Royal Caribbean Blog

I visited both Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay and Carnival’s Celebration Key in The Bahamas. Either private destination is an excellent addition to any cruise itinerary, but each comes with pros and cons.

Perfect Day at CocoCay opened in 2019 and offers a blend of thrill and chill experiences. The private island features crystal-clear beaches, exclusive beach clubs, a stunning lagoon, and the massive Thrill Waterpark.

Celebration Key, on the other hand, just launched in July of 2025. Unlike CocoCay, the destination is not on its own island. Rather, it’s on a private area of Grand Bahama Island.

Ashore, you’ll find beaches, a sprawling lagoon, waterslides, swim-up bars, an adults-only beach club, and dreamy cabana rentals.

I’ve been to Perfect Day at CocoCay 10 times, but visited Celebration Key for the first time last month. After spending eight hours ashore, I couldn’t help but compare the two private destinations.

From the pools to beaches, food, bars, and atmosphere, here’s how Perfect Day at CocoCay and Celebration Key compared.

For pools, Celebration Key is the clear winner

Without a doubt, Celebration Key has the most impressive pool of any cruise line private destination.

Oasis Lagoon at Perfect Day at CocoCay is a major highlight of Royal Caribbean’s island, measuring 33,175 square feet. Yet it pales in comparison to the lagoon at Celebration Key, which measures a whopping 275,000 square feet.

You read that right—Celebration Key’s lagoon is over eight times larger than CocoCay’s Oasis Lagoon.

The lagoon is split into two sides: Starfish Lagoon and Calypso Lagoon.

Starfish Lagoon focuses on families. It’s where you’ll find Guppy Grotto, Celebration Key’s splash pad, which also features a two-foot wading pool perfect for younger cruisers. Of course, there is more than enough space for adults to unwind at Starfish Lagoon, too.

Calypso Lagoon, however, is more adult-focused. Here’s where you’ll find Long Necks Swim Up Bar, home to the biggest pool parties on all of Celebration Key.

Although CocoCay’s Oasis Lagoon is no stranger to parties, it’s hard to beat the live DJ set and 166 in-water seats at Calypso Lagoon’s premier swim up bar.

Plus, the sheer size of Celebration Key’s lagoons make it easy to escape the crowds. I often struggle to find peace and quiet at Oasis Lagoon, but I could always find a relaxing spot to swim at Calypso Lagoon and Starfish Lagoon.

However, I prefer the beaches at Perfect Day at CocoCay

Celebration Key may have Perfect Day at CocoCay beat when it comes to pools, but I prefer beaches at CocoCay.

Because CocoCay is an island, there are beaches in every direction. Celebration Key only has beaches on one side.

There are two beaches at Celebration Key: Starfish Beach and Calypso Beach. They are effectively a single beach (they’re on the same 1-mile strip of sand), but are split in half by the pier.

Don’t get me wrong—the beaches at Celebration Key were gorgeous. Despite the cloudy weather on my day ashore, the water was still a stunning shade of turquoise.

Yet I missed the variety of beaches at Perfect Day at CocoCay. Each beach offers different scenery, atmospheres, and things to do.

Related: What you should expect on a visit to CocoCay

Chill Beach, for instance, is popular with snorkelers, kayakers, and swimmers alike. South Beach, on the other hand, is famous for its floating tiki bar, making it a popular spot for partygoers.

The main focus of Celebration Key seems to be on the lagoon, whereas Perfect Day at CocoCay has a more balanced blend of both beaches and pools.

CocoCay wins for food and drinks, offering plenty of included options

Both Perfect Day at CocoCay and Celebration Key offer a wide selection of restaurants and bars, but CocoCay provides a more inclusive experience.

My main complaint at Celebration Key was the stingy dining and beverage rules. For starters, Carnival doesn’t honor drink packages ashore, so all drinks come with an extra charge.

I didn’t cruise with a drink package on my visit, but this rule makes me even less likely to purchase one on future Carnival cruises. Why buy a drink package when I can’t use it at Celebration Key?

Dining rules were ungenerous, too. Carnival limits passengers to one free meal during the day, and any additional food comes with an extra cost.

There is no buffet at Celebration Key. Instead, passengers can order complimentary food at food trucks and at Captain’s Galley Food Hall, the destination’s main dining venue. For an extra charge, guests can dine at a variety of full-service sit-down restaurants, too.

I was impressed by the variety of complimentary food options, such as Bahamian fish tacos and lamb shawarmas, but felt limited by the strict dining rules.

For lunch, I grabbed a personal pizza from Celebration Key’s main food hall. It was tasty, but I can’t imagine it would keep all passengers full for an entire day ashore.

Fortunately, at Perfect Day at CocoCay, there are no strict dining or beverage rules.

Drink packages work ashore, along with loyalty drinks for guests in Royal Caribbean’s Crown and Anchor Society. Likewise, meals are not tracked at CocoCay. Passengers are able to enjoy unlimited meals and snacks throughout the day.

Related: 11 food favorites at CocoCay that never disappoint

Sometimes, for example, I might grab mozzarella sticks at Snack Shack for a mid-morning snack, create build-your-own tacos at the buffet for lunch, and enjoy a creamy cone of soft serve later in the afternoon.

At Celebration Key, I could never have such flexibility without spending extra.

Both destinations offer equally impressive cabana rentals

What I love most about cruise line private destinations is how much is included in your cruise fare.

Whether at Perfect Day at CocoCay, Celebration Key, MSC’s Ocean Cay or Disney’s Castaway Cay, you can have an amazing day ashore without shelling out even a dime.

Still, some passengers enjoy purchasing add-ons to enhance their port day, and one of the most popular add-ons are cabana rentals.

Related: Guide to CocoCay Cabanas

Both CocoCay and Celebration Key rent cabanas, and I’d argue that these rentals are on even playing fields.

CocoCay’s Overwater Cabana at the Coco Beach Club is undoubtedly majestic. Yet the Over-The-Lagoon Super Villa at Celebration Key is just as unforgettable. It includes a sectional sofa, bar, dining table, hammock, in-water loungers, and a private water slide.

There are also cabanas on the beach at both private destinations, but Celebration Key might have a slight edge due to the number of cabanas available with direct lagoon access.

At the end of the day, though, you can’t go wrong with a cabana rental at either destination.

CocoCay provides more thrills, whether at Thrill Waterpark or on the zip line

When comparing Perfect Day at CocoCay and Celebration Key, the former definitely offers more for adrenaline seekers.

You’ll find Thrill Waterpark ashore, which is home to a wave pool, adventure pool, and over a dozen waterslides. The 135-foot Daredevil’s Peak slide is the tallest in the entire Caribbean!

Related: Guide to Thrill Waterpark at Perfect Day at CocoCay

The waterpark comes with an extra cost. Prices vary by sailing, but typically range between $80 and $160 per person.

Other thrills at CocoCay include kayak rentals, snorkel rentals, jet ski tours, a zip line, and a helium balloon ride, all of which also cost extra.

There are a few complimentary thrills included, too, which cater to children. First is Splashaway Bay, which features splash buckets, small slides, and water sprayers. There’s also Captain Jill’s Galleon, a splash and water play area in the shape of a pirate ship.

At Celebration Key, you’ll still find some thrills, but the destination caters more toward relaxation.

There are two waterslides, called the Suncastle Racing Slides, which cost $15 total for unlimited rides throughout the day.

Celebration Key does not offer a zip line. Instead, you can book excursions to nearby Pirate’s Zipline and Water Park. This is outside of Celebration Key, though, so you'll have to leave the private destination.

