Royal Caribbean Blog

MrBeast, YouTube's most acclaimed entertainment star, boarded Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas for an afternoon of fun.

MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, has amassed 159 million subscribers and over 27,131,438,600 total views. In terms of popularity, only two YouTube channels have more subscribers, and both are brand channels: T-Series and Cocomelon. 

In fact, he is the second YouTube creator in the site's history to surpass 100 million followers. Even his Instagram account is popular, with over 38 million followers. 

In a recent video, he boarded Harmony of the Seas to see what the $1 billion ship has to offer and how it compares to other ships, including a boat that he paid a single dollar for.  

Since published on June 10, the video has gotten over 71 million views! 

Just how popular is MrBeast? 

MrBeast is not just a content creator. He is also a philanthropist who has founded and co-founded numerous different organizations, included the Arbor Day Foundation, which has raised over $23 million dollars. 

In terms of his viewership, about 112 million people watched the Super Bowl LVII. During the average month, MrBeast harbors roughly 41 million views. 

Tim Kasser, a psychologist who studies materialism, conducted a study to prove that if MrBeast were to advertise for any given company or brand, it could cost about half as much as a traditional commercial while reaching a larger audience. 

As of June 2023, his most watched video is titled "$456,000 Squid Game in Real Life!" Since it was posted on November 24, 2021, the video has gained over 438 million views. 

That, of course, is nowhere close to the most watched YouTube video of all time, Baby Shark Dance, which has been watched over 12 billion times in the six years since being posted to the social media site. 

Harmony of the Seas

While not the largest cruise ship in the world, Harmony of the Seas currently ranks number third, following Symphony and Wonder of the Seas. 

When Icon of the Seas launches in January 2024, her position will be bumped down to fourth. 

The ship, which measures an astonishing 226,963 gross registered tons, was launched in 2016. Currently, she is sailing from Miami, Florida. In November, she will be repositioned to Galveston, Texas, where she will make 4, 6, 7, and 8-night Western Caribbean cruises through at least April 2025. 

Harmony of the Seas is an Oasis Class ship, meaning that she is part of one of the most unique classes of ships in the world and is divided into seven different neighborhoods for guests to explore: 

• Royal Promenade 
• Central Park
• Boardwalk 
• Pool and Sports Zone
• Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center
• Youth Zone
• Entertainment Place

Likewise, she offers passengers numerous different dining -- both complimentary and specialty -- and entertainment options, such as the infamous AquaTheater performances, Wonderland, Izumi Hibachi and Sushi, and headliner acts in the Royal Theater. 

Additionally, there are countless activities for guests to enjoy -- think water slides, FlowRider surf simulators, multi-story dry slide, mini-golf, a zip line, and more. It is easy to see why MrBeast wanted to check out this impressive ship. 

In short, there is something for everyone onboard, and there is no possible way that you could be bored while on a Harmony of the Seas cruise. 

MrBeast's maritime adventure 

MrBeast's YouTube video begins by showcasing yachts of various price points, including one that he paid $1 for. 

According to the yacht's previous owner, the storage costs were racking up, and he was spending $18,000 per year to storage it. Shortly after the purchase was made, the ship began to sink! They jumped off the vessel moments before it was submerged under the water. 

After the $1 yacht, he goes on to explore ships worth $1 million, $10 million, $25 million, $50 million, and $300 million dollars. The final ship on the agenda was Harmony of the Seas, which cost a little over $1 billion dollars to build!

"You cannot fathom how massive this ship is," said MrBeast, speaking about the size of Harmony. 

"It is literally a floating city...This boat has waterslides, an indoor mall, a basketball court, and tons of other stuff I can't even name!" 

He and his friends break up to explore different neighborhoods, with Chandler and Nolan heading to the Pool and Sports Zone first. 

After being amazed by the water slides and live music on the pool deck, the duo headed over to play a round of mini-golf.

Next, Chris appears on the Boardwalk: "So I went down a slide [referring to the Ultimate Abyss], and now I'm teleported into like a different world. And you have a carousel?!" 

Not only did he charter the ship for himself and his friends, but he ended the video by bringing 400 of his subscribers onboard to partake in the fun, whether that be hanging out on the pool deck, exploring the Boardwalk, playing games in the arcade, climbing the rock wall, eating at Wonderland, and more. 

Plus, every single subscriber onboard at the time was gifted with a free three-night cruise on Icon of the Seas. 

If they all thought Harmony was impressive, they will be blown away by everything that the highly anticipated Icon of the Seas will offer, including the record-breaking Category 6 Water Park, AquaDome, brand-new dining concepts, and much, much more. 

I often say that it's hard to have a bad cruise on a new cruise ship, and a large reason for that thought process is because of how much you can see and do on a new cruise ship.

Royal Caribbean's fleet of cruise ships offers ships of different size and age. There's a good reason to try them all, with the newest ships offering some superb experiences that truly stand out.

Of course, a new cruise ship will come with a premium price.  The newest ships have the most demand because of how intriguing they are to the general public. It leaves some people wondering what exactly a new cruise ships gets you and why you'd want to pay extra to sail on a brand new Royal Caribbean cruise ship compared to one that isn't as new.

Regardless of a ship's age, Royal Caribbean does a good job of maintaining its fleet with regular updates and even upgrades to some vessels.

The appeal of the latest and greatest certainly draws in plenty of cruisers, because it represents the very best Royal Caribbean has to offer. When you watch a commercial for Royal Caribbean, inevitably you want to do the same things you see in the commercial, and those are offered on newer ships.

If you've only sailed on older ships, or are simply curious what makes a new ship different from an older ship, there are a few nuances you will notice about a brand new cruise ship when you get onboard.

Updated cabin aesthetics

If you think all cruise ships are the same regardless of age, you have to see the cabin of a new ship.

New cruise ships have much more modern aesthetics, and I'd say the look and feel of a new ship cabin mirrors that of a land based hotel much more than older ships cabins.

Royal Caribbean ship cabins on ships built prior to 2014 seem to have a very traditional maritime look to them, and it seemed like the motif for these staterooms was very much the same whether you were on a Radiance or Voyager Class cruise ship.

Read more: Royal Caribbean ship classes ultimate guide

With the Quantum Class, the look of a Royal Caribbean cruise ship cabin began to change, and since then, it seems Royal Caribbean hasn't been content with delivering the same sort of cabin.

The colors have evolved over the last 10 years, and there's more accents that make your cruise ship cabin look less like a cruise ship cabin.  In my opinion, new ship cabins evoke more of a land resort look to them than older ship cabins did.

Read more: What are the different types of cabins on a cruise ship?

Smart TVs

Something else you'll notice in your cabin on a new cruise ship are the televisions.

I certainly don't watch a lot of TV while on a cruise, but when I do, the experience is much more enjoyable on a new TV given the feature set and performance you'll get with them.

Newer Royal Caribbean ships have interactive TVs, where you can complete your muster drill experience, order room service, review charges and more.

On the very newest Royal Caribbean ships, the TVs have a means to stream content from your smart device.  This alleviates one of the major pain points guests have had for years of trying to get a movie from their computer or phone on the TV without having to bring an HDMI cable and universal remote.

Plus, the new TVs change channels a heck of a lot quicker.  My pet peeve is using a TV that has a noticeable delay in trying to change channels, which is common with older units.

While the stateroom television isn't a reason to book a cruise or not, it certainly makes it slightly more enjoyable.

More specialty restaurants

There's simply more dining choices on a new cruise ship.

Part of the reason you'll find more dining variety is because the ship is bigger, which means more space onboard for more restaurants.

Over the years, Royal Caribbean has doubled down on specialty dining in particular because of how well-received it has been from guests.  It offers more cuisines and cooking styles than you can find in the complimentary venues, and it allows Royal Caribbean to experiment with new concepts too.

For those that opt to indulge in extra cost restaurants, you'll have many more choices on a new ship than an older ship.

As an example, Icon of the Seas will have more than 40 food and beverage concepts, with 23 of them completely new to Royal Caribbean.

Whether you go to all of those restaurants is secondary to the fact you have the choice to visit, and the sheer variety stands out to guests.

When you sail on an older ship, the amount of dining choices is considerably less.

Read more: Food on a Royal Caribbean cruise

Newer songs in production shows

If you want to tell which decade a cruise ship was launched, watch the production shows and listen for which songs are included.

When Royal Caribbean builds a new cruise ship, they develop new shows for guests onboard.  Inevitably, there are hit songs from the last few years included in the dance numbers.

