Royal Caribbean Blog

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. 

The Royal Amplification program was designed to give new life to Royal Caribbean's older cruise ships. 

When the Royal Amplification program was initially announced in 2018, 10 ships were scheduled to receive updates over the course of 4 years; however, the initiative came to a halt during the pandemic as a result of the worldwide port and shipyard closures.

Before getting postponed, 6 ships were successfully amplified, including Independence of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, and Freedom of the Seas. 

For years, loyal Royal Caribbean fans had been left wondering when the program would be restarted, as ships like Allure of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas fell short compared to their upgraded counterparts. 

Thankfully, Royal Caribbean has officially restarted the Royal Amplification program. The long-anticipated upgrades are in full swing and resumed with Allure of the Seas in early 2025.

Curious about which ships have been amplified and which are on the docket? You're in the right place. 

Independence of the Seas (2018)

Independence of the Seas was the first ship to undergo Royal Amplification, re-entering service with her new upgrades in May 2018. The revitalization cost over $100 million and added a slew of new experiences to the Freedom Class ship, including:

• A SkyPad (a virtual reality trampoline, which has since been closed)
• Perfect Storm water slides
• Re-designed pool deck
• Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade
• Izumi Hibachi & Sushi
• Splashaway Bay
• "Battle for Planet Z" glow-in-the-dark laser tag
• New escape room
• Panoramic Oceanview staterooms
• Sugar Beach candy shop
• Improved ice rink
• Fish & Ships
• New lounges

Mariner of the Seas (2018)

Royal Caribbean invested $120 million into the refurbishment of Mariner of the Seas, and the results made it one of the favorite ships of Royal Caribbean Blog founder Matt Hochberg. Mariner's Royal Amplification finished in June 2018 and added new ways to drink, play, and dine, such as:

• Perfect Storm racer water slides
• A SkyPad (a virtual reality trampoline, which has since been closed)
• "Battle for Planet Z" laser tag
• Royal Escape Room: The Observatorium
• The Bamboo Room (the cruise line's first-ever Polynesian-inspired, tiki-chic bar)
• Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade
• Jamie’s Italian
• Izumi Hibachi and Sushi
• FlowRider surf simulator

Navigator of the Seas (Feb 2019)

The third ship to be royally amplified was Navigator of the Seas. She sailed into Miami, Florida, in February 2019 with $115 million of next-level features, including:

• The Blaster (Royal Caribbean's first aqua coaster)
• Riptide water slide
• Caribbean resort-style poolscape with a small kids' splash pad
• Johnny Rockets Express
• El Loco Fresh
• The Lime and Coconut
• Royal Escape Room: The Observatorium
• To Dry For stand-alone blow-dry bar
• Hooked Seafood
• Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade
• The Bamboo Room
• Redesigned Adventure Ocean with dedicated teen spaces

Voyager of the Seas (Oct 2019)

Voyager of the Seas wasn't the first Voyager Class ship to undergo a Royal Amplification. However, she was the first to debut in Asia following the upgrades. After a 41-day, $97 million transformation, Voyager arrived in Singapore in October 2019, ready to offer guests new staterooms, attractions, and more.

• Perfect Storm three-story water slides
• "Battle for Planet Z" laser tag
• Reinvigorated Vitality Spa and Fitness Center
• Redesigned kid and teen spaces

Oasis of the Seas (Nov 2019)

Costing $165 million, Oasis of the Seas' amplification was one of the cruise line's most expensive to date. The ship received everything from the Perfect Storm water slides and the Ultimate Abyss dry slide to new dining venues like Portside BBQ.

• The Ultimate Abyss
• Perfect Storm water slides
• Caribbean resort-style pool deck
• Splashaway Bay
• The Lime and Coconut
• Portside BBQ
• Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade
• Bionic Bar
• El Loco Fresh
• Sugar Beach
• Spotlight Karaoke
• Music Hall
• Aqua80
• One Sky
• All-new Adventure Ocean
• Social298 for teens
• "Clash for the Crystal City" laser tag
• Royal Escape Room – Mission Control: Apollo 18

Freedom of the Seas (2020)

Freedom of the Seas might not be the newest ship in the fleet, but she holds a special place for Royal Caribbean Blog writer Elizabeth, who took her first-ever Royal Caribbean cruise aboard Freedom in 2009. 11 years later, Freedom of the Seas received a $116 million transformation in 2020 — and was the last ship to be amplified before the cruise industry came to a screeching halt. 

