Royal Caribbean Blog

Royal Caribbean just finished updates to one of its cruise ships as it returns to service with new features and upgrades.

Ovation of the Seas spent a number of weeks in drydock in Singapore to undergo a major refurbishment.

Royal Caribbean calls it a "Royal Amplification" because it's when a ship gets big changes that have since been introduced on newer ships.

Thanks to our friends at Cruise Beyond SG group, we have new photos of what the changes look like onboard.

Here's our photo tour of what's new, different, and changed on Ovation of the Seas.

What's new on Ovation of the Seas

Facebook user Ace/Blue took these photos around the ship, which is now sailing from Singapore.

First up, Giovanni's Italian Kitchen replaced Jamie's Italian towards the aft of deck 5.

Both restaurants offer Italian food, but Giovanni's is the cruise line's in-house branded option. It replaces an Italian restaurant that had a menu created by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver.

On the Royal Esplanade, Starbucks has taken over for the former cafe known as La Patisserie.

While La Patisserie did offer Starbucks drinks, this means it will be a Starbucks kiosk and offer a full menu of what the coffee giant has on any given day.

Drink packages do not work at Starbucks, but you can use a Starbucks rewards card to pay for drinks and earn stars.

One of the bigger changes to Ovation is the addition of the Pesky Parrot Bar.

This tiki-inspired bar was first introduced on Utopia of the Seas and has since been added to Allure of the Seas as well.

The Pesky Parrot replaces the Bionic Bar, which had robot bartenders.

Royal Caribbean appears to be slowly replacing the Bionic Bar concept.  It was a success for its time, but the technology was the focal point, and the cruise line is looking to craft grander experiences for its guests.

The new bar has fruit-based concoctions that will put you in a Caribbean state of mind

There's even a robotic parrot that will randomly say things.

At the launch of the bar on Utopia of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley said the idea for the parrot was that one one uncle or aunt who is the life of the party and tends to drink a little, but as the day wears on, drinks a lot.

If you're a fan of frozen drinks, this will be your new favorite bar. They have specialized blenders that can create all sorts of options.

My favorite was the pina colada that tastes like peanut butter.

On the surface, it sounds like a fun tiki bar, but when you see it in person, you'll realize it was designed to be your go-to hang out spot.

Another big change is there is now a hibachi restaurant on Ovation of the Seas.

Izumi Teppanyaki has been added, taking over the space from the Wonderland specialty restaurant.

According to Izumi founder and chef Travis Kamiyama, this new expansion is the first time on a Quantum Class ship that will have teppanyaki near the sushi restaurant, "We are thrilled to announce the launch of our newly amplified teppanyaki restaurant adjacent to Izumi sushi, a first for our [Quantum] class, where the synergy between the two establishments will enhance the dining experience with our experienced chefs and waitstaff."

This new area offers just the hibachi dining, where chefs cook in front of you.

Hibachi has become the most popular restaurant (by volume) across Royal Caribbean, so the changeover reflects how in-demand a teppanyaki restaurant is.

It's no surprise given how entertaining this style of dining has been on other ships.

If you prefer sushi or other Japanese cuisine, there's a stand-alone Izumi restaurant around the corner.

There's a new Suite Lounge on Ovation of the Seas, located on deck 14 midship.

Royal Caribbean opted to convert the old lounge (known as the Concierge Lounge) on deck 12 into staterooms. Then it converted The Living Room (teen club) into the new Suite Lounge.

The change in location is primarily to address complaints the old location was too far away because it was hidden away at the back of deck 14.

This new location is far more accessible.

Just like all Suite Lounges, there are complimentary snacks and coffee machine.

In the evening, there's a happy hour with complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages for suite guests.

Access to the Suite Lounge is for guests staying in a Grand Suite or higher (as well as Pinnacle Club members).

New cabins were added near the Schooner Bar on deck 5.

Ten new cabins were added here, replacing the photo gallery.

There's even a subtle Schooner Bar theme outside the rooms in the hallway.

The newly added rooms are interior staterooms 5160 to 5178.

Another big change is Royal Caribbean expanded the casino space on deck 3.

Casino Royale took over Music Hall entirely to replace the venue on deck 3.

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

Based on changes we've observed across the fleet, Royal Caribbean has prioritized expanding its casino offerings whenever a ship gets upgrades.

The upper portion of Music Hall has become the Sound Cellar.

At the time these photos were taken, the space was still being prepared.

Since cabins replaced the Photo Gallery that used to be near the Schooner Bar, there's now a photo gallery area combined with the shore excursions desk.

More changes to Ovation

In addition to the photo update we have, Royal Caribbean has made other upgrades to the ship.

There's now the Ultimate Family Suite onboard, a two-story space with a slide and other family-focused amenities.

The pool deck has gotten changes too.

The Splashaway Bay kids aqua park has been reworked and expanded.

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

Ovation is headed back to North America

The first passengers since the amplification boarded today, and the ship will begin a journey back to the west coast of the United States.

Sailing from Singapore on April 17 to Yokohama, Japan, the 14-night cruise will visit destinations in Vietnam, China, Taiwan and Japan.

From Yokohama, Ovation will sail a 15-night voyage to Canada, which will end in Vancouver on May 15, 2026.

At that point, Ovation will offer open-jaw Alaska cruises for the summer that sail between Vancouver and Seward, Alaska.

Alaska cruises on Ovation will include visits to Sitka, Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point and Skagway, as well as cruising around Hubbard Glacier.

A new way to enjoy brunch on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship might be coming soon that could be worth skipping the buffet for.

