Royal Caribbean Blog

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)

A Royal Caribbean cruise ship experienced a propulsion issue and now the next sailing is cancelled.

Guests booked on Anthem of the Seas for the January 27th sailing received notifications from the cruise line that their sailing has been cancelled because of, "a technical issue on its last sailing".

"Anthem of the Seas experienced a technical issue on its last sailing, and we're returning to begin required maintenance. Unfortunately, we will not be able to complete the needed repairs in time for our 27 January sailing."

"As a result, we are canceling our Anthem of the Seas cruise."

Anthem of the Seas is a Quantum Class cruise ship that launched in 2015 and has a maximum capacity of 4,905 passengers.

According to an email sent by the cruise line, Anthem of the Seas will head in for repairs but the work required necessitates cancelling the next sailing.

The cancelled sailing was a 10 Night New Zealand Cruise from Sydney, Australia.

The cruise line apologized for the cancellation, "we're truly sorry for this disappointing news".

Technical issue on its last sailing

Guests on the current sailing of Anthem of the Seas reported the cruise ship coming to a brief halt during its voyage.

A guest on the ship shared this report, "Anthem stopped for an hour In the ocean. "

"Now we are late going back to Sydney and next cruise is canceled."

That same person was told the issue is related to the ship's azipod.

Azipods are multidirectional pods that drive the ship and can be rotated 360 degrees. They are the standard form of propulsion for all of Royal Caribbean's new cruise ships in recent years.

Another person reported that Anthem will be delayed to arrive into Sydney until 4pm on Tuesday.

"I'm on the Anthem right now. We are limping back to Sydney with a bad prop. We were supposed to be there at 6:30am and aren't returning to port until after 4:30pm"

Anthem of the Seas is a 168,666 a gross ton vessel.

It's a large cruise ship, and is 1,141 feet long.

Full refunds

Emails sent to passengers on the cancelled sailing outlined the compensation options for them.

First and foremost, Royal Caribbean is offering a 100% refund, including taxes and fees, pre-paid packages and gratuities, amenities, shore excursions purchased through Royal Caribbean.

In addition, guests will get a 25% Future Cruise Credit to make up for the last-minute cancellation. This credit can be used towards the purchase of a new cruise.

Royal Caribbean is also reimbursing non-refundable, pre-purchased travel fees incurred (such as a flight, hotel, train ticket, or rental car).

• Up to $200 USD per guest for Domestic flight changes, or up to $400 USD per guest for International flight changes
• Up to $250 USD per stateroom for up to 2 nights of hotel accommodations
• Up to $100 USD per person, per day for incidentals

Propulsion issues occasionally occur

This issue with Anthem of the Seas' propulsion is not unheard of with cruise ships.

While all of Royal Caribbean cruise ships undergo regular maintenance work, propulsion problems can still occur. Just like well-maintained cars at home, cruise ships can have engine problems.

In the grand scheme of how many cruise ships operate each week, breakdowns such as this are quite rare.

Other cruise ships have had propulsion issues that forced a cancellation or at least an itinerary change. It's more common for the ship speed to be affected and itinerary changed than the entire sailing cancelled.

Los Angeles is ready to welcome a new era of cruise travel with a brand-new terminal project. 

(Credit: Pacific Cruise Terminals, LLC)

On January 22, 2025, the Port of Los Angeles announced that Pacific Cruise Terminals, LLC (PCT) was selected as the developer and operator of the new Outer Harbor cruise terminal. The project was initially announced in 2024. 

PCT, a joint venture between Carrix, Inc. and JLC Infrastructure, will also redevelop and operate the existing World Cruise Center on the Port's Main Channel. 

The Outer Harbor cruise terminal will be able to handle the newest and most environmentally sustainable cruise ships in California. It will also offer open spaces, recreational facilities, and enhanced access to the LA Waterfront for residents and tourists. 

