Royal Caribbean Blog

Royal Caribbean is planning its next beach club in Santorini, Greece, and they're asking patrons what they'd like to see at the new exclusive destination. 

It's clear that, between Perfect Day at CocoCay and the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, the cruise line has developed a winning formula for private destinations. 

Greece, however, is a different ballpark. Guests aren't embarking on Greek Isles cruises for waterparks, adult-only beaches, or swim-up bars. 

Royal Caribbean has already acknowledged the difference, stating that the extra-charge beach club is more than an idyllic spot to spend the day with a beachside cocktail. 

Rather, the experience will include a scenic ferry tour along Santorini’s coastline, plus stops in the picturesque towns of Oia and Fira.

Still, they must nail the beach club aspect — and they can't simply copy what works at Perfect Day at CocoCay or the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island. 

To help shape the experience, a select bunch of passengers received emails asking them to provide feedback on amenities and dining options they would like available. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean reveals plans to open its first private beach club in Europe

Food will play a central role at the Royal Beach Club Santorini

The survey began by asking participants what the most important factors surrounding the dining experience are. For example, guests should select authentic Greek food items, portion size, convenience, complimentary options, and variety. 

Then, should a buffet with small bites be available, participants were asked to indicate which options would be the most appealing:

• Hummus
• Tzatziki
• Spicy red pepper & feta dip
• Warm pita
• Fresh local fruit
• Spanakopita
• Tiropita
• Bougatsa
• Baklava
• Sfakianopita
• Loukoumades
• Tsoureki
• Sesame bread rings

In addition to light bites, the survey asked participants to assume that there would also be a station with hot items, giving them a list of 10 options and asking for an overall rating on how appealing the menu is. 

The example menu includes:

• Signature Island Burger: grilled beef burger with tzatziki, feta, red onion, shredded lettuce, and tomato between a brioche-style bun
• Roasted Cod: slow-roasted in tomatoes, capers, lemon, and herbs
• Tomato Fritters: tomato fritters, fried until golden crispy with herbs and onions
• Lemon Oregano Chicken: golden-baked chicken thighs coated in a lemon-herb Greek marinade
• Souvlaki Pork: grilled marinated pork skewers
• Roasted Lamb Shoulder
• Vegetable Stew: slow-roasted potatoes, zucchini, eggplant, tomatoes, and onions, seasoned with oregano and olive oil
• French Fries
• Rice Pilaf
• Grilled Halloumi: grilled cheese from Cyprus

The survey reveals that Royal Caribbean is potentially thinking about adding a food truck-style venue to the Royal Beach Club Santorini. 

The fast-casual spot would, according to the survey, be located on the beach and offer build-your-own-gyros and Greek salads. 

• Gyro: warm pita topped with shaved pork or chicken
• Veggie Topping: shredded lettuce, red onion, tomato, and feta cheese
• Sauce Options: Toum, Tzatziki, Hummus, Greek Vinaigrette, Harissa Hot Sauce
• Greek Salad: add gyro chicken or pork

Finally, after viewing the pictures, participants were asked a series of questions to rate the overall dining experience, giving insight into how appealing the buffet, hot stations, and food truck might be — based solely on the survey.

For each query, guests could "strongly agree," "somewhat agree," "neither agree nor disagree," "somewhat disagree," or "strongly disagree." 

1. The menu items on this menu look high-quality
2. The menu could elevate my experience at a beach club in Greece
3. The menu provides an authentic Greek experience
4. The menu is a good fit for the Royal Caribbean brand
5. The menu feels appropriate for beachside dining
6. The menu has something for everyone 

The Royal Beach Club Santorini is expected to welcome guests in the summer of 2026

The exact date of the beach club's opening hasn't been announced yet. However, once open, the Royal Beach Club Santorini will offer an exclusive retreat for Royal Caribbean and Celebrity guests. 

As with the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, admission to the Greek beach club is not included in the cruise fare.

Prices vary based on the ship and sail date. However, they're generally around $200 per adult after the Cruise Planner sale. 

If there's one piece of cruise advice I always give, it's never travel the same day your cruise departs.  So when I broke that rule, it gave me more trouble than it was worth.

The reason why you never want to fly the same day your cruise departs is a travel delay could cause you to miss your cruise, putting your entire vacation in jeopardy.

So when Royal Caribbean invited me to sail on Wonder of the Seas to preview the opening of its new beach club in The Bahamas, I decided to break my own rule and roll the dice.

Why would I flagrantly choose to travel the same day as my cruise? I had a family commitment the day before the cruise began that wasn't negotiable. And I had spent a lot of time away from home this year on over a dozen cruises.

I booked a Brightline train that took me from Orlando to Miami. It departed at 5:40am and would arrive in Miami at 9:15am. Taking a train instead of flying lessened my concerns because Brightline's fleet tends to run on time with less delays or cancellations.

