Royal Caribbean Blog

I've taken dozens of cruises with my family over the years, and having internet access went from "nice to have" to "critical" for keeping up with everyone.

Unfortunately, internet access at sea costs extra on a cruise ship, but that's largely because of how expensive satellite internet is compared to what a land hotel pays for a wired connection.  It has gotten cheaper thanks to Starlink, but it will likely never be free.

Nonetheless, I consider buying an internet package for a family one of the most useful cruise extras to consider because it's a real difference maker in making it as simple as possible for to check in with everyone in my family.

While there's this notion disconnecting from the world is a more relaxing vacation, as long as you can exercise restraint and skip the work emails, internet access is a must buy.

Being connected doesn't mean work emails

I love having internet access because so much of our personal lives rely on it, not just work.

From checking the weather, to staying in contact with family, or following sports teams, the internet is how so many of us interact on a basic level these days.

The idea that if you have internet access it means answering work emails is misconstrued, in my opinion. If you have work emails on your phone, turn off notifications for that app and stay out of it.

Not only does having internet access make every day life easier, it's a godsend for being able to communicate with friends and family onboard the ship.

While I appreciate the notion of "unplugging" as a novel escape from the daily grind of our lives, I think it's romanticized in the same way people talk about "sleeping under the stars" in the woods somewhere while conveniently forgetting how uncomfortable that can be.

The free chat feature in the app isn't nearly as good

While Royal Caribbean app has a free chat feature, it's not very good.

It works well enough, but it's lacking key features and doesn't work at all for kids.

You have to be at least 13 years old to use the chat feature, so it means kids either cannot use the chat feature at all or you have to log them in under an adult's account.

Plus, the chat feature requires both you and the person you're trying to reach to accept each other as contacts.  

This means if you try to message someone who hasn't accepted your invitation to chat first, they'll never see the message.

Lastly, the notifications are hit or miss within the app. I've had pretty good luck with getting a push notification of a new message, but not always.

Let's face it, the tried-and-true messaging apps millions rely on at home just work better.

Having internet access on shore excursions is even more important

If having Wi-Fi on a cruise ship is nice, having internet while touring ports is a must-do.

Thanks to cheaper cell phone roaming plans, I've found having at least one device with cell phone access is helpful in knowing where to go, where to eat, and generally navigating your day.

When I was in Europe this summer, I relied heavily on an e-Sim and AT&T internet pass while in various countries and I know it made my experience so much better.

I was able to quickly navigate where the next spot to visit was, understand which form of public transportation would be best, and download apps we needed to get around.

Even when I was on a shore excursion sold by the cruise line, having internet access made waiting less dull, and provided context when we were on our own.

Not cheap, but affordable

Getting Wi-Fi on your Royal Caribbean cruise doesn't have to be expensive, if you know when to buy it.

The cruise line sells internet packages before the cruise begins and pre-purchasing is going to save you the most money.

As an example, an unlimited one device at a time internet package costs just $18.99 per day if I buy it now, compared to $27.99 per day if I wait to get it onboard the ship.

Sales like this are quite common, so there's no excuse not to buy before the sailing.

In fact, you can pay less per device if you add more concurrent devices to use.  Royal Caribbean's Voom packages come in 1, 2, 3 or 4 devices plans. 

You can share internet access with friends or family, as you're just limited to however many devices are in your package at one time.

Have you ever wanted to see what's under the surface of Royal Caribbean's AquaTheater pool? 

Well, you aren't alone. I've often joked that if it were offered, I'd pay extra for an under-the-water tour of the technologically advanced pool that makes one of the most popular shows at sea possible. 

While that isn't an option, one performer recently gave a rare glimpse below the surface. Although she doesn’t go into too much detail about the interworking's of the pool, she reveals what guests don't see during the AquaTheater shows, including the submerged doors where performances make their dramatic entrances. 

In the 22-second TikTok, user @ocean.performer briefly explained how the pool works, saying that "it's made of three parts: stage right, center lift, and stage left."

Each section can move independently, allowing the pool’s depth to change throughout the show to let divers safely perform their stunts. 

She concludes the video by showing the depth of the AquaTheater pool at its current level, coming in at 3.7 meters — or roughly 12 feet — deep. However, it can actually be adjusted as deep as nearly 18 feet. 

Since being posted, the short video has received over 18,000 views and 520 likes, indicating that there's a lot of curiosity about Royal Caribbean's most exclusive pools. 

Other clips on the TikToker's page reveal that she's a performer working aboard Wonder of the Seas, an Oasis Class ship that sails out of Miami, Florida. 

The AquaTheater pools are the deepest at sea and have two 30-foot diving platforms

Another performer, Ginni van Katwijk, shared a behind-the-scenes look at one of the high dives that takes place during AquaTheater shows. 

When Katwijk posted the Instagram video, she was working aboard Harmony of the Seas, the third Oasis Class ship to enter service for Royal Caribbean. 