When I went on Anthem of the Seas earlier this summer, I recall hearing Macklemore's, "Can't Hold Us" as part of a show in Two70.  It's a great hit from 2012, and it instantly sets the age of a ship in your mind.

Newer cruise ships seem to sample newer songs in their shows.

A lot of new cruisers

New cruise ships are built to bring in the crowds, especially those that have never cruised before.

Growth in the cruise industry is predicated on the concept of marketing to people that have never taken a cruise before because that is the largest segment of the population. According to statistics published by Cruise Lines International Association, around 15% of the total US population have ever cruised.

As a result, Royal Caribbean designs new cruise ships to be very intriguing to someone who has never cruised before, and the result is there will probably be a lot of new cruisers onboard.

To be fair, you'll find new cruisers on every Royal Caribbean cruise ship.  But there seems to be many more newbies on a new ship.

Certainly there will be many families on a new ship because of Royal Caribbean's historic appeal to the family travel market.

Those Royal Caribbean television commercials are made to attract the public to the ship, and often the whizz-bang activities onboard are the sort that compel someone who has never cruised before to try the ship. The Bionic Bar, Ultimate Abyss, and FlowRider all endear themselves to first time cruisers because they are the sort of activities someone might not have imagined you could do on a cruise ship.

More storage space in your cabin

Going back to the rooms on a cruise ship, one big difference with a new ship is how much more storage space there is in your cabin.

When I started cruising, I found storage space to always be at a premium.  But with cruise ships built in the last decade, there has been many more drawers, closets, and nooks added to store all of your belongings.

Instead of rationing shelves, I find even in inside cabins more shelving and drawers than we can possibly use.

This is especially helpful when cruising with kids, as the amount of stuff you have seems to grow exponentially.

Read more: 8 things you should know about your cruise ship cabin

The line's best musical acts

In terms of entertainment on a new cruise ship, the better acts tend to end up on the new ships.

When Royal Caribbean launches a new cruise ship, they will pluck the top rated bands and musicians to sail on the newest ship. This is largely based on guest feedback and reputation these performers have garnered over the years.

To be clear, all the musical acts across the fleet are talented, but the stagemanship the best acts have makes them stand out.

More app features

The Royal Caribbean app is now a must-use part of the cruise experience, and the feature set on a new ship is substantial.

The bottom row of the app has various things you can do in the app, and the newest ships in the fleet can do things like being able to open your stateroom door, augmented reality experiences, and even open your cabin curtains.

Whether you use all these features or not is another question, but it's nice to have them all as an option.

Better suite amenities

If you'd like to stay in a Royal Caribbean suite, you'll find the best suite perks on a new ship.

Royal Caribbean has two tiers of suite benefits, with its new ships offering Royal Suite Class amenities that are aimed at rivaling land resort suite benefits.

The Royal Suite Class has three tiers: Sea Class, Sky Class, and Star Class. They are available only on Quantum, Oasis, and Icon Class ships.

Read more: Guide to Icon of the Seas cabins and suites

Not only are the benefits better on new ships, but the size and layout of suites are arguably superior too.

Because of how lucrative the suite market is for the cruise line, Royal Caribbean has developed larger and more opulent suites that feature multi-deck layouts, in-suite slides, and private jacuzzis.

Read more: 5 best cruise ship suites on Royal Caribbean

A suite on an older ship will still be a lovely experience, but when you try a suite on the newer ships, I think the variety of perks stands out more.

More information

• I sailed on Royal Caribbean’s newest and oldest cruise ships: here's what it's like to cruise on each
• Does it matter how old your cruise ship is?

No matter which Royal Caribbean cruise ship you sail on, there's going to be a few thousands other passengers onboard with you, but that doesn't mean the ship will be crowded all the time and everywhere.

In some cases, a crowd is a good thing. It's nice to have the energy of a crowd for a theater performance, during a sing-a-long in a bar, or as part of the sail away party.

Royal Caribbean designs its ships to distribute guests around so crowding doesn't become problematic.  This is through a combination of placing venues at different ends and decks of the ship, as well as scheduling competing events at the same time.  

While these methods help reduce crowding, it's not going to feel like a private yacht or anything quite that empty.  That's to be expected to some degree on a mass market cruise line, but there's still a few ways to keep crowds to a minimum.

Depending on your cruising style, budget, and energy to seek out alternatives, you can enjoy a Royal Caribbean cruise without nearly as many crowds.

If your goal is to find ways to minimize crowds on your cruise, here are some strategies to side-step the crowds while enjoying your cruise.

Book a suite

If you want to throw money at the problem, staying in a Royal Caribbean suite gives you certain privileges that can assist with avoiding crowds.

Your suite cabin is going to be substantially larger than a standard balcony room, and that gives you private space to enjoy every day. This is especially nice with your suite balcony, which is quite a bit larger than a regular balcony.

Another way staying in a suite can give you an uncrowded experience is access to suite-only areas, such as the suite lounge and suite sun deck.

The suite sun deck is a popular option, because it allows you to enjoy the bright sunny days at sea without having to compete as much for a lounger.

Having your own bar and lounge in the suite lounge really makes a difference too, especially since drinks are complimentary here in the evening.

Looking ahead to Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean has dedicated the most space ever for suite guests in an entire neighborhood.

Icon’s expanded Suite neighborhood will include a new Mediterranean restaurant in The Grove, a multideck outdoor area with a pool and hot tub, reserved for suite guests.

Of course, staying in a suite isn't a cheap option, and it may be out of the question for most people's budgets.  But if you can afford one, staying in a suite is one easy way to avoid crowds.

Seek chairs away from the pool

If you want to enjoy time outdoors in a chair or lounger, there are usually lots of seating choices if you don't mind being away from the pool.

While the pool is a focal point for sea day activities, you'll find lots of seating choices on the outer decks if you venture further aft or forward from the middle of the deck.

What I love about getting a lounger away from the pool is it's quieter and a better chance of getting a lounge chair in the shade.

There are also chairs on the promenade deck that wraps around the outside of the ship on deck 4 or 5 (depending on the Royal Caribbean ship class).

Go indoors on sea days

If you value a quiet day on a sea day, head indoors when everyone is outside at the pool.

During the day, the bars are open on sea days and you'd be surprised how uncrowded some of these venues can be in the morning and afternoon.

A bar indoors will be quieter and sparsely crowded because a lot of other guests want to be outdoors to enjoy the sun or activities. If your goal is to read a book, watch a movie, or chat, being in an indoor venue isn't a bad idea at all.

Plus, you'll still find activities held indoors to keep you busy.

Cruise in the shoulder season

While Royal Caribbean ships rarely sail less than full capacity, picking a cruise during the shoulder season can feel less crowded, especially in the ports of call you visit.

The term "shoulder season" refers to the beginning and end of a cruise season when demand is less. Some examples of shoulder season are:

• Alaska: May or September
• Europe: May or September
• Caribbean: January, September or October

These times of the year are when demand is less because of weather or school schedules, and the result is (generally) lower prices and less demand.

While I don't think your cruise ship will be half empty by any means, one advantage of shoulder season cruising is fewer ships in port. That makes shore excursion touring far less crowded, especially in cities or at popular beaches.

Avoid Windjammer on embarkation day

When you board a Royal Caribbean cruise, the first place you may run into a crowd is at the ship's Windjammer buffet restaurant.

A lot of people boarding want to grab lunch before enjoying their first afternoon onboard and that can result in a busy lunch crowd.

Instead, get something to eat at another venue.

Depending on your ship, there's usually a couple of alternatives you could choose from for an embarkation day lunch.

Park Cafe, El Loco Fresh, Cafe Promenade, or Sorrento's are all complimentary options you could enjoy a lunch at for no extra cost.

In addition, some specialty restaurants are open for lunch on the first day, such as Chop's Grille, Johnny Rockets, Playmaker's Sports Bar, or Giovanni's.

Check a past Cruise Compass to get a sense of restaurant choices and operating hours.

Book with a group and rent out a venue

If you're sailing with a group of friends, you might be able to rent out a venue onboard.

Assuming you all booked with the same travel agent, Royal Caribbean's group department provides certain services, such as the ability to rent out a venue.

You could rent out a bar, specialty restaurant, water slide, or lounge. Depending on the size of your group, this might be something the equity generated by the group could cover partially or entirely in cost.

You'll need to have a group set up with Royal Caribbean's Groups department, but with some advanced planning, this can be a really fun way to enjoy certain venues of a ship without anyone else!

Do activities during dinner time

Want to ride the water slides, climb the rocking wall, or try the Flowrider without any lines? Go during dinner time.