Rentals inside Celebration Key include paddle boards, kayaks, and snorkel gear.

Between the two, CocoCay wins for thrills based on the sheer size of Thrill Waterpark. Even though Celebration Key offers waterslides, it simply can’t compare to the amount of things to do at Thrill Waterpark.

Both feature adults-only retreats, but with totally different vibes

If you’re in search of a kid-free getaway, you’ll find adults-only areas at both private destinations.

I tried the adults-only retreats at both CocoCay and Celebration Key, but they were more different than alike.

Hideaway Beach is Royal Caribbean’s adults-only area at CocoCay, and it’s known for its party vibe. The exclusive area of the island can accommodate around 1,800 passengers.

Related: Hideaway Beach review at Perfect Day at CocoCay

Here, you’ll find an 18,000-square-foot infinity pool, private beach, two complimentary restaurants, a bar with live music, and a variety of cabana rentals.

Cabanas include the Hideaway Cabanas, located near the main pool, and the Hideout Cabanas, which feature direct access to a VIP infinity pool.

Admission to Hideaway Beach varies greatly depending on the sailing, but you can expect to pay between $40 and $90 per person. The cost includes food and basic drinks like water, but does not include alcoholic beverages, soda, and mocktails.

At Celebration Key, the adults-only area is called Pearl Cove Beach Club. While capacity numbers have not been announced, it's smaller than Hideaway Beach.

In general, the atmosphere of Pearl Cove Beach Club reminds me more of CocoCay’s Coco Beach Club compared to Hideaway Beach.

Related: Coco Beach Club review at CocoCay

Pearl Cove Beach Club features an 11,000-square-foot infinity pool, private beach, full-service restaurant, cabana rentals, and a variety of bars, including a swim-up bar.

The main difference between Pearl Cove Beach Club and Hideaway Beach is the pricing model.

Pearl Cove Beach Club offers three admission options. The first costs $100 and includes your entry and a welcome drink. The second, which costs $140, includes 10 drinks from a limited menu. Finally, the third costs $180 and includes 10 drinks in addition to an exclusive lunch at the Pearl Cove Beach Club restaurant.

Drinks are not included in the admission to Hideaway Beach, although Royal Caribbean’s drink packages and loyalty drink vouchers work ashore.

After visiting both, I wouldn’t say one is better than the other. Hideaway Beach definitely offers more of a party vibe whereas Pearl Cove Beach Club is more akin to the tranquil atmosphere offered at the Coco Beach Club.

Both Perfect Day at CocoCay and Celebration Key have pros and cons, but you can’t go wrong with either

After visiting both private destinations, I wouldn't say that one is better than the other.

There were definitely some things I liked more at Celebration Key than CocoCay, such as the giant lagoon and Long Necks Swim Up Bar. However, CocoCay offers more inclusivity by honoring guests’ drink packages and not limiting guests to just one meal.

You really can’t go wrong with a day at either private destination. Each offers the ability to fully unwind without the need to plan shore excursions or research the port in advance.

Whether at CocoCay or Celebration, you can simply disembark your cruise ship and spend the entire day soaking up the tropical Bahamian sun.

Would you pay over $5,000 for a last-minute cruise on an older ship?

After not traveling together for nearly three years, a father and daughter decided to book a spontaneous cruise to Greece, Turkey, and Italy, spending $5,329.10 (including taxes, port fees, and gratuities) on a balcony stateroom.

Donald and Catherine Wright had been trying to plan something special to celebrate Catherine's master's graduation, but kept delaying the planning process. 

At first, they toyed with a land vacation to Scotland. However, they shifted gears and began browsing available cruises to Greece.

They eventually settled on a weeklong sailing on Voyager of the Seas, a Voyager Class ship that debuted in 1999, to Mykonos and Santorini, Greece; Kusadasi, Turkey; Messina, Sicily; and Naples, Italy.

Catherine's last cruise was a luxury one, having been fortunate enough to sail with her grandmother aboard Regent's Seven Seas Explorer in 2019. Before that, she sailed on Harmony of the Seas in 2018 and Disney Fantasy in 2016.

Donald had also recently sailed on newer ships, including Quantum of the Seas and Allure of the Seas in 2024. As such, stepping onto Voyager of the Seas was different from what they were accustomed to. 

Still, the cruise was less about the ship itself and more about the ports of call. Catherine and Donald roamed the cobblestone streets of Mykonos, explored ancient ruins in Ephesus, and enjoyed lunch in Sorrento. Plus, with just one sea day, sailing on a new ship with endless activities wasn't important. 

They could have saved money by opting for a windowless interior stateroom, but one of Donald's non-negotiables on vacation is having access to a private verandah. 

Their balcony stateroom, cabin #6518, was a comfortable space to retreat to after spending long days ashore and braving Europe's summer heat. 

In fact, they returned to their stateroom most nights around 8:00PM. They preferred to rest instead of staying out late at a bar or watching a show. 

Not only that, but amenities on a newer, more modern ship would have gone to waste. While on Voyager, they didn't use the rock climbing wall, FlowRider surf simulator, or Perfect Storm waterslides. 

"The cabin was completely fine," Catherine recalled, "The shower pressure was a little iffy, but that was the only thing."

Donald added that he wished the mini-fridge's temperature had been cooler. He noted that it barely kept a bottle of water cool, even after they had maintenance take a look at it. 

The bathroom itself was a standard Royal Caribbean bathroom. It was compact yet functional with enough storage for two cruisers and a much-appreciated glass shower door instead of a clingy curtain. 

As with other ships in Royal Caribbean's fleet, the shower featured the same 2-in-1 shampoo-body wash hybrid, along with a small shelf for personal products.

Read more: I always pack two things for my cruise bathroom that I'll thank myself for later

Being an older ship, the stateroom didn't have an abundance of charging options, just one European and two American outlets by the vanity. 

Catherine mentioned that the large vanity made getting ready easier, as she could spread her makeup and accessories out while her dad used the bathroom to shower and shave.

They were also impressed with the storage space. They were able to comfortably unpack and even had extra hangers!

Unlike newer Royal Caribbean vessels, Voyager of the Seas has a traditional ship design. As such, the balconies are recessed and cut directly into the superstructure, rather than protruding outward.

Consequently, they are more enclosed than balconies on ships like Oasis of the Seas. However, this means that they don't offer the same panoramic views, something Donald didn't love about the cabin. 

According to Catherine, they didn't use the balcony a lot. She used it more than her father, although she mentioned that she saw him stand outside watching the crew tie up the ship one morning in port. 

Although their last-minute cruise was pricey, they don't regret spending over $5,000 for a balcony on Voyager of the Seas, especially since it was the first time they had traveled together since 2022. 

Donald said that he was impressed with the ship's cleanliness and found the crowd to be a pleasant mix of couples and families. 

The biggest complaint from their time onboard was that the food wasn't as good as they had previously had on Royal Caribbean vessels. However, the cabin itself wasn't as bad as they expected for an older cruise ship. 

Royal Caribbean sought to make Star of the Seas a nearly identical follow-up to Icon of the Seas because why mess with what works?

I went on Star of the Seas interested to see how the second Icon Class ship could possibly match up to the original game changer, Icon of the Seas.

Because of how much hype and praise Icon received, I wanted to see how Star stood out.  

In reality, Star is so similar to Icon that you have to look closely to find differences. That's not a bad thing, because Royal Caribbean got so much of it right the first time.

A new family vacation destination

Photo by AdamsAway

The core experience Royal Caribbean is curating on Star of the Seas is a cruise ship filled with just about every family friendly and memory making option you can think of.

