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What is it like to take a Royal Caribbean cruise to Alaska in 2025?

If you’re planning an Alaska cruise this year or in the coming years, it’s helpful to know what to expect. Whether budgeting for shore excursions or planning travel logistics, you’ll want to be as prepared as possible for your Alaska vacation.

I recently returned from a 7-night cruise to Alaska aboard Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas. During my cruise, I learned firsthand what it’s like to visit the state in 2025.

Prices were substantially higher than on Alaska cruises I’ve taken previously, but the core experience remained the same. The fjords were just as majestic as in the past, and cruise ports offered dozens of ways to experience Alaska’s highlights to the fullest.

These days, however, it’s not as easy to “wing it” on an Alaska cruise. With so much demand, failing to prepare in advance could hinder your trip’s success. You’ll want to plan your trip’s logistics far in advance, and it’s also helpful to get a taste of what life is like onboard before you set sail.

This is what it’s really like to take a Royal Caribbean Alaska cruise in 2025.

Prices are higher for nearly everything, but there are still ways to save money

I’ve been cruising to Alaska almost every year since 2021, and I’m shocked at the rising prices.

Every summer, it seems like cruise fares and shore excursions rise substantially, even if you’re booking independent tours outside of the cruise line.

When I booked my Alaska cruise in 2025, I paid almost $3,000 for an interior cabin on Anthem of the Seas. Just two years prior, I cruised to Alaska on sister ship Quantum of the Seas, but paid only $1,850 for the same cabin category.

Related: Cheap interior vs. balcony on an Alaska cruise

I noticed another substantial price increase while my cruise was docked in Juneau. In 2022, I paid $45 for a roundtrip shuttle to Mendenhall Glacier aboard M&M Tours’ Glacier Express bus.

This year, the round-trip shuttle was priced at $79 per person—an increase of over 75%.

Rising prices of cruise fares and excursions far surpass standard inflation rates. Unfortunately, this makes it harder to cruise to Alaska on a budget, especially if you want to travel during peak season.

Fortunately, though, there are still ways you can save money on an Alaska cruise.

Instead of opting for that $79 shuttle bus, for instance, you can take a local bus instead for just $4 roundtrip per person. Or, instead of cruising to Alaska in mid-July, consider a cruise in May or September for lower prices.

Even still, there’s no getting around the fact that prices are drastically higher than just a few years ago.

Your sailing could have Alaska locals as special guests

While sailing through Alaska, you might notice a change in programming aboard your Royal Caribbean ship. In addition to standard activities like trivia and game shows, there could also be scheduled lectures by Alaska locals.

Royal Caribbean has a partnership with Voyij, an Alaska marketplace that represents local businesses and artists from around the state. Through their partnership, Royal Caribbean brings Alaska artists onboard to offer insightful lectures about life in the Last Frontier.

On my cruise, artist Donna Catotti, who hails from the small town of Haines, spoke about what it's like to live in rural southeast Alaska.

I attended all three of Donna’s lectures during my cruise, and loved learning about local life and culture in such a remote community. Donna was available to chat while out and about the ship, too, and I saw plenty of guests asking her more questions about life in Alaska.

It can be challenging to engage in local culture when your ship is docked in port for just a few hours. Through partnerships like Royal Caribbean’s with Voyij, however, it’s easier to learn more about the itinerary's destinations.

Glacier viewing days might include commentary from naturalists

In addition to local Alaskans, your Alaska cruise may also have a naturalist onboard.

On my visit to Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier, I headed to the pool deck to catch some views of this stunning, narrow channel. To my surprise, the visit was narrated by a naturalist in the ship’s bridge.

On previous cruises to Alaska, I never noticed onboard commentary during glacier visits, so this was a welcome surprise. The naturalist provided information on Dawes Glacier, the geology of fjords, and local wildlife.

Related: 50 Royal Caribbean Alaska Cruise Tips

When seals were spotted lounging on an iceberg nearby, for example, he announced it over the ship’s loudspeaker. I was grateful for the commentary, as it helped provide a broader overview of what I was looking at during our short visit.

Drink menus offer Alaska-inspired favorites, from craft beers to cocktails

There are countless drinks and cocktails to try on a Royal Caribbean cruise, but Alaska cruises put a local twist on the menu.

Aboard your Royal Caribbean cruise to Alaska, you might see small placards placed atop bar tables around the ship.

These menus, entitled “Flavors of the Alaskan Spirit,” feature Alaska-inspired drinks. These include an IPA from Alaskan Brewing Co. and vodkas from Anchorage Distillery.

Related: Top 10 cocktails to try on your next Royal Caribbean cruise

As for cocktails, the Anchorage Mule combines Anchorage Distillery blueberry vodka with blueberry mix, lime juice, and ginger beer. Likewise, the Anchorage Glacier Martini mixes Anchorage Distillery Glacier vodka with vermouth and olives for an Alaskan twist on the classic drink.