The good news is my train was on time and I made it to my Wonder of the Seas cruise, but I also regretted my choice a few times and realized why I won't do this again.

No matter how good the plan sounded, I had more anxiety than I expected

Maybe I'm just a worrywart, but until my train was firmly in South Florida, the level of anxiety I experienced surprised me.

At first it was concern over if my alarm would go off and would I wake up on time.  Then it was worrying about finding a parking spot at the train station.  And finally, would the train get me there on time.

I cannot even imagine how much more worried I would have been if I had been flying.  Flights are notorious for being delayed for all sorts of mundane reasons.

Boarding at the cruise terminal begins at 10am, but you have to be onboard by 3pm usually.  That means your buffer for delay or mistake is only a few hours.

In my situation, I felt better that I could always drive myself down to Miami in roughly the same amount of time the train would take.  That's not usually a fallback people who elect to fly can say.

I didn't expect to be so tired all day because of my long travel day

It came as no surprise waking up at 4am was difficult and I was initially tired, but it really dragged me down all day.

My plan was to nap on the ship once the staterooms opened at 1pm, but it was rough getting to that point.

I stopped to get coffee on my way to the train station, so that helped perk me up initially. But those first few hours onboard after boarding before cabins opened were rougher than I expected. I just wanted to lay down and nap.

When my room was ready, that's exactly what I did and it felt glorious.  But my nap left me feeling more lethargic than energized.

A very early start of travel started me off tired and it never really wore off.

In fact, I was in my cabin by 10pm because I just couldn't summon the energy to stay out later.

Had I traveled to Miami the day before, I could have slept much longer the night before the cruise and gotten onboard with a lot more rest.

My plans worked out, but I wouldn't want to do it again

In my case, I was lucky that I was able to make this cruise as scheduled. But I can't say I enjoyed how it all happened on embarkation day.

There are countless examples in the news of a family that misses their cruise ship because of a delayed flight or some other travel mishap.

Even when things go to plan, I found having such a small amount of buffer removed all the pre-cruise excitement and replaced it with angst.

Would I wake up on time? Would my train have delays? Will there be enough parking?

This isn't how I want any vacation to start, and I doubt others would too.  Perhaps there are que sera sera people out there that let fate take its course, but its definitely not my style.

My recommendation remains always travel at least one day before your cruise begins, and don't do what I did.

If you're wondering, "Does Royal Caribbean have free Wi-Fi", you might be surprised it doesn't, especially with more airlines and hotels including it.

Because being online is so ubiquitous today, I'll often see genuine shock that cruisers have to pay for internet access on their ship.

Royal Caribbean sells internet packages that offer unlimited access throughout your cruise, with the only limitation how many devices you want to have connected at one time.

There are two reasons why Royal Caribbean doesn't include Wi-Fi for free. First, high speed satellite internet is expensive and cruise lines don't have a large business travel segment to leverage like hotels and airlines.

Second, Royal Caribbean employs a modular approach to their cruise pricing because most of its customers don't want to pay for amenities they won't use. Basically, offering a Wi-Fi package as an optional add-on keeps the base fare lower for those that don't want or need internet access.

Before you sail on Royal Caribbean, here's a look at the internet options available on your cruise ship.

"Are we going to give free Wi-Fi? No."

You're not the first person to wonder if Royal Caribbean will ever start offering free Wi-Fi.

At an event in 2024, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International Michael Bayley was asked that exact question by cruise fans.

He explained the high cost makes charging for internet on a cruise an unavoidable reality.

"We got to pay a ton, a ton, a ton of money for Wi-Fi," Mr. Bayley said.

"Are we going to give free WiFi? No."

Hotels and resorts have the luxury of cheaper cable-based internet access.

The app is free to use without Wi-Fi

While Royal Caribbean doesn't have free Wi-Fi, it does have a free app you can use while on the ship.

The Royal Caribbean app is free to download, even while you're onboard the ship. The cruise line wants you to take advantage of the app because it makes planning and understanding what's happening onboard easier.

Once downloaded on your device, you just need to connect to Royal Caribbean's Wi-Fi network. Don't worry, you won't be charged.

You'll have two options: log into your Wi-Fi package or just use the app.

With the app, you can use all of its functions without paying for an internet package, including the free chat feature.

The chat allows you to text anyone else on the ship that has the app downloaded and it's one of the top reasons you can skip paying for Wi-Fi so you can still communicate with friends and family sailing with you.

Wi-Fi packages for sale

If you need internet access, paying for an unlimited internet package is the best option.

You can buy internet access before the cruise or onboard.  You specify how many devices at once you'd like to have and then pay for it.

You can log out devices and log in other devices. The limit is simply how many devices can be logged in at one time.