"Just like normal," she says as she prepares to dive off the platform, "easy peasy." She then raises her arms, takes a deep breath, and gracefully jumps off the diving board into the AquaTheater pool. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean crew member shows off daring high dive on cruise ship: "Should be illegal"

Users were amazed by her bravery.

Calstatic_king wrote, "You give me anxiety but I can’t stop watching 😂😂😂."

Another added, "Watching you put your hands up and seeing them slightly shake before you centered yourself reminded me that you are a human, but totally a professional! You are incredible at what you do!!!"

What ships have an AquaTheater?

Since launching in 2009 aboard Oasis of the Seas, the AquaTheater has become a signature feature of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class ships. Never before had anyone seen daring high dives and choreographed water stunts in the middle of the ocean. 

Today, AquaTheaters can be found on eight ships in Royal Caribbean's fleet, including the two Icon Class vessels:

• Oasis of the Seas
• Allure of the Seas
• Harmony of the Seas
• Symphony of the Seas
• Wonder of the Seas
• Utopia of the Seas
• Icon of the Seas
• Star of the Seas

That said, the AquaTheater on Icon and Star of the Seas is different. Instead of being located at the back of the ship, they're found in the enclosed AquaDome. 

Because the theater is inside, it features climate control settings, advanced lighting, and AI-based technologies to deliver the most immersive and dynamic iterations of the show yet. 

Pro tip: make your reservation for the first or second show! Performances can sometimes be canceled due to weather, so booking early gives you a better chance of seeing the AquaTheater show. If your performance is canceled, you will have time to make it to another before disembarkation. They may even reschedule it for you! 

The family of a woman that authorities say jumped off a Royal Caribbean cruise ship and was never found, is suing the cruise line.

On October 22, 2024, a cruise ship passenger was reported overboard while sailing on Allure of the Seas while on a 4-night Taylor Swift-themed cruise.

The woman was later identified as Dulcie White, and her family blames crew members serving her too many drinks because she had a drink package.

According to CBS News, a lawsuit specifies the unlimited drink package played a role in White's death.

What happened last year

Photo by X user @Navaleye1

While Allure of the Seas was about 17 miles north of Nassau, a 66-year-old woman went overboard.

Local authorities later confirmed the woman jumped, and did not fall, from the 14th deck of the ship. 

The Royal Bahamas Defense Force, assisted by the U.S. Coast Guard, responded and conducted search and rescue efforts, using helicopters and airplanes.

Royal Caribbean also brought two other cruise ships, Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas, to assist in the search.

At the time of the incident, a Royal Caribbean spokesperson confirmed the incident in a statement, "Our crew immediately launched a search and rescue effort and is working with local authorities."

Rescue efforts were unsuccessful and called off the next day.

Family blames the cruise line

Ms. White's daughter, Megan Klewin, said her mom had purchased the alcohol package and said the drink package is part of the problem.

"Because of that (drink package, White) did overdo it, trying to maybe get her money's worth," she told CBS News.

"She was completely intoxicated in a way I haven't seen before. It saddens me that that is my last memory of her."

According to a lawsuit filed in Miami-Dade County on Thursday, crew members served Ms. White, "seven alcoholic beverages continually within a span of approximately six hours and eight minutes."

The lawsuit claims crew members ignored slurred speech, stammering, and difficulty standing up by White. It also claims another passenger noticed White's behavior and assisted her to her stateroom.

According to Klewin, she saw White go to the balcony.

"I assumed that's what she was doing was going to check her suitcase," Klewin said. "I wasn't looking and the next chance that I did look up, I saw her back. She was seated on the edge of the balcony like she had climbed up. She was seated and then fell over before I could get to her."

The lawsuit also claims the cruise ship never turned around or used rescue boats, even though independent reports from TMZ and other outlets showed rescue efforts.

Hurricane Melissa caused extensive damage to Jamaica, and Royal Caribbean is ready to step up to help in the relief effort.

As the storm moves past the Caribbean island, it's becoming clear how much land and human life has been devastated.

Melissa was one of the most powerful storms ever, and it made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday as a Category 5 storm.

It's now weakened and moved through the Bahamas, on its way toward Bermuda

Authorities say more than 30 deaths have been attributed to the storm in Jamaica, Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Falmouth, Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa. Photo by Michael Wattkis

Royal Caribbean International CEO Michael Bayley jumped in quickly on social media to offer a promise that his cruise line will step up to help.

Royal Caribbean has a long history of assisting countries its ships regularly visit when a natural disaster strikes.

Over $1 million relief supplies on the way

Mr. Bayley posted a short message indicating his people are engaged in how to help with the flow of support.

"[Jamaica] our thoughts and actions are with the people of Jamaica impacted by the Hurricane," he posted on Facebook.

"We have been in touch with the Government and many of our 1,200 employees and crew from the island.  We are coordinating relief supplies to be brought into Jamaica by air and sea for the communities hardest hit."

Update: Royal Caribbean announced late on Thursday it will contribute more than $1 million in aid to Jamaica and The Bahamas.