Royal Caribbean usually operates its signature activities into the late afternoon and early evening, and this is one of the best times to go without much of a wait because most other guests are either at dinner or preparing to go to dinner.

Once the clock hits 4pm or so, the pool and sports decks start to empty out considerably because everyone wants to go to dinner. 

In the summer, there's plenty of day light in the early evening, and it's a great time to enjoy these venues that are otherwise super popular other times of the day.

Book a private shore excursion

I mentioned how shoulder season cruising can ensure a less crowded port day, but if you can't do a shoulder season cruise, another good option to avoid crowds is to book a private tour.

No matter which port you visit, there are bound to be private shore excursions you can book through third party operators.

A private tour means it's just for you and your group, so you don't have to worry about a crowded bus or waiting around for a large group to move.

Plus, your private tour will be more nimble than a large group, and that can allow you to get to and from hot spots in port before the larger crowds descend.

A private tour will cost more than a group tour, but if you value avoiding the crowd, a private tour is the way to go.

Happy Sunday! We hope you are having a great weekend and ready to talk a little Royal Caribbean.

Icon of the Seas is coming together nicely, and we have a new photo update of the progress being made.

Under construction in Turku, Finland, Icon of the Seas is looking more and more like a cruise ship (instead of a construction site). If you're like me, you want to see every update possible of what's happening there.

More water slides have been installed, the siding of the ship has been better revealed, and the ship looks to be getting prepared for her upcoming sea trials.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean cruise ship will experiment with new alternative fuel this summer
• Royal Caribbean Group CEO: more new cruisers than we had in 2019
• 7 most important crew members to meet on your cruise ship
• "Near-normal" hurricane season predicted for 2023: What that means for cruise ships
• 6 things to know before you book Wonder of the Seas
• 20 Celebrity Cruises Tips & Tricks

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 501st episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, featuring a local's guide to planning an Alaska cruise.

In this episode, Mollie live in Alaska and shares ideas for what to do in each Alaska cruise port.

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

New RCB Video: Why you should eat at the buffet instead of the dining room

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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 — Why you should eat at the buffet instead of the dining room on your cruise — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Inside a cruise ship captain's living quarters

Have you ever wondered what the Captain's quarters look like on a cruise ship?

Being in charge of the cruise ship, the Captain has many responsibilities along with a rather large stateroom.

Captain Kate McCue, the current captain of Celebrity Beyond, showed what her living quarters were like while she was the captain of Celebrity Edge. 

The costly mistake not to make planning a cruise

There are plenty of mistakes someone could make planning a cruise, but we picked one that would really be an expensive oopsie to overlook.

Of all the cruise mistakes to avoid, booking a flight the same day your cruise departs is probably among the worst.

Travel delays could mean a cancelled or delayed flight, and if you miss your cruise embarkation window, there goes your entire vacation cost.

Why I prefer Alaska cruises over the Caribbean

Would you rather take a Caribbean cruise or an Alaska cruise?

Jenna has done many cruises in both regions, but prefers an Alaska cruise because of how different it is from a traditional Caribbean sailing.

Despite the colder weather, she found 8 reasons why an Alaska cruise is her preferred cruise.

We have all seen the videos of how crew members live onboard cruise ships. They live in tight quarters and often have to share a room with another member in their department. 

Cruise ships captains, however, live a little bit more luxuriously. A captain oversees all onboard operations to ensure that the ship is safely operating during each and every sailing-- it is not an easy job! 

While captain of Celebrity Edge, Captain Kate McCue posted a TikTok showing what her living quarters looked like. The video, which was published in August 2020, has amassed over one million likes! 

Keep reading to see Captain McCue's living quarters while captain of Celebrity Edge!

Who is Captain Kate McCue?

Captain McCue made history as the first American woman to be named captain of a mega cruise ship. In 2015, she became the commanding officer of Celebrity Summit at only 37-years-old. 

During her time at California State University, she landed an internship with Chiquita Brands International, where she worked on one of their cargo ships and helped to transport bananas between Ecuador and Los Angeles. 

After graduating with her degree in business administration, she moved to Hawaii and worked as a general deckhand on a catamaran. When Captain McCue began to apply for positions with cruise lines, it took her nine months to be offered an entry-level third mate role by Disney Cruise Line. 

In 2003, she moved to Royal Caribbean after being offered the role of second officer, and only one year later, she was promoted to first officer. 

Her dream was to take command of a vessel one day. In order to accomplish this goal, Captain McCue knew that she needed to further her education, and in 2009, she earned her Chief Mate and Master's License from the Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies

By 2011, she was working as a staff captain for Royal Caribbean. This position is second-in-command! 

Celebrity Cruises asked Captain McCue to consider applying for a captain’s position in 2015, and she accepted the job of commanding officer for Celebrity Summit, making her the first first female commanding officer of a mega ship in the United States. 

As of June 2023, she is captain of Celebrity Beyond, the cruise line's newest ship that is sister to Celebrity Edge. For those interested in following along on her journey as a cruise ship captain, you can subscribe to one of her social media platforms. On TikTok, for instance, she has around 3.5 million followers on TikTok, as well as a total of 8.6 million likes!

What does the main living space look like?

"Welcome to my humble abode also known as the Captain's Quarters!" says Captain McCue as she began the video and opened the door to her cabin.

There is no shortage of natural light in this stateroom thanks to the amount of windows and infinite veranda. 

Immediately, viewers get a sense of how important Bug Naked, an elf sphynx cat that lives with Captain McCue onboard the ship, is to her! You see a plush bed directly under the infinite veranda, perfect for Bug. 

The room is furnished with a large couch and coffee table, media console, and television. As she continues on with the video, she shows a framed picture of Saint Nicholas on one of the built in shelves. 

"Because we're superstitious," she says, "there's somebody we never travel without; this is our patron saint of seafarers, Saint Nicholas." 

What do the bedroom and bathroom look like?

Overall, the bedroom feels pretty standard for Celebrity Cruises. She shows a king sized bed, night stands, and another television. As soon as she walks into the bathroom, however, you realize that this is no ordinary stateroom. 

There is a double sink, rain shower, and even soaking tub, which is great for Bug! The bathroom even connects directly to the primary entry hallway, as well as the bedroom. 

Let's take a look at the main galley and office

Directly across from the bathroom is the main galley, and yes, there is another television in here! It is also home to Bug's litter box and stroller.  

Despite not having a fully equipped kitchen, Captain McCue's Captain's Quarters does have a full-sized refrigerator that is stocked with water and Bug's cat food. Likewise, the drawers of the galley are packed with snacks, such as gummy bear and candy bars. Plus, there is a large table that is able to seat six guests. 

Connected to the main galley is Captain McCue's office, which in turn is connected directly to the ship's Bridge. 

The Bridge is where the ship is commanded, and it is located at the forward of the ship. This is where the captain and other crew members carry out navigational duties. 

"We have a minimum of three very qualified and licensed officers manning the bridge at all times," said McCue. 

"Three different teams rotate every four hours on and eight hours off....[and] the teams are made up of an officer of the watch, assistant officer of the watch and a quartermaster look out."

How do other crew members live?

Kristine Kugler is currently a dancer onboard Royal Caribbean's Odyssey of the Seas, and she posted a video to her YouTube channel in March 2023 showing what her living situation is like. While Captain McCue has her own stateroom, Kugler shares a stateroom with another crew member. 

Depending on the crew member's position onboard, they, too, might be able to have their own cabin, albeit not as luxurious as Captain McCue's. 

Kugler shows a bunk bed, large television, drawers purchased from Amazon for additional storage, closer, and foldable table.  

While the room itself is in no way a spacious suite, Kugler provides the most commentary about the size of the bathroom. "The first time we stepped into these bathrooms, it was definitely a culture shock," she said.

"Because it's a lot tinier than really anything we're used to, and we have to share it with another person."

At the end of the day, the stateroom that a crew member is assigned to is based on their position. Since Captain McCue is the ship's highest responsible officer with decades worth of experience, she has earned the right to one of, if not, the best possible accommodations onboard. 

If you are interested in learning more about Captain McCue, check out her social media pages! She has a TikTok and Instagram and posts content regarding operational duties onboard and ports of call. 

Celebrity Cruises, owned by Royal Caribbean Group, is a great pick for travelers seeking a more premium, upscale vacation. 

That said, taking a Celebrity cruise is different than embarking on a Royal Caribbean mega-ship. Whereas Royal Caribbean focuses on innovative, jaw-dropping wow factors, Celebrity ships emphasize a more refined, upscale atmosphere with modern design, elevated experiences, and better personalized service. 

