Royal Caribbean Blog

Before I walk off any cruise ship to head home, I'll double check my onboard account for certain charges to avoid problems later.

It's far easier to get billing discrepancies settled while onboard than at home. This is because once you're home, everything gets charged to your credit card and the refund process involves more steps.  On land, the shoreside team has to coordinate with the ship and figure out if what you're saying is accurate or not.

But if you head to Guest Services and bring up something on your bill that doesn't look right, it's a few keystrokes and they can fix the issue.

I really think every cruiser should double check their cruise bill prior to the conclusion of the voyage to ensure these five things are actually correct.

Unreturned towel fees

Did you know Royal Caribbean will charge you $25 for each pool towel you didn't return?

In my experience, this fee gets hit more accidentally than intentionally.

Sure, if you forgot to actually return a towel, go do that before the cruise ends.  Bring it back up to the pool towel distribution point on the pool deck and have them scan your SeaPass card.

However, I've seen a lot of instances where people returned their towels and accidentally have an unreturned towel fee.

If this is the case, definitely go to Guest Services on the final evening or morning and ask to have it taken off your account.

The wrong gratuity amount

Gratuities are part of the cruise experience these days, but I have seen discrepancies with how they get charged.

Verify the amount is not doubled up. If you prepaid gratuities, then ensure there are no daily gratuity fees onboard. This has happened to me at least once or twice.

Something else to verify is any gratuity you sign on a receipt is actually the right amount.

I have terrible handwriting, and one time I tipped $20 but the waiter misread my chicken scratch and entered $50 because my "2" looks like a "5".

This was an easy fix at Guest Services, but I'd hate to have tried to figure this out if I was at home.

Refunds that should be there

Now that you had Guest Services or a bartender apply a refund for something, you should verify it's fixed before disembarking.

Crew members want to make your life easy, so they'll often tell you that they'll take care of a billing issue (like a refund). The thing is, you want to verify that later.

If you returned something, cancelled a service, or found an accidental charge, be sure your onboard account reflects that.

If you're taking care of this on the final morning of the cruise, ask for a print out verifying the refunds you expect are actually there.

Onboard credit has been applied

There are two sources of onboard credit you could have, but occasionally it doesn't get added.

Any OBC you received from the cruise line is usually added to your account on the first day of the cruise.  You'll see a negative balance to start your sailing, which means it's there.

If you have more than one cabin, be sure each cabin has the credit.  In fact, if your kids are in another cabin, you could ask to have their credit moved to your account.

The other source of onboard credit is from a travel agent, and this one might take a day or two to apply. 

There have been many cruises where I didn't see OBC that my travel agent gave me hit my account until day 2 or 3.  

If you don't see onboard credit you expected in your account, head to Guest Services to verify it's in the process of being applied.

Total owed, and if you want to put cash down before the end of the cruise

Similar to your credit card bill that you probably browse each month, it's a good idea to look over everything while on the ship.

Some cruisers like to then deposit cash to reduce how much gets charged to the credit card.

If you won money in the casino or simply have leftover vacation cash, you can pay off some or all of your SeaPass bill before the cruise ends.  You can deposit cash at any time to offset charges.

How to check the bill

Now that I outlined all the things to look for in your bill, it might help if you knew how to check your bill.

The easiest way is to open the Royal Caribbean app and click the Person icon in the top right, and then scroll down to "Onboard account".

This is where you can see recent charge activity. You can click "Details" to see every single charge and credit there.

The app is updated in real time, so as soon as something is charged, it appears there.

The "old school" way is to go to Guest Services and ask for a print out.

They can do so at anytime, but it requires waiting in line. Plus, it's out of date the moment it prints out.

Who to talk to if there's a problem

Let's assume you find a billing discrepancy or have a question about what something is. What do you do next?

Guest Services is the best place to start. Every ship has a desk that's open 24 hours per day, and they can assist.

On the very newest ships, the Royal Caribbean app has a Guest Services chat feature that you could use to save yourself the trip.

If you're staying in a suite, the Suite Concierge can assist too.  The Suite Concierge may be faster since lines at Guest Services can be quite long.

In addition, if you're a Diamond member or above, the Crown Lounge concierge can assist with billing issues too.

The most wonderful time of the year is also a very popular time to go on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

Some people are surprised to hear that cruise ships are sold out for Christmas and New Years, but the truth is this is one of the very peak times for a cruise vacation. The combination of time off from school and work, along with cold weather at home compels a lot of families to head to the tropics for a warm cruise escape.

If you're booked on a cruise for the end of December and early January, here's what you should know and plan around before you embark.

Look for holiday decorations

Royal Caribbean decorates its ships for Christmas and Hanukkah, so be sure to look for it onboard. They go up after Thanksgiving across the fleet.

Usually the decorations are found on the Royal Promenade or Centrum area. It seems the bigger ships have more of it around.

There will almost certainly be a Christmas tree and a Hanukkah menorah, but likely other lights and signage.

I've also seen special holiday decorations around the Windjammer or Main Dining Room. Even some bars have stuff up.

Royal Caribbean doesn't go crazy with the decor, but there's enough to remind you it's the holiday season and they are great photo opportunities.

You should decorate your door instead of a tree

If Christmas doesn't feel the same without decorating, then plan to decorate your stateroom door.

Cabin doors are metal and with the assistance of magnets, you can give your door a very fun holiday look.

More passengers than you might expect will decorate their cabin doors, so don't feel embarrassed to be doing it.  In fact, some people get really creative.

Battery powered lights are usually fine. But don't bring anything that plugs into an outlet.  And all decorations cannot use any adhesives.  So magnets and magnetic hooks are your friends. 

