Royal Caribbean Blog

Royal Caribbean has placed an order for a new megaship, and laid the groundwork for its next generation of cruise ships.

In a press release today, Royal Caribbean Group said it placed an order for a fifth Icon Class ship, and added an option for a 7th ship.

The Icon Class ships are the biggest in the world, measuring an 250,800 gross registered tons and can carry a maximum of 7,600 passengers. There are 28 different stateroom categories.

The deal was signed with Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, where all the other Icon Class ships have been built.

Icon 5 will be delivered sometime in 2028.

Prior to today's announcement, there were options for a fifth and sixth ship in the Icon Class.  Going forward, they have options for a 6th and 7th ship.

Shop options are essentially reserved slots at the shipyard, that buy the cruise line time to decide if they want to actually build it while not losing their place in line, so to speak.

New class?

Included in today's announcement was a mention of a new class of ship.

"This multi-year agreement strengthens Royal Caribbean Group's relationship with Meyer Turku, one of the world's largest and most modern shipyards specializing in cruise ships, and readies Royal Caribbean Group for a new, game-changing class of ship beyond Icon."

We don't know what that means, as the company didn't share any other details beyond the prepared statement.

One possibility is it refers to the long rumored Discovery Class ships. Or it could be another project for one of the Royal Caribbean Group brands. Cruisers will have to wait a bit longer to get clarification.

To date, Royal Caribbean International hasn't announced any new ship classes beyond the Icon Class. However, it's strongly hinted at a new ship class to come.

Known as the Discovery Class, it's group of new ships that is in the design phase where the company is dreaming up possibilities.

Earlier this summer, Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President of Sales and Trade Support & Service, Vicki Freed, talked about the plans.

"The Discovery Project is our next new class of ships, following the Icon of the Seas, and the Star of the Seas, and the Legend the Seas. And we're in the design process now."

"We meet on a regular basis with the architects, with the designers...the ops team and the hotel operations, food and beverage. And so it is a top secret design at this point."

She then went on to say, "It's an exciting project. It'll be a new class of ship.

"In true Royal Caribbean style, it will be special, it will be innovative. And I think it'll be something that'll be a home run from the beginning."

A long-term agreement for more ships

Royal Caribbean's announcement is significant because it secures a deal to build ships at Meyer Turku into the 2030s.

The new timeline for ship deliveries looks like this:

• Legend of the Seas: 2026
• Icon 4: 2027
• Icon 5: 2028
• Oasis 7: 2028

In a statement, Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty said, "As we continue to reimagine the future of vacations, we are excited to continue collaborating with Meyer Turku to grow the Icon Class - a first-of-its-kind series that delivers exceptional vacation experiences - and position us to usher in a new era of innovation that will disrupt the vacation sector through 2036."

It's an interesting quote since officially the orderbook goes through 2028, but he mentions 2036.  That very well could be the timeline for delivering the first batch of Discovery Class ships.

Royal Caribbean is in the midst of a building blitz that combines new ships and destinations.

Not only do they have orders for new ships, but they're also expanding their land presence with new private beach clubs and experiences.

There are plans in place to open a beach club in Nassau, Bahamas later this year, followed by a beach club in Cozumel, Mexico next year.

Then there's the massive Perfect Day Mexico opening that will add a second Perfect Day experience to the Caribbean portfolio.

After that, they'll shift to the Pacific and open a new experience in Vanuatu to offer more for Australian and New Zealand itineraries.

Of course, there are possible other projects on the horizon too to match their rumored ship ambitions.

Oasis of the Seas was the first of Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class, but Wonder of the Seas introduced so many improvements to these ships.

Both ships are among the largest in the world and are in the process of shifting to shorter Caribbean cruises in a move meant to attract more new cruisers.

While Oasis and Wonder are separated by over 10 years in their debuts, they're still more similar than different.

However, there are notable differences between the two worth considering before you choose one.

Ship overview

Oasis of the Seas was a gamechanger when she debuted in 2009, and it's difficult to properly convey how this one ship completely changed the cruise industry overnight.

Not only was this ship the biggest in the world, but Oasis was revolutionary for its design and how much there was to do onboard.

Oasis measures 226,838 gross tons and can carry 5,602 passengers at double occupancy. 

While that's really big, Wonder is even bigger. Wonder of the Seas was also the biggest cruise ship in the world at the time of her launch. This ship weighs 235,600 gross tons and can carry 5,734 passengers at double occupancy. 

Today, Wonder is the fourth largest ship behind and Oasis is eighth.

Wonder of the Seas currently sails 3 and 4-night cruises out of Miami, visiting the Bahamas and Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Oasis of the Seas is offering 6- to 9-night Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. In 2026, Oasis moves up to Cape Liberty, New Jersey to offer cruises from the New York City area.

Here's a look at the two ship's statistics, compared:

*at double occupancy

Neighborhoods

Oasis of the Seas introduced the concept of neighborhoods as a way to make it easy for passengers to find their way around massive ships..

The idea is simple: distinguish areas with a common theme so that you'll instantly recognize where you are without memorizing the ship deck plans.

One key difference between Oasis and Wonder is there's an extra neighborhood on Wonder of the Seas.

1. Royal Promenade: Main thoroughfare filled with bars, shops, and entertainment
2. Central Park: Outdoor park with real plants and trees. You'll also find specialty dining, and shopping
3. Boardwalk: Open air section on back of the ship with the Aquatheater, along with classic carousel and restaurants
4. Pool and Sports Zone: Resort themed pool deck, featuring pools, waterslides (The Perfect Storm), the FlowRider surf simulator, and rock-climbing walls
5. Vitality Spa and Fitness Center: A wellness-focused neighborhood offering spa treatments & fitness facilities
6. Youth Zone: Adventure Ocean and teen clubs where supervised age-specific programming is offered
7. Entertainment Place: A district dedicated to evening entertainment, including the ship's main theater, casino,  & ice rink
8. Suite Neighborhood: Only on Wonder of the Seas (and Utopia), reserved area.