As such, it's a solid choice for travelers who prefer more sophisticated cruise experiences and port-intensive itineraries over high-energy attractions and unique entertainment.

Whether it is your first time sailing with Celebrity Cruises or you're simply looking to better your next vacation with insider tips and tricks, we have compiled a list of advice to help you have the best experience possible. 

From money-saving hacks to booking strategies and onboard tips, these insights will help you get the most out of your Celebrity cruise. 

1. Save money on drinks

Unfortunately, Celebrity cruise fares aren't all-inclusive. As such, you will have to shell out extra money for premium non-alcoholic drinks and alcoholic beverages like cocktails, wine, and beer. 

A drink package could be the way to go — if you know your drinking habits and plan on regularly using it during your cruise. Celebrity offers a Classic and Premium drinks package as well as non-alcoholic options. Details are listed on the Cruise Planner, and it's cheaper to buy it beforehand, rather than waiting until you are onboard.

Another way to save money is to bring your own wine on board. Guests of legal drinking age can bring one 750ml bottle of wine per person, but no spirits or beer. That said, alcoholic beverages purchased from onboard shops or in ports of call will be secured by the ship until the end of the vacation.​​​

2. Watch for deals 

Celebrity's prices often reflect that it's a premium cruise line. While not the most expensive in the marketplace, it can run slightly higher than some other companies, such as Royal Caribbean, MSC, and Carnival.  

The good news is that it's easy to score a deal on your Celebrity cruise. Keep an eye on the website to see ongoing promotions, such as 75% off the second guest and free onboard credit, or work with a travel agent. 

A good agent will help you understand which promotions offer the best value, when to book for the lowest fares, and how to bundle perks like drink packages and Wi-Fi to maximize your savings.

3. Book packages and excursions early

Celebrity offers several pre-cruise deals on add-ons like internet packages, shore excursions, specialty restaurants, and spa treatments. 

Not only does advance purchasing get you a better deal, but it can also help avoid the disappointment of a sold-out excursion. If something is no longer offered, there are no guarantees that space will open up. It is far better to book something in advance and then cancel it later if you change your mind. 

4. Leverage your Royal Caribbean Crown and Anchor status

Celebrity's loyalty program, the Captain's Club, has eight tiers offering varying perks to repeat cruisers, ranging from Preview to Triple Zenith. That said, even if you've never set foot on a Celebrity cruise ship, you can take advantage of lucrative loyalty perks. 

What does this mean? In short, Royal Caribbean Group offers a one-of-a-kind loyalty status match program, meaning that you can match your Crown & Anchor Society tier and receive equivalent status on Celebrity Cruises. 

So, for example, if you're a Diamond Crown & Anchor guest, you'll match into Celebrity's Elite tier. This will give you access to perks like a complimentary nightly happy hour and free laundry bag on sailings of five nights or longer. 

5. Know what’s included in your cruise fare

Celebrity makes booking popular add-ons easy with its bundled "All Included" fare. While the cruise-only rate includes standard offerings like entertainment, daily activities, dining, and more, the "All Included" fare also includes the Classic Drink Package and Basic Wi-Fi. 

In addition to this, the cruise line offers special AquaClass cabins, which include access to Blu, a private restaurant, the thermal suite, and complimentary fitness classes. You do not have to purchase the more expensive fare package, either. You can stay in an AquaClass room by booking a cruise-only rate. 

One step above this is the Retreat, the most all-inclusive option with Premium drink and wi-fi packages, private dining, exclusive sundeck access, and a private lounge, as well as concierge and butler service.

6. Use a good travel agent 

Clearly, Celebrity has a lot of options, different fares, cabin alternatives, and onboard experiences to choose from. Using a good travel agent can be a great way to navigate all these choices and ensure you get the best price possible.

Often, the best way to find a travel agent is to get a recommendation from a friend or family member. They should be familiar with Celebrity, as you will greatly benefit from their firsthand knowledge. At Royal Caribbean Blog, we recommend MEI Travel, as they are experts in all things cruising. 

Travel agents are paid through the cruise line, so there is no additional cost to use their services, and they can save you both time and money by finding the best deal. They'll also handle any issues that arise before or during your vacation, such as last-minute itinerary changes. 

7. Kids are welcome on Celebrity Cruises 

Celebrity may not be known as a family cruise line, but it does welcome passengers of all ages. The cruise line provides numerous complimentary programs, family-friendly excursions, and pint-sized menus to make cruising easier and more fun for families.

They also offer free kids and teen programs in a dedicated, supervised environment. Camp at Sea features sports, arts and crafts, theme parties, treasure hunts, and much more. Teens can hang out with friends in their own spaces, play in video game competitions, dance, and enjoy sports. They can even take culinary classes!

 8. Maximize loyalty points  

Make sure to sign up for Celebrity’s loyalty program, called Captain’s Club, which awards points based on the length of sailing and stateroom category. Even when you aren’t sailing, there are opportunities to earn more points. 

Celebrity’s Power Up points program lets guests earn extra points by watching videos, taking surveys, or engaging in social media activities. Power Up points are converted at a ratio of 10 Power Up points to 1 Club point.

9. Celebrity's casinos are non-smoking

Celebrity’s onboard casinos are stocked with slot machines and table games, including blackjack, poker, craps, baccarat, and roulette. Serious gamblers can also join Blue Chip Club Rewards, which includes concierge service, free play, and much more.

It may be a surprise to many, though, to find out that Celebrity Cruises has a no-smoking policy when it comes to their casinos. This may be welcome news to some or an unexpected disappointment for others. The cruise line cites the health and comfort of guests as the rationale for this rule.

The no-smoking policy extended to most areas of the ship, including cabins and balconies. There are limited outdoor areas that are designated for smoking.

10. Dine at complimentary venues

Beyond the main dining room and Oceanview Café (buffet), there are other great free dining venues to check out on Celebrity ships, including:

• Café al Bacio is a European-style café onboard many Celebrity ships. Cruisers seem to love the café and often line up for its custom specialty coffees and sweet treats. While the coffees are an extra charge, the exquisite pastries and sweets are complimentary for all. 
• Eden Café offers a wide variety of morning beverages and casual culinary bites. The bright and airy atmosphere and al fresco make it the perfect spot. It's available exclusively on Celebrity Edge, Apex, Ascent, and Beyond. 
• Spa Café is another venue to enjoy. Grab something fresh and flavorful, such as avocado bruschetta, a fresh fruit place, or an acai bowl. Great for a post-workout, healthy snack, or if you want a break from over-the-top cruising eating.
• The Mast Grill is a top deck eatery where guests can get their barbecue favorites, such as a cheeseburger or hot dog. 

11. Know the dress code

In recent years, dress codes have become a somewhat controversial topic among cruisers as some lament the days of tuxedos and ballgowns, whereas others feel that they are on vacation and should be able to dress as they please. 

On Celebrity Cruises, guests are expected to dress at a minimum "smart casual" for entry to the main dining room, specialty restaurant, and the Celebrity Theatre. 

There are also "evening chic" nights that are more formal. According to Celebrity Cruises, "Evening Chic means you dress to impress, glamorous and sophisticated in your own way, with a cocktail dress, skirt, slacks, or designer jean[s], an elegant dress top or blazer—some guests even pack a tuxedo or gown for onboard photos."

However, guests who don't want to participate can simply stick to the smart casual dress code. 

12. Sail the world with Celebrity 

Celebrity has an impressive range of itineraries that span the globe. Their fleet of 15 has many mid-sized ships that can venture to ports of call that some of the bigger ships can't. Even the new Edge series can sail through the Panama Canal and visit places in Alaska and the South Pacific. 

From North and South America to Europe, Asia, Australia, and the South Pacific, Celebrity ships stretch out to visit 300 ports worldwide. 

It has even designed a special yacht-like ship to visit the Galapagos Islands, with advanced technology that minimizes the impact on the environment and provides an incredibly intimate setting with under 100 guests.

Plus, Celebrity is launching a new river cruise line that will allow guests to experience inland ports in Europe and beyond. 

13. Try a variety of activities 

Celebrity Cruises offers its guests a wide range of entertainment and activities onboard its ships. World-class theatre productions, live bands, classes of all types, and trivia are some of the fun things to do while sailing.

There are also some unique and interesting activities beyond the expected. How about lawn bowling or practice putting on real grass? Wine pairing, whiskey tasting, a ship tour, pickleball, glass blowing, or watching a movie on a rooftop garden are part of the amazing selection of events. 

Celebrity ships do have a lot to love, but there are some things you won't find on a Celebrity ship. There are no epic waterslides, water parks, bumper cars, roller coasters, rock climbing walls, ice skating rinks, or carousels that are common on the mega-ships of cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Carnival. 

