Royal Caribbean Blog

Want to know the best Royal Caribbean cruise advice or hack that I swear by?

I know you want to find the best tricks for saving money, avoiding mistakes, and getting ahead of everyone else on your ship!

With that in mind, I came up with the list of the best tips that a first-time cruiser or someone that's been on a few sailings looking for advice can use!

From avoiding common mistakes to maximizing what's included in your cruise, I've come up with a list of the best Royal Caribbean tips and tricks anyone can use! So far, I have 60 ways to make your cruise so much better

It's a list of the things to do based on my over 100 cruises, as well as our Royal Caribbean Message Board users. (If you're not a member yet, we highly encourage you to join.)

Book your cruise as early as you can to save money

There is no question that if you want to get the lowest price on a cruise, book it as early as you can.

It's been my experience that the best price for a Royal Caribbean cruise is when it's booked many months in advance.

Royal Caribbean sells its cruises largely based on the concept of supply and demand. When a sailing is first offered, supply is at its highest because no one has purchase a cruise ship cabin yet. As time progress, more and more staterooms are reserved and stateroom inventory drops, so the price increases conversely.

The earlier you can book, the best chance you will have at getting a good price on your cruise.

When I say "early", I mean booking as much as two years before the cruise begins.  While that may be too far in advance for some to plan a vacation, the earlier you can book the cruise, the better for that bottom line price.

Save money by pre-booking packages

To save time and money, you really should pre-book beverage packages, dining packages, internet packages and more.

Royal Caribbean offers a pre-cruise discount on select  purchases compared to the price onboard. And the truth is it will save you money.

When you purchase anything before your cruise via the Cruise Planner site or Royal Caribbean app, you will be required to pay for it at the time of purchase.  This provides the ability to break up the total cost of the cruise.

When you make purchases onboard your cruise, at the end of the cruise you get a final bill with all of the charges tallied up. By pre-purchasing certain items, you can pay off parts of the cruise months or years in advance, allowing you to reduce the cruise bill at the conclusion of your cruise.

Taking the time to purchase anything onboard does not take very much time, but every little bit helps, and some purchases on the first day of the cruise can require waiting in a line, such as drink packages.

Use a good travel agent to book

I think everyone should use a good travel agent to book their cruise, because it will save them time, money, or both.

There are so many considerations that go into a Royal Caribbean cruise, from your cruise fare (and the slew of discounts available), to dining, shore excursions, air travel and more. Using a travel agent simplifies this entire process.

The best reason to use an agent is to save you time, because they are the ones sitting on hold when calling Royal Caribbean.  Tasks such as repricing, making special requests, dealing with weather events and more are why I use a travel agent every single I book a cruise.

Keep in mind that travel agents are paid by Royal Caribbean, so there is no additional cost to you to use their services. Talk to a few agents and feel them out for their knowledge of the product and when you find one that you are comfortable with, leverage their knowledge and expertise and book with them.

Bring a bathing suit on embarkation day

On embarkation day, the pools are open so be sure to pack a bathing suit in your carry-on luggage so that you can enjoy them with less crowds!

Most guests pack their bathing suits in the checked luggage, which means they will not have access to it until later that day. The result is far fewer guests in the pools, hot tubs and water slides than at any other time on your cruise.

You can change in a public restroom, and towels are available at the pool area to use.

Bring magnets for your cabin

One of the best cruise ship cabin hacks is to bring magnets with you on your cruise.

Your stateroom walls are made of metal, and that means you can stick a magnet on any of them (even the ceiling). If you buy heavy duty magnets with hooks, you can use these magnets to store certain items.

Things like hats, coverups, important paperwork and more would be ideal. This frees up storage space in your closets and drawers for other things.

Download Royal Caribbean's app before the cruise

Royal Caribbean's app is a must-have for your cruise, so make sure to download it before your cruise.

Downloading the app before you get on your ship means you'll be able to easily and quickly download it and set it up before you step aboard.

Why is it important to have the app?

In short, the app is tied to so much of the cruise experience now. You can use it to check-into your cruise (more on that in the next tip), book entertainment, shore excursions and packages.

Plus, the Royal Caribbean app will have all of the activities for the day listed so that you can easily reference it during your sailing.

Don't worry, you don't need to buy an internet package to use the Royal Caribbean app. Once you get onboard and connect to the ship's wifi, it will ask you if you want to just use the app.

Check into your cruise as soon as you can 

You'll need a check-in time for embarkation day, so it's best to get your online check-in done as soon as it becomes available.

By completing online check-in early, you will have the best choice of check-in times. And the earlier check-in time you have, the sooner you get to get onboard the ship and start vacation.

The price you pay for the cruise is the same whether you board at noon or 2pm, so you may as well get the extra two hours of fun!

The best spot for sailaway is the helipad

On Voyager, Freedom or Radiance Class ships, be sure to visit the helipad for my favorite sailaway spot.

The helipad on is located on the bow (front) of the ship and during sailaway, Royal Caribbean permits guests access to the helipad. This is a great spot to see the port as you leave, especially for those that do not have a balcony stateroom or simply want something a little different.

Fly to your cruise port at least one day early

If you are flying to your cruise port, be sure to fly in at least one day before the cruise is scheduled to depart to protect against a travel delay.

By planning to arrive to your departure port at least one day early, you assure yourself that a travel delay will not impact your ability to get on your cruise. Having an extra day or two provides a buffer to account for travel delays.  

As an added bonus, by arriving to your embarkation port at least a day early, that means you get to start your vacation sooner!  And in many cases, the port you are departing from has its own cultural and historical attractions that you can explore.

Don't buy kids a dining package

Kids get special pricing at a specialty restaurant, so buy dining packages only for the adults.

Children between the ages of 0-5 are complimentary and ages 6-12 are $10 per child at any specialty restaurant.

When you make a reservation for a restaurant onboard, let your server know the adults have dining packages, but kids don't and you will get a better price than if you bought the dining package for everyone.

Best times for deals at the spa

If you want to find the best prices for the spa on your cruise, consider booking things on port days, or early in the morning or late at night for the best prices.

The common thread among these times is it is when others are unable or unwilling to go to the spa, so prices tend to be better.

Free breakfast at Johnny Rockets on Oasis Class ships

Did you know that Johnny Rockets is complimentary for breakfast on Oasis Class ships?  

All Oasis Class ships offer this option, but many guests are unaware that breakfast is served here, nor that it is included with your cruise fare (Johnny Rockets has a cover charge for lunch and dinner).

Johnny Rockets tends to be not very crowded for breakfast, because many guests are unaware of this option, and it also has a large seating capacity (indoor and outdoor seating options).

Avoid embarkation day lunch lines in the buffet

The Windjammer is the go-to spot for most when they get onboard their Royal Caribbean ship for lunch, but there are good alternatives that are less crowded.

These locations include:

• Aquadome Market
• Park Cafe
• Cafe @ Two70
• Cafe Promenade
• Sorrentos

Look for the cooking stations in the Windjammer

Freshly cooked food is always the best, and there are cooking stations available in the Windjammer that serve up some really tasty options.

In the morning, there is an omelet station available. For lunch and dinner, you can find a rotating set of options that include pasta, stir-fry, crepes and more.

Check with the Windjammer wait staff for a schedule of options. 

You can bring water or soda on embarkation day...

Royal Caribbean allows guests to bring up to 12 bottles/cans of non-alcoholic beverages per stateroom with them on embarkation day.

You can bring soda, water, energy drinks and any other non-alcoholic beverages.

Be sure to pack these items in your carry-on luggage, and not your checked luggage.

...and wine too!

In addition to the non-alcoholic beverages, you can also bring up to two bottles of wine per stateroom.

Each adult may bring one (1) 750 mL bottle, per adult of drinking age, per sailing.

Corkscrews will be provided for guests to enjoy their drinks in their stateroom. If guests wish to enjoy their wine or champagne in a dining or bar venue, there will be a corkage fee applied.

Cruise off-season to really save money

If your schedule allows, the best time to cruise when prices are the lowest are in the off-season and shoulder seasons.

These are the times of year when demand is less for cruises to certain regions. People often wonder what is the cheapest month to go on a cruise, and the key is cruise when others cannot.

Most people go on vacation based around their school or work schedules. If you can cruise during these times, there are some truly low prices to enjoy.

Read a past Cruise Compass

Want to get an idea of what entertainment, activities and things to do (along with times) will be offered on your cruise? Read a past Cruise Compass!

Royal Caribbean does not post or publish Cruise Compasses for upcoming sailings in advance. Nor do they publish their entertainment schedules prior to a cruise. So the best way to learn about what is offered on your cruise is to check out a past Cruise Compass.