Oasis has a suite sun deck, but the expanded Suite Sun Deck on Wonder is truly more impressive and feels more like a resort than simply a reserved area of the pool deck.

I think the Suite Sun Deck is so impressive on Wonder, that if you're considering booking a suite and trying to decide between ships, I'd pick Wonder for that reason.

Dining

You'll find lots of dining choices on both ships, but there are a few key differences.

Each ship has plenty of included restaurants as well as specialty dining. There's sushi, steak, a sports bar, and tropical themed pool bars.

There is room service on both ships, although it has a service fee with it (continental breakfast is free).

In comparing the ships, certain restaurants aren't available on both. You'll find Wonder has a few extra venues not available on Oasis.

It's primarily in the specialty dining where there differences. Oasis of the Seas has Portside BBQ, which is a barbecue restaurant offering turkey legs, brisket, mac 'n' cheese, pulled port and more. It's priced a la carte, although there are combo offerings.

Both ships have a Giovanni's Italian restaurant, but the version on Wonder is updated. This version has a newer menu that offers an expanded menu and updated recipes.

Another difference on Wonder is it has the Mason Jar, a restaurant serving Southern American comfort food, with live music at the popular bar area.

*suite guests only

Staterooms

The choice in staterooms on Wonder of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas are fairly similar, with one notable suite exception.

Wonder of the Seas has 2,867 cabins, while Oasis has just 2,801 cabins. It's a small difference, made up primarily of inside rooms added in places that are public areas on Oasis.

The biggest difference is that Wonder of the Seas has the Ultimate Family Suite, and Oasis does not.

This is a two story epic suite that is designed to wow and amaze just about everyone. It includes an in-suite slide, private jacuzzi, movie room, bunk beds, giant TV, and a LEGO wall.

As you might imagine, the Ultimate Family Suite is quite expensive and often costs as much about $14,000 per night!

If you'd prefer something less expensive, you'll find plenty of other cabin choices.

Both Wonder and Oasis have balcony cabins that overlook the ocean, Central Park, or Boardwalk.

Both ships also have virtual balcony cabins, which include a floor-to-ceiling screen that projects a live view from outside the ship.

Entertainment and activities

Royal Caribbean designed both cruise ships to offer as much as possible onboard, and they won't leave you disappointed with there not being enough to do.

There are shows in three different theaters, live music, pools, casino gambling, surfing, laser tag, and rock climbing abound on both vessels.

One key difference is Oasis of the Seas has a full Broadway show onboard, whereas Wonder relies on shows produced by the cruise line.

"Cats" is performed on each sailing of Oasis of the Seas, and it's included in your cruise fare.  

Both ships have amazing performances in the Aquadome, where there are high dive acrobat shows.

I prefer the Aqua80s show on Oasis of the Seas because of the tribute to the music of the 80s!

It's also worth noting Wonder of the Seas has the Vue Bar, whereas Oasis does not.

As its name implies, the Vue Bar offers sweeping ocean views from the pool deck.

Each night you'll find bars and lounges that feature live music. The two ships, however, do vary in entertainment venues. 

Another change between the ships is at the back of the ship, where Oasis has two FlowRider surf simulators, but Wonder has one.

Instead of two FlowRiders, Wonder has a Playscape.  This is an outdoor kids play park.

One difference (for now) is that Oasis of the Seas is sailing weeklong voyages, whereas Wonder of the Seas has transitioned to weekend cruises.

Royal Caribbean wants Wonder to have more of a party vibe to it, making it appealing to new cruisers who want to try it out.

Wonder is nicknamed, "Miami’s New Weekend Wonder" and has 10 next-level parties.

This includes:

• Bring the Beat Back: A Party Through the Decades
• Sailaway Party
• Plunge Day Pool Party
• Royal Kappa Chi (college party)
• Silent Toga Party

Oasis of the Seas isn't a floating library by any means. You'll find lots of parties and events happening. Both ships have themed nights and dance, DJ, and street parties.

Would you spend $150,000 to sail on a 7-night cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas with your family? 

One TikTok creator, @boredfarmfamily, recently sailed on Icon of the Seas in the magnificent Ultimate Family Townhouse suite. The family documented their cruise experience in the massive three-level suite and shared the video on TikTok, stating they spent $150,000 on their vacation. 

The family’s TikTok was titled, “Was it worth $150,000 for a family of 6 on Icon of the Seas?” In the video’s caption, she wrote, “Come see the most epic room on a cruise ship… the $150,000 Ultimate Family Townhouse on Icon of the Seas for a family of 6! Royal Caribbean really outdid themselves with this one.”

With such an outrageously high price tag, the video is going viral with over 1 million views, 100k hearts, and more than 7,000 comments. The jaw-dropping tour showcases the suite’s expansive layout, colorful design, and incredible kid-friendly amenities.

With a total price tag of $150,000 for six guests, this breaks down to about $21,428 per night. For six people, that comes out to roughly $3,571 per person, per night of the cruise. In comparison, I just spent four nights on Wonder of the Seas and only spent $292 per person for each night in our interior cabin!

Was the cost worthwhile for this over-the-top Royal Caribbean suite? According to the family, it absolutely was - and after seeing the suite, it’s easy to understand why. Here’s a full breakdown of the TikTok video, along with details about Royal Caribbean’s next-level and ultra-luxurious suite.

The Ultimate Family Townhouse is truly unlike any other cruise cabin at sea.

This isn’t your average cruise suite. In fact, it’s the most expensive and spacious suite that Royal Caribbean has ever created. With 1,772 square feet of space, this over-the-top cabin is one of the most exclusive suites in the cruise industry. The suite is three levels and features two bedrooms that can sleep up to eight passengers. The size of this suite is larger than most apartments!

It’s been designed from top to bottom with families in mind, from the multi-story slide to the piano-key stairs that play music notes when you step on them. As you might expect, Royal Caribbean has incorporated imaginative, playful, and memorable components to bring the ultimate family vacation to Icon of the Seas.