(Credit: Pacific Cruise Terminals, LLC)

"This new Outer Harbor cruise terminal and World Cruise Center redevelopment will allow us to capture more of the rapidly growing cruise business, while also establishing Los Angeles as the primary West Coast gateway for cruise operations," said Port Executive Director Gene Seroka. 

"This project will also be a huge win for our Port communities, who will greatly benefit from the economic activity generated by such significant public and private investment in our LA Waterfront."

At the time of publication, PCT hasn't released an estimated timeline for when the terminal will be operational and open to cruise passengers. However, it's sure to boost Los Angeles’ position as a leading cruise destination for West Coast vacations. 

Read more: I flew across the country for a 3-day cruise. I maximized the trip by making a few smart decisions

Booming cruise passenger numbers drive LA's expansion

In 2025, the Port of Los Angeles welcomed over 240 cruise calls and a record-breaking 1.6 million passengers, up from 183 calls and 1.1 million passengers in 2024, according to the Port’s website. 

Last year, Royal Caribbean made the strategic decision to deploy Ovation of the Seas to California. As such, the Quantum Class ship became the largest cruise vessel to ever dock at the World Cruise Center. 

Moreover, Carnival Cruise Line announced plans to construct a new $26-million shoreside destination in Ensenada, Mexico, a popular cruise port on sailings from Los Angeles. 

Both these moves highlight a growing demand for bigger and more modern cruise ships in the region. 

Each cruise ship visit generates roughly $1.3 million in local economic activity, supporting thousands of jobs in the tourism and hospitality sectors, along with crucial port operations. 

Carrix is the parent company of SSA Marine

SSA Marine recently announced it is pushing to build a new multi-berth cruise port in Manatee County, Florida. 

According to the proposal, the terminal would be built on a roughly 328-acre coastal property known as the Knott‑Cowen tract at the mouth of Tampa Bay. 

As such, situating the terminal beyond the Bob Graham Sunshine Skyway Bridge would finally open Tampa to larger cruise ships. 

Currently, only smaller vessels, such as Royal Caribbean's Vision Class ships, can operate from Tampa due to the bridge's height restrictions. 

Although the new port project is in the early planning phase and has not been officially approved, initial work to identify and evaluate potential environmental, traffic, noise, and public access considerations has already begun.

Pending approval, construction of Tampa's newest cruise terminal would take three to five years.

Like the Port of Los Angeles, the Port of Tampa Bay had record-breaking numbers in 2025. The Western Florida cruise port welcomed over 1.6 million cruise passengers last year, along with over 262,000 shipping containers, as reported by Spectrum Bay News 9. 

Read more: A new proposal could solve the Tampa cruise problem that limits ship size

The best cruise I took last summer was my European adventure that brought me around Norway. But not everything went as I had hoped.

I cruised to Norway on three different sailings, including one on Silversea.  It's an incredibly beautiful country, and seeing as much of it by ship proved to be a great idea.

The issue I ran into was despite my planning, not every aspect worked out to my liking.

Still, I had a great vacation in Europe and it was the kind of trip I know my family will be talking about for many years.

Any good trip requires planning, packing, and a good strategy for tackling every day. You don't need military precision, just a smart approach that leverages experience and advice.

Here are five things I would've done differently on a recent cruise to Norway.

Planning out our hikes would have made it much more enjoyable

We thought it would be a good idea to mix in a hike, but for novices, it's not as simple as it sounds.

Hiking is a great way to appreciate the natural beauty of Norway, but there's a fine line between "leisurely" and "strenuous", especially since a lot of hikes are graded by people that do it all time.

While in Molde, we wanted to try out a hike that promised stunning views of the city and surrounding area. 

Our first mistake was implicitly trusting ChatGPT to pick a trail for us, even when specifying we needed something easy for kids. It suggested the Varden Molde Panorama.

However, if we had cross referenced that with a site like AllTrails, we would have seen it's listed as "moderately challenging route" and "takes an average of 3 h 7 min to complete."

