Royal Caribbean Blog

With tensions in the Middle East as high as ever over the last week due to escalating air strikes between the U.S., Israel and Iran, travelers are understandably worried.

The question on some people's mind has been how will all of this possibly alter cruise ship plans.

A user on Reddit posted, "I have a cruise coming up in a few weeks that goes through Greece, Turkey, and Cyprus. This is my first cruise and I’m feeling uncertain about the current state of things given recent events. What are the odds that my trip gets canceled?"

Geopolitical turmoil is not new to the cruise industry, but this conflict has the world's attention. While this blog has no official standing with the cruise line and we do not speak for them, I wanted to share what to think about as your trip approaches.

Anything is possible, but no changes at this time

In the case of the person that asked the question, a Mediterranean cruise that visits Turkey and Greece is likely sufficiently far away from the conflict that a cruise cancellation shouldn't be a concern.

Short of the conflict expanding into a larger conflict that involves more of Europe, it's my opinion that cruise ships aren't near enough for there to be a change in itinerary.

Royal Caribbean operates no cruises that visit Israel, Iran, or destinations in the Persian Gulf.

It's far more likely that a ship would be re-routed rather than cancelled, and even that is a low chance.

The regions cruise ships visit in the Mediterranean have not been targets of military strikes, and as others have pointed out, it's not a worry at the moment.

"Odds are about zero. Don't sweat it."

"As others have said, odds are zero, unless war breaks out and it affects your cruise regions. If that does happens, they will just reroute to different ports to avoid the conflict."

"Highly unlikely. Relax and enjoy your trip!"

These are all the sort of comments that people had for the original question posed, and I agree with their assessments. 

If the nature of the conflict were to change, that would be a different story. But for now, a cruise being cancelled seems unlikely.

Important to remain vigilant

While your cruise may not be cancelled, that isn't to say travelers shouldn't let their guard down.

The State Department has issued new warnings for Americans traveling around the world as the result of the U.S. airstrikes on Iran.

American involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict compelled the U.S. State Department to advise all U.S. citizens overseas to exercise increased caution.

"The conflict between Israel and Iran has resulted in disruptions to travel and periodic closure of airspace across the Middle East," the new alert posted on Sunday read. 

"There is the potential for demonstrations against U.S. citizens and interests abroad."

The State Department advised Americans to exercise increased caution globally and to check its specific country advisories, as well as "any recent security alerts when planning travel."

You can consult all of the travel advisories and security alerts on the State Department website.

What's happened with other conflicts

While not apples-to-apples, what we've consistently seen when conflicts erupt around the world is cruise ships simply sail elsewhere.

Last year, Voyager of the Seas was re-routed away from the Red Sea because of concerns there.

At the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Royal Caribbean shifted its ships away from planned visits to Russia.

Royal Caribbean took a two year break from visiting Turkey due to instability in the region, but it still offered cruises that visited nearby Greece.

Every situation is different, but perhaps these examples offer some context.

If you’ve sailed with Carnival Cruise Line, chances are you’ve indulged in a burger from the beloved and iconic Guy’s Burger Joint. While Royal Caribbean doesn’t offer a comparable venue, there is one surprising place onboard where you can find a burger that holds its own - the main dining room.

One of the most popular dining venues on Carnival Cruise Line is Guy’s Burger Joint, and it’s become a staple for many loyal Carnival cruisers. You can find this burger joint across Carnival's fleet, even on their older vessels. The venue quickly became a fan favorite after launching in 2011 through a partnership with celebrity chef Guy Fieri.

Most cruisers would argue this poolside eatery serves up some of the best burgers at sea. As a burger lover myself, I’d have to agree! After sailing with Carnival Cruise Line multiple times, I’d consider myself a bit of a Guy’s Burger Joint aficionado. 

The crafted burgers at Guy's Burger Joint are far from basic. They're served with bold flavor and indulgent toppings, such as bacon patties, onion rings, melty cheese and more. Even better, it’s fully included in your cruise fare, so you can enjoy as many juicy, freshly made burgers as you want throughout your sailing. All burgers are served with well-seasoned and hand-cut, crispy French fries.

Although Royal Caribbean serves basic build-your-own burgers daily in the Windjammer buffet, the cruise line lacks a dedicated burger stand like Carnival. 

If your ship has a Johnny Rockets or Playmaker’s Sports Bar, you could pay extra to have a top-notch burger during your cruise. In addition, you could treat yourself to lunch at Chops Grille, one of Royal Caribbean’s specialty restaurants, where they serve an elevated and higher quality burger for an extra charge.

However, there is one underrated venue that serves one of the best burgers for free on Royal Caribbean. During lunch or brunch in the main dining room, keep an eye out for a hidden gem on the menu: the Royal Burger.

Even though I’ve cruised with Royal Caribbean more than 30 times, I’ve rarely visited the main dining room for lunch. However, while cruising on Anthem of the Seas earlier this spring, I decided to have lunch in the main dining room before our afternoon arrival in Tokyo, Japan.