Royal Caribbean Group is proud to stand with our communities and employees in Jamaica as they recover from Hurricane Melissa. We’ve pledged more than $1 million to support recovery in communities affected by Hurricane Melissa through Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) and to support our local crew members through our Employee Hardship Fund. Our ships are also delivering critical supplies directly to those in need. 

Royal Caribbean Group set up an easy way to support the relief efforts or to learn more about how to help by visiting give.gem.org/RCGgivesback. 

Royal Caribbean ships dock in Falmouth, which is a port it helped develop in 2011. Prior to that, its ships visited Jamaica for decades in other ports, such as Ocho Rio and Montego Bay.

"Thank You Royal Caribbean Group"

Mr. Bayley's post was met with universal support by cruise fans who shared their admiration for the quick action.

"Thank You Royal Caribbean Group for the unwavering support of your family," wrote Kim Finnegan-Sheplock.

"This [is how]Royal has responded in the past and I am sure they will continue to respond with care and love in the future," added Bill Raffel.

Lori Hawthorne added, "Such a devastating storm. My thoughts to all of the wonderful people there. Thank you for helping."

Cathy Hirsch wrote, "I fell in love with the Jamaican people because of your cruises and have felt so helpless. It does my heart good to know that you are taking action."

Elizabeth Kohlmeier added, "So proud of the way the company just doesn’t send thoughts and prayers, but actually does something for the staff the countries that are affected by these natural disasters One of the reasons why we are loyal to Royal."

Hurricane Melissa is now a threat to Bermuda

While the storm isn't as strong as it was when it hit Jamaica, Melissa remains a major story.

As of Thursday afternoon, it was still a Category 2 hurricane with sustained winds of 105 mph and headed to Bermuda.

The good news is the National Hurricane Center expect the storm to weaken again on Friday.

While Melissa will pass to the northwest of Bermuda, some strong winds could still reach Bermuda.

You can support the relief efforts too

While Royal Caribbean is going to offer relief aid soon to Jamaica, there are ways for everyone to help out too.

Jamaican officials also launched the Support Jamaica website where you can make a donation. 

Many humanitarian organizations have already set up methods to donate and help the relief efforts in Jamaica.

Here are the most popular options for donating:

• American Friends of Jamaica
• American Red Cross
• Americares
• CARE
• Global Giving

Jamaican authorities have also issued a warning to be wary of scams where "nefarious individuals" are trying to snipe relief money.

"We have already been made aware of some nefarious individuals trying to collect money on behalf of Jamaica. We remind you that this will be the official site. If it doesn’t have .gov.jm, it’s not legitimate, it’s not an official government of Jamaica site," officials said in a statement.

You're about to take your first Royal Caribbean cruise, but what should beginners know before they board?

Among the multitude of questions our readers share, many have a common theme: they're feeling overwhelmed with how to approach a Royal Caribbean cruise because of all of the options, choices, and things to consider.

I've found knowing what to expect before your cruise begins can really help calm that sort of tension and make it easier to start things off on the right foot.  You should be excited for a cruise, not nervous!

I wanted to share important Royal Caribbean first time cruise tips that will help ease anyone into their vacation without any concerns.

What's included with your cruise

Royal Caribbean cruises aren't all inclusive, but they do include a lot with your fare.

You can expect a lot of the food, entertainment, and activities included at no extra cost.  But there are opportunities to spend extra on other options. 

• Your private stateroom
• Most meals and snacks onboard and at the private destination (breakfast, lunch, dinner, buffets, grab-and-go)
• Included beverages: tap water, tea, coffee, lemonade, iced tea, milk, juices (not fresh-squeezed), and hot chocolate
• Kids/Teens programming via the “Adventure Ocean” club (for ages 3–17) is included until approximately 10 pm
• Onboard activities and shows: theatre productions, live music, comedy, magic, trivia, pool games, scavenger hunts
• Many of the signature onboard activities and games: rock climbing wall, mini golf, waterslides, zipline, bumper cars, sports courts, etc.
• Use of the fitness center, jogging track, and sports court are included (though some fitness classes & spa services cost extra)
• Access to pools, sun decks, hot tubs and adult-only Solarium (on most ships) is included

Read more: What's included in a Royal Caribbean cruise?

If something costs extra, it's usually clearly marked in the Royal Caribbean app or before you order. Crew members are happy to explain if you have any questions, but I've found most of the signage to be easy to understand for things that aren't included.

What you should expect on boarding day

Getting on your cruise ship is an exciting event, and the embarkation process is a lot like going to the airport and getting on a flight.

There are three basic steps:

• Drop off luggage
• Checking-in
• Boarding

When you get to the cruise terminal, there are porters waiting to take your luggage. 

There's no cost to have your bags checked and Royal Caribbean doesn't have bag limits. So feel free to give the porters as much luggage as you like.  Just be sure to keep your travel documents, identification, and valuables with you in a carry-on bag.