There is no way to know in absolute terms what your upcoming Royal Caribbean cruise will or will not offer, but Royal Caribbean insiders will consult past Cruise Compass' to see what was available on those similar sailings to get an idea of what to expect.

Use the porters to help with your luggage

Whether the first day or the last day of your cruise, be sure to grab a porter to make things easier on yourself.

Porters are available to assist with your luggage. Their services are complimentary, although a tip is expected for their trouble.

Commonly it is expected to tip somewhere around $1-$2 per bag. For just a few dollars, you can make the embarkation and disembarkation process significantly easier.

Not only can a porter help take a load off of you, they can greatly assist with disembarkation and getting you through the terminal faster. In many ports, porters have a special line for Customs that allows you to get through it all faster.

Book entertainment before your cruise

If you are sailing on an Oasis or Quantum Class ship, you can pre-book shows in advance, such as the Broadway musicals or ice shows.

Royal Caribbean does not charge for its shows, nor does it charge for advanced reservations. Take advantage of the opportunity to get tickets and not be stuck in a line waiting to enter the theater or worse, miss out on the show completely.

Just like dining, you can reserve shows in advance by going to Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner site. Once logged in, navigate to Onboard Activities and select the show you wish to reserve.

On all ships, check for entertainment reservations once onboard the ship via the Royal Caribbean app.

Research shore excursions before the cruise

The tours and excursions available to book in the ports your cruise will visit are many, so take advantage of the resources online to find the perfect tour before your cruise begins.

While you can book shore excursions onboard your ship, the lines at the shore excursion desk can often be quite long and doing your research from home gives you plenty of time to compare different options and learn what each port offers.

You can view all the shore excursions available by logging into Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner and browsing the shore excursions by port. Each excursion will list the price, details of the activity and any physical or age restrictions.

Royal Caribbean offers a lot of shore excursions in every port and on top of that, you can also consider shore excursions through third party groups to further expand your options.

Keep in mind the differences between Royal Caribbean's shore excursions and third party shore excursions. Here are some basic considerations:

• Royal Caribbean shore excursions guarantee your return to the ship, even if the excursion is delayed.
• Third party shore excursions can offer more personalized tours at a lower price.
• Royal Caribbean shore excursions are fully refundable if your ship cannot dock at a scheduled port.
• Guests can use onboard credit towards purchasing Royal Caribbean's shore excursions if they book onboard.

The Main Dining Room is open for lunch on sea days

Naturally everyone thinks of the main dining room for dinner, but did you know it is often open for lunch (and breakfast) too?

On sea days, the main dining room is open for lunch and it serves up a different menu of options than what is offered during dinner.

No reservations needed, just walk on in and be seated.

Make My Time Dining reservations to avoid long waits

If you are in My Time Dining for dinner, your best strategy is to make reservations either before the cruise, or during the cruise.

By having a reservation, you will be seated faster. The larger the group, the more important having a reservation is to limiting the wait times.

Peak dinner time is between 6:30pm and 8:00pm, so if you plan to dine during these times, reservations are so important.

Look for the outdoor seating areas

If you are on a Radiance or Quantum Class ship, be sure to enjoy your meals outside while at the Windjammer.

The Windjammer on Radiance and Quantum class ships offers an area at the rear of the ship to enjoy any meal with a fantastic view of the ship's wake.  

Oasis Class ships offer outside dining is also available on Central Park and Boardwalk neighborhoods.

Try the signature activities on embarkation day

If you want to try FlowRider, rock climbing wall or zipline, take advantage of lower waits on the first day of the cruise.

Because so many guests are just getting onboard and acclimated to the new ship, many guests are unaware of where the headline attractions are or that they are open on embarkation day.

By going on embarkation day, not only will you likely have a short wait but you may be able to re-ride a number of times!

Stock shareholder benefit

Did you know Royal Caribbean offers extra onboard credit if you own at least a certain amount of Royal Caribbean Group stock?

While buying stock in any company should be based on solid financial planning, if you happen to own at least 100 shares of Royal Caribbean Group stock, you can qualify for bonus credit to spend on your cruise.

Depending on the length of your sailing, you can get up to $250 onboard credit.

• $250 Onboard Credit per Stateroom on Sailings of 14 or more nights
• $100 Onboard Credit per Stateroom on Sailings of 6 to 13 nights
• $50 Onboard Credit per Stateroom on Sailings of 5 nights or less

To redeem this benefit, you just need to email [email protected] with your name, address, confirmation number, ship and sailing date along with a copy of your shareholder proxy card or a current brokerage statement showing proof of share ownership.

Buy travel insurance

Do you really need to by travel insurance? My answer is a resounding, "yes!".

Having travel insurance covers you in case the unexpected should occur while you're on vacaiton.

While you may want to save the added expense, regular medical insurance will not usually cover medical services onboard or in port. It’s recommended to have travel insurance.

Additionally, a cruise vacation, like any other type of travel, poses a risk for trip interruption, delays, and other unexpected issues. From a bag getting lost in transit to flight cancellations, it’s always better to be protected than to not have insurance when you need it most.

Find a roll call for your sailing and meet other cruisers

One of the best ways to stay informed with what's happening on your sailing is to join a roll call for your sailing.

These are forums for discussing your exact sailing with other people booked on it too. 

The benefit of doing this is you get to "meet" other people on your sailing, which may result in new friendships, or saving money on a shore excursion or other activity that has a group discount.

In addition, these roll calls are helpful because someone might spot a change or announcement before you, which can greatly benefit you by getting ahead of the pack.

We have an entire forum dedicated to Royal Caribbean roll calls on our message boards that is totally free to use!

Avoid overpacking

Easier said than done, but you probably won't need all the clothes, shoes, and outfits you think you might need on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

Dress codes look imposing, and you might feel like you need to have more outfit changes in a single day than most celebrities at an awards ceremony, but the reality is it's not nearly that stringent.

Not only are the dress codes quite liberal, you can also re-use the same clothes on the same sailing. Your fellow guests won't notice you wore that pair of jeans or dress from night two.

In addition, Royal Caribbean has onboard laundry services you can use to make wearing the same clothes later in the cruise more practical. Laundry costs extra, but it may save you money compared to paying to check an extra bag at the airport.

Don't assume all Royal Caribbean ships are the same

One mistake first-time cruisers make is to book the cheapest cruise they can find because they assume the ships are more less all the same.

While Royal Caribbean maintains a core experience across all ships, each vessel has its own list of amenities and activities, and even ships within the same Royal Caribbean ship class can vary.

What you want to do is look at what the ship you're considering has to do onboard, and ensure it has the most important options that you want to experience.

An an example, if you have kids and water slides are a must-do, then skip the Vision Class ships. If you want a ship with a Broadway show, book Oasis or Harmony of the Seas, but skip Wonder of the Seas.

The key is to understand what the ship you're booking has and doesn't have so there's no disappointment later.

Your drink package works at CocoCay and Labadee

If you're on the fence about buying a Royal Caribbean drink package, keep in mind you can use them at Royal Caribbean's private islands.

In addition to being able to use your drink package benefits nearly anywhere onboard your ship, Royal Caribbean also extends the benefit to Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas and Labadee in Haiti.

This means you can get extra value from your drink package purchase while anywhere in these private destinations.

In addition to the drink package, a WiFi package also works while at CocoCay. Unfortunately, there's no wifi coverage in Labadee.

Take advantage of all your loyalty benefits

There's an impressive amount of discounts and benefits included in Royal Caribbean's loyalty program that you should absolutely know about in advance.

The exact benefits you get depend on which tier of Crown and Anchor Society you belong to. You start getting benefits after just one cruise, and you never lose your status.

There are discounts, vouchers, and even freebies anyone can take advantage of once onboard.

Be sure to look up all your benefits, and ensure you use the most lucrative Crown and Anchor Society perks during your sailing so you can reap the best rewards!

Eat at specialty restaurants for lunch to save money

Some specialty restaurants will cost less if you eat there for lunch.

Regardless of which day you choose, some specialty restaurants offer a lunch discount compared to dinner.

The menu can vary from lunch to dinner, but the experience is still the same. Any money saved is always welcome!

Two restaurants that always offer a cheaper lunch price than dinner are Chops Grille and Giovanni's Italian Kitchen. In most cases, you should be able to save at least $10 per person compared to dinner (if not more).

Sign up your kids for Adventure Ocean on the first day

Save time on your cruise by getting your kids signed up for Royal Caribbean's complimentary kids programming on the first day of the cruise.

Adventure Ocean will be open on the first evening of your cruise, but they have an open house on embarkation day in the afternoon too.

The open house is when you can go to meet the staff, register your kids, and ask any questions.

This is not only a great opportunity for your kids to become familiar with the kids club, but also save time later so all you have to do when the club opens up is drop them off and be done. Too many parents are unaware of the open house and waste time signing their kids up as the evening session is set to begin.

