Royal Caribbean Blog

For most people, a cruise is a week or so vacation and then it's back to reality.  For Greg Brockman, a cruise is more like his second house.

He spends roughly six months onboard Royal Caribbean ships, booking a series of cruises in a row in a sort of "binge" to stay onboard for weeks at a time before a brief return home.

Naturally, people have questions about how he can manage to do this. Greg isn't retired and still works. 

Here’s what Greg says about the reality of living at sea for months at a time, including the perks, the drawbacks, and the strategies that make it possible.

Do you get tired of visiting the same places?

Royal Caribbean ships tend to repeat the same itineraries often. While the cruise line welcomes repeat cruisers, the sailings aren't designed for someone to effectively live onboard.

"When it comes to traveling onboard ship, after several weeks, it feels more like home than living in a floating hotel room," Greg says.

He picks a ship based on what it offers to maximize his time onboard, "You look for entertainment options, dining options, and local activities that are appealing and align with your interests."

Even if the ports repeat, the experience changes. "Although the ports might be the same, consecutive cruisers can attest, there can be a dramatic difference in the experience based on your fellow passengers. Some crowds are more active and outgoing than others."

How Greg pays for all those cruises

You might be wondering how he can afford to pay to cruise for half the year, and the casino is his secret weapon.

You can earn complimentary cruises by gambling enough in Royal Caribbean's casino, and he maximizes that perk.

"The casino plays a huge role in my ability to travel as much as I do on the budget I set for myself," he explains.

"I took 100% of my cruise fare as my budget for the casino and I played just enough to earn a complimentary interior cabin. Then I stop playing." 

From there, he uses "Pay Now, Book Later" to lock in future freeplay, then books consecutive cruises.

"It’s cheaper to pay to upgrade to a balcony than play the points, unless I am on a big winning streak," Greg says. 

According to Greg, the casino loyalty program has let him cruise "30+ sailings a year for usually far less than 50% of the cruise fare."

The casino does require 200 points on comp cruises to keep the offers coming, but Greg has even “earned the cruise certificate completely on their money and spent none of mine."

Working from a cruise ship

Since Greg isn't retired, he still needs to put in work and he does it from onboard.

For the last three years, Greg has worked as a real estate trainer and coach. Since most of his job can be performed remotely, he's able to take Zoom meetings and phone calls from the ship. 

He gets free internet packages from both his Pinnacle status and casino perks, which not only keeps him connected but reduces the out of pocket costs.

Sometimes, he even works from unconventional spots: "Occasionally, I was able to use vacant rooms in the conference center in a pinch, with guest services approval."

Greg believes cruise lines could take this further: “With more and more careers offering remote work options, Royal could get a jump on ‘Remote at Sea’ to accommodate a growing number of remote workers."

Do you get sick of the food?

"The food can be tricky, but there are so many options," Greg explains. He cycles between specialty dining, the Main Dining Room, Windjammer, and other restaurants like Cafe Promenade, or Park Cafe.

"With more cruises come more Crown and Anchor points. I’m fortunate to have Coastal Kitchen access on Oasis, Quantum, and Icon Class ships," he says. 

He claims the chefs sometimes even go off-menu for back-to-back guests: "They have offered some custom dishes and meals they do not often make."

Over time, his eating habits shift, "After 7–10 days onboard, I’m less interested in breads and the pizzas, but find I am eating more often but far smaller portions."

"It’s been a few days since anyone has starved on a cruise ship, and I find I am skipping the cookies for a banana, kiwi, pineapple, or other fresh fruit option."

The drawbacks of cruising so much

It's not all rainbows, unicorns, and Sorrento's pizza when you cruise for an extended period of time.

One downside is trying to balance his social life at home versus onboard, "I have land friends that never cruise, and then I have fellow travelers who I see onboard. This can strain relationships with both over time if you don’t work to try to maintain both."

Cruise friendships, he says, are "the most forgiving for not staying in touch directly."

Being apart from his dog is also a negative to how much he travels, "I have a dog at home — Sasha, named after a Royal Caribbean ice skater I met on Liberty — a 6-year-old Samoyed that I leave with friends while I’m gone. That is also why I break up my trips into 3–6 week blocks so I can spend time with her."

And just like his friends at home, cruising means being apart from family, "My sister and husband have visited me on various ships, including the recent 8-night Northern European Cities sailing on Independence on June 19, 2025. My mom stayed on with me for the next two. My brother and his family joined me on Ovation for an Alaska sailing.”