The entire suite feels like a playground for the whole family to enjoy. Inside, guests can take advantage of activities like ping pong and other amenities that include a movie room, karaoke machine, video games, two large balconies, and a private hot tub. 

The Ultimate Family Townhouse even has its own mailbox and private patio with an exclusive entrance to the kid-friendly Surfside neighborhood. Of course, the townhouse suite also comes with top-notch perks and Royal Star Class luxuries. For example, all guests receive the following amenities and perks:

• Royal Genie
• Exclusive complimentary dining
• Complimentary drink package
• Suite lounge access
• Suite sun deck access
• Exclusive activities onboard
• Complimentary gratuities
• Expedited boarding & departure
• Priority entrance to onboard activities
• Complimentary minibar
• Still and sparkling water
• Unlimited VOOM high-speed WiFi
• All-day access to Coastal Kitchen
• Best seats in select entertainment

The TikTok video shows the family boarding Icon of the Seas with their Royal Genie — and a big surprise for the kids.

The TikTok begins on embarkation day with the family walking across the gangway onto Icon of the Seas. Because they booked the Ultimate Family Townhouse, the family received priority embarkation. They were met with their own Royal Genie, which acts as a concierge and personal assistant for the entire cruise.

A Royal Genie is meant to anticipate the needs of their suite guests, such as arranging one-of-a-kind experiences and planning reservations for entertainment and specialty dining. They can make just about anything happen, from snagging the best seats at the nightly shows to creating private surprises in the cabin itself.

According to the TikTok video, the parents were surprising their kids with the Ultimate Family Townhouse. The video states, “At this point, the kids still had no idea what their surprise was.”

The video shows the Royal Genie escorting the family on Deck 8 to their cabin entrance, although the suite spans across Decks 7, 8, and 9. At this point, the kids still don’t know they will be cruising in one of the most elaborate suites in the cruise industry!

The kids were instantly blown away by the suite surprise!

As you might expect, the big reveal comes as a surprise to the family’s kids. As the door opens, the family's in awe by the imaginative, whimsical suite. Royal Caribbean has even decorated the suite with balloons and a giant “Happy Birthday” sign in the living room for the family. 

The kids start making comments like, “Woah!” while the youngest daughter states, “I love it!” The parents respond that they’ve been planning the surprise for a while.

The most eye-catching feature is the suite’s very own in-room slide. The large red slide is a quick favorite for the family, as the kids begin sliding down with big smiles on their faces. The tunnel slide starts on the upper level and slides down into the living room - certainly way more fun than the stairs!

The main level includes an oversized living area with quirky and colorful furniture rather than a standard couch or chair. In another corner, we can see the in-suite cinema room with a large flatscreen TV, massive daybed, and popcorn machine for the ultimate family movie night. Video game consoles are available to use, along with a karaoke machine for family singing competitions.

The suite’s design is over-the-top with kid-friendly amenities and thoughtful touches.

The Ultimate Family Townhouse has plenty of space to comfortably accommodate up to eight guests. With two full bedrooms and three bathrooms, the family of six can be seen exploring the massive suite and all of its kid-friendly amenities. Floor-to-ceiling windows also provide unmatched views of the ocean and the ship’s wake.

While the master bedroom includes a king-sized bed and bathroom with twin vanities and a double shower, the kids' room is expertly designed. The TikTok video shows the family's kids exploring their own room with bunk beds and Disney-themed bedding. The kids' cabin has its own colorful bathroom, along with a TV and headset for each of the kids to enjoy in the cabin.

Across the cabin, Royal Caribbean has decorated the walls with playful graphics, like a giraffe wearing sunglasses. One of the upper levels also features a mesh play space with views of the lower level.

Even the dining area is decked out for kids!

The Ultimate Family Townhouse features a dining area that adds another layer of fun. Rather than a standard dining room table, this one comes to life with interactive, digital animations that kids can play with. The dining room’s gaming table is a highlight for the family, as the TikToker can be seen trying out the table’s many different features.

Of course, Royal Caribbean prepared the dining room with plenty of treats and goodies for the family on embarkation day. The TikTok video shows a beautiful display of desserts across the table, including colorful pastries, cupcakes, and miniature desserts. The family couldn’t help themselves from sampling the many different treats!

The massive suite features more outdoor space, a private patio, and an exclusive entrance to Surfside neighborhood.

If the suite’s interior features have left you impressed, just wait until you see the outdoor area. The suite’s total indoor space measures 1,772 square feet, but when you add in the multiple balconies and backyard, the outdoor space totals more than 700 additional square feet.

One of the most unique features of the Ultimate Family Townhouse is the private patio with a fenced-in backyard. This isn’t something you typically find in a cruise ship suite. A full-size Connect Four and ping pong table can be found in the backyard, along with outdoor seating.

The TikTok video starts touring the outdoor patio and wrap-around balconies. With its very own white picket fence and even its own mailbox, the outdoor space is unlike anything at sea.

In addition, the backyard has its own private entrance into the family-focused Surfside neighborhood. The private entrance allows the kids to go straight from their suite into the infinity pool, splash pads, and kid-friendly restaurants, such as the Surfside Eatery and Pier 7. Parents also have access to the Lemon Post Bar for cocktails and drinks, including kid-approved mocktails.

The Ultimate Family Townhouse also features two massive, wraparound balconies. The main balcony spans more than 400 square feet with additional space for lounging or dining outside. A private hot tub is another spectacular feature of the Ultimate Family Townhouse, which is sure to bring incredible sunset views!

In addition, the suite features a second balcony from the master bedroom for parents to use. This balcony is slightly smaller, measuring only 90 square feet.  In total, the Ultimate Family Townhouse covers nearly 2,500 square feet, making it larger than many actual townhouses on land.

Was it worth the $150,000 cost? The TikTok family says yes, but many of the comments aren’t sure.

At the end of the TikTok video, Bored Family Farm concludes their tour with footage of the family enjoying their private hot tub. The family states the suite was “definitely worth the $150,000 for our family of six,” and says the cruise vacation leaves them with memories of a lifetime.