You can shower in the gym

If your stateroom shower is occupied by a family member, you could go to the gym and shower there instead.

Royal Caribbean's fitness center has separate showers for men and women that is complimentary to use. In fact, most people don't use these showers, so there's a good chance they are unoccupied when you would need it, especially in the evening.

Put your phone into airplane mode

Avoid a huge cell phone bill by putting your phone into airplane mode while on your cruise.

A really common mistake is for passengers to leave their phone on like normal, and come home to a monster bill because of hefty roaming charges. Even if you have an international cell phone plan, cruise ship cellular coverage is rarely included.

In order to avoid having your phone try to use its cellular connection, all modern phones have an ability to turn off its cellular signal by enabling something called, "airplane mode."

By enabling airplane mode, your phone is incapable of using its cellular antenna. It can, however, still use its WiFi and Bluetooth connections to stay connected, if you so choose.

Just turn airplane mode once you get onboard the ship.

This means you can still be on Royal Caribbean's WiFi and use the app, but avoid a huge bill.

Don't book a cabin under or above public areas

Want to know one of the best tips for avoiding the worst cruise ship cabins? Don't book a cabin one deck above or below a public space, such as a pool, dining room, or bar.

Before you book a room, look at the ship's deck plans and look what is above and below your stateroom. Ideally, you want other staterooms on either deck and not public venues like pools, restaurants or other public venues.

Don't over tip

Tipping hard working crew members is a must-do, but double check the bill that it's not already included.

When you purchase a drink at a bar, a service at the spa, or almost anything else onboard, there's likely an automatic gratuity included with your bill.

When you get the receipt to sign, look for the line item that indicates if an automatic 18% gratuity is already included. If it is, you should feel confident that the proper gratuity is being given to that crew member.

You can re-book on your cruise for extra onboard credit

The NextCruise office offers incentives to book another cruise while you're still onboard.

The price of the cruise is the same whether you book at home or onboard. The difference is booking onboard will get you extra onboard credit and reduced deposit.  

You can actually get hundreds of dollars of onboard credit by simply booking onboard, but the exact amount depends on how long a sailing you book and in which stateroom category.

Moreover, the onboard credit is stackable with other discounts Royal Caribbean is offering at the time!

If you're reading this at home, you're still better off booking a cruise now, rather than waiting to book onboard your ship. The reason is Royal Caribbean cruise fares are very erratic, and can change at a moment's notice.

If you wait weeks or months to book a cruise onboard, the price of the cruise may increase and negate any savings you'd receive from the extra onboard credit.

Ideally, you'll book a cruise at NextCruise while on a sailing when struck with the inspiration to book another cruise. But if you're at home, it's still a good idea to book as early as you can to lock in the lowest price.

Don't pack a power strip

Royal Caribbean doesn't allow power strips or surge protectors to be brought on its cruise ships, and they will confiscate it if they find them.

Instead, bring a USB hub. These devices that plug into an outlet and allow you to charge multiple devices at once are permissible and useful too!

Pack socks so you can go ice skating!

Did you know you can ice skate on some Royal Caribbean cruise ships?

On ships that have an ice skating rink, open skate sessions are offered for free, but you will need to wear socks and pants in order to participate. Skates are provided for free by Royal Caribbean.

There are ice skating rinks on Voyager, Freedom, Oasis, and Icon Class ships.

Bring your own hand sanitizer

You can never be too careful on a cruise ship when it comes to personal hygiene, so it's a good idea to pack hand sanitizer.

Similarly, sanitizing wipes are something else to bring that you can use to wipe down surfaces in your stateroom.

Royal Caribbean does a great job of keeping its ships clean, but shared surfaces always have an inherit risk.

Save money and wait to buy an internet package later in your cruise

If you can wait to use the internet until later in your cruise, you could save a lot of money.

While pre-purchasing a WiFi package is the best strategy for the lowest price if you need internet acces all cruise long, if you can go a few days and buy it, you could net big savings.

Royal Caribbean allows you to buy a WiFi package at any point in the cruise, and you're only charged for the remaining days of the sailing.

If you can wait to buy your WiFi package until day three or later, you will save a lot of money!

Look for a parade on the promenade

Royal Caribbean offers a fun family parade on its bigger ships, so be sure to take the kids.

Try to get a spot at least 30 minutes before the parade is scheduled to begin to get the best seats along the Royal Promenade.

Find the Small Wonders

Hidden all over Oasis and Allure of the Seas is a series of art displays known as "Small Wonders", where you will find 42 natural wonders positioned all over the ship.

When you find one, there will be something that looks like a periscope or telescope that if you peer into, you will find these tiny three dimensional pieces of art.

Hint: if you give up and cannot find them all, Guest Services can provide you with a list of them all to help!

Try onboard activities on a sea day

There's far fewer of your fellow passengers on a ship during a port day, so this is the perfect time to try the popular onboard activities.

Water slides, the Flowrider, zip lining, and bumper cars are all much easier to do with shorter waits if you go while your ship is in port.

Go to the spa raffle draw

Sign up for the Vitality Spa raffle on embarkation day and go to the raffle drawing on embarkation day. This is when they give away free spa treatments.

Many people who sign up, do not show up, which increases your odds of winning.

Don't overdo it

Don't try to do everything or you will enjoy nothing.

There is something happening constantly and you can quickly overwhelm yourself. Relax.

If this is your first cruise, focus on the "highlights" they publish. They know those things will give most newbies a great vacation and it will allow you to get your bearings for the next one!

Arrive early for shows if you don't have a reservation

Not all Royal Caribbean cruise ships allow you to pre-book shows, and on ships that do offer it, you may not be able to make a reservation. In either case, you'll want to show up early for any show time.

My advice is to get in line at least 30 minutes before the show time to get a good seat.

Getting there early assures you of a spot and probably a good seat too.

You can learn to surf on a cruise ship

If your ship has a Flowrider surf simulator, it is possible to learn how to surf.

There is no cost to use the Flowrider, and with a little practice it may be possible to get the hang of surfing.

All you need to do is bring your bathing suit and sense of adventure (and a lot of patience) and you might be able to master it!

Unpack completely

It can be tempting to live out of your suitcase, but unpacking makes a big difference.

The rooms are small but they have great storage space. Unpacking and keeping things in their place will make your room more relaxing.

Also, bring something to store your dirty clothes - worst case, throw them in your suitcase. 

Speak up if there's a problem

If something’s not quite right, mention it to a crew member rather than assuming there's nothing that can be done about it.

The crew’s ultimate goal is for you to have a great trip, and they’ll do whatever they can to make that happen.

Meet your cabin attendant as soon as possible

Get to know your room attendant right way to get things going on the right foot.

Your cabin attendant can help you with getting extra towels, ice stocked, and beds arranged. Moreover, they're your go-to resource if you have any problems.

Take photos of your favorite crew members

Take pictures of the crew and name tag that way you have it on your phone and readily available when completing the survey.

The post-cruise survey is very important to Royal Caribbean, and sometimes it can be difficult to remember names or how to spell them.

Start a cruise fund

Start a vacation account as a cruise fund to save for your cruise.

Putting away a few dollars here and there adds up. Maybe it's money towards your cruise fare, or just extra spending money onboard.

Some people will automatically deduct a small amount from each paycheck to move into a special savings account to help budget and save more easily.

Consider a travel credit card

Look at travel rewards credit cards to help fund your trip.

When used responsibly, credit cards have the potential to be very lucrative as ways to offset the cost of your trip. You can use their rewards programs to pay for airfare, have extra spending cash, or offset vacation costs that you'll accumulate during your trip.

Royal Caribbean has its own credit card that allows you to earn free cruises, but it's not necessarily the best travel credit card on the market.

Pack a pashmina

For ladies that tend to get chilly often, it's a good idea to pack a pashmina.

It doesn't take up much room in your suitcase and it comes in handy to keep you warm on the deck or at shows and to put over you head when it is windy. Even the Caribbean sailing can be chilly at night.

Purchase a lanyard for your SeaPass card

Something you won't think of until you get on the ship is how handy it is to have a lanyard for your SeaPass card.

It's a good idea to purchase a lanyard to carry your sea pass card on your neck, for ease of access.

Send your special needs requests in before the cruise

If you have medical issues, or questions, always ask in advance via the Special Needs form.

Royal Caribbean will provide distilled water and an extension cord for a CPAP machine, free of charge, which was a blessing not having to fly with a gallon of water in your checked luggage.

Stay on the ship in one port

This might sound crazy, but take advantage of a less crowded ship by staying onboard during a port visit.

There's so much to see and do on any Royal Caribbean ship, so I think it makes sense to pick one day and focus on what's included onboard.