Crew members matter even more when you're onboard so often

Being on a cruise ship for such a long period of time has afforded him the opportunity to get to know a lot of crew members, and he values those friendships.

"The bonus on top of the amazing travel adventures are the friendships I have with crew," Greg says. "Some even play a role on which ships I book because I know the Hotel Director or the Cruise Director onboard."

He’s also a self-professed Royal Entertainment junkie, "In November/December 2024, I spent 6 weeks on Allure and watched almost every showing of Mamma Mia."

When he boarded Independence of the Seas this summer, "I was recognized by 3 crew members I have sailed with in the past. There is a complete feeling of relaxation when you see a familiar face."

Royal Caribbean is doubling down on its biggest ships and private destinations because that's what cruisers love the most.

Speaking aboard the brand-new Star of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley answered travel agent questions and was asked about what makes going on an Icon Class ship or an itinerary to a new private destination worth the cost.

Royal Caribbean is in the midst of a spending spree, with at least two more Icon Class ships on order and new beach clubs and a second Perfect Day opening over the next few years.

Mr. Bayley believes those products are setting the standard for guest satisfaction across the industry.

He illustrated his point by talking about the overwhelming popularity of short cruises that include a stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay and the debut of Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas as examples of products delivering exceptional value and memorable vacations.

"When you look at the Net Promoter score, the satisfaction that comes back from our customers on these products, the top-rated products are typically ships like Icon and Star," Bayley said. 

"People are paying good, good price, but I can tell you that they perceive the value as exceptionally high."

Very high guest satisfaction

When Royal Caribbean talks about a ship or island being highly rated, they're referring to their guest feedback system.

The cruise line does an incredible amount of guest research. Every passenger is asked for a post-cruise survey, and Royal Caribbean regularly conducts focus groups and sends out surveys to better understand what its customers want and like.

One means of measuring guest satisfaction is using Net Promoter Score (NPS), a standard metric that tracks how likely customers are to recommend a product to friends and family.

"The Net Promoter Score on Star and Icon is about 85, and if you’re familiar with an NPS, 85 is phenomenal," Bayley explained. 

For context, in most industries, an NPS above 50 is considered excellent. Scores in the 80s are considered "world class", and much more typical for luxury brands.

"That means that people are paying the price and they are deeply satisfied with the experience, and they are going to recommend that experience to their friends and family."

According to Bayley, he thinks those high scores are the result of, "great quality, great value and wonderful satisfaction."

"We feel like we’re really kind of leading the way with delivering that kind of experience," he said.

Why they're focusing on short cruises

Mr. Bayley spoke about the high demand Royal Caribbean has for three- and four-night cruises that sail from Florida and include a stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

These itineraries are part of a shift with Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class ships, and it's generated a lot of debate among cruisers.

The reason more big ships are switching to short sailings is to attract new customers who might have never considered a cruise before.

"Certainly there is a huge popularity for the three- and four-day product," Bayley explained. "And that’s why we have a certain percentage of our products doing those runs to Perfect Day and the beach clubs."

The idea is offer the very best new cruise ships sailing short cruises to top-rated private destinations to give new cruisers an obvious choice of which ship is best for them to try. 

CocoCay is the most in-demand cruise destination in the world

Part of why Royal Caribbean is building Perfect Day Mexico is because of how well Perfect Day at CocoCay has been received by its guests.

Mr. Bayley said that Perfect Day at CocoCay has become Royal Caribbean’s most sought-after stop worldwide.

"It’s our number one demand destination on the planet," Bayley told the audience. "I think this year we took maybe 3.5 million guests to Perfect Day."

Once again, guest feedback played a role in crafting CocoCay's makeover. During the dreaming process for Perfect Day, Royal Caribbean surveyed guests on what would make a day in the Caribbean truly perfect. The answer: "the thrill, the chill, keep the kids happy."

"That’s what we built," Bayley said.

With Perfect Day Mexico coming next, he thinks it will be another game changer.

"This is going to be an absolutely epically stunning, unbelievable Perfect Day," he said, highlighting its accessibility to the Texas Gulf Coast drive market. "There’s a huge opportunity coming in all of the Gulf states and, for example, North Florida."

Currently, cruise penetration in Texas is around 3%, compared to 6% in Florida. Royal Caribbean sees that gap as untapped potential.

When asked about an Icon Class ship being based in Galveston, Texas, he didn't answer the question, but hinted something could be in the works.

Expanding the shore experience

Mr. Bayley also talked about Royal Caribbean’s efforts to improve the onshore experience in destinations beyond its private islands. 

