise.

Royal Caribbean News

• Smuggled cat on cruise ship would have been euthanized until crew members saved it
• 6 million people took a Royal Caribbean cruise in 2023
• 5 big changes coming to Royal Caribbean in 2024
• Royal Caribbean's Best Moments of 2023
• The best cruise experiences I had in 2023
• Harmony of the Seas vs Allure of the Seas
• What Surprised Me on My First Australia Cruise
• One food item you need to order from each restaurant onboard Enchantment of the Seas

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 522nd episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, which has a list of things for Royal Caribbean to change in the coming year.

From policy changes, to new ideas, Matt and Billy share the top 3 changes we would like to see Royal Caribbean make in 2024.

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.

Video: 11 cruise fees you should know about! 

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 — 11 cruise fees you should know about! — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Wonder of the Seas Cabins to Avoid

Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas is an extremely popular ship to sail on, but which cabin should you choose?

Wonder of the Seas offers 2,867 staterooms you can stay in, but there are a few types of cabins you might want to think twice about booking.

Whether you’re worried about seasickness, loud noises keeping you awake, or getting the best view, it’s important to be aware of the more disappointing staterooms out there.

We scoured deck plans and online reviews to figure out the types of cabins you need to avoid.

Drama on 9-month world cruise? Not really

Royal Caribbean's first-ever world cruise sailed three weeks ago, and social media has blown up with videos about the "drama" onboard. But is there really any drama?

Certainly there's been plenty of attention so far online, but a lot of the perceived drama mentioned in TikTok videos are pretty much things that happen on any cruise.  Guest misbehaving, accidents, and strange occurrences aren't unique to a world cruise.

Here's a reality check on what's really happening on the world cruise right now.

15 bestselling cruise ship accessories our readers love

There are thousands of travel accessories out there, but which really stand out as the best ones for a cruise ship vacation?

Our goal is to make the decision of what to get easier in order to help you travel better, smarter and more comfortably.

We asked our readers for the one item they bought for a cruise that they cannot cruise without. If it works for them, maybe it's what you need to boost your holiday vacation before it begins.

6 Things I'll do differently on Royal Caribbean in 2024

A new year means a new opportunity to make changes, including how Matt takes a cruise.

Cruising is different for everyone, and Matt picked out a few ways he intends to change up his cruise habits in the new year.

From hitting the pool after dark to saving money on a drink package, here's what Matt will do differently in 2024.

Does Royal Caribbean have irons? How laundry works on a cruise ship

How is laundry done on a cruise ship? This question has been asked many times in recent weeks, especially with the launch of longer cruises such as the 9-month world cruise.

Royal Caribbean does not allow you to bring irons or steamers onboard. If you do, it will be confiscated and returned to you at the end of your cruise.

So how can you get your laundry cleaned and pressed?

Royal Caribbean does allow you to send your laundry away to be washed, folded, pressed, or dry cleaned. Suite guests also receive complimentary pressing on the first formal night of their cruise.

And if you don’t want to pay any extra charge to get clothes clean and smooth, there are several hacks cruise fans have devised.

TikTok and the media have become obsessed with Royal Caribbean's first ever world cruise for all the things that happen on pretty much any cruise.

I'm not sure why this cruise has become so obsessed over. Maybe it's the slow news cycle that occurs around the holidays, but a number of major media outlets have written about how TikTok blew up with so-called drama on the Ultimate World Cruise that will take 9-months and began a few weeks ago.

Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas kicked off the world cruise on December 10 from Miami, and she will spend 274-nights traversing the world with hundreds of people onboard for the entire transit.

As soon as the ship set sail, it seemed to ignite an overnight sensation on TikTok among people who were intrigued by the notion of spending almost a year on a cruise ship. 

Like so many things on social media, a bigger deal was made out of it than it really is. The problem is the media picked up on it, and is reporting on the sort of things happening so far on the cruise as if it's something new, when it's really not.

I'm all for fun videos about cruises. Heck, our team makes our own silly videos too.  But before you share that article that there's drama on the world cruise, here's a reality check.

Why is the world cruise all over TikTok?

Photo by mamanee117

In the lead up the world cruise, a number of people booked on the cruise started publishing videos about the cruise and used the #RoyalCaribbeanUltimateWorldCruise hashtag.

All sorts of videos started popping up, and when it was time to board the ship, even more videos got posted and there's been 9 million views on the platform.

Nine million views is a lot of views, for sure. But in reading through the comments and looking at the videos, what we're basically seeing is people post about things that happen on any vacation when you have a lot of people together in one place.

The comments are also a hot bed of people that have never cruised and/or Never Cruisers that like to share their opinion on why cruising is silly. But this is just another day on the internet.

The world cruise is not any more dramatic than any other cruise

People on TikTok became as interested in the cruise itself as the personalities of the creators. Given that the vast majority of the public has never been on a cruise before, all sorts of assumptions and predictions were made. Many were just plain crazy.

"Can you imagine the type of drama that is gonna happen on that boat?” user @nchimad on TikTok said in a video

"If something big goes down, I want to hear from different people, different angles, perspectives."

I'm not sure what constitutes "something big", but misbehaving guests, accidents, and strange occurrences happen on pretty much every cruise (and high school, theme park, or Starbucks) around the world.

Read more: Things that can get you kicked off a cruise ship in an instant

While there will certainly be people who get in trouble, annoyances, or other instances of guests behaving badly, this is not unique to a world cruise by any means. 

Photo by whimsysoul

Another person created a bingo card for things that could happen on the world cruise. She isn't actually on the sailing, just following along.

The video has over 300,000 views so far and the squares range from the mundane to the absurd.

• Getting sunburned
• Norovirus
• Brands sponsors for passengers
• Pirate takeover
• A wedding
• Someone goes home early
• Port errand runs
• Minor mystery to solve

If we overlook the laughable squares (pirates?), getting sunburned, married, gaining 15 pounds, or having a mental breakdown are not unique to any single cruise.