• Perfect Storm water slides
• Caribbean resort-style pool deck
• Splashaway Bay
• The Lime and Coconut
• Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen
• El Loco Fresh
• Izumi Hibachi & Sushi
• Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade
• "Clash for the Crystal City" laser tag
• 360-degree transformation of Adventure Ocean
• Social033 for teens

Allure of the Seas (2025)

Allure of the Seas was scheduled to receive major renovations in 2020. However, her Royal Amplification process was indefinitely postponed due to the impacts of the COVID pandemic. She finally received her long-awaited transformation in early 2025 before returning to sail in Europe for the first time in a decade. 

• Perfect Storm water slides
• Caribbean resort-style pool deck
• Splashaway Bay
• The Ultimate Abyss
• Royal Escape Room – Apollo 18: Lunar Landing
• Glow-in-the-dark laser tag
• The Lime and Coconut
• El Loco Fresh
• Pesky Parrot tiki bar
• Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade
• The Mason Jar Southern Restaurant & Bar
• Adventure Ocean refresh
• Social298 for teens
• Over 100 new cabins, including the Ultimate Panoramic Suites
• Aqua80Too

Ovation of the Seas (Planned 2026)

In June 2025, Royal Caribbean announced plans to continue upgrading older ships, starting with Ovation of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, and Harmony of the Seas. Ovation of the Seas is the first on the schedule. She will be out of service from March 15 until May 1. Upon Ovation's return to service, guests can expect the following changes:

• Expanded casino
• Sound Cellar (upper level of the former Music Hall)
• Starbucks
• Pesky Parrot tiki bar
• Izumi Hibachi
• Giovanni's Italian Kitchen
• New staterooms, including the Ultimate Family Suite

Harmony of the Seas (Planned 2026)

Royal Caribbean plans to amplify its largest ship ever, Harmony of the Seas, between April 1 and May 21, 2025. Following Oasis and Allure of the Seas, she's the third Oasis Class ship to be royally amplified. As one of the largest ships in the fleet, Harmony of the Seas already boasts impressive features; however, there are a lot of exciting changes coming to the 9-year-old vessel, including:

• The largest Casino Royale in Royal Caribbean's fleet
• Pesky Parrot tiki bar
• Caribbean resort-style pool deck
• The Lime & Coconut
• Refreshed adults-only Solarium
• El Loco Fresh
• Playmaker's Sports Bar & Arcade
• Samba Grill Brazilian Steakhouse
• New staterooms, including the Ultimate Panoramic Suites and Ultimate Family Suite

Liberty of the Seas (Planned 2026)

Liberty of the Seas is also getting her much-needed Royal Amplification next year. Currently, she's the only Freedom Class ship that has yet to undergo the transformation, and fans have been vocal about how dated she feels. Liberty of the Seas will be out of service from April 19 until May 29. Afterwards, she will offer a series of European cruises to showcase her new amenities.

• Expanded casino
• Izumi Hibachi
• Starbucks
• Royal Escape Room
• Caribbean resort-style pool deck
• The Lime and Coconut
• El Loco Fresh
• New staterooms

Explorer of the Seas (indefinitely postponed)

Two ships that were supposed to undergo the Royal Amplification process, Explorer of the Seas and Adventure of the Seas, have been indefinitely postponed.

Explorer was on the docket to receive over $100 million in upgrades in 2020, such as The Lime and Coconut, revamped Adventure Ocean, Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade, Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen, glow-in-the-dark laser tag, and more. 

Royal Caribbean hasn't provided any official updates on when (or if) Explorer's amplification will be rescheduled. It will likely be a while, though, as Explorer of the Seas underwent a dry dock in 2023 that added the Perfect Storm water slides. 

Adventure of the Seas (indefinitely postponed)

Adventure of the Seas' Royal Amplification in 2021 was also canceled. Like with Explorer, Royal Caribbean hasn't publicly announced plans to upgrade the 24-year-old ship. 

