Royal Caribbean Blog

Celebrity Edge recently broke loose from its mooring while docked in Juneau, Alaska, after the ship was struck by a strong wind squall.

(Photo Left: Celebrity Edge drifting during storm in Juneau, Alaska. Shared on YouTube by user The Undead Kennedy)

The incident occurred on June 16, 2025 while Celebrity Edge was sailing on a 7-night cruise around Alaska, which departed on June 13, 2025 from Seattle, Washington. The scary episode was caught on video by passengers both onboard Celebrity Edge and ashore in Juneau when the wind squall struck.

In the videos, the mooring lines on Celebrity Edge can be seen snapping dramatically as wind gusts pick up. According to a video shared on YouTube by user Jonkelley7255, the forward lines on Celebrity Edge snapped first, which triggered a cascade of snapping lines along the ship. 

(Celebrity Edge drifting during storm in Juneau, Alaska. Shared on Youtube by Johnkelly7255)

As the lines break, the ship begins to drift away from the dock amid heavy rain and strengthening winds. Guests waiting on the pier can be heard gasping in the video while the ship’s mooring lines snap one by one. Because of the strong winds, Celebrity Edge drifted into the harbor near other ships.

In a statement made to USA Today, a spokesperson for Royal Caribbean Group stated, “The ship drifted from the pier due to a sudden wind squall. Our Captain maneuvered the ship back to the dock where passengers and crew boarded to resume the scheduled itinerary.”

Fortunately, no injuries were reported and the ship did not sustain any damage from the storm. According to USA Today and AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Chad Merrill, Juneau experienced heavy afternoon rain and wind gusts between 30 and 35 miles per hour during the mishap.

(Celebrity Edge drifting during storm in Juneau, Alaska. Shared on Youtube by Johnkelly7255)

CruiseMapper shows that Celebrity Edge has continued with its intended voyage, as the ship is currently docked in Skagway, Alaska as scheduled. The 7-night itinerary features stops in Ketchikan, Tracy Arm Fjord, Juneau, and Victoria in British Columbia. Celebrity Edge is scheduled to return to Seattle, Washington on June 20, 2025.

Guests aboard the sailing shared their first-hand accounts on social media. 

(Celebrity Edge drifting during storm in Juneau, Alaska. Shared on YouTube by user The Undead Kennedy)

Following the mishap in Juneau, many of Celebrity Edge's guests shared their videos on social media. For instance, one user posted on the r/Cruise thread on Reddit about their experience and titled their post, "Celebrity Edge Alaska Juneau Bay broke away from the dock."

The user explains, “Ship broke away from [mooring] and supposedly [slammed] back into the dock. No communications from Celebrity whatsoever. Celebrity has an app but [is not] posting any communications.”

The user continued, “The bus driver to take us back to the has ship has been giving us some updates. If we weren’t on the bus we wouldn’t know anything that is going on."

“I'm on the ship. The are going to re-dock on the port side. First, they need to remove the snapped ropes from the water. That is what has been reported over the announcements,” replied another cruiser.

(Celebrity Edge drifting during storm in Juneau, Alaska. Shared on YouTube by user The Undead Kennedy)

Other guests shared that rumors were swirling about potential damage to the ship, and lack of communication from Celebrity Cruises was frustrating.

One cruiser shared, “The problem was the telephone game. Heard from one bus driver that the ship was damaged and slammed into the dock. Thankfully that wasn't true. But that's probably why you saw so many dramatic posts. No one knew what was going on”

In particular, one Reddit user commented on Celebrity’s perpendicular docking position contributing to the incident’s cause: “Doesn’t help that Celebrity’s docking position is the most exposed, and almost perpendicular to the wind down the valley (versus say Holland America’s ship in the video taking the wind head on).”

(Celebrity Edge drifting during storm in Juneau, Alaska. Shared on YouTube by user The Undead Kennedy)

“There was a huge, extreme wind storm with hail that came in. We were on the ship next to it as it drifted towards us,” shared one cruiser in the comment section.

In many of the videos, other vessels docked in Juneau at the same time can be seen remaining secure to their dock. However, others praised the crew on Celebrity Edge for handling the situation swiftly. One Reddit user commented, “The crew handled this like a boss. Felt like they got the ship staple pretty quickly and kept everyone onboard pretty chill.”

Celebrity Edge isn't the first ship recently to encounter this type of scary mishap. 

This incident with Celebrity Edge follows a series of other ships that have broken loose from their mooring recently because of severe weather. Just a few weeks ago, in Ketchikan, Alaska, Holland America’s Westerdam drifted away from the pier and after the ship's mooring lines snapped during a storm. This caused the gangway to collapse with wind gusts up to 60 knots before tugs secured the vessel.

The same week, MSC Seascape was docked at Ocean Cay, Bahamas, when it was hit by a sudden wind squall. This also caused the ship's mooring lines to snap and the gangway fell into the water. According to reports, one passenger had minor injuries because of the mishap.

Finally, just a few weeks ago, Norwegian Epic broke loose from its moorings because of strong winds while docked in Catania, Sicily. This caused the gangway to collapse into the water with one guest plummeting into the sea. The passenger's husband supposedly jumped into the water to save her, and both were transported to the hospital. Boarding was delayed for several hours with guests stranded on the pier as the ship sailed back to sea temporarily.

After 15 Royal Caribbean cruises, I finally splurged on the Unlimited Dining Package. 

Although part of the allure of cruise vacations is the complimentary dining that's included in the base fare, I've found that specialty restaurants typically have higher-quality food and a more intimate setting. Plus, I cruise so frequently that the dining room has begun to lose its appeal. 

So, my partner and I decided to purchase Royal Caribbean's Unlimited Dining Package for our weeklong vacation on Icon of the Seas. As the largest cruise ship in the world, she's filled from bow to stern with specialty dining options, including Izumi Sushi and Hibachi, Hooked, Pier 7, Chops Grille, and more. 