Always pre-purchase a Wi-Fi package because it's discounted before the cruise begins. Waiting to book it onboard is a mistake because it will cost more.

Cruise ship cell plans

Some cellular carriers now offer internet access while on the ship.

AT&T, Verizon, and other major carriers offer an optional "day pass" where you can connect to the ship's cellular antenna and use your phone like you would at home, including internet access.

I was pleasantly surprised how well AT&T's cruise ship pass worked when I've tried it. Not only is it easy, but impressively fast too.

One advantage using a cell phone day pass has over buying a Voom package from Royal Caribbean is you can "cherry pick" which days to pay for internet access.  Royal Caribbean does offer a 24 hour pass when on the ship, but it costs about $30, whereas cell phone day passes are about half that cost.

The internet loophole that might work

I've found a loophole that might work for you to get limited internet access without paying, but I can't promise it will.

If you have an iPhone, once connected to the ship's free Wi-Fi option to just use the app, you're able to send and receive basic messages and push notifications.

The reason this works is because I believe Royal Caribbean has to open certain protocols to make push notifications within its app work properly. 

You cannot send or receive photos or attachments, and it basically only works with iMessage, although you may have luck with other apps.

Since this is an unintentional loophole, Royal Caribbean could close it at any time and I make no guarantees it actually works.  But in practice, it's been something that I've observed for years.

Whether you're ready or not, the holiday season has arrived — and it will be over before you know it. Now is the perfect time to start buying gifts, so you’re not running to the store at the last minute.

If you have a loved one going on a cruise next year, the holidays are the perfect opportunity to give them a present they'll actually use on their upcoming trip. 

Don't worry, though — our round-up of the best cruise gifts can be used by sailors and jetsetters alike, making them ideal for anyone with wanderlust. 

From practical travel essentials to fun gadgets, here's a list of 13 gifts that are perfect for cruisers, too. 

Editor's note: We’ve included Amazon affiliate links in this article. Shopping through these links won’t cost you anything extra, but Royal Caribbean Blog may earn a small commission on your purchase. Thanks for your support!

Travelpro Maxlite Carry-On Luggage

A new suitcase is a great way to show the traveler in your life that you're thinking of them. You don't want to gift something that will fall apart after just one or two uses, though. You also don't want to purchase something that will be a nuisance to drag through airports and cruise terminals. 

Enter the Travelpro Maxlite bags — they're lightweight, durable, and designed for easy maneuvering thanks to the smooth gliding spinner wheels and adjustable handle. The suitcase comes with a TSA-approved lock for added security, too. 

The bags come in multiple sizes, so you get a single carry-on for quick trips or generously gift a full set for longer vacations.

BUY: Travelpro Maxlite Luggage

Anker Noise Cancelling Earbuds

Bringing headphones on a cruise is more useful than people think. For example, noise-cancelling headphones can make long bus rides and flights more enjoyable, letting you listen to your favorite artists, watch a TV show, or catch up on a podcast without disturbing others. 

They can also be used on the noisy pool deck to block out some of the chatter and background music, or in the gym during a mid-cruise workout. 

Anker's Noise-Cancelling Earbuds are an affordable, high-quality option that doesn't break the bank, like Apple AirPods or Bose QuietComfort Earbuds. Highlights include a 2-in-1 charging case + phone stand, adaptive technology, transparency mode, and long-lasting convenience. 

BUY: Anker Noise-Cancelling Earbuds

Universal Travel Adapter

Universal travel adapters can be used on older cruise ships and international trips. They come with multiple USB ports or sockets, so phones, tablets, earbuds, and other electronics can be charged simultaneously — a luxury in cabins with two or three outlets. 

Adapters are practical, compact, and travel-friendly, especially for wayfarers who find themselves in different countries every other month. 

JFMONE's adapter will ensure that your loved one is always prepared and never scrambling to buy a charger abroad, with support for over 10 types of plugs that work in countries like the United States, France, Italy, Singapore, and more. 

BUY: JMFONE Universal Travel Adapter

Anker MagSafe Compatible 3-in-1 Charger

Another option is a 3-in-1 charger that allows powering multiple devices at once, including iPhones, AirPods, and Apple Watches. 

With just one cord, your gift recipient won't have to worry about wires cluttering the vanity space in their cruise cabin. Moreover, they're travel-friendly and ultra-portable, meaning they won't take up valuable luggage space. 

Plus, with 15W charging, it can power an iPhone 15 up to 20% in just 15 minutes and charge an Apple Watch Series 9 to 30% in only 22 minutes.

BUY: Anker MagSafe Compatible 3-in-1 Charger

Phone Tripod Stand Selfie Stick

Some people like to be as tech-free as possible on vacation. Others like to capture their memories on camera. 

Speaking from experience, it can be awkward to ask fellow guests to snap a photograph. Many are willing, but it's never a great feeling to have to rely on strangers to capture your family's vacation. 