She's not totally out-of-date, though. In 2016, the Perfect Storm water slides were added to Adventure's aft. Likewise, Adventure of the Seas also features Izumi Sushi (not Hibachi) in the Royal Promenade. 

Most people think Royal Caribbean deals are only found in various promotions, but there's a list of the best offers most people don't know about.

Tucked away on the cruise line website is a PDF document that gets updated once a week with the best offers, known as the "Going, Going, Gone" rates.

These are last-minute sailings that have unsold cabins leftover with good prices. Deals can range from "good" to "deep savings", and if you act quickly, you could take advantage of them.

Bargain hunters that have flexibility should start their search with the GGG sales.

The cruise sheet with the deals

Every week on Tuesday or Wednesday, Royal Caribbean updates a list of sailings of heavily discounted sailings.

To be honest, this list is intended for travel agents as a reference to know about good deals, but it's publicly available for anyone to see, you just need to bookmark URL once because it never changes.

You can find the link to the Going, Going, Gone rates here.

These are almost always cruises departing in the next 60 days or so, and it's offered as a way to fill unsold cabins.

For each sailing, there's a listed price for different cabins. Not every cabin category may be available to book, but it gives you a quick reference for the price point.

Where to find the secret list

You won't find the link to the Going, Going, Gone list linked to on Royal Caribbean's website. 

Instead, you just have to bookmark it or Google it each time you want to find it.

What to know before you book

Updated usually on Tuesday, the Going, Going, Gone rates are a static list of prices that are bookable on a first-come basis.

Rates can sell out, and the list won't get updated when that occurs. 

Sometimes there might be one cabin left at the advertised price on the list, so you'll need to act quickly.

You book the price the same way you'd book any other cruise. There's no promo code or special instructions needed.  Going, Going, Gone serves as a heads up that there are lower prices available.

As you'll quickly tell from the sheet, there is a limited selection to choose from on any given week. Only certain itineraries, ships, and categories may be there, and some weeks there could be very few options.

One more thing to know is since these are almost always cruises that are past the final payment date, you'll need to pay the entire cruise fare upfront.

Here are my best tips for browsing the Going, Going, Gone deals and finding the right cruise for you.

• Be Flexible: Dates and ships are limited.

• Check Weekly: New list drops every Tuesday.

• Book Fast: Deals disappear quickly.

• Work with a Travel Agent: They make everything easier, and it's how I always book mine.

• Compare Total Cost: Always factor taxes, fees, and airfare.

Examples of past deals

Our team has relied on the Going, Going Gone rates as a source of deals to peruse.

One example was an oceanview cabin on Freedom of the Seas for 7-nights for just $584 per person. It cost just $1678 total for two people, and saved almost 60% off the previous price.

Another time we found a 4-night cruise on Allure of the Seas listed on Going, Going Gone for $834.36 for two people in a guaranteed interior stateroom. That's just $104 per person, per night, including gratuities and port fees. 

The best deal ever was a $99 per night cruise fare for another guarantee inside room, but this was on Liberty of the Seas.

As you can see, sometimes you have to roll the dice with which cabin you'll get assigned.  Flexibility is so important with these special prices.

By far, the best markdowns are on repositioning cruises or off-season sailings.

I've consistently found great deals on September and October cruises especially, because it's a time of year with slower demand for all itineraries: Caribbean, Europe, and Alaska.

Who should book these deals

While anyone can book a Going, Going, Gone rate, I think certain types of people will benefit the most from them.

Given that these are all last-minute sailings that depart within the next 6-10 weeks, I think those with flexible schedules would be the ideal customer.

Retirees, people that can work remote, couples without children, and aging bloggers might have the time off to make these sailings work the best.

I also think someone that lives within driving distance of the embarkation port would be ideal to book. If you're booking a cruise that leaves in a few weeks, pricey last-minute airfare could offset any savings from the cruise fare.

However, if you have airline or credit card points available, this might be the perfect opportunity to cash those in.  

Regardless, look at the total cost of the vacation beyond the fare before booking.