When I sailed on Icon of the Seas, I regretted not taking advantage of what's onboard more and it felt like I missed out on the ship fun.

Pick one port day to stay onboard, and you'll find no crowds at the pools or signature activities. Don't worry, there are still activities run on a port day and some restaurants will be open too.

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Royal Caribbean offers short 3-night weekend cruises on Utopia of the Seas, but what is special about it?

I've sailed on Utopia of the Seas 6 times so far, and it's my favorite weekend escape. It certainly helps I live just an hour away from the port to be able to hop onboard without much fuss.

But if you're traveling from beyond Orlando, is a weekend enough time to see and do what you want onboard? The answer is a resounding, no.

Wait! That's not the end of this story.

A weekend is also not enough time to experience everything New York City has to offer or a national park.  And yet, we go anyway because you have to start somewhere and no one said you can't come back again.

Royal Caribbean offers short cruises on Utopia as a kind of sampler cruise experience. The primary reason you see a big and new ship like Utopia offering these types of cruises is to offer new cruisers their first try at cruising.

Is Utopia of the Seas a nice ship?

Being the newest Oasis Class cruise ship, it's clear this is the "best in class" offering.

What I mean is you'll find the latest and greatest features and amenities of any Oasis Class ship on Utopia.  Every cruise ship in a class is an evolution from the previous one.  Royal Caribbean likes to innovate with new ships and improve the guest experience as they learn lessons from past ships.

This means the pool deck has an expansive Splashaway Bay, the best integration of the Lime and Coconut Bar, and wonderful seating options around the pool.

The suite sun deck is second-to-none in how it balances seating, bar positioning, loungers, and space in and out of the sun.  Plus, it has a stunning plunge pool that you could sit in all day.

There are smaller decisions on Utopia that made a difference too. They swapped out Wonderland and put in Giovanni's Italian Kitchen and it's easily the most beautiful Giovanni's location in the fleet with amazing views.

On the Royal Promenade you have the Pesky Parrot bar instead of the aging Bionic Bar. Pesky Parrot is more eye catching and a bar you'd want to spend more time at.

Plus, the ship has destination elevators.  I don't think they work as well as the ones on the Icon Class ships, but it's still an upgrade from conventional elevators.

A weekend cruise is great for trying it out, not doing everything

There isn't enough time to see everything on Utopia over just three nights, but it is enough time for a good time.

The cliched saying, "I'm not here for a long time, I'm here for a good time," certainly applies to Utopia.

If you've never been on this ship, there is almost too much to do.  Between all the specialty restaurants, bars, water slides, shows, and parties, you'll feel like you're going in a few different directions.

When you look at what shows are onboard Utopia of the Seas, you find so many choices each evening.

But I think that's part of the appeal of a short cruise.  Cruising isn't about completing a checklist for the sake of saying you "did it". Rather, it's about creating fun memories and doing things you'll brag about later.

No one comes home and starts competing with others for the quantity of things they did to see who snuck more fun in.  

You can do the best things with just 3 nights

The important thing to know is you can definitely see the highlights on a quick weekend cruise.

When I've sailed, I found you can see the main shows, experience a few restaurants, and still have time for fun in the ports you're visiting.

Competing with what's happening onboard are the two ports of call: Nassau, Bahamas and Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Royal Caribbean's private island is incredible because it feels like an extension of the cruise ship. CocoCay has beaches, a pool, and a few extra cost areas.

A visit here is arguably the crown jewel of the weekend, and I'd prioritize your time wisely.  Disembark early and take advantage of a day spent at the beach.

Nassau used to be a defacto sea day because it's traditionally been a disappointing port of call you could skip and stay on the ship instead.

However, the new Royal Beach Club Paradise Island has totally changed that dynamic and I think it's worth spending your day here.

The Royal Beach Club has much prettier beaches, incredible heated pools, and wonderful service. There's no doubt new cruisers that dream of a Bahamas cruise have a place like this in mind when they book.

Even with two full days of fun ashore, you should be able to work in the shows, dinners, and a few parties too.

I'd also recommend trying to take advantage of embarkation day as a time to hit the pools, waterslides, and a few bars.  

New cruise ships, like the record-breaking Icon and Star of the Seas, are popular because of their seemingly endless activities, dining options, and entertainment lineup. However, Royal Caribbean's fleet encompasses more than mega-ships, and its older vessels remain popular with many cruisers.

Royal Caribbean has continued to break its own record for the world's largest cruise ship since the launch of Freedom of the Seas in 2006. That means for nearly 20 years, they have striven to ensure that each flagship continues to push the boundaries of size and onboard amenities. 

Even still, the cruise line has maintained a diverse fleet with older, smaller ships that offer a more traditional cruising experience. For example, a vacation aboard Vision of the Seas would be vastly different than Utopia of the Seas. 

They're continuing to invest in their older ships, too. Through the line's Royal Amplification fleet modernization program, vessels like Mariner of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, and Voyager of the Seas have received significant upgrades, including new dining venues, refreshed public spaces, and added attractions. 

That said, many wonder if the age of your cruise ship actually matters. While newer ships grab headlines with cutting-edge features and world-class entertainment, it's important not to cross older ships off your list too quickly.

To learn more about how ship age factors into safety and operations, we spoke with Don Goldstein, a retired Commander of the U.S. Coast Guard, who worked for the Coast Guard for about 30 years. He was involved with the regulation and inspection of commercial vessels, including passenger and task vessels, and the ports that serve them.

During Commander Goldstein's career, he was stationed on all three coasts of the United States: Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf. Additionally, he represented the Coast Guard's business in North and South America, Europe, Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Far East.

In this article, we'll explore what a cruise ship's dry dock entails, today's environmental concerns, the life expectancy of modern-day cruise ships, and what it takes to keep the older vessels in service.

Routine maintenance is an ongoing process to ensure that older ships are well-maintained

According to Goldstein, routine maintenance is well-planned and supported. It encompasses more than periodic dry docks, too. For example, maintenance is continually done throughout the ship's life. 

"[T]hey can (and do) change out an entire piston on an engine while underway. The maintenance is accomplished on a planned cycle for each system and happens every day in accordance with the plan," he explains. 

"This includes changing filters, cleaning valves and piping, changing hydraulic fluids, testing emergency systems like emergency generators, [and] testing backup steering systems."

Dry docks, which occur twice within any five years with no more than 36 months between them, are another critical component of a cruise ship’s upkeep. They are planned years in advance to allow ample time to order the necessary parts and have the right contractors present. 

During a ship's dry dock, all hull openings are checked, and the valves are cleaned or replaced (if needed). Additionally, primary systems, including firefighting, navigation, and lifesaving, are inspected or replaced. 

"Anchor chains and lifeboat cables may be 'end-for-ended,' and all lifeboat food and water are inspected and/or replaced. Other issues or concerns that have occurred may be dealt with, such as when Allure’s azipod needs work," Goldstein added. 

Older ships may also require more extensive work in the dry dock due to changes in technology, as well as normal wear and tear caused by the harsh marine saltwater environment.

Cruise ship life expectancy has increased 

Thanks to better materials, design plans, and maintenance, Goldstein estimates that Royal Caribbean hopes to get at least 30 years of service out of any cruise ship built within the last 15 years. 

"Every new ship probably has a longer life expectancy than the last one, but it is incremental. For ships built in the 1990s, I expect they wanted to get at least 25 years of service," he said. 

Safety is more closely tied to the cruise line's willingness to invest in maintenance 

Given the ongoing maintenance and inspections by the Flag State and Port States, the safety of the vessel itself isn't an issue. It comes down to the ship's maintenance cost and whether the cruise line wants to continue funding it. 

As such, one of the key factors that determines when a ship is ready to be retired and/or scrapped is money. 

"[Michael Bayley, I think, said] the older ships' break-even point is 50% of capacity, while for the newer ships it is closer to 35%. He didn’t say word-for-word, but I suspect the introduction of azipod technology has a lot to do with this," Goldstein explained.

"Routine maintenance isn’t cheap, and there is a point where it is not economically feasible to maintain the ship. At that point, they will typically sell the ship to a lower-end cruise line."

Sovereign of the Seas, for example, was transferred to Pullmantur in 2008 when she was 20 years old. She remained with the small cruise line for over ten years until she was scrapped in 2020 after 32 total years in service. 

New LNG ships and growing environmental concerns could impact the operation and lifespan of older vessels

"LNG ships are more efficient than oil-powered ships, but I think the bigger concern is the increased environmental awareness on the part of many littoral states and countries," Goldstein said. 

In other words, he assumes that growing environmental regulations will eventually cause older ships to be retired or transferred to smaller cruise lines that sail to isolated ports of call. 

For example, new international regulations require ships to reduce their speed as they approach many ports in an effort to reduce emissions. 