One of the entrees caught my attention immediately, the Royal Burger. While I’d seen other Royal Caribbean cruisers praise the Royal Burger, I had yet to actually try it myself. My mom and I decided to order this crowd favorite for our lunch, and we were honestly blown away!

On the menu, Royal Caribbean describes the Royal Burger as, “A 1/4-pound patty served on a brioche bun with lettuce, tomato, pickles, fried onions, cheddar cheese, special sauce and a side of fries.”

To start, the Royal Burger features an impressively large 1/4-pound beef patty, and it’s cooked to your preference. I prefer ordering mine medium well, with just a little bit of pink in the middle. The toppings are stacked high with flavorful fried onions and sharp cheddar cheese, along with fresh lettuce, tomato, and pickles. There’s even a special burger sauce drizzled on top!

I ordered my Royal Burger with a side of ranch for both the burger and the crispy fries. In addition, I skipped the lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles, instead opting for a side of bacon. My mom ordered her Royal Burger as advertised. After taking one bite, we both said, “Wow! This is wonderful!”

The Royal Burger was super flavorful and juicy, and the special sauce gave it a small kick that pulled everything together. The fries were served hot and crispy, just as I would have hoped! I also added a little ranch to my burger, and it was a delicious touch that paired perfectly with the other flavors. 

My mom and I absolutely loved the Royal Burger, and couldn’t stop raving about it throughout the day. Sadly, this was our final day onboard so we couldn’t return for another Royal Burger on this cruise. Because of this, we couldn't wait to try the Royal Burger during our recent cruise on Ovation of the Seas. 

Overall, the Royal Burger was everything you could want in a good burger during a cruise. The patty was well-seasoned and cooked perfectly, with a nice sear on the outside that added great flavor and texture. I loved how the bun was lightly toasted, and I prefer the hint of sweetness with brioche buns. 

The Royal Burger is definitely a step up from the build-your-own burgers in the Windjammer. The patty feels much heartier, and I’d guess it’s about twice the size of the burgers served at the buffet.  The overall quality is also noticeably better in the main dining room. 

In my opinion, the Royal Burger easily rivals the burgers served at Guy’s Burger Joint on Carnival Cruise Line. In fact, I actually prefer this more elevated option compared to Carnival's burgers. While this certainly comes down to personal preference, I appreciated how the Royal Burger wasn’t quite as greasy as the burgers served at Guy’s Burger Joint.

With the Royal Burger, I was able to enjoy the rest of my day without any gastrointestinal repercussions. I enjoyed my afternoon exploring Tokyo on foot without feeling weighed down from a greasy lunch. Now that I’ve experienced the hyped Royal Burger myself, I will definitely look for this crowd favorite on every future Royal Caribbean cruise. After all, one of the biggest highlights of cruising is indulging in all of the delicious cuisine onboard.

One cruise ship truly changed the industry when it debuted, and it remains one of Royal Caribbean's best ships.

When Royal Caribbean first launched Oasis of the Seas in 2009, every cruise ship that came before it suddenly felt obsolete. The Oasis Class did not merely enlarge the scale of cruising, it redefined what a cruise ship could be. 

More than a decade later, Royal Caribbean’s leadership remains confident that the Oasis Class wasn’t just a milestone in naval engineering, but a turning point in modern leisure.

According to Jason Liberty, CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, the enduring success of the class stems from a culture of sustained reinvention. “Continuous improvement is really one of our key mantras in the company," Liberty stated. “How do we make it better tomorrow? How do we make it better ten years from now? And that’s where all the dreaming comes in."

This spirit of ambition was at the heart of the Oasis Class from the beginning. Harri Kulovaara, Executive Vice President of Maritime & Newbuilding, recalls the magnitude of the project with characteristic understatement. “When we started to dream of a ship of this size, that time was probably for us the largest leap in the design process, in the technical process, in managing something as complex as it is.”

From a technical and conceptual standpoint, Oasis was a radical departure. Rather than following the industry’s established formula, Royal Caribbean set out to design something that reoriented the very idea of vacation at sea. “When the Oasis class first debuted in the cruise industry,” said Darren Budden, Director of Product Development, “it for the first time truly made the ship the destination on a cruise vacation. The Oasis class has been copied but never replicated.”

The list of innovations introduced with Oasis is extensive: Central Park, an open-air green space inspired by Manhattan; the AquaTheater, a vast amphitheater built into the ship’s stern; the Ultimate Abyss, the tallest dry slide at sea. These were not gimmicks, but carefully calculated design choices meant to segment the ship into “neighborhoods,” each offering a distinct experience.

Kelly Gonzalez, Senior Vice President of Architectural Design, traced the origin of Central Park back to analytical design work. “We had realized that Central Park in Manhattan was proportionate to the atrium that we had on Oasis class to the size of the ship.” What could have remained a novelty was instead transformed into a peaceful, living environment in the middle of the ocean. “It’s a beautiful setting,” said Michael Bayley, President & CEO of Royal Caribbean International. “Tens of thousands of plants and trees. It’s very special.”