Read more: 22 unpleasant cruise ship problems you aren't prepared for

Anyone that's been on a cruise ship would tell you these sort of things happen.

Then there's a video by Little Rat Brain that showed what her cabin looked like, and it has 1.4 million views.

Photo by little_rat_brain

She did a great job at creatively decorating her cabin for the entire voyage so it feels more like home, "I’m creating custom mail from each of the ports. Obviously, as it’s an interior cabin, we had to bring the outside in, so we did that with some help from IKEA – shout out to their plant walls."

Photo by little_rat_brain

"I also created some of these custom murals, to just brighten everything up. This is a sneak peek of what’s to come, it’s not quite done yet."

She has put a lot of effort into her cabin decorating, but plenty of people do this sort of thing on any cruise. Cabin decorating is a popular cruise ship activity.

Many cruise ship passengers will decorate their cabin doors, while others will go as far as to decorate the inside of their room too.

Cabin photos by Don & Judy "Meet me at Vintages" Goldstein

Inside cabins aren't as bad as you think

If you read the comments made to the cabin tour video, there's people who can't believe little_rat_brain would stay in an inside room for 9-months.

“My claustrophobia can’t,” a viewer commented.

"Is it not a fire hazard to have no windows in a room?" another questioned.

Inside cabins are commonplace on cruise ships, and while they aren't spacious, there are advantages to staying in them.

Booking an inside cabin doesn't mean you're in your room all day. Most cruise ship passengers are out and about doing things. Hanging at the pool, grabbing a meal somewhere, on shore exploring, or enjoying music around the ship. 

In most cases, cruise ship cabins are used as a place to sleep, change, and shower.

In addition, booking an inside room means a lot of money saved that can be used towards other aspects of this epic trip.

The price for the full 274-nights was between $53,999 per person to $117,599 per person. Suffice to say, the inside room was closer to the low end of that range.

Bottom line

In short, the people sailing on the world cruise are just like the people on pretty much any other Royal Caribbean cruise.  The only difference is the length of their sailing.

Any cruise you pick is going to have a myriad of personalities and backgrounds. That's what makes travel so compelling, because you're exposed to different cultures and get to meet new people.

The internet may be freaking out about the drama that may or may not occur on Serenade of the Seas. But there's no reason to believe this is really anything out of the ordinary.

With so many great travel products to choose from, how do you know which are the best items to purchase and pack for your cruise?

We recently asked our readers, “Name one item you bought for a cruise that you now can't travel without”. We received hundreds of responses from our readers with their favorite cruise purchases of 2023. Our readers loved everything from packing cubes to portable fans to pack for their cruises.

While your cruise cabin will have the majority of what you need for a comfortable stay, there are some must-have items that you should consider purchasing. These include many gadgets, tools and devices that you can bring onboard your cruise ship to enhance your experience.

We’ve compiled a list of the top 15 best-selling cruise ship products for 2023 that our readers can’t stop raving about! If you are looking to expand your cruise travel must-have products before setting sail in 2024, take a look at the list below.

As a note, we have provided affiliate links these Amazon products. Our site receives a small commission when you purchase items from these links - at no extra cost to you. The small commission helps support our site.

In addition, RoyalCaribbeanBlog now has its own Amazon store front! Here, you can see all of the popular Amazon items that we recommend for your cruise travel needs. Everything from outfit suggestions to cruise gadgets and devices are linked here. We also receive a small commission when you purchase from our Amazon store front.

1. Portable USB fan

I was surprised to see this as the top response from our readers! Many commented how they pack a portable USB fan to keep in their cabins while cruising. A small, USB-charged fan like this helps provide airflow in the cabin, which is great for sleepers who prefer to sleep with a fan on. Cruise cabins do not have fans, so packing a small one in your luggage is a great idea.

Here are two portable fans powered by USB that have rave reviews. The first one has adjustable tripod legs so you can clip it wherever you need. The second item would work well on a nightstand or cruise vanity.

Link: snawowo Mini Handheld Personal Portable Fan, Baby Stroller Fan, Car Seat Fan, USB or Battery Powered, with Flexible Tripod Clip on Student Bed Desk Bike Crib Treadmill Camping Traveling(Dark Blue) | Price: $22.99

Link: Gaiatop USB Desk Fan, 3 Speeds with Strong Airflow, 5.5 Inch Quiet Small Portable Table Fan, 90° Rotate Personal Cooling Fan For Bedroom Home Office Desktop Travel (Black) | Price: $8.99

2. AirTags

In a post-pandemic cruising world, many travelers are purchasing and using AirTags, which are small tracking devices that connect to Apple products. The small tag can be placed inside luggage while traveling to your cruise embarkation port. You can track your items right on your phone so you know exactly where to find your belongings at all times. 

AirTags work on a single battery for about one year, so no need to recharge. The devices connect using bluetooth, so you can be sure to know exactly where you luggage is while traveling and cruising. I even like to use these after handing off my luggage to the cruise porters so I know for sure that my luggage was boarded on the ship.

Link: Apple AirTag - Single | Price: $23.99

Link: Apple AirTag - 4 Pack | Price: $78.99
 

3. Magnetic hooks

One of the best-selling cruise products is a pack of magnetic hooks! This was one of the top responses from our readers as an item they simply cannot cruise without.

Since cruise cabins are made of magnetic walls, these magnetic hooks can be used to hang a variety of things, such as coats, hats, lanyards, umbrellas, etc. With cruise cabins being so small, it’s important to be as organized as possible to keep the stateroom from getting cluttered.

Link:  Neosmuk Magnetic Hooks, 27 lb+ Heavy Duty Earth Magnets with Hook for Refrigerator, Extra Strong Cruise Hook for Hanging, Magnetic Hanger for Cabins, Grill (Silver White, Pack of 10)

Price: $7.80

 4. Motion-activated nightlight

Many readers shared they always bring a motion-activated nightlight on their cruises. If you’re someone who stays in an inside cabin when cruising, you have likely have done the ‘zombie walk’ to the bathroom in the middle of the night.

