Royal Caribbean Blog

After taking more than 30 Royal Caribbean cruises, I’ve learned that embarkation day lunch can either be a relaxing start to your vacation or a stressful one.

Like many cruisers, the first thing I usually want to do after stepping onboard is grab something to eat. Between the excitement of finally boarding, exploring the ship for the first time, and carrying around my luggage after a long travel day, lunch quickly becomes a top priority.

While Royal Caribbean’s Windjammer Marketplace buffet is the most popular choice for embarkation day lunch, it’s often packed with passengers dragging luggage through crowded buffet lines. When staterooms aren’t ready yet and everyone is trying to start their vacation at the exact same time, many people naturally head straight to the Windjammer.

Last year, I sailed on Utopia of the Seas for the first time with my parents and grandparents. After completing our muster drill, we made the mistake of heading straight to the Windjammer for lunch. It was an absolute zoo! My poor grandma struggled to navigate through the crowds with her walker, and finding a table large enough for all of us felt nearly impossible.

Because of experiences like this, I usually try to avoid the Windjammer if the ship has enough alternative dining venues. Thankfully, Royal Caribbean’s newer ships make this much easier with more dining options.

For instance, I recently sailed on Odyssey of the Seas and chose to dine at El Loco Fresh on embarkation day. I love the selection of Mexican options here, so I grabbed a quesadilla for lunch. It was much quieter than dealing with the buffet crowds and ended up being a more relaxing way to start the cruise.

Of course, not every ship has endless dining choices. If you’re sailing on an older Vision or Radiance Class ship, the Windjammer may still be your best option for embarkation day lunch. 

With fewer complimentary dining venues onboard, your choices are more limited. Smaller spots like Park Cafe or Cafe Latte-tudes are often available too, although seating and menu selections can be minimal.

If you’re wondering where to eat after boarding your Royal Caribbean cruise, here are the restaurants that are usually open on embarkation day and the spots I personally think are worth trying first.

Complimentary restaurants open on embarkation day

The good news is that Royal Caribbean always has several complimentary dining venues open once passengers begin boarding, although what’s available depends on the ship you’re sailing on.

Windjammer Marketplace

The Windjammer Marketplace is the main embarkation day lunch venue across Royal Caribbean’s fleet. This large buffet typically opens first and remains available throughout most of the boarding process until sailaway approaches.

You’ll find a huge variety of food, from salads and sandwiches to pasta, burgers, international dishes, desserts, and fresh fruit. Some ships even offer special embarkation day food events, like Utopia of the Seas’ Seafood Extravaganza, which some passengers don’t realize is only available on the first day.

For first-time cruisers, the Windjammer can feel exciting because there are so many choices immediately after boarding. However, it’s also usually the busiest dining venue during embarkation day. On larger Oasis, Icon, and Quantum Class ships, I personally think it’s worth seeking out smaller venues instead.

Park Cafe

One of my favorite alternatives is Park Cafe, especially on Oasis Class ships. Located in Central Park, this complimentary cafe serves lighter options like sandwiches, soups, salads, and desserts.

Many passengers forget about it on embarkation day, which means it’s usually less busy than the Windjammer. You can also enjoy the fresh air in Central Park while visiting this restaurant on Oasis and Icon class ships, making it one of my favorite spots for embarkation day lunch.

Cafe Promenade and Cafe Latte-tudes

Cafe Promenade and Cafe Latte-tudes can also be good options if you only want something quick after boarding. Depending on the ship, you’ll typically find pastries, pizza, finger sandwiches, cookies, and coffee drinks. Seating can be limited, but these venues are often much less chaotic than the buffet.

If you’re sailing on an older Royal Caribbean ship, this will be your main alternative to the Windjammer Marketplace on embarkation day.

Sorrento’s Pizza

Sorrento’s Pizza is another great option for embarkation day lunch after boarding your ship. If you board later in the afternoon and don’t want a large meal, grabbing a few slices of pizza while continuing to explore the ship can be an easy option.

In my experience, Sorrento’s Pizza can still be pretty busy on embarkation day. Since passengers typically enter the Royal Promenade area when boarding the ship, Sorrento’s Pizza is a convenient place to grab a bite to eat. Because of this, many people tend to gravitate here for a slice of pizza, as it’s one of the first places they see after boarding.

El Loco Fresh

On select ships, El Loco Fresh has become one of my favorite embarkation day lunches on Royal Caribbean. Available on Icon and Oasis class ships, along with select Quantum and Freedom class vessels, the casual Mexican venue serves tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and nachos near the pool deck. The atmosphere usually feels much more relaxed than the Windjammer during boarding.

Solarium Bistro

Another hidden gem on some Oasis and Quantum Class ships is the Solarium Bistro. While many passengers head straight to the buffet, the Solarium Bistro often has a quieter atmosphere and lighter buffet-style offerings for lunch on embarkation day. I’ve found it to be one of the best places to escape the crowds while still enjoying a full meal.

AquaDome Market

Royal Caribbean introduced the AquaDome Market on its Icon Class ships as a food hall-style dining venue with several different food stations. It’s quickly become one of the best embarkation day lunch spots in the fleet because it helps spread passengers out while offering far more variety right after boarding. Depending on the station, you can find everything from crepes and Mediterranean dishes to Asian specialties, BBQ, and South American favorites.

Other venues

Depending on your ship, you can also find complimentary venues like Dog House, Wipeout Cafe, Surfside Eatery, Surfside Bites, or Basecamp open during embarkation day lunch hours. Royal Caribbean’s newest ships generally offer the widest variety of complimentary dining choices on the first day.

Is the Main Dining Room open for lunch on embarkation day?

In most cases, Royal Caribbean’s Main Dining Room is not open for embarkation day lunch, so this won’t be an option for most passengers.

However, there is one major exception. Guests who purchase The Key program typically receive a complimentary embarkation day lunch in the Main Dining Room. This can be one of the more relaxing dining experiences onboard during the busy boarding process.

Specialty restaurants open on embarkation day

If you don’t mind paying extra, several specialty restaurants may also open for lunch on embarkation day.

One advantage of booking a specialty lunch on the first day is that these restaurants are often far less crowded than complimentary venues. If you purchased a specialty dining package, you can usually begin using it immediately after boarding as well.