The Unlimited Dining Package wasn't just about indulging in better food. It was about the variety, atmosphere, and service. For example, we had the flexibility to dine at multiple specialty restaurants per day, allowing us to explore more of the ship's culinary options. 

Making our reservations was easy thanks to Royal Caribbean's new feature that allows guests to book their specialty dining package reservations in advance, rather than once onboard. Even after booking, we could easily make changes through the Cruise Planner, adjusting restaurants and reservation times as needed.

As our cruise neared, we looked forward to tender lobster at Hooked, flavorful Italian classics at Giovanni's, and fun interactive meals at Izumi Hibachi. 

However, by the end of the voyage, we didn't feel as satisfied as expected. Instead, we felt burnt out. The pressure to "get our money's worth" meant we ate more than we usually would on a cruise. Dinner began to feel like something we had to check off a to-do list, rather than something we were looking forward to on vacation. 

Here's why I wouldn't purchase the Unlimited Dining Package again — even as someone who is a fan of specialty restaurants on cruise ships. 

Read more: I take over 10 cruises a year as a cruise reporter. I always book this one thing — even though it costs extra money

It's not all-inclusive

Certain restaurants have an upcharge, even if you purchase the Unlimited Dining Package. For example, to eat at Izumi Hibachi, you must pay an extra $15 per adult. 

Because hibachi is one of our favorite meals at home and on a cruise ship, we made reservations to eat at Izumi twice during our 7-night cruise, resulting in $60 of upcharges. 

Other restaurants come with similar caveats. Royal Railway, for instance, is not included with the Unlimited Dining Package and requires an upcharge of $50 per adult and $25 per child. 

Chef's Table, the cruise line's multi-course dinner hosted by a chef and sommelier, also comes with an upcharge of around $50 per person. 

Similarly, Royal Caribbean's relatively new Izumi Omakase experience costs an extra $60 per person, even if you've purchased the Unlimited Dining Package. 

The most expensive upcharge is for Empire Supper Club, a premium, reservation-only dining experience that blends an eight-course tasting menu with craft cocktails and live jazz paired to each course. 

Even with the Unlimited Dining Package, guests must pay an additional $130 per person to dine there. However, the onboard price costs $200, just $70 more than the upcharge with the dining package. 

Depending on which restaurants you want to eat at, you may be better off booking each individually, especially if there's a good pre-cruise sale on Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner. There are no discounts on the upcharges for the specialty restaurants, as they're paid once onboard the ship. 

Additionally, certain menu items aren't included with the Unlimited Dining Package, including Chops Grille's Iconic Cuts and the broiled Maine lobster. The latter costs around $25 (after the mandatory service charge), while the price for Chops' Iconic Cuts varies from $16.99 to $39.99. 

Read more: I spent $60 to eat at Royal Caribbean’s most bizarre restaurant. I thought I would hate it, but it was one of the best meals of my cruise

It's too much food on a weeklong cruise

Overall, we found that eating at specialty restaurants for 7 nights in a row was too much food for us — our eyes were definitely bigger than our stomachs! The first few nights were exciting, but we began to feel sluggish and overly full by the middle of the cruise.

One sea day, we pushed ourselves even more, indulging in a multi-course brunch at Pier 7 ahead of our dinner at Chops Grille. 

Although both meals were delicious, the constant indulgence in heavy meals left little room for snacking. This was disappointing at CocoCay when I couldn't eat as many coconut shrimp as I wanted at Hideaway Beach!

Read more: Royal Caribbean menus: Main dining room, specialty restaurants & more 

It also made it difficult to fully enjoy each meal, especially during the second half of the trip. By that point, dining felt like a commitment. 

At $665.48 per two people, the Unlimited Dining Package on the world's largest cruise ship broke down to nearly $100 per night. As such, we felt a lot of pressure ot maximize each meal to get our money's worth. Had we wanted to save money, we could have eaten in the buffet, the Main Dining Room, or other included venues!

Some ships have limited specialty restaurants

Sailing on Icon of the Seas meant we didn't have a shortage of restaurants to choose from. However, older vessels don't have nearly as many specialty dining options. 

While Icon boasts more than 20 dining venues, including new concepts like the Empire Supper Club and Pier 7, older Royal Caribbean ships have just a handful of specialty restaurants, typically limited to staples like Chops Grille, Giovanni’s Table, and Izumi Sushi.

For example, Vision of the Seas, a Vision Class ship launched in 1998, features four specialty restaurants: Izumi Sushi, Chops Grille, Giovanni's Table, and the Chef's Table. The latter has an upcharge, too. On a weeklong cruise, eating at the same specialty restaurants can quickly start to feel repetitive. 

A 3-night dining package would meet our needs better

Next time, we'd likely consider a 3-night dining package, rather than the pricey unlimited one. Because there's so much food included in the base fare — ranging from the buffet to fast-casual bites and Main Dining Room — spending nearly $700 on specialty dining felt wasteful, especially since we didn't enjoy the package as much as expected. 

Not only are the 3-night packages more affordable, but they also offer more flexibility without the pressure to plan your entire cruise around dining reservations or big meals. Additionally, if you're on an older ship, you'll have fewer restaurants to cross off your list, so you may not want to pay to eat at the same venues over and over. 

Ultimately, the Unlimited Dining Package is a great way to indulge in the ship's best culinary offerings. However, it's not the right fit for me. I'd prefer a smaller package so I could enjoy specialty restaurants — while leaving room for coconut shrimp.

Read more: I ate my way through 29 cruise ships. These are the 9 best things I tasted that stood out from the rest

One of the best things about a cruise ship are the places you'll visit, and you can make them even better with a few easy things.

Cruise excursions will get you to the place or activity, but they're not going to cover everything you may need.  

I think most people understand to bring sunscreen, towels, and other basics.  But there are other not so obvious things I'd recommend bringing too.