Ideally you'll have printed out luggage tags and attached them to your bags, but the porters can do that for you if you didn't.

The next step is to get in line to check-in for your cruise.

You should have gotten a check-in time from the Royal Caribbean app or website. Royal Caribbean's online check-in opens 45 days before your cruise is set to begin. 

Enter the cruise terminal and you'll be directed to go through security, similar to an airport. All your belongings go into a scanner and you walk through a metal detector.

After that, you'll meet an agent to help you check-in.  They'll scan your SetSail Pass that is available in the app or if you printed it out.

The agent is there to verify you have all the proper documentation and everyone is present.  

Boarding usually begins around 10 or 11am, depending on how quickly the ship was able to disembark the previous guests and get clearance from local authorities to start the next sailing.

It's quite likely you'll go straight from check-in to boarding the ship!

3 things you should do before the cruise begins

In the weeks leading up to your cruise, there are a few really important things I think anyone should do before their cruise begins.

1. Complete online check-in

You can check-in for your cruise really easily with the Royal Caribbean app, and I highly recommend you do it to save time later.

The app is free to use and one person can do it for everyone else in your cabin.  It requires having your travel documents handy, taking a photo of everyone, and entering some basic information.

In fact, if you do it right, you should get Express Boarding to make embarkation even faster!

2. Pre-book everything

I cannot stress enough how important it is to pre-book as much as you can, such as shore excursions, drink packages, specialty dining, entertainment and more.

First, pre-booking will save you money. The cruise line heavily discounts these things in the months leading up to the sailing, and you will absolutely pay more onboard.

Second, pre-booking reduces the risk of something selling out.

Waiting to book onboard could mean there's little to no availability.

3. Buy travel insurance

Like all insurance, it seems like a waste of money until you need it.

There are so many variables with a cruise, that I recommend buying travel insurance simply to cover your bases for situations involving someone getting sick, bad weather disrupting your trip, or an accident.

Read more: I do these 14 things before every cruise to make my vacation better

Best cruises for first timers

If you've never cruised before, there are a few types of cruises and ships I'd recommend for a first time cruiser.

Best overall ship for new cruisers: Icon of the Seas or Star of the Seas.

A 7-night cruise on one of Royal Caribbean's Icon Class ships is sure to hit all the high notes and offer the latest and greatest there is today.

These aren't just new ships, they're arguably the best in the industry because of how they're designed to make everything so easy and accessible.

Plus, a weeklong cruise is a great start for a first timer because you get a mix of sea days and port days.

Short “dipping-your-toe” cruises: Utopia of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas 

A very popular option is to take a 3- or 4-night cruise to The Bahamas (including the line’s private island Perfect Day at CocoCay).

These are ideal for first-timers because the itinerary is short, the onboard ship options are plentiful, and there’s minimal time away from home.

European cruises for first-timers: Odyssey of the Seas or Legend of the Seas

7-night Mediterranean sailings from ports like Barcelona or Rome offer the best ships in the fleet along with amazing places to visit.

These are good for newcomers who want a mix of ship experience and sightseeing in Europe without the hassle of separate hotels/transport.

Royal Caribbean tips for first time cruisers

I love planning out a cruise because it extends the excitement of a fun vacation and really builds up the experience.

I wanted to share my favorite secrets for planning a cruise so you can get started the right way.

• Use a good travel agent: Trust me, a good travel agent is worth using.  They can save you money, help answer questions, and solve problems you haven't considered yet. Plus, a good travel agent should cost you nothing extra to use.
• The right cabin for you: There are lots of cabins you could book. It's a question of balancing room size versus price. A balcony cabin is usually a safe bet for a first timer because there's indoor and outdoor space, and the price is usually agreeable.
• Be flexible: No matter how much planning you do, not everything will go exactly as you expect it. Don't let little things ruin your trip.  People that cruise a lot will tell you how important it is to "go with the flow" and not let bad weather, cold food, or a rude guest stop you from having a great time.
• Look up the dress codes: Yes, there are themes for each day of the sailing but don't worry too much. They're suggestions, not requirements.
• Watch a ship tour: I think it's a really good idea to watch a ship tour on YouTube to get an idea of what to expect onboard. It's not only useful for understanding where everything is, but it's a fun introduction to the ship!

One man put himself in danger by climbing out his cruise ship window and sitting on top of it.

The incident occurred during a cruise last week, in which someone noticed the man doing something very dangerous and something he definitely shouldn't doing.

Purposefully disregarding these rules can have serious consequences, ranging from hefty fines to permanent bans. 

Recently, one cruiser caught another passenger incorrectly using their infinite verandah cabin on Star of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's newest Icon Class ship. 

In the photograph, the guest is seen sitting on the edge of the open window, with his legs dangling over the side. Presumably, he wanted a better view of the action in Central Park. 

One way to take advantage of the neighborhood is by reserving an inward-facing balcony cabin. On Royal Caribbean's Icon Class, most of these staterooms are infinite verandahs, a modern, innovative twist on the traditional balcony experience. 