Equally daring was the AquaTheater. “We said there needs to be an amphitheater which is looking into the ship,” Kulovaara noted. “It wasn’t easy to put 500 tons of water into that area.” But the ambition paid off. The AquaTheater became a defining feature of the class, enabling diving performances and acrobatics that were once unthinkable on a moving vessel.

This willingness to challenge conventions remained a hallmark of the class’s evolution. Jay Schneider, Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer, emphasized how *Oasis of the Seas* became its own benchmark. “In 2009, Oasis of the Seas was a game changer for the industry,” he said. “And the beauty of that class is it’s only continued to evolve and compete essentially with itself.”

Indeed, each new Oasis-class ship has become an exercise in refinement. “Every Oasis class is an evolution of the previous one,” Bayley explained. “Everything we learn from the first to the second to the third, to the fourth, to the fifth, to the sixth, Utopia is built in and refined.”

*Utopia of the Seas*, launching as the sixth ship in the class, represents the current apex of this approach. Schneider describes it as “tradition, evolution, revolution.” The ship not only carries forward signature features like the Ultimate Abyss and AquaTheater, but also rethinks elements such as the open deck and dining venues. “It’s a food and beverage revolution and evolution, all packaged in one,” he said.

Julie Ansorge, Senior Product Owner, highlighted the revitalized Ultimate Abyss slide. “We added another section to it with rollers so that you get a little boost… It also is going to have a false exit, which is a clear acrylic section. So when you come around that bend, it looks like you’re going to shoot out into the boardwalk.”

Other enhancements address more subtle aspects of guest behavior. “One of the main guest focuses that we wanted to address was the need for more nighttime activations,” Ansorge explained. “This is going to be the world’s biggest party.”

Royal Caribbean has also been deliberate in creating ships that can evolve in service. “We build the ships from the beginning in such a way that we have capability of adding weight,” said Kulovaara. “We always try to think that there’s always room for some revolutionary thoughts.”

This built-in flexibility supports the line’s “Royal Amplified” modernization program. Daniella Hoffmann, Associate Vice President of Product Development, described the effort as an ongoing response to guest expectations. “We start the process by asking questions and really honing in on what are the things that differentiate this experience from any other.”

For all its scale and complexity, the Oasis Class has never lost sight of its central purpose. As Bayley put it: “We’ve always been focused on making sure that we’re highly relevant with our guests. And as guests change and families evolve, so does Royal Caribbean.”

The enduring relevance of Oasis Class is perhaps best summarized by Kulovaara himself. “I think Oasis was enormously successful from day one and has fulfilled all the expectations,” he reflected. 

“It broke in many ways the paradigms which are in cruising. It has not only changed Royal Caribbean—I think it has changed the entire industry.”

In an era where many cruise lines follow trends, Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class continues to chart its own course—anchored not in spectacle for its own sake, but in a disciplined, evolving vision of what the cruise experience can offer.

Happy Sunday! Hope you are having a relaxing weekend and enjoying summer! It is time to sit back, relax, and catch up on all the recent Royal Caribbean news!

Royal Caribbean announced it will upgrade three cruise ships with new features and enhancements.

The upgrades are part of the fleet's Royal Amplified program.

Each ship will get specific additions, such as new restaurants, bars, and revamped pools.

Royal Caribbean News

• I flew to Europe for a cruise and was paranoid about jetlag. I did 3 things to beat it
• I paid $660 to eat just specialty dining on Icon of the Seas. It was better than advertised, but I missed free food
• I packed the wrong clothes for the last day of my cruise, and it's a reminder of the worst cruise ship packing mistakes
• Why I love my cruise lanyard — and why i’ll always keep it in my carry-on
• 10 Alaska cruise essentials to not forget
• I spent two days in Disneyland Paris and it reminded me how much better a value cruises are

New RCB Video: My cruise excursion plans backfired

Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — My cruise excursion plans backfired — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Carnival overhauls its loyalty program with major changes

Royal Caribbean's major competitor made significant changes to its customer loyalty program that has caught the attention of just about everyone.

Carnival is switching to a program that's more akin to airline frequent flyer programs, where how much you spend factors into your status.  Plus, you have to cruise to keep your status.

Because it's such a departure from how cruise lines have approached their programs, it's raised the question if other lines will make similar changes.

Photos show progress being made to Royal Caribbean's private beach club

Royal Beach Club at Paradise Island will open at the end of this year and work is progressing on its construction.

Photos taken this week show foundations for the major structures are already in place, with a buzz of activity.

Once opened, it will be a paid entry opportunity exclusive to Royal Caribbean passengers in Nassau, Bahamas.

Celebrity cruise ship drifts from pier after wind squall

The Celebrity Edge ship had an incident involving strong winds this week.

While in Alaska, the forward lines snapped when the ship was docked in Juneau.

Because of the strong winds, Celebrity Edge drifted into the harbor near other ships.

5 simple (and cheap) things to make your cruise excursion be more enjoyable

I've found it's easy to enhance your shore excursion without spending a lot.

I think bringing a few small things on almost any cruise tour will make it more enjoyable.

In fact, you might already own some of these items.

Royal Caribbean expands partnership with land-based casino

MGM Casino is making it easier to benefit from your cruising loyalty.

Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises have strengthened their casino loyalty partnership with MGM and announced changes to its offerings.

Players who gamble in the onboard casinos can now earn MGM Rewards Points, tier credits, and slot dollars.

Convenience is king on any cruise, and bringing a lanyard is something I'll always bring on my cruise to make my life onboard easier.

There are plenty of things you could pack to bring on a cruise, but a vastly underrated one is a lanyard because I doubt I've ever considered having one on any land vacation I've taken.

I first noticed other cruisers wearing them when I started cruising, and I never thought I needed one until I gave it a try.  It was one of those "don't knock it 'till you try it" situations.

Here's why you might might want to try it too.

Easy to use and store

Your key, literally and figuratively, to everything onboard a Royal Caribbean ship is your SeaPass card.

Ships are cashless and you use your SeaPass card to get into your cabin and make purchases, so you need to keep it with you. Some folks use pockets, some have a stick-on wallet on their phone, some put them in a wallet or a purse and others opt for lanyards. 

One of the top reasons a lanyard is helpful is because it stores your SeaPass card in an easy to access spot.  This is especially true if you don't have pockets, such as women wearing a dress or anyone in a bathing suit.

They're also really good for anyone prone to losing cards, as I've found is a not-so-useful talent of mine.

Having a lanyard makes it easier than digging in your pocket or searching for the SeaPass card in a bag.

It's easy to put the SeaPass card down and walk away from it, but the lanyard is a good reminder since it's around your neck.

One advantage of lanyards over using your pockets in pants is how often you may change pants during the day.  

You start off with shorts, switch to a bathing suit, and then formal wear in the evening.  The amount of times I've had to go back and dig through the dirty laundry pile to find my cash or SeaPass card in a pocket seems to be my own personal unwanted cruise tradition.

Lanyards aren't necessary, but they are so darn convenient.

Lanyards are so helpful for kids

Stop me if you've heard this before: kids misplace everything.

To that point, a lanyard makes it more difficult for them to misplace their lanyard it if it's around their neck!

I also keep some cash in them

I'll sometimes keep cash in the lanyard too, because tipping a little bit extra at bars is common on sea days.

I usually tip a waiter or bartender $1-$2 per drink I order, so it's easy to store a few of those dollars in my lanyard.

I keep my casino gambling money in my pocket, but I prefer not to pull out a big wad of money if I don't have to.  I'm not so much worried someone is going to steal my money as I am concerned I'll fumble through it and drop some.

A waterproof lanyard is really helpful at the beach

I've also purchased a waterproof lanyard to have with me when I'm at the beach, and this is even more useful.

At Perfect Day at CocoCay, I'll want to maximize my time in the pool, but leaving valuables back at the chairs can be unnerving. 

Having a waterproof lanyard allows you to keep your identification with you, along with cash.

I'll leave the lanyard behind during one part of the cruise

I love my lanyard on the ship or at a private destination, but I'll leave it behind on a port day.

No one will really question or think twice about you wearing a lanyard on the ship, but if I'm on a shore excursion or exploring a city, I wont wear my lanyard because I think it makes me stick out too much as a tourist.

To be fair, I'm sure I'll stick out as a tourist anyway, but I think it's important to do what you can to not make yourself an easy mark. Meaning, don't be so blatantly obvious to become a target.

Instead, I'll keep my valuables in a cross body bag that is great for preventing pickpockets.

My favorite lanyards to buy

There are so many different lanyards you can buy, including ones Royal Caribbean sells in the cruise terminal and onboard its ship.

Here are a few options for men and women:

• Retractable, detachable lanyard
• Leather lanyard
• Cruise On Lanyard Essentials (2-Pack)
• Vera Bradley Women's Cotton Zip ID Case and Lanyard Combo

All of these links are affiliate links, which means I get a few bucks if you buy something, but it costs you nothing extra.

Few words conjure up as much trepidation among travelers as jet lag because it can ruin your trip.

I've flown to Europe twice, and just took another trip last week with my family. Since it was their first time visiting Europe, I didn't want jetlag to start us off on the wrong foot.

Jet lag can take a few days to overcome if you get it, and we had pre-cruise touring plans to see.

I was afraid my kids would succumb to it and end up wanting to sleep in the afternoon and wide away in the night. Not only would  that mess up my plans, it would put them in a bad mood.

I came up with a plan to beat jetlag that worked out well, despite a challenging first day.

Pick a flight that lands as late a possible

If you have a choice, always pick a flight that lands later in the day.

I always assume I won't sleep on an airplane because I never do. Even in lay flat seats, I can never get comfortable enough and my mind races too much.

Ideally, pick a flight that lands as late in the day as possible. If you could get one that lands in the evening, you could go right to sleep when you arrive at your hotel.

Initially I had a Virgin Atlantic flight booked that landed at 7am in the morning, but luckily found an Air France flight that landed at 1pm.

The key to beating jetlag is to acclimate immediately to local time, and that means not going to sleep after you land.

The less time you are awake the day you land, the better.  That way you're ready for sleep when it's the proper time.