Without any window or balcony, an inside cabin stays completely black throughout all hours of the day. Even if you cruise in a cabin with some natural light, it can be difficult to navigate the small and unfamiliar space in the night. Packing one of these portable, motion-activated night lights can help you safely walk around your cabin in the night. Here are two popular options from our readers.

Link:  Night Light Motion Sensor [Battery Powered] with Rotating Base for Indoor Use in Bathroom, Hallway, Cruise Cabin & More White  | Price: $17.99

Link:  WYZE Rechargeable Night Lights with Dusk to Dawn & Motion Sensors, Warm & Soft White Step Lights for Bathroom,Hallway, Bedroom, Kids Room, Kitchen, Stairway, 3 Pack | Price: $35.98

5. European adapter

Another top-selling product from cruise fans is this 2-pack of European USB adapters. Many cruise ships have limited charging outlets, especially older cruise ships. However, almost every cruise ship has a European outlet to use. Instead of letting this outlet go to waste, purchase one of these adapters so you can easily charge your devices.

In fact, I personally never cruise without this adapter! It’s one of the best cruise products that I purchased in 2023 and even gave these as gifts to my cruise-loving family members.

Link: . [2-Pack] European Travel Plug Adapter, VINTAR International Power Plug Adapter with 1 USB C, 2 American Outlets and 3 USB Ports, 6 in 1 Travel Essentials to Most of Europe Greece, Italy(Type C)

Price: $22.99
 

6. USB charging hub

Similar to the European adapter, our readers can’t stop purchasing these USB charging hubs and cruise-approved power strips. Having enough chargers for all of your devices is a necessity when cruising.

If you’re like me, this means charging upwards of four to five devices each night between my phone, laptop, watch, iPad, etc. Those traveling with multiple people in the same stateroom will undoubtedly want to pack one of these products! Here are three of the most popular items on our Amazon storefront to ensure you have enough outlets for charging devices during your cruise.

Link: Cruise Power Strip No Surge Protector with USB Outlets - Ship Approved (Non Surge Protection) Cruise Essentials in 2023, 2024 & 2025 | Price: $17.99

Link: Anker Charger, 60W 6 Port Charging Station, PowerPort 6 Multi USB Charger for iPhone 15/Pro/Pro Max/14/13, iPad Pro/Air/Mini, Galaxy S23/S22/S21, Note 20 Ultra, LG, HTC, and More | Price: $29.99

Link: Cruise Essentials,6 Ft Power Strip with 3 Outlets and 4 USB Ports(1 USB C), Non Surge Protector for Cruise Ship, Travel, Home Office, ETL Listed, White | Price: $13.98

7.  Packing cubes

This would be the number one item on my cruise essential list! I simply cannot travel without packing cubes once I started to use them last year. Our readers also loved purchasing packing cubes in 2023, as it was one of the top-selling products from our Amazon storefront this year.

Packing cubes help you stay organized in your suitcase, while compression packing cubes can also help you save space in your luggage. Once you’re onboard your cruise, simply remove the cubes from your suitcase and place in the drawers or shelves of your cruise cabin. It couldn’t be easier! These are three of the most popular packing cube sets in 2023.

Link: Veken 8 Set Packing Cubes for Suitcases, Travel Essentials for Carry on, Black Luggage Organizer Bags Set for Travel Accessories in 4 Sizes (Extra Large, Large, Medium, Small) | Price: $16.98

Link: Veken 6 Set Packing Cubes for Suitcases, Travel Organizer Bags for Carry on Luggage, Suitcase Organizer Bags Set for Travel Essentials Travel Accessories in 4 Sizes(Extra Large, Large, Medium, Small) | Price: $16.99

Link: PFEYRPK Lightweight Compression Packing Cubes for Suitcases, Compressible Expandable Travel Packing Organizer with Clear Toiletries and Backpack Bag, Travel Essentials for Carry on Luggage 7 Set | Price: $19.99
 

8. Travel white noise machine

This is one product that I am eyeing for my 2024 cruises and it’s one product that many of our readers considered a must-have item! Similar to a fan, many cruisers like to sleep with white noise playing.

Cruise ships can be noisy, especially when you cruise during peak times, like spring break. This small, portable white noise machine is the perfect solution to keep you sleeping soundly in the night. This one below is a battery operated and reviews state that it lasts a few nights on each charge.

Link: White Noise Machine Babelio Mini Sound Machine for Adults Kids Baby | 15 Non-looping Sounds | Timer | Easy to Pocket and Travel - White

Price: $18.99

9. Over-the-door shoe organizer

Cruisers raved in our comment section about how much they love packing an over-the-door shoe organizer for their travels. With cruise cabins being so small, it’s crucial to stay as organized as possible.

Packing an over-the-door shoe organizer helps keep clutter off the floor. You can hang up more than just shoes, as many claim to put anything and everything in these small compartments.

Link:  24 Pockets - SimpleHouseware Crystal Clear Over The Door Hanging Shoe Organizer, Gray (64'' x 19'')

Price: $8.87

10. PooPouri Spray

This one needs little explanation. All of that delicious cruise food has to go somewhere! You’ll likely be sharing your cabin bathroom with at least one other person, if not multiple people. 

We know that sharing a small space on a cruise ship can be tough enough, even when your cabin is clean. Having some of this travel-sized Poo-Pourri spray can help keep your stateroom smelling fresh and inviting for all.

Link: Poo-Pourri Before-You-Go Toilet Spray, On-The-Go, Travel Size Variety 10 mL - Original Citrus, Lavender Vanilla and Fresh Air 0.34 Fl Oz (Pack of 3)

Price: $9.97
 

11. Hanging cosmetic bag

Another top selling cruise product from 2023 was a hanging cosmetic bag. Organization is key in your cruise cabin, if you haven’t picked up on that yet. With limited bathroom space, I love to pack a hanging cosmetic bag that hangs from the back of the bathroom door.