One such idea is a new category of VIP shore excursions, that offer more exclusive, small-group experiences. They're available in select markets, including Alaska and Europe.

"We’ve just started to roll those out," he said. 

"It’s a different level of experience. It’s slightly more exclusive. It’s more elevated. It costs more because it does cost more. And we think from the early results of the testing that we’ve done that it’s very popular."

The idea is to not only offer great tours, but add a premium level to them for those that value paying more to enjoy a first class experience.

There's a new king of specialty restaurants at Royal Caribbean, as Chops Grille, a long-time favorite, has been dethroned.

While speaking during a webinar for travel agents, Royal Caribbean Vice President Food & Beverage, Linken D'Souza, shared an anecdote that Chops Grille is no longer Royal Caribbean’s top specialty dining venue by sheer number of guests served.

"Izumi is actually the most popular restaurant by volume in the fleet," Mr. D'Souza said while speaking to travel agents in the conference call.

"Especially teppanyaki," he explained. "It's a really wonderful experience. I think it's a perfect experience while you're on vacation."

The change shouldn't be that much of a surprise given how wide and far Izumi has spread across the fleet.

Chops Grille's reign

Chops Grille had been synonymous with specialty dining on Royal Caribbean ships, as it's been a concept that goes back decades.

Before specialty dining became as popular as it is today, Royal Caribbean cruise ships might have only had one or two specialty restaurants, and Chops Grille was one of them.

It's dominance at the top is no secret. It's available on every single ship in the fleet, serves a type of food that's quite familiar and appealing to all passengers, and it's had a consistent experience.

In my experience, Chops is often the first specialty restaurant people try when sailing with Royal Caribbean. I believe that's because it has a warm ambiance that evokes "date night" or a special evening out.

Izumi's rise to the top

Izumi is no "new kid on the block", but it's made steady progress to reach this point.

The first Izumi location opened on Oasis of the Seas in 2009, with demand for sushi on a ship increasing ever since then.

Royal Caribbean expanded Izumi's size, gave it better locations, and added new dining options that went beyond sushi.

The first Izumi location was on deck 16 near the Windjammer on Oasis of the Seas.  Since then, Royal Caribbean has put Izumi front and center on its ships.

The addition of hibachi teppanyaki shows has been an incredibly popular change.

Izumi hibachi is a teppanyaki-style restaurant, which is sometimes referred to as a "Japanese steakhouse."  The experience combines cooking and service into one fun performance.

Today, there are to-go sushi counters, and even a chef-driven experience too.

Izumi's rise in popularity isn't just luck.  Izumi Master Chef Travis Kamiyama has over 30 years experience working in Japanese cuisine.

He attributes the popularity of Izumi to creating a really good dining experience for guests, "I think the consistency and becoming iconic."

"And it was all by guests raving about it and all the numbers showing it. And that's what it was all about. It was all purely proven."

The experiential dining trend has helped too

Without a doubt, the hibachi experience came about at the same time the cruising public has started to embrace experiences that simply go beyond cuisine.

Mr. D'Souza calls it "eatertainment", and it's something Izumi started with its hibachi, "This concept of entertainment is something that we try to fit into all of our experiences."

Royal Caribbean has leaned into eatertainment more and more on its ships, with restaurants that offer more than food.  The idea is to combine dining with a show element that fosters memory making experiences.

Royal Caribbean sees themselves competing against major tourist destinations on land, such as Las Vegas or New York.  

"I don't want you to get bored when you're having dinner," Mr. D'Souza said in an earlier interview about Royal Caribbean's dining strategy.

"We’ve been leaning into this notion of eatertainment where we’re really trying to blend entertainment and great dining together."

Examples of the restaurants include:

• Mason Jar: Southern American cooking meets fun country music bar
• Empire Supper Club: Swanky jazz club pairs food, cocktails and music
• Royal Railway: Immersive digital experience that feels like you're dining on a classic train

The results speak for themselves, as these restaurants are often the hottest ticket to book on any ship that has it.

The Lincoln Park supper club has a $200 per person price tag, and is "sold out every night" on Star of the Seas.

This trend has had the side effect of elevating the popularity of Izumi, because guests can dine as a family and have a fun meal with a high chance it creates positive memories.

"If you think about Lincoln Park Supper Club, when you think about Izumi, it's about the fun and enjoyment and happiness that those experiences create while you're on board our ship," Mr. D'Souza explained.