Pros of an old cruise ship

Just because a cruise ship is older doesn't mean it's bad. Sure, it may not have the flashy water slides or state-of-the-art theater. Instead, guests love the relaxed vibe, easier navigation, and strong sense of nostalgia that mega-ships can't offer. 

Other pros of an old cruise ship include less nickel-and-diming, with features like the sauna and steam room included in the base fare, an overall lower cost compared to newer vessels, and the ability to visit more unique destinations. 

Plus, quality control is typically more consistent on older ships, since the crew doesn't have to worry about feeding five, six, or even seven thousand passengers. 

Read more: I've cruised on one of Royal Caribbean's smallest ships and one of its biggest. I was surprised how much I liked the small ones

Cons of an old cruise ship

Even still, older cruise ships aren't right for everyone. For example, despite regular dry docks and maintenance, they can still feel outdated compared to newer vessels.

The cabins, especially, are less modern and lack amenities that are on newer ships, including multiple charging options, smart lighting, refreshed color palettes, and more. 

Moreover, older ships have limited entertainment options and fewer dining venues. For example, if you are sailing on Icon of the Seas, you'll find a high-tech theater, an indoor AquaTheater, and over 20 distinct dining options. 

Comparatively, Vision of the Seas has fewer restaurants that are primarily limited to a traditional Main Dining Room and buffet, along with simpler entertainment offerings. 

Read more: I sailed on an older Royal Caribbean ship and a newer one

Royal Caribbean ships by age: oldest to newest

• Grandeur of the Seas (1996)
• Rhapsody of the Seas (1997)
• Enchantment of the Seas (1997)
• Vision of the Seas (1998) 

• Voyager of the Seas (1999)
• Explorer of the Seas (2000)
• Radiance of the Seas (2001)
• Adventure of the Seas (2001) 

• Brilliance of the Seas (2002)
• Navigator of the Seas (2002)
• Serenade of the Seas (2003)
• Mariner of the Seas (2003) 

• Jewel of the Seas (2004)
• Freedom of the Seas (2006)
• Liberty of the Seas (2007)
• Independence of the Seas (2008)

• Oasis of the Seas (2009)
• Allure of the Seas (2010)
• Quantum of the Seas (2014)
• Anthem of the Seas (2015)

• Harmony of the Seas (2016)
• Ovation of the Seas (2016)
• Symphony of the Seas (2018)
• Spectrum of the Seas (2019)

• Odyssey of the Seas (2021)
• Wonder of the Seas (2022)
• Icon of the Seas (2024)
• Utopia of the Seas (2024)
• Star of the Seas (2025)

• Legend of the Seas (2026)**
• Fourth unnamed Icon Class ship (2027)**
• Seventh unnamed Oasis Class ship (2028)**
• Fifth unnamed Icon Class ship (2028)**

Royal Caribbean is moving up the launch of its next new cruise ship, Legend of the Seas, with an earlier first sailing.

An email sent to guests booked on the former earliest Legend of the Seas sailing explains there's now a new option.

The first sailing available to book is now a July 4th cruise, which is one week earlier than the July 11th sailing.

"We simply cannot wait to show off The Next Icon of Vacations – Legend of the Seas, that we have now added one (1) extra sailing, a 7-Night Western Mediterranean Cruise on 4 July 2026, that will be the inaugural sailing to kick off the celebrations for our inaugural season!"

This is the second time Royal Caribbean has moved up its inaugural sailing for Legend.

Why the change? Evidently construction is proceeding quickly and the new ship will be ready ahead of schedule.

Anyone booked on the July 11th sailing has a chance to book the new sailing first.

Earlier launch options

Legend of the Seas will be the third Icon Class cruise ship, and it will debut in Europe first.

The newly added sailing begins on July 4th and offers a 7-Night Western Mediterranean Cruise.

If you're booked on the July 11th sailing, Royal Caribbean will allow you to transfer your current booking to the new sail date in the same suite or like-for-like stateroom currently booked. This is on a first come, first served basis.

Many cruisers book the first sailing because they want to be onboard before anyone else.  It's partially bragging rights and partially excitement to experience something brand new.

Your original stateroom category price will either be protected at your original cruise fare rate or reduced to the current cruise fare rate (whichever is lower). This applies to the cruise fare only. Taxes, fees, gratuities, and other non-cruise fare items will be at the prevailing rate.

Any flights purchased through Air2Sea will be handled by their team to assist in changing flights. Plus, Royal Caribbean will cover any non-refundable air and/or hotel change fees up to $200 for domestic and $400 for international.

The change must be requested by February 3, 2026.

If Royal Caribbean doesn't hear from someone booked on the July 11th sailing, they'll remain on that booking with no changes.

Legend of the Seas will debut almost a month earlier than originally planned

Construction has moved swiftly on Legend of the Seas, and the new ship will be ready almost a month ahead of schedule.

Royal Caribbean originally announced the inaugural voyage on August 2, 2026.  

But then in September 2025, they added three new 7-night sailings to move the ship schedule up.

Royal Caribbean has done similar changes with the launch of Star of the Seas, when four "showcase sailings" were added before the official inaugural.

Just like Legend, Star of the Seas was ready early and that meant they would add new sailings.

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

What's different about Legend of the Seas

While it might be the third Icon Class ship, it will not be a direct copy of Icon or Star of the Seas.

While it might be the third Icon Class ship, it will not be a direct copy of Icon or Star of the Seas.

Legend will add an immersive train car restaurant that takes you on a virtual gastronomic tour through Asia and Europe, inspired by the travels of Marco Polo.

In fact, there will be 28 places to eat on this ship, including a revamped AquaDome Market food hall that will have all new food stands, along with a brand-new juice and smoothie bar serving freshly squeezed refreshments.

Roald Dahl’s "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" will be performed aboard as the musical show in the Royal Theater.

The Hollywoodland Supper Club will offer a fancy multi-course menu set to the music of the golden age of Hollywood.

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.

It's under construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland.

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.

Exactly two years ago today, every other cruise ship in the world became outdated with the inaugural sailing of Icon of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean built this ship to be a game changer, designing it from the very beginning to be different.

Her first sailing from Miami was filled with excitement and anticipation. Like many others, I was curious if the ship could live up to the hype it had already generated.

Her launch was nothing but spectacular and Icon has collected awards, accolades, and plenty of praise from cruisers who adore how well it's laid out, amenities onboard, and innovations that were introduced.

Icon of the Seas is more than just "the biggest ship", it's changed what we expect from cruises.

Why Icon was such a big deal

Royal Caribbean made a bold bet with Icon of the Seas.  It was a "white paper ship", which meant it was designed from the beginning without any preconceived notions of what it would be based on.

The first in its class, Icon borrowed some elements from other ships but introduced its own design.  The design team posed all sorts of ideas, especially taking into consideration feedback from guests over the years of what they wanted in a ship.

When we finally got our first look at the design, it definitely looked different.

The new ship was not only big, but had top decks that didn't look like the pool decks other ships had. There was a wide split design, with an entire water park, suspended infinity pool, multi-tiered pools, and a giant glass dome at the very front.

Her design was so revolutionary that it spurred knee-jerk reactions from people who were so taken aback that they called it a "monstrosity".

Of course, Icon was different and it looked the part.

Icon promised what no ship had delivered before, and it was certainly not cookie cutter.  While different in look, her launch quickly subdued any pre-launch skepticism.

Redefining the cruise ship layout

Neighborhoods aren't a new concept with the launch of Icon, but I think they took it to a new level.

As an example, the Aquadome neighborhood is both functional and a visual centerpiece.  

Of course it's home to the Aquatheater, but they expanded the footprint of the area to include my new favorite complimentary restaurant on any ship. And it has a stunning vantage point in front with bars and great seating choices.

Surfside gave families with young kids an oasis to enjoy everything they need in one area, and this family-first design philosophy stands out when on other ships kids programming feels like it's copied and pasted into random areas that had space for it.

But my favorite thing about the layout of Icon of the Seas is how it changed traffic flow and onboard pacing.

Adding a two-level Royal Promenade that loops around, offering stairs and escalators between decks 4-7 to make it easier to get between floors, and destination elevators all fundamentally changed how we navigated the ship.

Whether you were on the Royal Promenade, around the pool deck, or going to a show, crowds were few and far between.  

Thrill factor that lived up to the hype

Plenty of cruise ships have water slides, but the fact Icon had an entire waterpark really made a big difference too.

Category 6 waterpark set a new precedent in the thrill "arms race" that no other ship has matched.

I also think Crown's Edge is another good example of next-gen thrills that guests clearly love.

Then you have the Flowrider, rock wall, mini-golf, sports court, ice rink, and the assortment of activities you'd expect a Royal Caribbean ship to have.