This hanging cosmetic bag is easy to travel with. It folds up conveniently and also has waterproof storage compartments. All of your cosmetics will be in one location from your suitcase to your cruise stateroom.

Link: BAGSMART Toiletry Bag Travel Bag with Hanging Hook, Water-resistant Makeup Cosmetic Bag Travel Organizer for Accessories, Shampoo, Full-size Container, Toiletries.

Price: $22.39

12. Luggage tag holders

Luggage tag holders continue to be one of the top-selling products for cruisers. Every cruise line requires guests to print out luggage tags to be placed on suitcases that will be checked at the cruise terminal.

Instead of using tape or staples, place the printed luggage tag into these plastic luggage tags. This will ensure your tags stay put on your luggage and do not get ripped or damaged. These from Amazon are specifically designed for Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises.

Link: Highwind Cruise Luggage Tag Holder for Suitcases | Compatible with Celebrity 2022 Royal Caribbean Luggage Tag Holders Travel Essentials Cruise Lanyard - 4 Pack

Price: $7.99
 

13. Pop-up hamper

One simple product can make your cruise cabin exponentially more organized! Many readers responded that they cannot cruise without packing a pop-up mesh hamper. No one wants to think about laundry while cruising, but you also don’t want a huge pile of dirty, stinky clothes on the bottom of your closet.

Instead, consider packing one of these small hampers. These mesh hampers pack super easily at the bottom of your suitcase and pop-up once you’ve reached your cruise cabin. You can keep all of your dirty laundry in the hamper, just as you might do at home.

Link: Collapsible Mesh Pop Up Laundry Hamper with Wide Opening and Side Pocket – Breathable, Sturdy, Foldable, and Space-Saving Design for Laundry Clothes and Storage. (Black

Price: $7.99

14. Small liquid hand soap

Most cruise ships will only provide you a small bar of soap to use for hand-washing in your cabin. But washing your hands is crucial on a cruise to ensure you have clean hands to stay healthy. My family has been packing liquid hand-soap for years and we love the ease and convenience. 

Many readers responded to our poll that they love to pack some liquid hand-soap for their cabin. It’s a small luxury, but totally worth it. You can even buy reusable bottles to bring on your cruises.

Link: Softsoap Liquid Hand Soap, Fresh Breeze - 7.5 Fl Oz (Pack of 6) | Price: $7.35

Link: Owlyee 2oz Foam Bottle (3PCS) Empty Foaming Pump Dispenser for Hand Soap, Lash Cleanser, Shampoo to Travel (60ml, Green) | Price: $7.99

15. Motion sickness medication

While it might not be likely that you will get seasick on your cruise, it’s best to be prepared for the worst. Cruise ships can encounter rough seas or storms unexpectedly. Whether you’ve earned your sea legs or not, it’s a good idea to be prepared for seasickness.

Many of our readers commented that they pack seasickness medication like Bonine and Dramamine. Make sure you purchase a non-drowsy formula to use during the day, such as the options linked below. In addition, some find that Seabands work well to combat motion sickness.

Link: Non-Drowsy Bonine for Motion Sickness Relief, Sea Sickness, Car Sickness, Nausea and Vomiting, with Meclizine Hcl 25mg, Raspberry, Travel-Sized 16ct (Packaging May Vary) | Price: $5.94

Link: Dramamine Non-Drowsy, Motion Sickness Relief, Made with Natural Ginger, 18 Count | Price: $6.98

Link: LYJEE Motion Morning Sickness Wristbands for Anti-Nausea, Car Sea Sickness, Acupressure Relief Bands for Pregnant Women Adult | Price: $7.98

When I go on my cruises in 2024, I'll be making a few changes to how I cruise.

I went on 11 cruises in 2023, including 9 of them on Royal Caribbean ships. It was my best year yet of cruising, and I was able to sail to a variety of destinations around the world.

With the new year nearly upon us, I can't help but look back at what I did this year, and the new year resolutions I'll make to being a better cruiser in 2024.

With any cruise, you can alter the dynamic of how you approach it. It's not a "one size fits all" product, and that means you have the option to change it.

I came up with five changes I want to make in my 2024 cruises so that I can save money, avoid pitfalls, or simply improve my experience overall.

Book my second half cruises sooner (to save money)

The cost of travel went up in 2023, and cruises were no exception.

The average price of a Royal Caribbean cruise is higher now than in 2019, and as as consumer, I need to adjust my strategies.

While I have a number of cruises already booked for 2024, my plan is to be more proactive with booking anything new.

In the past, I would still rely on booking a cruise with about three months or so left to be able to squeeze another cruise in. This was partially because I live in Florida and can drive to any cruise port in the state, but also because I was slow to come up with ideas for articles to write and subsequently find a cruise to make it happen.

Instead, I'll book my cruises sooner to hopefully get a better price than if I try to get a last-minute deal.

I'd recommend anyone reading this to also aspire to book their cruises earlier. Prices are only going up, so booking early is still the best overall strategy for a better price.

Read more: The best time to book cruises by day, month, and last-minute

Skip the drink package

Depending on how long you've read posts on this site, you know I've generally been a fan of the Royal Caribbean drink package. But I think that may be changing this year.

Even at the higher prices, I still think the drink package is a good investment for someone looking to indulge during their cruise. It still has the propensity to save money.

However, I've found an alternative way to enjoy alcoholic beverages on my cruise without paying the price of a drink package. 

Many readers have told me about how lucrative Royal Caribbean's casino loyalty program can be, as it includes unlimited free drinks in the casino as one of its perks.

Read more: I gambled enough in Royal Caribbean's casino to get free drinks and a cruise

I'm not a big gambler by any means, but I cruise enough during the year that I can spend a little bit during each sailing to accrue enough points to reach Prime in the Casino Royale program.