A cruiser recently spotted a Chops Grille Brunch offering listed on their upcoming sailing aboard Star of the Seas, and it’s not something we've seen widely offered across the fleet before.

As of now, it's only been spotted on the newest Royal Caribbean cruise ship, and it's one that could appeal to cruisers looking for something different on a sea day.

Specialty restaurants have offered lunch and dinner menus in the past, but this appears to be a more structured brunch experience inside one of its most popular specialty restaurants.

Brunch at Chops Grille

A reader posted in the Royal Caribbean Dining Facebook group screenshots and a menu of the new brunch offering at Chops Grille.

Based on the Cruise Planner listing and the menu shared by the reader, Chops Grille Brunch is currently priced at:

• $60 per adult
• $40 per child
• $30 surcharge for guests with a dining package or Star Class

This is a specialty dining option, which means you'll have to pay extra to experience it.

And importantly, it has only been spotted so far on Star of the Seas.

There’s no indication yet that this is fleetwide or even planned beyond Icon Class ships.

A closer look at the menu

The menu itself gives a better sense of what Royal Caribbean is trying to do here, going beyond just breakfast at the steakhouse.

Starters (served family style) include:

• Sliced fruit selection
• Cheese and charcuterie selection
• Scallops wrapped in bacon

From there, the menu splits into different directions.

Brunch sweets:

• Buttermilk pancakes
• A “Very Berry Waffle” with whipped cream, berries, honey, and caramel drizzle

There’s also a toast section, including avocado toast with feta, arugula, and cherry tomatoes. That's very much in line with what you’d expect from a modern brunch menu on land.

The biggest difference between this and a standard brunch is in the main dishes.

Instead of eggs Benedict variations and omelets dominating the menu, Royal Caribbean leans into Chops Grille's steakhouse roots.

Hearty Bowls

• Steak & Eggs with filet mignon
• The Royal Crab Benedict with avocado, poached eggs, spinach, hollandaise, and English muffin
• Grilled Beef Short Ribs
• Shrimp Tortellini Alfredo
• Grilled Tofu with peppers and sweet chili

It's a wide range, and in some ways it feels closer to a lunch menu that includes brunch elements rather than a traditional brunch.

Dessert options are relatively straightforward:

• Floating Island
• Cherries Jubilee
• Chocolate Brownie

And sides (served family style) include:

• Mac & cheese
• Roasted baby vegetables
• Mashed potatoes
• Arugula and Parmigiano salad

Specialty brunch offers another choice

Royal Caribbean has never really had a strong brunch offering onboard its ships, so this is an intriguing option.

Over the years, I've seen the Main Dining Room occasionally offer brunch on select mornings. But it's been inconsistent and without question, the food quality at a specialty restaurant will always be higher.

It's worth noting this isn't the first time Royal Caribbean has offered a paid brunch, however. 

Since the Mason Jar launched on Wonder of the Seas, it has served a brunch option on sea days only.

The Mason Jar is a specialty restaurant available on only a few ships, and it's a Southern American restaurant that highlights cuisine from the region.

Its menu includes Fried Chicken N’ Waffles, Salmon-Avocado Toast, Cinnamon Roll, a burger, and chicken sandwich.

In addition, there's been a "Sip. Tour. Brunch" offered that includes a galley tour along with a meal in the Main Dining Room with unlimited champagne.

One advantage of this Chops Brunch would be there is a Chops Grille on every single Royal Caribbean ship, which might make it significantly easier to enjoy brunch at sea.

A brunch at Chops Grille adds another revenue opportunity while giving guests more variety beyond the standard breakfast and lunch rotation.

For now, Chops Grille Brunch looks like an interesting new option.

It fills a gap in Royal Caribbean's dining lineup by offering a more upscale brunch-style meal, but it comes at a price.

Until more guests try it and share their experiences, we'll have to keep an eye on it to see if more ships offer it in the future.

Still, it's another sign that Royal Caribbean continues to experiment with its dining offerings.

When I stepped onboard the newest Silversea cruise ship, I realized almost immediately this wasn't going to be my typical cruise experience.

I'm no stranger to cruises, but some of the changes Royal Caribbean Group have made to its loyalty programs have made it so much easier to jump between the lines. It honestly compelled me to try another luxury cruise.

Part of the appeal was that I'd enjoy top-tier benefits on Silversea because of my Pinnacle Club level on Royal Caribbean. Plus, Silversea's S.A.L.T. program is expanded on its newest ships, to integrate more of the local flavors into the onboard dining. But the other thing drawing me in was the prospect of seeing more of the world.

Some places are only accessible by a smaller cruise ship, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to jumpstart my first Mediterranean adventure and knock off a number of must-see places from my travel list.

Silversea invited me to be their guest on an 11-night Portugal and Spain cruise aboard their newest ship, Silver Ray.

Here's what it's like to sail on Silversea and why their newest ship is the perfect onboarding option for someone used to megaships.

Silver Ray was like a boutique hotel in downtown Lisbon

I didn't want a travel delay to ruin my trip, so I flew in two days early to Lisbon, Portugal to get on my ship. I had time for any potential travel delays and beat jetlag.

I boarded the ship in Lisbon. While Silversea doesn't have an app like Royal Caribbean, their embarkation was quick thanks to the fact there were so many less passengers to contend with.

Silver Ray is about 800 feet in length and has a maximum capacity of 728 passengers. I was given a 2:00 arrival time, so I practically walked on the ship.

The ship is a fraction of the size of Royal Caribbean's Icon Class ships, and it was so easy to get anywhere onboard.