Don't nap

I can't emphasize this enough, but napping is going to likely allow jetlag to settle in.

As I mentioned, you want to get on local time as fast as possible. Napping, especially when you're overtired from the flight, messes with your sleep cycle.

This is one of those "easier said than done" tips, but if you can manage to make it through the first day without napping and go to sleep at a reasonable hour in the evening, you'll thank yourself later when you're feeling back to normal faster.

Some travelers recommend the power nap, but I think it's too risky given how easy it is to stay asleep or sleep longer than intended.

Keep moving

If you shouldn't nap, I've found the best antidote to heavy eye lids is to keep yourself moving and doing things.

I dropped our bags off at the hotel and then immediately went out to tour and explore.

I find sitting or laying down, or even just being in your hotel room, seems to make it feel much more tired.

On the plus side, it's a good excuse to tour the city you're in pre-cruise.

One of the best tips for any cruise is to fly into your cruise port city at least a day ahead of time.  When flying across the Atlantic ocean, I'd recommend at least two days.  This prevents you from having a travel delay impact your ability to make your cruise ship.

I joked with a friend staying awake on the day you land is like the rules of fighting Freddy Kreuger. Don't let yourself fall asleep and keep moving!

My plan worked, it's still a difficult day

I don't want to make it seem this plan is a cake walk, because the first day is still going to feel rough.

At times I felt like a zombie, mindlessly walking to be doing something. By the late afternoon, it feels like keeping your eyes open is a struggle.

But it's all worth it on the second day. That night it's some of the best sleep of your life, and you wake up in the morning ready to go and see everything.

I felt so much better on the second day, with maybe some residual fatigue from the trip lingering. But by day three, I feel like myself again.

Not having jetlag is worth doing what's necessary, but it's not easy.

Having coffee or sodas early and often on the first day is a good idea too. 

Ultimately, we had a great time seeing Paris and London, and we were ready to get on our Royal Caribbean cruise as if we were locals in terms of feeling acclimated to the time.

No matter how many times you go on a cruise, it's not easy to pack for this kind of a vacation.

I think having been on as many cruises as I've taken contributed to making the mistake of assuming the weather and not checking the forecast.

I thought since I was taking a short Bahamas cruise on Royal Caribbean's weekend party ship, Utopia of the Seas, that I'd just need shorts, t-shirts, and a bathing suit as my core clothes to bring.

As it turned out, a winter cold front penetrated into The Bahamas and our day at Perfect Day at CocoCay was lovely, but on the chilly side.  One of those days where it's comfortable to be outside, but you'd want a hoodie or even a pair of jeans.

And then on disembarkation day back in Port Canaveral, I walked off the ship in shorts on a breezy and cold (well, cold for Florida) morning.

This experience served as a good reminder of the top cruise ship packing mistakes to avoid before your next sailing.

Forgetting to pack travel documents

You can make every other mistake on this list and be okay, but your cruise will end before it begins if you forget to pack the right travel documents.

You cannot board a Royal Caribbean cruise ship without the proper identification.  A passport works in every situation, but Americans sailing on a closed-loop sailing are able to alternatively sail with a birth certificate and state issued identification.  My advice is to bring a passport.

This packing mistake is as critical as it gets. You can buy clothes, throw away what you don't need, and show up in a bikini on formal night, but not having the right documentation will result in being denied boarding.

I'll quadruple check I have my passports with me when leaving the house, and probably double check again at the first red light I encounter.

Piggybacking on this mistake is be sure to keep your travel documents with you and do not put them in your checked luggage.

A very common mistake is people pack them in the suitcases they give to the cruise terminal porters, and that creates a real problem to track it all down later.

Bring your passport with you and keep it with you during the entire check-in process.

Not checking the weather forecast

As I mentioned earlier, not checking the weather in the days before your cruise begins is important so you're prepared.

In my situation on Utopia, I would have kept what I originally packed, but thrown a pair of jeans and my favorite zip up hooded sweatshirt so I was prepared if the forecast was indeed correct.

I wouldn't get too wrapped up in rain forecasts, especially in the Caribbean.  Rain is usually short lived in the tropics and it happens sporadically and it's very difficult to know if it will actually rain on you or somewhere else.

I'd check the weather 2-3 days before you're set to leave your home. You're primarily looking for a cold or warm front that might significantly impact what you can expect in port.

Don't waste your time with weather forecasts for the ocean.

Not packing critical things in your carry-on

In addition to keeping your passport in your carry-on bag, you should also make sure you have other really important things with you and not in your packed luggage.

Things like medication, valuable jewelry, electronics, and baby/kid supplies.

You may not see your packed bags delivered to your cabin for a few hours, so I would pack your carry-on bag with anything you'd need between getting to the cruise terminal and dinner that evening.

Some experts recommend packing a change of clothes for dinner, but I don't think that's totally necessary. There's an unsaid understanding dress codes on the first day are quit relaxed because of how luggage can be delayed in being delivered.

I'd focus on things you'd need during the day.

Not knowing you can bring certain food and drink on the ship

Some people are surprised they are allowed to bring some beverages and food onto the ship.