It's clear to me Royal Caribbean wants to build cruise ships that foster experiences that you'll remember for a long time to come. Star of the Seas has shows, activities, dining, and venues that all are sure to capture your attention quickly, and likely compel you to grab a photo so you can remember it and show it off to everyone at home later.

They do this with a lineup of things to do that you just won't find on any other ship.

The Icon Class is built with new innovations that are big and small. You'll be wowed by the six slide water park on the back of the ship that is easily seen as you drive up to the ship, but also appreciate the shorter wait times for elevators thanks to a more efficient programming.

New cruisers don't need to know the differences, because they'll feel right at home shifting from a resort on land to a cruise ship. Star of the Seas is a smooth experience, from check-in to boarding, to dining, and beyond.

So much to experience, being bored isn't an option

Arguably one of the best reasons to pick a brand new giant ship like Star of the Seas is for the sheer amount of different things you can do onboard.

Royal Caribbean includes the most shows, restaurants, bars, and activities on its biggest ships, and you'll find Star of the Seas has something happening almost every minute of the day.

Star's top deck is filled with water slides, pools, bars, and places to hang out. There are two adults-only pools, plus an entire section of the ship dedicated to young families.

The Royal Caribbean app lists activities you can try, including trivia, karaoke, pickleball, guitarists, concerts, street parties, and much more.

Plus, there are three theaters onboard with shows unique to Star of the Seas.

Back to the Future: The Musical is the must-see production onboard, and it's exactly like the Broadway/West End version. A fun musical for the entire family, and included in your cruise fare.

In the AquaTheater is a high dive stunt show, known as Torque.

Think of this like a high energy performance that combines diving boards, acrobatics, music, and swim into one.  

At the ship's ice skating rink, you'll find Sol.  This show highlights incredible skating technique, set to music. 

The shows are equally compelling in different ways, and it's all included in your cruise fare.  But, be sure to make reservations early for them so you're not left out.

The only way to be bored on Star of the Seas is to sit in your cabin and force yourself into a temporary exile.

Star is huge, but easy to navigate

New cruisers might be daunted at how they'll ever find their way around Star of the Seas, but the truth is it's easier than it seems.

Royal Caribbean has become masters of building giant cruise ships that are relatively easy to get around. The secret is in deliberate theming and visual cues.

• AquaDome: An indoor space and theater capped by a large dome, offering immersive entertainment and dining experiences (Deck 15).
• Central Park: Open air park with real trees, shrubs, and flowers that has a variety of restaurants, shops, and bars (Deck 8).
• Thrill Island: All things fun and exciting, with a water park, mini-golf, sports court, and many more activities (Deck 16)
• Chill Island: Most of the pools, whirlpools, and bars for time spent enjoying being in or around the water (Decks 15, 16 & 17)
• Royal Promenade: Two deck high entertainment "street" that has restaurants, bars, and is home to The Pearl (Deck 5 & 6)
• The Hideaway: Adults only enclave for passengers at least 18 years old, with a suspended infinity pool, whirlpools, and a variety of seating options (Deck 16).
• Suite Neighborhood: Reserved area of the ship exclusively for guests booked in a suite.  There's two dedicated restaurants, bar, and sun deck (Deck 16, 17, & 18).
• Surfside: A family-friendly neighborhood with a kids' splash zone, arcade, carousel, and family-friendly restaurants (Deck 6).

Star of the Seas has lots of restaurants, but many cost extra

Royal Caribbean boasts there are over 40 ways to dine and drink on Star of the Seas, but not all of it is included in your cruise fare.

Don't worry, you can go onboard and find lots of choices of where to eat and drink without spending extra. But the temptation to do so will certainly be there.

The cruise industry as a whole as adopted this model of freemium dining. The basics are included, but there are opportunities to spend extra and splurge.

I think the included restaurants on Star of the Seas are some of the best in the fleet. I could eat at Aquadome Market, El Loco Fresh, Pearl Cafe, and Main Dining Room exclusively and be quite content.

In fact, I think the update to Aquadome Market makes it superior to the version on Icon of the Seas.

But if you are willing to spend extra, you'll find lots of fabulous choices.

The only completely new restaurant on Star (compared to Icon) is the Lincoln Park Supper Club. It costs $200 per person, and lasts almost three hours, but I loved this experience so much. It's the ultimate fancy night out.

My favorite restaurant onboard is Izumi, where you can get sushi or indulge in teppanyaki cooking. It's a real crowd pleaser, and somewhere I try to eat on any ship that has it.

Suite guests have their own subsection of the ship that includes two restaurants: Coastal Kitchen and The Grove.

Coastal Kitchen is akin to a suites-only Main Dining Room, whereas The Grove is a convenient buffet on the sun deck.

Star of the Seas is easily one of the best cruise ships because it has just about everything

The reason to choose Star of the Seas for a cruise vacation is it's likely going to offer everything and anything you'd want in a memorable family vacation.

Royal Caribbean seems to understand the family vacation market better than most, and it's really honed in on what families want in any vacation they take: fun things they can do together that will make memories they'll cherish.

There is no shortage of fun things for everyone of every age to enjoy, and so many activities lean into multigenerational appeal.

With a ship as large as Star of the Seas, you might be worried about it being too crowded.  The reality is Royal Caribbean tackled the crowd management issue to the point it's astounding how uncrowded Star of the Seas feels.

Venues, activities, and neighborhoods are so well spread out that it helps keep passengers moving and not all in the same place. 

The only time I ever found a crowd is if there was a dance party of the Royal Promenade, which is designed to create a crowd.

Even the pool deck, a traditionally crowded place on a cruise ship, has open chairs and areas to spread out.  The adults-only areas can feel fuller than others, but it's hardly problematic.

I think the fact there are multiple, smaller pools that are spread out helps keep the pool deck from feeling like most cruise ship pool decks do.  Plus, there are so many loungers and chairs around the pool I cannot fathom there would ever be enough people at once to take them all up, even on busy sea days.

By far the best thing about Star of the Seas crowd management are the destination elevators.

They're smarter elevators that assign an elevator to you, rather than you taking the first available one.

It allows them to move more efficiently and reduce waits. It's easy to learn and very fast. 

Plus, Star of the Seas has some amazing shows and dining.  It seems to tick every box of what you'd want in a cruise ship vacation.

Who should book Star of the Seas

Royal Caribbean markets Star of the Seas as being the world's best family vacation, but it works for many people than just families.

There's no doubt Star is a great ship to bring the kids, your parents, cousins, and siblings on, because it's the perfect multi-generational ship.  There's enough onboard for everyone of every age to find appealing.

But I believe there's enough too for other types of cruisers, including couples, solo travelers, and retirees. Because Star of the Seas embodies the very best that Royal Caribbean has to offer, I think it's a good choice for just about anyone.

I also think it's one of the best ships for someone that has never cruised before.  New cruisers might think a giant ship would be daunting, but in truth, I think it's better to have more choices in what you can do, than not enough.

Plus, new cruisers are sure to find Star of the Seas extremely easy to figure out because it was designed with the best ideas and new concepts.

If there's someone who shouldn't book a Star of the Seas sailings, it's probably someone on a tight budget or a value seeker. Cruises on Star of the Seas aren't cheap, and deals are few and far between compared to older ships in the fleet.

Insider Star of the Seas tips and secrets

I've spent 10 nights so far on Star of the Seas, which has given me an opportunity most people don't have to experience it all.

Here are my best Star of the Seas tips and tricks you should take advantage of.

Book shows before the cruise: The shows will sell out, so book them before the cruise begins.