Common specialty restaurants that may open for lunch include Chops Grille, Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen or Giovanni’s Table, Jamie’s Italian, Johnny Rockets, and Playmakers Sports Bar. Unlike dinner reservations, embarkation day lunch at specialty restaurants is usually first-come, first-served.

Personally, I avoid the Windjammer buffet whenever possible on embarkation day

After many cruises with Royal Caribbean, I have a pretty basic embarkation day routine. After boarding, I’ll arrange specialty dining meals for the cruise, complete my muster drill, and then grab a bite to eat.

If I’m sailing on a newer Oasis, Quantum, or Icon Class ship, I avoid the Windjammer whenever possible. Instead, I usually head straight to one of the smaller complimentary venues because they’re significantly less chaotic during the first few hours onboard.

For instance, I cruised across Asia last year aboard Anthem of the Seas. As a Quantum class ship, we were able to visit The Cafe at Two70 for lunch on embarkation day.

This is one of my favorite places on the entire ship, as it’s located inside the stunning aft-facing Two70 venue with massive floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the ocean. During the day, the space is typically very calm and relaxing compared to the busy pool deck. This makes it a great place to grab a snack any time, but especially on embarkation day. The cafe serves lighter options like sandwiches, salads, soups, and pastries on embarkation day.

However, if I am sailing on an older ship with fewer dining venues, the Windjammer buffet is often unavoidable. In those cases, I try to board early before the buffet becomes completely packed. If that’s not possible, I try to wait until staterooms are announced as being open, as this usually clears out the crowds in the Windjammer.

I’ve also learned that embarkation day can feature unique menu items or special food events that don’t happen later in the cruise. For example, Utopia of the Seas offers a Seafood Extravaganza in the Windjammer Marketplace, but it’s also usually available in the Solarium Bistro.

How to check what restaurants will be open on your ship

One of the easiest ways to see what will actually be open on embarkation day is by checking the Royal Caribbean app for your specific sailing. You can click on the dining section and scroll through the different restaurants to view each venue’s hours. In my experience, most dining venues are open for lunch on embarkation day, including both complimentary spots and specialty restaurants.

Royal Caribbean tends to keep embarkation day dining schedules fairly consistent between sailings, so you can also review recent Cruise Compasses online. This can give you a good idea of what to expect before you board if the app hasn’t updated yet for your sailing.

Dinner on the first night is less confusing

By dinnertime on embarkation day, Royal Caribbean’s dining operations are usually fully running. That means nearly all complimentary and specialty restaurants onboard will be open as normal, including the Main Dining Room.

By this point in the day, most passengers have already dropped off their luggage in their staterooms, explored the ship, and settled into vacation mode. Instead of everyone rushing to grab food immediately after boarding, passengers are more spread out across the ship during dinner service.

Whether you choose traditional dining, My Time Dining, specialty restaurants, or casual venues, dinner on the first night is usually much less confusing and chaotic than embarkation day lunch.

As cruise prices only seem to be on the rise, there's still one port in Florida I can usually count on a good deal that is often overlooked by new cruisers.

Florida is known as the "capital of cruising" because of the state's historical role as being the place where the most cruise ships are based, as well as the fact new ships usually debut here. 

But hidden among the megaships that dominate the cruise industry is a port that doesn't have any big ships. Yet, it's consistently the best bet for a cheap cruise.

Tampa isn't as busy a homeport as the cities on the east coast of Florida, but there are year-round sailings here as well.

The good news is you can usually find competitive prices, even at the last-minute.  But there is a tradeoff when it comes to the type of ships that sail from here.

If you're on the hunt for a good cruise deal, here's why Tampa might be a good choice.

I've found cheap cruises, even at the last-minute

I booked a cruise on Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas on a Monday and sailed on a Thursday and it cost me less than $600 before taxes and fees.

In January 2027, I have another 4-night cruise in a balcony room for just $800 total.

In looking at cruises for next few weeks, there are 4- and 5-night cruises on Radiance of the Seas that start at just $700 per person.

This isn't the first time I've found a great deal on a cruise sailing from Tampa, and it's one of the best reasons to sail from here.

Unlike Royal Caribbean cruises that go out of Port Canaveral or Miami, I've found the best prices routinely offered in Tampa.  

The cruise market there is different, and it tends to attract more people that drive to the ship. In my case, I went on a 4-night long weekend cruise that departed on a Thursday and was back on a Monday.

However, you'll also find longer sailings too.  In the busy winter season, Royal Caribbean has up to three ships based in Tampa, offering 4-7 night cruises.

The problem with Tampa is you're stuck sailing on small, old ships

While you're more likely to find a good deal on a cruise from Tampa, the downside is you won't be sailing on any of Royal Caribbean's newest or biggest ships.

Because of the Sunshine Skyway bridge that blocks access to Tampa Bay, only the smallest cruise ships can safely pass underneath it.

This means you'll only find Radiance or Vision Class ships sailing from Tampa.

Larger ships, such as the Oasis or Icon Class ships are too tall to fit under the bridge. And any proposals for a new cruise terminal are a pipe dream at best right now.

To be clear, there's nothing inherently wrong with one of the smaller ships in the fleet.

These ships offer a "classic cruising experience", which means it relies more on enjoying the voyage and more of a chill atmosphere than you'd find on ships that have much more to do.

Sailing on Radiance of the Seas, there are activities like trivia, live music, shows each evening, and movies shown.  There's even a mini-golf course, rock wall, and a few different specialty restaurants.

But there's no Royal Promenade, laser tag, Aqua show, or the other "wow" features on the newer ships.

I'll book cruises from Tampa because it's convenient and saves me money

If a 7-night cruise on Enchantment of the Seas doesn't excite you because of the ship's age, I think there are a few factors to consider before bypassing Tampa cruises.

Because Tampa's cruise terminal is small, it's also quite an easy process to get in and out. In fact, Tampa offers valet parking at its cruise terminal for just $15 total more than the regular garage price.

Tampa has a major airport, so you can usually find good flight options in, but likely not as pricey as a flight to South Florida.

I'll be honest, if I'm planning my family Spring Break vacation, I will always look to one of the big ships sailing from Port Canaveral first.  However, augmenting my cruises by squeezing in an inexpensive cruise is hard to pass up.

Be sure to research your ship before chasing the lower price

Value seekers are tempted to find the lowest price, but you'll want to pay close attention to what you're trading off for that lower price.

Smaller ships, like the ones that sail from Tampa, are over 20 years old.  The decor and furnishings onboard will look the age.  