A tripod stand selfie stick helps ensure that your memories are just one click away. 

BUY: MOFT Phone Tripod Stand Selfie Stick

Portable Vlogging Camera

Who said home videos are dead? While they might not be on VHS tapes anymore, you can still create quality memories of your family's vacation. 

You don't need a YouTube channel to have a reason to record your trip — a high-quality vlogging camera is all you need to preserve your adventure for years to come. 

They're a great tool beyond vacations, too. You can use your vlogging camera to capture your children's baseball game, graduation, and more. 

BUY: Insta360 Portable Vlogging Camera

Hontry Compact Binoculars

Binoculars are useful on scenic cruises to destinations like Norway and Alaska, where the wildlife and scenery are abundant. 

They can help make snow-capped mountains, waterfalls, bald eagles, and whales visible, whereas they might appear tiny and nearly invisible to the naked eye. 

A good pair of binoculars doesn't have to cost a fortune, though. The Hontry binoculars are popular for their 10x magnification, BaK-4 prisms, and compact design — available for under $30. 

BUY: Hontry Compact Binoculars

Amazon Colorsoft Kindle

Standard paperback and hardcover books are expensive and heavy. In other words, they aren't the most travel-friendly option. 

This holiday season, consider giving the bookworm in your life a Colorsoft Kindle. The lightweight e-reader gives the owner access to thousands of books in a compact design that can be slipped into their carry-on. 

The Colorsoft version is different from the Paperwhite; it's optimized for reading in color and even has a neat highlight feature that allows you to mark the pages in yellow, orange, blue, or pink. 

BUY: Amazon Colorsoft Kindle

Sunrise Alarm Clock and Sound Machine Nightlight

Inside cruise rooms can be jarring due to their lack of natural sunlight. Regardless of what time it is, it somehow always feels like the middle of the night, even if it's 1:00 p.m. 

A sunrise alarm clock is a must-have for many choosing these cheap cabins, as it gradually simulates natural sunlight to gently wake the body up. 

Sound machines are another helpful addition since they can drown out the sound of creaking cabinets, hangers, crying babies, and drunken passengers stumbling through the halls. 

BUY: REACHER Wood Grain Sunrise Alarm Clock and Sound Machine Nightlight

Portable Charger with Built-In Cables, USB, USB-C

A portable charger is a great gift for anyone who’s always on the move. On cruises, they come in handy while ashore during lengthy shore excursions. However, they can also save an otherwise doomed phone during an unexpected travel delay. 

The key is to find a charger that isn't too bulky. Otherwise, you may feel inclined to leave it behind. A compact model that already has built-in cords is ideal, so you can easily throw it into your daybag before leaving the ship or purse while running errands at home. 

One with extra-fast charging capabilities is even better. 

BUY: VRURC Portable Charger with Built-In Cables

Mini Portable Instant Photo Printer

Having a photo printer on hand means that you're seconds away from giving shareable keepsakes to your friends, family, or fellow travelers. 

It also makes scrapbooking a breeze after your trip. Instead of making a trip to the local drugstore for prints, you can instantly print your photos from the comfort of your home.

Photo printers are a fun gift for all ages, too. 

BUY: Liene Mini Portable Instant Photo Printer

Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker

Waterproof speakers epitomize hands-free convenience. At home, they can be used in the shower, by the pool, kayaking on the lake, or even during mundane tasks like cooking in the kitchen (an accidental spill won't destroy it!). 

While you shouldn't blare music from portable speakers on a cruise, they can be used in your stateroom (at a reasonable level) while getting ready for dinner or relaxing on your balcony. 

BUY: HEYSONG Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker

Portable Handheld Fan

Finally, a portable handheld fan is useful for cruisers and anti-cruisers alike. They can make touring ancient ruins like the Acropolis or Chichen Itza far more bearable than without, especially during the peak summer months. 

Portable fans are just as practical at home, too. Does your friend or family member spend a lot of time outside? Whether they're an avid gardener, love attending sporting events, or frequently walk their dog, a small fan ensures that they can continue enjoying their favorite activities comfortably. 

The JISULIFE Portable Handheld Fan stands out for several reasons, including its 10+ hour battery life, foldable design, and built-in portable power bank.

BUY: JISULIFE Portable Handheld Fan With Rechargeable Battery

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!

A grandmother was caught with a loaded gun while on a Royal Caribbean Cruise and was jailed in a prison in The Bahamas.

She claims she "accidentally" forgot to leave the gun in her car before the cruise.