While you cannot bring beer or liquor, you are allowed to bring a bottle of wine per adult, as well as cans of soda or non-alcoholic beverage.

We always pack some pre-packaged snacks for the kids to have in the room, like chips or crackers. These are great for a quick bite to eat while getting ready in the room.  While the ship has plenty of snacks, parents understand kids prefer a certain brand or variety of snacks.

Bringing these items could save you some money, or it just might add a convenience factor.

Bringing a banned item

I'm amazed how many people pack things Royal Caribbean prohibits you from bringing.

The cruise line has a strict policy on not allowing certain appliances, accessories, weapons, sporting equipment and more. If you do pack it, they'll confiscated it and give it back to you at the end of the cruise.

But packing something you can't bring on the ship means space in your luggage taken up for no reason. Plus, I think it's a little embarrassing having your bags opened up for these things to be removed.

If you try packing them in your checked luggage, your bags will be held back from delivery and you'll have to go down to security to claim it.

Be sure to refer to Royal Caribbean's list of prohibited items before you start packing.

Not checking dress codes

While dress codes on Royal Caribbean really aren't enforced at all, I think a lot of cruisers want to know about themed nights so they can match.

While the amount of people dressing up for formal night seems to have gone down over the years, interest in themed nights has never been more popular.

Themed nights include 70s night, white night, or Caribbean night, and the idea is everyone dresses up to match the specific motif.

I see a lot of families getting into the fun so they can take fun photos together.

You can find out which theme nights and dress codes exist on your sailing with a little research pre-cruise.

Leaving nothing to wear on the final morning

You might scoff at this, but every so often there's a cruise passenger who forgets to leave out an outfit for the final morning.

A lot of people pack everything up the night before the cruise ends and then put their luggage out in the hallway so it can be delivered to the terminal the next day.

This is a great idea, but you need to leave clothes to wear on the next morning.

I've seen passengers in pajamas walking off the ship because they didn't do that.  

Carnival made a change so big to its loyalty program that Royal Caribbean fans are sure to notice.

Carnival Rewards is the new program that begins June 1, 2026, and represents a fundamental shift in how the cruise line recognizes and rewards its most dedicated guests. 

Unlike the VIFP Club, this new system introduces a more dynamic, spending-based model similar to airline frequent flyer programs. 

It's not only a departure from the traditional cruise loyalty model but also has implications for how guests will earn, redeem, and maintain elite status aboard Carnival ships.

Note that the Carnival Rewards program will not extend to any of Carnival Corporation’s sister lines, such as Princess, Holland America, or Costa Cruises. The change is only for Carnival Cruise Line.

Dollars spent instead of nights

Up until now, Carnival's VIFP Club was was similar to Royal Caribbean's Crown and Anchor Society: the more nights you sailed, the more points you accrued, and the higher your loyalty tier climbed. 

However, beginning in mid-2026, the focus will shift to money spent over nights sailed to determine status.

Under the new program, guests will earn 3 points per dollar spent on eligible Carnival purchases, including base cruise fare, specialty dining, shore excursions, spa treatments, and onboard beverages. 

Additionally, for every remaining casino point at the end of the sailing, guests will receive 1 Carnival Rewards point.

The new program rewards how much someone spends, in addition to simply sailing with the line. Cruisers that buy up onboard experiences (entertainment, dining, gambling) will likely find this system more beneficial.

Carnival credit card earns points too

Another big change within the program is the Carnival World Mastercard can earn you points in the loyalty program.

Points earned through credit card spending will now feed directly into the Carnival Rewards ecosystem, replacing the existing FunPoints system. Current cardholders will see their balances converted into the new currency automatically when the program goes live.

This integration allows guests to build reward value outside of cruising, adding another way for points to be accumulated. 

How redeeming Carnival points will work

One of the defining features of Carnival Rewards is its flexibility in redemption. Guests can use their points to cover a wide range of cruise-related expenses, including:

• Booking cruise fares
• Reserving shore excursions
• Purchasing packages in advance of embarkation
• Making onboard purchases during the voyage

Unlike many airline programs that impose redemption thresholds or blackout dates, Carnival Rewards will allow guests to redeem any amount of points, with no minimum required. This design is intended to lower the barrier to entry for new participants while also providing frequent cruisers a valuable, spendable reward currency.

Loyalty tiers

One of the biggest surprises of the announcement is status is no longer lifetime.

Going forward, there will be a rolling two-year qualification window. Loyalty status will now be determined using Status Qualifying Stars, which are earned at the same rate as reward points: 3 stars per dollar spent on eligible purchases and 1 star per casino point left at the end of a cruise.

Carnival Rewards will feature four loyalty tiers:

• Red: Entry level upon signup

• Gold: 10,000 stars

• Platinum: 50,000 stars

• Diamond: 100,000 stars

Once a tier is reached, it remains active for the remainder of that two-year period plus an additional two years. However, status is no longer permanent, and members must requalify within each two-year period to maintain their tier. 