This list is a result of various things I've seen other cruisers bring and then I thought "that's a good idea". It's not essentials or things you'd have a bad time without. Rather, they can enhance your tour.

I hope some of these might also inspire you and make your cruise excursion better.

This article contains affiliate links that cost you nothing extra to use, but I make a small commission.

Inflatable floats

I had been to St. John a few times, but on my last visit a fellow cruiser packed inflatable floats that are exactly what I wish I had all along.

These floats allow you to sit, paddle, or lay on floats connected by a mesh material. The genius of it is it's inflatable, so you can deflate when you're done and pack it up.  Plus, you can use it in different configurations to suit your needs.

I think having it so you can sit in them is perfect for most beach days.  It's nice to be in the water without actively swimming.  The floats make it easy to sit or lay on them, which allows for flexibility.

Unlike other floats, I like these are very compact when deflated so it's not cumbersome to travel with.

Bluetooth speaker

Bluetooth speakers get a lot of hate these days because how some people misuse them without consideration for others.  However, I think there's value in responsible use.

I've been on excursions to the beach where there is a significant distance between us and others.  Or we're in a cabana that has some privacy.  In either case, having music at a reasonable volume is a nice touch.

If you rent a cabana at Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bluetooth speakers are included (ask your cabana attendant), so you don't need to bring your own.

I'd recommend picking up a water resistant speaker to ensure it doesn't get ruined while at the beach by water or sand.

Portable fan

I've seen more cruisers bringing portable fans with them to keep the air moving.

These rechargeable fans can be the difference between stagnant, humid air and some level of comfort.

They're great on bus rides, waiting for taxis, and generally being outdoors.

At first, I thought they looked too dorky to wear, but then I remembered I really don't care what other people think.  My comfort level is more important than impressing random people.

Wet bag

One of the smartest things to buy for a shore excursion is a waterproof bag to bring back and forth from the ship.

This is your portable means of easily carrying towels, clothes, electronics, and more. But it also needs to be practical for the beach and surf. You want something packable, yet useful to carry the necessities.

The two bags a lot of cruisers recommend: Waterfly bags or a Columbia nylon backpack. 

It just needs to be a bag that won't get soaked with water when wet, but durable enough to carry what you need. You might even have an old bag at home that does the trick.  

Entertainment for the bus ride

This tip is for the families, because keeping your kids from complaining they're bored is a win anytime.

While I might be content looking out the window and enjoying the view, that's nails on the chalkboard for kids. 

Since most excursions involve a commute to get to/from the actual activity, I'd recommend bringing something for them to watch or do.

A tablet works quite well, especially if it's preloaded with something to watch, play, or read.

The first time we tried this was on a long bus ride to a beach in Jamaica, and it saved everyone's sanity.

While the price of everything has seemingly gone up, the value of a cruise vacation is still undeniable.

As someone that covers cruises for a living, I go on a lot of ships each year.  Going on more than a dozen cruises doesn't leave a lot of time for land vacations.

In all honesty, I prefer to cruise as a vacation anyway. But in case I had any doubts, cruising is not only a fun way to travel, it also makes a lot of economic sense.

My family planned a European cruise this year, heading on Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas for over a week visiting Northern Europe.

We decided to add in a pre-cruise trip to Disneyland Paris as a way to maximize the value of our expensive flight, and better acclimate ourselves to the local time before the cruise.

After spending two days enjoying the theme parks, it reminded me how much more a cruise incudes for the cost.

I took for granted food, drinks, and entertainment that comes with a cruise

Anytime I stay at a hotel or visit a city, I quickly miss having food as part of the included cost.

Royal Caribbean cruises include certain restaurants in the fare.  You can go on a cruise and never spend any more money on food.  I usually buy at least some specialty food, but at least the basics are covered.

When we arrived to our Disneyland Paris hotel, it dawned on me I couldn't make a quick visit to the Windjammer or Cafe Promenade for coffee, a snack, or anything.

Food costs added up quickly, and within 24 hours, I had over $300 in food charges without ever going to a sit down restaurant.

I've grown accustomed to having snacks and basic food and drink readily available when on a cruise.

I'd probably have been okay with the money spent on food if we had been in a city where the food is authentic to the region and arguably the kind of food you can't get elsewhere, but theme park food was notably disappointing.

Theme park travel is expensive

Both a cruise and a theme park resort have certain costs that you don't find if just visiting a city.

Your cruise fare includes transportation on the ship, accommodations, food, entertainment and more.  At Disneyland, you're paying for hotel and theme park tickets.

Between the resort hotel, tickets, and their upgraded front of the line access program, I spent over $4,500 for my family of four across the two night stay. That doesn't include food costs.

To put that in perspective, two connecting balcony cabins on a 8-night cruise cost $5,567.20, which includes food and more.

The realization I had wasn't that cruising is cheap, but the value is higher given what's included with a cruise.

Loyalty benefits really tip the scales towards cruising

An x-factor that makes cruises far more attractive to me financially is what I get by being a loyal cruiser.

Royal Caribbean has an array of perks for its repeat customers, with the best benefits beginning at the Diamond level.

With that, you can get free drink vouchers, souvenir photos, dedicated lounge space and more. I even get a free cruise every 350 points I achieve now that I've made it to Pinnacle Club level.

I think the free drinks that you get once you reach Diamond alone are the best benefit.

Both are fun, but cruising gets me more for the money

I'm not complaining about riding Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, or Phantom Manor, because a day in a Disney park is lovely. Rather, I couldn't help but think about the value proposition.

Our visit to Disneyland Paris was about checking a box off our list of places to visit, but I'm in no hurry to return. 

Ironically, if not for our cruise vacation, I doubt we would have been able to visit Disneyland. And that's how things will remain: cruising is our preferred means of vacation.