Don't worry about the purely the ship's age. Royal Caribbean does a terrific job with the ship's upkeep and maintenance.  They just don't update cabins or furniture to match what you'll find on new ships.

The other thing to look at is what there is for kids to do onboard, especially if you have younger children.

Radiance Class ships don't have Splashaway Bay or water slides.  They do technically have a single waterslide, but it's quite juvenile and really meant for kids under the age of 8 or so.

All Royal Caribbean ships have a kids club onboard, but once again, it's on the small side.

Compared to bigger ships, there isn't as much built-in programming for kids to do on the ships that typically sail from Tampa.  However, there are certainly the basics.

For adults, does it matter to you if there isn't a full Broadway show? Do you need access to newer specialty restaurants?  The Vision Class ships don't even have a pub onboard.

I recommend comparing ships to ensure you're good with what they do offer, as well as what's not onboard.

Although modern-day cruise ships have endless food on board, some passengers like to get creative and come up with clever hacks to make their dining experience even better. 

Newer ships, like Star of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas, have an unbelievable amount of restaurants available. However, one TikToker recently shared a unique buffet hack that transformed simple buffet items into a makeshift lobster roll.

Since it was posted on April 16, the viral TikTok has garnered over 85,000 views, 1,600 likes, 380 shares, 130 saves, and 70 comments. 

"I have an idea for a cruise hack [on Utopia of the Seas]. They have lobster in the Windjammer and in the Solarium on Day One. They also have hot dog buns [and] Old Bay aioli," explains @findmeatsea. 

(Credit: @findmeatsea / TikTok)

Although Utopia has a specialty seafood restaurant, this hack is smart for guests who might love the taste of a buttery lobster roll but don't want to pay extra. 

She then proceeds to load up the hot dog bun with lettuce before dunking generous pieces of lobster meat in the aioli and layering them on the bread. 

"That looks amazing," she says as she takes the first bite of her creation and nods in satisfaction, "Mmhmm, it's a hack." 

She tries the hack again on another sailing but swaps the Old Bay aioli for melted butter

(Credit: @findmeatsea / TikTok)

TikToker @findmeatsea posted another video on May 11, sharing that she returned to the Windjammer for lunch on embarkation day to revise the hack based on other comments. 

"I'm going to use [the lobster] to make my own lobster roll, but this time, with melted butter," she explains.

Once again, she uses a hot dog bun because she claims that the buffet does not have any sub rolls in the bakery section.

(Credit: @findmeatsea / TikTok)

Continuing on, she says, "The lobster tails are split in half so [they are] easy to separate." 

After removing the meat from the tails, she dunks them in the melted butter and places them into the hot dog bun, which has already been layered with lettuce. 

Although she does not state which version she prefers more, she nods to the camera and gives a thumbs-up for approval. 

"That's... a crazy good idea"

People flocked to the comments to praise the creativity of the hack and share how they would spruce up their lobster roll on Utopia of the Seas. 

"A little lemon but genius!" said @airdanone. 

"That's the best [cruise] hack I've seen since... the mozzarella stick fried chicken sandwich and cookie ice cream sandwich hack on [CocoCay]," @Jackie Cel adds. 

@Stacy walsh suggests adding tartar sauce next time, writing, "[Use] tartar sauce next time with Tabasco if you would like ... chilled lobster roll made with tartar is so yummy and add the shrimp cocktail to the lobster to make it even better." 

"I'm gonna need some Mayo on that please," comments @Yondie.

Unfortunately, this is not a hack that can be done fleet-wide

Lobster is not commonly found in the Windjammer aboard Royal Caribbean ships. Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas, and Utopia of the Seas are (currently) the only vessels in the fleet that offer a special seafood buffet on embarkation day. 

Still, this idea highlights just how far a little creativity can go and encourages other cruisers to take a lap around the buffet and come up with their own customizable dish. 

For example, if you grab a cup of vanilla soft-serve and head over to a drink machine, you can turn it into a yummy frozen treat by pouring lemonade on top of the ice cream. 

Another idea is to get a plate of fries from the buffet and go to El Loco Fresh, where you can top it with everything from nacho cheese sauce to jalapeños, seasoned beef, and salsa to create your own loaded fries. 

Read more: I found the best free food hack on Royal Caribbean that changed how I snack

Passengers booked on Royal Caribbean's Spectrum of the Seas received an email to inform them their sailings are being canceled as the ship gets repositioned for summer 2027.

In emails sent to booked guests this week, the cruise line said Spectrum of the Seas "will be redeployed for our Summer 2027 season" as part of its "ongoing itinerary planning process." 

The cruise line did not specifically say why the change was being made, alluding to the fact there are sometimes scheduling, port agreements, or operational needs that could necessitate it. Nonetheless, anyone booked on Spectrum will need to change plans.

Here's what's changing and what new options are available.

Royal Caribbean changes Spectrum of the Seas plans for 2027 cruises

The letter posted online by Derrick Low is for the February 14, 2027 sailing, with guests being offered several replacement cruise options instead. His original itinerary was scheduled to visit Fukuoka and Kumamoto, Japan.

Spectrum of the Seas has been one of Royal Caribbean’s key ships in the Asia market since launching in 2019. Built specifically for China and surrounding markets, the Quantum Ultra Class ship has spent much of its service operating cruises from Shanghai and Hong Kong with itineraries to Japan and South Korea.

Now there are new plans for where Spectrum will sail in 2027.

Based on the new options, it appears Royal Caribbean is adding back Japanese ports of call.

Last year, Royal Caribbean had to update at least 14 voyages leaving Shanghai between January and April 2026 because they couldn't visit Japanese ports anymore.

That change was because of deteriorating China-Japanese relations over Japan's stance on Taiwan's political status. 

New sailings to choose from on Spectrum of the Seas

According to the notice sent to passengers, guests can choose from several alternate 5-night sailings aboard Spectrum of the Seas departing from Shanghai (Baoshan), China.

The replacement options include:

• September 1, 2026: Fukuoka and Nagasaki, Japan
• October 11, 2026: Kagoshima and Okinawa, Japan
• February 17, 2027: Fukuoka, Japan and Busan, South Korea
• February 22, 2027: Nagasaki and Kagoshima, Japan
• March 24 or April 18, 2027: Nagasaki and Kagoshima, Japan
• June 4, 2027: Fukuoka and Nagasaki, Japan

Royal Caribbean said passengers who rebook onto one of the replacement sailings will receive price protection. Guests will be moved to a like-for-like stateroom category, and the cruise fare will either remain at the original booked rate or be reduced to the current fare if prices are lower.