14. Try out the Magic Carpet (for free)

The Edge series of ships features the brightly colored Magic Carpet, which jets off one side of the ship. It is far more than a gimmick; it is a multipurpose venue that offers the most spectacular views, in addition to acting as a launch pad for tenders in ports that require them. 

Although dining at the Magic Carpet is an extra cost, during the day, guests can enjoy the scenic views for free (drinks are extra, though). Its opaque roof allows for breezes while keeping out of the hot sun. It's the perfect spot to relax after returning from a long day ashore. 

15. Indulge in specialty dining

For those who consider themselves foodies or love to explore different types of cuisine, Celebrity is the place for you. There is a wide array of dining experiences beyond the traditional buffet and main dining rooms. 

From Celebrity's highly acclaimed Fine Cut Steakhouse to restaurants pioneered by Michelin-starred chefs and more, there's an extensive range of options that are sure to bring praise to your taste buds. 

If you want to dine at multiple specialty venues, you may want to splurge on a dining package to help save a little bit of money. 

16. Celebrity is autism friendly

Celebrity Cruises offers autism-friendly initiatives for families, including sensory-friendly films,  toys, and dietary menu options. Additionally, they offer a wide range of autism-friendly products and services, such as priority check-in, boarding, departure, and special dietary accommodations. The cruise line seeks to make things easier with flexible grouping by ability for children. 

For more fun, autism-friendly films are presented in a low-lighting and low-volume environment. The cruise line also has an Autism Friendly Toy Lending Catalog along with non-toxic crayons, markers, watercolors, building blocks, dominoes, and picture books.

17. Enjoy the extras

One of the biggest surprises of sailing on a Celebrity cruise is some of the nice (and often free) touches. One of the best is the ability to drop your stuff off in your cabin on embarkation day, even when it's not ready. 

Cabins also have a few extra niceties, including upgraded bath products. No three-in-one mystery shampoo, conditioner, and soap in the shower. Instead, there are separate shampoos, conditioners, and body washes. Celebrity also stocks its ensuite bathrooms with body lotion. 

Pool towels? No problem! There's no need to be held hostage over a fee for a towel you never signed out. Instead, you can simply grab a complimentary towel from one of the racks. 

Another plus is the variety of chilled fruit waters on the dock to welcome guests back to the ship, particularly nice after a hot day in the sun. They also had a crew there with cool towels to freshen up. 

18. Gratuities vary by cabin type

Celebrity automatically adds gratuities to guests' accounts as an additional thank you to employees who work very hard to make your cruise vacation special. The amounts are: 

• $18 USD per person per day for Inside, Ocean View, and Veranda staterooms

• $19 USD per person, per day for Concierge Class and AquaClass staterooms  

• $23 USD per person per day for guests of The Retreat.  

This is separate from the 20% gratuity that will be added to all beverages, mini bar purchases, and beverage packages. Gratuities are distributed to dining, bar, and culinary services staff, stateroom attendants, and other hotel services teams.

19. Rotate between themed main dining rooms

While only offered on the Edge series of ships, one of the most significant changes Celebrity has made is the separation of the main dining rooms into four different themed venues. Cyprus, Cosmopolitan, Tuscan, and Normandie offer specialties as well as classics such as steak, chicken, and shrimp, and signature dishes.

Being smaller than a standard main dining room, these themed dining rooms have more of a specialty dining feel and offer some mouth-watering options. Before you book the pricier specialty dining venues, you may want to give them a try. 

20. Leave some things at home

There are a few items prohibited on Celebrity ships for the safety of the guests and the smooth operation of the vessel. Guests cannot bring an iron or steamer onboard the ship, but they do offer laundry, dry cleaning, and pressing services for an additional fee. This can be arranged through the cabin attendant.

Other things to leave home include anything that generates heat or has open flames, like candles, hot plates, coffee makers, or kettles. Curling and flat irons are okay. Extension cords, illegal drugs (including marijuana), knives, and other weapons aren't allowed, either. Although wine is permitted, hard alcohol and beer are sadly not. 

21. You can use your Celebrity drink and Wi-Fi packages at Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay 

A private island in the Bahamas is quite an exciting addition to any sunny Caribbean itinerary, and Celebrity is lucky enough to offer itineraries to Royal Caribbean’s popular Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

This is great for families as well as adults who want a day in the sun. The island has a water park, a massive freshwater pool, tons of laid-back beaches, a stylish beach club, and an adult-only retreat. 

Celebrity passengers visiting for the day can use both their drink and Wi-Fi packages while on the island, which has several great bars and complimentary food venues. 

22. You can buy someone a Celebrity gift card

Gift cards have become increasingly popular, and they're a great present for that hard-to-buy person on your list. Celebrity gift cards can be easily bought online in increments of up to $2,000. 

Gift cards can be applied toward cruise fares or the onboard statement. As such, they're a flexible gift since they let the recipient choose how to redeem it. 

23. Prepaid gratuities are no longer included in the all-inclusive packages

Effective October 4, 2023, Celebrity Cruises removed prepaid gratuities from the "All Included" package. Now, this bundle only includes the cruise fare, Classic Drinks Package, and Basic Wi-Fi. 

This is a significant change that cruisers might not realize when booking, especially if they booked the "All Included" package in the past. This change will increase the cost of a cruise, especially for Retreat guests, who will now pay $23 per day per person for gratuities. 

24. Download the Celebrity App 

Don’t wait until you're on the ship to download the Celebrity App. It is a useful tool ahead of time and lets passengers check out information like menus and events. 

Checking in and completing steps one and two of muster drill can be quickly done on the app, too. Another great bonus is that the app can also be used to keep in touch with fellow cruisers with a free chat feature. 

Once onboard, the app provides a wealth of information on activities, events, excursions, and announcements, as well as keeps up to date on onboard spending. Some ships, such as the Edge series of ships, allow passengers to control their stateroom settings via their phone!

25. Celebrity has one of the best buffets at sea

You can't go wrong with a visit to Celebrity's Oceanview Café for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The made-to-order stations, including the pasta, stir-fry, and Caesar salad stations, are extremely popular. You will also find other rotating global dishes, including seafood saganaki and chicken paella.

That said, on the last sea day, the Celebrity's buffet transforms into a massive seafood extravaganza with everything from a shrimp cocktail tower to ceviche, mussels, strip steaks, and elaborate desserts. Even if you aren't a big seafood fan, you should visit to check out the chocolate fountain, intricately designed cakes, and other sweet treats. 

26. You can upgrade the basic drink and beverage packages included with Celebrity's "All Included" fare

Celebrity has two main drink and internet packages. However, you'll only get the basic options with the "All Included" fare. 

That doesn't mean you're stuck with lagging internet speeds or bottom-shelf liquor. Instead, you can upgrade to the Premium Wi-Fi package for faster connectivity and better browsing capabilities, or choose the Premium Drink Package for access to a wider range of spirits, wines, and other beverages. 

It's easy to upgrade before your sailing through the Cruise Planner, too. Plus, you will save money compared to making the switch once you're on the ship. 

27. There is no self-serve laundry onboard 

For guests who are on a longer trip or have some younger, messy guests in their traveling party and are in search of laundry, there are limited options. Celebrity provides laundry and dry cleaning services on a per-item basis for suits, dresses, and more casual items. However, there are no self-serve facilities, unfortunately. 

As with most cruise lines, guests cannot bring an iron or steamer on board; however, Celebrity does offer pressing services (priced by item). 

Many cruisers opt to hang up wrinkly clothes right away in the bathroom, letting the steam of the shower do its magic. There is also Downy Wrinkle Release, which works wonders. They have smaller, travel-size bottles, which are perfect for a cruise. 

28. Upgrade your cabin for less 

For those guests who are interested in upgrading their cabin, Celebrity has its MoveUp Program that allows guests to bid on an upgrade. You can log in to the website to determine if your cruise is eligible and review the stateroom options. You can bid on more than one room and will only be charged for the first two people for the room you win. 

However, there are a couple of important caveats to consider when trying this program. First, once the bid is accepted, your card will be charged immediately, and the upgrade amount paid is final and non-refundable. You have no choice in location, either. This means you could end up in a cabin in the front of the vessel, which isn't ideal for those with motion sickness, or in an adjoining stateroom. 

29. Board early when possible 

During the online check-in process, you can choose your desired arrival time. This means that the earlier you check in online, the better chance you have at securing an early port arrival time. 

