Royal Caribbean Blog

There are so many cruise tips shared across the internet, but not all of them are ones that make sense.

Some of these tips are based on personal preferences, and no matter how effective they are, if they don't jive with your style, it's not very useful.

Someone on Reddit asked cruise fans which cruise tips do they disagree with and why.

It sparked hundreds of comments touching on many aspects of a cruise vacation.

Here are the top ones and the rationale behind each, so you can decide if it's good for you or not.

You never spend time in the room except to sleep

The advice of picking a small, inside room instead of a balcony because you won't get as much use out of it was the top tip people disagreed with in the thread.

The argument is because there's so much to see, do, eat, and explore on Royal Caribbean's cruise ships, you simply won't be in your room much to take advantage of the perks.

"My favorite thing on a cruise is to sit on the balcony and read. We do stuff yes, but not sunrise to sunset and spend time in the room just relaxing." Sea_Voice_404 posted.

I can understand why some people would say that, especially vacationers that have cruised a lot. 

I think it may also depend on the ship. There's a big difference between things to do on Icon of the Seas vs Wonder of the Seas vs Enchantment of the Seas.

One major reason to get a balcony cabin was for the opportunity to have breakfast there, as there's a complimentary continental breakfast from room service.

The idea is you have the food delivered to your room and enjoy it on your balcony with the sun rising and open sea around you.

I can see both sides of the arguments, and I agree with this tip, but it's based on which ship you're sailing on and how much more it is to upgrade to a balcony or suite.

Book a later check-in time because it's less busy

What time should you book a check-in time for? Some people recommend a later time to avoid longer check-in lines at the cruise terminal.

"I'm getting on at 10AM and starting my drinking and relaxing at 10:05," said avamore, and I couldn't agree more.

The cost of your vacation is the same whether you board at 10am or 1pm, so I'll always pick the earlier time to get on and start enjoying the ship.

Plus, what are you going to do in the intermediate time? Hotels kick you out by 11am in most cases, and lunch is included in your cruise fare whereas you'd have to pay for lunch somewhere else.

The way to get an early check-in time is to do your check-in exactly at 45 days before the cruise sets sail. The earliest check-in times go first.

I also disagree with the premise of the tip that the terminal is really busy. Yes, there will be people there, but I find Royal Caribbean has the easiest and fastest check-in across the industry. Their use of the mobile app along with procedures in the terminal keeps people moving, provided you take the steps to check-in before the cruise begins.

Book a room away from the elevators

The rationale for this tip is to avoid noise from the elevator lobby where people will be walking, talking, and generally making noise. Instead, book a room at the end of the hall where you won't have nearly as much noise bleed issues.

I think the notion a room near the elevator is noisy is a false narrative to begin with.  My travel agent always books my cabin near the elevator and I love it for the convenience, whether I'm taking the elevator or the stairs.

"It’s just nice not having to walk from the direct middle or end of the ship to be anywhere quickly," said tyranski332.

The impact of a short walk is more apparent on Icon, Oasis, and Quantum Class ships where cabins at the very end of the hall can seem like the walk never ends.

Skip the Main Dining Room and buy the unlimited specialty dining package

The logic behind this tip is to indulge in specialty dining because food in the Main Dining Room isn't good, isn't as good as it used to be, or specialty dining food is just better.

JH12214 wrote, "In reality, I thought that every dinner I had was great. I was well-taken care of, and perhaps because I was lead to believe it was microwave-quality, I was pleasantly surprised."

I really like the Main Dining Room overall, and I'll eat there on some nights and work in specialty on other nights.

But I would never go as far as to tell anyone, especially new cruisers, that they should avoid the Main Dining Room.

I love the service you get in the Main Dining Room. Waiters getting to know you and your family are one of the reasons I fell in love with cruising in the first place.

And while not every dish in the Main Dining Room is going to be the best you've ever had, there are definitely some that I'll order every single time.

My advice for a new cruiser is to try one or two specialty restaurants, but rely on the Main Dining Room otherwise. Then after trying both, make a decision for yourself.

You need to buy a package to have a good cruise

Piggybacking on the previous tip, goinhungryyeah wrote buying various packages is necessary for a good cruise.

This goes back to how you like to cruise. I agree you don't need to buy any extra cost package to have a good time.  There's enough included you won't go hungry and still have a fun vacation.

The value of the packages are for those that prefer to vacation in a certain way.  If you want to have five to six drinks a day, a drink package is going to save you money.  If you love teppanyaki dining, steak, and lobster, a dining package might be a good fit.

However, don't automatically assume you need one.

I'd advise to read through what each package offers, and what Royal Caribbean includes.

In some cases, you can decide on the ship if you really need it. You can buy an internet package or drink package onboard, but you'll pay more per day than if you prepaid.

Over the door shoe organizers

One of the top cabin hacks out there is to bring an over the door hanging shoe organizer to add more storage space to your cabin.

I tried this hack out myself and found it really didn't work for me. In fact, I was more annoyed by it jostling around a lot.

I think this tip is rooted in the old days of cruise ships (ships built before 2010) that truly lacked storage space.  If you sail on any ship built more recently, I'm always amazed how much storage space there is.

Some readers point out the value here is for toiletries, which unless you're in a suite, always lacks places for everyone's bathroom accessories.  This is especially true the more people you have in the room.

Avoid the Windjammer on embarkation day

Embarkation day is busy, and it seems everyone goes to the Windjammer buffet for lunch. So the advice is to skip it to avoid lines.

lemon-actually explained, "I find it way more crowded at peak breakfast time on any other day. If you want Windjammer when you get on the ship, go to Windjammer. It’s busy but truly not as horrific as people say (in my experience anyway)."

This is one of those tips where I can see both sides of the logic. 

Yes, the Windjammer around 1pm is going to be very busy on embarkation day. However, it's not impossible to get food or a table. 

The other reason I'll still go is for the variety of food.