"It's all about the happiness, whether that's ice cream running down your face or the chef that's tossing a piece of chicken for you to catch."

A Grand Suite is one of Royal Caribbean's most popular suites because it's the entry point to having a full suite experience, complete with access to special areas of the ship and extra perks.

Junior Suites are technically the entry-level suite category, while Grand Suites are the first tier in the “full” suite program with elevated benefits.

However, despite the many extra benefits and larger room size, a Junior Suite is likely going to cost a lot less money and deliver enough added value to make it a more compelling option.

Both types of suites have much more living space than a standard balcony, and you'll earn the same amount of loyalty points too.

Read more: Royal Caribbean cabin guide

If you're debating between booking a Grand Suite or a Junior Suite, there are compelling reasons why you should stick with a Junior Suite. Let's dive into them.

Comparing Royal Caribbean's Junior Suite and Grand Suite

Here's an overview of the key differences between the two suites:

Suite layout and size differences

Think of the Junior Suite has being big, and a Grand Suite being bigger.

Both suites have much more living space than a balcony category. The Grand Suite feels much more spacious, as it often has separate seating areas

Using Icon of the Seas as an example, the balcony size between the two can be substantial.  Both offer larger balconies than a standard balcony, but a Grand Suite is giant.

• Standard ocean balcony: 50 square feet
• Junior Suite balcony: 80 square feet
• Grand Suite balcony: 108 square feet

Another key difference in terms of the room is the layout. 

Grand Suites have much more storage space, including closets and drawers. The room feels more like a suite, whereas a Junior Suite still resembles a balcony room.

Plus, there's extra furniture in a Grand Suite, such as a dining table and chairs.

A Junior Suite bathroom is going to be a single bathroom with tub, whereas a Grand Suite has a larger bathroom, with possibly double sinks.

Perks offered by both suites

These are the main benefits of each suite type. Keep in mind the benefits are greater on an Oasis, Quantum, or Icon Class ship because of the extra perks that come with the Royal Suite Class.

Junior Suite:

• Crown & Anchor Society points: 2 per night instead of 1
• Dinner access only for Coastal Kitchen
• No access to Suite Lounge
• No concierge service
• Priority boarding and disembarkation

Grand Suite:

• Full Suite Class benefits (Sky Class on Icon, Oasis and Quantum Class ships)
• Concierge service
• Coastal Kitchen access for all meals
• Priority boarding and tendering
• Reserved seating for shows
• Reserved seating on the pool deck
• Complimentary Wi-Fi (on Icon, Oasis and Quantum Class ships)

Price difference

Another key differentiator is the price for each suite.

Depending on the ship, itinerary, and time of year, the prices can vary considerably.

Here are some example prices of a Junior Suite vs a Grand Suite for Oasis of the Seas in May 2026 for two passengers:

May 8, 2026

• Junior Suite: $2,713.82
• Grand Suite: $3,515.32
• Suite Guarantee: $2,414.32

May 15, 2026

• Junior Suite: $2,893.82
• Grand Suite: $3,960.82
• Suite Guarantee: $2,494.32

May 22, 2026

• Junior Suite: $3,004.32
• Grand Suite: $3,903.82
• Suite Guarantee: $2,433.82

May 29, 2026

• Junior Suite: $3,014.32
• Grand Suite: $4,234.82
• Suite Guarantee: $2,433.82

Keep in mind pricing fluctuates based on how many cabins are sold for that specific sailing, ship class, and sail date.

Reasons to choose a Junior Suite over a Grand Suite

Now that their similarities are out of the way, let's focus on their differences and how those might sway you to choose the Junior Suite instead of a Grand Suite.

You just want the extra space, but not the price

I find many cruisers that love a Junior Suite prefer it because it's a bigger room, and that's really all they need.

Suites come with lots of lovely benefits, but it may be overkill if you won't take advantage of them.

By not splurging for a full suite, you still get a few important amenities: full size tub, priority embarkation, bigger room, an extra loyalty point per night, and a closet.

Essentially, if you're considering a Junior Suite or a Grand Suite and feel a Junior Suite is "good enough", that's the rationale for going with it.

If you mainly want space, a Junior Suite is the better value.

You'll spend more time exploring the ship than in your room

If you're going on one of Royal Caribbean's new and impressive ships, how much time will you really spend in your cabin?

By picking a Junior Suite, you get to enjoy a plush home base without paying for benefits you may simply never use.

This rationale could be applied to justify almost any lower room category, but some cruisers want to have enough room in their cabin for the time they're there.  Or they prefer having a bathtub, extra point, or access to dinner in Coastal Kitchen.