Plus, Icon appealed to both adrenaline seekers and cautious cruisers because all of these thrills are the things families would want to do together.

That's been a key element to all Royal Caribbean cruises, where you feel a draw to experience this sort of vacation together.

How Icon held up over two years

Two years later, I think Icon of the Seas is still the standard all new cruise ships are held against.

Crowd management, even during peak sailings, is consistently good. In fact, when I sail on non-Icon Class ships, it's almost a let down in having to rely on conventional elevators and spaces that feel more crowded.

Moreover, we see the ship's legacy carrying with Star of the Seas and the soon-to-be-launched Legend of the Seas. These are exciting ships that generate their own assortment of hype because Royal Caribbean isn't content making them all the same.

With the announcement that Icon will move to Galveston, Texas next year, we're seeing when an Icon Class ship calls on a new homeport, it's a difference maker.

I've sailed on Icon of the Seas a few times since her launch and it works so well.

To its credit, Icon of the Seas has had a ripple effect across the fleet.

Utopia of the Seas had destination elevators added, the Royal Caribbean app saw a number of updates and new features that were first designed for Icon, and even Wow Bands have been re-discovered among fans.

I think Icon accelerated change in many ways across the fleet.

Two years later: Icon’s place in cruise history

It may be a few more years before we're ready to put Icon of the Seas on the Mount Rushmore of cruise ships, but it's well on its way.

There's no question it has lived up to its hype of being a game changer.  I think it follows in the wake of ships like Sovereign, Voyager, and Oasis of the Seas that each turned heads and generated a great deal of excitement and anticipation with their respective launches.

Icon has also ushered in a new era of modern cruising. You can see the difference when you go on an Icon Class ship versus even a ship from 10 years ago in how the ship flows, its operations, what's offered onboard, and more.

I think it's safe to say a decade or two from now when Icon is no longer among the biggest and many of its firsts fade from memory, it will still be considered a "must-do" vacation.

Royal Caribbean is one of the most popular cruise lines in the world. And although the cruise giant has hundreds of thousands of loyal fans, some cruisers have surprisingly unpopular opinions about their favorite line. 

With its record-breaking ships, world-class amenities, and countless itineraries that span the globe, Royal Caribbean has built a reputation for doing things bigger than any other line at sea. 

Many cruisers can't imagine straying from the cruise line. However, despite the deep-seated loyalty, not everyone thinks the onboard experience is without its faults. 

A recent Reddit post on the r/royalcaribbean thread sparked a conversation about what cruisers dislike the most about the line, with some opinions bordering on controversial.

"Unpopular RCCL opinions. What are your hot takes about Royal Caribbean cruises?" asked Redditor thatCRUISEagent. 

In less than six hours, the post received over 250 comments from cruisers eager to share their unpopular Royal Caribbean opinions. 

Drink packages aren't worth the money

Royal Caribbean's drink packages are among the cruise line's most popular add-ons. While the base fare includes a limited selection of beverages, from tap water to iced tea, drip coffee, milk, and juice, many guests upgrade to a package for a wider selection of drinks for a set daily price. 

The prices vary. However, the Deluxe Beverage Package typically runs anywhere from $56 to $120 per person, per day — though you can typically save money by purchasing it in advance through the Cruise Planner.

While many can argue that the drink package is a worthwhile investment, some can't fathom drinking enough to break even daily. 

"I don’t drink often and found myself struggling to make the drink package worth it," commented NewToReddit4331. 

AbjectFray isn't a fan of the packages, either, saying that they're "overrated and a scam."

Boarding times don't matter

Post-COVID, Royal Caribbean implemented boarding times to streamline the embarkation process and manage crowds in the terminal building. 

Today, you're still asked to select an arrival time when checking in for your cruise. However, many guests have found that arriving outside their window often doesn’t make a difference.

"[You don't] need to wait up for online check-in at midnight, [and you] don't need an early boarding time to be first on the ship," commented tidder8.

A lot of other cruisers chimed in, sharing their personal embarkation experiences, agreeing that the boarding times were rarely enforced. 

joeconn4 added, "That's what we have found too...We usually show up about 60-90 minutes after the announced first boarding times...We're usually at least 1 or 2 blocks earlier than our reserved time. Sometimes we have to stand in a short line, I think the longest in that line has been maybe 10 minutes, usually we walk right in."

Read more: Royal Caribbean check-in process

The Promenade parties are annoying

Royal Caribbean's themed parties are a part of the onboard experience that many cruisers look forward to. However, some passengers aren't fans of them. 

"Promenade parties are annoying. I don’t mind one or two here and there, but when it’s every night and people are taking all the chairs from Café Promenade, Sorrento’s, and the surrounding bars just to line them up on the promenade, it gets frustrating," said User_Name_Tooken. 

"I agree. I prefer they do these type[s] of parties outside on the Lido Deck when the weather is nice. This is what other cruise lines do. Unfortunately, Royal hasn’t designed a good place on the Lido Deck to have parties," Free_Manufacturer657 wrote in agreement. 

They don't need to offer as much trivia as they do

Trivia is a popular cruise ship activity that lets passengers test their knowledge and compete with fellow guests. On Royal Caribbean ships, sessions range from general knowledge to Harry Potter and more. That said, despite the popularity of the trivia events, some cruisers feel the line overdoes it. 

"Trivia games are their crutch and used to pad out the activity schedule. And find another place for it instead of jamming up the schooner bar," Pinsided explained. 

Not only that, but many guests think that the trivia sessions aren't held in large enough venues, which can lead to overcrowding and frustration if passengers don't arrive early. 

"They should do trivia on the first floor of the theater or something, it’s always mega crowded. Or just do trivia at multiple locations to split the crowd?" said dukefett.

Speciality restaurants aren't worth the added cost

Specialty dining on cruise ships is a must-do for many travelers who value an upgraded culinary experience. However, a lot of cruisers don't think it is worth the extra money when there's an all-you-can-eat buffet and multi-course meals in the Main Dining Room (MDR). 

"Most specialty dining is overrated. It's not actually bad, but the quality increase is minimal for the price charged. [There are] a couple of exceptions, but mostly you're not getting that much of an improvement," shared TheAzureMage. 

longhorns7145 agreed, saying, "Yea we quit doing the dining. Izumi is alright but not a fan of the others. [There are] just too many free options that are great to justify the paid dining."

Read more: These 6 extra cost restaurants are worth booking, and the 2 you can skip

The casino should be smoke-free

Royal Caribbean has begun adding smaller non-smoking casinos on many of its ships. On Freedom of the Seas, for example, Vintages in the Royal Promenade was replaced with a smoke-free casino. However, the main casinos, with the most variety of games, still allow smoking. 

"The casino should be smoke free but still have a smaller enclosed area for smokers. NCL does this on their newer ships and it's lovely!" suggested untitled_folder. 

AllAreStarStuff agreed, saying, "I wanted to try the casino, but we had to walk through it to get to our muster check in. This was before the cruise even started. The whole place smelled so strongly of smoke that we didn’t go near it again."

Read more: Royal Caribbean opens its non-smoking casino on its newest ship

Royal Caribbean should start catering to younger crowds

Every cruise line has its target audience, and Royal Caribbean is no exception. While the cruise line is widely known for being family-friendly, with its newest Icon Class ships marketed as the best multigenerational vacations at sea, some argue that it should shift its focus to younger crowds. 

"I'd really say it’s time to start catering more to the younger crowd, especially anything to do with music," wrote Eco_guru. 

Another passenger chimed in, sharing their experience aboard Allure of the Seas in December. Traveling with friends in their late 20s and early 30s, TheGirlWithTheFace said that they went to the Red Party "to throw it down like [they] were 20 again." However, they ended up leaving about 30 minutes later because "the DJ was so lame."

The new elevator system isn't efficient

A common complaint with most cruise ship elevators is that they can get extremely crowded. As such, a few lines, including Royal Caribbean, have begun adding destination elevators to their fleet. 

These elevators are different from standard elevators in that they assign passengers to a specific car based on their selected deck, rather than having guests cram into the next available elevator. 

That said, not all cruisers are convinced the system improves efficiency, with many saying that the wait times are even longer than before. 

"The new elevator systems on ships like Utopia make the elevator experience much slower, vs older ships where elevators take 1-2 minutes max to arrive," wrote thatawkwardmoment8. 

Read more: Technology that changed cruises: 5 of the best uses of tech on Royal Caribbean today

Royal's older ships are better than the new ones

Royal Caribbean's fleet spans nearly three decades. The line's oldest vessel at sea is Grandeur of the Seas. The Vision Class ship entered service for Royal in 1996. Comparatively, Star of the Seas, the line's newest Icon Class ship, began sailing in August 2025. 