I have picky eaters in my family, so the widest selection is always welcome to simplify things.

I also find if you get an early check-in time and board early, it's less chaotic than going later on in the day.

Don't bring kids because it’s not fun/you’re just parenting on a ship

I cannot disagree with a tip more than this one that bringing kids is a mistake.

With apologies to ashmcdonald88 who wrote a good post explaining why it's a bad tip, I'd like to get on my own soap box.

Taking your kids, even babies, on vacation is one of the best things you can do as a parent.  One of your jobs is to surround them in positive experiences and share in life journeys.  Vacation is a huge one of those.

Plus, Royal Caribbean is a family cruise line. They specialize and cater to families: always have and always will.

I hate to paint with a wide brush, but this tip usually comes from people who don't want to hear, see, or be near children. I'll never understand this logic when they choose to cruise on a family cruise line.  

Not to mention Royal Caribbean offers adult-only areas, as well as areas that tend to lean into adult spaces.

Only use ship excursions, you might be left behind

There's truth to the fact Royal Caribbean promises if you book a shore excursion with them, they'll guarantee to get you back on the ship if the tour is late.

I think this is one of the top concerns cruisers have, especially new ones.  I remember the first time we did a non-Royal Caribbean tour and left our kids in Adventure Ocean. The level of paranoia was insane.

However, I think you're doing yourself a disservice if you rule out all third party tours.

I'd recommend considering both kinds of shore excursions, and then making a choice for you.

In Cozumel, I'll always book a tour on my own, unless I ever did an excursion on the mainland that requires a ferry boat.  Then, I'll only go through Royal Caribbean because of how notorious that ferry is being delayed.

A mix of both kinds of tours is probably where you should be.

Don't get Wi-Fi.  Turn off from the world.

This is another tip I totally disagree with because there's more downtime on a cruise than you might think.

I'll always buy a Wi-Fi package because it's just as relaxing to me to have the internet. I want to play Wordle, check out new YouTube videos, message friends and family, or follow my social feeds.

I think this tip comes from folks who associate internet with work.  Meaning, their phone being connected will inevitably draw in work emails or messages.

That may be true, but before I went full time with this blog, I would purposefully not check my work email. 

Stay on the ship in Nassau

Royal Caribbean actually agrees with this tip, in the sense they're trying to do something about it.

Nassau consistently ranks as one of the worst ports in terms of guest satisfaction. It's why they're building a brand new beach club to address the issue.

Royal Beach Club Paradise Island opens in December 2025, and will be an extra-cost option where the cruise line is promising "the ultimate beach day."

I'm eagerly looking forward to seeing what the final product looks like, but plans I've seen so far indicate they're taking the best lessons they've learned from Perfect Day at CocoCay and their ships, and applying it to an all-inclusive experience that will jump out as exciting.

Use a travel agent

Reddit user mritty disagreed about the value of a travel agent, "Most of the time they do nothing for you and serve as nothing but a middle man, a roadblock to you making any changes to your reservation."

I disagree that using a travel agent is a bad idea.  I love using them, and always recommend them to friends and family.

When I see arguments like this, I'm reminded of restaurants.  

If you go to a bad restaurant, do you swear off every going to another restaurant? Do you swear off Italian restaurants? No, of course not.

Not all travel agents are equal, but the good ones make managing your cruises and issues you run into so much easier.

I saw a comment from Billy from CruiseHabit.com that I thought really put the roadblock comment into perspective, "I've never seen it as a road block. Instead of calling a call center and waiting on hold, I text or email my agent, or call, whatever I prefer, and they make it happen."

"No holding, no escalating to a supervisor, etc. Plus they're worth their weight in gold if you run into an issue and need an advocate or someone to scramble changes for you."

One of my best finds for my recent cruise was just $1.25 — and I’m already heading back to the Dollar Tree to stock up on more.

Before every cruise, I like to swing by the store for any last-minute items before I start packing my suitcase. Recently, the dollar store has become my top choice for cruise must-haves before any trip — and it never disappoints! 

For this trip, I’d be embarking on a major getaway to Asia with my parents and sister. Our 12-night cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas included exotic ports of call throughout Asia, such as Singapore, Vietnam, Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea and Japan.

My flight schedule included 30 hours of travel across three different airports before even setting foot on our cruise ship. Once aboard, we had full-day excursions planned for each port of call to make the most of our time in these far-flung destinations. Needless to say, this was going to be an epic adventure for our family!

As a self-proclaimed germaphobe, I am always paranoid about getting run-down and sick while traveling. Although I travel often, I try my best to stay rested, hydrated, and healthy during my trips. There’s nothing worse than getting sick on your long-awaited trip, and potentially ruining your vacation. 

In this way, I am constantly reaching for hand sanitizer or disinfectant wipes to keep my hands clean while traveling. If I can’t wash my hands, I typically reach for a pack of disinfectant wipes as the next best thing. 

As you can imagine, I was thrilled to find a pack of 40 disinfectant wipes to pack for my cruise at the dollar store for only $1.25! It ended up being the smartest item I purchased for trip for many reasons. 

Here’s why you should head to the dollar store before your next cruise to stock up on this must-have item.

Don’t overlook the dollar store.

As cruise prices continue to climb, so do the costs of all your must-have travel essentials. In this way, I am always looking for ways to save money when I can. Even still, I usually enjoy making a quick shopping run or placing a few online orders before a cruise to make sure I’m fully prepared for my trip. The last thing I want is to overpay onboard the ship for something I could have picked up at home for just $1.25.

Last fall, I decided to visit the dollar store for the first time in many years. My small town has a Dollar Tree that I’ve heard friends rave about, so I decided to check it out. I was seriously impressed by the quality and quantity of items available for only $1.25!

While I pictured the store having mostly junk that I didn’t need, I couldn’t believe the selection of travel necessities and cruise staples. Everything from door decorations and magnetic hooks to travel-sized toiletries and on-the-go cleaning supplies was available for just $1.25.