Crown & Anchor members looking to move up the loyalty ladder quicker

If you're chasing Crown and Anchor Society points, booking a Junior Suite is a strategy I've seen others use effectively.

Because you get an extra point per night, booking a Junior Suite will catapult you up the tiers faster than regular cabins. Heck, book yourself solo in one and you'll get three points per night.

Anyone that's chasing the highest tiers, such as Diamond Plus or Pinnacle, will find a Junior Suite more cost effective over the long haul than a Grand Suite.

Cabin location

In many cases, you may find a Junior Suite in a desirable location.

Royal Caribbean has Junior Suites on the aft of its ships, offering peaceful views of the ship's wake.  The cruise line reclassified these as "Sunset Junior Suites", but they're effectively the same room with a better view.

On the Icon Class suites, the Sunset Junior Suite has panoramic views and a corner balcony. At over seven feet tall, the ceiling is the tallest of all the Junior Suites. Plus, it's balcony is larger too, with 115-130 square feet of size compared to 80 in a regular JS.

You want to take advantage of a suite guarantee offer

When booking a cruise, there could be a suite guarantee option that would save a lot of money compared to picking a specific cabin.

The reality is with a suite guarantee, it's almost always going to be a Junior Suite.  That's because there are more Junior Suites than any other suite type, and they're more likely to remain unsold than the full suites.

The cost savings are worthwhile, so if you're trying to save money, a suite guarantee will likely be a Junior Suite.

With just days before her scheduled appearance, Diana Ross announced she will cancel her appearance on Star of the Seas as its godmother.

According People, the legendary singer and movie star said she has changed her plans.

"Due to unforeseen circumstances, Diana Ross will be unable to appear," a representative for the singer said in a statement.

Royal Caribbean had previously announced Ms. Ross as Godmother to Star of the Seas in June. This is an honorary position meant to bestow good fortune on the ship.

A cruise line representative confirmed the change, "We are disappointed that Diana Ross is unable to join us to be godmother of Star of the Seas.

"We look forward to announcing our new godmother soon." 

Ms. Ross was scheduled to appear on August 20 to perform her duties in the ceremonial role for Star of the Seas.

At the time, she shared her adulation for being picked, "I am truly honored to join the Royal Caribbean family."

"Having spent years of creating beautiful music and memories and bringing people together from all over the world, this feels like a perfect continuation of my journey as godmother of Star of the Seas."

Star of the Seas is one of the largest cruise ships in the world, measuring over 248,000 gross registered tons. 

Star comes in at 1,196 feet long and 219 feet wide and can accommodate 5,610 guests at double occupancy across 2,805 staterooms. At maximum capacity, she can carry over 7,000 passengers. She also has 2,350 crew members onboard.

Star's maiden voyage is scheduled for August 31, 2025, but construction moved quicker than expected. As such, Star will embark on a series of short preview cruises ahead of the official maiden voyage. The first of these will take place from August 16-20, 2025. 

Why did she cancel

The question of why the Diana Ross is pulling out of the deal is a mystery.

She had just completed a U.K. arena tour in July, and is set to start her Beautiful Love tour in the U.S. on August 16 in California.

People quoted Ms. Ross talking about taking care of herself as a top priority, "Health and well-being. And my family is everything to me. I like staying busy. Because I love what I do, it keeps me grounded. I’m swimming a lot lately to stay flexible. I must get my sleep which is important to me. I do my best to eat well, but I do like Häagen-Dazs ice cream."

No further information from the cruise line or Diana Ross has been shared as to why the change is occurring.

A new tropical disturbance is brewing, and Royal Caribbean is already moving one of its cruise ships away.

Meteorologists at the National Hurricane Center are monitoring the track of Tropical Storm Erin as it continues to track westward through the eastern Atlantic Ocean.

While the storm is still quite distant from land, it's expected track has caused Royal Caribbean to re-route one of its ships to avoid being anywhere near it.

Guests booked on the August 14 sailing of Vision of the Seas were originally scheduled to visit Bermuda, but the ship will now head south instead.

An email sent to passengers informed them that a change was made because of Erin's expected path, "Before we set sail, we have an important itinerary update to share with you. Along with our Chief Meteorologist, Craig Setzer, our Captain has been monitoring Tropical Storm Erin and its expected track that will take it near Bermuda during our sailing."

"In the interest of safety, we have decided to avoid the storm and head south."