Bottom line

Royal Caribbean's Going, Going, Gone can be a hidden treasure chest for savvy cruisers, but you'll need to be swift and be open to limited choices.

While the choices of ships, sail dates, and staterooms are going to be limited, there could be good prices available.

I look at this sheet as a bonus opportunity to sneak in another cruise, rather than the primary means of planning out a family vacation. For those types of cruises, rely on booking a cruise early as the best strategy to get a good price.

If you time it well, this little-known secret can turn into your biggest cruise savings.

A fight among passengers on one of the biggest cruise ships was so bad that Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas had to go back to port.

The incident occurred on Monday night, which was the first day of the cruise.  Wonder of the Seas had departed Miami to begin a 4-night Bahamas cruise.

According to a report by Local10, the ship returned to PortMiami on Monday night because the fight onboard injured some guests.

When the ship arrived, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue personnel were waiting at the pier to provide medical care.

In a statement by Royal Caribbean, they explained, "Our team provided medical care to adult guests who were involved in an altercation onboard, and the guests are being treated for their injuries."

"We notified local authorities and are working closely with them. As this is an ongoing investigation, we have no more information to share at this time."

Wonder of the Seas is an Oasis Class cruise ship, capable of accommodating 6,988 passengers.

The ship launched in 2022 and just shifted to offering short 3- and 4-night cruises as part of a new strategy by the cruise line to embrace short sailings as a way to draw in new cruisers.

What happened onboard?

None of the media reports regarding the incident share what exactly occurred, but the incident caused some injuries.

Our team scoured the Facebook groups for the sailing to get witness reports from onboard the ship.

Here are what some people report, although most of it seems to be second-hand reports.

"2 incidents. Lady with broken ankle and a huge brawl. Saw the lady with her ankle and leg wrapped up and the guy into the fight with blood everywhere"

"A ships officer said there was at least two [incidents], one with the lady with a broken foot/ankle, and another one with a fight."

"A family group was just escorted off with their suitcases, by Security, from the back exit door on 5 (Royal Promenade)"

Cruise ship security measures

A fight on a cruise ship isn't common, but each ship is prepared to deal with it.

The Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act requires all cruise lines to have a security guide.

Wonder of the Seas has dedicated security and medical teams to respond to an incident onboard. Each member of the team lives on the ship and is on duty and available at all times.

According to Royal Caribbean, crime allegations are reported to law enforcement officials in the next port of call, as well as to the nation where their ships are flagged. 

The company also reports allegations of crime to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and United States Coast Guard (USCG), in compliance with United States laws.

For a crime such as the man allegedly assaulting with serious bodily injury, US federal law requires Royal Caribbean to report the incident to the FBI by telephone as soon as possible, to the United States Department of Homeland Security electronically and to the USCG in writing. 

Royal Caribbean has big plans to upgrade Harmony of the Seas in 2026 with lots of new upgrades and changes.

Earlier this year, Royal Caribbean announced three of its ships will undergo a Royal Amplification to improve the onboard experience. 

Royal Caribbean Blog has already shared the plans for Ovation of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas, so in this article, but today we have a look at what changes are coming to Harmony of the Seas. 

Harmony of the Seas' Royal Amplification is scheduled to take place in April and May 2026. Harmony will depart from Galveston, Texas, on March 16, 2026, on a 16-night one-way cruise to Barcelona, Spain. She's not scheduled to re-enter service until May 21.

Although Harmony of the Seas isn't the oldest ship in Royal's fleet, there are a lot of exciting changes coming to the 9-year-old Oasis Class ship. Here's what's in store for Harmony post-Royal Amplification. 

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

Starting on Deck 3, the Conference Center is being removed and replaced with 29 new inside cabins. Moving on up, the Attic comedy club and Crown Lounge are being removed to make way for an expanded casino (the largest Casino Royale in Royal Caribbean’s fleet!).

The move reflects a broader trend across Royal Caribbean's fleet, where less popular venues are being replaced with more casino space to drive extra revenue. 