Taxes, fees, gratuities, and other non-cruise fare items are excluded from the fare protection policy.

Any guests that paid in full will be refunded the difference if the replacement cruise costs less than the original sailing.

The letter also mentions onboard credit incentives for affected guests, although the exact amount was not fully visible in the passenger screenshot shared online.

Redeployments are not uncommon

Sometimes Royal Caribbean needs to change its ship plans, so today's announcement is not unheard of when it comes to cruise plans.

The email for this one did not specify exactly why they are making the change, but logistical needs often force the line's hand.

Luckily, this change is being made many months in advance while cruisers have time to make changes.

Spectrum is a very unique ship

Spectrum of the Seas is not just another Quantum Class ship. Royal Caribbean designed it with features and venues specifically tailored toward Asian travelers. 

The ship includes upgraded suite areas, larger shopping offerings, private enclave spaces, and dining concepts that differ from what guests typically find on ships sailing in North America.

The ship also introduced the Ultimate Family Suite concept in Asia. 

Since her debut, Spectrum has served as the premier Royal Caribbean ship in the region.

There are somethings you can do on a cruise ship that seem like a great idea, but you'll probably regret it later.

When I went on on Star of the Seas, I thought it would be fun to put a dry erase board on my cabin door.  It became a regular target for some cruisers who thought it was fun to deface it every day, so I ended up taking it down and tossing it in the trash.

As they say, live and learn.  And there are plenty of other examples of ideas that sound good until you actually try them out.

For instance, I took a bus ride to Bordeaux, France because I didn't think a 90 minute bus ride each way would be that bad.  While I had a great time exploring that city, the commute time was worse than I ever imagined.

To that point, I hear from other cruisers who suggest certain plans on their cruise and I want to immediately stop them before they make a mistake.

I came up with 6 ideas I see often from cruisers that simply sound better than they really are.

Try to do two excursions in the same day

If you want a sure-fire way to overwhelm yourself, try booking two shore excursions on the same day.

It's tempting to try to work in different excursions while in port, but I find it's more trouble than it's worth.

First, there's the paranoia factor that comes with worrying about missing the second tour if your first tour doesn't finish exactly on time. Or the time and distance required to get from the end of your first tour to the second tour.

But more importantly, it's a lot to work into a day. Excursions involve some level of physical exertion, and I find after one tour, I'm ready for a break of some kind. I might want to chill out, go for a walk, or simply explore on my own.

Post-tour fatigue is especially problematic on warm Caribbean cruises, where the heat and humidity will wear you down.

Instead of two tours on the same day, book one and leave a follow-up DIY tour as something you could do if you feel there's enough time and motivation.

Combining CocoCay water park and day pass

If you're thinking of booking a cabana or a day pass to either Coco Beach Club or Hideaway Beach with a water park admission, you're not going to be able to sufficiently enjoy either.

Having tried all of the extra cost areas of Perfect Day at CocoCay, I believe each is best enjoyed when you spend the whole day there.

Considering how costly a day pass, cabana rental, or water park admission can be, I don't think it makes financial sense to try to combine them and feel like you had enough time at any of them to justify the cost.

Pick one and relish the experience it provides. Save the other one for your next visit.

Flying in the same day as your cruise leaves

One of the top faux pas you can make on a cruise is to try to fly in the same day your cruise departs.

You're thinking you could save money by not having to get a hotel room and incidental costs that come with it. 

The problem is you have a narrow window of time to board your ship, and a travel delay could lead you to miss the cruise entirely.  Royal Caribbean will not refund your money because your flight was cancelled or delayed.

Air travel is especially susceptible to delays due to weather, government shutdowns, maintenance issues, and a host of other issues.

Even if you have travel insurance that would cover some of the lost cost, that won't make up for the vacation time you were looking forward to.

Instead, you'll want to arrive at least a day or two before your cruise is set to depart to ensure travel delays won't impact your ability to make it on the ship.

Letting the cruise line pick your stateroom

I love saving money on my cruise reservation, but there are risks with letting Royal Caribbean choose your cabin location.

Guaranteed cabins are an option where you can save money on a particular stateroom category, but your room will be assigned from a pool of unsold cabins later on.

While Royal Caribbean did add a new option to pay money to find your guarantee cabin assignment sooner, but you're still getting a room assigned based on the leftover choices.

In my experience, you're going to end up with a room in a location that you might not be comfortable with.  It could be all the way at the front of the ship or at the back. That means a longer distance to walk to the elevators, as well as feeling more movement from the ocean.

Your balcony might have an obstruction to it from a lifeboat or other piece of equipment that hinders your view.

One of the most common scenarios is you get put in a connecting cabin, which are notorious for noise bleed issues because the connecting door isn't very well insulated.

If you're someone that needs to have a cabin in a specific location or would be disappointed if your view was ruined by an obstruction, I'd recommend booking a specific cabin instead.

Thinking Royal Caribbean's VIP pass will make a big difference

Many long-time readers of this site know I'm not a fan of The Key, and it's because the benefits sound a lot better than they really are.

Advertised as a VIP pass, The Key includes many perks, such as priority boarding, a welcome aboard lunch, carry-on luggage storage, and priority times at certain attractions.

On paper, these sound great.  But in reality, I think you're overpaying for benefits you can mostly get on your own or benefits you probably won't ever use.

For example, priority boarding is lovely, but Royal Caribbean's boarding process very efficiently. If you get an early check-in time, I promise you'll board the ship within a few minutes of those with The Key.

The welcome aboard lunch is food from Chops Grille, which you can order on your own by making a reservation.

The priority times at signature attractions never includes the water slides, and the times given are either early in the morning or late afternoon.  Those are times when demand is quite low for things like the Flowrider or rock climbing wall anyway.

The bottom line is the daily cost adds up, and I think you probably won't get the value out of it.  Instead, book the perks you need on your own.

Booking cruises directly with the cruise line

Unlike other areas of travel, booking your vacation directly with the cruise line is actually a mistake.

When you book a cruise, there's so much more to decide beyond the ship and room you want. Cruising is very personalized, and the itinerary and/or ship you choose affects which destinations you'll visit and which excursions will be available to you.