There will be holiday events during your sailing

If your sailing actually goes over a holiday, then expect to find special Christmas events onboard.

The Royal Caribbean app lists every event. Most of them are the usual assortment, but there are also Christmas events.

There can be gift exchanges, Christmas trivia, caroling, and more. For Hanukkah, there is usually a menorah lighting (it's electric) ceremony held each evening.

In the Main Dining Room, there will be a special Christmas menu. On New Years Eve, the Main Dining Room has plastic hats and noise makers on each table.

Cruises that sail in December and early January but aren't over any holiday probably won't have specific events like this.  

You can meet Santa on cruises over Christmas

If your cruise goes over Christmas, expect Santa to be waiting for you onboard. However, he isn't onboard for other sailings that don't fall over Christmas.

Typically there are a few events where guests can line up and meet Santa Claus. 

It's a lot like meeting Santa at the mall. Report to a specific location, wait in line, and then wait your turn.

Check for holiday hours in ports you are visiting

One of the biggest x-factors with a cruise over Christmas or New Years is what to expect in port. 

The ports will still be open and tourist areas too, but restaurants can be hit or miss.

Certainly shore excursions booked in advance will be safe, along with beaches and resorts.

The question mark is what to expect when you go downtown and look to do shopping or enjoy a meal. Often these establishments are closed for the day, if you're visiting on a holiday.

Booking a shore excursion might be a safer bet to ensure you aren't left with few options.

New Years Eve is a giant party, with paid areas

One of my favorite times of the year to go on a cruise is for New Years Eve because it's the best kind of party.

The ship will transform into a giant floating party. Different parts of the ship are designated for different kinds of ways to celebrate.

There is a Times Square style party on the Royal Promenade, a DJ dance party in a lounge, pool party, and more.

On the Promenade, expect certain areas to be roped off for guests willing to pay for a table. Usually the Pub, Playmakers, and Vintages turn into VIP velvet rope areas that you must book onboard for access. 

Buying a table means you have a reserved seat, drink service, and usually a bottle of champagne too.

The rest of the Royal Promenade is open to a first-come, first-standing area for a midnight countdown and balloon drop.

There's music, dancing, and a lot of energy as everyone awaits the clock to strike twelve.  Then, the entire Royal Promenade is drowned in balloons.

And yes, the kids club is open too during all of this so you can drop off your children while you enjoy a party out.

The holiday decorations come down right after New Years

Once New Years hits, the decorations come down pretty quickly.

Any sailings that begin after January 1st shouldn't expect holiday decorations to remain on display.

Plan around winter weather before or after your cruise

While your embarkation port in Florida, Texas, or Southern California is probably safe from a winter storm, the situation at home might be very different.

Snow and ice can cause major delays and cancellations of flights, so you need to have backup plans.

I always recommend planning to arrive at least one day before your cruise begins to protect against a travel delay.

Coming home can be more of a toss up since accurate weather forecasts likely do not develop until well into your cruise. Your best bet is to plan to fly home the day your cruise ends, but know what your options are for a flight later that evening or the next day.

Having travel insurance is essential any time of the year, but especially in the winter. Travel insurance pays you back for cancelled travel plans, missing luggage, or other weather-related problems.

Good news, we are all one week closer to our next Royal Caribbean cruise!  In case you missed any of the Royal Caribbean fun from this week, here is our weekly round up!

Watch out, repricing a Royal Caribbean cruise might be more difficult than last time you tried it.

Someone claiming to to "work in the pre-cruise department" of Royal Caribbean, shared why the repricing rules have changed.

New terms and conditions may alter if you're able to take advantage a price drop.

Royal Caribbean News

• Cruisers without REAL ID could soon pay extra $45
• Dense winter fog delays three Royal Caribbean cruise ships
• PortMiami, Port Canaveral set yearly records for cruise passengers
• I tried a free food hack on my Royal Caribbean cruise that I couldn't believe was so good
• I sailed on Star of the Seas for 7-nights and saw passengers making 6 mistakes
• What is the best time to eat dinner on a cruise ship for better schedule of shows, pool time, and kids
• 7 things I wish I knew before my first cruise on Star of the Seas
• 5 things that surprised me about Carnival's Amber Cove
• Hiding ducks on a cruise got an upgrade, and all the kids on my ship were using a new app to make it better
• How to pick a cruise you'll love

New RCB Video: 6 Things People Worry Too Much About On A Cruise

Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — 6 Things People Worry Too Much About On A Cruise — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Trademark reveals plans for a new restaurant

A new trademark application made with the United States Patent and Trademark Office points to a possible new restaurant coming to Royal Caribbean ships.

While trademark applications are vague and don't always lead to a tangible product, it's a sign of what the cruise line may be strongly considering.

"Saved my Honeymoon": Royal Caribbean CEO saves couple from losing their cruise

Reaching out to Royal Caribbean's CEO actually got one couple the one-time exemption they desperately needed.

When a couple realized they were expecting a baby and it would now interfere with their cruise, they thought they would lose their vacation money.

Thanks to a tip from the internet, they were able to change dates even though the official rules prohibit it.

First cruise ships will return to Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa

Cruise ships will be able to return to Jamaica again.

Hurricane Melissa devastated the island, and ships had to go elsewhere while clean-up efforts commenced.

However, Falmouth is officially open to cruise traffic once again. 

16 years ago, the biggest cruise ship ever debuted (and it changed cruises forever)

The arrival of Oasis of the Seas literally changed the cruise industry and continues to impact it to this day.

Exactly 16 years ago, the maiden voyage of the first Oasis Class cruise ship took place.