The grade of the hike was too difficult for us, and made it barely half way up. We shared in a good laugh after how difficult it was, but I was dejected that we didn't get to conquer it.

Next time, I'll need to rely on human advice for picking out a fun, yet not-so-challenging trail to try.

I wish I had spent money on Uber a few times

In the cities we visited, walking seemed like the right idea to get around because the cities are mostly flat and not very large.

However, I regret how much walking we did just to save a few bucks on transportation.

The issue is we'd be full of energy and vigor and ready to walk all around a city. Inevitably, we'd reach our destinations on foot and then realize it's a lengthy walk back.

In Oslo, we wrestled with the notion if we should walk all the way back or pay for an expensive Uber ride. Our group ultimately decided on walking.  I saved money, but I also had sore feet.

The problem with sore feet is you're using those same feet the next day in port, and it all adds up.

I'm not advocating to explore Norway next time by private car everywhere, but I think it if there's a walkable, yet long distance, paying for transportation might be a smarter decision to ensure you can enjoy the trip.

I regret booking a multi-hour bus tour

If there's one shore excursion I instantly regretted, it was a bus tour of the fjords in Olden.

I booked a panoramic bus tour of Nordfjord, and while we did stop at some lovely places, the pacing and length of time on the bus diminished the value.

I think experiencing natural beauty is best with more time spent walking and exploring an area, rather than a 15 minute bus tour.

Bus tours might work for some people, but I despise how slow they move and how little time you seem to have in places you care about.

Worse, our bus tour was late getting back to the ship for the all aboard time. It was a Royal Caribbean excursion, so I wasn't worried about getting left behind.  But on principle it bothered me, and also meant we had no time to grab a souvenir afterwards.

If I could do Olden over again, I would have either booked a small group tour or simply stayed within Olden and enjoyed the stunning lakes there.

Relying on weather forecasts was a waste of time

Every evening my family and I would talk about plans the next day and inevitably we'd check weather forecasts and none of them ever agreed on what we could expect.

After a couple of days, I stopped even checking the weather forecast because they were inconsistent and usually incorrect.

Weather in Norway can best be summed up as, "it might be sunny, cloudy, rain a little, and then back to sunny again."

My advice is plan for a little of everything. Have a lightweight jacket that you can put on if it rains or if its cold, but something you can easily stuff into a backpack.

Dress with a t-shirt and sweater, so you can easily take the sweater off or put it back on.

I certainly would not make or cancel plans based purely on weather forecasts and "go with the flow".

I spent too much money on soda

An Americans, my family is used to having a Coca-Cola with lunch. But in Europe, that's an expensive habit.

A single can of Coke would cost at least 3 or 4 Euros, and that adds up quickly among everyone in the family and across multiple days.

There are two ideas I could have relied on to avoid this unnecessary expense.

First, is to rely on either water provided or bring a water bottle along. Given how much we walked, having water is probably a better choice anyway.

Second, we could have taken cans of soda off the ship with us for a meal.  

We had a beverage package onboard, and it would have been easy enough to stash it in a backpack if the kids really wanted a soft drink with their meals.

Royal Caribbean is ending one of its cruises early to avoid winter storm Fern.

Passengers on Harmony of the Seas were informed on Thursday that their sailing will be cut by a day because of the storm. The Oasis Class ship was supposed to call at Cozumel, Mexico, on Friday, January 22. However, the final port visit of the 7-night Western Caribbean cruise was canceled at the last minute. 

Now, the 226,963 gross-ton vessel will spend Friday at sea en route to Galveston, with plans to arrive in Texas around 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 23. 

"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, we have decided to arrive in Galveston one (1) day earlier than originally scheduled," read a letter delivered to current passengers. 

(Credit: OldPostageScale/X)

Guests do not have to disembark on Saturday. If they wish to remain on board until Sunday, they may do so. 

However, remaining passengers must inform their cabin attendant or Guest Services by 12:00 p.m. on Friday. Unfortunately, the stores and casino will be closed in Texas, though. 