Because Silversea is a luxury cruise brand, everything felt calmer, more intentional, and noticeably more refined. That's not a surprise, but I think it's something that stands out immediately.

Every cabin is a suite

You won't find inside cabins on a Silversea ship, because all the ship has are suites.  Every suite comes with a stateroom attendant and a butler.

In terms of function, the stateroom attendant is the same as you'll find on Royal Caribbean. But the butler is a very neat person you'll interact with everyday of the sailing.

You share the butler with a few other cabins, but I never would have known it because he was always readily available anytime I picked up my cabin phone to dial him.

Butlers don't have a firm set of duties, but I've picked up on a number of things they can do from speaking with other guests:

• Order and deliver room service
• Unpack for you
• Pack for you
• Draw a bath or prepare a steam shower
• Bring you popcorn
• Stock your minifridge with soft drinks, beer, and any alcohol you want
• Offer pillow choices

They're sort of like a Royal Genie on Royal Caribbean, but their role is limited to while you're in the suite. Nonetheless, I was continuously surprised by the touches he made throughout my cruise.

I booked the entry-level deluxe suite with verandah.  It was plenty of room for just me on a solo cruise.

The room layout reminded me more of a balcony cabin on Royal Caribbean, until I got into the bathroom.

The bathroom was enormous with a giant shower, double sink, and upgraded features all around. 

I was surprised my suite had no bathtub, but I heard from the ship's officers that many guests prefer the shower over a tub from a safety perspective.  It's just easier to get in and out of a shower.

The food on Silversea isn't just great, it's the best part of Silver Ray

I love to eat on any cruise, but the food quality, variety, and how much is included blew me away.

Silversea ships are all-inclusive, so pretty much everything is included in your cruise fare.

Silver Ray has a number of restaurants you can dine at, ranging from French to Italian to Japanese, and more.

A few restaurants change based on the time of day. La Terrazza is a buffet for breakfast and lunch, but becomes a sit-down restaurant at night. 

The Marquee is an open-air steakhouse, pizza place, and breakfast nook. It's a beautiful take on al fresco dining.

The line's S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Taste) program is where things really step up. 

On Silver Ray, there is a lab to cook foods from the region your ship is visiting, Chef's Table to enjoy a carefully curated meal paired with wines from the places you are visiting, and the Kitchen to enjoy a menu that changes every few days to reflect what local cuisine. The S.A.L.T. Bar offers a few local drinks, but it's really the ship's specialized cocktail bar.

It's such a smart idea, and it goes well beyond what you'd get on any other cruise ship. The top two reasons people book a cruise are the destinations and food.  The S.A.L.T. program combines both into one, and it's a foodie's dream.

There's still a Main Dining Room venue in Atlantide, which has a standby menu that never changes along with a regular menu that changes every few days.

If that wasn't enough, there's a brunch held on one sea day that was absolutely incredible in terms of how much variety you'll find. 

To further exemplify the difference in food on Silversea to Royal Caribbean, they were shaving off as much black truffle as you'd like on your food. Your butler is happy to bring you a bottle of your favorite liquor and leave it in your cabin. There's sushi served every day at lunch at the buffet.

Everyone asked if I was bored on a luxury cruise

The top question I was asked by readers once they heard I was on Silversea was if I was bored.  They also wanted to know if it was all old people, and if I was the youngest person onboard.

No, I was far from the youngest person onboard. And while I missed having certain Royal Caribbean venues, I really don't think I was bored.

First and foremost, our itinerary was packed with port stops. I booked this cruise specifically for the places we would go, so I only had 3 sea days across 11 nights.  

I would never compare Silversea's entertainment to Royal Caribbean, but it's not that bad either.

They have a show of some kind every night in the theater.  The musical revues I saw were no worse than any of the similar shows I've seen on a Freedom or smaller class ship.

While docked in Malaga, they brought a Flamenco dancing group onboard to perform. Plus we had a comedian, different musical acts, and more.

I went every night to the S.A.L.T. Bar because they had a guitarist there to sing songs. Similar in idea to the English pubs on Royal Caribbean, and I really enjoyed seeing Lucas perform there every night.

I'll keep an eye on Silversea's entertainment because they recently brought over Mike Szwajkowski from Royal Caribbean. Mike was best known as being one of their best Cruise Directors, and he is about a month into the job as Silversea's Senior Director of Entertainment. I suspect changes will be coming to improve things there.

Nonetheless, I would never book a Silversea cruise for the entertainment. It's the places and level of service that make it stand out.

The places you'll go are a major reason to book Silver Ray

As impressive as Silver Ray was, I loved my time ashore.

Smaller ships can fit in ports big ships cannot. Plus, Silversea's approach to cruising seems to be to hyper focus on itinerary. It's why you'll see their ships sailing to parts of the world that Royal Caribbean never does.

Our sailing took us from Lisbon to Barcelona, with stops in Gibraltar, Cadiz, Malaga, Alicante, and Valencia. 

Silversea fares come in three flavors, and some include a shore excursion credit (expedition voyages include shore excursions as part of the experience). Regardless, it's easy to find tours, excursions, or the opportunity to go on your own and explore.

Plus, we had two ports with overnight stays (although one of those was the result of an weather-forced itinerary change).

The combination of high quality dining and destinations are why I want to go back on Silversea again

Looking back on my nearly two weeks on Silver Ray, I was absolutely sold on this style of cruising.