For the money, I'd rather be on a cruise so we can get more value for what we spend on the trip. Plus, another cruise earns me more loyalty points that get me future benefits too.

It's becoming easier to enjoy the benefits of a Royal Caribbean cruise and a land casino.

Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises have strengthened their casino loyalty partnership, which means it's easier to earn points on a ship or at a land casino.

A first reported by TheStreet, players who gamble in the onboard casinos can now earn MGM Rewards Points, tier credits, and slot dollars — not just cruise line benefits.

To take advantage, players must use their SeaPass card while gambling onboard. The points they earn in the Club Royale (Royal Caribbean) or Blue Chip Club (Celebrity) programs now count toward MGM’s rewards program too.

"Extending the opportunity to earn onboard is a true game changer for our members," Anil Mansukhani, vice president of loyalty marketing, said in a statement. 

"We're always looking to raise the stakes for our best-in-class program, and the ability for our members to earn MGM Rewards on gaming spend when vacationing at sea maximizes every dollar spent."

These changes are part of the cruise line's casino loyalty program. Royal Caribbean also offers benefits with MGM to its Crown and Anchor Society members.

Crown & Anchor Society members can take advantage of a status matching program, entitling them to MGM Rewards benefits even if it’s their first time staying at an MGM Rewards property.

A longstanding partnership with MGM

Royal Caribbean's partnership with MGM Casinos is one of many steps the two companies have taken to offer linked benefits.

The first partnership began in 2012, but it's steadily grown over the years.

MGM’s loyalty program has been upgraded across all tiers. Gold-level members, for example, now get an annual cruise benefit — a 5-night oceanview stateroom or a $750 cruise credit — a perk that didn’t exist before. Platinum members now get a 7-night balcony cruise or a $1,500 credit, an upgrade from the previous 5-night deal.

MGM isn’t the only land-based casino group working with the cruise lines. Royal Caribbean and Celebrity also have a partnership with Hard Rock International through its Unity loyalty program. Players in certain tiers, like the X card level, can qualify for cruise discounts or even certificates valued up to $2,500. Some tiers receive invite-only offers for complimentary cruises.

Both partnerships are about attracting casino players from the land casinos to try a cruise, as well as the other way around.

Deepening casino push

One trend Royal Caribbean has been pursuing over the last few years has been catering more and more to its gamblers onboard.

Not only has the cruise line expanded partnerships, they've invested more space and money on casinos.

On select ships, the casino footprint has been expanded to grow the size of gambling spaces and offer more areas for non-smokers.

On some Oasis Class ships, the Crown Lounge and Attic venue have been replaced in order to make expand the casino.

On Freedom of the Seas, the wine bar was replaced with a non-smoking casino.

Gambling is big business on cruises

Casino gaming is a major moneymaker for Royal Caribbean, and it's only getting bigger.

The cruise line doesn’t break out casino earnings on their own, but they are rolled into what's known as “onboard and other” revenue. That bucket includes everything passengers pay for beyond the base cruise fare: drink packages, shore excursions, Wi-Fi, and yes — gambling.

In the second quarter of this year, Royal Caribbean Group reported $183 million in “onboard and other” revenue across all its brands. That’s up $14 million from the same time last year.

Frequent cruisers have noticed the trend too. Many are seeing more aggressive offers from the casino, including discounted and even free cruise certificates, aimed at keeping players coming back.

Happy Sunday! I would like to wish all the dads out there a very Happy Father’s Day! Hope you get to have a relaxing and fun-filled day with your family!

A Royal Caribbean dining server is being called a hero after acting quickly to avert a bigger problem.

A large glass window broke on Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas, resulting in glass falling down to the pool deck below.

The crew member's quick thinking and super speed resulted in multiple passengers being moved out of harm's way.

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New RCB Video: I Spent 3 Days on A Cruise Ship from the Port No One Talks 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 — I Spent 3 Days on A Cruise Ship from the Port No One Talks About — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

I've been on over 10 solo cruises. Here are the 9 things I wish I knew before I took my first one

After almost a dozen cruises by himself, Matt has learned important lessons about cruising solo.

Unlike cruising with friends or family, a cruise by yourself has a tendency to feel overwhelming because it's no longer a shared experience.

Nonetheless, with the right approach, cruising alone can feel quite liberating and a lot of fun!

My balcony cabin was surprisingly better than the one on Icon of the Seas

Ovation of the Seas is a decade old, but its balcony cabins worked better than the ones on the biggest ship.

Icon of the Seas has introduced a lot of fantastic changes, but design choices in its staterooms aren't as well received.

From storage space to showers, Matt found the balcony on Ovation of the Seas superior in many ways.

Is booking a last minute Royal Caribbean cruise a good idea?

Waiting to book a cruise at the last minute comes with risks and rewards, but is it a good idea?

A lack of staterooms and itineraries limit a traveler looking to book late, but it might be the perfect excuse for a vacation and maybe even save money.

Time it just right and take advantage of a price drop, but wait too long and you miss out completely.

5 of the best uses of tech on Royal Caribbean today

Of all the changes Royal Caribbean has made, there are handful that have revolutionized how we cruise today.

Some are quality of life improvements, while others add a different dimension to fundamentally alter what it's like onboard.

Plus, some of the tech we see on cruise ships are undeniably fun. 

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 568th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available with small tweaks to how you cruise.

By doing things slightly differently, you can get a better overall cruise experience. Try these tips on your next sailing.

Please feel free to subscribe via YouTube, iTunes or RSS, and head over to rate and review the podcast on iTunes if you can! 

One woman’s bizarre stunt in Juneau, Alaska caught the attention of Royal Caribbean passengers, and her dangerous jump into the harbor was captured on video.

Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas was docked in Juneau, Alaska when passenger Bailey Shelton recorded a woman purposely jumping into the harbor. The viral video, which has almost 500k views, was shared on TikTok by Shelton on June 14, 2025.