This ship fundamentally altered the economics and perception of what a cruise vacation is all about, and ships built today are still judged against Oasis.

A case of bad fog wreaked havoc with cruise ship operations on the west coast of Florida.

Heavy winter fog enveloped Tampa Bay on Saturday morning, forcing the closure of Port of Tampa Bay. This delayed docking of three of Royal Caribbean’s ships: 

• Rhapsody of the Seas
• Enchantment of the Seas
• Grandeur of the Seas

The problem was the fog was too dense for safe navigation and thus that delayed each ship's arrival by at least eight hours.

The delay impacted both the sailings wrapping up and the next set of sailings scheduled to begin on Saturday.

Delayed ships

All three of the delayed ships are among the oldest in Royal Caribbean's fleet.

Rhapsody of the Seas, Enchantment of the Seas, and Grandeur of the Seas are all Vision Class ships. Each is between roughly 73,800 and 82,900 gross tons, and they entered service in the mid to late 1990s.

• Rhapsody of the Seas: Returning from a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise, the ship was scheduled to begin a new 7-night voyage with calls to Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Belize.
• Enchantment of the Seas: Returning from a 5-night cruise with two Mexican ports, slated for another 5-night sailing visiting Costa Maya and Cozumel.
• Grandeur of the Seas: Returning from a 7-night cruise and schedule for another week-long journey calling Cozumel, Belize, Roatán, and Costa Maya. 

For all three ships, instead of arriving in the early morning as planned, docking and disembarkation had to be delayed until late afternoon or early evening. 

For example, guests on Rhapsody of the Seas who originally had appointments to arrive at the terminal around 11:00 a.m. were notified they should now arrive around 7:00 p.m., with the latest arrival pushed to 9:30 p.m.

The impact was quite large considering people on the ship waiting to disembark and people waiting for the new sailing were impacted.

According to a statement shared by Port of Tampa Bay, "All Cruise Ships are delayed from entering port today due to fog in the bay."

Guests on Rhapsody of the Seas received an email from the cruise line informing them of the delay:

"Due to dense fog earlier today, our ship was delayed returning to Port Tampa Bay. As a result, the terminal will not be open for embarkation, and we will need to push back our boarding."

Similar notifications were sent to guests on the other two ships.

Later, Rhapsody of the Seas was given permission to enter the bay first. 

Fog is a long running seasonal problem in Tampa

If you've sailed from Tampa in the past, you may have heard of fog delays there.

Port of Tampa Bay is located at the northern end of the bay, about 30 miles from the Sunshine Skyway Bridge and close to 40 miles from the bay’s mouth. 

Even in good weather, it takes 2.5–3 hours for a cruise ship to transit from open waters to the terminal.

When fog is dense, the port typically shuts down entirely until it's safe to resume operations. That means all marine traffic, including cruise ships and cargo vessels, are halted until visibility improves enough to ensure safe passage. 

On Saturday, that meant all three Royal Caribbean ships were stuck outside the bay until the afternoon.

Ships stuck waiting to enter the bay then run into a domino delay effect. When multiple ships are waiting to dock, it takes time not only to get each vessel in, but also to secure pilots, coordinate tugs, and ensure safe passage for all. 

The winter cruise season brings more ships than normal to Tampa, and turnaround day with three ships in port pile onto the delays. 

I'm a frequent cruiser on Royal Caribbean, and I've sailed on Star of the Seas five times. It's not only its newest ship but also it's most impressive.

New ships are incredible because they offer the latest and greatest features.  Whether or not you take advantage of everything is secondary to the fact it's great to have access to it all, if you so choose.

Since Star debuted in August 2025, I've figured out all the nuances of the ship.  But someone new to it should know a few things before boarding.

Here are the seven things I wish someone would have told me before I ever went on Star of the Seas to make it a better cruise.

The included restaurants are better than on other Royal Caribbean ships

There are so many different places to eat around Star of the Seas, and I was surprised by how good the included restaurants are.

Every Royal Caribbean ship has included and specialty restaurants. Usually the included restaurants are satisfactory, so you are easily tempted by the extra cost ones.

However, the included options on Star are so good that you can easily rely just on them.

Dining at Aquadome Market, Basecamp, Park Cafe, and Pearl Cafe are all good enough to keep me going all day.  Add to that the Windjammer buffet and the Main Dining Room, and I really don't think you will long as much for specialty restaurants as you would on other ships.

Don't get me wrong, the specialty restaurants are all really good too.  It's just the included food is that much better on Star.

To that point, I'd also add you should skip the Windjammer (and its crowds) on embarkation day.

You'll find really good alternatives at Aquadome Market or Basecamp with far fewer people to contend with.

Price is Right is pay to win

Royal Caribbean added the Price is Right game show to Star of the Seas as a new entertainment event onboard.

The game show offers guests the chance to win cash and prizes, similar to the television show.  However, there are some notable differences.

First and foremost, you have to pay if you want to play.  Before the show begins, you have the option of buying into the game.  Essentially, you buy entries towards the grand prize and that gets you into the game as a potential contestant.

• 1 entry: $15
• 2 entries: $25
• 6 entries: $60

If you don't buy in, you can't be called up to participate and you can't participate in any of the games.

Each item up for bid and game played relies on passengers using their phone to access a website and submit their bid or vote. Only those that paid to enter the game can truly participate.

It reminded me how bingo works on the ship in that respect.

When I played, there were easily over a 100 people that paid to participate.  This made it quite competitive with any of the audience voting.  

When an item was up for bid, you basically had to get the amount exactly right and fast. In the case of a tie, whoever put their price in fastest wins.  Most of the winning bids were submitted in under two seconds.

I had a lot of fun, but the cruise ship version is definitely not exactly what you remember on television.