For most cruisers, that price tag is jaw-dropping and likely out of reach. Considering the average salary for an American is around $66,000 and the median household income per year is $83,730, the Ultimate Family Townhouse is not realistic for the average cruiser.

With the TikTok video going viral online, some of the comments disagree that $150,000 is worth a 7-night cruise aboard Icon of the Seas.

“$150,000 to be an a cruise ship. I would never waste my money like that,” states one TikTok user in the comment section. Another cruiser responded, “We were on the same ship and I paid about $142k less.”

“With that kind of money why go on a cruise, they could’ve rented a yacht,” responded another commenter.

On the other hand, some people felt the family had every right to spend their money however they wanted. One TikTok user fired back at critics, “‘I would never spend that kind of money on a cruise.’ Well, great—probably because you don’t have that kind of money. Let their parents do what THEY want with THEIR money. No one asked for your opinion. Thanks.”

“If you have $150k to drop on a cruise, you don't owe any of us an explanation! Enjoy!!” reads one of the top comments. Another comment states, “If I had the money, I would do it too for my kids. When you have MONEY, 150K is nothing.”

Another TikTok user states, “The kids are going to have these memories forever, money comes and goes! Sooo happy for them and you too mom and dad for making it happen!!”

While the Ultimate Family Townhouse is far beyond the budget of most cruisers, Royal Caribbean has discovered it’s a massive hit with top-tier spenders. According to Royal Caribbean, the Ultimate Family Townhouse was sold out during Icon of the Seas' inaugural cruise season. At the time, Royal Caribbean said the price tag was upwards of $80,000, which is about half the cost that Bored Family Farm paid.

Happy Sunday, and welcome back to an edition of our Royal Caribbean news round-up. We'll summarize all the latest news from the cruise line, so just sit back, relax, and read on.

Legend of the Seas will be ready much earlier than originally expected.

Royal Caribbean added 3 new sailings before the inaugural sailing that was previously announced.

That means the third Icon Class ship will enter service almost a month earlier.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean is attracting more young Americans to cruising and building their loyalty
• The biggest cruise ship in the world also has the fastest satellite internet ever
• One easy thing they do to make your cruise better, according to our readers
• 4 Cruise excursions that looked better online
• The 1970s Royal Caribbean cruise meal we wish would return
• Royal Caribbean Amplification schedule: Which ships have been upgraded
• 9 ways to store more in your cruise cabin

New RCB Video: My 10 FAVORITE Royal Caribbean ships in 2025, Ranked

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—My 10 FAVORITE Royal Caribbean ships in 2025, Ranked—and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Fight forces cruise ship to turn around and go back to port

A fight among passengers on Wonder of the Seas was so disrupting that it went back to Miami to kick them off the ship.

There's been no official confirmation by the cruise line, but it appears a brawl onboard lead to the forced disembarkation of a group of passengers.  Police officers were seen on the pier waiting as the ship arrived.

There was also an unrelated injury to a different passenger that required medical attention too.

Deck-by-deck changes coming to Harmony of the Seas

We have a list of every single change coming to Harmony of the Seas in 2026.

Updated deck plans reveal all the changes, upgrades, and additions coming to the ship.

Harmony is one of three ships set to get upgraded next year.

Royal Caribbean quietly added a bar guests said was missing

There's a new bar on Utopia of the Seas to address a need that passengers say was missing.

When the ship launched last year, there was no Vitality Cafe. That omission lead to complaints because it offered healthy drink options not found elsewhere.

Now, there's a make-shift fix for the issue.

The secret cruise deal sheet most people don't know about

Did you know about the Going, Going, Gone deals that get released every week?

It's not well-advertised, but there's a list of last-minute cruise deals Royal Caribbean puts out, but you have to know where to look to find it.

Bargain hunters could land a really good deal with some of the offers.

It seems like a lot of shore excursions look incredible from the comfort of your couch as you're scrolling through ideas.

I think a lot of people hunt for that amazing tour when they look through Instagram or TikTok, and it's easy for photos of these places to look incredible.

I've been fortunate enough to take Royal Caribbean cruises all over the world, including Europe and the Caribbean.

I usually have good luck with finding tours that match up to my expectations, thanks to a lot of research and reading others experiences.

Unfortunately, a few of shore excursions turned out to be duds, because they didn't deliver on the beauty and splendor I expected.

Norwegian glaciers were tiny

On my first cruise to the Norwegian fjords, I was determined to see as much natural beauty as possible, and this took me on a tour to visit a glacier.

I had seen glaciers on my Alaska cruises, so I couldn't wait to see even more here.

Briksdal Glacier (Briksdalsbreen) was the top glacier recommended to see while in Olden, Norway.

I took an hour-long hike and felt disappointed when I reached the viewing point. The reality is this glacier is difficult to see because it's retreated so much.

Unlike Mendenhall Glacier, I found this one to be quite small and I was let down after the hike required to get there.

The lesson in Norway is focus on the fjords, which are fantastic, and save the glaciers for Alaska.

Private island had no shade and no facilities

A private island with no residents and no crowds seems like it should be the perfect kind of Caribbean beach day, but I was happy to go back to the ship when it was time.

When we visited Belize for the first time, I read reviews about this great little island to visit called Goff's Caye. 

It's only 1.2 acres of sand, and you need to take a boat to access it.

When we arrived, it was very much a tiny, secluded island. While a tropical oasis like this might seem lovely, I quickly realized having some level of amenities matters more than I thought.

The beach had very little shade, provided only by the few trees on the island. A BBQ lunch was available to purchase, but it was a limited and rather uninspired meal.

The truth is this excursion is meant as a backdrop for snorkeling, which I didn't care for.  I prefer going to a beach for the above water experience.

Oversold beach excursion in Jamaica

Perhaps the worst excursion I've ever taken was to Blue Waters Beach Escape in Falmouth, Jamaica.

The problem with this excursion is it's your typical oversold, under delivering beach day.

Booked through Royal Caribbean, there was a short bus ride to the beach where we arrived and saw many other buses of tourists beat us there first.