Having achieved that status, I can now get free drinks in the casino.  Combined with the free drink vouchers I get from Royal Caribbean's Crown and Anchor Society, I want to try relying on this instead of buying a drink package.

The downside to this strategy is I'm reliant on going to the casino to get a drink. On big ships, this is quite the schlep.

Nonetheless, the money-saving opportunity this strategy has is too alluring to pass up, so I want to try it this year.

Take the train instead of driving to South Florida

From the first time I took the new Brightline train between Orlando and Miami, I was hooked.

It's about three and a half hours to traverse Central and South Florida, and it's an extremely boring drive. Much of Florida's interior is rural and there isn't much to see. Plus, that's a lot of time to be out of pocket for covering what's happening in the world of cruising.

Brightline opened daily service between Orlando and the ports Royal Caribbean ships sail out of in South Florida, and it has been a godsend for people like me that hate to fly but were sick of the drive.

I've taken the train five times now, and when Icon of the Seas begins her cruises from Miami, I'll be taking the train instead of my car to get back and forth.

Read more: I took the Brightline train from Orlando to Fort Lauderdale for my cruise. Here's what it was like

Driving is still cheaper, but my time is worth more to me, especially if it means never having to get stuck in traffic or slowed down by a downpour.

Rethink the unlimited dining plan

Earlier I said I'd skip buying a drink package, but for the specialty dining package, I'm going to commit to thinking twice before buying it.

I've bought the unlimited dining package for plenty of my cruises because it's a great way to enjoy many specialty restaurants. 

But like the drink package, the price of the dining package has gone up. And equally importantly, Royal Caribbean has stepped up with its complimentary food. While I love the hibachi or a filet, I never regret the stir-fry station in the Windjammer or a bowl of French onion soup in the Main dining room.

I think a lot of people are coming to a similar conclusion, especially on Icon of the Seas.

Jeffrey Robinson bought the unlimited dining package the first day it became available for the Icon of the Seas inaugural sailing, but then cancelled it a few weeks ago because he realized how much great complimentary food there was on Icon. 

I didn't cancel my dining package for Icon, but as I plan out the rest of my 2024 cruises, I might reconsider the investment.

Finally try the rock climbing wall

Believe it or not, I've never tried the rock climbing wall on any Royal Caribbean ship.

The rock wall has been a staple of Royal Caribbean ships ever since it was first introduced on Voyager of the Seas in 1999.

I've always wanted to try it, but never got around to doing it.  A few years ago I actually went to the wall to try it, only to hear it was closed because the wall itself was too hot.

I'm not sure which ship I'll try it on, but I aspire to finally get up on the rock wall this year! The Crown's Edge on Icon of the Seas can take the rock wall's place on my "never done it" list.

Go for a night swim with my kids

Not my kids

When I was brainstorming this list, I thought of something to do differently as it relates to my kids.

We've always talked about going up to the pool for a swim after dinner, but never end up doing it.  Either the kids find something else to do, or I realize we have plans elsewhere on the ship.  Or we just get lazy and call it a night.

In any case, I want to find time to go up at least one night per cruise with the kids up to the pool to get some time in for a night swim.  Maybe it's for half an hour, maybe it's for an entire movie, but I think this is a good year to make it happen.

Big Royal Caribbean ships may seem similar, but there are a lot of differences you should know about.

Among the six Oasis Class cruise ships, Harmony of the Seas and Allure of the Seas are popular choices that offer so much to do onboard.

Harmony was built after Allure, and she represents the evolution of the Oasis Class. Having sailed on both ships, it becomes clear quite early there are lots of changes between the two ships.

While the layout and overall feel of the ships are similar, there are noticeable changes between the two ships that could change your decision of which to book.

Here are the key differences between them both.

Ship size

Harmony of the Seas is slightly bigger than Allure of the Seas in order to market the ship as the "biggest cruise ship in the world" when she debuted in May 2016.

That isn't to say it's a big difference, as Harmony is a few feet longer and has a bit more gross tonnage.

Here's a look at each ship's size:

Dining

You will find complimentary dining restaurants that are included in your cruise fare, along with the choice of specialty dining restaurants that cost extra.

The core dining experience is the same on both ships, with the Main Dining Room offering traditional and My Time Dining for dinner.  It's also open for breakfast every day and lunch on sea days.

The Main Dining Room on Allure of the Seas looks like it's split up among three restaurants (it even has a different name based on which deck you're on), but it's the same menu across all three areas.

The Windjammer buffet is open every day for all three meals, although the venue on Harmony is a bit wider to help with crowds.

If you're staying in a suite, there is a complimentary restaurant exclusively for you at Coastal Kitchen.  This is available on both ships.

The specialty restaurant choices are where you'll notice the biggest difference among the two ships.  There are different restaurant choices you can eat at on both.

Here are the differences among the specialty restaurants on Harmony and Allure:

The biggest difference is Samba Grill on Allure or Wonderland on Harmony.

In terms of bars, there are minor differences between the two ships.

Cabins

The cabin selection on both Harmony and Allure should be just about the same.

You will find plenty of inside, oceanview, balcony, and suite cabins across either ship. 

Being that both are an Oasis Class ship, these vessels have balcony cabins that face inwards instead of the ocean. The Central Park and Boardwalk balcony cabins are an interesting alternative to ocean balconies, and you can book them on either ship.

If you're a solo traveler, only Harmony of the Seas has cabins specifically designed (and priced) for you.  There are 12 Studio Ocean View cabins and 3 Studio Interior rooms.

Read more: Guide to Royal Caribbean's Single and Studio staterooms

You may also notice the cabin aesthetic is different between the ships.  Harmony of the Seas is newer and adopted a new look for cabins that was first introduced with Quantum of the Seas in 2014.

Inside cabin on Harmony of the Seas

Inside cabin on Allure of the Seas

The rooms on Harmony generally have more storage space, darker woods, and a more modern feel to the cabin.