Finding the dog is likely not going to happen

The top thing everyone I met on Star of the Seas wanted to see was the family dog that lives onboard, Sailor.

Royal Caribbean has captured the imagination of its cruisers by adding a dog to this ship.  However, the dog is not so easy to track down.

Real talk: you're probably not going to even see the dog, let alone meet her.

It seems they limit Sailor to interactions in uncrowded areas and at random times. This means, you're not going to see Sailor on the Royal Promenade or the pool deck.

In all my sailings on Star of the Seas, I've seen Sailor only once or twice.  On my recent sailing, she made a very brief appearance at the Top Tier event for Crown and Anchor Society members.

Based on photos I've seen from other passengers, it seems the only tried and true way to find Sailor is to stalk her relief pad on the jogging track. Sooner or later, she has to go there.  This doesn't sit well with me as a strategy, but so many photos I've seen of guests with Sailor are on the jogging track and that's not a coincidence.

Don't skip restaurants in Surfside because you don't have kids

The Surfside neighborhood is an area of the ship specifically designed for young families, but you shouldn't avoid it just because you don't have kids.

Sure, the arcade, Splashaway Bay, and the mini slide are probably not going to be of interest to you.  But you should still visit for the food.

There are three restaurants in Surfside that are vastly underrated and overlooked by too many cruisers:

• Surfside Eatery: family-friendly buffet
• Surfside Bites: grab-and-go comfort food
• Pier 7: specialty restaurant 

Surfside Eatery might be advertised as a "kids buffet" but there are a lot of food that adults will enjoy too.  Heck, on embarkation day they had the same filet mignon and lobster tails that the Windjammer had.

Plus, this buffet is far less crowded than the Windjammer.

I think Pier 7 is the most underrated restaurant on the ship.  It's almost hidden in the back of Surfside, and it serves up "California-inspired dishes," and I really like that there are different foods you won't usually find elsewhere on the ship.

If you pre-purchase Pier 7 on the Royal Caribbean app, you can get in for just $8.99 per person and it's well worth it at that price.

The shower is amazing, but the basket storage is disappointing

Two things stand out about most of the cabins on Star of the Seas.

First, I love the shower on Icon Class ships.  Royal Caribbean designed a larger than expected shower that has a seat in it too.

Other cruise ships typically have a "tube" design to their shower that feels constricted and tight.  

But the shower on Star of the Seas is one you'd actually want to spend more time in.

However, one design flaw in these staterooms are the choice of baskets for storage.

While there are drawers and a closet, you'll find a set of wire baskets too.  The issue is it puts its contents on display for anyone to see.  But worst of all, they make an awful sound when you pull or put back the basket as it slides against the wood.

The ship's layout makes it feel so much less crowded

If you've been on other cruise ships, then you know how crowded they can feel at times. But that's not really the case with Star of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean engineered the crowd flow so well that even with 2,500 kids onboard our Thanksgiving cruise, it was rare to truly find a crowd.

Having the Royal Promenade be two decks and fully loop really helped open up that space and keep people moving. The pool deck is also well designed, with three decks and smaller, separate pools that spread people out.

Plus, the destination elevators are a godsend.  You'll rarely wait for elevators and encounter even fewer crowded ones. This alone is one of the best quality of life changes I've seen on a cruise ship.

Don't expect the ship to feel like your own private yacht, but you can look forward to less lines than you might have had on other ships.

Some people really are bothered that there's no Solarium

I've heard from a number of readers that they missed having an enclosed adults-only pool area on Star.

Instead, the adults-only pool area are both outdoors at Swim & Tonic and The Hideaway.

Both pools are fun for different reasons, but each has a different vibe from the Solarium that you'd find on other Royal Caribbean ships.

Personally, it doesn't bother me because I'm not someone that ever spent much time in the Solarium.  But it seems to be a piece of feedback worth repeating since it's often mentioned after trying this ship.

Ever since Royal Caribbean made the Swim & Tonic adults-only, I didn't have as much of an issue with the adult spaces. I find Hideaway too loud and lacking shade, but I recognize I'm not the target demographic for that space.

I'll gladly go back on Star of the Seas anytime

Each time I've sailed on Star of the Seas I've come home thinking how much I loved this ship.

Like Icon of the Seas, this class of ship is truly outstanding and I think it's worthy of being called the very best in the world.

Yes, you'll pay a premium to sail on it, but the changes, innovations, and additions to Star make it easily my favorite.

Royal Caribbean just filed a series of bizarre trademarks, and one appears to be for a new restaurant. 

According to the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the cruise line submitted a new trademark for a Korean restaurant.

Although trademark applications are vague, they give a general indication of what the word or phrase is intended for. 

For example, the registration could indicate a new dining concept, modifications to the customer loyalty program, or general cruise ship services. 

In this case, SEOULMATE™ is a "trademark registration [that's] intended to cover the categories of restaurant services; Korean restaurant services."

Another possibility is the trademark is intended for one of Royal Caribbean International's sister brands, such as Celebrity Cruises or Silversea.

To be very clear, Royal Caribbean International has not made a formal announcement about this. Rather, this article is simply speculating on future additions to the fleet based on the trademark filing. 

Other interesting trademark filings

In addition to SEOULMATE™, Royal Caribbean filed a trademark for FRESH PRESS™. The registration is intended to cover the categories of restaurant services, specifically restaurant services featuring smoothies and juices. 

This concept appears to align with the line's existing Vitality Café, which suggests that Royal Caribbean could rebrand (or add to) its healthy dining options. 

It also seems that Royal Caribbean is thinking about creating more interactive experiences, like what they did with Admiral Awesome in Icon of the Seas' Surfside neighborhood. 