"Due to Customs and Border Protection requirements, all guests extending their stay will be asked to debark the ship with their travel documents in hand and reboard once the ship has been fully debarked. Luggage can stay onboard, no need to bring it shoreside with you," the letter continued.

(Screenshot taken at 9:50 a.m. EST. Credit: Cruise Mapper) 

Cruise Mapper shows that as of Friday at 9:50 a.m. EST, Harmony of the Seas had already cleared the Yucatán Peninsula and was sailing north through the Gulf of Mexico toward Texas.

Harmony departed from Galveston on Sunday, Jan. 18. There were no impacts to the first part of the itinerary, with the ship calling at its scheduled ports of Roatán, Honduras, and Costa Maya, Mexico, before the sailing was adjusted.

Compensation for the early return

All passengers will receive a one-day refund of the paid cruise fare as an onboard credit. 

Additionally, all pre-paid Royal Caribbean shore excursions for Cozumel, Mexico, were automatically canceled and refunded as onboard credit to guests' SeaPass accounts. 

According to the letter, onboard credits can be used anywhere on the ship, and any remaining amounts will be refunded to the card on file at the end of the sailing. 

Thankfully, there's no impact on the Crown & Anchor loyalty benefits that guests will earn for the weeklong cruise. 

"You'll receive loyalty points for the original sail nights, instead of the nights sailed. For this sailing, you'll still receive 7 nights worth of loyalty points," the letter concluded. 

Winter Storm Fern has placed more than 200 million Americans under weather advisories

The potentially historic winter storm is expected to bring snow, high winds, and freezing temperatures to 230 million people in more than 30 states across the U.S., from Arizona to Texas, North Carolina, and Massachusetts. 

Local officials have told residents to prepare for widespread power outages, travel disruptions, and school closures. 

Airlines are also bracing for significant flight delays and cancellations, with more than 1,000 flights already canceled on Saturday, CNBC reported. 

As such, carriers have waived change and cancellation fees, as well as fare differences, for major airports across the country. Even restrictive basic economy fares can be changed without penalty. 

Royal Caribbean's Grandeur of the Seas was forced to skip a scheduled stop in Costa Maya because of reported damage to the cruise pier. 

Grandeur was expected to arrive in Costa Maya, Mexico, around 7:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 22. However, passengers were informed ahead of time that the visit would have to be canceled. 

"Grandeur of the Seas port stop at Costa Maya cancelled...due to damaged pier from today," shared Md Tag Service Agent on X. 

A letter was later delivered to impacted passengers explaining the last-minute change and shore excursion refund options.

"We hope you're enjoying your time onboard the beautiful Grandeur of the Seas! As we continue our voyage, we wanted to inform you about a change to our itinerary," the letter begins.

"Due to damage at the pier in Costa Maya, Mexico, we'll have to skip our visit and enjoy a [sea day] instead. We're terribly sorry for the last-minute change...We thank you for your understanding and look forward to the remainder of our time together!"

All pre-paid shore excursions booked through Royal Caribbean will be automatically canceled and refunded to guests' SeaPass accounts as onboard credit. Any remaining credits at the end of the cruise will be refunded to the card on file.

(Screenshot taken at 9:04 a.m. EST on Jan. 22. Credit: Cruise Mapper)

Cruise Mapper confirms that Grandeur was unable to arrive as scheduled. Instead of showing the Vision Class ship in Mexico, the popular tracking website shows the vessel sailing north along the Yucatán Peninsula.

Although Grandeur wasn't able to safely dock in Costa Maya, three other cruise ships — including Harmony of the Seas, Rhapsody of the Seas, and TUI's Mein Schiff 1 — were still able to call at the port on Jan. 22. 

This seems to indicate that the damage was limited to a single cruise pier area in Costa Maya. At the time of publication, it's unclear how long repairs might take or whether future Royal Caribbean sailings could be affected by the damage. 