Instead of having a separate open-air space, infinite verandah cabins feature a floor-to-ceiling window. The top half can be lowered at the push of a button to transform the entire room into an outdoor retreat. 

Generally speaking, these rooms are pretty controversial. Some cruisers love the extra indoor living space, while others prefer traditional cruise balconies. 

Still, when the window is down, it creates a bright, airy space that brings Central Park right into the stateroom. 

That said, the window is not meant to be sat on when open. Doing so can be extremely dangerous, and this passenger is lucky that he did not accidentally fall! 

Last year, a 12-year-old passenger fell off their Central Park balcony and died 

Witnesses sailing on Harmony of the Seas claimed that the boy had been playing with friends he had met onboard before going over the stateroom's balcony railing, falling to his death. 

Royal Caribbean confirmed that although crew members tried to resuscitate the child, the life-saving efforts were unsuccessful. He unfortunately succumbed to his injuries before the ship returned to Galveston, Texas, on September 8, 2024. 

"We are deeply saddened to confirm the death of one of our guests. Our Care Team is providing support and assistance to the guest's family during this difficult time. For the privacy of the guest and their family, we have no additional details to share," a Royal Caribbean spokesperson told PEOPLE.

It wasn't the first time someone had died in a balcony-related incident on Harmony of the Seas, either. In 2019, a 16-year-old guest passed away trying to climb onto their balcony after forgetting their SeaPass card. 

Harmony was docked in Labadee at the time — Royal Caribbean’s private destination in Haiti. According to reports, the Broward Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that the passenger was on Deck 8 when he slipped and fell on the pier. 

Most recently, a viral TikTok captured a scary moment when teenagers were caught climbing on a cruise balcony.

(Credit: @dvandzzedsw/TikTok)

The 5-second clip was likely meant as a social media stunt (thankfully, no injuries were reported), but it served as a harsh reminder of how quickly things can take a turn for the worse. 

For instance, one boy can be seen wearing flimsy flip-flops and protruding their stomach over the railing while holding onto the ceiling above. Had he taken one wrong step, he could have plummeted overboard into the sea!

Not only that, but passengers were outraged by the reckless behavior. Some went as far as asserting that the teens — along with their parents — should be banned from sailing with the cruise line again. 

Read more: Video captures scary moment teenagers caught climbing on cruise balcony

More vacationers are leaving rival cruise lines to sail with Royal Caribbean, according to the company’s CEO. 

Speaking during an earnings call with investors this week, Jason Liberty, CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, mentioned they're seeing an uptick in customers to their brand, but not cruising.

They're attracting a growing number of new-to-brand cruisers thanks to its differentiated destinations, strong loyalty programs, and innovative ships. 

Icon of the Seas, for example, is unlike any other ship at sea. And although other cruise lines have begun investing more in their private destinations, none come close to the plans that Royal Caribbean has in place — from the upcoming Royal Beach Club Paradise Island to Perfect Day Mexico and beyond. 

Consequently, Mr. Liberty said the company has noticed a clear shift of guests from other cruise lines to its brands.

"We've seen an elevated amount of that," he shared during the company's third-quarter earnings call on Tuesday, October 28. 

Continuing, Liberty emphasized that Royal Caribbean’s strategy of investing in high-return projects is paying off by attracting both new travelers and strengthening guest loyalty.

He added that demand remains strong across nearly all key markets, including the Caribbean and Europe. Moreover, bookings are up on new and like-for-like hardware. 

"We continue to see strong momentum across our business, powered by accelerated demand, growing loyalty, and an all-time high guest satisfaction, he said.

Exclusive destinations and innovative ships attract new cruisers

Royal Caribbean has been ahead of the game for decades. They launched the first cruise ships with ice skating rinks, surfing simulators, zip lines, high-diving water shows, and more. 

"Our technology, our AI tools are getting smarter and smarter so that we are able to curate what is relevant to that consumer," Mr Liberty explained.

"Really seeing an elevated amount of increase first to brand. So seeing people shift from other cruise lines to our brands, we've seen an elevated amount of that."

Today, the cruise line continues to push the boundaries with ships like Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas, offering unprecedented experiences at sea. 

Not only that, but their private destinations, such as Perfect Day at CocoCay and the upcoming Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, give guests a way to enjoy the onboard experience while ashore. 

"[We have a] vision to redefine how the world vacations," Liberty said, "[W]ith the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, Perfect Day Mexico, and others, we expect to increase our exclusive [land-based] destination portfolio from 2 to 8 by 2028."

These include Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, Royal Beach Club Cozumel, Perfect Day Mexico, Royal Beach Club Santorini, and Royal Beach Club Lelepa. 

Combined, Royal Caribbean's innovative ships and exclusive destinations create a vacation experience that cannot be replicated, whether you're sailing on a party cruise to The Bahamas or exploring the Greek Isles. 