The CAPTAIN COOL™ trademark filing "is intended to cover the categories of arranging, organizing, conducting, and hosting social entertainment events; Hosting and conducting social entertainment events, namely, family game shows, for others; Entertainment services in the nature of hosting social entertainment events; Hosting social entertainment events, namely, family friendly events or games; Conducting live entertainment in the nature of games featuring a balance beam, ball toss, 3-legged race, treasure hunt, and immersive story time."

Another trademark points to what the family-friendly events or games could be called: COOLYMPICS™. 

According to the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the filing is "intended to cover the categories of arranging, organizing, conducting, and hosting social entertainment events; Hosting and conducting social entertainment events, namely, family game shows, for others; Entertainment services in the nature of hosting social entertainment events; Hosting social entertainment events, namely, family friendly events or games; Conducting live entertainment in the nature of games featuring a balance beam, ball toss, 3-legged race, treasure hunt, and immersive story time."

As with SEOULMATE™, Royal Caribbean has not made any announcements about the new filings and what they could mean for its ships. 

It's not uncommon for the cruise line to file trademarks in batches, just in case they want to use the names later down the road. 

In many cases, they may file multiple trademarks and end up only using one. 

For example, last year, Royal Caribbean filed two trademarks for concepts relating to the "rental of beach chairs, towels, umbrellas, and cabanas for recreational use":

• Ultimate Family Cabana
• Ultimate Celebration Cabana

As of Dec. 2025, only the Ultimate Family Cabana has been fully conceptualized. The cruise line's largest cabana will be exclusively available at the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island. 

However, that doesn't mean that they won't eventually use the name "Ultimate Celebration Cabana" somewhere else — perhaps at Perfect Day Mexico or the Royal Beach Club Cozumel? It's too soon to tell!

What time should you pick to eat dinner on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship so you don't miss out on the best things to do onboard?

One of the first decisions you'll need to make when you book a cruise is what time you want to have dinner.

If you opt for Traditional Dinner (instead of My Time Dining), there are three seating times and each has its advantages and disadvantages.

I've found there isn't a single dinner time that is universally best, as it really depends on what your priorities are during the sailing.

Here are the recommendations for which dining time to pick, depending on what you prioritize the most.

Pick early dinner if you have kids or want to eat before everything happens

From the early days of cruising, early dinner has always been popular among families with younger children.

When my kids were younger, it was always advantageous to go to early dinner so you they could eat and then be dropped off at Adventure Ocean. Kids club opens at 7pm, so having dinner before heading there was the perfect timing.

Another advantageous of early dinner is you'll finish right in time for just about everything happening later that evening. 

If my dinner is at 5 or 5:30, I'm probably out of the Main Dining Room by 6:30pm or so, meaning I can see shows, bar performances, or any of the late night stuff.

The problem with early dinner is it eats into your afternoon.  

If you're the type of person that wants to shower and change before dinner, this means you'll likely need to be back in your stateroom to prepare by mid afternoon or so.  I found it cuts into the pool deck time or even some shore excursion plans.

Some people also complain early dinner is, well, too early.

Pick middle dinner if you want your late afternoons back

Royal Caribbean added the "goldilocks dinner" option last year as a way to give passengers more choice in when they eat.

For anyone that thought early dinner was too early and late dinner was too late, middle dinner is right inbetween. 

There are two advantages to middle dinner that I can see.

First, you can enjoy more of your afternoon plans compared to early dinner, especially when you have a full day of touring in port.

When I'm on an Alaska cruise or European cruise, many days we'd get back to the ship and not have enough time to get ready for an early dinner. And of course, we'd feel famished if we waited for late dinner.

Second, middle dinner means you get the benefits of Traditional Dinner without having to go to My Time Dining.  

Many cruisers would pick MTD because they wanted a middle ground of dining times. But there are some inherent benefits to Traditional Dinner.  Now there's no compromise.

The problem with middle dinner is the evening shows don't usually line up for middle dinner and cause a conflict.

Royal Caribbean traditionally has scheduled its evening shows around early and late dinner times, so middle dinner means you're going to have to get creative on seeing the featured shows onboard.

It doesn't mean you can't see shows, but it might be more difficult to plan around dinner and entertainment.

Pick late dinner if you'd rather see shows and then eat

When I first started cruising, I'd always pick late dinner for two reasons: early dinner was too early and it meant we could enjoy entertainment before dinner.

Typically the evening show schedules are arranged such that there are two show times per night, with an early and late show that compliment the early and late dinner.

With late dinner, we could enjoy our afternoon and then transition into evening fun before heading to dinner. That would mean a show, dinner, and then late night fun afterwards.

There's no question late dinner is better for not compromising on your afternoon, and it works well for getting to start your night with fun things.

As I got older, I started to dislike coming out of dinner at around 10pm and feeling like all that was left was late night activities. I preferred having more of the evening in front of me to look forward to after dinner.

I always pick early dinner because it opens up my evening

From a simplicity standpoint, I pick early dinner for my cruises.

Yes, eating at 5pm isn't my personal favorite time to eat dinner, but I think the advantage of having shows fit into my schedule is worth it.  

Plus, I like getting out of dinner and feeling like I have a lot of time still to enjoy what's happening around the ship.

As I mentioned, I started off doing late dinner when I was younger to avoid eating too early and getting more time in port or at the pool.  But I've shied away from it because I didn't want to get out of dinner at 10pm and feel like my night was over.

16 years ago today, Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas had its maiden sailing, and the cruise industry has never been the same sine.