Plus, the different cabin categories, dining choices, gratuities, and even when to make payments all add additional layers of complexity.

I recommend everyone use a good travel agent to book a cruise because of the personalization factor involved.

To Royal Caribbean's credit, it's very easy to book a cruise on their website or by calling them. But a good travel agent can be such a terrific resource to answer questions, determine the ideal cabin and itinerary, and most importantly: step in when there's a problem.

Moreover, travel agents have access to special group rates and discounts. Agencies negotiate group space at lower rates with the cruise line, which could save you money on your cruise fare.

It's not always the case, but I'm surprised how often I'm able to save money simply because I used a travel agent.

I cannot tell you how many questions about problems or situations I get from cruisers that could have easily been avoided if they had used a good travel agent.

When I took my first cruise 20 years ago, any Caribbean island was interesting.  But I quickly came to understand certain ports are substantially better and worth a trip every time.

When you first visit one of these places, it almost immediately jumps out to you as being different and endearing. I hesitate to say you fall in love with them, but it's along those lines.

Over the years, I've gone to many ports of call around North America and Europe.  A few truly stand out as the places I'd love to go back to in a heartbeat for a variety of reasons.

If you're choosing between itineraries, here are seven places Royal Caribbean ships visit that you should absolutely prioritize visiting at least once.

Tortola

I just visited Tortola for the first time earlier this year, and I can see why it was so highly touted.

Tortola is one of those less frequently visited cruise ports that only smaller ships can get to, so it's not a common port on Royal Caribbean itineraries. Luckily, my Brilliance of the Seas cruise took me there, and I was so glad I got see it.

We took a boat out for the day and sailed to a few different beaches, including Jost Van Dyke and the famous Soggy Dollar Bar. I was worried it would be too touristy, but the ocean water and beach were unmatched.

Beautiful beaches in the Caribbean can seem to be very similar, but when you get to one that truly stands out, you quickly notice the difference.

Plus, I think Tortola has an advantage because it feels so untamed compared to the larger islands.

Juneau

I probably could list all the ports in Alaska, but Juneau always jumps out as my favorite because of how much you can see and do here.

Alaska cruises are marvelous, and I think you'll quickly love the natural beauty of this part of the world.  It's majestic and encapsulates everything you probably assumed about sailing there.

My favorite spot in Juneau is Mendenhall Glacier Park because you can take a leisurely walk to Mendenhall Glacier and enjoy a fantastic view from a nearby waterfall.

Alternatively, there are some great excursions that can take you right to the glacier itself.

St. John

Close in proximity to Tortola, St. John has the best beaches I've ever been to in the world.

It's like a postcard there: the perfect shade of blue ocean water, white sand beach, and the water clarity is like glass. Tortola is similar, but St. John is even less built up than Tortola because the nearly the entire island is a national park.

Trunk Bay and Cinnamon Bay are the top two beaches, but Honeymoon Beach and a few others are equally stunning.

I dare you not to go here and not think you've stumbled across an Instagram ad for the Caribbean.

You'll need to take a ferry to get to St. John from St. Thomas, but it's my go-to spot every time we are there. I just wish Royal Caribbean would offer longer stays in St. Thomas so I could spend longer in St. John.

Alicante

I went to a few different ports of call in Spain over the years, but Alicante is my favorite of them all.

Located on the coast of the Mediterranean, it encapsulates exactly what you want in a day in Spain. Great food, rich history, and even beautiful beaches.

In fact, I was blown away how nice the beaches were in Alicante.  I was probably a Caribbean beach snob and assumed the Med couldn't compete, but I would pick this beach over a lot others I've been to back west.

Plus, the city has an incredible promenade near the ocean and lots of history to go with its shopping. I debated if I should choose this or Malaga, but I gave the edge to Alicante because I think their beach is better.

Nonetheless, you must try a visit to the southern coast of Spain and experience this part of the world.

Perfect Day at CocoCay

While a cruise line private island isn't an authentic experience, it makes up for that in sheer fun.

Not every place you visit needs to be somewhere with historical significance.  One of the best reasons anyone travels is to have a good time, and I dare you not to have a good time at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Royal Caribbean reset what a private island could be like when they revamped their private destination to include so much more.  The result has been the new bar that all other cruise lines are measured against, and secretly try to copy.

There are swim-up bars, a waterpark, adults-only enclave, plenty of beaches, music, dancing, pools, and plenty more.

What I love about CocoCay is how many choices you have in how you can spend your day, and it works for kids, adults, grandparents and more. The genius of this island is how you can have a completely different experience each time you visit.

Aruba

If I had to give one Caribbean island the award for being the best island for offering the total package, it would be Aruba.

No matter where you go in Aruba, you're going to find beautiful beaches and (probably) perfect weather.

Palm Beach and Eagle Beach are sprawling beaches that you'll want to spend all day in, soaking up the sun and cooling off in the water.

It's also where I've done a few different sunset cruises and each has been spectacular.

San Juan

I've visited San Juan, Puerto Rico at least a dozen times, and it has the richest culture and history of any cruise port in the Caribbean.

When your ship docks in Old San Juan, you're instantly immersed in a world that was built 500 years ago and still evokes that spirit.

I love wandering the streets of Old San Juan, because it combines old world charm with the people of Puerto Rico. There's so much vibrancy here, it's hard not to love how it almost feels like you're transported to a different century.

Plus, Puerto Rico's food is vastly underrated.  Mofongo is my top Caribbean comfort food, and there are so many varieties to try.

Royal Caribbean offers complimentary cruises if you gamble enough in its casino, and one cruiser claims he has the winning strategy.

While gambling in a cruise ship casino is often a source of entertainment for many passengers, some treat it like a farm where they can harvest winnings that go beyond money.

The cruise line incentives gambling by offering "free cruises" if you earn enough points on a sailing. These casino comps are a kind of "thank you" for wagering a lot of money, as well as a token of appreciation for continued loyalty.

While I've seen plenty of Royal Caribbean casino strategies, TikTok user Joe (@joe2go_ta) claims he has found the winning formula of gambling enough to get free cruise offers that he spends 6 months a year on ships.

37 back-to-back cruises for "free" from the casino

In his most popular video that has almost a million views, Joe recaps how he can afford to live on a cruise ship for 6 months from those casino comps.