I had an entire shopping spree and spent less than $20 — you can hardly get a fast food meal for less than $20 these days! Now, I always stop at the dollar store before my cruises to stock up, especially on these hand sanitizing wipes!

Sanitizing wipes were a lifesaver during my trip.

Before flying to Singapore for my cruise, I quickly stopped by the dollar store to pick up a few go-to cruise items, such as a pop-up hamper, liquid hand soap, and travel-sized toothpaste. 

While walking through the store, I found a pack of BioPure Hand Wipes with 40 wipes in a resealable package. The product had 5-star reviews online, so it seemed promising. In addition, I found a 2-pack of the same product at Walmart online selling for $14, so this seemed like a great deal. 

I snagged one package before checking out and packed the wipes in my carry-on suitcase. According to the packaging, these wipes contain aloe and vitamin E with a refreshing honey wildflower scent. Supposedly, the product claims to kill 99.9% of germs with an advanced anti-bacterial formula.

I’ll be honest, I was expecting these wipes to be poor quality. For $1.25, my standards were quite low and I didn’t expect much. Truthfully, I wouldn’t have been surprised if these wipes were cheap, thin, and flimsy.

However, I was proven wrong! The resealable pack felt high-quality and the wipes didn’t flake or fall apart when pulling from the package. They were easy to remove, and didn’t leave any sticky feeling on my hands. The lasting scent was a nice touch, too!

 During my long-haul flight through Seoul, I was already reaching for the wipes to clean off the tray table and entertainment screen. Considering how dirty airplanes can be, I think having disinfectants wipes is a must. The tray seemed to have some sticky residue, which is always off-putting on a plane. Luckily, these handy wipes took care of the stain quickly, and I was relieved to have these instead of relying only on hand sanitizer.

Once we boarded the cruise, I kept grabbing for these wipes.

As promised on the packaging, the compact, resealable pack was perfect for traveling. I could easily toss the wipes into my purse or backpack each day without taking up much space. Though slightly larger than typical travel-sized wipes, this pack was still slim and light enough to carry around the ship or on shore excursions. I never left our cruise cabin without throwing the pack into my pool bag.

Even though Anthem of the Seas offered handwashing stations at the entrance to the buffet, I noticed not everyone was using them. Plenty of passengers skipped right past the sinks and headed straight for the serving tongs. 

This made me extra glad I had my wipes handy before every meal. Germs can spread quickly on cruise ships, and I wasn’t about to let poor hygiene practices ruin my vacation.

Some studies even suggest that the physical motion of wiping with disinfecting wipes can be more effective at reducing bacteria on hands than hand sanitizer. Of course, handwashing is always the gold standard, but when it wasn’t available, these wipes were the next best thing. I used them regularly before eating, after touching railings or menus, and any time I needed to refresh my hands.

I packed the wipes in my purse for long days ashore.

While it was helpful to have these wipes onboard the ship, sinks for handwashing are never too far away on a cruise ship. However, this isn’t the case when you’re ashore — and certainly not the case when traveling to off-the-beaten-path destinations in Asia.

I kept my pack of wipes in my daily bag during our long days ashore. While I’m not usually overly concerned about sanitation when traveling, this trip was different. It was my first time visiting countries like Vietnam, Taiwan, and South Korea, and I wasn’t sure what to expect in terms of restroom facilities or cleanliness. 

I wanted to be prepared for the worst case scenario, and packing these wipes gave me peace of mind.

As expected, there were several times when I walked into a bathroom and realized there was no soap or even running water. In those moments, I was so thankful to have my handy wipes in my bag!

I felt confident my hands were clean enough after using them, and I was more than happy to share them with others when needed. Being able to wipe my hands after browsing handmade goods in Vietnam or handling souvenirs at the street markets in Hong Kong made a big difference for me. I felt more comfortable exploring without worrying about germs.

By the end of the cruise, my trusty $1.25 pack was nearly empty — the sign of a worthwhile purchase!

I already plan to grab a few more before my next adventure.

If you haven’t checked out the dollar store for travel or cruise essentials, I definitely recommend swinging by before your next trip. It wasn’t always on my radar, but I’ve been consistently surprised by the quality and variety of items I’ve found there, especially for the price.

Beyond the sanitizing wipes, I also picked up some fun self-care items for me and my sister to use during our cruise. I packed a cherry blossom body scrub (perfectly fitting for our stop in Japan) and a couple of hydrating face masks to enjoy some affordable, in-cabin spa time. For only $1.25 each, I didn’t feel bad leaving the remaining product with new friends we made onboard.

Of course, I won’t swing by the dollar store without picking up more packs of these sanitizing wipes before my next cruise! 

What's the secret to a great first cruise? Knowing what to do, where to go, and what not to do seems to be the answer.

Royal Caribbean is experiencing a renaissance right now with unparalleled demand for its ships. In just the first quarter of 2025, 2.2 million people went on a cruise vacation with a Royal Caribbean Group brand ship. That's up 9% over the same time last year.

In fact, over 60% of people that cruise are new to it, and all of this means a lot of people are giving cruising a try.

Understandably, many new cruisers want to know what to do to have a great time.  Most travelers have this concern, and it leads them to sites like this to find answers.

Reddit user NinjaPenny wrote a glowing review of their first cruise, which was on Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas, and they credit looking up information as the difference maker.

Utopia of the Seas is the newest Royal Caribbean cruise ship, and it's also the second biggest ship in the world. Utopia will slide to the #3 spot later this summer when Star of the Seas debuts.

"I'm glad I did my research"

The overarching theme from NinjaPenny's post is researching what to do made a difference.

They traveled with 15 people, and says they all had a great time.

"It was my first time cruising and let me tell you, I would do it again!" was posted at the start of the review.

I've read plenty of posts like this across Reddit and the internet, but I think the fact they highlighted the research they did was important.