In the recording, Shelton shows a woman sprinting across the wooden pier before leaping into the cold harbor water below. Surprisingly, she was dressed in only a t-shirt, shorts, and sandals. Other guests in the background can be seen wearing pants, coats, and hats. 

Shelton can be heard in the video gasping, “No way! No way! No way!” as the woman begins running. The woman clearly leaps off the edge of the pier, plunging more than a few feet into the icy harbor below. Following a large splash, the woman eventually surfaces in the green, murky water and begins swimming back towards the pier. Along with Shelton, many other cruise guests on the pier watched in shock.

Shelton captioned the TikTok video, “She was a local clearly. I had layers and I was still cold.” However, it’s unclear if the woman was a local Juneau resident, as she technically could be a guest aboard Anthem of the Seas. 

Based on Shelton’s post, the stunt likely occurred when Anthem of the Seas was docked in Juneau on June 8, 2025 after departing from Seattle, Washington on a 7-night cruise through Alaska. Anthem of the Seas is offering round-trip itineraries to Alaska over the summer. The 7-night itinerary visited ports of call throughout Alaska, including Juneau, Skagway and Tracy Arm Fjord, along with a stop in Victoria, Canada.

Even in the summer, Alaska can still be quite cold. For mid-June, the average temperature in Juneau can drop in the 40s with highs only in the mid-60s.  However, the water temperature in the harbor is often much cooler, averaging between 48 degrees Fahrenheit and 52 degrees Fahrenheit.

While the stunt itself is dangerous, there are also increased risks of jumping into water that cold. Hypothermia can set in within minutes without proper thermal protection, such as a wetsuit. This condition occurs when your core body temperature drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit. You also risk triggering cold shock or losing control of your muscles due to the cold water temperature.

The viral TikTok video has left many viewers shocked by the deliberate and dangerous stunt. 

Most of the time, these incidents are accidental when cruise passengers fall into harbor water. However, the video shows this was clearly not an accident, as the woman takes an obvious running start across the pier before jumping into the water.

In the comment section, many viewers state the obvious dangers of jumping into a cruise ship harbor. Some of these risks include polluted water, hidden debris, pilings beneath the surface, and risk of electric shock from stray currents.

“Harbor water is super gross,” reads the top comment. “So dangerous. You have no idea what is lurking right under the surface, could be a steel rod [or a] sunken wooden pillar,” replied another viewer.

One commenter replied similarly, “Nice. You do realize electricity could be present in that water, right?” Another echoed this sentiment, “So dangerous. Electrical power could have killed her”.

Electric shock drowning occurs when an electrical current leaks into the water, often from a nearby boat or marina. The shock then passes through the person’s body while in the water. This can cause muscle paralysis, numbness and even cardiac arrest. For this reason, swimmers are discouraged from jumping into harbor water.

“As someone who grew up in Juneau, YES it’s super dangerous because of obstacles under the water,” stated one responder. One local replied, “I live in Alaska and you could not PAY me to go into that water.”

Not to mention, there have been cruise ship passengers who have fallen into harbor water and sustained serious injuries. Some have even been killed when falling into the harbor. Just a few weeks ago, a woman fell from the gangway on Norwegian Epic when the cruise ship broke loose from its mooring in Sicily. The woman plunged into the ocean water and was rushed to the hospital with injuries from the incident.

Along with the physical risks of jumping into the harbor, the woman could also be in trouble with port authorities or the cruise line itself. While it’s unclear whether she was a passenger, Royal Caribbean could choose to ban her from future sailings if she was indeed a guest. Cruise lines have previously banned passengers for reckless behavior that puts the safety of others at risk.

At the time of publication, the woman did not appear to have sustained any injuries from the stunt. In addition, Royal Caribbean has not commented publicly about the incident.

Royal Caribbean has dress codes on its cruise ships, but it's not as rigid or stately as it sounds.

Dress codes have existed for decades on cruises, but today it applies primarily to restaurants on the ship. They are very relaxed compared to luxury lines.

New cruisers are usually worried about what to wear, what not to wear, and what they need to pack to ensure they don't miss out or are ostracized for not having the right attire.

The truth is it's not about having fancy clothes, rather, it’s about being prepared.

• Types of Dress Codes on Royal Caribbean
• What to Wear by Location
• What to Expect on Formal Night
• Theme Nights and Special Events
• Packing Tips for Dress Codes
• Cruise Dress Code FAQs
• Real Advice from Frequent Cruisers

Three dress codes on Royal Caribbean

In practice, most dress codes are suggestions than firm requirements. Here's what to expect.

Casual

This is the most common dress code you will find on your cruise and it's the easiest to pack for.

Casual dress code is the most basic requirement meant to go beyond what you might wear to the pool deck. The casual dress code means it should be nicer than that, such as sport shirts and slacks for men, sundresses or pants for women.

In my experience, men wear long pants with polo shirts with khakis or "nice jeans" (no holes) and a collared shirt.

For women, that can be sundresses or just a nice blouse. The best way I can describe it is what you would probably wear to visit your grandmother on a holiday.

Smart Casual

One step up from casual is smart casual, and it's usually the dress code for specialty restaurants.

I think of this suggestion as being relative to casual. Take what you'd wear on casual and up it one notch on the fancy scale.  

In my experience, both casual and smart casual still emphasize the "casual" aspect.  

Royal Caribbean defines it as, "Jackets and ties for men, dresses or pantsuits for women."

"Jackets, sports coats, and blazers are snazzy and welcome."

I rarely see men wearing jackets or sports coats for this theme, but you certainly wouldn't be out of place for being overdressed.

Formal Night ("Dress Your Best")

Royal Caribbean uses the terms formal night and Dress Your Best interchangeably, but it's effectively the same idea.

Don't let the names fool you, formal night isn't that formal on Royal Caribbean ships.

Royal Caribbean's guidelines say, "suits and ties, tuxedos, cocktail dresses or evening gowns are all acceptable".