After more than 100 cruises primarily on Royal Caribbean, I thought I had a pretty good sense of what to expect at sea. But this ship reset that baseline. From the way space is used to how service unfolds throughout the day, Silver Ray showed me just how different cruising can feel when nearly everything is included and designed around fewer guests.

One of the higher barriers to entry will always be price, as a luxury cruise ship will command higher prices than on Royal Caribbean.

A couple could probably get a similar 9-night booking to the sailing I took for about $10,900. For perspective, a Grand Suite on Icon of the Seas in April 2027 would cost $14,609.86 and that's only 7 nights. 

If you value higher quality onboard dining, little-to-no crowds, and want to see more of the world by cruise ship, I think Silversea is the vacation you'd be interested in.

I was so impressed by the level of service and how much a cruise ship could feel like a boutique hotel.

I'm looking forward to sailing with Silversea again, perhaps to knock out one of my bucket-list destinations like an expedition cruise to the Galapagos. Or maybe I'll explore another region of the world on a daily basis, with evenings spent at the S.A.L.T. Bar.

Royal Caribbean is moving up the first sailing of Legend of the Seas when it makes its arrival into Florida.

If your goal is to be the very first onboard the third Icon Class ship, there's a new first voyage from Port Everglades.

In an email sent to booked guests, the cruise line revealed it has added a brand-new sailing for Legend of the Seas right before the originally scheduled first voyage from Florida. That means there’s now an earlier opportunity to sail the ship, even though it doesn’t technically replace the official inaugural voyage.

The change might sound minor at first glance, but for cruise fans who care about being first (or who already have a booking), it creates a new option.

One new sailing has been added

Originally, Royal Caribbean positioned the November 11, 2026 cruise from Fort Lauderdale as the inaugural sailing for Legend of the Seas from Florida. That hasn't changed.

What has changed is that the cruise line has now added a new sailing departing November 8, 2026, just before the November 11th sailing.

In its message to guests, Royal Caribbean framed the move as a way to "open the door to an unforgettable adventure sooner than expected."

The newly added sailing is a short 3-night itinerary from Fort Lauderdale that includes a stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay before returning to Florida.

Some cruisers could now book the earlier sailing and remain on the November 11th sailing to create a longer back-to-back cruise.

Why being first is important to some people

Even though the November 8 cruise will now be the first time paying guests can step onboard in the U.S., Royal Caribbean is still treating November 11 as the official inaugural sailing.

The email sent to guests booked on the November 11th sailing claims it will remain the inaugural voyage in name.

"Your current voyage remains the actual inaugural sailing."

That distinction matters more than it might seem.

Inaugural sailings typically come with special events, ceremonies, commemorative gifts, and a general sense of occasion that appeals to loyal cruisers.

With this earlier sailing, it's technically a pre-inaugural sailing that may not have as much fanfare, but will sail first.

For some cruisers, that tradeoff is perfectly fine. For others, especially those chasing inaugural status, it could be a reason to stick with their original booking.

What Royal Caribbean is offering booked guests

If you were already booked on the November 11th cruise, Royal Caribbean is giving you options.

According to the email, guests on the November 11 cruise were notified first and given the opportunity to switch to the new November 8 sailing, keep their existing booking, or even book both sailings if they want to double up on early access.

The cruise line says staterooms on the new sailing will be available “at the prevailing rate based on availability,” which suggests pricing will follow standard dynamic pricing rather than any special inaugural pricing structure.

Why Royal Caribbean adds earlier sailings

Royal Caribbean didn’t explicitly say why it added the extra sailing, but I think the reasoning is fairly easy to read between the lines.

Demand for new ships is red hot, especially the Icon Class ships. From Icon of the Seas to Star of the Seas, early sailings have consistently sold at high prices and filled quickly.

Plus, if the ship is going to be ready earlier, they don't want it sitting idle. By adding a short, earlier cruise, Royal Caribbean accomplishes a few things at once.

First, it creates more inventory for a new ship.

Second, it allows the cruise line to generate additional revenue without altering the official inaugural timeline.

And third, it gives flexibility to guests who want to sail early but may not care about the inaugural label.

Launching this summer

Legend of the Seas will be one of the biggest cruise ships in the world when it debuts in later this year

Royal Caribbean is pinning Legend as the next follow-up to the wildly successful Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas.

The ship measures about 365 meters (1,197 feet) long and roughly 248,663 gross tons, putting it among the largest cruise ships ever built. It will carry about 5,610 passengers at double occupancy, with a maximum capacity approaching 7,600 guests, along with a crew of around 2,350. 

The ship is currently under construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland, and is nearly ready to begin sea trials.

Onboard, Legend of the Seas will feature the signature Icon Class neighborhood concept, along with a massive waterpark, multiple pools, and a wide mix of dining and entertainment venues.

The ship is scheduled to debut in Europe first, with its inaugural summer season sailing in the Western Mediterranean from ports like Barcelona. After that, it will reposition to the United States for a winter season based in Fort Lauderdale, offering Caribbean itineraries that include stops at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Although Royal Caribbean's cruise fare includes unlimited food, you may want to consider paying extra for one of the ship's specialty restaurants. 

I know, I know — the idea might sound a little silly at first. I mean, why should you shell out an extra $45+ per person when multi-course meals in the Main Dining Room are "free?" 

After traveling on over 10 Royal Caribbean ships and even splurging on the line's Unlimited Specialty Dining Package add-on, I can confidently say that a specialty meal is always on my must-do list. Everything from the low-key ambience to the food quality and diverse cuisine options justifies the extra charge. 

However, many first-time cruisers might not get the appeal of specialty restaurants until they understand how it differs from the main dining experience.