You'll also find USB outlets in a room on Harmony.

Entertainment

An area you'll notice differences between the two ships are the featured shows onboard.

Royal Caribbean has a well-deserved reputation for its entertainment, and nearly every ship has different shows onboard.

Both ships feature a Broadway show, along with original Royal Caribbean productions.

Royal Theater

• Allure
  • Mamma Mia
  • Blue Planet
• Harmony
  • Grease
  • Columbus, The Musical

AquaTheater

• Allure
  • Oceanaria
• Harmony
  • Hideaway Heist
  • The Fine Line

Studio B

• Allure
  • Blades! Ice Spectacular
• Harmony
  • 1887: A Journey in Time
  • iSkate

You will notice that there is an extra show in Studio B and AquaTheater on Harmony, which is nice to have additional variety. 

Activities

You won't have any shortage of things to do on any Oasis Class ship. These ships were designed to offer more than you can experience in just a week.

One big difference between the Allure and Harmony is only Harmony of the Seas has waterslides.  Harmony was built with the slides, while Allure has yet to have them added.

The Perfect Storm slides are comprised of two racer slides and one champagne bowl slide. The slides descend three decks through a series of twists and turns over the ship’s tree-lined Central Park neighborhood 10 decks below.

Speaking of slides, Harmony of the Seas has the Ultimate Abyss dry slide, which is a 10-story slide that descends from the Sports Deck down to the Boardwalk. Allure does not have an Ultimate Abyss slide.

Both the water slides and Ultimate Abyss are complimentary.

For younger kids, there are different splash areas on both ships. 

Harmony of the Seas has Splashaway Bay where kids can play among the water slides, water cannons, fountains, pools and whirlpools.

Allure of the Seas has the H2O Zone, which was the precursor to Splashaway Bay. It has water geysers, a small whirlpool, and hot tubs.

Harmony of the Seas has a dedicated escape room onboard, which has an extra cost. Allure of the Seas does not have an escape room. The goal of an escape room is for the guests to work together to find clues needed to solve various puzzles in 60 minutes or less.

Both ships have twin Flowrider surf simulators, twin climbing walls, a zip line, outdoor mini-golf and a basketball court.

While both ships have pools and hot tubs, there is one significant difference between Allure and Harmony in the adults-only area.

The Solarium on Harmony of the Seas does not have a pool. Instead, it has a walk-through mister meant to cool people off.  Allure of the Seas has a pool in its Solarium.

Bottom line

As the only "un-upgraded" Oasis Class ship, Allure of the Seas sometimes gets overlooked because it doesn't have waterslides or some of the newer dining venues.

If you have children that absolutely need waterslides, then the choice between the two is obvious. Otherwise, you're balancing the virtues of each ship.

The different Broadway shows may sway you in one direction, or you may feel strongly about a certain specialty restaurant. 

The most notable difference are the lack of slides on Allure of the Seas.

Depending on when you are looking to cruise, the home port and itineraries may be different too.

Eating on a cruise ship is a major draw to going on this kind of vacation, so how does it compare on an older ship?

You may hear people discuss the value still left in older vessels.  For example, I sang the praises of my cruise on Enchantment of the Seas, an older Vision Class ship.

This ship was first launched in 1996 and has a lot to offer despite her small package. Enchantment has gone through massive overhauls in the years since her first launch. 

But if you’re anything like me, you might still be concerned about the quality of service and food onboard.

On a smaller ship with a cut-down selection of venues onboard, will you still find delicious food?

I took the plunge to find out and selected the best dishes from each food venue onboard.

Windjammer Cafe: Fruit

This complimentary buffet is one of the most well-known Royal Caribbean food venues.

The Windjammer features a wide selection of dishes three times a day.

In particular, the buffet never fails to amaze me with the variety of fruits available. There’s always something sweet and fresh to try, from figs to plums to pears. 

Even on Enchantment of the Seas, the Windjammer wasn’t proportional to the ship's smaller size. It was huge, with wide glass windows and multiple stations of all types of food. 

There were three separate drink stations and more than enough seating at any time of day.

Even better, the food was incredible. I think our Mediterranean destination had a lot to do with this because the ingredients seemed to be a much higher quality than I’d experienced before.

Large “Antipasti” stations were open at every meal. Antipasti is a plural term that refers to appetizers such as meat, bread, and cheese.

At the Windjammer, these stations were filled with gourmet items, like Prosciutto and brie. Paired with the variety of fruits available, these made for an incredible meal.

This was my favorite Windjammer I’ve ever eaten at! Even though I sailed on Enchantment for a total of 7 days, I never got tired of the meal options. 

In fact, I barely had enough time to try everything I wanted to.

Read more: Where can I eat on the first day of my Royal Caribbean cruise?
 

My Fair Lady Dining Room: Butter chicken

Royal Caribbean’s Main Dining Room has a consistent menu on all her ships, so there’s nothing to fear here.

If you going on Enchantment of the Seas—no matter the itinerary—I can recommend all types of chicken. Royal Caribbean usually makes quality food, but I feel that their chicken dishes shine. 

Cruise fans seem to agree that the cruise line's cooks make stellar sauces, from gravies to barbeque sauce. And I believe chicken meat pops with a good sauce. 

The main dining room’s butter chicken is flavorful, warm, and delicious.

The only complaint I could make is that the Main Dining Room serves a tiny amount of rice with all its Asian dishes—it’s a staple that I could use more of. 

Because it’s hard to pick just one favorite from the Main Dining Room, I will also recommend the fluffy, warm cheese buns. I’ve become addicted to them.

The waiter will bring a few in your bread appetizer, and you can always ask for more! 

Read more: 21 Tips for the Best Cruise Ship Main Dining Room Experience
 

Park Cafe: Pepperoni pizza 

I love the Park Café available on smaller ships. It’s a quick-stop venue, perfect for a mid-afternoon snack.