Formal night clothing is what you would probably wear to a traditional wedding and should be a step up from any other night's clothing.

Women could wear evening gowns, cocktail dresses, and lots of accessories. 

What I mostly see cruisers wearing are cocktail dresses, slacks and button-downs, and perhaps a few tuxedos occasionally.

Dress codes aren't really enforced

Real talk: You'll see dress codes listed, mentioned, and talked about, but the truth is they are rarely ever enforced.

I cruise every month, and I've seen all manner of clothing worn to the Main Dining Room and specialty restaurants. It's been my experience someone would have to brazenly dress casually to be denied entry.

No where in the dress codes does it say shorts are suggested attire, but plenty of people will wear shorts to the restaurants. Hats, jeans with holes in them, flip flops, coverups and more are fairly common to be seen.

I think the cruise line isn't interested in enforcing these policies because it's lose-lose from a guest experience.  No one wants to be told they're underdressed, and the crew don't want to become the fashion police. 

Say what you will about what should be enforced or not, but it's the reality of cruising today and a reflection of mainstream views about how dressed up most people want to be on vacation.

Dress code by location

The dress codes don't apply ship wide.  Rather, there's a requirement for certain venues at certain times of the day.

Main Dining Room

Dress codes vary each night for dinner, but it's always casual for breakfast or lunch.

You can find the dress code for the Main Dining Room listed in the Royal Caribbean app or Cruise Compass.

In the app, scroll down to the “Daily Planner” section to preview the hourly details and event descriptions. Navigate to the dinner time slot, and look for the “Tonight’s Attire” event.

Enforcement of dress codes is pretty lax, and you should think of the dress codes as suggestions.

Specialty Restaurants

Every specialty restaurant has its own dress code that supersedes the published dress code for the Main Dining Room. That means if it's formal night, you don't have to get dressed up to eat at Playmakers.

For most specialty restaurants, smart casual is the expectation. It's certainly more upscale dress expectations than the MDR or buffet. 

Restaurants such as Chops Grille, Giovanni's, or 150 Central Park all feel like you ought to be dressed up to dine there.

I would not recommend wearing shorts, tank tops, or pool deck wear to any specialty restaurant, other than Pier 7, Playmakers, or Sabor.

Supper Club

Available only on the Icon Class ships, the Empire Supper Club and Lincoln Park Supper Club require a formal dress code and this one is actually enforced.

For men, it's required to wear a suit jacket. If you do not have one, Royal Caribbean will lend you one.

You should expect to dress up for eating here, and it's easily the fanciest Royal Caribbean restaurant.

Windjammer and other buffets

There's no real dress code for the ship's buffets other than you must wear shoes and not be dressed in just a bathing suit.

Shoes, shirt, and a cover up if you're wearing a bathing suit are the basic requirements.

Around the ship

Whether you're walking around the pool deck, down a hallway, or through the Royal Promenade, there isn't a dress code.

It's a good idea to always wear shoes and a cover up if you're in a bathing suit.

What you need to know about formal night

Your takeaway from formal night is it's a fun excuse to get dressed up, especially to take family photos together.

How many formal nights there are on your cruise depends on the length of your sailing. Generally, it follows this pattern:

• 3/4/5 Night Cruises - Usually on Day 2
• 6 Night Cruises - Usually on Day 2 and 5
• 7 Night Cruises - Usually on Day 2 and 6
• 8 - 10 Night Cruises - 2 formal nights, Days vary by ship and sailing
• 11 - 14 Night Cruises - 3 formal nights, Days vary by ship and sailing
• 15+ Night Cruises - 3 or 4 formal nights, Days and number vary by ship and sailing

Formal night is no longer a black tie affair onboard, but I think a lot of cruisers enjoy the idea of matching family members and generally looking nice. 

If you don't want to participate in formal night, don't sweat it.  You could always go to a specialty restaurant or buffet for dinner, where they have their own dress codes.

Or you could dress nicely without going to the lengths of getting fancy in your attire.

I think the best thing about formal night is to take photos with friends and family. 

There will be photographers around the ship every evening, but this is especially popular on formal night. If you're on a ship with Central Park, I'd recommend getting photos taken there for the beautiful backdrop and lighting that comes with it.

Theme nights & special events

In addition to the dress codes, there may be themes to the evening.

These themes are purely suggestions, and you do not need to participate in them at all. Theme nights are an excuse to get dressed up and join in the fun.

Examples of theme nights include:

• Dress To Impress
• White Night
• 80s Night
• Caribbean Night
• 70s Night
• Latin Party

You'll find what’s planned in the Cruise Compass or App.

Packing tips based on dress codes

• Casual: Jeans, polo shirts, golf or Bermuda shorts, t-shirts, blouses
• Dress To Impress/Dress Your Best/Formal: Suits, sports coats, cocktail dresses, gowns
• Caribbean/Tropical: Tropical prints, pastel colors, linen shirts, Bermuda shorts, sundresses
• White Night: Casual attire, but white!
• 70s/80s Night: Bell-bottom jeans, polyester suits, wide lapel shirts, maxi dresses, mini skirts, knee-high boots, platform shoes

Common questions

Can I wear jeans to dinner?

Yes, jeans are commonly worn to dinner for all dress codes.

Are flip-flops allowed in restaurants?

While you won't see them listed as a suggested attire by the cruise line, I've seen plenty of cruisers wear flip-flops.

What do kids need to wear?

Children are expected to follow the evening's dress code just as closely as adults. There may be a little more leeway in terms of the degree of formality for children's clothing, especially young children.

For boys, polo shirts and nice pants will suffice for most evenings and girls can wear dresses, skirts, and sweaters.

Can I skip formal night entirely?

You could dine at a different venue on formal night. Remember, formal night only applies to the Main Dining Room for dinner.

The only restaurant that actually enforces and requires formal wear is Empire Supper Club/Lincoln Park Supper Club.