"I'm glad I did my research. I felt prepared but even then I didn't know what to expect. The ship far exceeded my expectations."

Considering how much a cruise costs, it's critical to doing even a basic level of research to have the right approach and expectations.

Cruises are a very personalized experience. You could sit in your room and eat just cruise ship pizza for a week, whereas someone else might be in a suite, eat at specialty restaurants, or never visit the pool. 

Many of the choices you make in booking the ship and then onboard are rooted in personal preferences, which is why people can have vastly different experiences.

What they looked up ahead of time

I was curious what sort of things NinjaPenny researched exactly that benefitted them on the cruise.

The first thing was learning about the ship itself, "I researched the ship, what was included, etc."

"I also researched what was included at Coco Cay as well! Had I not researched that, I would've ended up spending money on food/drinks when it was included."

The example of CocoCay is important given it has a material impact on one's vacation budget, as well as expectations.

NinaPenny had a goal of taking advantage of what's included, "Since this was our first time cruising, I was trying to do everything that was included and tried not to spend any extra money."

The exception was spending extra to reserve the Royal Railway. This is the new immersive dining experience that makes you feel like you're on a train in the Old West.

The only bit of research that backfired was looking up water slide heights, which is different from what the actual requirement that is on the ship. 

"When I checked, it showed that my daughter was tall enough to ride all the water slides but when we went, she was an inch short."

The best things about Utopia of the Seas

Besides doing research, here are the important takeaways from trying Utopia.

• The food was delicious but the service was impeccable. All the staff members were so nice!
• The embarking and disembarking was the easiest thing ever! Way better than the airport. It was such a breeze!
• All the shows were top notch!
  • The comedy show was also our least favorite. They two comics were okay. If I could have a do over, I would rather go see All In instead!
  • All the other shows were amazing! I loved it!
• Royal Railway is a must do experience! The food, the presentation, everything.... was soooo good!!!

What to research when you plan your cruise

It can feel overwhelming where to start in your cruise planning process, but just looking up basis will help considerably.

I think the obvious place to start is with the ship itself.  Figuring out what it has and doesn't have is important so you can start making plans (or pick a different ship).

Each Royal Caribbean ship has its own set of amenities and things to do, so I'd start off looking up the restaurants, activities, events, and more you can do on the ship.

You could read a past Cruise Compass to see what's offered on the ship, watch a ship tour on YouTube, or simply start googling away to see what you can find.

Equally important is understanding the basics of cruises and what is included and costs extra.  Here are some easy articles to get you started:

• Cruise ship cabin guide
• How dining works on Royal Caribbean
• 30 Do's and Don'ts for the first day of your cruise
• Perfect Day at CocoCay guide

All of these are jumping off points. Your own curiosity should lead you to cover the basics beyond that.

Royal Caribbean has made a small, but important change to one of its drink packages.

The Royal Refreshment package is the mid-tier beverage package that includes pretty much all non-alcoholic drinks.  

However, it omitted one type of drink that baffled some cruisers.

Revised terms of service show the cruise line now includes non-alcoholic beers in it.

Here's what's different about the Refreshment Package

In looking through all the inclusions Royal Caribbean has for the Royal Refreshment package, there's been a new addition.

What's included:

• Coca-Cola Freestyle Machine beverages including sodas, sugar free sodas, Minute Maid lemonades, Powerade, vitaminwater®, iced tea, fruit punch and more
• Can and fountain soda
• Bottled still water, sparkling water, and CocoLove coconut water
• Fresh-squeezed juices
• Smoothies and protein shakes
• Specialty coffees and teas
• Johnny Rockets® Shakes and Desserted Soda Floats
• Non-alcoholic spirits, wines and beers (only available to guests of legal drinking age)
• Frozen drinks (Non-alcoholic pina colada, etc.)
• Coca-Cola souvenir cup

Up until now, non-alcoholic beer wasn't included because it was technically still a beer. If you wanted to order any with a drink package, you had to buy the Deluxe Beverage Package.

The only caveat is you must be legal drinking age to still order one as to avoid minors ordering beer, even if it's non-alcoholic.

The Royal Caribbean drinking age is based on where your ship sails from initially, so cruises from the United States have a minimum drinking age of 21 whereas ships sailing from Europe are only 18.

The cruise line hasn't made any announcement why they made the change. Cruise fans simply noticed the addition.

"Finally!"

Cruisers seemed quite happy to have this change to the drink package.

On the Royal Caribbean reddit, kittycathleen wrote, "I'm so happy. I don't drink a ton of NA beer, but it'll be great to have it included. Now I just need them to improve their selection."

The trend of not drinking alcohol (or low alcohol content drinks) is a big trend currently among millennials.

A recent study showed in April 2023, 45% of no-alcohol beer consumers in the US were Millennials; by April 2024, that figure had risen to 61%.

Today, almost 1 in 2 Royal Caribbean guests are millennials or younger.

To that point, reddit user goinhungryyeah added, "Especially with a gradual change by younger passengers to limit alcohol intake (but still enjoy beverages). The NA beer market has exploded in both quantity and quality as a result."

cocomangas posted, "Nice! Finally have more options than just mocktails. Great for former drinkers like me who miss the taste of wine and beer."

Why this change matters

The difference in price among the drink package tiers can be quite substantial, so those that don't want any alcohol now have more choice in what they can order.

The average price of a Royal Caribbean drink package in 2025 is around 28 to $42 per person per day for the Refreshment package, but $55 to $115 per person per day for the Deluxe Beverage Package.

The cruise line relies on dynamic pricing, which is why we can't give specific numbers. 

As an example, the onboard price for the Deluxe Drink Package is $105 per person per day, whereas the Refreshment Package is $42.

Adding more drink options to any drink package offers more ways to "break even" on the package cost compared to ordering the same amount of drinks individually. Plus, drink packages are much more convenient and a top reason why people buy them in the first place.

If you're one of the many people that were born in the fall, there's a cruise vacation for you.