Reservations are free, and should open up about 30 days or less before the cruise begins. Don't miss out.

How to meet the dog: Everyone wants to meet Sailor, the official family dog of Star of the Seas.

There is no posted schedule, so it's a bit of luck to find her around the ship . The Overlook, jogging track, and mini golf course are all places I've seen Sailor the most frequently

The best deals for drink packages, wifi, and more: It's quite likely you'll want a drink package, internet access, a specialty restaurant reservation or some other extra cost item.

The best prices are before the cruise begins on the Cruise Planner or app. Take advantage of these sales, because they can save up to 40% off the onboard price.

Secret bar menus: A couple of bars have food you can order from too, and it's a great alternative to booking a full specialty restaurant.

Both Giovanni's Wine Bar and the Trellis Bar have food menus, and neither require a reservation to dine there.

Grandeur of the Seas will sail from Cartagena, Colombia, and Colón, Panama, in 2026 and 2027.

Originally, Jewel of the Seas was set to offer Southern Caribbean cruises from Latin America. However, Royal Caribbean decided to swap the ship. 

Now, Jewel of the Seas will sail from Tampa and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, while Grandeur of the Seas will depart from Cartagena, Colombia, and Colón, Panama. 

Royal Caribbean let impacted guests know about the deployment change in an email. 

"Our original plan for Grandeur of the Seas was to offer a Summer 2026-2027 season with sailings departing from Tampa and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, beginning May 2, 2026, through April 17, 2027," it reads.

"Instead, Grandeur of the Seas will offer sailings from Cartagena, Colombia, and Colon, Panama, and Jewel of the Seas will offer the sailings from Tampa and Fort Lauderdale. As a result, your cruise has been redeployed. The good news is, your sailing and itinerary will remain intact, just on a different ship."

Those impacted have three options:

• Automatically move to the same sailing onboard Jewel or Grandeur of the Seas
• Re-book any other Royal Caribbean International sailing
• Receive a full refund of any paid portion of the cruise fare

Photo by Bill Raffel

Guests don't have to take any action if they decide to stick with the same sail date and itinerary. Royal Caribbean will automatically move them to a like-for-like stateroom, and the original stateroom category price will be protected.

If the booking was already paid in full, they'll provide a refund of the difference within 14 business days. 

Moving on, Royal Caribbean will waive non-refundable deposit change fees for those who want to re-book another cruise. However, guests are responsible for the difference in cruise fare, taxes, fees, gratuities, and other non-cruise fare items (like drink packages, Wi-Fi, and shore excursions). 

Finally, if there's not a suitable replacement, impacted passengers can request a full refund of any paid portion of the cruise fare, along with non-refundable deposits and pre-paid amenities. Airfare booked through Royal Caribbean's Air2Sea program will also be automatically refunded.  

Although they note that they will issue the refund within 14 business days, some international banking and financial institutions may have a processing time of about 30 business days. 

If the cruise aboard Jewel or Grandeur of the Seas was booked using a Future Cruise Credit, Royal Caribbean will refund any new funds paid above the certificate amount and reinstate the original certificate. 

Guests have until September 10, 2025, to let Royal Caribbean know of their decision. That said, those who wish to remain on the same sailing date and itinerary don’t need to take any action; the switch will automatically happen. 

The deployment swap means that Grandeur of the Seas will offer longer cruises in 2026 and 2027

Originally, Grandeur of the Seas was supposed to sail on shorter voyages to The Bahamas and Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale and Tampa in 2026 and 2027. 

Now, she'll offer weeklong cruises to the Southern Caribbean from Latin America, calling at ports like Oranjestad, Aruba, and Willemstad, Curaçao. 

Similarly, Jewel of the Seas will offer a variety of cruises, ranging from short 3-night getaways to longer 8-night holiday sailings. 

Although both ships are older, Grandeur takes the cake. Launching in 1996, she's not only Royal Caribbean's oldest ship, but she's also the smallest in the fleet. Comparatively, Jewel of the Seas set sail in 2004. 

Grandeur measures around 73,817 gross registered tons (GRT), while Jewel of the Seas comes in at around 90,090 GRT. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean Ships by Size - Largest to Smallest

Royal Caribbean invested more space on its newest cruise ships for families, including rooms that are design with kids in mind.

I sailed on Star of the Seas for its first voyage with paying passengers, and wanted to try the Surfside Family Suite to see what it's like.

This is a new type of cruise ship stateroom, which was introduced with the Icon of the Seas. Like many other new room types on the Icon Class, these staterooms are designed with kids in mind.

I think Royal Caribbean wanted to do more with their spaces, and offer more room and separation.  Parents love their kids, but they don't want to be spending every minute with them either.

While I was cruising solo, I was interested to see how well this type of cabin would work if I was cruising with my kids.

I paid about $4,400 total for this cruise

I booked my reservation on Star of the Seas the first day the cruise became available, because it's the best strategy to lock in a really good price.

Originally I paid $4744.35 for my Surfside Family Suite with just me in the room, but that price dropped by $271.75 to a new total of $4472.60.

I paid for my cabin and was not compensated or subsidized by Royal Caribbean in any way.

Keep in mind because I'm cruising solo, I have the pay a single supplement fee, and the price would be about the same for two people in the room.

There's a good chance if I had kids, they would be free because of the popular Kids Sail Free deals offered.

The Surfside Family Suite is divided into three areas

The general layout of the Surfside Family Suite is all about giving space but breaking it apart.

I was staying in cabin 9693 on deck 9.

You'll find the main bedroom, kids room, and a balcony.

I was impressed how well the separation works to make each area feel apart.

The kids room is separated by a curtain. On Icon of the Seas, there was a metal door as well, but that is not present on Star of the Seas.

The suite was bigger than expected

Maybe it's the different rooms, but I liked how roomy it all felt in here.

My cabin measured 269 square feet, along with a 53 square foot balcony.

Obviously that's plenty of room for just me, but if I was sharing this room with my kids and wife, I still think we'd find enough space. At least, when my kids were younger.

I think this room is not big enough for my teenagers, but back when they were in elementary school, I think this room would have been great.

The split bathroom reduces waiting, but it's missing a tub

I love that there's a split bathroom in this suite, because it's such a benefit to families.

One bathroom has a shower and sink, while the other one has a sink and toilet.  This means someone showering isn't monopolizing the bathroom (and vice versa).

Disney Cruise Line has gotten many accolades for its split bathroom cabin design on its ships, and I like that Royal Caribbean is leaning into this direction now.

The only observation I have about this configuration is there's no bathtub, which is curious for two reasons.

First, Royal Caribbean suites usually come with bathtubs.  And second, families would especially find bathtubs useful since kids often bathe in them.

I wish there was more storage space

I've generally felt the amount of storage space on Icon Class ships is lacking compared to Quantum or Oasis Class ships, and that trend continues with this suite.

For a room designed for up to four passengers, I think there's a real lack of storage space.

There's also a vanity area near the closet with a few more outlets and two mirrors to use.

There are 3 drawers, 3 shelves and a giant closet.

The drawers each have things in them, such as the hair dryer or room service menus.  And one of the shelves is taken up by the safe.

I had enough space for my belongings, but I doubt my wife and I could easily share the space on a 7-night cruise, let alone with my kids.

The closet is massive, and there are two bins in the kids room.

If I were to redesign this room, I'd add more shelving on the walls.

The kids bed is bigger than I expected

The kids nook has a pullout sofa, and I think this is the smartest area of the suite.

During the day, it's a comfortable sofa to sit on and there's a television facing it.  With two televisions in the room, there's no less fighting about what to watch.