Are there any dress code rules for excursions?

Sometimes there can be required attire, such as long pants, socks, or even covered shoulders.

Check the excursion description for specifics on it, but yes, there can be a dress code for safety reasons or to satisfy cultural norms.

What people actually wear: Real-world advice

If there's one takeaway from this article, let it be not to worry too much about dress codes on Royal Caribbean ships.

Yes, dress codes exist, but they're more suggestions than hard and fast rules.  

"I don't dress up for formal night, but it's the one night I throw on a pair of dark jeans and my one button down or polo shirt I brought along and I think that's more than enough," wrote ScottD on the Royal Caribbean message boards.

WAYNO added, "The formal dining experience is going away.  The Main Dining Room is becoming a casual restaurant."

Twangster added some perspective, "People on vacation may desire to take a break from dressing up for work every day of their life.  Some people don’t want to bring formal wear or don’t have room for it when paying for luggage on a flight to a cruise."

My advice for anyone packing for their Royal Caribbean cruise is to not overpack out of concern you need to have prom-level clothing ready. Most people are more relaxed than you think.

There’s no need to stress about dress codes.  Look at them as ideas for what to wear, especially on theme nights.  Perhaps this is your family's excuse to get matching outfits or simply take nice photos together.

One of Royal Caribbean's most famous crew members is bidding life at sea a fond farewell. 

Chris Wong, a crew member who has worked on cruise ships since as far back as 2013, is taking his final bow after years of service on some of the line's most dazzling vessels.

"I have officially announced and decided that this will be my last ever contract as a crew member for Royal Caribbean. After a long career with this company, it is now time to move on to the next phase of my life. I am excited and nervous for what is to come," he shared on a Royal Caribbean Blog discussion forum. 

Wong's 11th — and final — contract is aboard Allure of the Seas. Allure finished up a massive dry dock a few months ago and is sailing in the Mediterranean for the first time since 2015. 

He shared on his Patreon that taking this contract was a difficult decision. However, working aboard Allure after her multi-million dollar renovation in Europe was too enticing to turn down. 

Although he wasn't planning to return to sea, he states that there's no way he is going to change his mind about continuing to work on cruise ships. 

"No matter what happens this year, this is going to be my final contract...this will be my last year as a seafarer," he says in a video posted to his popular YouTube channel.

"Now is the time. I've always been told that you will know when the right time is for you to walk away from this life."

He rose to fame during the pandemic, giving cruisers a first look at ships as they restarted

Wong started sharing vlogs on YouTube in 2019, shortly before the global pandemic caused the cruise industry to shutter. Since then, he's amassed 114,000 subscribers and over 8 million views. 

His content during the cruise shutdown offered a rare, behind-the-scenes look at what life on cruise ships was like during one of the most uncertain times in the industry's history. 

He posted videos showing what it was like to be stuck in quarantine as a crew member, as well as providing updates on their protocols. 

For example, the crew wasn't allowed off the ship for a while, but he was happy to share that in May 2022, they were finally granted shore leave again. 

After the pandemic, he continued to vlog about his experiences as a crew member. He provided great coverage of Icon of the Seas during her launch, going as far as showing what their newly designed cabins looked like and the crew-only neighborhood. 

Read more: Photos show a tiny crew-only cabin on Icon of the Seas

"This has given me everything"

Working on cruise ships for over a decade allowed Wong to travel the world. 

Not only that, but he was part of some amazing projects, including working on Ovation of the Seas during her restart after the pandemic, as well as on Icon of the Seas during her inaugural season as the world's largest cruise ship. 

2024 was a big year for Wong, too. In August, he received his 5-year recognition award, followed by a major promotion to Casino Host in December. 

Yet, despite his success within the company, Wong felt it was time for a change. 

"The way I was able to travel, the way I'm able to make friendships that span the globe, the opportunity to create this online community. My whole professional life, what I'm trying to say, has been incredible, and I owe it all to Royal Caribbean," he says. 

Read more: Photos show the secret crew-only areas on Icon of the Seas

Wong will make the transition to becoming a paid passenger

After finishing his contract on Allure of the Seas, Wong's plan is to continue to sail aboard cruise ships. However, he wants to experience them as a passenger, rather than a crew member. 

His overall goal is to work his way up the ranks of Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society, ultimately becoming a top-tier Pinnacle Club cruiser — a status reserved for the most loyal fans. 

That said, one of the ways he hopes to fund this next chapter is through the Chris Wong Membership Club. This is a subscription-based community for fans who want to support his journey, gain behind-the-scenes access to his adventures, and receive exclusive content.

He also plans to provide tips on how to book cruises, review pre- and post-cruise hotels, talk about dining reservations, and more. 

"This is going to be a crucial part to start my journey to becoming a Pinnacle member within the Crown & Anchor Society," Wong explains. 

Pricing starts at just $1 per month. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean crew member shares how much he makes working on a ship

There are certain upgrades, perks, or conveniences on Royal Caribbean ships that once you try them, it’s hard to go back to cruising without them. 

I speak from experience there are things you could buy, try, or sample and it will radically alter your future expectations.

Spoiling yourself is part of what makes vacation fun. I think you should be actively looking for ways to splurge so you can truly enjoy time away.

Here's my list of 10 ways you will absolutely spoil how you cruise going forward if you try them. Consider yourself warned (and you're welcome)!

Staying in a Star class suite

There are cruise ship suites, and then there are Royal Caribbean Star Class suites.

Royal Caribbean purposefully designed Star Class to offer the very best benefits on its ships, with an unmatched level of service.

The suites are massive, being the largest ones you can book on Royal Caribbean's biggest and newest ships. These are head turning suites, like the Ultimate Family Suite or Star Loft suites.

The sheer amount of space in these rooms is bigger than many apartments, and it makes going back to standard staterooms seem like a punishment given how much smaller they are.