In this article, we'll highlight 6 reasons why you should skip the Main Dining Room and try at least one specialty restaurant on your next cruise. 

Read more: How does specialty dining work on Royal Caribbean?

More intimate atmosphere

The Main Dining Room on Royal Caribbean ships is a multi-deck space designed to serve hundreds, if not thousands, of passengers at once. As such, it's far from a romantic or relaxed atmosphere, with dozens of waiters constantly moving around, taking orders, and delivering dishes. 

Comparatively, specialty restaurants are smaller and quieter, designed to feel more like an upscale restaurant at home. The smaller setting allows for more attentive, personalized service. 

Another perk is that some specialty restaurants have outdoor seating, such as Chops Grille on Oasis and Icon Class ships. Indulging in a juicy filet mignon while listening to live music in the Central Park neighborhood might just be as close to perfect as it gets on a cruise!

Greater menu variety

Royal Caribbean’s specialty restaurants offer a wide range of cuisines, from Japanese to Italian, New England-style seafood, Southern comfort food, and classic bar favorites. 

Although the rotating Main Dining Room menus do provide variety — from escargot to bao buns, spaghetti, and more — they're more limited in scope compared to the specialty options. You won't, for example, find sashimi or oysters in the dining room. 

Similarly, specialty restaurants usually focus on a single cuisine. As such, you'll find more authentic presentations and dishes prepared with higher-quality ingredients than in the Main Dining Room. This is to be expected, as cooking for a few hundred people in a specialty restaurant is different than preparing meals for thousands in the dining room. 

Immersive dining concepts

Royal Caribbean ships, particularly the newer and innovative ones, are also home to unique dining concepts that you won't find anywhere else. 

For example, on Utopia of the Seas, you can dine in a "train car" at Royal Railway — Utopia Station. Everything — from the themed menu to the visual and auditory effects — is designed to create a fully immersive, story-driven experience centered around the Wild West. 

Similarly, the supper clubs aboard Icon and Star of the Seas pair a multi-course meal with handcrafted cocktails and live music. Empire Supper Club on Icon of the Seas is themed around the Big Apple, while Star of the Seas transports guests to an elegant lounge in Chicago. Either way, you don't feel like you're dining on a cruise ship! 

Read more: I ate at the most expensive restaurant on Star of the Seas, and it's even better than the original

Fun way to celebrate a special occasion 

Eating at the same restaurant each night can feel monotonous, even if the menu changes daily. Specialty restaurants break up the predictable routine by offering something different, whether that's a certain cuisine or a unique atmosphere.

Not only that, but having a specialty restaurant on the agenda gives you something extra to look forward to and is the perfect place to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, graduation, or, heck, even a divorce! 

Even if you find the Main Dining Room food perfectly acceptable, you're more likely to remember your special meal in one of the extra-charge restaurants, like hibachi at Izumi or a whimsical evening at Wonderland. 

Read more: I'm a travel writer who cruises on Royal Caribbean every month. These 6 extra cost restaurants are worth booking — and the 2 you can skip

You can choose your dining time

Unlike the traditional seating in the Main Dining Room, where you're assigned a set dining time and table, specialty restaurants give you the freedom to choose when you eat.

If, for example, you chose the early seating on your cruise but prefer a later dinner after a long day in port, you can reserve a specialty restaurant at your desired dining time. 

This flexibility allows you to enjoy the benefits of set dining (i.e., the same table and waiters) for the majority of your sailing, while mixing things up and planning certain meals around your schedule — without feeling tied to the buffet. 

Onboard credit can be used to lower the cost

Finally, if you don't know how to spend your onboard credit, you can apply it toward a specialty dinner on your cruise. Many travel agents offer onboard credit as a booking perk, and Royal Caribbean frequently runs promotions that include it as well.

Essentially, onboard credit is "free" money that can be used toward cruise add-ons, like drink packages, shore excursions, spa treatments, and specialty dining. 

Using it to dine at a specialty restaurant allows you to elevate your cruise experience without dipping into your overall vacation budget. 

Another way to save on specialty dining is to go for lunch instead of dinner, as the cover charge during the afternoons tends to be less.

For example, on an upcoming cruise aboard Liberty of the Seas, the starting price for lunch at Chops Grille is $17.99 per person. The cover charge increases to $46.99 for dinner. 

Royal Caribbean Group has launched a brand-new foundation and even announced its inaugural pledge to support medical residents in South Florida. 

The Royal Caribbean Group Foundation builds on the company's 30-year legacy of global investments in education, local economies, and environmental preservation.

It also advances the company's longstanding belief in tourism as an economic vitality engine and its commitment to creating positive community impact. 

The Royal Caribbean Group Foundation's inaugural pledge goes toward an emergency medicine residency program at Jackson Health System in South Florida. 

As such, the Royal Caribbean Group Foundation Emergency Medicine Residency Program will help strengthen and empower future physicians in South Florida.

Another goal of the foundation's philanthropic partnerships is to expand its ability to collaborate with global organizations and institutions that support economic opportunity, community well-being, and environmental stewardship.

"Strong communities are essential to delivering exceptional vacation experiences, and the Royal Caribbean Group Foundation reflects the company’s belief that tourism can be a force for long-term positive change," said Jason Liberty, chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group. 

"Supporting the education of emergency medicine physicians in South Florida is an example of how we invest in the long-term vitality of the places we operate, contributing to the essential systems that help communities thrive and sustain meaningful economic opportunity."