At night, the sofa can be converted to a bed.

Yes, I had the room attendant make it into the bed to see if I could fit in it. 

Surprisingly, I fit in the bed without my feet hanging off the end of it, but I'd probably sleep diagonally on it to prevent that from happening.

Like any sofa bed, it was rigid, but I think I could manage.

The main bedroom has a giant bed

The primary bed in the suite has a king size bed that could be separated into twin beds, if necessary.

There are nightstands on both sides of the bed. Each night stand has a USB-A and USB-C outlet, with one side having an electrical outlet too.

A large TV is found on the wall near the bed, but it swivels out quite nicely. I barely watch TV on a cruise, but it's nice it can be moved.

The balcony isn't massive, but it's a nice outdoor space

For a suite, the balcony isn't that large.  

I don't think it matters as much because this balcony faces into the Surfside neighborhood. Plus, I think the idea was to maximize the indoor space rather than the outdoor space.

My specific cabin was too close to the entrance to Surfside, so it was a bit strange how close my balcony is to people passing by.

I'm not someone to spend a lot of time on my balcony anyway, but it's always nice to have private outdoor space you can use from time to time.

Noise issues were not a problem at all

In case you're wondering, no, the Surfside Family Suites are not noisy at all.

Even during the day time, I rarely heard anything in my room.  I'd take afternoon naps and never hear a thing to disturb me.  And at night, Surfside is very quiet since most of the amenities in this neighborhood are closed.

In fact, it was great for sleeping because with the windows drawn and the lack of direct sunlight into the neighborhood, I was never woken up by the sun.

Changes are coming

It's important to note the perks that come with Surfside Family Suite are changing soon.

For my sailing, I was granted Sky Class suite benefits. However, for sailings on or after May 2, 2026 (regardless of when it was booked), that will come to an end.

After May 2, Surfside Family Suites will be downgraded to Sea Class.

This means they will no longer have access to the Suite Lounge, Suite Concierge services, complimentary internet access, complimentary beverages in the Suite Lounge, and can only dine at Coastal Kitchen restaurant for dinner only (instead of breakfast and lunch).

When the change was announced, Royal Caribbean's only explanation was, "we continuously strive to enhance guest experience onboard and reach alignment of our product offerings across the fleet."

Essentially, this downgrades the perks of this room back to a Junior Suite.

I think the Surfside Family Suite is great for young families, even without the perks

If my kids were under the age of 7 or 8, I wouldn't have hesitated to book a Surfside Family Suite for us.

I love the concept of having a kids nook. They'd love having their own space and TV.  Plus, they can people watch really easily from it.

As a parent, the split bathroom design is a wonderful idea.  Anytime you're sharing a room with more than two people, I think keeping the toilet in a different area makes it more manageable.

I was concerned about noise bleed, but I rarely ever heard anything while inside my room.

The downgraded Sky Class perks are disappointing, but I'm not sure this room truly feels like a suite to begin with.  Plus, when my kids were that young, we rarely took advantage of anything in the Suite Lounge anyway.  

I'm certainly not in favor of less perks while paying the same price (I doubt the prices are going down on these rooms when it transitions to Sea Class), but I think the selling point of this room is the arrangement for families. Unlike a Grand Suite, the perks are secondary to this.

I don't think families with teenagers or adults should book this room with that nook in mind. It's truly meant for young children.

Plus, it still gets twice a day cabin service, and that's a lovely benefit for families to keep the room tidier.

Royal Caribbean has had six cruise ships, including the Liberty of the Seas, impacted by Hurricane Erin as she continues to barrel across the Atlantic Ocean. 

Passengers aboard the August 21 sailing on Liberty of the Seas were originally scheduled to visit Bermuda. However, because of the storm's projected path, the ship's call at the Royal Naval Dockyard has been cancelled and replaced with another sea day. 

"Along with our Chief Meteorologist, Craig Setzer, we've been closely monitoring Hurricane Erin as she continues moving north. While the storm is not expected to directly impact our location, its projected path will pass near our itinerary, generating significantly larger waves ahead of its track," reads an email sent to guests.

"To ensure safe navigation and to provide a more comfortable experience for everyone on board, we'll now enjoy a Sea Day instead of visiting Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda. To help make up for this unexpected change, we'll now arrive in Philipsburg, St. Maarten at 10:00 AM instead of 2:00 PM, and depart at 7:00 PM instead of 8:00 PM."

All pre-paid shore excursions booked through Royal Caribbean will be automatically refunded as onboard credit to guests' SeaPass accounts. Any remaining amounts at the end of the cruise will be reimbursed to the card on file within 14 business days.

Liberty of the Seas' August 16 cruise was impacted, too. Like the latter sailing, Liberty's scheduled call to Bermuda was cancelled to avoid cruising through the rough Atlantic waters. Instead, the ship headed north to Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Read more: Cruising in hurricane season: What you need to know

Other Royal Caribbean cruisers have also faced disappointment from cancelled ports

Vision of the Seas was the first cruise ship to have its itinerary changed because of the massive storm. At the time, it wasn't clear where then-Tropical Storm Erin would go, but it was fairly certain that it would head north. 

As such, guests on the August 14 sailing from Baltimore, Maryland, were informed that instead of calling at the Royal Naval Dockyard, they'd visit Port Canaveral, Florida. The ship was also able to arrive in Nassau, Bahamas, 6 hours earlier than planned.  

Moving on, Symphony of the Seas' August 17 cruise from Cape Bayonne, New Jersey, had its scheduled stop in Nassau on August 20 cancelled. According to Cruise Mapper, the ship is spending another day at sea and closely hugging the Florida coastline. 

(Credit: Cruise Mapper)

Utopia of the Seas faced a similar fate. Utopia was unable to visit Nassau on August 19. And, like Symphony of the Seas, she had an extra day at sea. 

Likewise, Harmony of the Seas could not call at Royal Caribbean's private island on her current 8-night cruise from Texas. Rather than visiting Perfect Day at CocoCay on August 19, the ship spent an extra day at sea. Her next scheduled port is Costa Maya, Mexico, on August 21. 

Finally, Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas returned to Miami, Florida, roughly 12 hours earlier than planned on Friday, August 17. The following cruise that departed on the 18th set sail directly for Nassau, rather than spending the day at sea. 

Read more: Here's What Happens If There's A Hurricane During Your Cruise

Hurricane Erin is the first major cruise disruption of the season

Up until mid-August, the Atlantic hurricane season had been pretty slow. One day, out of curiosity, I asked my boss if he thought the quiet streak would last, to which he replied that August 15 is like a "magic switch." 

As Hurricane Erin continued to gain strength, the storm forced cruise lines to make last-minute adjustments, starting with Vision of the Seas. 

Although Hurricane Erin has moved out of the Caribbean (after days of 130mph winds, torrential rainfall, and tens of thousands of Puerto Ricans without power), her impacts on the East Coast are still being felt.

Read more: With an ‘above normal’ hurricane season forecast, check these 5 things in your travel insurance policy

North Carolina, for example, is bracing for up to 4 feet of life-threatening storm surge along parts of the Outer Banks. 

Moreover, New York City's beaches are closed to swimming on Wednesday and Thursday due to powerful rip currents.

As of 2:00pm EDT on Wednesday, August 20, Hurricane Erin was moving north at 13mph with maximum sustained winds of 110mph, making it a Category 2 storm. 

For many cruisers, indulging in delicious cuisine is a major highlight of cruising. With such an emphasis on the dining experience, many cruisers like to plan ahead of time to make the most of their time onboard. Not to mention, there are so many dining options to choose from during your cruise, including both specialty and complimentary restaurants. 