The staff assigned guests chairs, and we managed to get one of the last ones. People behind us had to settle for beach chair mats until chairs were freed up by departing guests.

The food was described as, "unlimited food (jerk chicken, pasta) served up by 5-star chefs".  While I'm not a food critic by any means, it certainly was not five-star level food.

Another excursion pet peeve of mine is "free wifi" that is only available in one area and in this case, it was so overused by guests that it became useless.

This might have been a great excursion had it not been oversold to the point that it became frustratingly crowded.

Bermuda beach

A lesson in not taking the easy route is my experience in Bermuda.

We had hit a homerun with going on a sunset yacht tour the night before, so we decided to take it easy and walk to the Snorkel Park Beach Club that is a few minutes away from where Royal Caribbean ships dock in Bermuda.

While it was convenient, that's where the accolades end.

Two chairs and umbrella cost $75, and that doesn't include any food or drink.

Then there's the sand, which is about as coarse and hard as you'll ever find. This is a man-made beach purpose built for cruise tourists. I've heard it was built on a former garbage dump, but I'm not sure if that's actually true.

Admittedly, we went there out of laziness, but we should have put in a bit more effort for a substantially better beach.

Royal Caribbean wants to win over the younger generation of cruisers with more than adrenaline-pumping thrills and Broadway-style entertainment. 

By leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and other innovations, Royal Caribbean has turned its app into what Millennials are calling the cruise line's "biggest flex."  

Royal Caribbean's mobile app was first introduced in 2018 and quickly became a favorite feature amongst guests. 

The app made it easier than ever to browse the daily schedule, make dining reservations, and book shore excursions, and over the years, it's continued to evolve into a powerful digital companion. 

Today, it is praised for its personalization, ease, and seamlessness, particularly among Gen Z and Millennial cruisers.  

By meeting younger travelers where they are (i.e., on their cell phones), Royal Caribbean is not only modernizing the cruise experience but also building lifelong loyalty. 

"Technology isn’t just an add-on for us — it’s central to how we design vacations," said Rafeh Masood, Chief Digital and Growth Officer of Royal Caribbean Group. 

"By developing these tools in-house, we can anticipate what younger travelers want and deliver it in a way that feels seamless. That approach is winning over first-time cruisers and turning them into loyal guests who return again and again."

Gamified Loyalty & Digital Badges

In March, Royal Caribbean rolled out new mobile badges that awarded guests for each ship they've sailed on.

Later on, they added a feature that lets cruisers earn badges for the destinations they’ve visited — from Perfect Day at CocoCay to Europe, Mexico, Bermuda, and beyond. 

Millennials and Gen Z love sharing experiences, and tracking which ships they have sailed on to different destinations creates a sense of achievement and pride, almost like collecting new stamps in a passport. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean updated its virtual badges, and it's become a "Gotta Catch 'Em All!" craze

Smart Suggestions

Royal Caribbean's app gives guests "Netflix-style recommendations" for dining, nightlife, and excursions based on personal preferences. 

This makes it easier to discover what is trending onboard the ship without feeling overwhelmed by everything going on. 

The app will also send notifications for pre-cruise planner sales, so guests can save on their favorite add-ons like shore excursions, drink packages, Wi-Fi, and more.

Calendar-Friendly Notifications

Speaking of everything going on, it can be easy to forget what you've signed up for or were interested in. 

Thankfully, Royal Caribbean's mobile app sends smart, calendar-friendly notifications to remind passengers of their upcoming reservations, comedy shows, and sunset yoga classes that they signed up for.  

Real-Time Peace of Mind

Available exclusively on Star of the Seas (for now), parents can use the Royal Caribbean app to track their kids’ location onboard in real time.

The "Find My Kid" feature keeps tabs on children in public spaces across the ship, as well as in their stateroom. Children must be registered at Adventure Ocean and have a special WOW Band to utilize this service. 

Although it isn't a replacement for good parenting, it lets parents have a little peace of mind when letting their children go off on their own on the cruise ship. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean adds a way to track your kids on its newest cruise ship

Royal Caribbean uses AI for more than its mobile app

Artificial intelligence helps Royal Caribbean manage millions of daily price points and even reduce waste onboard its fleet of ships. 

"We manage about 15 million price points a day. That used to be done more or less with a couple 100 revenue managers, and today, those 15 million price points, 90-plus percent of them are all AI-driven," said Jacon Liberty, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, at the Skift Global Forum in New York City on Wednesday.

Liberty continued, adding that they've reduced waste on 69 of its ships (comprised of vessels operating under the Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Silversea umbrellas) by 50%. 

One way they've done so is by leveraging AI to help adjust food production in real-time. For example, AI can help predict how many hamburgers and other food items the chefs should prepare.

It also helps crew members better estimate how much food should be thawed and prepped throughout the sailing.

"We’re using well over 50,000 eggs per day…We have 180,000 passengers, as we speak right now on our ships. Just being able to manage it at a deeper level and a more predictable level has huge savings for us on a waste standpoint," Liberty said. 

Read more: What does Royal Caribbean do with all its uneaten food?

When people think about Royal Caribbean's early days, the now departed ships usually get all the attention (and understandably so).

But one tradition you'd find on any of those ships in the 1970s or 1980s was the midnight buffet.

Unlike the restaurants that you'll find all over a cruise ship today, none seem to capture the mystique of the late night gorging and excitement that the midnight buffet offered.

The midnight buffet was a culinary institution on every Royal Caribbean cruise ship until sometime in the 1990s when it was slowly phased away from the lineup. For longtime cruisers, we appreciated the new dining choices, but missed the variety and experience that came with the midnight buffet.

What was the midnight buffet?

Unlike the cruise buffet during the day, the midnight buffet was an event and a meal.

Royal Caribbean referred to it as the "Gala Buffet".

Cruise ships before the mega ship era had a different approach to cruising, and one of the big differences was there was a lot less activities and things to do compared to today.

The midnight buffet served two purposes: feed passengers and give them something to do.