But the real reason you'll always want to sail Star Class is because of the Royal Genie.

The Royal Genie can deliver on just about any need or want you have during the cruise, and they are the "easy button" to everything.  It's not that you can't get some of these things on your own, it's that why not let someone else do it.

After the first time I tried Star Class, it went from "wouldn't it be nice" to "can we please do that every time".

Private island cabanas

Family cruising has its challenges, but one of the best ways to make it better is to book a cabana at one of Royal Caribbean's beaches.

Ever since trying our first cabana on Labadee, I've been hooked because of how it provides lots of space, good service, and prime location.

There are many types of cabanas now, with each offering access to a different area of CocoCay or Labadee.  Royal Caribbean is planning even more cabanas when they open Perfect Day Mexico and beach clubs.

Cabanas spoiled our family early on because it was a great "home base" for the kids.  They could play, splash, and nap, and gave us all room for it.

As my kids have grown up, cabanas allow them more flexibility if they want to hang out and talk, swim, or sun tan. 

Just like being in Star Class, cabanas are the easy button for a day at the beach.

Eating at specialty restaurants every night

Ever since Royal Caribbean created dining packages, it's made specialty dining so much more accessible and you'll get used to dinners around the ship quite quickly.

I still enjoy the Main Dining Room a lot, but the more you eat at specialty restaurants, the more you'll want to continue.

Quickly you'll discover new favorite dishes and since so many restaurants are available on multiple ships, it's easy to want to return again and again.

Royal Caribbean's check-in process

Royal Caribbean has made checking in for a cruise so darn easy that it will spoil you for any other cruise line.

Over the years, Royal Caribbean has made it easier and easier to do online check-in, and now it's a few clicks in the app and you're good to go.

More importantly, the process in the terminal is fast. 

When I've sailed from lesser frequented Royal Caribbean homeports and the process isn't as efficient as those in Florida, I always shake my head because I grew accustomed to how speedy it can be.

Crown and Anchor benefits

If you can reach Diamond Status in Crown and Anchor Society, it's great because of all the benefits you get. However, it radically alters your outlook on other vacations or cruise lines.

You get four free drinks per day, and that perk alone can save hundreds of dollars on every cruise.  

When a friend and I were talking about a land vacation, the first thought I had was "I won't get free drinks every night there, like I can on Royal Caribbean." It almost sounds like a silly argument, but there's truth to it.

I think Royal Caribbean has the best loyalty benefits in the cruise industry, and I suppose that works for both customer and cruise line. I get what I want, and it steers me back to the line.

Having unlimited internet

Once you get internet access for a cruise, it seems impossible to go back to cruising without it.

Admittedly, I'm a geek and have been buying Royal Caribbean Wi-Fi packages for over a decade.  However, I think having internet access objectively makes your cruise easier to manage.

The best thing about an internet package is it's so much simpler to stay in communication with anyone you want on the ship and back at home.  

The Royal Caribbean app's free chat feature is fine, but I already have everyone I want to chat with in my own apps.  Plus people that aren't on the ship.

Then there's simple pleasure of having internet access for checking social media, passing the time, and otherwise providing entertainment.

Cruises to bucket list destinations

You wouldn't think an itinerary would spoil you, but once you try a cruise to Alaska or Europe, you'll want more.

I had cruised exclusively in the Caribbean for many years before I ventured to Alaska.  After being there a day or two, I instantly realized why everyone talks about this region and I fell in love with it.

Likewise, I was tepid about going to Europe and sailing from the UK, but it turned out to be the kind of trip I instantly wanted to repeat.  And as it turns out, I've taken a cruise from there every year since.

Trying a cruise from a new region opens your eyes to new possibilities, and I think that's incredibly powerful.

Yes, going on a cruise from a bucket list worthy spot will spoil you, but this is more of a reward rather than an indulgence.

Cruising on a new ship

When I walked on Ovation of the Seas last month and reached the elevator bank, my heart sank a little bit when I saw there were no destination elevators.

Going on Royal Caribbean's newest ships will spoil you because of they're filled with the latest and greatest ideas, developments, and forms of entertainment.

It's easy to love a brand new cruise ship because of all the big and small features it offers.  I dare you not to enjoy a sprawling Royal Promenade and coffee with a view at Pearl Cafe on Icon of the Seas and then go back to Cafe Promenade on an older ship and not feel a little sad.

Likewise, I love being on a ship that has Playmakers, the Mason Jar, a suite sun deck, or Dueling Pianos. Heck, just the change in shower dimensions and shapes (and curtains) is a reason I love new ships.

I'll still go on older ships, but the truth is once you try a brand new ship, it's hard to go back knowing all the features and amenities new ships have.

Buying a drink package

Another way to make your cruise easier and thus spoil you is to buy an unlimited drink package.

When you buy a beverage package, you don't have to think if you should spend money on another drink.  It's all included, so you go for it.

I debated getting a drink package for my upcoming cruise because I get 6 free drinks a day with my Pinnacle Club benefits, but I went with the drink package because it's so much more convenient not to constantly be counting my drinks.  Plus, a well-timed 40% off drink package discount helped sway my choice.

The convenience factor with a drink package is what sells me on it more often than not, and that's quite similar to the suite, cabana, or internet ideas mentioned earlier in this article.  When you're on vacation, you want things to be easy.

Booking a private excursion

If you want to ruin shore excursions for yourself, try a private tour.

Group excursions are fine, but their slow pace always bugged me.  So when I experimented with private excursions, it opened my eyes.

Renting a yacht, catamaran, or taking a private van tour allows so much more freedom and flexibility with your day plans.

We get to do what we want at the pace we prefer. Not to mention there's no awkwardness up front sitting with strangers until a few ice breakers (or alcoholic drinks) come out and then it gets sort of comfortable.

You only have a few hours in each port, so I'd prefer to get full use of the experience.