Thankfully, Royal Caribbean makes it simple to browse dining menus right from their app. You can see the planned menus for each night of your cruise before you even set sail! For a routine itinerary, such as a 3-night or 4-night cruise on Utopia of the Seas, menus can be available months in advance in the app. 

However, menu availability can change based on your specific Royal Caribbean cruise. For example, unique sailings, such as repositioning itineraries, transatlantic cruises, or one-way sailings, may not have menus available until closer to embarkation. In addition, even if you see menus populating for each night, it could change as the sailing approaches.

Also, it's important to note that specialty dining menus are the same every night during your cruise. In fact, specialty dining menus are standardized across Royal Caribbean’s fleet. In this way, what you see in the app is what you can expect to find once you’re onboard.  This can make it easy to decide in advance if a restaurant like Chops Grille or Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen is worth booking for your trip.

If you’re planning to book a meal at one of Royal Caribbean’s specialty dining restaurants, I recommend checking the main dining room menus beforehand. It’s not unusual to have one or two menus that don’t excite you, which presents the perfect opportunity for specialty dining.

For this reason, I personally love having access to Royal Caribbean’s menus in advance. This makes planning my dining schedule easy and also ensures reservations fit nicely into my busy cruise plans. 

I’ve been cruising with Royal Caribbean since I was a kid. I vividly remember the excitement each night of arriving to dinner and seeing what’s on the nightly menu. Eventually, that evolved into menus being displayed on the electronic screens outside of the elevators each day. Now, we are lucky to have access to every menu during our cruises directly in the Royal Caribbean app. How times have changed!

Within the Royal Caribbean app, you can see the rotating nightly menus in the main dining room, including what’s being served for breakfast, brunch, and lunch. Additionally, you can browse the specialty dining restaurants before you book a table or opt to book a dining package for your cruise. 

If you're curious how to navigate the dining section of your Royal Caribbean app, you've come to the right place! Here’s a step-by-step guide to navigating the app so you can preview your meals before stepping onboard. I’ll be using screenshots from my upcoming cruise on Wonder of the Seas, so keep in mind that your ship’s specific restaurant selection might be different. Either way, the navigation process is the same.

Step 1: Open the Royal Caribbean App

First, download the Royal Caribbean app from your phone’s app store, then log in with your cruise reservation details. Once your sailing is linked, you’ll want to select your upcoming cruise. This will take you to a homepage for your specific cruise. It should look something like this with an image of your ship, along with your itinerary and daily agenda.

If your cruise is in the future, the app will say “Day 1” with your embarkation port at the top. This screen also provides important details like the all-aboard time, the daily weather forecast, and a welcome message. At the bottom, you can switch between your Daily Planner and My Calendar, or use the navigation bar to access shortcuts like dining, beverages, and excursions.

At the bottom menu bar, you’ll see a few icons including Cart, Check-In, For You, and Beverage. Tap “More” (three dots icon) at the end of the bottom menu. You should see this in the bottom right corner. A shortcut screen will appear, and this is where you’ll select “Dining” to begin exploring your options.

Step 2: Choose Between Specialty Dining and Main Dining

Once you’ve tapped into the Dining section, the app will display the dining homepage. On the home page, you will notice several tabs across the top of the screen for restaurants, dining experiences, bars, dining packages and more. If you're visiting Perfect Day at CocoCay, you can even access the island's menus here!

Each tab helps you quickly find what you’re looking for between complimentary and specialty dining. If you’re looking for the included dining options, swipe over to the “Main Dining” tab. This section will show you everything served in the main dining room, including nightly menus for dinner onboard.

Here’s a brief summary of what you can find under the a few of the tabs.

Restaurants

This tab shows all of the specialty dining venues onboard, such as Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen, Hooked Seafood, Chops Grille, and Izumi. These restaurants come with an extra charge, but their menus are consistent each night of your cruise. The menus here are standardized across the Royal Caribbean fleet, so if you’ve sailed before, you’ll often see familiar options here.

Main Dining

This is where you’ll find the complimentary dining rooms, which are included in your cruise fare. Unlike specialty restaurants, these menus rotate nightly, so you’ll see different appetizers, entrees, and desserts throughout your sailing. Breakfast is available each morning in the dining room, although lunch and brunch can be available on a select few days during your itinerary.

Bars & Lounges

If you’re curious about the drink options onboard, this tab highlights the different bars and lounges on your ship. This is where you can find drink menus for cocktails, mocktails, wine, beer, or specialty coffee. It can be especially handy if you have a drink package and want to know what’s available at different venues.

Step 3: Select a Dining Room

After navigating to the dining tab, your ship might list multiple dining rooms to choose from. This will usually include My Time Dining Room and the main dining rooms. Before boarding, your ship's main dining rooms will likely be named Main Dining Room 1, Main Dining Room 2, etc. Once you’re onboard, these will update to show the exact name of the dining rooms.

It doesn’t matter which dining room you select, as they will each serve the same menu. In the app, you can usually click on any of the main dining rooms to see the same menus. If one doesn’t work, try selecting a different dining room. You can also see the dining times in this area once you’re onboard, which can be helpful for planning your meals.

Tap on a dining room, then hit “View Menu” to see what’s being served. 

Step 4: Browse the Menus by Day

When you open a dining room menu, it will default to Day 1 Dinner. This is usually the “Welcome Aboard” dinner in the main dining room, but this could differ. 

Scroll down to browse the specific menu for that evening. Here you’ll see the Chef’s Recommendation, appetizers, main courses, and desserts for that night, along with a wine menu. 

At the bottom of the screen, you’ll find a row of tabs for each day of your cruise (Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, etc.). Tapping through these allows you to preview the menus for the entire sailing. 

Each night has a different theme, such as Taste of France with escargot, Italian Night with tiramisu, Caribbean Night with jerk pork chops, and Royal Night with lobster. You can also toggle between breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus here. 

Step 5: Explore Specialty Dining Menus

If you’re planning to splurge on a specialty dining meal, you can also view the restaurant's menu in Royal Caribbean’s app. As mentioned, these are fixed menus for each restaurant across the fleet. Each venue will be listed with its pricing and description. You can also see when each restaurant will be open during your cruise.

Tap on a restaurant like Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen or Hooked Seafood, then hit “View Menu.” You can view all of the menus for every specialty dining venue on your ship. In addition, you can even make reservations for these restaurants directly on the Royal Caribbean app. 

Why this can be helpful for planning your cruise

During your Royal Caribbean cruise, you can dine every evening in the main dining room, as this is included in your cruise fare. If you want a more upscale dining experience, you can also pay extra for specialty dining during your cruise.

Being able to view the menus ahead of time makes it easier to plan your meals during the cruise. For example, you may decide to book a specialty dining reservation on a night when the main dining room menu doesn’t look as appealing. Moreover, you might prefer the main dining room’s lunch menu versus grabbing something quick in the Windjammer buffet.

This can also help those with dietary restrictions or meal preferences, such as vegetarians or vegans. If you have any dietary preferences, make sure to tell your dining room staff and they are always happy to accommodate you.

The dining section of Royal Caribbean's app is also where you can purchase a dining package for your sailing. This allows you to pre-pay for specialty dining meals, including the unlimited dining package. 

Finally, some of Royal Caribbean's biggest ships have a wider selection of restaurants to choose from, such as the Oasis and Icon class. Being able to view menus across the ship ahead of time helps you prioritize where you want to eat so you don't miss out on any must-try spots. If your future cruise isn't displaying menus, keep checking back as the sailing approaches. 