Back then, ships didn't have as many casual grab-and-go restaurants. Specialty restaurants really didn't exist, and it was just the Windjammer and Main Dining Room.

Royal Caribbean called it "a pageant of delicious dishes" and encouraged passengers to bring their camera, because half the fun was seeing how beautiful and excessive the displays were.

Food and more food

Typically there would be more than just a lot of food.  You'd also find ice carvings, fruit sculptures, and chocolate fountains.

Held in the Main Dining Room, guests could actually first tour the area before eating it all. It was an opportunity to take photos and see the carvings of ice, bread, fruit, carved into exotic animals, scenes, ships. No touching or eating allowed.

There would be a period where the dining room was closed, and then at midnight it would re-open for guests to come back in and actually eat.  

It was a combination of dining and performance art.

The midnight buffet lasted an hour until 1am, and you could expect caviar, shrimp, and more.

The best part? It was included in your cruise fare.

Why it disappeared

It's likely two main factors contributed to the demise of the midnight buffet.

First, even the most ardent cruise fans that loved the Gala Buffet recall it being quite wasteful.

There was so much food available, including the various carvings and food displays.  They were fabulous, but also a fabulous waste of food in many cases.

Given it was held at midnight, only a portion of cruisers actually stayed up for it and that meant less demand.

The other reason why the Gala Buffet disappeared is because cruise ships got bigger and added more casual dining options.

Other late-night venues were added, such as Cafe Promenade and Sorrento's Pizza.

Big ships brought with them a different vibe, with a focus on late-night parties, gambling, and events that went well beyond the dining room.

It can be argued that the megaships also placed a greater emphasis on the economy of scale that came with them, and the costs of putting on a midnight buffet didn't make a lot of business sense.

By the late 90s and into the early 2000s, the Gala Buffet was extinct.

Why I wish it would come back

I think there's a real need on Royal Caribbean ships for late-night food that goes beyond pizza, and we know Royal Caribbean emphasizes experience over everything else.

In comparing Royal Caribbean to other lines, I think the variety of food served after 10pm is lacking. So I think bringing back this buffet would address that need.

Plus, the Gala Buffet was an event. Guests love those "wow moments" on a cruise, and that's evident when they walk into the Windjammer and there's a large food display, such as a cake or ice sculpture. 

Royal Caribbean is fond of saying their approach to cruise ships is a combination of tradition, evolution, and revolution. So why not tackle a fond cruising tradition that could be evolved to meet the needs of today's cruisers with a fun twist?

Could Royal Caribbean bring it back?

While I doubt we'd ever see the same culinary extravaganza that were present on ships in the 1970s, I do think they could do something more practical.

I'd love for them to have a smaller-scale themed buffet, and offer it once per cruise so it can be a must-see event.

Making memories is at the heart of so many offerings on the ships today, and it's clear the midnight buffet is still one of the most fondly recalled cruising memory from the past.  If it was that remarkable then, maybe it's time to bring it back in an updated form?

Cruisers today love to experience and share it all with friends and family. I think a midnight buffet would be the perfect photo op that translates to Instagram moments. The sort of posts that would get people's attention because they are surprised what you can do on a cruise.

I think this idea is rooted in nostalgia, but considering how often car makers, retailers, and even Taco Bell dips into retro passions, maybe it's time for Royal Caribbean to do the same!

One of the biggest complaints about Royal Caribbean's newest Oasis Class ship was that it lacked a place to grab fresh smoothies and juices — until now. 

When Utopia of the Seas launched in July 2024, word quickly spread that there wasn't a Vitality Café onboard. 

In fact, if you browse online discussion forums, it's easy to find cruisers upset about not having a dedicated spot for fresh, healthy smoothies and juices. 

"Utopia does not have a [fresh-pressed] juice machine on board. [My partner and I] got the alcoholic drink packages and were really excited about all the [fresh-pressed] juice that’s included...," one guest shared on Reddit.

"Unfortunately they did not add [the Vitality Café] to the boat and the spa had to tell several people. Very unfortunate." 

"I just got off the utopia and [am] dissatisfied that there is no vitality cafe. The only [fresh juice] is from the buffet with [a] charge. There is plenty [of] room in the lobby spa area to add this," wrote another guest on a Royal Caribbean Blog discussion forum. 

However, it seems that Royal Caribbean has listened to the feedback and made some changes to Utopia of the Seas. 

Blake Mathesie recently sailed aboard Utopia and reported that Royal Caribbean set up a makeshift juice shop in the Spotlight Karaoke lounge on Deck 5. 

According to Mathesie, the pop-up isn't found on the ship's deck plans, either on the app or website. However, it is available in the app under "Dining" → "Coffee & Snacks."

It's a recent addition, with crew members telling Mathesie they started offering the juices and smoothies a few weeks ago. 

Hours for Vitality Café on Utopia of the Seas are limited, likely because the crew needs to clear the space in preparation for the bar to open later in the karaoke lounge.

On embarkation day in Port Canaveral, it seems to be open from 10:30 a.m. until 3 p.m., while on other days, the Vitality Café is typically open from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.

"Whether you've just finished a workout at the gym or enjoyed a rejuvenating treatment at the spa, Vitality Juice Bar offers a selection of delicious, healthful options — including our fresh juices prepared just for you at the Spotlight," reads the app's description. 

Not the first ship that has a makeshift Vitality Café

Part of Royal Caribbean's changes to Allure of the Seas included removing the Vitality Café, despite it being a favorite amongst health-conscious cruisers. 

While the café is no longer in the spa, a limited menu with juice and smoothie offerings is available at Sorrento's in the Royal Promenade. 

Similar to Utopia, there isn’t a dedicated icon for it on the ship's deck plan. 

Read more: 6 things I'm surprised Royal Caribbean didn't change on Allure of the Seas

Do drink packages work at the Vitality Café?

Yes, Royal Caribbean's Deluxe Beverage Package and Royal Refreshment Package both work at the Vitality Café. Moreover, Diamond vouchers can be redeemed for smoothies and juices, along with most alcoholic beverages, soda, bottled water, and more.