More similar to airline loyalty programs

One conclusion a lot of cruisers came to after reading through Carnival Rewards is it mirrors the airline industry's loyalty approach more closely than any cruise line program.

Airline loyalty programs embrace a higher degree of competitiveness and recurring participation.

Changes to Platinum and Diamond benefits

Several benefits currently tied to Platinum and Diamond VIFP tiers will be discontinued beginning June 1, 2026. These include:

• The VIFP Club party on cruises of five nights or longer (to be replaced by two complimentary drinks)
• The $5 arcade credit for guests under 18
• The welcome treat for cruises five nights or longer (available by request only)
• The VIFP logo gift, previously offered on every sailing

Additionally, Diamond-level members will no longer receive the following one-time rewards after qualifying:

• Complimentary specialty dining meal for two
• One-time free cabin upgrade or free sailing for third, fourth, or fifth guests
• VIFP Club-branded luggage tag set

Would Royal Caribbean ever do the same?

Immediately after the news was posted, Royal Caribbean fans began thinking if this change would come their way.

"Do you think this is something Royal and the other lines will try to adopt?" wrote oOoOsarahOoOo on the Royal Caribbean subreddit.

xAdray replied, "I very much hope Royal realizes that by having the best loyalty program in the industry, they would have the most to lose by making drastic changes to C&A."

Pilotboy1985 talked about the need to requalify every two years, "Imagine it Royal did that. All the people who have been Pinnicale for decades, proudly wearing their pins, would all be bumped down to gold."

a1__steak_sauce added, "I really like Royal but if they messed with diamond drinks I’d not only be looking at other cruise lines, I’d be considering more land based vacations."

Royal Caribbean is making significant progress towards opening its first ever beach club.

Royal Beach Club at Paradise Island is going to open in December 2025 in the heart of Nassau, Bahamas, and it will be a cruise line project never before attempted.

"It's going to be one of the, I would argue, it will be the most amazing beach day in essence," said Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean's chief product innovation officer.

Unlike Royal Caribbean's private islands, this is an all-inclusive, extra cost admission area.  That means only Royal Caribbean cruise ship passengers can visit, but they must pay to enter.

RoyalCaribbeanBlog reader David Sigmund shared photos of the progress being made at the construction site in The Bahamas.

The land it's being built on is located opposite of where ships dock in Nassau, and it's going to be a high-end beach day that aims to fix an issue cruise passengers have with Nassau.

For years, Nassau has been poorly rated by passengers and this beach club is an attempt to improve.

"The brand of Nassau's worn down, we've been very blunt with everybody in Nassau and the Bahamas and the government and the media," explained Mr. Schneider.

Royal Caribbean believes with the combination of this new beach project, a massive revitalization of the Port of Nassau, and improvements downtown.

The beach club is a massive joint venture with the people of The Bahamas, where nearly every aspect of the operation of the club will be done by Bahamians.

"Every aspect of the operation will be done by a Bahamian operator. There isn't any aspect that we're reserving, with the exception of things like corporate cybersecurity," he said.

Relying on guest research, the plan is to open a three zone layout of fun in the sun.

• Chill Beach
• Party Cove
• Family Beach

The largest area will be Chill Beach, while Family Beach is perfect for those with children.  Lastly, Party Cove infuses music and celebration into the fun.

To get to the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, guests hop on a short water taxi from the pier.

There are two arrival areas to make it easier to get to either end, "This property is so long, we don’t want you to have to walk the length of it back and forth."

At Party Cove, there is going to be the world's largest swim-up bar.  It has 110 seats, eclipsing the current record holder in Dayton, Ohio.

The Floating Flamingo is the name of the giant structure where partying is going be centralized, "we'll end up being an engineering marvel that you will see as a beacon throughout much everywhere in Nassau."

The top floor of the bar will be where the DJ sits, with a VIP wing on both sides.

Unlike the other two zones, Party Cove has no beach.  The fun here is all held poolside.

Family Beach is all about balancing kid-friendly fun with grown-up comforts.

At the heart of Family Beach is a large, zero-entry pool, "The family pool [is] zero entry on both sides with, of course, a beautiful swim up bar right in the heart of it," said Mr. Schneider.

The pool is surrounded by cabanas, lounge chairs, shaded seating, and nearby bathrooms. And the layout has been carefully planned so families don’t have to walk far to get from the beach to the pool or from the food huts to their chairs. 

Family Beach will feature quick-service dining spots. Royal Caribbean plans to serve a 50/50 mix of American classics and Bahamian-inspired food. While there won’t be a full sit-down restaurant in this area.

In keeping with the local theme, Bahamian artists will contribute custom work throughout the club—including murals, sculptures, and building facades. “We had about 75 artists raise their hand and submit briefs,” Schneider said. “There are about 15 to 25 different places where you’ll see Bahamian-created art throughout the site.”

All in all, Family Beach is designed for what Royal Caribbean calls “relaxed energy” because it's a space where families can play, swim, and unwind together without sacrificing convenience or comfort.

At Chill Beach, you'll find a laid back area for anyone that wants to kick back in a tropical setting. It's about relaxed energy, offering an alternative to Party Cove.