Celebrity Cruises announced that its highly anticipated European river cruises will open for deposits on September 3, 2025. Sailings start in 2027 on the Danube and Rhine Rivers. 

Guests who place a $500 deposit will get early access to Celebrity's river cruises ahead of the general public. The deposits can be booked starting at 9:00am EDT on September 3, 2025. They're fully refundable. 

The reason that those with deposits will earn special access is due to the demand for the new cruise product. It's the first time a mainstream cruise line will launch river cruises. 

"There's an avalanche of demand," Jason Liberty, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, told Seatrade Cruise News. 

The cruise fares will be all-inclusive, so guests won't have to worry about paying extra for alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, Wi-Fi, shore excursions, and other onboard experiences. This differs from their traditional ocean cruises but is similar to their sailings aboard Celebrity Flora in the Galapagos. 

Additionally, cruisers have the option to add a pre- or post-cruise stay in Prague and Budapest when Celebrity's river cruises open for booking. 

"We are excited to offer guests the chance to experience the first-ever Celebrity River Cruises vacations in 2027 with Priority Booking Access," said Laura Hodges Bethge, President of Celebrity Cruises.

"Guests will enjoy the warm hospitality Celebrity is known for, on innovative ships, with land experiences unlike any other, as we set sail on Europe’s iconic Danube and Rhine rivers."

There are a few ways to place a deposit, such as by visiting celebritycruises.com/river or calling Celebrity River Cruises at 1-833-474-8803. You can also visit Future Cruise on board or contact a trusted travel advisor. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean Group had such a good year that Celebrity Cruises will start offering river cruises in 2027

Celebrity ordered 10 river ships

According to Celebrity, each ship will hold about 180 passengers and will be designed to look like the cruise line's award-winning Edge Class vessels. 

Celebrity Edge was revolutionary for the cruise industry when she launched in 2019. Since then, each of the Edge Class ships has continued to focus on connecting guests to the ocean with their outward-facing designs and innovative features like the cantilevered Magic Carpet.

Celebrity's newest Edge Class ship, Celebrity Xcel, is launching this November. 

Read more: 10 New river cruise ships ordered for Celebrity Cruises – what we know so far

Half of Celebrity's guests have already sailed or plan on sailing on a river cruise

Although Celebrity already focuses on offering world cruises to places like the South Pacific, Asia, and Europe, there are only so many ports of call that can accommodate Celebrity's smallest Millennium Class ships. 

As such, Celebrity's smaller river ships will invite guests to experience some of Europe's culturally and historically significant cities that can't be accessed by ocean vessels. 

River cruises also tend to be more immersive than traditional cruises, which means that guests can look forward to more cultural enrichment, trying local cuisine, and venturing on unique excursions. 

How does Royal Caribbean's top executive measure up to its past CEO?

A special event was held on Royal Caribbean's Star of the Seas last week where Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty sat down for a public chat with his predecessor Richard Fain.

Mr. Liberty started off the event with a playful question: "It was about 20 years ago, almost to the day, that Richard hired me. So how am I doing?"

Without missing a beat, Fain quipped back: "You’re asking that about four years too late."

It drew a laugh from the audience, and set the tone for a reflection on where Royal Caribbean Group is headed.

Mr. Fain plainly said after the answer is in the results.

“If you look at the share price, employee satisfaction, the popularity and ratings on our cruises," Fain said with a smile, "apparently you’re doing a good job."

"It's the people"

Richard Fain lead Royal Caribbean for 33 years, and his legacy encompasses taking the company from cruise line to cruise giant.

Mr. Fain believes the secret to Royal Caribbean's success was never just about ships or flashy innovations. 

"It’s the people, it’s the people, it’s the people," he said. "Royal Caribbean has always attracted, promoted and dealt with the best and that has never left."

Having the right people to make their aspirations work is something Mr. Liberty agreed with.

"We’re surrounded by some of the greatest talent that walks on the planet, not just because they’re talented, but because they’re passionate," Liberty added.

A legacy that began in 1988

Richard Fain began working at Royal Caribbean in 1988, but he never imagined where the company would go and become in the decades since.

Under Mr. Fain's tenure, Royal Caribbean went from a cruise line with a handful of ships to a market leader with dozens of ships all over the world.

"It was hard for me to imagine it today. It’s so different than what we expected. But the one thing that hasn’t changed was to be a cut above and to be more than just a cruise line, but to be part of the vacation market."

Under his leadership, the age of the megaships was introduced and it redefined what a cruise vacation would encompass.

Mr. Liberty gave credit to Fain for the years of dedication that lead Royal Caribbean's growth, "The culture of this company is really rooted in the culture that Richard built. The amount of pride to see his flowers bloom must be exceptional."

More talk of Project Discovery

During the question and answer session, a travel agent asked about plans for a smaller cruise ship design and Mr. Liberty touched on the rumored plans.

Liberty acknowledged that the company is also investing in "Project Discovery," a new class of slightly smaller ships designed to deliver the same signature Royal Caribbean experiences at a more approachable scale.

"There's also an opportunity to build ships that have a lot of the same amenities and activities, but on a slightly smaller platform," he said.

He admitted it's still in the "dream engine" phase, but more to come, "hopefully relatively soon."

Fain added that size has never been the point: "It wasn't a team fixated on large or small. It was a team that could bring magic to whatever size it was."

City tours are in the past

A really interesting discussion centered around their vision for the future.

Mr. Liberty had a bold statement about how people want to explore the world, "The time of city tours, I think, is of the past," he said. 

"The time of experience building with your friends and family is where we are today, and I think where we’re going to be tomorrow."

He's alluding to the idea that going to a city simply to sightsee isn't as engaging from a memory making family vacation as a cruise can be in that regard.

"Vacation experiences have to be something that you want to brag about on social media or things that you’ll build legacies for a lifetime," Liberty added

When could you book Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship, Star of the Seas, and get the best price on it?

As the newest ships for Royal Caribbean, these vessels have quickly become some of the most popular in the cruise line's fleet. Between the ship's record-breaking size, cutting-edge design, and wide array of family-focused amenities, Icon Class ships have so much to offer. 

But, all these innovations and fun things to do come with a price tag to it.  New cruise ships always command higher prices, but the public wants to be able to try it all out without paying top dollar.

If you’re looking to sail aboard Star of the Seas in the next couple years, you’ve come to the right place! As a data analyst by day (and cruise writer by night), I spent some time combing through pricing data on Gangwaze.com to determine the best times to cruise on Star of the Seas.

My analysis looks at balcony stateroom pricing per person for Star of the Seas’ itineraries through April 2027. Some values are normalized to calculate an average nightly price for comparative purposes. Additionally, I’ve incorporated data for Icon of the Seas to see how pricing compares between two of the largest cruise ships in the world. 

Here’s when you should consider booking your cruise on Star of the Seas, especially if you’re hoping to save money.

How much does it cost to cruise on Star of the Seas?

Before diving into the pricing trends, let’s get a better idea of how much you can expect to pay nightly on a per person basis. 

All of Star of the Seas’ itineraries are 7-night sailings to Eastern or Western Caribbean. In addition, all of her itineraries include a stop at Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Using data provided by Gangwaze, here’s a breakdown of the different cabin categories and the average nightly cost per person.

• Inside cabin: ~$241
• Oceanview cabin: ~$267
• Balcony cabin: ~$301
• Suite: ~$732

As expected, interior cabins without windows are the most affordable staterooms on Star of the Seas, followed by Oceanview cabins. Balcony cabins cost only slightly more, likely because of the higher proportion of balcony staterooms available on the ship. On the other hand, suites are priced much higher than all other categories. 