The forecast models aren't certain where Erin will go, but a more northerly track is expected to occur as steering currents may lift Erin closer to the U.S. coast or there could be a direct impact to Bermuda.

Vision of the Seas will instead visit Port Canaveral, Florida and Nassau, Bahamas.

"While we will miss our overnight visit to Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda, we will now enjoy a full day in Orlando (Port Canaveral), Florida, on Sunday, August 17, instead. "

"Additionally, our new itinerary allows us to update our arrival in Nassau, Bahamas, to 7:00 AM instead of 1:00 PM, giving you even more time to enjoy everything this beautiful destination has to offer!"

Royal Caribbean apologized for the change in plans due to the weather, "We’re terribly sorry for the last-minute change caused by the weather – your safety is our top priority."

Any pre-paid shore excursions booked in Royal Naval Dockyard through Royal Caribbean will automatically be refunded to the original payment on file within 14 business days. 

A possible category 3 hurricane

If all goes as expected, Tropical Storm Erin will become the first major hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season.

Erin's growth is being limited currently by a combination of dry air and dust from the seasonal Saharan dust plume. However, that won't last for long.

There is a lot of uncertainty regarding what, if any, impacts Erin will have to land.

Most of the models are consistent with a westerly track that may bring Erin just north of the Caribbean Islands. The storm may intensify over warmer Atlantic water as it moves west and north of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico this weekend.

A quicker intensification would make it more likely to curve north sooner, while a slower strengthening could allow it to push farther west before turning.

Guest reactions

Whenever a tropical storm impacts cruise ship plans, there's quick reaction on social media.

Marjil Gosnell posted, "I'd be mad. I’d be mad in general if I paid for Bermuda and docking at Cape Canaveral instead. Big difference.

Diane Rivera posted, "Every time a cruise line reroutes or cancels ports for whatever reason, some people get so upset at them. A lot of us understand why and go with the flow. This is a safety issue, not to mention, ports will close because of storms and they couldn't go in anyway."

Gwendolyn Salzman added, "They change to keep the ship and passengers safe."

When Royal Caribbean upgrades Ovation of the Seas, it's going to have a few big changes to it.

Earlier this year, the cruise line announced plans to upgrade three of its cruise ships with new updates as part of its next phase of ship updates.

Ovation of the Seas is getting a Royal Amplification, and we have a look at what those changes entail, thanks to the updated deck plans.

Here's what you can expect to be different on Ovation of the Seas when the work is complete.

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

The Royal Amplification will take place in April 2026.

Starting on deck 3, the casino will be significantly expanded.

The updated deck plans reveal Casino Royale will take over Music Hall entirely and replace the venue.

Royal Caribbean has been expanding its casino footprint on a few of its ships. Freedom of the Seas had its wine bar replaced with a casino, and both Utopia of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas expanded the casino to include more non-smoking areas.

More casino space means more revenue, and it's the most likely reason for Music Hall being eliminated on Ovation.

Moving up to deck 4, the upper level of Music Hall will become "Sound Cellar". 

Here's the description of Sound Cellar from Royal Caribbean's website:

Turn up the volume on late night music in the all-new, first-of-its-kind Sound Cellar. This is a venue tuned for all kinds of shows — a Hollywood-style scene bringing nonstop whoas. Like electric sessions with the house band, covering your favorite jams. And DJ fueled beats that will keep you on your feet all night long. Rev up any adventure — or wind down with an epic nightcap — in this groovy wonderland, only on the newly Amplified Ovation of the Seas®.

Starbucks will replace La Patisserie.

La Patisserie was the de facto Starbucks location on Ovation, but will now be transformed into a full Starbucks standalone kiosk.

New cabins are being added to deck 5, replacing the photo gallery.

Ten new cabins are being added to this space, which is near the Schooner Bar.

Pesky Parrot will replace the Bionic Bar.

Pesky Parrot first debuted on Utopia of the Seas, and it's a tiki bar concept that will replace the aging robot bartenders.

Royal Caribbean will replace Wonderland specialty restaurant with Izumi Teppanyaki.

Arguably one of the most popular restaurants on Royal Caribbean, the hibachi tables will offer guests a cooking style not previously available onboard.

If you prefer sushi, Izumi sushi is still located just around the corner on deck 5.

Another change on deck 5 is the shore excursion desk is being replaced with "Royal HQ."

There are no details what that will be, exactly.

We can also expect to find Giovanni's Italian Kitchen replacing Jamie's Italian towards the aft of deck 5.