Better loyalty benefits

Compared to other cruise lines, Royal Caribbean Group's loyalty programs are among the best in the industry — and they don't want to change that. 

For example, once cruisers earn 80 cruise points with Royal Caribbean, they will receive 4 complimentary drinks per day, one free day of Wi-Fi, one complimentary photograph every sailing, access to the Crown Lounge, and more.

Beyond cruise line-specific perks, Royal Caribbean Group launched an industry-first status match program in 2024. Now, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Silversea cruisers can enjoy the same recognition across all three brands.

Most recently, they announced the company's brand-new Points Choice initiative, which will allow cruisers to choose which program they want to apply the loyalty points to, regardless of who they sail with. 

This means that, effective sometime in 2026, those who sail with Celebrity Cruises can turn the cruise points into Crown & Anchor Society points to boost them closer to the next tier in Royal Caribbean's loyalty program. 

"This initiative further strengthens the overall value of our loyalty proposition, deepening engagement across our portfolio, and reinforcing our commitment to putting the guests at the center of our orbit as our ecosystem expands," Liberty said about the Points Choice program. 

In Royal Caribbean's eyes, loyalty is a "two-way street." The company wants cruisers to feel loyal to them, and passengers want to feel rewarded for their loyalty to the cruise line. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean is "trying to avoid" loyalty changes Carnival has made, CEO says

Royal Caribbean has added new cruises to Europe in 2027 that are available to book immediately.

A total of six Royal Caribbean cruise ships will be sailing in Europe, including Legend of the Seas.  

Legend is one of the Icon Class ships, and depending on when the unnamed fourth Icon class ship debuts in 2027, will either be the biggest or one of the biggest ships in the world.

Royal Caribbean's European deployment runs between May and November 2027.

Here's a breakdown of which ships will be deployed to Europe and where they will be sailing from.

Legend of the Seas is back for the summer in Europe

Legend of the Seas will debut in 2026 with a summer cruise season in Europe before heading to North America for the winter, but she'll return in 2027.

Legend is a massive ship, coming in at 250,800 gross tons and can accommodate approximately 5,610 passengers at double occupancy or up to 7,600 passengers at maximum occupancy.

The ship has six massive waterslides, seven pools, over 40 places to eat and drink, and will host new shows.

Similar to her 2026 itineraries, Legend will offer 7-night Western Mediterranean cruises from both Barcelona, Spain and Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy.

There's a random 3-night one way cruise from Rome to Barcelona in October 2027 too.

For those keeping score at home, if Legend is going to be in Europe for summer 2027, does that mean Icon 4 has to start sailing from somewhere else?

Odyssey of the Seas will sail to Greece for the summer

Another new Royal Caribbean ship well versed in spending its summer in Europe will be Odyssey of the Seas.

Odyssey will sail from Civitavecchia, Italy and offer 7-night cruises to the Greek Isles.

This itinerary is notable since it means stops on every voyage to Royal Caribbean's new Royal Beach Club Santorini.

It appears the cruise line is renovating a beach club that already exists and will add new upgrades and features to it as they prepare to open it for the summer 2026 European cruise season.

Situated on a volcanic beach, guests can opt to pay extra to get into the new beach club and enjoy an all-inclusive visit with beach chairs, umbrellas, WiFi, food, and drink all part of the admission cost.

Mariner of the Seas takes over in the UK

Royal Caribbean will send Mariner of the Seas to Southampton, England to offer a variety of cruises around Northern and Western Europe.

Mariner of the Seas has cruises that visit Spain, Norwegian fjords, France, Germany, and more.

There's also a large mix of sailing durations, meaning you can find quick escapes or longer voyages too.

Explorer of the Seas sails open jaw Mediterranean cruises

Another Voyager Class ship, Explorer of the Seas, will spend a summer in the Med offering one way cruises between Ravenna (Venice), Italy and Rome.

The advantage of these itineraries is you can go much further around Italy and enjoy the Amalfi coast and Sicily because the ship doesn't need to return to its original home port.

Explorer offers visits to places such as:

• Dubrovnik, Croatia
• Sicily (Messina), Italy
• Bar, Montenegro
• Kotor, Montenegro
• Corfu, Greece
• Santorini, Greece
• Sicily (Messina), Italy
• Amalfi Coast (Salerno), Italy

Those looking to get the best of the Adriatic and Italy will love these choices.

Brilliance of the Seas is also offering deeper voyages around the Med

Similar to Explorer, Brilliance of the Seas has a mix of one way and roundtrip sailings that begin and end in Italy.

Brilliance will sail Greece and Adriatic cruises, Italy and Croatia cruises, as well as Greek Isles cruises.

Depending on which voyage you prefer, they may be roundtrip or one way sailings.

Rhapsody of the Seas will be based in Athens

Ready to visit Egypt, Turkey and everything Greece has to offer?

Rhapsody of the Seas will be homeported in 2027 from Athens, Greece and offer 7 night cruises to destinations around the Eastern Mediterranean.