First, he says he begins by gambling enough on a single sailing to reach Prime status within the casino.  This is the second tier of Club Royale's loyalty program, and it includes one complimentary cruise and unlimited drinks in the ship's casino. 

According to Joe, the foundation of the strategy is surprisingly simple: gamble heavily once a year, hit Prime status in Club Royale, and then stop gambling.

"I gamble once a year," he explained in the video. "I spend about $2,000. I get my 2500 points to hit Prime. Once I do that, I don’t go back to the casino."

This part of his strategy is rather surprising, because a lot of cruisers that enjoy the ship's casino tend to gamble on every sailing. He claims the goal is to earn enough casino points during a single cruise to unlock a year’s worth of benefits and future offers.

But he says the real value comes afterward.

According to him, hitting Prime generates three different types of cruise offers: 

• The first is an instant certificate earned while onboard after reaching a certain number of points
• The second is an annual complimentary cruise that comes with Prime status itself
• The third is the steady stream of promotional offers emailed throughout the year

"You get promotional offers weekly or monthly throughout your email," he said.

That combination, he claims, is what allowed him to stack together months of cruises without paying normal cruise fares.

He chooses a specific kind of slot machine to maximize winnings

The most interesting part of his strategy is how he gambles.

Instead of chasing jackpots or high-risk slot machines, he says he exclusively plays "low volatility" slots. Those are machines designed to pay back smaller amounts more frequently instead of offering huge bonus rounds or massive jackpots.

"All I play is low volatility slots," he said. "Slots that pay more money back per spin but don’t have bonuses."

He specifically mentioned slot machines like Black Diamond and Hot Tamales, calling Hot Tamales his preferred game.

His theory is simple and focuses on churning points, rather than chasing highs. You earn points based on how much money you wager, not how much money you win. Therefore, a machine that slowly cycles money back can allow gamblers to continue playing longer while accumulating points.

In other words, the goal is not necessarily to win big. The goal is to stretch gambling bankroll as efficiently as possible while earning enough casino points to trigger lucrative cruise offers later.

It's worth mentioning his strategy isn't foolproof. There is always risk involved with gambling, and there's no guarantee someone will only lose a couple thousand dollars trying to reach Prime status. Some cruisers could lose far more, while others may get lucky and lose less.

He leverages Royal Caribbean's loyalty perks to combine too

"I would not have been able to afford it if I wasn’t Diamond Plus," he admitted.

His casino strategy leverages not only what the casino gives him, but also his repeat cruiser benefits from Royal Caribbean's customer loyalty program.

He says living onboard long-term would have been much harder without Diamond Plus status in Crown & Anchor Society.

Diamond Plus members receive benefits that can dramatically reduce daily onboard spending, including complimentary drinks, free laundry, discounts, and other perks that become especially valuable during back-to-back cruises.

Being kind to crew members is another important recommendation he has

The TikToker also emphasized another part of cruise life that frequent cruisers often mention: relationships with crew members.

"When you’re on the ship, treat your employees well," he said. "Tip them."

He goes as far as offering to pick up basic necessities crew members may need during their contracts. He does so for the crew members he strikes up a friendship with along the way.

According to him, those relationships made long-term cruising feel more personal and enjoyable.

"It’s good to have people that know you by name and treat you like a friend rather than a guest," he explained.

Does his strategy actually work?

After watching his video, his approach to Prime status isn't revolutionary. But his recommendation for how to gamble is a good reminder if you're chasing points.

From my own experience, I can tell you if you hit Prime status on one sailing (2,500 points), yes, you'll qualify for an instant certificate right then and there. And then you'll get another free cruise offer the following April.

However, I would caution anyone before they start to go to the casino host desk and look at the qualifying sailings available for when you reach 2,500 points.  You don't get to choose any cruise. Rather, you have to choose from a subset of sailings.  So make sure those cruises are ones that you'd actually want to sail on.

The other part of his strategy that gives me pause is the reliance on offers that come in the mail or online for additional free sailings. 

In my opinion, that's a giant x-factor, because you're at the mercy of if offers will come to you or not.  It's very much a "feast or famine" experience.

The other thing he doesn't mention about this is the offers you typically get a Prime member tend to be on older, smaller ships.  You're not getting a week on Star of the Seas or even a weekend on Utopia of the Seas. Instead, there are a lot of offers for Enchantment, Grandeur, or Rhapsody of the Seas.

That's not necessarily a bad thing, but something to keep in mind.

Nobody wants to think about their long-awaited vacation coming to a screeching halt because of a sudden illness. However, life doesn't slow down even when we're miles out at sea. 

If you get sick on a cruise ship, the severity of your illness will determine whether you can be treated in the onboard medical center or require an urgent medical evacuation.

Either way, you are looking at a situation that can become very costly very quickly. For example, medical evacuations can cost upward of $250,000, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

One recent passenger shared their experience being medically evacuated from a Royal Caribbean cruise ship. The person, who goes by Ditchdoc on the Royal Caribbean Blog discussion forum website, described how the sudden onset of dizziness and shortness of breath quickly developed into a life-threatening situation. 

"On the morning of the fifth day of a seven-day cruise [the Radiance of the Seas ship] was in Nassau Bahamas. I went to the gym around 7 AM even though I was feeling a little rough. I had been dealing with sinus issues, and I had [a] few drinks the previous evening. After only 2 or 3 minutes of lifting some light weights, I became dizzy and short of breath," they began. 

"I left the gym and found a nearby deck chair to sit on for a few minutes. I went back to our cabin to [lie] down... [A]fter about an hour I had a bowel movement that is commonly called 'a dark, tarry stool.' I have 25 years' experience as a paramedic and 13 years' experience as a nurse, and I recognized at this point I had an upper GI bleed. That is, I was losing blood, probably in my stomach."

Ditchdoc did not want to frighten his wife and assumed that since the cruise was almost over, the issue could be dealt with when they returned home. He also wanted to avoid going to the ship's medical center, knowing the visit would likely be expensive. 

Instead, he skipped a planned shore excursion and stayed back to rest, but by the time she returned that afternoon, his condition had worsened.

"She got back about 2 in the afternoon, and I walked up one flight of stairs to the Windjammer. Again, I was dizzy and out of breath and could barely get to a chair to sit down and I had no appetite. We went back to the cabin where I had another black-looking bowel movement... My wife called 911, yes, that is what you call on the ship, and convinced the person on the other end [that] they needed to come to our cabin, he continues. 