And with the Park Café being located in the Solarium on Enchantment of the Seas, it’s so convenient to stop sunning yourself on the pool deck and walk over to grab a bite. 

The Café offers salads, sandwiches, and soups—but my favorite is the hot, cheesy pizza.

To me, it beats the pizza at Sorrento’s on larger ships. I think that it is made more frequently, and it is never cold or even lukewarm.

Cafe Latte-tudes: Caramel Pot De Creme

While the coffee drinks cost extra at this café, the food and snacks are complimentary and similar to the offerings at Park Cafe.

You’ll find a changing variety of sandwiches and sweet treats available, so be sure to give them all a try!

Personally, I love the caramel pot de creme that comes in a small plastic cup.

It is sweet and rich, with a fluffy texture underneath the caramel topping and whipped cream.

Room service: Chocolate chip cookies 

I took full advantage of complimentary room service on this cruise.

Before this cruise, I had already made a habit of ordering continental breakfast at no extra charge. 

However, I also discovered that I could order food items from room service at other times of the day, such as nachos, cookies, and pizza.

When I had late-night cravings, I was able to place an order over the phone.

“How many cookies would you like?” A crew member asked me one night.

I hesitated, not wanting to sound greedy, and then asked for two.

When my food arrived, it turns out they brought me three chocolate chip cookies—which I thoroughly enjoyed. They were warm and soft and made all the sweeter by the care that went into making them.

Read more: Your really dumb cruise ship dining questions answered

Chops Grille: Grilled bacon 

For an extra charge, you can visit the renowned Chops Grille Steakhouse. 

In 2024, you can expect to pay $25 per person at lunchtime and $55 per person for dinner.

Enchantment also offers the 3-night dining package for $75 per guest or the unlimited dining package for $100 per guest. 

At Chops Grille, you’ll enjoy a private, modern atmosphere with a multiple-course dinner featuring quality cuts of meat and steak. 

My favorite dish at Chops Grille is an appetizer offered right at the beginning: their grilled black pepper bacon. 

You wouldn’t expect it from the unassuming name, but this appetizer is a thick, fatty strip of tender pork with a sweet and spicy glaze. 

If you’re willing to pay extra for your meal, go ahead and give this flavorful appetizer a try! 

Chef’s Table: Filet mignon

The Chef’s Table features an intimate dining experience at an extra cost. 

This private, 5-course dinner is a gourmet meal paired with a selection of fine red and white wines. It is presented by the ship’s Executive Chef and attentive waiters to a table of about 16 guests.

Without a specialty dining package, the evening costs $95, which includes the dinner and the wines. Specialty drinks and other alcoholic beverages will still come at additional menu pricing.

While everything is delicious, the 5th and main course features a tender grilled filet mignon, served with truffle potato purée, asparagus, and bordelaise sauce. 
 

From the total number of ice cream cones served to passengers carried, Royal Caribbean ended 2023 with some impressive stats. 

According to an internal Royal Caribbean study, the top two reasons that people decide to go on a cruise are for the destination and food. 

Knowing that, it's no surprise that Royal Caribbean sailed to over 250 different ports of call this year and whipped up 14.5 million ice cream cones for passengers onboard. 

Here's a look at Royal Caribbean by the numbers in 2023. 

Royal Caribbean carried over 6 million guests to 252 ports across the world

Throughout 2023, over 6 million passengers took a cruise on one of Royal Caribbean's 26 ships. That is quite the increase from the 4.6 million guests that sailed with Royal Caribbean in 2022! 

Passengers sailed all over the world, too, with the cruise line visiting 252 ports of call. This, too, is an increase from their 2022 numbers, as they only sailed to 230 destinations last year. 

Two of the most popular ports in 2023 were Nassau and Cozumel, Mexico. Both welcomed over 3 million passengers in 2023, with Nassau seeing a record 3.8 million by November 2023. By the end of 2024, it's estimated that Nassau will see four million cruise visitors!

Outside of the Caribbean and Bahamas, Royal Caribbean ships sailed to Alaska, Canada & New England, Bermuda, Asia, the Panama Canal, Australia & New Zealand, Europe, South America, Hawaii, and more. 

Royal Caribbean ships served over one million ice cream cones and 275,000 piña coladas per month

There's nothing quite like a soft serve cone on the pool deck to cool down on a hot sea day. 14.5 million ice cream cones were served across the fleet in 2023. This breaks down to roughly one million per month or just a little over 39,700 per day. 

Instead of ice cream, some adult passengers may opt for a refreshing beverage, such as a piña colada! The cruise line served over 3.3 million piña coladas alone in 2023. While that number might seem a little low, that's over 9,000 per day! 

Royal Caribbean ships offer much more than just ice cream cones and alcoholic beverages, though. You won't go hungry onboard any of their ships. From the all-you-can-eat buffet, Main Dining Room, and specialty restaurants, there are plenty of options to appease all travelers. 

Read more: 21 best drinks to order if you have a cruise drink package

12,800 performances for guests to enjoy

One thing that sets Royal Caribbean apart from other cruise lines is its entertainment offerings. From jaw-dropping AquaTheater shows to Broadway-style musicals and one-of-a-kind production shows in the main theater, there's something for everyone to enjoy. 

In 2023, Royal Caribbean's casts put on 12,800 performances on their ships, which is over 240 per week! The actual number per sailing varies depending on the ship and length, with longer voyages usually having more shows. Similarly, smaller ships aren't equipped to offer some of the larger productions. 

In addition to performances, Royal Caribbean offers numerous other activities, too, ranging from daily trivia to comedians, live music, bingo, karaoke, and more. 

Read more: Broadway shows on Royal Caribbean: Everything you need to know

82,135 jackpots won in Casino Royale

Casino Royale can be a place of happiness or extreme disappointment. 82,135 passengers got lucky in 2023, though, winning jackpots and taking home more cash than they most likely boarded with! 