Grandeur of the Seas is currently sailing a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise from Tampa, Florida. 

The Vision Class ship departed on Jan. 17 and called at Cozumel, Mexico; Roatán, Honduras; and Belize City, Belize, earlier this week. She's expected to arrive back in Florida as scheduled on Jan. 24. 

Norwegian Encore is also skipping Costa Maya

Norwegian Encore, a Breakaway Plus Class ship, won't be calling at Costa Maya as planned, either. In a letter delivered to guests shared in a public Facebook group, passengers were told they couldn't dock at Costa Maya because of circumstances "beyond [their] control." 

However, this last-minute change is allowing passengers to make history as the first overnight cruisers to visit Great Stirrup Cay.

"[W]e're thrilled to announce an extraordinary, first-of-its-kind experience, an overnight stay at our private island in the Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay. This will mark the first overnight visit offered to Norwegian Cruise Line guests," the letter says. 

(Credit: Laura Clingo/Facebook)

"This moment gives you the opportunity to be among the first guests to experience Great Stirrup Cay after dark, truly making cruise history...As the sun sets, the energy shifts to an unforgettable evening celebration, with all nighttime activities focused on the vibrant Great Life Lagoon, the all-new pool area."

Guests can freely roam the island until midnight, but they won't want to miss the Glow Party under the stars from 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

The next day, passengers will have until 5:00 p.m. to enjoy the island’s beaches, pool, and other amenities. 

Read more: Cruise line spends $150 million to make its private island even better

Grandeur of the Seas is Royal Caribbean's oldest cruise ship 

Grandeur of the Seas entered service in December 1996. Not only is she currently the oldest operating ship in Royal Caribbean's fleet, but she is also the smallest. 

Grandeur measures just 73,817 gross tons with a passenger capacity of 1,992 at double occupancy. Comparatively, Star of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's newest Icon Class ship, comes in at 248,663 gross tons and can carry 5,610 guests at double occupancy. 

Grandeur of the Seas will offer Caribbean cruises from Tampa, Florida, through May 2026. Afterward, she'll move to Central and South America and embark on a series of Southern Caribbean cruises from Colón and Cartagena. 

Then, beginning in April 2027, Grandeur will sail from San Juan, Puerto Rico, for a few months before moving back to Central and South America in December. 

Royal Caribbean quietly rolled out a new add-on that bundles some of the most popular cruise add-ons into one combo package.

At first glance, these seem like the "easy button" solution, but at over $100 per person, per day, it's a major up-front investment.  However,  these bundles combine a full-cruise drink package with access to extra-cost areas at Perfect Day at CocoCay or the new Royal Beach Club Paradise Island. 

For the right cruiser, these combos can be a big money-saver. But others may be overpaying for things you might not use. 

Here's what Royal Caribbean's combo packages include, how the pricing really works, and how to decide if one actually makes sense for your cruise.

What's are the combo packages?

Combo packages are an all-in-one bundle that combines a beverage package with entry to extra cost areas of Perfect Day at CocoCay and/or Royal Beach Club Paradise Island.

Instead of buying each add-on separately, Royal Caribbean offers them together at a discounted daily price.

Each of the combo packages are priced per person, per day and the daily price includes an unlimited drink package, and up to two extra cost areas

• Deluxe Beverage Package + Royal Beach Club Open Bar Day Pass
• Refreshment Package + Royal Beach Club Non-Alcoholic Day Pass
• Deluxe Beverage Package  + Ultimate Beach Combo (Royal Beach Club & Hideaway Beach)
• Refreshment Package + Thrill & Chill Combo (Royal Beach Club & Thrill Waterpark)

There are a few things to know up front:

• The drink package applies to the entire length of the cruise, not just beach days
• Beach club and CocoCay access applies only on the port day
• Combos aren't available on every sailing
• Pre-cruise discounts are often tied to sales, casino offers, or loyalty status

They're also not available on every sailing. Primarily you can expect to find them on a sailing that visits either Nassau and CocoCay.