As such, the fleet offers a wide variety of experiences. You don't have to sail on a ship with massive water parks, zip lines, or AquaTheaters. In fact, some cruisers prefer the line's older vessels. 

While they may not be as modern, they offer an intimate atmosphere that mega-ships cannot replicate. Plus, they are typically cheaper and can visit more unique ports of call. 

"The older ships are way better than the newer ones. My first cruise was on Independence and it's still my favorite ship I've been on," shared AyAyAyBamba_462. 

"Bigger ships are not necessarily better. We've done impressively big. Now scale back and build new ships (or enhance existing ships) with more fun features and less intimidating size," HawaiianShirtsOR added. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean ships by age — Newest to Oldest

Is it worth upgrading to a balcony on a cruise?

Perhaps no other question is asked more of me by new cruisers because they want to know if they should spend more money for one.  I usually tell them yes, but there's a few things to know.

On any Royal Caribbean ship, there are more balcony cabins than any other type of stateroom.  It's a reflection of how popular balconies are and how much people really like them. That alone tells you a lot why you'd want to book a balcony cabin on your next cruise.

However, they aren't cheap and I think new cruisers tend to overestimate how much time they will actually spend in their room.

More importantly, I don't think staying in a cheaper, inside room would necessarily be a mistake.  I think the question of "is it worth it to pay extra for a balcony cabin" often comes out of fear an inside room is a problem waiting to happen.

Rather, I think of a balcony as an affordable splurge for something even nicer to enjoy.

Here are the 7 best reasons to book a balcony and why it's worth it.

It's a bigger room

Not only do you have access to the outside (I'll get to that next), but the room is simply larger.

Cruise ship cabins tend to be smaller than hotel rooms, and it's something first-time cruisers notice quickly.

If you're sharing a room, having more living space matters a lot. This is especially true if you are sharing your stateroom with kids.

You can expect to have 20-50 less square feet of space in an inside room, and trust me, that makes a difference.

With a balcony, I find myself doing less shuffling as I try to get from one side to another.

A private space outdoors with fresh air

Yes, the selling point of any balcony is you can step outside and have access to fresh air and a view.

It's undeniable how lovely it is to have your own outdoor space to watch the scenery, enjoy the fresh air, read a book, or all of it.

Plus, being able to step outside while your ship is in port is fantastic. It's great for people watching, seeing what's happening in town, and otherwise soaking in the experience.

Many new cruisers tend to gravitate towards a balcony room because they have this fear of feeling confined in the room. Having easy access to the outdoors is a selling point for them.

I prefer a balcony for sailaway or while in port. 

It can be quite hot on a balcony if you're cruising in the summer, but when the temperature is right, it's a great space to take full advantage of.

A place for breakfast or a drink

Every balcony room has a small table, and it's the perfect spot for breakfast to be delivered.

Did you know there's a complimentary breakfast option with room service? They can set up the food anywhere in the cabin you like, including the balcony.

You can time breakfast with your ship's arrival into port for one heck of a view.

You could also grab a drink at a bar and bring it back to your balcony to enjoy.  There are no rules preventing you from taking a drink at any bar and walking around the ship with it, including bringing it back to your room.

For those that prefer a quieter and more private sail away experience, a BYOB approach works perfectly.

Watching your ship's arrival is magical

While there is public deck space to watch your ship sail into port, experiencing it from your balcony is amazing.

Every time I've cruised in Europe, I've booked a balcony cabin so I can see us pull into each city and get a pseudo-tour and first look.

Waking up and stepping out to your balcony to see an entire city in front of you is incredible.

If I'm not feeling like going outside, I can sit on my bed and watch it all happen from the comfort of laying down and air conditioning.

The cost of a balcony isn't always expensive

Yes, a balcony almost always cost more than inside room. However, it isn't always substantially more expensive.

The price of a balcony room varies considerably, and in some cases it can be just less than $500 to upgrade to a balcony.

Because there are so many balcony cabins on a cruise ship, inventory is highest for these type of cabins.  When demand for cheaper cabins rises, inside cabins sell out faster and that leads to price drops for a balcony.

This situation doesn't always happen, but it's worth pricing out a balcony before assuming it's out of your budget.

It changes how you use sea days

Sea days hit differently when you have a balcony.

When you wake up in the morning, try not to step out on the balcony and see what's viewable, gauge the weather, or simply enjoy the view.

I think it's the difference between traveling on a cruise ship versus traveling by sea.

When you come back to your room, you'll feel drawn to your balcony. I find sea days can be so busy with activities that there's something pleasurable about retreating to your balcony.

You get to experience the ocean on ships that are usually inward focused

This is a Royal Caribbean specific benefit, but a balcony room allows you to feel like you're on the ocean more.

Royal Caribbean ships tend to be very inward facing and focused.  Many people comment how you don't even know you're on a cruise ship while sailing with Royal Caribbean because there aren't many connections to the ocean.

Oasis Class ships, especially, suffer from this because everything you're doing is indoors.

Having an oceanview balcony forces you to interact with the ocean itself: wind, salt air, changing light, and the motion of the ship.

A major winter storm is wreaking havoc across the United States, and one Royal Caribbean ship will not return to its homeport on time.

Odyssey of the Seas was scheduled to return to Bayonne, New Jersey on January 26th but will now take an extra day.

"Due to the major winter storm affecting much of the east and northeast US, and the impacts to land-based travel and port operations, we are delaying our arrival into Bayonne by one day," an email sent to passengers booked on the ship read.

The historic winter storm historic has impacts across nearly 40 states and began on Friday.  It's expected to carry through to Monday.

The New York City area is expecting 8 to 12 inches of snow

Odyssey of the Seas is one of the bigger cruise ships in Royal Caribbean's fleet.  It launched in 2021 and is 167,704 gross tons in size. It's the newest Quantum Class ship in the fleet.

There are two reasons for delaying the ship for a day.

First, it allows the storm to move out of the area and for the port itself to be prepared to handle turnaround day on a ship. 

A cruise terminal requires government officials to handle immigration and customs inspection, longshoremen to offload cargo and luggage, parking assistance, port workers, and more.

Second, this allows anyone traveling into the area more time to make it in.

As of Sunday, more than 16,000 flights have been canceled and thousands more were expected to be canceled over the weekend.

"This will allow for the weather to improve and shore-based operations to recover. For many guests experiencing difficulties getting to Bayonne, we hope this relieves some worry as you'll have an extra day to make it there safely," the email said.

This ship measures 1,138 feet in length and can accommodate 4,198 guests at double occupancy.

New sailing schedule

As a result, Odyssey of the Seas will now sail on Tuesday with a modified itinerary.

Odyssey was scheduled to offer a 12-night Southern Caribbean cruise that visited 

• San Juan, Puerto Rico
• Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas
• St. Johns, Antigua
• Bridgetown, Barbados
• Castries, St. Lucia
• Philipsburg, St. Maarten

As a result of the delayed start of the cruise, Odyssey will now skip San Juan, Puerto Rico and Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas.

Both of those days will be replaced with sea days.

The new schedule is as follows:

Compensation

As a result of the last-minute change, Royal Caribbean is offering compensation to guests to make up for it.

Technically, the cruise contract that all guests agree to when they book a cruise guarantees nothing in terms of changes, but the cruise line is offering some money back as a gesture of good will.

All passengers will receive a one day refund of cruise fare paid as onboard credit. Any unused credit at the end of the cruise will be refunded back to the credit card on file.

Royal Caribbean will also reimburse passengers for non-refundable, pre-purchased travel fees incurred, such as a hotel, train ticket, or rental car.  

Plus, one night of a hotel stay up to $250 for one night will be reimbursed.

Airline change fees will also be covered up to $200 USD per guest for Domestic, or up to $400 USD per guest for International flights.

• Any pre-paid internet or beverage packages will be refunded for 1-day’s worth of the price paid
• Any pre-paid Royal Caribbean shore excursions booked for San Juan and Charlotte Amalie will also be refunded

Bonus day

Guests sailing on Odyssey of the Seas for an extra day received letters in their stateroom explaining how the extra day will work and what to expect with disembarkation.

"Our plan is to begin debarking guests at 7:00 AM on Tuesday, January 27th in Bayonne. We kindly ask that you stick to your departure group to ensure a smooth and seamless transition to your onward journey."

Passengers that purchased unlimited drink packages will have them extended at a reduced rate:

• Deluxe Beverage Package: $50 USD per person
• Refreshment Package: $20 USD per person
• Soda Package: $5 USD per person
• VOOM Internet: $15 USD per day
• The Key: $15 USD per day
• Unlimited Dining cannot be extended at this time

Guests can go to Guest Services and ask to not have their package extended.

In addition, gratuities will be extended as well by one more day. 