She was arrested when trying to reboard Liberty of the Seas while docked in Nassau, Bahamas. The Royal Bahamas Police Force boarded the ship and arrested her for possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Royal Caribbean News

• Family sues Royal Caribbean after cruise passenger died, was allegedly served 33 drinks
• Royal Caribbean "crowns" new beach club with 43 foot tall logo.
• "Challenging" winds forces Royal Caribbean to delay cruise ship return
• Royal Caribbean changes over a dozen itineraries on Spectrum of the Seas to avoid Japan
• Burrowing owls set to return to the U.S. after stowing away aboard cruise ship
• Royal Caribbean submits plans to Mexico for its new beach club
• Virgin Voyages offers status matching to Royal Caribbean and Celebrity guests
• I always do 6 things before I book a cruise if I have to fly there
• I tried 8 new things on cruise ships this year and one is my new favorite
• Royal Loft Suite on Royal Caribbean's Star of the Seas photo tour
• I always check my cruise bill for 5 things before the sailing ends to avoid fixing it later
• 8 real-world tips you need for cruising this holiday season

New RCB Video: Changes Royal Caribbean Made In 2025 That I DON’T Like

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 — Changes Royal Caribbean Made In 2025 That I DON’T Like — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Unruly passenger punches cruise ship crew member: video

A guest punched a crew member in the face after some kind of a disagreement, and it was captured on video.

The incident took place on Icon of the Seas at its waterpark.

The man yelled and argued with a crew member before he punched him and then quickly left.

How honest should you be with Royal Caribbean's post-cruise survey?

One question on Royal Caribbean's post-cruise survey has a lot of passengers confused as to how they should really answer it.

The survey is an important tool for evaluating how well each ship, department, and service is onboard.  The cruise line takes it very seriously because feedback can alter policies and promotions.

Some cruisers are worried about how their responses impact the careers of crew on the ship they just sailed on.

When is Perfect Day Mexico going to open?

With 2027-2028 cruises available to book, the big question is when will the first passengers be able to visit Perfect Day Mexico?

It's slated to open sometime in 2027, but there's been no official date and no sailings advertise they will visit it yet.

Executives have hinted when we might see the gates open.

New seasonal 2027-2028 cruises have been released

The last batch of new cruises for the 2027-2028 season in North America were released this week.

13 ships based out of Florida, Louisiana, Puerto Rico, Colombia, and Panama are part of this week's release, including Allure of the Seas, Legend of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, and Enchantment of the Seas. 

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 587th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available at all our links.

Some things Royal Caribbean offered instantly became Matt's favorites, only to be removed later. It seems like Matt might be the "kiss of death" for them.

Please feel free to subscribe via YouTube, iTunes or RSS, and head over to rate and review the podcast on iTunes if you can! We’d appreciate it.

Two stowaway owls have been living the good life in Spain after hitchhiking on Allure of the Seas' transatlantic cruise in February. 

During the 12-night voyage, a pair of burrowing owls felt right at home in the ship’s Central Park neighborhood after boarding the ship in Miami, Florida. 

The owls were eventually caught by crew members using nets, fed and watered according to expert guidelines, and handed over o Spanish officials after arriving in Barcelona. 

Since arriving in Spain, the owls have been living lavishly at the CITES Wildlife Rescue Center (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) in Murcia. 

Read more: Adventurous owls took a 2-week vacation after stowing away on one of the world's largest cruise ships

Their quarantine will wrap up in January, after which they are slated to be returned to the United States around the middle of the month. Their return airfare will be covered by the Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida, the charitable arm of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). 

Natalie Montero-McAllister, the FWC's Imperiled Species Policy Administrator, told The Guardian that the owls are ground-dwelling, spending most of their time in burrows or open areas.

As such, they likely were confused by the ship's vast metal expanses and the absence of their usual diet, consisting of small reptiles and birds, frogs, and rodents.

"It must have been very bewildering for them. Some of the newer cruise ships have a lot of green space, and like plant life on board to make it more park-like, so I’m curious if that may have been something that was of particular interest or comforting for them," she added. 

Still, it's not clear how the owls made it on Allure of the Seas, an Oasis Class ship and one of the world's largest cruise vessels, in February. 

After returning to the U.S., they will be released into the wild once they pass an assessment and re-assimilation test at a Florida facility. 

"We plan to release them to another area that they’re likely familiar with, since they came from somewhere in Miami. We’re under the impression that they are accustomed to urban environments, so we’ll bring them to another urban environment, so that way it’s something familiar to them," Montero-McAllister explained. 

Tindl Rainey, the Director of Conservation at the Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida, said that they are happy to help ensure the owls have a safe transition back to their natural habitat.

"They’re having quite the adventure, and we’re glad to help get them safely back to a burrow in Florida," she stated.

Not the first stowaway owls on a Royal Caribbean cruise

(Credit: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission/Facebook)

In 2023, passengers reported seeing a burrowing owl aboard Symphony of the Seas during a Caribbean cruise. 