How much do they cost?

There's a daily fee for the entire duration of the cruise, and it's available to book before the cruise begins.

Like all of Royal Caribbean's pricing, it's based on your sail date, ship, and demand.  That means one person could pay more than someone else on a different ship.

Plus, Royal Caribbean has extra discounts tied to Casino Royale status, or Crown & Anchor status.

Here are example prices for an upcoming Utopia of the Seas 3-night cruise:

• Deluxe Beverage Package + Royal Beach Club: $110.99 per guest, per day
  • $332.97 total for 3 nights per person
• Refreshment Package + Royal Beach Club Non-Alcoholic Day Pass: $74.99 per adult, per day, $27.99 per child per day
  • $224.97 total for 3 nights per adult
  • $119.97 total for 3 nights per child
• Deluxe Beverage Package  + Ultimate Beach Combo: $124.99 per guest, per day
  • $374.97 total for 3 nights per person
• Refreshment Package + Thrill & Chill Combo: $100.99 per guest, per day
  • $302.97 total for 3 nights per adult
  • $227.97 total for 3 nights per child

If you have status with the casino, the Deluxe Beverage Package + Royal Beach Club price drops to $100.99 per guest, per day and the Deluxe Beverage Package  + Ultimate Beach Combo drops to $113.99 per guest, per day.

Combo packages vs buying separately

The obvious question is do these bundles actually save you any money compared to buying it all separately.

Using my Utopia sailing example, here is how the pricing works out for a combo versus booking the items individually. Keep in mind I have Prime casino status discount applied to my offers.

• Deluxe Beverage Package + Royal Beach Club: $302.97
  • Deluxe Beverage Package: $179.97
  • Royal Beach Club Day Pass: $136.99
  • Combo savings: $13.99
• Deluxe Beverage Package  + Ultimate Beach Combo: $341.97
  • Deluxe Beverage Package: $179.97
  • Royal Beach Club Day Pass: $136.99
  • Hideaway Beach Day Pass: $49.99
  • Combo savings: $24.98
• Refreshment Package + Royal Beach Club Non-Alcoholic Day Pass: $224.97
  • Refreshment Beverage Package: $92.97
  • Royal Beach Club Day Pass: $139.99
  • Combo savings: $7.99
• Refreshment Package + Thrill & Chill Combo: $302.97
  • Refreshment Beverage Package: $92.97
  • Royal Beach Club Day Pass: $139.99
  • Thrill Waterpark pass: $64.99
  • Combo savings:  -$5.02

In all but one package, I would save money by purchasing a combo.  Multiply the savings per person, and it can add up.

Are Royal Caribbean combo packages worth it?

Combo packages can make sense for the right buyer, assuming you were already interested in everything the bundle includes.

The cost savings aren't enormous, but it's enough that it's worth buying compared to each item individually.

The better question is, are you interested in everything the combos include?  Meaning, you already planned to buy a Deluxe Beverage Package and you were planning to visit Hideaway Beach, Thrill Waterpark, or Royal Beach Club anyway.

If so, the combo deal offers prepaid convenience and predictable onboard spending.

However, combo packages may not be ideal if:

• You don’t drink much alcohol (or any)
• You prefer free CocoCay areas
• You only want beach upgrades for one person in the cabin
• You’re sailing with kids who don’t need drink packages
• You don’t want to commit in advance

Should you buy a Royal Caribbean combo package?

Royal Caribbean is offering a convenient way to package popular add-ons into one, and it could save you money.

Before buying, I'd recommend doing the math to ensure the combo will actually save you money. These are not automatically a good deal. However, for the right cruiser, they can offer real savings and convenience. 

If you were already planning to buy a Deluxe Beverage Package and a paid beach experience, the combo is often cheaper, but only if you would’ve bought both anyway.

As with most cruise add-ons, it's important to match the package to how you actually will cruise before blindly buying it.