There are a few benefits to being among the first guests on the ship. For starters, your vacation starts earlier, and you can also get any must-dos out of the way, like reserving last-minute specialty dining.

Early arrival times also give you more time to explore the ship before it gets crowded with other passengers. You can familiarize yourself with the layout and enjoy a leisurely lunch in the buffet. 

30. Pick your cabin carefully 

Choosing the right cruise room is more important than you might think. If you're a light sleeper, for instance, you don't want to be near the late-night venues where music will be pulsating past midnight. 

As such, it is a good idea to browse the floor plans carefully to ensure you find the best cabin possible. Celebrity's website provides deck plans for each ship, with all venues and cabins clearly marked. This will help you determine what is above, below, and beside the stateroom you are considering.

Adjoining rooms and those with unobstructed views are also something to consider. For example, some balcony cabins are obstructed by the traffic-cone orange lifeboats. This means that you might not get the picture-perfect view of Alaska that you were expecting! 

Additionally, people who are prone to seasickness generally fare better on the lower decks and in the middle of the ship. As such, you should avoid booking cabins in the front and rear of the ship.

31. Drop off your carry-on in your cabin 

One perk of sailing with Celebrity Cruises compared to Royal Caribbean or Carnival is the ability to quickly stop by your cabin on embarkation day to drop off your carry-on luggage. This is something that is not ordinarily common on many other cruise lines, when you have to haul your bags around until 1:00 p.m. or later. 

Sometimes, even small bags can weigh you down while navigating the ship, getting lunch, and balancing that all-important first cocktail. This can be even trickier with excess baggage. A quick stop (while the crew finishes getting things ready) is a great way to start a cruise and lessen the load. 

32. Book flights with Celebrity (for peace of mind) 

Did you know that you can book your airfare directly through Celebrity Cruises? This option provides peace of mind, knowing that they will handle any flight disruptions and delays. 

In this day and age, with constant aviation disruptions, this is especially beneficial. In fact, Celebrity promises that if your flight is changed or canceled, they will help you find a seat on a new flight or even meet the ship at the next available port.

Booking with Celebrity can also help with vacation budgeting since the flights do not need to be paid until the final cruise payment date, unlike regular airfare bookings that require immediate payment. Don't worry — you'll still earn airline miles!

33. Try older ships to save money

Celebrity has received a lot of praise for its innovative Edge series of ships, which have reimagined cruise ships in the best of ways. However, don’t ignore some of the older ships of the fleet, many of which have been modernized and often come at a lower cruise fare cost. 

The cruise line’s modernization program took some of the oldest vessels in the fleet and added new spaces, updated restaurants and bars, and enhanced the cabin experience. 

Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Summit are two of the ships that have gone through the process. This means that passengers get to enjoy updated ships, with oftentimes lower prices than the newer ships in the fleet. 

34. Get the muster drill out of the way early 

One of the best updates to cruising has been the addition of a virtual muster drill, which allows guests to watch a video about all the safety rules and regulations for their cruise, eliminating the need for all passengers to gather in one place for a traditional muster drill.

This video can be watched en route to the port or while waiting to board. Then, once you are on the ship, all you have to do is quickly visit your physical muster station. 

35. Review Celebrity’s cancelation policy 

When booking and paying for a cruise, it is really important to understand the terms and conditions associated with this purchase. For example, if you book a non-refundable cruise fare and want to cancel, you will lose your deposit and a portion of the payment, depending on how far away the cruise is.

For example, guests won't receive any money back if they cancel within 30 days of their departure, which is why insurance is so important. 

If you are sick or you miss the cruise due to a delayed flight, the cruise line will not refund you. Guests can purchase insurance directly from Celebrity, in addition to numerous other independent companies, some of which cover transportation delays, medical issues, or have special "cancel for any reason" upgrades.  

36. Photos can’t be purchased post-cruise 

Professional photos are a fantastic way to capture all those wonderful cruise memories. Many love getting pictures done on formal nights when they are dressed and look great. Also, it is an opportunity to get family pictures in a fun and relaxing atmosphere. 

However, it is important that you ensure you buy your pictures for disembarking the ship, as photos and packages cannot be purchased post-cruise. 

37. Take advantage of embarkation day offers

Although most things like Wi-Fi and drink packages are cheaper when purchased pre-cruise, there are some embarkation specials to watch out for. Last-minute specialty dining reservations and spa packages are among the most popular.

However, before rushing into purchasing these extras, it is a good idea to make sure of any restrictions. Some deals are only valid on port days or are shorter than a standard service. Overall, it can be a great way to start the cruise and save some money at the same time — if they fit your schedule and cruise plans. 

38. Book your next cruise before you disembark

The end of a cruise is a sad time, with cruisers in no rush to get back to reality. A great way to get over this and save money is to book your next cruise while onboard! With its Future Cruise Vacations program, Celebrity offers guests the best available offer for future sailings, as well as current promotions such as onboard credit. 

There are two options for this program. The first is the Book Now Program, where guests select their itinerary and dates and receive up to $500 in onboard credit. 

The other option, the Book Later Program, allows guests to reserve a placeholder sailing, with the option to pick up the specific cruise within six months. With this option, passengers will receive up to $500 in onboard credit. 

39. Check your onboard account often

Thanks to Celebrity's mobile app, it is possible to check your onboard spending account in seconds. Alternatively, you can visit Guest Services and get a printout of the bill. 

Sometimes mistakes happen, or your kids charge something you are unaware of. Whatever the issue, it is best to keep on top of it. It is far easier to pop into Guest Services while onboard instead of dealing with an issue once home. 

40. Enjoy free room service

Did you know that passengers receive complimentary room service breakfast on Celebrity ships? Starting the day off with hot coffee and fresh pastries on your balcony is heavenly. 

This perk is available e from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. each day of the cruise except disembarkation day. Outside of these hours, room service has a fee of $9.95, plus a 20% gratuity will automatically be added to your check.

That said, for guests staying in the Retreat, room service is complimentary. Passengers who booked one of Celebrity's high-end suites, in addition to Zenith Captain Club members, also receive complimentary room service 24 hours a day.

41. Cruise off-season 

Sailing off-season, or shoulder season as it is commonly referred to, is one of the best ways to save money and a great time to cruise to popular destinations. Early January and fall can be great times to travel to The Bahamas and Caribbean, since this is when most American kids are in school. 

Other itineraries to take advantage of during the off-season are cruises to the Mediterranean during the winter months. They are one of the only U.S-based cruise lines to offer year-round European cruises! Another bonus is that there are far fewer crowds during the winter months, and it is significantly cooler, which makes seeing famous sites a lot more manageable. 

42. Bring a reusable water bottle 

There are a lot of great reasons to bring our own water bottle on a cruise. Saving money by skipping pricey bottled water, being good to the environment, and staying well hydrated are some of the top reasons. It is always a good idea to add some nice cold water to the mix while sipping cocktails in the sun. 

This is also a great option when going onshore and unsure about the cost and quality of local water. Some bottles even have filters to clean water-borne illnesses or bacteria, getting rid of E. coli, so there's no need to worry about local water when doing an excursion for a day. 

43. Be ready to cruise 

Around 45 days before your cruise, check-in will become available, and it's a good idea to do this as soon as possible so it doesn't slip through the cracks. Celebrity's online check-in is a fairly quick process, but it does require appropriate identification on hand to upload details to the system.

When embarkation day finally arrives, you can make drop-off quick and easy by printing your luggage tags ahead of time. Porters have blank luggage tags available, but it's better to print them ahead of time and ensure they are well fastened to your bag. Many people use plastic holders to protect them, so the names and stateroom numbers are clearly legible. In addition to this, staple them on, and be sure to give your porter a tip! 

44. Try a guaranteed stateroom to save money 

When booking a cruise, Celebrity offers different stateroom categories to choose from, including interior, ocean view, veranda, and suites, among others. After selecting a stateroom type, guests can either allow Celebrity to assign their specific room or choose their preferred stateroom themselves.

What is the benefit of letting the cruise line assign a cabin? The answer is money. This option can save hundreds of dollars off the total cruise fare. There is a catch, however. You may end up in a cabin with an obstructed view or in a less desirable area of the ship, like near the casino or the front of the vessel. 

45. Plan to arrive a day ahead when flying to catch your cruise

You should always, always plan to fly in the day before your cruise begins. There have been countless stories of guests missing their cruise due to flight delays and cancellations. 

The last thing anyone wants is to start their vacation by stressing out whether they will make it to the port on time. Come the day before, get a hotel, and relax by the pool instead of running through the airport in hopes of making your tight connection. 