There are voyages that even go to Alexandria, Egypt, which is a country that Royal Caribbean has shied away from in recent years due to geopolitical issues.

Since Rhapsody is based in Athens, there's a lot of the Greek Isles you'll see, as well as other notable places from antiquity that are in modern day Turkey.

Booking a European cruise now is one of the best money saving strategies

If you're looking to get the best possible deal on a European cruise, you'll want to seriously consider booking a 2027 cruise now before prices go up.

Royal Caribbean typically puts out new sailings with its best prices and then starts raising prices as the sail date approaches.

As more cabins get booked up, Royal Caribbean uses AI to change its prices and meet the demand.

To be fair, the prices will fluctuate for a while, but it's been my experience the best approach to locking in a good price on any Royal Caribbean cruise is to book as early as you can.

Plus, booking early means you can reserve the exact cabin and location you prefer.  This is important if you want one of the highly sought after staterooms, such as suites.

More 2027 deployments coming soon

Royal Caribbean has more new sailings to post in the coming weeks for the 2027-2028 cruise season.

Most of the new sailings will be released before the end of the year, with a few of the Asian and Pacific offerings to be posted sometime next spring.

• Week of October 20, 2025: Alaska
• Week of October 27, 2025: Europe
• Week of November 3, 2025: 7-night & Short Caribbean Year-Round
• Week of November 10, 2025: Northeast, California & Texas
• Week of December 8, 2025: Seasonal Caribbean

Keep in mind the sailings could be released at any point within that week, and not necessarily on the first day of the listed week.

Royal Caribbean Group announced a change to how cruisers earn loyalty points that will make it easier to cruise between its brands and earn status at the same time.

During an earnings call with investors, Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty revealed his company's plans to introduce Points Choice.

Coming at some point in 2026, Points Choice will change how cruisers earn loyalty points when they cruise between lines.

Up until now, if you sailed with Royal Caribbean International, you would earn loyalty points within just the silo of that line.  A cruise on sister brand Celebrity Cruises would earn a separate point count.

That appears to be changing.

Introducing Points Choice

Coming soon will be Points Choice, which is the name of an expanded loyalty status match program.

In 2024, the company introduced status matching between Royal Caribbean Group's three brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea.

Points Choice will go beyond that, "Building on the success of status match, I'm excited to announce Points Choice, the next evolution, and how guests earn and apply loyalty points across our family of brands beginning in early 2026," said Mr. Liberty.

"Guests will be able to apply loyalty points to the Royal Caribbean Group brand they prefer, regardless of which brand they are sailing with."

For the first time, guests will be able to apply loyalty points earned on any Royal Caribbean Group brand toward the brand program of their choice. This applies to Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society, Celebrity’s Captain’s Club, or Silversea’s Venetian Society, Points Choice.

For example, if a Royal Caribbean guest is sailing with Celebrity Cruises for the first time, they can choose to apply the points earned for the Celebrity sailing to either brand’s loyalty program.

One other note, members will not have the option to apply points already earned to a different brand.

"Points Choice will be offered only on cruises departing on or after the launch date," according to Celebrity Cruises' website.

Furthermore, benefits will remain the same for Crown & Anchor, Captain’s Club and Venetian Society program.

In addition, the Status Match program is not changing. Members can still receive one-for-one tier matching across all three Royal Caribbean Group brands: Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea.

The program will debut in early 2026, with details on exchange rates, eligibility, and program rules to follow ahead of launch.

Making the change to combine guest demand and profitability

On the surface, it's clear Royal Caribbean Group offering point sharing between its brands matches a customer need while likely driving additional revenue.

Mr. Liberty said he thinks this change will build loyalty with its customers, "This initiative further strengthens the overall value of our loyalty proposition, deepening engagement across our portfolio and reinforcing our commitment to putting the guests at the center of our orbit as our ecosystem expands."

He sees it a way to compel cruisers to cruise more because it allows them to get to higher loyalty status, "It creates a virtuous cycle of demand, value and advocacy, one that drives both short term performance and enduring growth. It's a model that compounds over time, and we're just at the beginning of what it can become."

Royal Caribbean hinted at better loyalty enhancements

Today's announcement makes comments clearer made by Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley during a fan event earlier this summer.

He was asked about improving the Crown and Anchor Society so that points could be earned interchangeable between Celebrity and Royal Caribbean.

He answered it before the Points Choice announcement, but it's clear this has been a program that's been worked on for a while, "You'll see over the coming months and year or two that things will continue to improve in terms of accessibility, simplicity, making it easier to sail between the brands, get offers, this type of thing."

"Ultimately, we have not defined this yet, but ultimately we are going to get to a one platform database of our loyalty members for Royal Caribbean Group."

"I don't have the exact timeline. And I think we've had this discussion before, and we've maybe over the last couple of years, we started this journey with loyalty two years ago."

"Now this is awesome news!"

News of Points Choice spread quickly among cruisers, and most of our readers seemed excited for the change.