The menu also includes a selection of warm beverages perfect for chilly days in Alaska, including Irish coffee, hot toddies, and spiked hot chocolate.

Crowds are in full force, but it’s still easy enough to avoid them

You should expect crowds on an Alaska cruise in 2025, 2026, and further into the future. Alaska cruises are extremely popular, and there are no signs of the region’s popularity slowing down anytime soon.

My 2025 Alaska cruise aboard Anthem of the Seas was completely sold out, and I was concerned the crowds would negatively impact my experience.

Yet even with nearly 5,000 passengers onboard, it was easy to escape the crowds. A ship like Anthem of the Seas has plenty of quiet, hidden gems perfect for relaxation, whether it's the climate-controlled Solarium or the outdoor seating in the Windjammer buffet.

Related: I did these 5 small things before my Alaska cruise that made a huge difference

Before your cruise, I recommend watching a tour of the ship on YouTube. Not only does this help you visualize your ship, but it may provide commentary on places to escape crowds and enjoy the best views of Alaska’s scenery.

Even in port, I found it relatively easy to escape the crowds. On my visit to Skagway, Broadway Street was packed with thousands of passengers, but nearby hiking trails were far less crowded.

As usual, Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau was packed with guests, too, but there are plenty of viewpoints just off the main trail to enjoy views of the glacier with fewer crowds.

The best way to avoid crowds in port, though, is to disembark your ship early or stay in port until closer to all aboard time. If your ship is docked from 8AM to 7PM, most crowds will peak in the middle of the day.

So, whether onboard your ship or in port, there are still ways to experience Alaska without fighting the crowds.

Finally, you can take advantage of Alaska specials, like discounted flights and complimentary luggage valet

Lastly, you’ll want to research any Alaska-specific deals and specials while planning your cruise.

On my cruise, I purchased flights to Seattle through Air2Sea, Royal Caribbean’s flight booking program. Occasionally, the cruise line offers deals on flights to Seattle and Vancouver, and this can lead to substantial savings.

When I searched for flights to Seattle, I was surprised to see a first class flight for just $276 round trip. It was cheaper than economy! The same deals may not be available when booking directly with an airline, so it’s worth checking Air2Sea for discounts.

Related: Port Valet review on an Alaska cruise

You should also take advantage of Port Valet, Seattle’s complimentary luggage transfer service.

On disembarkation day, this service transports your luggage from your ship directly to Seattle’s airport and onto your flight. Aside from airline baggage fees, Port Valet costs nothing extra, but offers unparalleled convenience on the last morning of your cruise.

Both of these programs greatly enhanced my Alaska cruise in 2025.

Yes, someone paid $10,000 for a cabana at Royal Caribbean's new beach club coming to The Bahamas, and it's indicative of how much interest there is for the new development.

Royal Caribbean Group held its second quarter earnings call on Tuesday and it was our first public comments on how well the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is selling since bookings opened up.

The beach club is a brand new idea for the cruise industry to single-handedly build out an incredible shore excursion option, available exclusively to Royal Caribbean guests that seeks to infuse the private island experience within a tropical destination.

Michael Bayley, President & CEO, Royal Caribbean International, was quick to point out that interest and demand exceeded even their initial expectations.

"In the first hour when we opened for sale, we sold our Ultimate Family Cabana for one day at $10,000," he said during the earnings call. "And subsequently, we've sold a lot of days at $10,000."

Royal Caribbean's new Royal Beach Clubs aren’t just a side attraction, they're going to become one of the core pieces of the cruise line's future.

New beach club coming to Nassau

Opening in December 2025, the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is a new kind of cruise ship experience.

It's located in Nassau, Bahamas on a strip of land very close to where the cruise ships dock. The idea is to offer a more exclusive alternative to the lackluster options that have plagued Nassau for years.

According to the cruise line, Nassau has historically ranked very low in guest satisfaction scores because there aren't compelling activities to do.

It's been built with premium experiences in mind: private pools, fun dining, curated cabanas, and a party atmosphere.

According to Mr. Bayley, the club is set to open during a December 21 cruise.

Nassau is just the start, as Royal Caribbean will open a second beach club in Cozumel in 2026.

Why people are booking a $10,000 cabana (and more)

During the earnings call, Royal Caribbean executives talked about how they feel they've priced the beach club at a good place to balance value and profit.

"We really do think we've got the product right and it's going to deliver very high levels of guest satisfaction," Mr. Bayley said of the Ultimate Family Cabana.

The Ultimate Family Cabana has a big price tag, but it's also unlike any other cabana we've ever seen.