It's also smart to allow buffer time into your drive. Accidents appear out of nowhere, which can back up popular roads for hours. If the worst case happens, the ship will not wait, and you will not be reimbursed for the lost cruise. 

46. Pay attention to ship time

Cruise ships sail on their own time, "ship time," as it is called. All of the activities, entertainment, embarkation, and disembarkation are according to this clock. 

Many cruise ships sail across a number of time zones while traveling, and the cruise line will advise its passengers if and when they need to adjust their clocks. Sometimes, this aligns with local time, and sometimes it does not. 

This can be confusing, especially after a few drinks. Everyone has seen pier runners on social media as they race down to the dock, screaming at the cruise ship to wait for them. You do not want to be one of those people. If you have your phone on roaming, it will adjust to local time, which can add to the confusion. 

As such, set your phone to not change by putting it on airplane mode or use an old-fashioned, offline analog watch. 

47. Don’t bother bringing a towel 

This is a frequent question for many, but no, guests do not need to bring a towel when packing for their Celebrity cruise. With all the other things that you need to pack, plenty of clothes and shoes, as well as leaving room for souvenirs, a bulky towel is not necessary. 

The cruise line has a number of places throughout the ship to get beach towels to bring on shore for beach days, as well as regular towels in the stateroom. 

Another plus to sailing with Celebrity is that you don't have to wait in line to check towels out. You just help yourself with no fear of being charged if you leave it by accident on your pool chair! 

48. Bring some cash

It is a good idea to bring some money on your Celebrity cruise, but many people are not sure how much. While most places ashore accept credit cards, cash can be better when dealing with small vendors in ports. Some taxis won't accept cards, either.  

Onboard, cash is the best way to show your appreciation for hard-working staff. Many guests bring small bills for bar staff, cabin staff, waiters, or anyone else who makes the cruise special. 

However, you don't need to worry about carrying around a ton of bills to pay for your onboard account since you can link it to your credit or debit card. 

49. Join a Facebook group for your sailing (or other message boards) 

There are numerous message boards and Facebook groups that have pages for specific sailings for each cruise line. This is a great way to get information and meet other guests who will be on your cruise. Many times, they organize information events and meet-ups, as well as other activities, once you are all on board. 

This is also a good opportunity to share ideas about excursions, fun tips for the sailing, as well as other trip details like hotels and transportation to the port. 

50. Bring must-haves from home 

Although there are some shops onboard Celebrity ships, must-have items like sunscreen and over-the-counter medication can be quite expensive, and the range of products is limited. Your favorite shampoo, late-night snack, or pain reliever probably won't be available on the ship. 

Packing all you need is particularly important for families with kids. Make sure to include diapers, your kids' favorite pre-packaged snacks, and everything that they need to feel comfortable. 

Some of these items should be included in your carry-on, as it might be hours until your luggage is delivered to your cabin. Bathing suits are must-haves for many who want to enjoy the fun right away, so don't forget to include them in your carry-on!

While it's no surprise that demand for cruising has never been higher, you might be intrigued to hear how much those that have never cruised before are booking cruises.

Royal Caribbean Group saw terrific results in the first quarter of 2023, and its top executive is seeing all sorts of positive signs that the cruise giant has rebounded significantly.

One metric that stands out is how much demand for a cruise resembles pre-2020, signaling that the effects of the cruise industry shutdown are all but forgotten among consumers.

Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean Group CEO, said in a recent interview demand from people that have never cruised before is actually better today than in 2019.

"We're seeing more new to cruise than we had seen in 2019," he said in reference to who's booking cruises this year. "We're seeing more first to brand, which is very much in line with our growth expectations for our capacity, growth as our new ships come on."

"Historically, you know, pre-pandemic, about a third of our guests were new to cruise, a third of our guests were loyalists, and the third of our guests refers to brand."

"What we see now is one propensity to cruise has completely returned back that was in 2019."

The return of new cruisers to the market is what drives a cruise line like Royal Caribbean back to profitability, because the amount of people that have never cruised before is the largest source of new customers.

The cruise industry was unfairly singled out in 2020-2021 as it was the only industry federally prevented from restarting for months, then had to get approval to restart as well as reporting cases.

Any concerns of consumers being wary to get back on a ship since seem to have been abated with these new numbers.

Demographics of who is booking a cruise

In terms of who's cruising, Mr. Liberty explained what sort of customers the company is attracting in 2023.

"So we have really three core brands that are really in their different segments," he explained.

"And so they all address different age and demographic categories. Like our Royal [Caribbean] brand is very focused on multigenerational family. Our Celebrity brand, people that are in their early 50s, more Gen X in nature. And our SilverSea brand, which is Ultra Luxury and Expedition, tend to attract a little bit of the Baby Boomer side of things."

That being said, younger cruisers are definitely coming to cruise.

"What we are seeing is the guest is actually a little bit younger on average than what we saw pre-pandemic."

"And a lot of that is because there's more millennials that are now into the system as they got married and started to have kids and are looking to experience incredible travel experiences."

"We continue to see the ability to raise price in the current market"

It's not your imagination, the price of a cruise is going up and that's because the market is tolerating it.

In a question about pricing, Mr. Liberty talked about the fact the company sees an opportunity to raise prices without negatively impacting demand.

"We continue to see the ability to raise price in the current market," Mr. Liberty explained.

"The main driver of that, one, I think, is having best brands, best ships win. And our guests get this incredible experience on our ships. And that gets broadcasted through advocacy of our guests, who are experiencing that."

Essentially, Royal Caribbean Group believes a combination of their ship quality and word of mouth is helping their cause.

Mr. Liberty also brought up a point of how much value a cruise vacation has over a land vacation, a statistic he's talked about quite a bit in the past.

"There's also a pretty significant value gap to land-based vacation."

"That gap was about 15% to 20% pre-pandemic. Today, it's about 35% to 45%. And we're going to make, you know, a pretty good dent in it here in 2023."

Tipping

One of the hot button topics is gratuities on a cruise ship, and Mr. Liberty answered a question about tipping on a cruise ship.

He was asked about the backlash related to "tip-flation" that's happened recently.

"We have a gratuity. It raises typically just based off of how inflation is changing. And that's more what is. It's pretty much a standard fee. Of course, our guests and can provide more. The guests can also choose not to, you know, not to tip if they don't choose to."

Read more: Should you prepay gratuities for your Royal Caribbean cruise?

"But-- but a gratuity-based system, a service-based system, we think is really important. But we're not chopping at every corner here on tipping. We have pretty much a standard fee for it."

Read more: Can I remove cruise ship prepaid gratuities?

Royal Caribbean's next new cruise ship is making steady progress towards being completed, and we have a new look at what it looks like now.

Icon of the Seas is under construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland. Based on the new set of photos, the top deck is starting to come together.

In an effort to keep our readers up to date, RoyalCaribbeanBlog commissioned its own aerial drone photos to share what we can see so far from the shipyard.

These photos were taken on June 6, 2023 to provide a glimpse of how the ship looks today.

Having visited the shipyard last month, it's clear one noticeable change from the exterior is how much of the ship is no longer covered up.

Another change you might detect is the addition of more of the water slides.

Icon of the Seas will have an entire water park when the ship launches, known as Category 6.

Category 6 will be the largest waterpark at sea, with six record-breaking slides. Other Royal Caribbean ships have only 2 or 3 slides.

• Pressure Drop: the industry’s first open free-fall slide
• Frightening Bolt: the tallest drop slide at sea
• Storm Surge & Hurricane Hunter: family raft slides which can fit 4 riders per raft
• Storm Chasers: the cruise industry’s first mat-racing duo

The water slides are part of the Thrill Island neighborhood.

Royal Caribbean thinks Thrill Island will be a beacon for thrill seekers.

At the front of the ship, you'll find a sprawling pool deck that the cruise line hopes evokes a resort-style feel.

Read more: Royal Caribbean designed its new Icon of the Seas cruise ship to have a beach retreat experience

Icon will have 62% more water surface area than the Oasis Class cruise ships, and that means more pools than the cruise line has ever had before.

You'll find the largest pool at sea, an adult only pool, and the first suspended infinity pool at sea. Five of the seven pools on Icon of the Seas are located in Chill Island.

Something else I noticed is we can see more of The Grove and the Suite Neighborhood.

Beyond the top deck changes, the side of the ship looks more like the concept art we've seen.  With less of the protective coverings on, there's more glass visible.

At 250,800 gross tons ,the 20-deck-high vessel will be the biggest cruise ship in the world when it debuts in 2024. 

What we can see from the air is just a fraction of what Royal Caribbean has planned for the ship.