Deck 5 is only seeing one minor change, which isn't too surprising: the Bionic Bar is being replaced with the Pesky Parrot Bar. The Pesky Parrot made its debut on Utopia of the Seas and has since been added to Allure of the Seas. Royal Caribbean also plans to add the Pesky Parrot Bar to Ovation of the Seas during the ship's Royal Amplification in 2026. 

A few notable changes are coming to Deck 6. First, the Vitality Cafe is being relocated to make way for new staterooms (6454, 6456, 6458, 6460, and 6462). Additionally, the Picture This photography studio will be moved next to the Focus photo gallery.

However, the most substantial change is that Sabor is being replaced with Playmaker's Sports Bar & Arcade — a move that also took place on Allure of the Seas during her long-awaited Royal Amplification earlier this year. Also new to Harmony of the Seas is the Samba Grill Brazilian Steakhouse, which will likely be in the Solarium Bistro like on other ships. 

Decks 7, 8, 9, and 10 are remaining unchanged, except for one small modification in Central Park: Hublot will be moved next to Cartier and Omega, rather than on the left side of the Park Café. Surprisingly, Royal Caribbean isn't replacing Jamie's with Giovanni's Italian Kitchen. 

Higher up on the ship, Royal Caribbean plans on adding a few more interior cabins on Deck 11 towards the aft of the ship. These include staterooms 11900, 11902, 11904, 11906, 11908, 11910, 11912, 11914, 11916, 11918, 11922, and 11928. 

According to the deck plans, cabins 11920 and 11924 will be new balcony staterooms. Rather than having private verandahs that face across the Boardwalk, these will face straight aft toward the AquaTheater. 

The same is happening on Deck 12, with interior and two special balcony staterooms. However, to make way for the new cabins, Wonderland, the whimsical specialty restaurant inspired by Alice in Wonderland, will be removed. 

Deck 14 will see some of the most substantial changes. 28 new staterooms will replace the lower level of the adults-only Solarium and Adventure Ocean kids' club, particularly the Voyagers, Explorers, and Aquanauts rooms.  

Although the deck plans don't state it specifically, it appears that two of the new staterooms will be the Ultimate Panoramic Suites that were also added to Allure of the Seas. These spacious suites do not have balconies, but they have floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows and a king-sized bed with a Duxiana mattress. 

Unfortunately, the new staterooms mean that the Solarium will have fewer seating options, as the lounge chairs near the bridge wings won't exist anymore. 

On Deck 15, the Pool Bar will be transformed into the Lime & Coconut to complement the new Caribbean-inspired pool deck. Moreover, the Crown Lounge will take over part of the Living Room, one of the dedicated teen spaces. Mini Bites will also become El Loco Fresh, allowing guests to enjoy casual poolside tacos, quesadillas, and burritos. 

Finally, while the new deck plans don't list the Ultimate Family Suite on Deck 17, it was previously announced that Harmony of the Seas would be receiving this popular suite as part of her Royal Amplification. 

First introduced on Symphony of the Seas, the Ultimate Family Suite is a special cabin for families seeking an over-the-top vacation experience. 

According to the deck plans, it seems that two Crown Loft Suites are being transformed into the Ultimate Family Suite on Deck 17. The brand-new suite 1730 will replace the former cabin 1730, as well as 1732.  

Read more: Royal Caribbean cruise ship cabin and suite guide

Changes coming to two other ships

As mentioned earlier, Liberty and Ovation of the Seas are the other two ships getting major upgrades through Royal Caribbean's Royal Amplification process. 

The enhancements are meant to modernize older vessels and offer a more consistent guest experience across the fleet. 

For example, following Allure of the Seas' renovation, Harmony of the Seas is the only Oasis Class ship that doesn't have a Playmaker's Sports Bar & Arcade onboard. 

Cruise ship internet was stereotypically slow, but Royal Caribbean has adopted a new generation of technology to make it the fastest yet.

On Star of the Seas, guests can purchase an unlimited internet package that provides high speed wifi to use during their cruise.

This ship is different from other ships in that it employs equipment capable of delivering up to 10Gbps in satellite internet.

All of Royal Caribbean's ships are serviced by Starlink internet, which provides high speed internet.  It's been a game changer ever since the cruise line switched to Starlink in 2022.