The cruise line has sales regularly, but they have a new one I've never seen before.

According to the cruise line, September and October are the two months of the year that are the most popular for birthdays in the U.S., and those folks will get extra perks. Everyone else can take advantage of a sweet offer!

Anyone with a September or October birthday can book a cruise during one of these months and take advantage of their new sale.

Royal Birthday Bash

Between May 8 and June 5, 2025, if you use a special code you can qualify for extra onboard credit and special events.

You have to use the code BDAYBASH for sailings departing between August 30 and October 31, 2025 in order to qualify for it.

It applies to all sailings departing between August 30, 2025 - October 31, 2025, EXCLUDING sailings departing from Boston, Seward, and Seattle.

Using the code gets you 3rd and 4th guests sail free (booked in the same stateroom as the first and second full fare paying guests) while also receiving up to $200 birthday cash in onboard credit per stateroom.

• 5 Nights or Less
  • Interior & Ocean View: $50 per stateroom
  • Balcony & Suite: $100 per stateroom
• 6 Nights or Longer
  • Interior & Ocean View: $100 per stateroom
  • Balcony & Suite: $200 per stateroom

Royal Birthday Bash Offer is combinable with BOGO60, Kids Sail Free, promotional OBCs, Next Cruise offers, instant savings, restricted discounts (for example, Seniors, Residents, Military), Promo Code driven offers, Crown and Anchor discounts and Shareholder Benefits.

Royal Birthday Bash Offer is not combinable with any other offer or promotion, including but not limited to Standard Group, Interline, Travel Agent, Travel Agent Friends and Family, Weekly Sales Events and Net rates.

The Royal Birthday Bash Offer is available to residents of United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and select countries.

The cruise line says everyone on these cruises can enjoy the events planned, but those with an actual birthday in September or October will get "extra special surprises during their vacation with Royal Caribbean."

This will include a birthday balloon drop, exclusive signature cocktails, special birthday raffles and giveaways, and of course, plenty of birthday cake.

Once you're booked (or if you booked already), there's a special discount for cruise planner purchases made between May 8, 2025 – June 13, 2025.

You can take advantage of 50% off the Unlimited Dining Package and Thrill Waterpark and Hideaway Beach for vacations visiting Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas; and 40% off the Deluxe Beverage Package and internet package for multiple devices. 

The idea came from guests feedback

Royal Caribbean revealed the new promotion yesterday during a webinar with travel agents, and it turns out the idea for this sale came up during a meeting with Royal Caribbean's CEO.

Vicki Freed, Senior Vice President of Sales and Trade Support & Service for Royal Caribbean International, said she attends a monthly meeting at Michael Bayley's office. Mr. Bayley is the President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International.

Royal Caribbean's marketing team regularly interviews guests to learn about what things they're doing right, what things that they would like them to do differently.

The meeting tackles different topics, from food to activities to entertainment.

This month's meeting was about celebrations on the ship, and Ms. Freed said their research points to one out of three people that sail on a Royal Caribbean ship are celebrating something.

"The number one thing I know this is not going to come as a surprise is they're celebrating birthdays," she explained. "Number two, anniversaries. Number three was they were celebrating life."

Other common celebrations include honeymoons, baby moons, and bachelor parties.

"So we decided starting tomorrow, we're going to have a celebration because we love to celebrate."

They targeted September, October and August birthdays because it's the most popular time of year.

Internet access isn't included in your cruise rate, but it's one of the extra costs that I think is worth buying anyway.

Royal Caribbean cruises are designed to be a modular experience, rather than an all-inclusive.  It allows guest to spend money on things and experiences they want, and nothing else. That provides value in not paying for drinks, Wi-Fi, shore excursions, or spa services they may not be interested in.

While there are some high end cruise lines that include Wi-Fi with the cruise fare, mainstream lines do not.  

Part of the reason why is it's expensive.  Historically, satellite internet access has been much more costly than land-based offerings. Even with the switchover to Starlink, it's still not cheap.

Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, said last year you won't see free internet on their ships because Royal Caribbean pays "a ton of money" for Internet coverage.

"We got to pay a ton, a ton, a ton of money for Wi-Fi," Mr. Bayley said after being asked about the topic at a question and answer event on cruise ship.

"I sign the invoices when they come in [and] every time I see them I'm like, oh my God." Mr. Bayley said he cringes whenever he sees the yearly bill. 

He couldn't remember the exact amount the cruise line pays each year but reiterated that "it's huge."

Since it's likely never to be included, I'll continue to buy internet access on every cruise I go on.

Unlimited packages you can buy

When you go on a Royal Caribbean cruise, you can purchase an unlimited internet package or buy 24 hour blocks of time.

There used to be tiered service tied to speeds, but there's now just one universal speed choice.

It costs less if you buy it pre-cruise, as Royal Caribbean offers discounts on its Wi-Fi packages before the sailing begins.

Prices before the cruise can be as much as 30% off, which can really cut down the cost. 

For my upcoming 7-night cruise in Europe, there's a pre-cruise price of $18.99 per day for one device, which is $132.93 for 7-nights.

I always pre-purchase my internet, and I'll usually take advantage of a good sale to lock the price in. Royal Caribbean offers promotions throughout the year, and I've consistently found good prices to minimize the cost.

Being connected is a need, not a want

The reason I buy an internet package on every cruise I take is it's necessary and fast.

Royal Caribbean made a huge improvement to its ship Wi-Fi when they transitioned to Starlink.  Speeds went up, latency went down, and in most cases, I'm able to use the internet on a ship much like I do at home.

My life is based in the digital realm, so I have a professional need for the internet.  But even beyond my work, having internet access at sea makes my cruise better.

While I do get a free internet package every cruise because I'm a Pinnacle Club member, I still buy a second plan on every cruise so I can use my laptop and phone at the same time.

Communication is the first place an internet package becomes so helpful.