Giovanni's Italian Kitchen is the cruise line's home grown Italian specialty restaurant concept.

The Concierge Club (otherwise known as the Suite Lounge) has been replaced by a number of new suites.

Likewise, the Conference Center on deck 13 has also been replaced with new suites.

I believe this is where you'll find the Ultimate Family Suite, a two-story space with a slide and other family-focused amenities.

Up on deck 14, we see a number of changes to the pool deck.

Splashaway Bay remains, but the footprint will be reworked a bit.  It appears it might be slightly expanded.

Splashaway Bay is the kids aquapark that has splash areas, geysers, and more.

The Living Room (teen club) is being replaced by a Suite Lounge, since the old one is being removed on deck 12.

More cabins are being added to deck 16, in front of the fitness center.

A total of 7 cabins are being added, and they appear as though they could be panoramic view rooms, similar to the ones that were added on the Freedom Class ships.

Changes coming to two other ships

Ovation of the Seas is one of three ships getting major upgrades as part of Royal Caribbean's renewed Royal Amplification process.

Harmony of the Seas will also get an overhaul in April 2026.

Updates include a new Caribbean-style pool area with The Lime & Coconut, a redesigned Solarium, the addition of Samba Grill Brazilian Steakhouse, and the largest Casino Royale in the fleet.

They will also add the Ultimate Family Suite onboard.

Liberty of the Seas is also due for changes in 2026.

We can expect a reimagined pool deck, a new Royal Escape Room concept, and additional food and beverage options including El Loco Fresh, Izumi Teppanyaki, and Starbucks. 

Royal Caribbean is undertaking these updates as a means of keeping its aging vessels relevant and compelling to book.

While new ships introduce new concepts, existing ships need to keep up with amenities.  By adding back new amenities, it increases interest in trying these ships for passengers.

The passenger who was injured riding one of the water slides on Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas plans to sue the cruise line for compensation. 

(Credit: @nowimtraveling [right])

The unidentified guest hired Alex Perez of Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A., according to Local 10. Perez confirmed that his client suffered injuries after the acrylic glass on the Frightening Bolt slide broke on Aug. 7, 2025. 

The Frightening Bolt is the largest drop slide at sea. Its height of 46 feet and trapdoor launch make it one of the more extreme attractions on a cruise ship. 

Although the cruiser didn't fall through the gaping hole, other passengers reported seeing "skin laceration injuries from his legs to his hands."

(Credit: @aaron.dv02 [left] / @fireal7 [right])

Videos and pictures began circulating on social media after the incident, showing the gushing water soaking the lounge chairs on Deck 15. 

A Royal Caribbean spokesperson said the guest received medical assistance and that the slide will remain closed until the company completes its investigation and makes repairs.

"Our firm has decades of experience handling cruise passenger injury cases, and unfortunately, incidents involving material or design failures aboard cruise ships are something we see far too often," stated Perez. 

(Credit: @maddietspmo [left] / @natalya.ash [right])

"Cruise ships have a responsibility to ensure that the attractions they open and encourage passengers to use are safe. We are thankful for the trust this family has placed in us to represent them."

Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A. is a leading maritime and cruise passenger injury law firm. They have a proven success record, according to their website. They have recovered over $500 million for their clients and won more than 3,000 cases. Combined, their team has over 200 years of experience. 

Read more: Cruise ship water slide breaks on Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, passenger injured

Royal Caribbean isn't sure when the Frightening Bolt slide will reopen

"The company has not provided a timeline for reopening and is investigating whether the failure was due to a manufacturing defect, installation issue, or an unexpected impact," Royal Caribbean told UNILAD. 

However, the other slides at the Category 6 Waterpark remain operational, including the Pressure Drop, Storm Chasers, Hurricane Hunter, and Storm Surge.

That said, Royal Caribbean shut down the Frightening Bolt on Star of the Seas following the accident on Icon out of an abundance of caution. One of the crew members said that it will remain closed until they can conduct a thorough inspection. 

Star of the Seas is set to embark on a series of short preview cruises beginning on Aug. 16. Her official maiden voyage is scheduled for Aug. 31. The 7-night cruise will visit Perfect Day at CocoCay, Costa Maya, Roatán, and Cozumel. 

Read more: Spotted: Water slide closed on new Royal Caribbean ship after accident involving passenger on Icon of the Seas

I found a way to combine two of the included restaurants on Royal Caribbean's Star of the Seas to create my new favorite cruise snack.