While I cannot say that I was one of them, I like to think of each cruise that I'm on as a win in and of itself! I don't have to worry about cooking or cleaning, and I get to visit some pretty neat destinations. Plus, the memories that I make will last far longer than cash winnings. 

There's more history to be made in 2024

From the launch of the brand-new Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas to Perfect Day at CocoCay's adults-only Hideaway Beach opening, it's hard not to think about everything to look forward to in 2024.

Icon of the Seas is set to embark on her maiden voyage on January 27, 2024, from Miami, Florida. The 250,800 gross registered ton vessel is larger than Wonder of the Seas, which has held the title of the world's largest cruise ship from the time of its launch in 2022. 

In fact, Icon of the Seas will be the first non-Oasis Class ship to hold the title of largest cruise ship in the world since Oasis of the Seas was launched in 2009. This means that Utopia of the Seas will be the first-ever brand-new Oasis Class ship to not have the honor of holding that title. 

What are you looking forward to the most in 2024? Are there any records that you hope to be part of? Let us know in the comments!

Read more: 5 big changes coming to Royal Caribbean in 2024

Whether it was exploring fjords, seeing Mexico by yacht, or seeing Maine in a new way, this year was full of adventure on the cruises I took.

In 2023, I was lucky enough to take 11 cruises on two different cruise lines across multiple continents. It was my best year of cruising yet, and I can't help but reflect on the best moments from the year.

I was inspired to think of the top five moments from my cruises this year and share them here.

Here are my favorite travel experiences of the year.

First European cruise

Up until 2023, I had never taken a cruise outside of North America. So when the opportunity came to go across the pond, I jumped at the chance.

Royal Caribbean invited me to go to Finland to see Icon of the Seas in the shipyard, and I thought since I was going all the way over there, why not squeeze a cruise in too?

I found a 7-night cruise to the Norwegian fjords on Anthem of the Seas and it was one of the best cruises I've ever taken.

Between experiencing Europe and seeing the natural beauty of Norway, I was so impressed by the sailing from start to finish. I got to see a little bit of the United Kingdom, and including plenty of pints of beer in local pubs.

Then it was onto Norway, and a port intensive itinerary that took me to see fjords and a glacier. 

Just like Alaska, photos don't do Norway justice, and I loved how pretty the landscape was in each port. I loved it so much that I'm already planning to return in 2025 (and I'm inviting you to join me for it!).

If I had to pick one moment that stood out above the rest, it was taking an electric "troll car" up to the top of Geiranger to see the fjord. It was stunning.

Read more: 7 mistakes & 3 things I did right on my Royal Caribbean Norwegian fjords cruise

Staying in the biggest suite

I've stayed in plenty of suites before, but never in one as opulent and sprawling as the Royal Loft Suite.

I took my family on a quick weekend cruise on Allure of the Seas and stayed in the biggest suite on the ship, which is the Royal Loft Suite.

It measures 1,524 square feet and has two bedrooms, a dining room, and large living room. 

Then there's the 843 square foot balcony to go with it, which has a hot tub on it.

When you stay in a suite as large as this one that comes with as many perks as it does, you'll naturally want to spend as much time as possible in the cabin. From enjoying cocktails on the balcony to having meals delivered to the suite, it opened my eyes to how you can live life to its fullest in one of these suites.

We certainly don't need to stay in a suite to have a great cruise, but it was such a treat to try it out.

Visiting New England

I had a Canada and New England cruise on my must-try list for a while, and 2023 was the year I got to finally try it.

Sailing on Serenade of the Seas, I sailed out of Boston to ports in Nova Scotia, Canada and Maine.  I thought I was going to love Canada, but I didn't expect to enjoy Maine even more.

Between the food, beers, scenery, and the welcoming people, I think a cruise to the Atlantic maritime provinces is vastly underrated. 

Nova Scotia was beautiful and I enjoyed it, but I found I enjoyed Maine even more. The combination of quaint towns and beautiful parks really struck me, and I would love to go back again and try even more.

As a beer lover, this region did not disappoint. Every port had so many good choices. Grabbing a beer in port became just as important as the shore excursion I had planned.

My favorite moment from this cruise was exploring Bar Harbor. I went up to the top of Cadillac Mountain, saw fall foliage, and walked around the town. It was exactly what I envisioned when I first considered booking this cruise.

Read more: 7 things that surprised me on my first Canada & New England cruise

A luxurious day in Cabo

I'm always on the lookout for an exceptional shore excursion, and I found a real winner in Cabo San Lucas.

Along with a group of friends, we rented out a yacht for the day in port while visiting on Navigator of the Seas. It was luck that we stumbled upon the tour provider. It wasn't cheap, but what a way to spend the day!

In other ports mentioned in this article, I talked about the natural beauty and splendor of visiting those places. Cabo is certainly beautiful too, but this was just a really fun and enjoyable day spent on the water with friends. A good time was had by all.

The original plan was for the boat's crew to take us out to swim somewhere, but the ocean was so rough that day it wasn't possible. The Captain apologized for having to deviate, but we were having such a good time together that where we went was secondary.

It's a good reminder that time spent with friends and family on a cruise is more important than where you go. 

Trying Celebrity for the first time

For the first time in over a decade, I went on a cruise line that wasn't Royal Caribbean.

I took my first ever cruise on Celebrity Cruises in 2023 when I took the family on a Thanksgiving cruise on Celebrity Apex.

It felt like the right time to try a Celebrity cruise, and we picked out one of the newer ships in the fleet for an Eastern Caribbean trip.

Being on a different cruise line was exciting in itself, and I took pleasure in being a bit outside of my element. Certainly the core experience is the same, but it was nice to change things up a bit.

I also appreciated the aspects of the cruise Celebrity excelled at, including the variety of food on its menus, as well as the seating around the ship. Even just enjoying coffee in Cafe al Bacio was lovely.

Read more: I took my first Celebrity Cruise on a new ship. We had a great time, but I missed Royal Caribbean's entertainment