Additionally, some of the prices for Star of the Seas vary slightly depending on the itinerary, particularly between Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings. We can also see this pricing gap becomes more pronounced in 2026 and 2027.

For instance, the data shows that Star of the Seas' Western Caribbean sailings are marginally cheaper overall. 

The average cost for a balcony stateroom per person is $2,070 for Western Caribbean sailings compared to Eastern Caribbean itineraries at $2,075. These itineraries include ports of call in Cozumel (Mexico), Costa Maya (Mexico), Roatan (Honduras), and Perfect Day at CocoCay (Bahamas).

Comparatively, Eastern Caribbean itineraries on Star of the Seas visit destinations like Perfect Day at CocoCay (Bahamas), Charlotte Amalie (St. Thomas), and Philipsburg (St. Maarten). These ports of call tend to be more popular, likely leading to higher demand and higher prices overall. 

Looking only at 2026 sailings, we see the average cost per person for Eastern Caribbean itineraries is $2,176. However, Western Caribbean sailings are slightly cheaper at $2,167. The gap widens even further in 2027 with Eastern Caribbean itineraries averaging a cost of $2,023 per person and $1,980 per person for Western Caribbean.

When is the cheapest month to sail on Star of the Seas?

Cruise fares typically fluctuate throughout the year with obvious seasonality trends. To better understand seasonality impacts and pricing trends for Star of the Seas, I analyzed the month-over-month pricing averages. Statistically, we can see that month of year explains about 56% of pricing variance for Star of the Seas. 

Regardless of the ship’s age, seasonality is still an important factor to consider if you’re wanting to save money. Overall, we see prices for Star of the Seas continue to climb each month throughout the remainder of the year. Surprisingly, itineraries in the next few months on Star of the Seas are some of the ship’s cheapest sailings. For instance, the average price for September 2025 is $1,506, compared to $1,899 in September 2026. 

June 2026 and July 2026 are the most expensive months to sail on Star of the Seas, with average prices of $2,674 and $2,700 per person, respectively. By September 2026, however, fares drop sharply to an average of $1,899. This is a 29.67% decrease from the summer peak!

Since Star of the Seas is branded as the “World’s Best Family Vacation,” it’s no surprise that demand skyrockets during school breaks. Families tend to book heavily in June and July, which drives up prices to match the surge in demand.

(Balcony pricing by sail date for Star of the Seas, from Gangwaze)

If you’re hoping to save money and avoid sailing with as many families onboard, September and October are the best months to book. Whenever possible, it’s worth skipping peak summer months altogether for a more affordable and relaxing experience.

Of course, we also see obvious price increases during other peak cruising months, including spring break and holidays. Massive pricing surges are observed for December 2025 and 2026. While early December itineraries have more typical pricing (around $1,930), holiday itineraries over Christmas skyrocket to $2,881 and $3,443 per person.  

Looking at all available monthly data, September is consistently the cheapest month to cruise on Star of the Seas. The average cost for a balcony stateroom per person drops to $1,730 in September compared to summer months. With kids back in school and hurricane season at its peak, September tends to see some of the lowest demand and most affordable fares for Star of the Seas.

Other months to consider booking for saving money include January (average cost of $1,908) and October (average cost of $1,892). 

How does the price compare to Icon of the Seas?

With Star of the Seas joining her sister-ship as the latest Icon Class vessel, you might be wondering how the pricing compares between the two. Since Icon of the Seas has been sailing for nearly two years, prices have leveled out as the initial hype has worn off.

In addition, Star of the Seas isn’t the first of its kind like Icon of the Seas was. Therefore, pricing is already slightly less volatile than we experienced with Icon of the Seas during her inaugural season.

Overall, pricing for Icon of the Seas follows the same seasonality trends as Star of the Seas. The highest prices are seen in June and July, followed by the holiday season in December. Over the next two years, pricing between Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas steadily comes into alignment with almost identical pricing in 2027. However, Star of the Seas will continue to be more expensive than Icon of the Seas through 2026.

In 2025, Star of the Seas has an average balcony price around $1,870.90 per person. Comparatively, Icon of the Seas has a lower average cost, around $1,767.80 per person. In 2026, this gap widens even further. The average cost for Star of the Seas increases to $2,229.90 while Icon of the Seas is about $262 less, at $1,968 per person. With Star of the Seas continuing to sail for her inaugural year, pricing seems to be consistently inflated throughout 2026.

However, we see a big shift in pricing trends in 2027. Looking at pricing data for 2027 sailings, Star of the Seas has an average price per person of $2,000 while Icon of the Seas is similarly priced at $1,966. By this point, the cost difference between Star of the Seas and Icon of the Seas is marginal at only $34. 

Based on early trends for 2027 itineraries, pricing for Star of the Seas appears to stabilize, as we would expect with the ship entering her second year of service. 

Right now, Star of the Seas is less sensitive to seasonality fluctuations

Both Star of the Seas and Icon of the Seas follow clear seasonal demand patterns, with prices peaking in the summer and dipping in the fall. However, Star of the Seas is currently less sensitive to seasonality changes.

During the busy summer months when families are most likely to vacation, Star of the Seas and Icon of the Seas have the highest prices of the entire year. However, once the prices begin to fall, Icon of the Seas has a steeper drop in pricing compared to Star of the Seas. For instance, from December 2025 to January 2026, Icon of the Seas declines in price by 33.28% while Star of the Seas decreases by 26.14%.

The difference here is how sharply the ships respond to these seasonal swings. Icon of the Seas is now almost two years old and shows steeper seasonal discounts as the initial launch hype has worn off.

On the other hand, Star of the Seas is still basking in the “new ship” effect and holds its pricing power more firmly over the next year. We see less dramatic pricing fluctuations with Star of the Seas right now.

However, it’s important to note that Royal Caribbean will introduce a third Icon Class ship, Legend of the Seas, in summer 2026. Once Legend of the Seas makes her debut in Europe, Star of the Seas will no longer hold the “newest ship” spotlight.

As a result, Star of the Seas' pricing is likely to normalize and follow a path more like Icon of the Seas with strong summer peaks and steeper discounts. Right now, Star of the Seas resists seasonality more than Icon of the Seas thanks to her novelty, but that advantage will fade once Legend of the Seas launches.

Surprisingly, you can still book impressive last-minute deals for Star of the Seas.

Last-minute cruise deals are largely a thing of the past. With most ships sailing at or near full capacity, waiting until closer to your departure date usually means paying more for your cruise. However, I was surprised to find some last-minute deals for Star of the Seas during my pricing analysis.

Considering Star of the Seas is brand-new, I would expect that a last-minute sailing for this fall would be astronomical. In fact, we see the opposite. You can book some of the cheapest fares for Star of the Seas in September 2025. Currently, Royal Caribbean has two sailings next month with an average price of $1,506 for a balcony stateroom. Interior cabins are even cheaper, as these windowless staterooms are priced around $1,300 for next month.

This could be related to September being considered peak hurricane season with lower demand. Regardless, it’s unusual to see lower prices for a last-minute deal on a brand-new vessel. If you have flexibility in your schedule and you’re looking for a spontaneous getaway, check out some of the September itineraries for Star of the Seas.

In addition, if you’re looking to plan a cruise on Star of the Seas in 2027, it’s best if you book your sailing soon. In general, we recommend booking your cruises as far in advance as you can. For those who aren’t able to plan years in advance, this might not always be realistic. However, for those who can plan this far in the future, you can grab a more affordable rate for Star of the Seas in April 2027.