Royal Caribbean contacted local wildlife authorities to safely apprehend and remove the owl from the ship's Central Park neighborhood, and biologist Ricardo Zambrano boarded the ship in Florida on disembarkation day to safely capture the owl with help from the crew.

"Zambrano only had a one-hour window of time between the passengers disembarking and new passengers coming aboard for their week-long vacation to Mexico [to capture the owl]!" the FWC said in a Facebook post. 

(Credit: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission/Facebook)

"With some of the crew’s help, [Zambrano] placed mist nets around the owl’s perch of choice, the exit signs by the door. Two unsuccessful attempts later, the owl was now sitting on the balcony of a [10th-story] cabin. The crew stood below making noise to distract the owl as [Zambrano] snuck up and safely netted the owl from the railing!"

Royal Caribbean's first-ever private beach club is one step closer to welcoming guests. 

On Friday, December 12, the cruise line assembled a giant 43-foot Crown & Anchor logo at the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island. 

It's one of the — if not the largest — physical Crown & Anchor symbols in existence. 

"To put that in perspective, the Crown and Anchor on the side of the Star of the Seas is about 37-38 feet," said Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean Group Chief Product Innovation Officer, during the 2025 President's Cruise. 

That makes the structure in Nassau roughly 5-6 feet larger than the logo on one of the world's largest cruise ships. 

The assembly was livestreamed by PTZtv on the Port Nassau webcam, with all images in this blog courtesy of PTZtv. 

The massive, blocky components were lifted via crane and put into place piece by piece, almost like a gigantic LEGO set. 

Based on the webcam footage, it appears that the logo will be on the inward-facing side of Paradise Island, giving all cruise guests, Royal Caribbean or not, a clear view of the massive emblem as their ships sail into Nassau.

The Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is set to officially open on December 23, 2025, with guests on Utopia and Radiance of the Seas among the first to experience the cruise line's first beach club destination. 

Unlike Perfect Day at CocoCay, admission isn't included in your cruise fare. Rather, it's more akin to traditional shore excursions, with day passes available for purchase through the Cruise Planner or at the shore excursion kiosks on board.

There are different types of passes, with the most expensive starting at around $169.99/person and including everything from unlimited alcoholic beverages to lounge chairs and umbrellas, all-day dining, Wi-Fi, and more. 

As it stands, Royal Caribbean has two more beach clubs in the works: Royal Beach Club Cozumel and Royal Beach Club Santorini. 

Royal Caribbean also shared a short 17-second reel of the structure's construction

The time-lapse video starts with the construction crew building the center of the anchor before expanding outward.

A strong, core structure allowed the team to build the surrounding elements that give the logo its recognizable shape, with the crown's middle prong being the last piece added. 

The final few seconds of the clip show the sheer scale of the Crown & Anchor installation at the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island. 

The logo dwarfs everything from the two-story Party Cove to the restaurant shacks and the construction equipment below as the team works to get the finishing touches in place before the club’s grand opening. 

Other construction updates

There are just ten days to go before paying guests are welcomed to the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island for the first time. 

This leaves little room for delay as everything must be fully operational by Dec. 23. 

While recent photos show that the beach club is coming together, there's still a lot of work to be done to ensure the destination is guest-ready. 

From afar, the colorful beach club is really taking shape. However, construction debris must be cleared, furniture arranged, and landscaping finished in under two weeks. 

Guests sailing aboard this weekend's Utopia of the Seas cruise get more time on the ship than planned. 

Due to the incoming cold front, the ship will arrive back at Port Canaveral, Florida, later than scheduled, as confirmed by Scott Sanders of Disney Cruise Line Blog. 

Utopia was initially supposed to arrive for disembarkation at 6:00 a.m. Upon boarding the ship, however, current passengers were told to expect a delayed arrival time of 2:00 p.m.

Guests were given the option to disembark, though they had to decide by 3:00 p.m. Moreover, according to the cruise line's weather policy, no compensation will be provided for those who stay on the ship. 

"On Sunday evening, there is going to be a cold front passing through this region here in Port Canaveral, and behind it will be some very high wind[s], higher winds than what is safer to bring the ship into the port of Canaveral," the Captain said over the public address system.

They will continue to monitor the system, warning passengers that further changes may be necessary since the weather does not always follow the predicted forecast.  

"Your safety and the safety of the ship is the number one priority that I have on board here," he added. 

There are no other confirmed changes to the Dec. 12 sailing of Utopia of the Seas. As it stands, the Oasis Class ship is still scheduled to call at Nassau on Saturday and Perfect Day at CocoCay on Sunday. 

The National Data Buoy System issued a warning about this weekend's weather, saying that a cold front is expected to push through the Atlantic coastal waters from Flagler Beach to Jupiter Inlet on Sunday evening and night. 

Conditions will be relatively calm on Sunday before deteriorating later in the day, with northwest winds of 20 to 25 knots expected. Seas will build from 4 to occasional heights of 11 feet after midnight. 