Star of the Seas is going one step further with a Starlink Community Gateway, which can deliver "10Gbps of symmetrical throughput," meaning it can supply up to 10Gbps for both downloads and uploads. 

Starlink shared the news on X, indicating the next-gen technology is available on the brand new cruise ship that began service in August.

Royal Caribbean reportedly spent $1.25 million to place gateways around the ship that can relay data back and forth with the orbiting Starlink satellites in space and terrestrial internet infrastructure.

Why this matters to cruisers

Having reliable internet on a cruise ship has been a top priority for many cruisers for quite a while, as cruise lines compare themselves to land resorts but often are nitpicked by customers for slower internet.

The internet speeds with the normal Starlink service on Royal Caribbean ships has been more than adequate, but this Community Gateway product has the potential to offer internet speeds on a ship that would be even faster than what's available at home or a resort.

More guests expect to be able to step on a cruise ship and use the internet onboard the same way they would on land.

With symmetrical 10Gbps speeds, it would easily allow for more bandwidth to be offered to customers and that means less waiting for things to load.

The potential for faster speeds is what this could offer.

Throttling?

Even with Starlink, cruise lines have typically throttled guest connections, regardless of the available bandwidth.

What this means is if a ship has access to a certain amount of bandwidth, each guest is limited to a certain fraction of it.

"Cruise lines are throttling guest usage so end users are not necessarily reaping the bandwidth benefits," wrote Scott Sanders of The Disney Cruise Line Blog on X as he shared his experience with Starlink.

We think the rationale for throttling is so that no single person uses more than their share of bandwidth. But the caps tend to make large file transfer and video streaming sometimes problematic.

Throttling could also be a cost cutting move. Making available enough bandwidth for guests to experience better speeds may require a higher cost. As an example, Starlink posted on its website that the Community Gateway costs $75,000 per Gbps per month.

Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, alluded to how expensive satellite internet is last year when he publicly talked about it at an event.

"We got to pay a ton, a ton, a ton of money for WiFi," he explained.

"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."

The good news is Starlink has a major advantage over traditional satellite internet that preceded it because it has low latency.  This means the connection responded much faster, so there's less waiting for something to happen.

What if there was an easy fix you could apply to your next cruise that would make a big difference?

After all my years of cruising, I've found sometimes a very small change can have a big impact on my enjoyment of a cruise. Think of it like discovering a new marinade that invigorates a tired meal you're used to, or perhaps a supplement that makes your gym workout less tiresome.

Cruises are a very personalized experience, because everyone chooses a different way to enjoy it.  I could spend weeks on the same ship and never try one aspect of the cruise that someone else did.

I asked our readers for an easy thing they do to make their cruise better, and wanted to share the tips, hacks, and alterations they came up with for an even better Royal Caribbean cruise.

Skip the buffet for breakfast

A great example of a "do this, not that" in order to enhance your cruise is where to have breakfast.

Most people default to hitting up the Windjammer buffet for breakfast. That's fine, but it can be quite crowded.

Fred Hazelton recommended a sit down breakfast and skip the buffet.

Royal Caribbean opens its Main Dining Room for breakfast every day of the cruise, including the final morning.

Not only is the pace more relaxed, but you're assigned a table and have the choice of traditional American breakfast items: scrambled eggs, omelettes, pancakes, and more.

It also won't take a long time to enjoy breakfast in the Main Dining Room.  You can expect to complete the meal in less than hour.

The only potential issue is breakfast isn't served as long in the Main Dining Room as it is in the Windjammer, so you'll need to get going early for it.

On Oasis of the Seas, breakfast is served between 8:00am and 9:30am in the Main Dining Room.

Put the kids in a connecting stateroom

I've been cruising with my kids since they were each 6 months old, but there's no doubt sharing a room with them isn't always idyllic.

Krystal Sodaitis recommended booking connecting rooms so the kids have their own room, and I couldn't agree more.

Booking connecting rooms instead of a larger single room is one of my favorite family cruise hacks.

This strategy gets you an extra bathroom, separation with a common door, and so much more privacy and living space.