While Royal Caribbean has free messaging in its app, I prefer to use iMessage or WhatsApp to stay in contact with friends and family onboard and at home.

I like sharing updates with my parents of what we're up to, and our social lives go on at home.  It's nice to remain in the loop.

Having internet access on a cruise comes in handy in so many little ways.  

If you're like me, you search the internet for answers to strange questions, check the weather, look up sports scores, and of course scroll through social media feeds endlessly.

I love going on a cruise to embrace the cruise lifestyle, but I also want to keep up with the things I like about being online at home too.

I disagree being online isn't relaxing

There's this notion disconnecting on vacation is somehow the only way to relax, and I disagree with it.

I buy the internet package on a cruise for the influx of information I can get, but I'll still take a nap, sit by the pool, or enjoy a musical performance and having my phone with me doesn't take away from it.

I find my mind is more at rest if I'm not reminding myself of things I need to do. Or bothered because I can't look something up that's part of the conversation we're having.

Like all things in life, there needs to be boundaries and limits on how much you indulge in it.

Is a Royal Caribbean Voom Surf + Stream Internet Package worth it?

I never question the money spent on Wi-Fi during my cruise.

If you can buy it prior to the cruise, you should be able to save around $10 per day. Compared to so many other things you can spend money on during your cruise, I think it's a fairly low cost.

Plus, you're allowed to share the internet package, so you can let others hop on with your account and use it.

Adding in the convenience factor of being online, I think it's a solid buy.

The last thing anyone wants to do is make a mistake that ruins their vacation or starts things off on the wrong foot, and it's why being prepared for a cruise is so crucial.

May is the traditional start of the Alaska cruise season, where Royal Caribbean ships begin sailing north from both Seattle and Vancouver.

Most people approach an Alaska cruise with a great deal of excitement, but also some trepidation because they're unsure about what they should or shouldn't do. After all, it's quite different from a Caribbean cruise.

Ed Wiggins has worked at the Seattle cruise terminal in Pier 66 and 91 for four years, so he's seen just about every kind of passenger issue come through the doors.

He shared 10 things anyone going on Alaska cruise cruise from Seattle ought to know before they arrive, and I think it's really helpful advice.

Get a passport

Ed's first piece of advice is for Americans to get a passport book.

While you can travel with a birth certificate and state issued ID, he recommends spending the money for the passport.

"US citizens, get passports for everyone in your group. Not the cards, the full book."

The reason the passport card is a mistake to get is because if you get stuck in Canada, you can't fly home with the passport card.

While he admits it's unlikely, the book is a safer bet.

He also says to double check all of your travel documents are with you, and not in any of the checked luggage you give to the porters.

Buy travel insurance

Another piece of good advice that applies to just about anyone is to buy travel insurance for your cruise vacation too.

He says some cruisers believe healthcare is free on the ship, which is definitely not true.

Moreover, he thinks travel insurance is a worthwhile investment because, "it's cheap and anything can happen."

"Buy trip insurance including medical and evacuation costs," he said. 

He also added the warning, "The cruise lines will not refund you if you miss the ship because your flight is cancelled.

You need to get a Canadian visa if you aren't from the US

Those going on the cruise that aren't Americans need to be aware of Canadian Visa rules.

While these people will already have a passport, they may also need a Canadian visa. As an example, Mexicans need a Canadian visa now. 

"Every sailing we have people (Not US or Canadian) denied boarding because they did not get a Canadian visa. As of now, EU countries are exempt but be sure to check the Canadian immigration website to verify what you need from your passport of origin. Getting off the ship in Canada has nothing to do with it. If you do not have proper documents, you will be denied boarding, no exceptions."

Never fly the same day of your cruise

Ed recommends flying into Seattle at least a day before the cruise begins.

This piece of advice is one of the most important ones because there are people who fly in the same day their cruise begins and they miss the cruise and forfeit the entire vacation cost because of travel delays.

"Don't risk your vacation for the cost of one night in a hotel. Besides, Seattle is a great place to visit."

Unlike a land hotel, if you miss the ship, you're out of luck. Trying to fly the same day is playing with fire by relying on your flight to be on time and not impacted by the typical delays and cancellations the air travel industry often encounters.

Royal Caribbean (nor any cruise line) will not refund your money if you miss the cruise due to a travel delay.  Travel insurance could kick in, but you're still out of the vacation you dreamed about.

Go through what you're not allowed to bring

Another common mistake is showing up to the cruise terminal with things you're not supposed to have and that can start things off on the wrong foot.

Ed recommends checking Royal Caribbean's list of prohibited items that you cannot bring on the ship.

"Know that every piece of luggage, checked or carry-on, is X-rayed for prohibited items. Items that require to be plugged into a power outlet are mostly prohibited like cookers or heat pads."

Bringing weapons will get you in trouble

He was also sure to mention you can't bring any weapons, ammunition or blades, "All knives will be confiscated. If you pack a firearm, you will be denied boarding, and you may be arrested. Be certain your bags do not contain ammunition. 

It appears while weapons are on the prohibited item list, he was sure to call out weapons specifically because people either intentionally or inadvertently show up with hunting knives or re-use bags that may have weapons from a hunting or other trip.

As an example, one commenter was surprised they aren't allowed to bring a small Swiss Army knife.

"While that seems obvious, we catch random bullets every cruise. We will see it and you will have problems."

You can't bring leftovers with you

The most surprising piece of advice Ed shared was warning people not to bring prepared food with them to the cruise terminal.

Royal Caribbean allows you to bring sealed bags of snacks, but leftovers or food you cooked isn't allowed.

He also went through a number of things to be aware of when it comes to food and other items not to pack

• Do not pack distilled spirits, it will be confiscated.
• Cruise lines allow wine and champagne but check with your cruise line; some allow two bottles per person, some only one.
• Check with your cruise line about plastic disposable bottles and flowers. Some do not allow either.

What not to wear so you don't get stuck in security

Just like the airport, you'll walk through a security check point where they need to go through what you're carrying on.