Royal Caribbean had already introduced a game changing ship with Voyager of the Seas about a decade earlier. The Voyager Class proved there was a market for big ships with "I can't believe they put that on a cruise ship" features.

Royal Caribbean was far from done pushing boundaries, as it wanted to build something even bigger, grander, and more of a spectacle.

Today, Oasis of the Seas is one of many cruise ships that fit into the megaship class.  But in 2009, she was one-of-a-kind and instantly changed the cruise industry forever.

A cruise ship unlike any other before it

It's difficult to appreciate today just how different Oasis of the Seas was from other ships that came before it.

Oasis of the Seas had her maiden voyage on December 5, 2009 and was instantly the world's largest cruise ship by a factor previously unseen.

Before Oasis entered service, Liberty of the Seas was the biggest in the world.  Oasis was more than 40 percent larger, coming in at 225,282-tons and accommodating 5,400 passengers.

The ship was big and so was its ambitions. Oasis had innovative and revolutionary features that are common place today.  But at the time, they were ground breaking.

Just looking at Oasis, you'd instantly notice its split superstructure that created wide open interior spaces. 

The ship started out with the name "Project Genesis," and the designers wanted to try things never before done at sea. The taller and wider you build a conventional ship, the more interior spaces need to be lighted and air-conditioned.  So they devised a "split hull" design

This opened the back of the ship up to form room for the Boardwalk, as well as an open-air park featuring 12,000 plants in Central Park.

This was the first cruise ship to have "neighborhoods". Seven in total, they helped with crowd control and providing context for where passengers are on the ship.

There were four pools, which was once again a first for a cruise ship. Two of the pools were made to feel like a beach, with sloped entries you can walk into just as if you were walking into the ocean. 

The Aquatheater on the back of the ship is an outdoor amphitheater, hosting a water ballet and diving shows that feature professional divers who will jump from as high as 72 feet up. Yet another feature that has become not only synonymous with the brand, but has been copied onto other ships.

Plus, Oasis introduced the concept of having a full Broadway show onboard. "Hairspray" was performed in the theater, and was another incredible feat to offer on a cruise ship.

At launch, Oasis of the Seas had 25 restaurants and 37 bars. There were 9 specialty restaurants, ranging from $4.95 at Johnny Rockets to the $75 for Chef’s Table.

150 Central Park was a brand new concept, where you could pay $35 to enjoy a ten-course tasting menu by Chef Keriann Von Raesfeld, a 23-year old “culinary phenom” that was hired by Royal Caribbean as its own kind of celebrity chef.

Even cruise ship staterooms were changed with Oasis. It had 37 different categories and unique offerings such as the new loft suites, which were a duplex idea that had 18-foot windows looking out to the ocean. 

Also new was the idea of balcony cabins that faced inwards, instead of out to the ocean.  Central Park and Boardwalk balcony cabins were avant garde.

Royal Caribbean also came up with innovative ways to conserve energy and reduce pollution.

Oasis was built with a state-of-the-art electric propulsion system powered by high-efficiency diesel generators. Each used 30% less fuel per passenger than any other ship before it.

There were also solar panels on top of the ship, and inside there were compact fluorescents and LED lighting. The cruise line boasted Oasis cost 40% less to operate than older ships.

How Oasis of the Seas changed cruise ships

Looking back, Oasis of the Seas created the "destination ship" concept. It was the first time the ship was what vacationers sought as much as the places it visited.

Oasis fundamentally changed expectations for what a cruise could offer, pushing other lines to innovate and compete.

For a while, the Oasis Class ships were essentially competing with themselves. It took the rest of the industry years to come up with their own megaships, and by then, Royal Caribbean had already evolved the original into many other forms.

Oasis cemented the idea that a cruise ship should have something for every age group, not just "family friendly" features sprinkled around. It can be argued Oasis shifted the perception of a cruise from "a relaxing week at sea" to "a full vacation akin to a floating resort."

Equally importantly, this ship validated the economy of scale of having such a big ship. Before 2009, the cruise industry wasn't certain a ship with over 5,000 passengers could be commercially viable. 

By having larger ships that dispersed crowds effectively, you could deliver higher onboard revenue.

Once proven, Royal Caribbean continued to push forward with bigger ships, such as the Icon Class.

Other cruise lines also leaned into the trend. 

Norwegian came up with the Breakaway and Breakaway-Plus Class ships that offered outdoor promenades. MSC created its World Class ships that look a lot like the Oasis Class. Carnival eventually expanded into Excel Class with more district-style planning.

Looking back, Oasis wasn't just another ship class.  It altered the company's outlook that is still in use today of bold innovation, memory making experiences, and an unrivaled experience you'd struggle to find on land.

Picking the best cruise isn't as easy as sorting the price from "low to high." With that mindset, you'll likely end up disappointed, with cruising leaving a sour taste in your mouth. 

I've been cruising since I was 5 years old, and over 20 years (and 30 cruises) later, I've mastered how to choose the best cruise line and ship.

I'm a firm believer that there's the perfect ship, destination, and line for everyone — even those adamant that cruising isn't right for them. 

However, finding that right fit isn't as simple as selecting the newest, flashiest ship. Instead, you need to evaluate your priorities and budget. 

For example, the best cruise line for families will be different than the one ideal for couples seeking an adult-oriented getaway. 

Think of this as your ultimate guide to navigating all the options so you can pick a cruise that you will love. 

How to book a cruise for the first time?

First things first, one of the easiest ways to lessen the burden of spending countless hours on Google, YouTube, and Royal Caribbean Blog is to work with a travel agent. 

Not only can they help narrow down your search based on your preferences, but they can also help save you money with exclusive group rates. Plus, you never know when you'll be gifted perks like complimentary gratuities, a bottle of champagne, or a free dinner in one of the ship's specialty restaurants. 