The new foundation aligns with Royal Caribbean's SEA the Future sustainability program

SEA the Future launched in 2023 and focuses on sustaining the planet, energizing communities, and accelerating innovation. 

The sustainability initiative helps Royal Caribbean Group protect the planet by enhancing energy efficiency, responsibly treating water, and reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills. 

Everything from reducing food waste to onboard recycling programs and water management policies helps the company work toward its goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

In addition, Royal Caribbean Group employees have contributed thousands of volunteer hours supporting education, disaster relief, ocean conservation, and community development initiatives around the world.

And the Royal Caribbean Group Foundation is just another step in the company's mission to invest in the long-term vitality of the destinations people are eager to discover.

Other purposeful projects include:

• $15 million in scholarships awarded to 6,660+ students since 1998
• 235+ community partners supported across 85+ destinations in 2025
• $13 million invested in conservation efforts and transformational operations work with the World Wildlife Fund since 2016
• $1.6 million donated to disaster relief in 2025
• 15 years of operating L'Ecole Nouvelle Royal Caribbean (ENRC) school in Haiti with 4,600 graduates and 700 scholarships awarded
• 280+ scholarships awarded to United Kingdom Cadet Program maritime students
• 26 reimagined educational spaces impacting 26,000+ teachers and 400,000+ students over 20 years

Read more: Royal Caribbean reveals behind-the-scenes secret to how cruise ships make their own water

After plenty of speculation, Royal Caribbean is finally addressing why some of its popular water slides are currently closed, debunking the reason many people thought.

Guests aboard the world's largest cruise ships are complaining that multiple slides at the onboard water parks aren't operating. 

In total, Category 6, the largest water park at sea, is home to six record-breaking slides:

• Pressure Drop
• Hurricane Hunter
• Storm Chasers (duo mat-racing slides)
• Storm Surge
• Frightening Bolt

However, according to numerous Reddit threads, most of the slides at the Category 6 Waterpark have been closed for days during recent sailings. 

"I’m currently on Icon of the Seas with my son, and we specifically booked this cruise for the water park (Category 6). Unfortunately, the majority of the slides have been closed for multiple days, including sea days, with only ONE slide intermittently open," Particular-Bird-1235 wrote. 

Someone else added, "Just got off [Star of the Seas]. Two slides still down the entire week and at times only 2 were operational...Wasn't too happy since we paid a premium for the newest ship."

"Just did the April 5th to 12th on Star and the same two mentioned slides were down. It was pretty much the only thing I complained about in my survey. Paid [a] premium to go on my 2nd Icon class due to water slides for my two sons. Annoyed by the closures," Additional-Dish-6309 commented. 

Peter-Rabbi said, "I was on [Star] last week and two slides were down at first. Then three by the end of the cruise."

Read more: I went on the world's most family-friendly cruise ship without kids

Passengers and frequent cruisers have begun speculating about what’s behind the ongoing closures

Some argued that they could be part of the cruise line's cost-cutting measures in light of the recent fuel increases. However, this theory was quickly debunked by a Royal Caribbean representative, who said that repairs are underway to ensure the cruise line can continue offering a strong guest experience. 

"To clarify, the slide closures are not related to fuel costs or stabilizer usage—that rumor is incorrect. At this time, some slides are temporarily unavailable, and while we can't share specific details or timelines, efforts are ongoing with a strong focus on the overall guest experience," Emjae said. 

One guest aboard Star of the Seas reportedly heard that the green tube slide (Storm Surge) and the small yellow drop slide (Pressure Drop) share the same water system, which needs a replacement part from Germany to be fixed. 

Particular-Bird-1235 added that aboard Icon of the Seas, crew members are telling guests that the slides are closed because of "maintenance / manufacturer maintenance."

Additionally, Guest Services could not provide any compensation beyond a $20 arcade credit. 

Water slide maintenance has been a top priority lately

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

Last August, an incident involving a slide that injured a guest caused the same slide to be closed aboard Star of the Seas out of an abundance of caution. 

An adult male was injured while riding the Frightening Bolt, the biggest drop slide at sea with a terrifying trap door launch, after an acrylic glass panel broke off.

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

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

After the accident, Deck 15 was closed to prevent further injuries and allow crew members to assess the damage. The Frightening Bolt remained closed after the deck reopened, though. Royal Caribbean also closed the Frightening Bolt aboard Star of the Seas.

Slides on other ships — including Harmony of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, and Independence of the Seas — with similar acrylic panels eventually closed, too. 

Navigator of the Seas' Captain James confirmed that the acrylic tube parts were cracking and needed to be replaced with stronger fiberglass panels to ensure durability for years to come.

Because each fiberglass section is custom-made and cannot be pulled from existing inventory, the process is lengthier than simply swapping out a standard part. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean has closed waterslides across multiple cruise ships to reportedly conduct safety fixes

I spent almost two weeks cruising around the Iberian peninsula, which included about a week's worth of days in cities around Spain.

This was my first time exploring the southern coast of the country, and I got my first taste of what I think most people associate with the country.  While I had been to Northern Spain once, I didn't feel Galicia and the Basque country are what most Americans think of when they imagine a visit to the country.

While sailing on Silversea's Silver Ray ship, I spend two days in Cadiz and Malaga each, and got to also visit Valencia and Alicante.

It was an incredible opportunity to explore the history and culture of Spain's Mediterranean coast, and I came away with some important lessons learned.

Here are the 7 things I either didn't expect or jumped out even more than I expected to me during my week sailing around Spain.

Meal times are much later

The siesta is real, and you need to plan around it.