Drinks at the Vitality Café cost over $8 each, so purchasing a drink package (especially if you plan on kickstarting your morning with a freshly-made juice or smoothie) can be a wise decision. 

Construction work is moving so quickly that Royal Caribbean will bring its next new cruise ship into service even earlier than expected.

Legend of the Seas will be the third Icon Class ship when it debuts next year. The original plan was for Legend to start sailing August 2, 2026. 

Guests booked on that sailing received an email to inform them that the new ship will enter service sooner than expected.

"We have an important update on the arrival of Legend of the Seas. Our teams have been working diligently to deliver to you An Iconic Family Holiday, and the ship is progressing ahead of schedule."

Royal Caribbean is adding three new 7-night sailings before the August 2nd sailing.

These cruises will depart:

• July 11, 2026
• July 18, 2026
• July 25, 2026

The new inaugural sailing for Legend of the Seas will depart roundtrip from Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy on July 11, 2026, and visit:

• Naples, Italy
• Barcelona, Spain
• Palma De Mallorca, Spain
• Provence (Marseille), France

New choices for sailings

Before these new cruises go on sale to the public, anyone that was already booked on the August 2nd sailing will have the first chance to move up to the new ones.

"Understanding that some guests may value being the first onboard, and others look forward to celebrating the inaugural voyage – we want to give you the first choice and the flexibility to switch sailings, add an additional sailing, or stay on your currently booked sailing," the email wrote.

Guests that opt to move sailings will be transferred in a like-for-like stateroom currently booked, based on availability. This is on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Suite guests have one week to take advantage of price protection for the July 11, 2026, sailing only
  • After that, the transfer will be based on the current prevailing rate.
  • For the two (2) additional sail dates, all suite moves will be based on availability and at prevailing rate
• Guests in Interior, Oceanview and Balcony staterooms will have the opportunity to transfer at the prevailing rate

You have until next week to decide

If you want to move and take advantage of one of these earlier sailings, you need to act quickly.

Guests must decide if they want to move their reservation to one of the earlier sailings no later than September 24, 2025.

If you do not make a change by September 24, 2025, anyone booked on the August 2 sailing will remain booked on that sailing, and you can still choose to add the new Legend of Seas sailings based on availability.

Another new ship moving up sailings

This is the second Icon Class ship in a row that has had their first sailing changed and moved up.

Royal Caribbean did this with the launch of Star of the Seas. Eventually, four "showcase sailings" were added prior to the launch of the ship.

In both cases, the reason was the same: construction was faster than expected and the ship was going to be ready earlier.

Star of the Seas was scheduled for an August 31, 2025 debut but ended up having its first revenue sailing on August 16.

Sister brand Celebrity Cruises did something similar with new cruises prior to the inaugural with the launch of Celebrity Ascent and Xcel.

Before its official inaugural sailing, Celebrity Ascent added "pre-inaugural sailings" before its official maiden voyage. 

Xcel is being readied earlier as well, and has a four-night preview sailing beginning November 9, while the The November 18 sailing will still host the inaugural events.

What's new on Legend of the Seas

The new cruise ship is still under construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, and there's very little information available on what will be different yet.

Legend will be the third in the Icon Class, and it's expected to be about the same size as both Icon and Star.  That puts the new ship at about 250,800 gross tons and can accommodate approximately 5,610 passengers at double occupancy or up to 7,600 passengers at maximum occupancy.

When you add crew members, that brings the theoretical total amount of people up to 10,000.

One change we know about is the supper club will have a Hollywood theme.  The previous two supper clubs on Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas had a New York and Chicago theme to theme.

During her inaugural season, Legend of the Seas will sail from Barcelona, Spain, and Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy, marking the first time an Icon Class ship will offer cruises around the Mediterranean. 

She'll then move to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, following a 13-night transatlantic cruise at the end of October. Her first sailing from Florida is scheduled for November 11, 2026. 

Beyond that, Royal Caribbean hasn't revealed any information yet on what will be different or new about the ship.

Cruise cabins are notoriously small. Unless you’re splurging on a spacious, luxurious suite, you can expect your cruise stateroom to be smaller than an average hotel room.

The size of a cruise cabin varies greatly by cabin category, cruise line, and cruise ship. First-time cruisers might be surprised by the compact nature of cabins, especially windowless interior staterooms.

Most inside cruise cabins are anywhere from 140 square feet to 180 square feet, while balcony cabins tend to be larger, between 175 square feet to 220 square feet. On the other hand, suites are larger but range greatly. Some can be as large as 1,500 square feet, while entry-level junior suites are closer to 300 square feet.

For the majority of cruisers sailing in standard cabins, this means a little bit of clutter can quickly make your small space feel out of control. Not to mention, if you’re traveling with multiple people in your same stateroom, you’ll want to maximize your space with smart storage hacks.

If you’re wondering how to make the most of your small cruise cabin, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve sailed on over 50 cruises, mostly in tiny interior staterooms and standard balcony cabins. Even as an occasional over-packer, I’ve always been able to comfortably unpack in my cruise cabin. Consider using these expert tips and storage strategies to keep your cruise cabin both organized and tidy.

P.S. We've included some referral links to products listed in the article. If you use our link, we earn a small commission on your purchase. This costs you nothing extra but supports our site. Feel free to check out our Amazon Store Front for other favorite cruise products and essential travel items. Thanks!

1. Bring magnetic hooks

One of the best items to bring for your cruise cabin organization is a small set of magnetic hooks. Because cruise cabins have metal walls, anything magnetized can be hung directly on your wall.

Many longtime cruisers will never embark on a cruise without magnetic hooks. These can be used for a variety of purposes, but especially hanging small items on your cabin wall, such as lightweight jackets, your cruise lanyard, and small bags. I find these are especially important for longer itineraries where you might be packing more than normal. Instead of cluttering your vanity, you can keep these hanging on the magnetic hooks.