Strong winds and high seas will persist on Monday, though dangerous conditions are expected to subside throughout the day. 

For example, northeast winds of 25 to 30 knots will decrease to 15 to 20 knots in the afternoon. Still, the intracoastal waters will stay rough. 

An email was also sent to impacted passengers on the Dec. 15 voyage

"Along with our Chief Meteorologist Craig Setzer, we are closely monitoring the approach of a strong cold front Sunday night into Port Canaveral. This system will bring high winds that will make our scheduled arrival into the port challenging," it reads.

"With safety in mind, the ship is expected to be delayed in returning to the port by approximately six (6) hours, but the situation remains fluid. We’ll continue to monitor the forecast in case anything changes."

Royal Caribbean will send a follow-up by Sunday at 6:00 p.m. EST with updated arrival times. 

Additionally, the email states that, because of Monday's late departure, the ship has to swap its scheduled visit to Nassau on Tuesday with a sea day:

"The good news is we’ll still have a chance to visit Nassau on Thursday with updated call times. Not to worry, you’ll still have the same amount of time in port to enjoy everything this beautiful destination has to offer!"

Any pre-paid excursions booked through Royal Caribbean for Nassau will be automatically rescheduled, and those that cannot will be canceled and refunded to guests' SeaPass account to be used as onboard credit. 

The visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay on Wednesday, Dec. 17, remains unchanged. 

An American grandmother was arrested and fined after "accidentally" forgetting to leave her gun in her car. 

Mary Robinson, 69, of Sand Springs, Oklahoma, was caught with a black Kel-Tec .380 armed with four rounds of ammunition while on Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas. 

The Royal Bahamas Police Force boarded the cruise ship shortly after 3:00 p.m. on Dec. 2 at Prince George Wharf in Nassau, according to the crime report. 

Robinson was identified and subsequently arrested after being found in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

(Credit: Graci Exendine/GoFundMe)

She then spent about five days in the island's infamous Fox Hill Prison, which — according to the U.S. Department of State — is infamous for overcrowding issues, inadequate sanitation and medical care, and poor nutrition. 

Robinson pleaded guilty to the possession charges on Dec. 4 and paid an $8,000 fine, her attorney, Bjorn Ferguson, confirmed. 

"In default, she would have [had to spend] 24 months at the Bahamas Department of Corrections," Ferguson told USA TODAY in an emailed statement. 

A local news outlet reported that, while before Magistrate Lennox Coleby, Robinson apologized and explained that she forgot her handgun was in her purse because of Oklahoma's open carry laws.

Robinson's granddaughter, Graci Exendine, launched a GoFundMe to raise money to cover the fine and extradition costs. In just nine days, the fundraiser had surpassed its goal of $12,000. 

"She went on a cruise for her adopted son Johnny's 12th birthday. She is 69 years old and on her trips she usually [brings] some kind of protection but usually leaves it in the car since you aren’t allowed to bring it on the ship," Exendine shared in the GoFundMe description. 

"Well accidentally she didn’t leave it and it was found in her bag when they checked at the Bahamas and she was arrested."

Weapons are prohibited from cruise ships

Royal Caribbean has a long list of items that guests are prohibited from bringing on board their ships, among them knives, firearms, ammunition, and other weapons. 

It's unclear how Robinson's handgun made it past security in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, when embarking on the 4-night cruise — and it has puzzled cruisers who have gotten seemingly less dangerous items confiscated. 

"I couldn’t get a [handheld] steamer on board," Derek Von Langen commented on Cruise Blog's Facebook post. 

Others aren't as trusting of Robinson's story, arguing that it is hard to "forget" that you have a weapon on your person. 

"If you don't know where your weapon is, you aren't safely carrying and should have your right to carry revoked," Richard Leatherman added on the post. 

Ferguson told PEOPLE that bringing a firearm to The Bahamas is "problematic," as possession charges are taken very seriously. Consequences are severe, ranging from massive fines to lengthy prison sentences. 

As such, it is important to understand the local laws of where you're traveling. For example, you shouldn't wear camouflage clothing in The Bahamas, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, or Dominica. 

Moreover, even if marijuana is legal in your state, it is prohibited aboard cruise ships since it is still banned at the federal level. 

Possession, like with handguns, can lead to arrest, fines, being denied boarding, or getting kicked off the cruise ship. 

Read more: 5 things you can't bring on a Royal Caribbean cruise in 2025

Another cruiser was arrested for firearm possession on a Royal Caribbean cruise earlier this year

On Feb. 25, a guest on Oasis of the Seas was arrested in Aruba for attempting to board the ship with a revolver.

The firearm was discovered during a routine security check, a local media outlet reported. The unidentified male was then detained, escorted off the ship, and transported to the local precinct for questioning. 