Royal Caribbean has an automatic gratuity they charge guests for each night of the cruise to cover the hard working crew members. That means every passenger in a standard cabin will be charged an additional $18.50, or $21.00 per person in suites.

Live from Odyssey of the Seas

A Royal Caribbean Blog reader, JohnK6404, is onboard the current Odyssey of the Seas sailing and shared the change in plans from the ship.

"Captain Per came on at 2:00 PM and confirmed we will be extended one FULL day and will not be returning to Bayonne now until Tuesday, 1/27, at 6:00 AM!"

"We are so lucky that we do not have to stress over the return trip. I really feel for all of the folks that are dealing with this mess especially those flying in or out!"

He shared a photo of the ship's progress, showing it turning away from Bayonne.

Second Royal Caribbean ship to change itinerary because of this storm

Odyssey is the second ship to have her plans changed from this storm.

Earlier this week, Harmony of the Seas cut its cruise short and skipped a port visit to Cozumel in order to return to Galveston, Texas.

"We are tracking the development of a major winter storm expected to impact Southeast Texas beginning late Saturday. In order to give you the best chance at a safe and uninterrupted journey home by avoiding the winter weather impacts to local infrastructure and transportation," an email to passengers read.

The result was to cut its sailing short by a day.

Guests had the choice to stay onboard for the extra day or disembark as soon as it returned.

Happy weekend! I hope you're staying warm and if it's snowing where you are, enjoy the beauty and remember you could be on a cruise instead! In the meantime, I've got all of this week's Royal Caribbean news to share with you.

Royal Caribbean has begun building a new Icon Class ship, with plenty more to go along with it.

Construction officially began on the unnamed fifth Icon Class cruise ship at a shipyard in Finland.

Two other Icon Class ships are also under construction, plus a 7th Oasis Class ship. That means there are four Royal Caribbean cruise ships being built at the same time.

Royal Caribbean News

• Damage to Mexican pier forces Royal Caribbean and NCL ship to skip visits
• China, Japan tensions force Royal Caribbean to make more changes to cruise ship itineraries
• New cruise terminal plans announced for Los Angeles
• Royal Caribbean combo packages: What's included in a bundle and is it worth it?
• I tried Hooked again after years of avoiding it. I was surprised how much better it has become
• Why doesn't Royal Caribbean have overnight visits to its private island
• How to get wrinkles out of clothes while on a cruise
• I visited Norway on a cruise. Our trip would've been better if we had done these 5 things differently
• 8 Ways to meet people and make friends on a cruise
• Royal Caribbean soda package review
• Is a refundable cruise deposit actually worth paying for?

New RCB Video: The tricks to getting your Royal Up bid accepted

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 — The tricks to getting your Royal Up bid accepted — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Royal Caribbean cancels cruise two days before it begins

Anthem of the Seas will be sidelined and its next cruise cancelled because of a propulsion problem.

An email says, "a technical issue on its last sailing" forced the cruise line to cancel the sailing that was scheduled to begin on Tuesday.

Instead, Anthem will limp home and return to Sydney later than expected.

Winter storm forces Royal Caribbean to end cruise a day early

A Royal Caribbean ship sped back to its homeport earlier than expected to avoid the worst impact of a giant winter storm expected to hit Texas.

The Oasis Class ship skipped a visit to Cozumel and went immediately to Galveston.

The cruise line said it made this choice, "to give you the best chance at a safe and uninterrupted journey home."

Is it rude to skip the Main Dining Room without telling your waiter?

What's the proper etiquette for informing your Main Dining Room waiters if you're coming to dinner the next night?

A lot of cruisers will let their waiters know if they have alternate plans, but there is a raucous debate how out of your way you should go to tell them.

Being polite is important to a lot of cruisers, but it's an interesting debate.

Man found dead in his room on Royal Caribbean cruise sailing from Singapore

A 27-year-old man was found dead in his cabin as a cruise ship returned to its homeport.

The incident occurred on Ovation of the Seas, which had returned to the Marina Bay Cruise Centre in Singapore.

Police do not suspect foul play based on preliminary findings.

Comparing the Alaska cruise ships in Alaska in 2026

Royal Caribbean will have four cruise ships in Alaska this year, so which is the best option?

The biggest change will be a Quantum Class ship will offer one-way sailings from Seward for the first time, allowing you to combine a land tour with a big ship experience.

Each ship has its pros and cons, so here's what to consider before you book one.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 593rd episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, reflecting on the new Points Choice program.

Now that we have the details of how you can earn loyalty points while sailing on other cruise lines, Matt shares his thoughts on what it means.

Please feel free to subscribe via YouTube, iTunes or RSS, and head over to rate and review the podcast on iTunes if you can! We’d appreciate it.

Wrinkles can make a stylish outfit look messy and unkempt. However, getting wrinkles out of clothes on a cruise ship isn't as easy as using your iron at home. 

Cruises have strict fire-safety rules, meaning that heat-producing items, including steamers and irons, are banned from being brought onboard. Instead, passengers must rely on savvy hacks to keep clothes from looking sloppy. 

I've tried many tried-and-true methods over the years, from hanging my dresses in the bathroom to strategically packing to prevent annoying creases before they form. 

Here are some ideas on how to get wrinkles out of your clothes while at sea — and why you shouldn't try smuggling a steamer or iron on the ship. 

You can't bring iron or steamers on a cruise

Steamers and irons are fire hazards; the high heat and electrical draw can overload cabin wiring or ignite flammable materials in confined areas. As such, they are banned by most mainstream cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean and Celebrity. 

It's not smart to try and conceal prohibited items in your luggage, either. In fact, you shouldn't be surprised if you find your steamer or iron confiscated. If that happens, you'll have to visit the table of shame on disembarkation day before leaving the terminal. 

Luckily, there are safe alternatives to keep your clothes wrinkle-free while on vacation. 

Wrinkle-release spray

Although it's no substitute for traditional irons, a generous spritz of wrinkle-release spray will help remove the larger creases from your clothing.

Wrinkle-release spray works by using a combination of water and fabric softeners to relax the garment's fibers. 

All you have to do is hang the clothing item in question, whether that's a t-shirt, sundress, or slacks, spray it until it's lightly damp, and gently tug the fabric with your hands. 

Plus, many wrinkle-release sprays also have anti-static properties, which will help your clothes stay cling-free. 

Travel-sized bottles are sold at retailers like Five Below, Target, Walmart, and more. You can also purchase it from Amazon — a convenient option for those who have one too many pre-cruise errands to cross off their list in time. 

Use your bathroom as a steam room

My favorite, cost-effective method for eliminating pesky wrinkles from clothes on a cruise ship is by using the steam from the bathroom. 

I'll hang the creased item in the bathroom while I'm showering, letting the warm steam relax the fibers naturally. 

I'll then let the garment sit as I'm styling my hair or finishing my makeup. I've found that this works better than wrinkle-release spray. Plus, it does not cost anything! 

If you're short on time, you can use a hair dryer for quick fixes. Lightly dampen the area of concern, then blow-dry the fabric. However, keep the dryer a few inches away so you don't damage the fabric or cause the dryer to overheat. 

Send clothing out for pressing

Perhaps the most expensive option is to use the ship’s laundry and pressing services for an added fee. The crew members will professionally press shirts, dresses, slacks, and more, ensuring that you're picture-ready for formal night. 

Pricing varies. However, you can generally expect shirts to cost around $2.00 each, dresses $7.00, long pants $4.00, and evening gowns $15.00. Note that these prices are for pressing only. Wash & press is more expensive. 

Moreover, same-day service is available for an added cost. Otherwise, your items will be returned by 5:30 p.m. the following day. 

Did you know that Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club cruisers get one complimentary bag of laundry on sailings of 5 nights or longer?

Top-tier passengers can use this perk to either have their wrinkled garments washed and dried early in the voyage or so they return home with less laundry.

That said, as soon as you reach Platinum status, you can save $5 off any dry cleaning or pressing order of $25 or more. It's not enough to book another cruise with, but every little bit adds up! 

Read more: Royal Caribbean laundry services on your cruise

Use packing cubes

One of the easiest ways to get rid of wrinkles is to prevent them from forming in the first place. Although some fabrics are more prone to creases than others, using packing cubes to compress and organize your clothing helps minimize the chances of wrinkles. 

Another advantage of packing cubes is that you can fit more into a smaller suitcase, eliminating the need to pay for checked baggage. Moreover, it's easy to unpack, as you can simply throw the packing cubes into drawers and on shelves. 

If you don't have packing cubes, consider rolling your clothes before placing them in your suitcase. Rolling clothing helps keep fabrics smoother. However, you should still fold structured pieces, such as shirts and slacks, along the natural seams. 

Read more: 115-item Ultimate Cruise Packing List (Printable PDF)