While aboard the newest Royal Caribbean ship, I was given an idea by one of our writers to try a food hack out to see if it was as good as it sounded.

There are two restaurants on the pool deck of an Icon Class cruise ship within steps of each other: Basecamp and El Loco Fresh.

On their own, there is tasty food at each, but what if we took something from both to create a super snack?

In the name of research, I decided to give it a try.

Mexican loaded tater tots

The idea was simple: grab a basket full of freshly made tater tots at Basecamp, and then top them off.

I went to Basecamp, which is located in the Thrill Island area of the ship. 

This restaurant has grab-and-go quick service food for anyone that's busy enjoying all the fun of the Category 6 waterpark, mini golf, sports court, or Flowrider.

Originally some of the menu items here cost money, but Royal Caribbean changed it to be completely included later.

I ordered tater tots, and asked for enough to essentially create a base at the bottom of the basket.

I then took a short walk out of Basecamp, past the rock climbing wall, and down the stairs to El Loco Fresh.

El Loco Fresh is another included restaurant that has Mexican food for a quick meal.

I bypassed all the tacos, burritos, and quesadillas on the buffet and instead went to the toppings bar.

The genius of this hack is I topped the tater tots off with anything from here that I liked.

I went with salsa, hot sauce, guacamole, and jalapenos.  As you can tell, I like a kick to my food.

I was a bit concerned about making the tots too soggy, but eating them quickly, it was amazing how much better the tots tasted.

No matter which toppings you choose, it really takes the monotony of plain fried potatoes to offer a terrific flavor combination.

I probably could have just added hot sauce and been good, but I really liked how the the taco toppings elevated it all together.

Without a doubt, you want to grab the tater tots down as soon as you can.  The warmer they are, the better it all tastes.

My dessert hack

I felt so good about my food hack experimented, I had to go and try my other favorite cruise pool deck food hack.

This idea is simple, but it's so much better!

Grab a plastic water cup at El Loco Fresh, and then walk across Chill Island to Sprinkles.

At Sprinkles, you can enjoy soft serve ice cream.  Usually, it's served in a small sugar cone.

The problem with the cone is it's a small serving, and it all melts so quickly.

Hand them the cup and you get a less messy, yet significantly bigger ice cream serving.

If you really want something fun, take your cup of ice cream back to El Loco Fresh and get a shot of rum to pour into the cup at the Cantina!

Either way, dessert is better when it's not messy and there's plenty of it!

Parents will have an easier way to keep tabs on their kids' location while on a cruise ship.

Royal Caribbean is offering parents a tracking feature within its app on its new ship.

The "Find My Kid" feature is an optional add-on for parents to use, and it's exclusively available on Star of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean previously tested it on Icon of the Seas last summer. According to the cruise line website, it's only available on Star.

How it works

After registering a child at the kids club onboard, parents can purchase a special Adventure Ocean WOW Band.

The device is a waterproof bracelet that allows parents to track the bracelet's location via the Royal Caribbean app.

The band costs $14.99.

After that, parents just need to activate the Find My Kid feature in the app.

Parents can tap the Find My Kid icon in the app menu.

Royal Caribbean says it's for kids between 3 and 12 years old, and allows you to see the location of your kids onboard in some areas of the ship, like certain public areas and staterooms, through the app’s deck maps. 

Parents can choose which other passengers can track the kids, such as parents, older siblings, or friends and family can opt into it as well.

Better tracking

Tracking within a cruise ship is a helpful idea.

Unlike Apple Airtags, Find My Kid seems to have the ability to better geolocate itself across decks of the ship and within certain venues. 

Moreover, Find My Kid integrates into the Royal Caribbean app.

The device isn't a replacement for parenting. Rather, it's peace of mind for parents to have another way to keep tabs on where their children are onboard.

Not only does it make it easier to know where kids are, but it potentially could reduce the chances of a lost child situation later.

Available only on Star of the Seas

As of now, it's only available on Royal Caribbean's newest ship, Star of the Seas.

While the feature was originally tested on Icon of the Seas, the Royal Caribbean website only mentions Star as the ship offering it.

Star of the Seas is days away from welcoming passengers onboard.

The new ship will be one of the biggest ships in the world when it launches, capable of carrying 7,600 guests at maximum capacity.

Royal Caribbean designed Star to be the follow-up to the very successful Icon of the Seas, and both ships offer the ultimate family cruising experience.

The ship has an entire waterpark, a park, a neighborhood dedicated to families, and much more.

The official first sailing begins August 31, although there are four showcase sailings that precede it.