The older your kids get, the more important this is.  When my kids were young, they needed a perfectly dark and quiet environment to fall asleep (and stay asleep).  This meant my wife and I had to go bed early and had to keep lights and noise to a minimum as not to disturb them.

As they got older, having an extra bathroom went from "nice to have" to "must have" because of how much time girls need to prep and pamper before they're ready to go out.

Plus, the separate bedroom gives everyone privacy.

I love my kids, but sharing one cabin with them isn't necessarily the best setup for a cruise.

It's also worth mentioning booking two connecting smaller cabins may actually be cheaper than a single larger higher category stateroom, such as a suite.

Don't live out of your suitcase

It's tempting to get on the cruise and start all the fun as soon as possible, but I agree putting away your clothes makes a difference.

Stephen Dennis wrote, "Keep your cabin clean. Don't live out of your suitcase!" and I think he's right.

On shorter cruises I'd sometimes just leave everything in my suitcase because the effort to unpack and pack it all back later seemed silly.

The truth is unpacking makes the room less cluttered and easier to find what you actually need.

I didn't want to admit that unpacking mattered because my laziness and pride was blocking it. But once I started unpacking, I realized the cabin does feel different.

Moreover, keeping the stateroom tidy is more than just being proper.  Having things put away means you can actually enjoy the furniture in the room, like the couch.

Cruise ship couches seem to be magnets for junk, discarded clothing, and paperwork.  Not being able to sit on the couch because there's too much stuff really limits the usable space.

When I keep my couch clear, I find it almost liberating how much more expansive the cabin feels.

Pay everything ahead of time

Early on in my cruising career, I used to dread the final morning of the cruise because of the final bill waiting outside my door (and my vacation ending too).

One solid strategy for limiting onboard spend is to pre-purchase as much as you can, which is exactly what Paul Fossetti recommended.

"Pay everything ahead of time. Once onboard, don’t have to worry about anything," is what he wrote and there's truth to this.

Not only does this reduce the final bill at the end of the cruise, but it allows you to spread expenses out.  

After booking the cruise, you could split up purchases on different credit card billing cycles to take the sting out of the costs.

Equally important is how much cheaper it is to pre-pay for these things compared to buying it onboard.

Royal Caribbean has so many pre-cruise sales that you're almost certain to save money by pre-booking, especially on drink packages, shore excursions, internet access, and specialty dining.

Many readers recommended a beverage package as an easy thing to do for a better cruise, and using Paul's tip will save so much money on that.

You can find discounts of up to 40% off a drink package when pre-purchased.  

Relax and don't sweat the small stuff

So many readers posted tips related to going onboard with the right attitude.

• "Go on it and forget about everything"
• "Don't worry about unexpected plan changes"
• "Don’t sweat the small [stuff] and enjoy yourself"
• "Attitude! Don't worry"

Cruises are designed to be fun, enjoyable, and relaxing, but you've got to let it all come to you.

Jeff Page wrote, "Relax and don't sweat the small stuff," and that's terrific advice for any cruiser.

Like any vacation, it may not all go exactly as you thought.  It might rain, your kids might have a bad day, your steak might not be cooked to order, and the Bills might blow another AFC Championship game.  You can't let those things ruin your cruise.

On one cruise I had grandiose plans for visiting St. Thomas and my plans backfired almost immediately and I got so frustrated and angry.  My wife took me to a nearby bar for a drink to regroup and it served as a good lesson that you can't let things like that go from a small problem to a major one.

We had a couple drinks, found something else to do, and salvaged our day.

My experience is akin to what many recommended with anything that doesn't go your way on the cruise. Go with the flow, and make the best of the situation at hand.

Cruise solo

I saw a few people recommend to cruise solo, and it's actually solid advice.

Cruising alone may not be ideal, but it's better than not cruising at all. Sometimes there are situations where friends and family can't join you for the cruise, but the chance to go is worthwhile.

On the surface, comments of "cruise solo" sound like a preferred way to travel. But I think it's a reminder if the choice is cruise solo or don't cruise at all, there's value in cruising solo.

This isn't a free pass to ditch your family in favor of a cruise, but there are situations where it may make sense to take a leap and try a cruise alone. 

I can tell you from experience cruising alone isn't as limiting as you might fear.