In Spain, a lot of businesses shut down between 2 and 5pm for an afternoon break. This makes touring in the morning far more important, which might be a problem for those that like to sleep in.

The siesta is a socially accepted "nap" during the mid-day. Not everyone participates in it, but you'll notice a slow down around then.

The benefit to this schedule is they re-open businesses in the evening, and it's common for restaurants and shops to stay open until seven, eight, or even nine at night.

Many cities were easy to explore without a tour

If there's one thing I've come to accept more and more as a truth of cruising in Europe vs the Caribbean, it's that organized tours aren't nearly as necessary.

In almost all the ports we visited, our ship docked so close to the city center that it required either a short walk or a complimentary shuttle bus ride and then you could explore quite easily on your own.

Armed with Google Maps and some pre-cruise research, I was able to easily track down what I wanted to see without needing to rely on a cruise ship tour.

That being said, I did take a few different tours and while it's nice to have background and context provided by a guide, I found these cities were just as enjoyable to walk and see what was around the next corner.

I'd recommend anyone taking a cruise to these cities to embrace the idea of walking around the city on your own.  Download a walking tour or outline a few must-sees beforehand, and you'll find it quite manageable.

I didn't need to convert currency at all

I admit, I fell for a trap of European cruising I've written about before to avoid: I wasted money converting currency to Euros.

I watched a lot of videos before my cruise about what to do in each city, and I became increasingly concerned I'd need cash instead of a credit card (or tap to pay).

After spending a week here, I never needed cash in any restaurant, store, or street vendor I ran into. Everyone took tap to pay. In fact, I stopped bringing a credit card and just relied on my phone to pay with it.

The threat of pickpockets made touring more worrisome

Spain, unfortunately, has a reputation for having a lot of pick-pocketers. The worst is in Barcelona, which is the city I would fly home from.

Knowing this made touring anywhere with any kind of a crowd rather unnerving. It was probably more paranoia than anything, but I felt less safe in a Mercado or historical site with a lot of people around because it seemed like there was a higher chance of pick-pocketing.

Luckily, it didn't happen to me, but I was sure to keep my hands in my pockets when there was a crowd and I sometimes flipped my backpack around.

There's nothing wrong with being a vigilant traveler, so always be aware of your surroundings.

Real paella doesn't have seafood in it

During my Silversea cruise, they had a cooking class to learn how to make authentic paella from Valencia.

The chef leading our class said (and we later confirmed with locals) that real paella never has seafood in it.  Chicken and/or rabbit is the protein that you'd find in the place it originated, Valencia.

The other thing to know about it is that it needs time to be cooked.  Avoid any restaurant that has paella available in less than 25 minutes.

Every region has its own culture

Andalucia, Valencia, Catalonia: regions of Spain are quite different.

Spain is a country that holds different autonomous regions together and it's far less homogenized than you might assume.

It reminded me a little of how Texas, Quebec, or Puerto Rico are parts of their respective countries, but retain a very distinct cultural heritage, language, and approach to life.

As a tourist, you might notice things like how they pronounce basic words in Spanish, how much influence there is from other cultures in their architecture or food, or simply the look of the city.

It was fascinating to visit cities and find a different look and feel to it all.

The mercado was the easiest way to find local food

As a solo traveler, a sit down restaurant isn't as enjoyable as if I was going with a group.  Even with friends, sometimes a quick bite to eat is the right play to keep your adventure going

Every city had a market (called a Mercado) where you could find all sorts of food vendors.  Most are fish, produce and meat sold to be cooked or prepared, but I found food stalls too.

What I loved about eating in the Mercado was I got very fresh food to try, but I didn't have to commit to an entire sit-down meal either.

I regretted not going to the beach

I assumed April would be too cold to enjoy a swim in the Med, but I was totally wrong.

We had picture perfect weather in Alicante and Malaga, and I regret not bringing a bathing suit with me. Or at least, carving out time to spend hanging out on the beach.

I think I was also jaded from being to so many beautiful Caribbean beaches that the thought of going to the beach in Spain seemed unnecessary.

The truth is I wish I could have at least stopped for a bit at the beach in many ports I visited just to sit, relax, and enjoy the view. I was pleasantly surprised how beautiful these beaches were, and I would have loved to have found time to go there too.

Royal Caribbean officially released Legend of the Seas' entertainment lineup, giving Royal Caribbean passengers a lot to look forward to on its next-level Icon Class ship.

From original stage productions to high-diving spectaculars, here's everything you can expect to find on Legend of the Seas, starting with the main theater. 

For starters, Legend of the Seas will be home to Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. This was first revealed in October 2025 and brings the sweet excitement of Charlie finally getting his golden ticket to the high seas. 

The Royal Theater will also feature a new stage production inspired by a hit television franchise. America's Got Talent LIVE at Sea will be the first time the Got Talent format will appear on a cruise ship and underscores the cruise line's push toward increasingly large and elaborate productions at sea.

Guests can expect a dynamic lineup of variety acts from performers from around the world, including magicians, acrobats, musicians, and more. 

Moving on to the jaw-dropping AquaTheater, which first launched on Oasis of the Seas and has since become a fan favorite venue, Royal Caribbean developed a brand-new show exclusively for Legend of the Seas. 

Shockwave: A Battle for the Beat is a "heart-racing show that will leave you breathless with every beat, featuring spectacular stunts." 

Another favorite entertainment venue is the ice skating rink. Fusion, the show designed for Legend of the Seas, will allow guests to "watch nature's power, passion, and harmony come to life in [the] dazzling ice skating spectacle." 