After a brief check-up in his stateroom, where it was discovered that one of his symptoms was a resting heart rate of around 110, the two first responders and the security officer determined he needed to be seen in the medical center.

His time in the medical center was brief 

Once in the medical center, Ditchdoc explained his symptoms, and the doctor ordered a CBC (complete blood count) test and chest x-ray. 

The results revealed that his hemoglobin was at 6.8, whereas the typical hemoglobin for a healthy adult male is around 14 to 16. This quickly explained why he was feeling dizzy and short of breath, escalating the emergency medical condition. 

"The primary treatment would be administering units of whole blood via an IV and a[n] esophagogastroduodenoscopy or EGD. An EGD is a tube with a camera inserted through the mouth, into the stomach to look for and correct any bleeding. It is usually done by a gastrointestinal specialist," he says. 

"What could be done in the [ship's] medical center was start [an] IV to help replace fluid loss. This helps increase blood pressure even if it does not increase oxygen. Next they hung a drip of protonix which reduces stomach acid and improves clotting and finally they pushed tranexamic acid (TXA) via IV to counteract the anti-clotting effects of blood thinners like the aspirin I take on a regular basis."

Ditchdoc was thankful for the treatment on the ship, which he thinks was instrumental in slowing down and stopping the internal bleeding. However, without access to whole blood or the specialized testing needed to determine blood type, there was little choice but to transfer him off the ship to a larger medical facility that could provide the care he needed. 

"By now, the ship had two doctors and four nurses involved in addition to upper management in Guest Relations, a Care Team and Security," he recalls. 

"At this point, the ship had already departed Nassau Bahamas about an hour earlier. The next port had no medical facilities at all. The ship turned around and went back to Nassau." 

The hospital in Nassau allegedly did not provide great care

Royal Caribbean assigned two crew members to help Ditchdoc's wife quickly pack up their cabin, along with a crew member who disembarked the ship and acted as a personal assistant and escort. 

"[She helped my wife] with anything she [needed] including meals, [a] hotel and such. She would eventually pay her own way but having someone assist with our hastily packed luggage, who was familiar with Nassau, was generous and helpful. There was no charge for this assistance," he says.

He was disembarked on a stretcher and placed in an ambulance, observing people on the top decks and balconies watching the scene unfold in real-time. 

"Initially they were quiet until I raised my hand and [waved] at which point they broke out into cheering," Ditchdoc adds. 

He was transported to the Princess Margaret Hospital in Nassau, where he spent the next roughly 15 hours receiving minimal treatment. 

"I was placed on an ambulance style cot with no sheet, pillow or blanket. A few of the staff there showed some compassion but mostly they did not seem to care whether I was there or not," he alleges. 

"About 1 AM, my wife who had gone to a local hotel with the help of the Royal Caribbean Care Team Member, called me to let me know an air evacuation had been arranged. This was probably the best call I ever received in my life."

He was medically evacuated from The Bahamas to South Florida

Royal Caribbean coordinated the air evacuation through Offshore Medical Logistics. The doctor in charge of the air evacuation confirmed that the flight would arrive at noon, and the medical team would bring whole blood. 

"At a time when I was not sure just what the future held in terms of getting proper treatment, Royal Caribbean staff had once again stepped up and provided exactly what was needed even though I was no longer on the ship," he remarks. 

"On schedule, the air evacuation team arrived. Before we could leave my wife had to pay almost $1,000 for various 'treatments' I never got... [Once] we left the building the air crew (a nurse and a paramedic) immediately started a unit of whole blood. Another bumpy ride in an old ambulance to the airport and shortly we (my wife and I) were in the air on the way back [to] the United States about 2PM."

Ditchdoc was transferred to Broward County Hospital by 5 p.m. for further treatment, and shortly after his arrival, he saw a doctor and several nurses, along with a patient advocate. He also had blood drawn, an additional IV started, antibiotics administered, and tests scheduled, with arrangements made for admission to a private room in the medical-surgical unit.

Royal Caribbean managed to get the couple's luggage back to the U.S.

In addition to the medical care itself, Royal Caribbean also helped the couple manage their luggage under extreme time pressure.

"It was just too much and too heavy to include on the medical evacuation flight, a small Lear 35 twin engine jet. The Royal Caribbean Care Team Member [who] had been so instrumental in taking care of my wife's needs made sure our luggage was transferred to the next available Royal Caribbean ship departing Nassau, coming back to the US," he explains. 

"This happened to be Symphony of the Seas returning to Port Miami two days after I was discharged from the hospital."

Always buy travel insurance

Ditchdoc was charged $3,100 for treatment aboard the cruise ship, along with nearly $1,000 by the hospital in Nassau. However, he expects both to be reimbursed by their travel insurance policy, in addition to the hotel stay and necessary food purchases. 

The most costly expense was the medical evacuation, which cost over $120,000. 

"I just found out what the air evacuation bill was. Are you sitting down? A bit over 126k. I was only off by an order of magnitude or so," he commented on the discussion forum thread. 

There's an entirely different language at sea that you may know nothing about.

Just like pilots, cruise lines have a robust list of code words and abbreviations to communicate and eliminate misunderstandings. For example, you may hear "Alpha," "Bravo," "Oscar," or "Echo" while on board. 

You shouldn't immediately rush to your muster station and frantically throw on a life jacket. Instead, these terms help to relay important information to crew members, such as man overboard incidents and medical emergencies. 

For example, "Alpha" is a popular code word to indicate a medical emergency. Typically, the word is repeated, then followed by a specific location, such as Deck 11, Portside, Aft. This lets the appropriate crew members know where to respond without causing unnecessary panic among passengers. 

"The codes are used when notifying crew from various departments who are needed quickly. It is quicker and causes less concern among the passengers. If the passengers need to be notified, there will be a plain language announcement," says Don Goldstein, a retired Commander of the U.S. Coast Guard.

Other codes serve different purposes. "Bravo," for instance, is used by Royal Caribbean to signal a fire or other serious emergency, while "Oscar" indicates an active man overboard situation.

Not all cruise lines have the same code words, either. For example, rather than using "Oscar" to signal a possible man overboard situation, Disney Cruise Line uses "Mr. M.O.B." 

Similarly, they use "Operation Brightstar" to tell the crew about medical emergencies, and "Red Party" to disclose the location of an onboard fire. Funny enough, "Winnie" is used when someone has an accident in the pool!