For years, I thought that working with a travel agent meant giving up control over my vacations. However, after booking over 15 sailings with MEI Travel, I realized that having a trusted agent means gaining insider knowledge and access to special deals. 

Travel agents will also contact the cruise line on your behalf if you have any issues before or during your cruise. For example, if you need to change your sail date, they’ll handle the request so you only cover the standard change fee.

How to pick a cruise?

Regardless of whether you use a travel agent, 6 key factors will help you choose a cruise for the first (or 20th) time. 

First, you'll need to establish a budget. While the cruise fare will likely consume most of it, don't forget to account for extras like transportation, drink packages, shore excursions, Wi-Fi, and specialty meals. 

For example, if you find a too-good-to-be-true fare for a sailing out of Port Canaveral, consider how much you'll have to shell out in airfare. If flights from your small-town airport start at $400 per person to Orlando, that "deal" may be more costly than you think. 

Next, determine your destination. Are you dreaming of sailing through Alaska's picturesque Inside Passage, or do you want to spend your days lounging on beaches in the Caribbean with a cocktail in hand? 

Most mainstream cruise lines sail globally, though some regions may be seasonal, such as Europe and Alaska. 

In the end, your destination will shape the cruise line, ship, excursions, and overall vibe of your vacation, so it's a crucial step in narrowing down options. 

As an example, I prefer sailing with Celebrity Cruises in Europe due to the laid-back, adult-focused experience. However, if I'm eyeing a vacation to The Bahamas or Caribbean, Royal Caribbean is my go-to for its entertainment, variety of dining options, and endless onboard activities. 

Moving on, consider how much time you want to be at sea. Some first-time cruisers start out with short sailings, while others might opt for longer voyages that explore multiple destinations. 

Your work schedule, available vacation days, and kids' school calendar will play a role in the length of your cruise, too. A 7-day Caribbean cruise may be feasible, while a 14-night transatlantic cruise would be more challenging to make work. 

Keep in mind that the longer the cruise is, the more you will pay in daily add-ons, such as drink and internet packages. Whereas you may pay around $195 for an unlimited drink package on a 3-day Royal Caribbean cruise, that same package could cost $450 per person or more on a 7-night sailing.

After that, you can begin to think about which cruise line will meet your needs. Generally speaking, nine mainstream cruise lines offer sailings in the major markets, including the Bahamas, Caribbean, Alaska, and Europe:

• Royal Caribbean International
• Celebrity Cruises
• Carnival Cruise Line
• Princess Cruises
• Holland America Line
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• MSC Cruises
• Disney Cruise Line
• Virgin Voyages

Each cruise line has its own personality, target audience, and onboard experience. For example, Disney Cruise Line is ideal for families with young children who love the magic of Disney. Highlights of the experience include character meet-and-greets, Broadway-caliber shows, themed dining, and immersive kids' clubs. 

That said, one of the cons of a Disney Cruise is that they're more expensive than competitors, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, and Norwegian — all of which also offer tons of family-friendly fun. 

Comparatively, Celebrity Cruises is geared more towards adults, with craft cocktail bars, fine dining experiences, port-intensive itineraries, and upscale spas. While families are welcome, the atmosphere is more refined. 

Enter Royal Caribbean, Celebrity's sister brand. Royal Caribbean is known for building the world's largest cruise ships, including Icon and Star of the Seas. However, they've technically held the title since Freedom of the Seas debuted in 2006. 

That means that, for decades, they've been at the forefront of cruise ship innovation, and their ships are packed with amenities for every type of traveler. 

That said, their older ships lack the same jaw-dropping features as the line's newest vessels, which is why it's important to thoroughly research the cruise ship you're considering before booking. 

Read more: I left Royal Caribbean for Celebrity after 20 cruises. Here's why I'm going back to Royal Caribbean next time

Icon of the Seas, for instance, is vastly different than Vision of the Seas. The former has a record-breaking waterpark, surf simulator, ice skating rink, mini-golf course, countless dining options, and cutting-edge entertainment (think high diving aqua shows and a Broadway-style production of "The Wizard of Oz"). 

In contrast, Vision of the Seas offers a more traditional cruising experience with smaller public spaces and fewer adrenaline-pumping attractions. 

If you don't want to sail on the newest or oldest ships in the fleet, check out Royal Caribbean's Voyager and Freedom Classes. These vessels continue to be popular amongst cruise enthusiasts because they strike a balance between modern amenities and value. 

Onboard, you'll find everything from rock climbing walls to ice skating rinks, surf simulators, spacious public areas, multiple pools, an elegant dining room, a specialty steakhouse, and more. 

Similarly, newer Carnival cruise ships will feel vastly different than older ones. I've sailed on Carnival Celebration and Carnival Elation, and prefer the sleek cabins, dining variety, and entertainment on Excel Class ships. 

Another important consideration is what cruise cabin you want. Most ships have four standard categories of staterooms: inside, ocean-view, balcony, and suite. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean cruise ship cabin and suite guide

Interior cabins are usually the cheapest. However, they're also the smallest and lack natural light. Ocean-view rooms have an exterior-facing window, but it doesn't open. If you want access to fresh air directly from your cabin, you'll want to book a balcony. 

There are more balcony rooms on newer ships compared to older ones. Also, some of Royal Caribbean's vessels have inward-facing balconies, so make sure you're careful when selecting a cabin on Oasis and Icon Class ships. 

Moreover, Icon Class ships have infinite verandahs, which are somewhat controversial. Unlike traditional balconies, infinite verandahs don't have a private outdoor area. Instead, the entire stateroom turns into a balcony with the press of a button, which lowers the top half of the floor-to-ceiling window. 