Royal Caribbean introduced the first ice skating rink at sea aboard Voyager of the Seas in 1999. Although it quickly became a staple across the fleet, from Freedom to Oasis Class ships, the venue got a much-needed upgrade when the first Icon Class vessel launched. 

Now, Absolute Zero holds the title of the largest ice rink at sea and was carefully designed so that each seat was placed to provide the best possible view of the ice. 

In the family-friendly Surfside Neighborhood, Royal Caribbean will also debut a new block party centered around rubber ducks. The Quack Bash will include everything from face painting to music and other bubbly fun. 

Finally, a new parade will debut in the Royal Promenade. Dubbed Voyage to Adventure, this musical parade will celebrate unforgettable destinations around the world.

No shortage of late-night activities

From late-night silent discos to legendary dueling piano battles and smooth jazz in Central Park, the evening lineup aboard Legend of the Seas is impressive.

Overall, it's similar to what you can expect on other Icon Class vessels. You can sip on craft cocktails at 1400 Lobby Bar, sing along to your favorite tunes at the Ale & Arrow Pub, listen to karaoke at the Spotlight Karaoke lounge, or dance the night away at Boleros. 

In fact, to experience every venue on the ship, you’ll have to pack your schedule, hopping from one space to another to take it all in — regardless of whether you're on a seven-night European getaway or an eight-night Southern Caribbean itinerary. 

Legend of the Seas Royal Caribbean launch

Legend of the Seas is expected to make her highly anticipated debut in July, when she sets sail in Europe. This will mark the first time an Icon Class vessel will offer regular voyages around the Mediterranean. While in Europe, Legend will visit iconic destinations like Naples, Italy; Marseille, France; Barcelona, Spain; and more. 

Afterward, Legend will reposition to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where she'll rotate between six- and eight-night Caribbean cruises. Following her five-month stint in Florida, she will once again return to Europe in April 2027. 

Legend of the Seas will measure 248,663 gross tons, accommodate 5,610 guests at double occupancy, and be 1,196 feet long according to the cruise line. 

Read more: We got a first look at Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas. The world’s biggest cruise ship is almost ready

Royal Caribbean might be working on a dreamy beach escape at its new private beach destination.

Perfect Day Mexico will open in 2027 and bring a number of new ideas to build its biggest private beach.

It's going to be a massive new exclusive offering to Royal Caribbean cruise line guests that has beaches, pools, a lazy river, and adults-only area, and water park.

According to a new filing with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Royal Caribbean filed for a new kind of cabana that they've never created before.

The cruise line has made a name for itself recently with introducing new kinds of splurges, both on its cruise ships and ashore.

Here's what Royal Caribbean shared in its public documents.

Introducing the Ultimate Family Cove

Royal Caribbean filed a trademark on March 26th for something called "the Ultimate Family Cove".

The filings aren't always a "smoking gun" of what will happen, but the trademark registration seems to be in line with past ideas. Plus, they were filed on the same day as many other known Perfect Day Mexico features. Admittedly, this is all circumstantial evidence, but I think it's reasonably possible.

"Trademark registration is intended to cover the categories of providing facilities for recreation activities, namely, providing swimming pool and cabana facilities, providing beach and beach cabana facilities, hammocks, beach beds, and daybeds; Entertainment in the nature of a water park and amusement center; Recreational services in the nature of a water slide."

It doesn't include any renderings or additional details, and Royal Caribbean has not made any public statements yet about it. In fact, it could be the name of a project for a ship or another private destination.  I'm making my best educated guess.

The trademark describes something that sounds a lot the Ultimate Family Cabana at Royal Beach Club Paradise Island.

That cabana is a one-of-a-kind giant cabana meant to offer just about everything a family would have, and it's an extension of the "Ultimate Family" suites that the cruise line had already designed on its ships.

At the beach club, it's a two-story enclave that comes filled with anything and everything they could dream of to include for a beach day.  It has its own slide, private bathroom, hot tub, reserved beach space, frozen drink machine, television, and more. 

That cabana is listed for $10,000 for a rental during a visit and includes admission for up to 12 people.  Many of the sales and promotions discount that price down to about $7,000 or so.

Trademarks for more of what's coming to Perfect Day Mexico

In addition to the Ultimate Family Cove cabana, Royal Caribbean filed a number of trademarks related to its Perfect Day Mexico project.

In the case of the rest of the trademarks, they're for features that have already been revealed.

Here's a list of what they registered, and what each one corresponds to:

• Dueling Jaguars: Water slides
• Sombrero Summit: Water slide
• Twisted Sombrero: Water slide
• Tubes 'n Tequila: Bars along the lazy river to stop at in your innertube to get a drink
• Tia Rita's: Bar
• Chill Beach North: Area of beach
• Chill Beach South: Area of beach

Perfect Day Mexico will have its biggest and most daring water slides to date. There will be more than 30 waterslides across five towers, including Jaguar's Peak, a 170-foot-tall slide tower with multiple record breakers like the tallest slides in the Americas and the longest coaster-style waterslide.

The water park will almost certainly cost extra, because the water park at Perfect Day at CocoCay is an extra cost area.

Splash Cove will be located next to the water park and include the world's longest lazy river, plus pools, swim-up bars, and a massive central pool.

In fact, the addition of a lazy river was the result of being one of the most requested things guests wanted to originally had at CocoCay.  Since that island is too small to support such an amenity, Royal Caribbean was sure to include it for Perfect Day Mexico.

No opening date has been officially revealed yet, but it should occur sometime in the second half of 2027.