Royal Caribbean has lofty expectations for its first Icon Class ship, which has the aim of being the ultimate family vacation and a megaresort at sea for all to enjoy.

Icon of the Seas has a price tag of more than $2 billion and has been under construction for just about two years. 

Nearly ready for the next phase

There's still seven months to go until Icon of the Seas begins sailing with paying passengers, and there's still lots of work left to complete.

In May 2023, Royal Caribbean said Icon of the Seas more than 80% done.

In fact, the shipyard said last month that Icon of the Seas could start her sea trials as early as mid-June.

When the sea trials are complete, there may be some final adjustments that need to be made before the ship is prepared for delivery.

Once the ship reaches 90% completion, much of the final ceiling panels and final finishes are added to make the ship look more complete from a visual standpoint.

In the fall, the plan is to finalize all staterooms, the commissioning of the ship, and all the special features.

Being the first in a class of ships, Icon of the Seas has more time built into her build schedule to prepare it for service.

Royal Caribbean is leaning into the future of cruise ship with a new type of fuel the company test out on one of its ships.

Becoming a sustainable company has been an established goal, and it appears trying out a new type of fuel could assist in getting them to that point.

Later this summer, Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas and Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Apex will begin operating with a sustainable biofuel. Both ships will be sailing in Europe at the time the test begins.

Designed to attract families that enjoy a mega-resort, the 228,081-ton Symphony of the Seas is the fourth ship in Royal Caribbean's groundbreaking Oasis Class series. 

Celebrity Apex, the second ship in Celebrity's Edge Class, is a 130,818-ton, 2,900-passenger cruise ship and one of Celebrity's newest ships.

The goal is to evaluate how well the fuel works, and "contribute critical data and research on the fuel's capabilities and supply chain infrastructure needed to further the industry's alternative fuel ambitions."

Powered by biofuel

Simply put, the new biofuel's goal is to reduce a cruise ship's carbon emissions.

The biofuel blend is produced by purifying renewable raw materials like oils and fats and combining it with fuel oil.

Biofuel greatly reduces carbon emissions compared to the burning of the fossil fuels used in marine gas oil. It's processed through an oil refinery and is molecularly identical to diesel. 

The end result is an alternative fuel that the company hopes is cleaner and more sustainable.

Symphony of the Seas will undergo a three-month test with the new fuel while the ship sails from Barcelona, Spain.

Symphony, however, is not the first Royal Caribbean ship to be powered by biofuel.

Last fall, Navigator of the Seas tested out biofuel when she sailed from Los Angeles, California and became the first a cruise ship to sail from a U.S. port while using renewable diesel fuel.

The test on Navigator was conducted on a three-night cruise to Ensenada, Mexico in October 2022 with one engine powered by 30 tons of biodiesel.  

The test lasted three months.

In the case of Navigator, the biofuel was a combination of waste vegetable and frying oils, animal fat and corn. 

Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty talked about the importance of such a step in the evolution for the industry, "Biofuels will play an increasingly important role in achieving, not only our own, but the entire maritime sector's decarbonization goals in the short and medium term."

"We take great pride in continuing to push our industry forward in exploring innovative fuel solutions that reduce carbon impact and preserve the vibrancy of the oceans we sail."

Building on efficiency

Symphony of the Seas is an intriguing test case for Royal Caribbean. As the second largest cruise ship in the world, she is indicative of what cruise ships today are realistically all about.

Even before this test, Symphony was built to be more efficient than previous ships.

Symphony consumes 25% less fuel than Oasis of the Seas or Allure of the Seas.

Plus, the ship had a few ways to improve energy efficiency onboard compared to earlier Oasis Class ships.

One major change was the use of tiny air bubbles under the hull to make the vessel glide more smoothly through the water. 

What happens next?

After the trials are completed this summer, Royal Caribbean Group plans to scale up the use of alternative fuels, including biofuels, across upcoming European summer sailings.

In a statement, Royal Caribbean Group said it plans to continue to use alternative lower carbon fuel as part of its overall plan.

In addition to biofuels, Royal Caribbean Group is building ships that can leverage liquefied natural gas, or LNG, to reduce emissions.

Commonly referred to as a transition fuel, LNG results in 95% fewer particulate matter emissions, nearly eliminates sulfur emissions and reduces nitrogen emissions by 85%, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 20%.

LNG isn't the ultimate solution, but a step in the journey.

Sustainable by 2050

Royal Caribbean Group calls its overarching sustainability goals "Destination Net Zero", and biofuels are one way it intends to get there. 

Announced in 2021, there are two simple goals:

• Delivery of a net zero emissions cruise ship
• A path to net zero emissions by 2050

Destination Net Zero's four-pronged approach includes:

1. Modernization of the cruise company's global brands fleet through the introduction of 13 new energy-efficient and alternatively fueled vessels.
    
2. Continued investment in energy efficiency programs for its fleet, including energy saving technologies, enhanced data systems and digitalization.
    
3. Development of alternative fuel and alternative power solutions.
    
4. Optimized deployment and integration of strategic shore-based supply chains.

Tropical Storm Arlene formed in the Gulf of Mexico last week right at the start of the Atlantic hurricane season, which is always a concern for cruise ship passengers.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs between June 1 and November 30, and it's a time of year when tropical storms could impact cruise itineraries. 

While there is potential for a hurricane to affect cruise plans, I wouldn't go as far as to say you should avoid cruises for five months of the year either.

With hurricane season back, now is a good time to refresh yourself on the basics and what you should know for this season.

Experts predict "near normal" 2023 hurricane season

For what it's worth, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) published their outlook for the 2023 hurricane season.

According to the agency, a 40% chance of a near-normal season, a 30% chance of an above-normal season and a 30% chance of a below-normal season.

The agency thinks there will be between 12 and 17 named storms, with 5-9 of them becoming hurricanes.  They expect between 1 and 4 will be major hurricanes.

NOAA has a 70% confidence in these ranges.

The reason why it's expected to be less active than recent years are related to the El Nino effect that suppress storm development:

• An above-normal West African monsoon.
• El Niño.
• Favorable conditions local to the tropical Atlantic Basin.
• Warmer-than-normal sea surface temperatures in the tropical Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea.

You can read the full outlook on NOAA's website.

Of course, these are just best guesses, so what will actually happen is still unknown.

Basics of hurricane season

If you have a cruise planned during hurricane season, don't assume the worst about it being disrupted. More than likely, there won't be hurricanes around when you cruise. 

However, if a tropical storm does end up coming around the same time as your cruise, here are the basics.

Buy travel insurance

Hurricanes don't just disrupt cruise ships, they can wreak havoc on many other aspects of travel. Getting to and from your cruise ship is just as likely, if not more so, to be impacted by a storm.

Travel insurance policies are relatively inexpensive and provide so much peace of mind should your plans not work out. 

Now is a good time to research the various travel insurance providers that are out there and review what a policy covers.

Keep in mind not all travel insurance policies are the same, so read the fine print about when it kicks in, and what it does and does not cover.

Ships will avoid hurricanes

If there is a hurricane predicted in the path of your ship, Royal Caribbean will go around the storm.

Itineraries can be flipped (port order changed), swapped out (eastern instead of western Caribbean or vice versa), or completely new itineraries created.

As long as the embarkation port is open, your ship will almost certainly sail, but there could be an itinerary change. Per the cruise contract you agreed to when you booked a cruise, no compensation is required to be given if your itinerary changes.

The bottom line is your ship will not sail anywhere near the storm.

What if the storm changes path and my ship is now in the way?

If the ocean starts getting too rough, cruise ships are able to outrun the storm.

A typical hurricane moves around 10 knots, but cruise ships can get up to 22 knots or higher in speed.

You can get a great deal

Want to find some of the cheapest prices for a Caribbean cruise? Book something in late summer or early fall.

Some of the cheapest times of the year to go on a cruise are the months of September and October because it falls right in the peak of hurricane season (and school is back in session). Late August is also usually priced cheaply.

Should you cruise during hurricane season?

The reality is many storms never impact land, and few have a direct impact on places cruise ships will visit. Moreover, if there is a storm in the area, Royal Caribbean will change the itinerary to avoid ever getting near the path of the storm.

The best reason to cruise during hurricane season is the lower prices. Cruises during this time of year scare away some people, and so prices tend to be lower to attract others. Moreover, the peak of hurricane season is when school is back in session, so less families are likely to cruise during this time of year.

Ultimately, you should cruise during hurricane season if you are flexible with your plans and okay with an itinerary shift. The weather might not be ideal, but there is a very good chance you will still be able to go on your cruise.