If you're looking for the most spacious accommodations on the ship, suites are the way to go. The perks vary based on the cruise line and ship. For example, Royal Caribbean's suite program is more robust than Carnival's. 

However, the benefits aren't consistent fleetwide. Royal Caribbean's newer ships (i.e., Oasis, Quantum, and Icon Class vessels) feature the Royal Suite Class, which categorizes cabins into three tiers — each with its own set of perks. 

The suite program on older ships (i.e., Vision, Voyager, Radiance, and Freedom Classes) is more limited and offers fewer exclusive amenities. While you’ll still enjoy extra space and some perks compared to standard cabins, the experience isn’t as luxurious as what’s offered in the Royal Suite Class. 

Read more: I stayed in 3 mega cruise ship suites this year. 6 surprises made it better than I expected

Cruisers staying in top-tier suites within the Royal Suite Class enjoy benefits like an unlimited drink package and Wi-Fi, access to the suite-only dining room, a Royal Genie (essentially a butler), and more. 

Other cruise lines also have lavish "ship-within-a-ship" experiences with private areas, exclusive restaurants, and outstanding service. 

For example, I stayed in MSC's Yacht Club and was blown away by my spacious suite, the upscale Topsail Lounge, private pool deck, and more. Plus, it was not as pricey as Royal Caribbean's Royal Suite Class. 

To recap, the key factors to consider when picking a cruise are:

• Budget
• Destination
• Length
• Cruise line
• Cruise ship
• Cruise cabin

The perfect cruise for you won't be the same as your coworker, best friend, aunt, uncle, cousin, or neighbor

With over 100 mainstream cruise ships sailing globally, there's a cruise to match every travel style, budget, and bucket list destination. 

Some travelers thrive on mega-ships packed with the industry's latest technology and amenities, while others prefer cruising on smaller vessels to off-the-beaten-path destinations. 

At the end of the day, picking the right cruise isn't just about the itinerary. After all, the ship serves as your floating hotel, so you want to make sure that the onboard experience is just as memorable as your shore excursions. 

Hiding rubber ducks on a cruise is one of the hottest trends among families today, but it's taken a step forward with a new app.

When I sailed on Star of the Seas, I expected plenty of kids to be scouring the ship for ducks. Cruise ducks are easily the fastest growing and most popular guest-driven activity.

The idea is simple: hide ducks around the ship for others to find. If you find one, you can either keep it or opt to hide it again for someone else to find.

Hiding ducks on cruise ships has become so popular that there's now an app.

It's like Waze for hiding ducks

My youngest daughter has been caught up in the duck hiding craze, and she usually spends some time each day looking for them.

But I noticed at some point in the cruise she and a number of other kids duck hunting while looking at their devices.  You could easily overlook this as kids multitasking watching social media, but they were using their phone to find the ducks.

In fact, a lot of kids on my cruise had the Sea Ducks app downloaded on their phone to make hiding and finding ducks more fun. It's available for both iPhone and Android devices.

The app is far more sophisticated than I expected, as it allows them to identify which sailing they are on and use it give hints and mark when ducks are found.

According to the app, 294 people were registered for our particular sailing on Star of the Seas. Assuming they were all kids, our sailing had 2,500 people under the age of 18 years old onboard because it was a Thanksgiving cruise. That means over 10% of the kids had this app and were using it.

More astounding was the app recorded over 1,100 ducks were hidden on this sailing with the aid of the app.

Those hiding a duck with the aid of the app can establish which deck and side of the ship it's on.  

They can also provide a text hint and a photo to make it easier for others to locate it.

I was impressed by the sophisticated advanced features like adding a PIN so you can identify the individual duck or hiding your entry for specific users.

Once the duck is spotted, someone with the app can take a photo and mark the duck found.

The kids definitely had a sense of satisfaction not only finding the duck, but marking it complete.  It reminds me a lot of the Waze traffic app, where people report police cars, construction, stalled vehicles and more.

There is even a leaderboard that shows who has found the most ducks so far, and it builds a sense of competition to it.

I think the appeal is it elevates what is usually a solitary activity among your own family to something everyone can compete in.  Plus, it makes it easier to know when there are more ducks hidden.

It's quite common in Facebook groups to see people posting if anyone has hidden any ducks because they or their kids want to know if it's worth going out to search for them.

Why do people hide rubber ducks on cruise ships?

To the unindoctrinated, finding and hiding tinny rubber ducks seems like the epitome of silliness. That is, until you've tried it.

It's a cruise trend that grew out of something wholesome and perfect for passengers of all ages.

The story goes a 10-year-old girl named Abby went on a spring break cruise in 2018 with 50 rubber ducks to try to make other passengers smile.

The idea took off, and a Facebook group was created to help spread the fun.  It's something toddlers, school-aged kids, teens, and adults can enjoy at the same time.  The barrier for entry is low, but the fun factor is high.

Now, hiding ducks is on every Royal Caribbean cruise I've ever taken.

The activity is totally guest-driven. It's just a lot of cruise ship passengers eager to join in on the fun.

The cruise line does not condone, encourage, or facilitate it at all.  The exception is Royal Caribbean has prohibited hiding ducks in one place.

Earlier this year, signs began to appear in planters asking guests not to hide ducks in or around any of its plants.

"Please help us protect our plants," the sign reads, "This is a duck free zone. Please don't hide ducks in Central Park." 

Central Park is a neighborhood on Oasis and Icon Class ships that features trees, shrubs, and other plants. On Icon of the Seas, for example, there are over 33,000 plants.