"Chill is not quiet… It is relaxed, but there is a little bit of energy built into what our guests expect out of Chill," Schneider said.

It's located on the east side of the property, and if you disembark the ferry at Chill Beach, the view will stand out immediately. 

"You walk from a plaza, you see amazing views, you see great beach," Schneider explained. The beach here has been reshaped to create a gentler slope, improving both safety and comfort for lounging and swimming.

Central to Chill Beach is a long, beautifully designed pool with built-in seating, loungers, and a full swim-up bar—a must-have, according to Schneider. "Every pool has a swim-up bar. Our brand DNA changed when I took this job," he said.

Architecturally, the zone is designed to blend with the surroundings. "You will never find a concrete wall," he emphasized. "You will find Bahamian stone walls everywhere… we are going to great lengths to make sure that this feels like it’s always been part of the fabric and DNA."

Big changes are coming to three of Royal Caribbean's cruise ships.

Royal Caribbean has announced that three ships are going to get significant upgrades as part of the cruise line’s ongoing Royal Amplified initiative.

This includes:

• Ovation of the Seas
• Harmony of the Seas
• Liberty of the Seas

The work will begin in spring 2026, and cruisers can expect new dining concepts, entertainment venues, suite accommodations, and reimagined public areas across each vessel. 

Bookings are currently open for these ships, with the changes coming online once each vessel returns to service following a lengthy drydock.

The upgrades are a result of how well-received the work was on Allure of the Seas.  That ship got new enhancements earlier this year.

Jay Schneider, Chief Product Innovation Officer at Royal Caribbean, described the amplification efforts as a continuation of the line’s strategy to "deliver the best of every vacation," referencing the strong response to previous upgrades made to Allure of the Seas.

Here's a look at what Royal Caribbean has planned for each ship.

Ovation of the Seas

Amplification date: April 2026

Ovation of the Seas will get a newly renovated pool deck that includes private casitas and a whirlpool. New onboard offerings include Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen, Izumi Teppanyaki, the tiki-themed Pesky Parrot bar, and a new nightlife venue called Sound Cellar. 

The casino will be expanded as well.

The ship will also add new suites to include the Ultimate Family Suite and Panoramic Suite. 

Harmony of the Seas

Amplification date: April 2026

Royal Caribbean will upgrade Harmony of the Seas to coincide with its European summer season in 2026 before relocating to Florida for Caribbean sailings in winter. 

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.

The redesigned Solarium is likely to add a pool, given there is no pool in the adults-only area.  Instead, it has a water mister system that has been poorly received among guests.

It's also interesting that Samba Grill will be added, given it's only on two other ships. Nonetheless, Royal Caribbean kept Samba Grill on Allure of the Seas and it seems there's renewed life with this restaurant concept.

Liberty of the Seas

Amplification date: 2026

Liberty of the Seas will receive similar changes as the other ships with a reimagined pool deck, a new Royal Escape Room concept, and additional food and beverage options including El Loco Fresh, Izumi Teppanyaki, and Starbucks. 

Liberty of the Seas was scheduled to be refurbished originally in 2021, but those plans were cancelled due to the cruise industry shutdown.

The ship will sail from Southampton in summer 2026 with itineraries to Northern Europe before moving to Galveston, Texas, for winter sailings to the Western Caribbean.

Royal Caribbean hinted at more amplifications

Today's announcement is exciting, but not completely unexpected.

Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty told Wall Street investors they had intentions to upgrade ships that missed out on it in 2020 and 2021.

The Royal Amplified program, launched in 2018, aims to modernize Royal Caribbean’s older ships so they could better match up with newer vessels. 

Ship upgrades add more incentive to cruise

It's easy to feel like cruise ships are leapfrogged when newer ones arrive, especially in terms of what's available to do onboard.

Each ship is largely a reflection of the best ideas Royal Caribbean had at the time it launched.

To ensure they don't feel stale, Royal Caribbean has steadily upgraded most of its ships over the last two decades.

This started in earnest after the Oasis Class ships debuted, and the cruise line began adding features first introduced on Oasis and Allure of the Seas to older ships.

The next phase was the Royal Amplification program to continue that idea, but on bigger ships.

Today's announcement builds on the ships that received notable upgrades leading up to 2020.

The changes on Allure of the Seas was the first step in resuming that program, and now we have three more lined up.

Royal Caribbean's announcement follows similar news from Celebrity Cruises to upgrade its Solstice Class ships.

Celebrity Cruises plans to modernize the ships, elevating the guest experience while continuing to pay tribute to classic cruising.

Celebrity Solstice will be the first when it goes in to drydock in March 2026.

Upgrading ships is a smart business decision.  It adds new things to do onboard and makes older ships more enticing to book.

Plus, that added demand that amplifications have ensures higher cruise fares too.

Amplified ships drove up revenue as a result of higher guest satisfaction with the changes.

In 2019, former Royal Caribbean Group CEO Richard Fain talked about how lucrative the changes were, "Our vessel modernization program is driving strong results. These upgrades are expensive, but our guests love them and reward us accordingly."