Renne Patterson posted, "Now this is awesome news!," she shared on Facebook because it will allow her to move up the loyalty ladder even if trying another line.

"This will definitely impact our choices positively! Might even result in us cruising a bit more!"

Michael Lewis wrote, "This is how you keep your loyal cruisers, unlike Carnival." His comment alludes to changes Carnival Cruise Line made to its loyalty program that have been received poorly by fans.

Luke Wallace added, "Yes, I've been thinking they should do something like this for a while! I was hoping it would be a system where you earned points on every loyalty program at the same time, but maybe with status match this is effectively the same. Time to book a Celebrity cruise!"

Jenny Schuber posted, "Finally! This has been stopping me from trying Celebrity. Nice they status match but I want the points to count towards overall nights across the board."

Royal Caribbean announced on Tuesday it will open a new exclusive destination for its cruise ship guests in the heart of the Greek islands.

For the first time, there will be a cruise line exclusive spot in Europe in the form of Royal Beach Club Santorini.

The announcement was made during Royal Caribbean Group's third quarter earnings report.

Here's everything that has been announced about the private destination expansion.

Royal Beach Club Santorini opens in 2026

Opening in "summer 2026", this will be a beach club that is only available to guests sailing on Royal Caribbean or Celebrity ships. Local Greek residents will also be able to purchase club entry, based on availability.

Unlike Perfect Day at CocoCay or Perfect Day Mexico, Royal Beach Clubs have an admission cost to them. Think of it like a shore excursion option owner and operated by the cruise line that is only available to book if you sail with the cruise line.

The cruise line describes the new beach club as being an idyllic spot to enjoy a day visit, "Royal Beach Club Santorini will welcome vacationers from Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises and combine the breathtaking volcanic beaches of this iconic Greek island with the company's signature experiences alongside the vibrant Grecian spirit and culture to create the ultimate Santorini experience."

Royal Caribbean President and CEO Michael Bayley said in a statement, "Santorini is an incredible destination that our guests love to explore, and with this new beach club, we are able to bring the best of what the island has to offer with the signature service Royal Caribbean is known for."

More details of your visit to the beach club in Greece:

• Day pass includes:
  • Access to a volcanic black sand beach along the Aegean Sea
  • Complimentary gourmet beachfront dining
  • Umbrellas
  • Loungers
  • Wi-Fi
• Every excursion includes a scenic ferry tour along Santorini’s coastline, plus stops in the picturesque towns of Oia and Fira.
• There are no age restrictions, which means kids are allowed in too

We don't know yet what the look or design will be of Royal Beach Club Santorini, but the other beach club plans are clear on one thing: it's designed to be the ultimate beach day.

"It's going to be one of the, I would argue, it will be the most amazing beach day in essence," said Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean's chief product innovation officer, in reference to the first beach club opening in The Bahamas.

Concept art shows a beach area with palapas, sun beds, as well as an elevated bar and lounge area, presumably with a pool within the complex.

Mr. Bayley posted renderings on social media of what the experience could look like.

The renderings show ferries at the end of a dock to bring guests around for the scenic tours.

The beach and views of the water are clearly a focus of this beach day.

Available to book immediately

Guests already booked on Greek Isle cruises in 2026 have access to book a day pass.

"The Ultimate Santorini Day" has the beach club listed in a spot check of upcoming cruises on Explorer of the Seas.

For the October 3, 2026 sailing, a day pass is listed at $284.00 per adult, or $199 per child. However, there's currently a 30% off sale running that brings those prices down to $197 and $138, respectively.

Where will the beach club be located?

Royal Caribbean Group has not yet disclosed where it's located, but the teaser image seems to be of an actual location rather than a computer rendered spot.

In searching the Internet, the Theros Wave Bar looks very similar.

Theros Beach Bar

Royal Beach Club press material

Located in Eros Beach, Vlychada-Santorini, it's 15 minutes away from Fira. 

The volcanic rocks in the background are quite striking, and this could be the property acquired.  Royal Caribbean did something similar when it acquired Playa Mia as its site for Royal Beach Club Cozumel.

Plus, the listing in the Cruise Planner clearly states it's at "the luxurious Theros Beach Club."

8 private destinations by 2028

The new beach club in Greece is part of Royal Caribbean Group's ambitious plans to open eight land based operations by 2028.

The first Royal Beach Club opens in December in Nassau, Bahamas when Royal Beach Club Paradise Island begins welcoming guests.

Additionally, a second beach club in Cozumel, Mexico, is slated to open sometime in 2026. 

That's followed up by Perfect Day Mexico opening in 2027 and a private beach in Lelepa that both should open in 2028.

SIlversea is also planning to open the Southernmost Hotel on Earth The Cormorant at 55 South in Chile in 2026.

Ever since the opening of Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean has seen a tremendous uptick in guest satisfaction and profitability with a private destination that caters directly to the wants and needs of its guests.

Relying heavily on surveying its guests for feedback, they've worked to deliver the kind of vacation vacationers want.