Goldstein adds that other common code words used aboard cruise ships include "Kilo, Kilo, Kilo," which requests all crew to report to their emergency stations. 

"Zulu, Zulu, Zulu" (or "Charlie, Charlie, Charlie") is another commonly used code word that indicates a security threat or possible fight or disturbance on the vessel. 

So, what should you do the next time you hear a secret code word on a cruise ship? Stay out of the way. Although you may know what's going on, you don't want to get in the way of crew members performing important — and sometimes lifesaving — duties. 

In many cases, crew members may restrict access to certain areas to limit foot traffic and prevent possible interference during urgent situations. 

For example, multiple cruisers reported that Deck 7 and Deck 8 were closed during a man overboard incident on Norwegian Getaway. 

"If passengers hear a code call, they should stay away from the area mentioned in the call unless part of the call is directed at passengers or guests. For instance, if guests hear 'Alpha, Alpha, Alpha, Deck 7, starboard side stairwell 3,' they should stay away from the forward starboard stairwell on Deck 7," Goldstein explains. 

"If any action by passengers is desired or required, the announcement will specifically say so."

Read more: Cruise worker reveals the secret emergency codes you never want to hear on a ship

You can check your luggage to have your bags brought onboard a cruise ship, but a lot of cruise passengers skip it.

Unlike checking a bag with the airlines, having your bags brought on the ship has no cost and is far less logistically challenging.

As you arrive at the cruise terminal, there are porters waiting to take your luggage so it can be delivered later to your stateroom.

I take advantage of this service every single time, because bringing your own bags aboard the ship is more trouble than it's worth.

Here's why you should let Royal Caribbean handle your cruise ship luggage instead of hauling it yourself.

Checking your luggage vs bringing a carry-on

I recommend giving the porters any luggage larger than a backpack so it can be taken on the ship for you.

The porters working outside the terminal entrance don't work for the cruise line, but they're quite friendly and technically don't charge a fee.  I say "technically" because there's no cost to check your bags, but a tip is expected.

It's customary to give them a gratuity of $1-$2 per bag.

Royal Caribbean doesn't charge baggage fees nor do they limit you in how many pieces of luggage you can bring onboard the ship. 

"Each guest is permitted to carry a reasonable amount of personal property (including luggage) aboard the vessel," is how the policy is worded.  In all my years of covering Royal Caribbean, I cannot recall an instance where a passenger was denied luggage because they had too much. 

Any luggage you give to the porters needs to be tagged, just like at the airport.  Royal Caribbean provides luggage tags you can print at home and affix to your bag.

If you forget them, the porters can easily attach the tags for you.

What you shouldn't give the porters are any bags that have personal documents or valuables inside. You'll need your passport or birth certificate for check-in later.

Moreover, I'd keep any cash or expensive jewelry, electronics with you in a carry-on bag.

You can bring your luggage onboard, but it's bulky and a pain to deal with

I shake my head when I see a family dragging all their luggage on a ship because it seems like an unnecessary hardship.

Your stateroom isn't ready until about 1pm, so bringing your own bags on the ship means bringing them with you all over until cabins are ready. No, you cannot go drop your bags off at the room earlier (although Celebrity Cruises allows this).

Cruise ship hallways are narrow, and elevators are small. It's busy enough on embarkation day getting around, and I feel the hassle of taking your luggage around just so you can have them an hour or two earlier than if they were delivered doesn't make sense.

Unlike the airlines, there's no cost to check your luggage on a cruise. The gratuity for the porters is a negligible amount of money, and the convenience of not having to deal with them is so worth it.

It's also worth noting you can only bring luggage on the ship yourself that can fit through the security scanners. That giant suitcase likely won't fit, and then you'll have to turn around and give the bag to the porter anyway.

I see too many families with kids trying to take all their luggage up and down decks. It's a completely unnecessary problem to encounter, which is why I'll always gladly hand my luggage to porters when I arrive at the terminal.

How you can store your luggage on a cruise ship

Any bags you check with a porter will be delivered to your stateroom.  

In my experience, bags usually arrive by early to mid afternoon. The only thing that would delay your bags being delivered is if there's something inside that's on the prohibited item list. If that occurs, the bags will be held by security and you'll have to go get it from them.

When your bags arrive to your stateroom, there's enough room to store the luggage inside your cabin.

Most conventional luggage should fit under the bed.  If we have a few pieces of luggage, we'll nest them inside each other and then slide it under the bed.

One thing I'll always do is unpack for my cruise, rather than living out of my suitcase. Cruise ship cabins have a lot storage, even in a small inside room. You'll find drawers and closets to use (including hangers).

I've found it's worth unpacking to make it easier to quickly find clothes I need later.  Plus, it helps with keeping clothes unwrinkled.

You can let Royal Caribbean take your bags off the ship at the end of the cruise too

On the final night of the cruise, you can leave your luggage outside your cabin door and have it delivered to the cruise terminal for you.

I have mixed feelings about whether to use this or not.

On the one hand, it's much easier to let them take your bags off the ship.  If you have mobility issues, kids, or lots of luggage, this is a godsend for how much easier it is to walk off the ship the next morning.

Royal Caribbean will leave luggage tags in your cabin, and there's a number on it. The number corresponds to a certain hour they will be ready to pick up in the terminal.

Read more: What the debarkation process is like on Royal Caribbean

However, putting your luggage out the night before the cruise ends means you have to pack that night, which disrupts your final day.  Plus, you still have to leave essentials and an outfit for the next day for the next morning.

The major compelling reason to carry your luggage off the ship yourself is because it's much faster. 

If you need to be off the ship as early as possible, those carrying their own luggage can disembark any time after it has been cleared by authorities. If you have an early flight home, this is your only recourse.

Personally, I tend to carry my bags off the ship most times so I can be on my way as early as I can. Not only do I want to beat the rush off the ship, but I see the last morning as a "rip the band aid off" kind of situation and would rather be done with it all.

If you do decide to let Royal Caribbean take your luggage off the ship, be sure to leave anything you'll need for the final evening and next morning out of that bag. Toiletries, valuables, identification, pajamas, and an outfit for the next day should all be taken off the ship by you in a smaller bag.

It's not uncommon to see someone walking off the ship on the last morning of the cruise in their pajamas because they clearly forgot to leave out an outfit.