He recommends not wearing metal jewelry, cowboy boots, metal toe boots, belts with large metal buckles.

"Any metal will set off the magnetometers and delay you and your fellow passengers. Although we make constant announcements, at least every 5th passenger enters the metal detector with cell phones in their pockets. It significantly delays everyone."

Be sure to empty your pockets before going through the metal detector.

You don't need as much stuff as you might think

Ed also thinks too many passengers overpack for their Alaska cruises.

"Do not over pack. You are on a six-night cruise. If you pack more than one suitcase, you are probably packing too much."

He thinks lighter is better, so consider different tips and hacks for packing less for your cruise.

The best time to check-in at the cruise terminal

While getting to the cruise terminal early seems to be what everyone wants because they want to start their vacation sooner, he sees the shortest lines later in the day.

According to Ed, if you check in at the terminal between 1 and 2 PM, you shouldn't encounter any lines.

"You will breeze through, and it is possible your cabin will be ready. If you arrive at the terminal."

Former Royal Caribbean C.E.O. Richard Fain's impressive 10,840-square-foot mansion hit the market after more than 35 years for $42 million. 

Fain joined Royal Caribbean in 1979 as an outside director on the company’s Board of Directors. In 1988, he took the position of Chair of the Board of the Royal Caribbean Group and was named the company's Chief Executive Officer. 

Under Fain’s leadership, Royal Caribbean transformed into one of the most recognized and respected brands in the travel industry. While with the company, Royal Caribbean Group introduced new ship categories that continuously pushed the boundaries of cruise ship innovation, including the Sovereign, Voyager, and Oasis Classes. 

He stepped down as C.E.O. on January 3, 2022, with Jason Liberty succeeding him and joining the Board of Directors. 

Having spent over 33 years with the company, he amassed an impressive net worth of over $100 million. However, Fain decided it was time to list his waterfront home in Coral Gables, Florida.

The sprawling estate sits on over 2.25 acres

Designed by acclaimed architect Dan Roban, a protégé of Frank Lloyd Wright, the lavish estate showcases tropical modernism, featuring textured coral rock, exposed wood beams, and expansive skylights. 

It also highlights one of the best parts of Southern Florida living for the wealthy: direct waterfront access to the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay. The mansion includes 130 feet of waterfrontage, as well as a private dock and boat lift. 

In addition to its prime waterfront location, the estate features a pool that complements its tropical modern, upscale design.

Surrounded by lush landscaping, the pool area offers a relaxing retreat far from what you'd find on any Royal Caribbean cruise ship.

Inside, the home offers seven spacious bedrooms, a chef's kitchen, and a living room with vaulted ceilings. The high ceilings help create an open feel and blend the indoor and outdoor spaces. Expansive skylights also flood the home with plenty of natural light. 

Regardless of where you step, large windows frame the property like living art, allowing endless views of the flora and waterfront. 

The home was originally built in 1969 but has undergone obvious updates to preserve its architectural integrity while blending modern conveniences and luxuries. 

However, the estate's interior design incorporates warmer colors, straying from the modern trend of minimalist whites and cool tones — think earthy browns and beige instead of clean, sparkling marble. 

The estate also includes seven and a half baths, an attached garage, walk-in closets, and more. 

The master bathroom is perhaps the most impressive. It features an elegant soaking tub positioned to take full advantage of the property's views. 

However, it also has his and hers showers, both of which have small windows to bring in even more natural light. 

The massive dual vanity has sleek countertops and offers ample storage, akin to what you might find in one of Royal Caribbean's largest suites! 

At $42 million, this over-the-top mansion isn't cheap. In addition to the steep asking price, Douglas Elliman reports that the home comes with $7,500 in annual maintenance and nearly $70,000 in taxes. 

The home is located at 700 Arvida Pkwy, Coral Gables, FL 33156 in the prestigious Gables Estates community, which was developed in the 1960s and features just 164 homes and 24-hour security. 

It might seem strange to book a suite that doesn't have a balcony, but I think Royal Caribbean came up with one of its best suite ideas.

Typically, cruise ship suites are massive cabins that offer more of everything regular rooms have, including a private verandah.

But not every suite is exactly the same, and the cruise line tries to cater to varying tastes.

The Solarium Suite is one of the top tier suites on Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas, and it's massive. No balcony, but plenty of room inside with views all around.

I wasn't sure how much I'd like this room, but I got to tour it and liked it much more than I expected.

A giant suite

While sailing on the inaugural voyage of Utopia of the Seas, I was invited to check out the room by a good friend who had booked it.

Prior to walking in, I was concerned about privacy with all the windows, and if the lack of being outside would matter.

The room is located at the very front of the ship, directly above the ship's bridge.  The bridge is where the Captain and other officers navigate the ship.

One advantage of this suite is it's really close to the Solarium, which is the adults-only area of the pool deck.

Thanks to Stef Christensen, I'm able to share photos of the room for you.

The room measures 839 square feet in size, making it over four times larger than a regular balcony cabin on Utopia.

If you're thinking is having that much space truly necessary, of course not, but it's super nice to have too!

I've stayed in a few different giant suites, including the Ultimate Family Suite on Utopia of the Seas. They're incredible rooms but having so much living space is the true definition of a luxury on a ship where most cabins are short on it.

The room opens up into a beautiful living room, and quickly the theme of this suite presents itself: lots of space and views all around you.

It's clear Royal Caribbean wanted to come up with a room that would make up for the lack of a balcony by offering sweeping views just about anywhere.

Since it's at the front of the ship, you're getting the best views available.

There's a powder room on your way into the suite, which is great when aging bloggers stop by to see the room.

I was impressed how much storage space there is in this room, including cabinets, drawers, and a fridge too.

The living room is especially well appointed. I like the couch and chairs facing the television, which makes it a space you'd actually want to lounge and watch a movie.

There's a bedroom with a large king bed in it, with its own views.