Oasis departed from Florida on Feb. 22, meaning — like Robinson — the passenger’s weapon either slipped past embarkation screening or was purchased during the ship’s 14-hour visit.

After your cruise is over, Royal Caribbean will send you a survey to get feedback on your vacation, but there's one question that trips up a lot of people.

The Royal Caribbean survey is emailed to all passengers and it's used for staffing decisions, service improvements, and crew recognition.

The company wants to know what you thought of the trip, what stood out, and to rank pretty much everything you experienced.  But it's also a tool for evaluating crew members.

One question, in particular, is a potential red flag for crew members and passengers certainly don't want to get anyone in trouble.

Here's what to do with the post-cruise survey and how honest you should be about crew asking for positive ratings.

What Royal Caribbean wants you to do with that question

Royal Caribbean places a great deal of emphasis on its post-cruise survey because it offers the best opportunity to gather feedback from customers immediately after sailing.

There's one question that seems to trip some cruisers up because they aren't sure how to answer it.

"Were you asked by any crew member(s) to provide positive ratings/reviews on this survey?"

This question is aimed at protecting the integrity of the survey. 

The reason Royal Caribbean asks if someone asked for a high score is because it skews the reality of how well something is working.

The cruise line wants you to be honest so it can improve what needs improving and maintain what's well-received. But if the responses are the result of a crew member guilting, coaching, or encouraging a higher score than deserved, it artificially drives up scores and doesn't allow for a proper evaluation.

Royal Caribbean uses Net Promoter Scores (NPS) to evaluate how effective its cruise ships and private destinations operate.

In short, this is a tool for measuring customer loyalty and predicting business growth. 

Each question is calculated on a scale of 0-10, and the answer has a major impact on how it sees performance:

• 9-10: Promoters, Loyal enthusiasts who fuel growth.
• 7-8: Passives, Satisfied but unenthusiastic; vulnerable to competitors (not included in score).
• 0-6: Detractors, Unhappy customers who can damage your brand.

Basically, this is a way to take the question of "On a scale of 1 - 10, how likely are you to recommend ____", but apply it to different kinds of questions.

You take the percentage of Promoters and subtract the percentage of Detractors from it.  

Why crew members sometimes ask for positive ratings

Based on things crew members have shared in the past, NPS scores are a major factor in how they are rated.

Every crew member on a ship works on a contract, and when it's time for a new contract or for a promotion, Royal Caribbean will use guest survey results as a factor in determining if they should get a new contract, raise, or higher position.

Publicly, there's only anecdotal evidence as to how the NPS scores factor into a crew member's career.

One person posted on Facebook, "I did a galley tour last month, and saw the sign for the employees. The staff person with the top survey numbers over one month would get a day off. The second top person would get a Half-Day off. Considering the number of workers that is a huge prize."

Similarly, lower scores could signal there's a problem.

Mark Lipton, professor emeritus of management at The New School and Parsons School of Design, said in a recent interview how NPS scores tied to compensation can lead to gaming the system, "Whenever something is going to impact my compensation, my odds of a promotion or my very stability in keeping my job here, I am going to be driven to see how I can influence those numbers."

"I never know how to answer this"

Cruisers get confused because most don't want to get the hard working crew members in trouble.

On Facebook, someone asked "I never know how to answer this. Our server did ask for a 10/10 review. But if I said yes, would I get anyone in trouble?"

On the one hand, answering "yes" could alert the cruise line to someone trying to spike scores higher than they should be.

But on the other hand, is this question a test to see if crew members are effectively communicating to guests the importance of the survey and answering "no" gets someone in trouble?

Over 500 comments were shared to the original Facebook post, garnering lots of opinions:

"I answered yes, I feel it is a management issue and if they want true results they should not be trying to skew your response."

"Say no always, but if a specific crew member was off putting, then address that one specifically."

"The answer is No! We just confirmed this on our Oct cruise with a well seasoned bartender. We were informed no staff member is supposed to ask that you give them a 10 rating nor suggest any rating at all!"

"I always say yes, but I never provide names or anything. Because almost every staff member asks in every department."

How I answer this survey question every time

I don't claim to be an NPS expert, but I believe it's important to be honest about the answer if a crew member is clearly trying to push for a higher score out of a sense of guilt or fear.

Crew members can remind you about taking the survey or even say how important the survey is in evaluating them. I feel these are perfectly acceptable reminders because most people on a cruise ship are brand new to cruising.

However, specifically asking for a perfect score or inferring anything less than a perfect score will cause a problem is likely grounds for answering "yes" to the question.

Regardless of how you answer the question, I think it's vitally important to use the open comment section at the end of the survey to call out your favorite crew members and explain why.

That section is indexed and searchable, and managers will pull from this data to identify which crew members stand out as being recognized by guests.