A small pack of magnetic hooks is a cheap investment in your cabin essentials. Some packs include 6 magnetic hooks for only $4.99. If you’re wanting to hang heavier items, such as larger bags or winter coats for an Alaskan cruise, consider upgrading to heavy-duty magnetic hooks that can hold more weight.

2. Unpack your suitcase

A few years ago, I cruised with family members who refused to unpack their suitcases on a 12-night cruise. With four people in an interior stateroom, they kept their suitcases stacked on the couch for the entire cruise! The cabin was so cramped, they were constantly tripping over their unpacked bags.

Cruise cabins are equipped with closets, shelving, and drawers for storage. While I rarely unpack in a hotel room, I always utilize the storage in a cruise cabin. This makes your stateroom quickly feel more organized rather than feeling like you’re living out of a suitcase.

After boarding your cruise, consider spending 30 minutes unpacking your belongings. I prefer to unpack after the ship sets sail and before dinner on the first day. If you need additional hangers for the closet to hang more clothes, simply ask your stateroom attendant, and they’ll be happy to provide those for you. Once you're unpacked, you won't need to worry about this for the rest of the cruise!

3. Use packing cubes for easy unpacking

Speaking of unpacking, you should also consider using packing cubes for your next cruise. I started using packing cubes a few years ago, and now I never travel without them. Packing cubes allow you to organize your clothes into separate cubes to stay organized. 

I prefer using compression packing cubes for my carry-on during shorter cruises to optimize every inch of my suitcase. Compression packing cubes have a second zipper to condense your clothes and remove extra air. I’m not typically a very organized person, but packing cubes change that. 

My suitcase is neatly and perfectly organized when I head to the cruise terminal. After arriving to my cabin on the first day, I simply remove the packing cubes and place them into the drawers or shelves in the stateroom. This makes unpacking a breeze! At the end of the cruise, I’ll designate one packing cube for dirty clothes to make laundry easier when I return from vacation.

4. Store your suitcase under the bed

Remember my family members who refused to unpack in their cabin? Imagine my shock when I saw all eight of their suitcases stacked on top of one another. Because it was their first cruise, they hadn’t considered keeping some suitcases under the bed to save space. This is a huge storage strategy, and you shouldn’t forget about the empty space under your bed. 

I prefer to cruise with my favorite set of luggage from Away Travel for easy storage. One of the biggest perks of this luggage is the ability to store the smaller suitcases within the largest one. I can cruise with three suitcases (which I’ve done for longer 12-night to 15-night itineraries) and unpack without issue. I’ll store the smaller suitcases in my large checked bag and store this under my bed.

If you prefer to leave your suitcase unzipped, you can also use this for dirty clothes during the cruise. This can slide out from under the bed whenever you need to access it, and return to its storage spot when not needed.

Use this link for $40 off your Away Luggage purchase!

5. Bring a collapsible mesh hamper for dirty clothes

One of my favorite hacks for cruise cabin storage is packing a collapsible mesh hamper. These are also available at the dollar store for $1.25, making them a very cheap investment to improve your cabin experience.

A collapsible hamper takes up virtually no space in your suitcase, especially in larger suitcases where you can lay it on the bottom of your luggage. Keep the hamper in your closet throughout the cruise for dirty clothes instead of forming a large (and probably stinky) pile of clothes at the bottom of the closet. I prefer transferring the dirty hamper directly into a designated packing cube for returning home.

6. Do laundry in your cabin bathroom

No one wants to think of doing chores while on vacation, especially laundry! But, if you’re trying to keep your suitcase light with minimal packing, you could wash a few items in your cabin bathroom. In fact, I did laundry in a cruise cabin bathroom for 100 days during my Semester at Sea study abroad program in college. I lived on a cruise ship and washed all of my clothes in the sink.

You can bring a small laundry detergent, such as travel-sized Tide packets, or even use the provided soap in your shower. I've used both the bathroom sink and the shower to wash a few items while cruising. 

If I need to wash a few items, I’ll prioritize washing my athleisure clothes with quick-dry material. Most cruise cabin bathrooms will have either a retractable hanging line or hooks in the shower for hang drying. It’s certainly not glamorous, but it gets the job done!

7. Pack a hanging toiletry bag for cosmetics

If you think your cruise cabin itself is small, wait until you see the bathroom! Cruise cabin bathrooms are often compact, especially on older cruise ships, and space can be very limited. Most cruise stateroom bathrooms have some shelving for storage, but it’s minimal. With multiple people sharing the bathroom, you might find yourself running out of room for everyone’s toiletry bags and cosmetics.

To stay organized without taking up too much space, pack a hanging toiletry bag to place on the back of the door. The toiletry bag is easily accessible without taking up any space on the vanity or counter. I’ve never been on a cruise ship without hooks on the back of the bathroom door, so you can be assured that you’ll have a place to hang your bag.

8. Bring a charging stand for electronics

If you’re like me, you travel with way too many charging cords for your electronics. It seems like everything needs to be charged these days, but few things have the same charging port. In addition, older cruise cabins might only have one or two outlets to charge all of your electronics. With more than one person, you might find yourself fighting over the outlets to charge your devices. 

To keep your vanity organized and save space in your suitcase, pack a multi-use charging stand. These can charge multiple devices at once, including your phone, smartwatch, and headphones. This will save you space in your cabin and reduce clutter on the vanity. 

9. Pack versatile outfits

Most mainstream cruises are generally very casual, meaning you won’t need to be too dressy for dinner in the evenings. This is especially true on a Royal Caribbean cruise. If you’re tight on space for your luggage, don’t stress too much about your dinner outfits.

Prioritize packing outfits that are versatile for your entire vacation. I prefer to pack dresses that I would be comfortable wearing throughout the day. In addition, I don’t pack a specific outfit for formal night anymore. This takes up too much space in my luggage, and I don’t want to bring a special pair of shoes that I’d only wear one evening.

As such, don’t be afraid to rewear your dinner outfits. Only you will know that you’re wearing the same outfit twice! Like they say, you’re never going to see these people again. Save the space and minimize your dinner outfits.