I like this bedroom has a door to provide privacy, rather than incorporating the bed within the living space.

There's power plugs and USB outlets (USB-A and USB-C) on the nightstand making it quite convenient.

There's also a sliding door to the bathroom, which also reveals the drawers and storage space.

There's many closets here as well, ensuring you won't run out of space.

In the bathroom, you have a giant shower that features marble design throughout.

There is a rain shower that can actually change colors, and a shower space that's probably bigger than your shower at home.

No balcony, but there's a fix for that

While this room doesn't have a balcony, it does an infinite balcony.

This is a sliding window you can control to open and close the top half of the window pane in the living room and let in the ocean breeze.

I thought this was the genius move with this kind of a room.  If you can't have a balcony, at least have the option to let in natural air.

It's motorized too, so no need to struggle to open or close it.

It comes with the best suite perk ever

While the room impressed me more than I expected, the best reason to book it is the Royal Genie services that come with it.

The Solarium Suite is a Star Class cabin, which means it includes first class amenities nearly all the other passengers onboard don't have access to.

Your genie is a crew member who works with everyone in your cabin, along with two or three other rooms.  

They take care of just about everything during your cruise, so you just need to show up and enjoy.

How much does the Solarium Suite cost?

On average, you can expect the Solarium Suite to cost between $5,000 and $6,000 per person for the first two people in the room.

Prices depend on when the sailing will take place, but that's I saw the cost consistently in that range.

Keep in mind that Utopia of the Seas only offers short Bahamas sailings that are 3 or 4 nights in length.

For comparison, a balcony cabin would cost about $1100 - $1300 per person for standard balcony rooms.

Of course, a balcony doesn't have nearly as much living space or amenities that the suite has. 

I changed my mind about the Solarium Suite

Before my visit, I wrote it off in my head as a room for me. But I've changed my tune.

The fact it has so much space and the ability to open a window is a big win for me.  I hate being outside in the hot summer months anyway, so I think this room would work well for my cruise style.

Plus, I think the bedroom and attached bathroom are fabulous and represent one of the prettiest rooms Royal Caribbean has.

It's not inexpensive, but for someone looking to splurge, I think the Solarium Suite is worth a try.

Royal Caribbean won't have any of its cruise ships visiting its private island in the Bahamas this week.

"Sorry folks, park island's closed. The moose out front shoulda told you."

It's not just cruise ships that need regular maintenance, private islands need them too.

A number of cruise fans noticed there are no scheduled visits to Perfect Day at CocoCay during this calendar week. Specifically, there are no visits between May 4 and May 10.

That's quite strange considering how important CocoCay has been to the cruise line's plans.

More and more ships now include visits to Perfect Day at CocoCay, including the brand new Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas. Both ships were marketed as offering visits there on every sailing.

Nonetheless, it does neither the cruise line nor the passengers any good if the island isn't in tip top shape, and as a result, it's closed this week.

An annual occurrence

After noticing the schedule for port visits to CocoCay was absent of ship visits, I asked Royal Caribbean for clarification. After all, sometimes the internet gets it wrong.

In this case, the rumor mill got it right.

A Royal Caribbean spokesperson confirmed the reports, "This is a scheduled, annual maintenance week for Perfect Day at CocoCay."

On the Royal Caribbean message boards, devbak150 shared they recall this happening last year as well, "It was closed last year around the same time for our cruise that included Labadee.  We couldn't reroute to Coco Cay due it it being closed for its annual maintenance closer.  Sounded like it was an every year for a week timeframe."

According to online schedules, Freedom of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas will be the first cruise ships to return to CocoCay once the maintenance work is complete when they visit on Sunday, May 11, 2025.

Preparing the island for a year's worth of fun

Regular maintenance is fundamental to how the cruise line ensures all of its products are ready for passengers to enjoy.  It not only keeps things working properly, but mitigates the chances of problems later.

Russell McEwen posted on Facebook about what he heard from a crew member that's working on the island, "Mostly back of the house stuff being renovated.  Some work on roads that shuttles use.  Replacing worn equipment.  Staff accommodations enhanced."

There's an entire waterpark, pools, kitchens, trams, and all sorts of equipment that are used to keep Perfect Day at CocoCay running.

The wave pool in the waterpark contains 28,000 gallons of water and can generate waves up to 4.5 feet in height.  There are multiple restaurants throughout the island serving thousands of meals every day. All of this needs maintenance to ensure it works as expected.

Cruise ships are shutdown for maintenance too

Maintenance work is an ongoing process for cruise ships and private islands.

In both cases, there's routine maintenance that gets done without having to shutdown everything down.

But cruise ships get scheduled every few years to get work done too.

Dry docks are planned years in advance so that all the materials and personnel are in place to inspect all hull openings, primary systems, including firefighting, navigation, and lifesaving.

Cruise ships go into dry dock twice in any five-year period, with no span longer than 36 months between dry docks. 

My 3 favorite spots most people miss on CocoCay

When CocoCay re-opens, there are a few areas I love to go to that tend to be overlooked.

On your way to Chill Island, there are a number of hammocks to your left after you cross the bridge onto Chill Island.

These hammocks are in the shade and it seems like most people don't notice them until later in the day. It's probably because there's no beach access nearby, but if you want a spot for a nap or to read a book (or both), this is it.

While you're in Chill Island, I really like the vibe of the Wacky Seagull Bar.

It's not just a fun name for a bar, it's got great chairs in the shade that face the ocean.  Grab a drink at the bar, and then take in the views.

Plus, I find there tends to be a stiff breeze here quite often and that makes it comfortable to sit and relax.

If you're looking for the least crowded beach at CocoCay, I think it's Harbor Beach.

Located in the middle of the island, it's an inlet that is perfect for young kids who don't know how to swim yet.  

Even if you do know how to swim, I like it because it's calm and serene.  Plus, Royal Caribbean added these floating pads in the water you can swim out to and hang out on.