It includes:

• Day passes for up to 12 people
• Cabana attendant
• Private bathroom
• Private shower
• Private changing room
• Wet bar
• Reserved beach space
• Heated whirlpool
• Spiral slide
• Wooden swing
• Hammock
• Suspended net lounger
• Frozen drink machine
• TV
• Mini fridge

It's far from an inexpensive day, but it's all but guaranteed to deliver memories for a multi-gen family that wants a full-day luxury resort experience.

Pricing for the rest of the beach club is far less expensive, with day passes, cabanas, beach beds, and other ways to get in and have a fun day ashore.

Prices start at $139 per person per day, but Royal Caribbean uses dynamic pricing for its product, so prices can easily go up from there.  As an example, my January 2026 visit is priced at $250 per person, per day.

With the beach club admission, Royal Caribbean is testing real-time pricing similar to airline seats or hotel rooms.

"We think we may experience more demand than supply… That’s where dynamic pricing will play an important role," Mr. Bayley said of the club's capacity.

When the club is fully operational and ready to admit guests, they expect it to host  about 1 in 3 Royal Caribbean guests in Nassau.

To that point, Royal Caribbean sees this as an opportunity to deliver something truly incredible.

"It's not about a question of demand. It's the question of operational excellence," said Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean Group CEO.

He said capacity will start out lower, and then build up as they get things going and better understand the flow of an average day.

"We want to make sure the experience is flawless," Mr. Liberty said.

"We could probably make more money," Liberty added, "But the trust we establish with our customers is a priority. So it will be a slow ramp-up."

Betting big on land-based experiences

By 2027, Royal Caribbean expects to have its announced beach clubs and private destinations online and a major reason to pick Royal Caribbean for vacation.

"We’re delivering exclusive, destination-led experiences that elevate the vacation value proposition," Mr. Liberty explained during the call.

The plan is to open Royal Beach Club Paradise Island this year, followed by Royal Beach Club Cozumel in 2026, and then Perfect Day Mexico in September 2027. A new private beach in Lelepa will open in early 2027.

An interesting anecdote during the call was Mr. Liberty noted Perfect Day Mexico will be "approximately the size of the Magic Kingdom in Orlando."

Beach clubs are premium-margin products with high guest satisfaction. These experiences help Royal Caribbean differentiate itself from competitors, while giving customers something they can't get anywhere else.

They create compelling reasons to book with Royal Caribbean over another cruise line or land-based resort.

Royal Caribbean's hope is it generates high satisfaction scores, which will translate to higher guest spend and loyalty return.

You'll need to be at least 18 years old now to go to one of the pools on the world's biggest cruise ship.

Guests sailing on Icon of the Seas spotted a change as of this week's sailing that the Swim & Tonic bar is now for adults only.

Situated in the Chill Island neighborhood, Royal Caribbean claims it's the largest swim‑up bar at sea.

Initially, Swim & Tonic was open to guests of all ages. Families with kids were free to splash in the shallow water and hang near the action.

An exclusive photo provided to Royal Caribbean Blog shows a sign posted at the entrance to the pool indicates all passengers going into the pool must be at least 18 in order to access it, which is the same rule as its other adults-only spaces.

Up until now, the Swim & Tonic pool was open to guests of all ages.

A change to maintain the vibe of the pool

Royal Caribbean did not offer any comment or explanation for the change, but it makes sense a pool that is all about offering an integrated bar experience would be for only adults.

Among the different pools you'll find on Icon, Swim & Tonic is designed to offer a swim-up bar, rather than a lounging option.

There is a bar on one end of the pool, along with in-pool tables to place your beverages.

Surrounding the pool are in-water loungers.

The experience seemed to be inspired by Oasis Lagoon and The Hideaway at Perfect Day at CocoCay, which both have swim-up bars and are quite popular.

Every Royal Caribbean ship has an adults-only pool area, with the Icon Class ships having The Hideaway at the very back of the ship.

Initially, the Cloud 17 pool was going to be adults-only, but the cruise line made a last-minute change right before the launch of Icon of the Seas in early 2024.

Families with younger children will need to use the other pools on board, including:

• The family-friendly Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay (in Surfside neighborhood)
• The Cove Pool, an infinity-style option
• Royal Bay Pool, one of the largest at sea
• Cloud 17

In short: there are still plenty of options. But Swim & Tonic is now off-limits to the under-18 crowd.

Response to a problem cruisers brought up

It's possible this policy shift to make Swim & Tonic adults-only is a response to guest feedback.

During a Q&A event with travel agents aboard a preview cruise on Utopia of the Seas, one travel agent specifically brought up kids being an issue at the Swim & Tonic bar.

The travel agent said, "Icon is fantastic, but (at) the swim-up bar, there’s kids splashing into your drinks."

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley, responded that the cruise line hears passengers' concerns and will look into it.

He also said they'd consider a revisit of curfew rules and bar policies, in general.

Why the Swim & Tonic pool is a must-do

The Swim & Tonic pool was one of the many innovations first introduced with Icon of the Seas.

The idea is simple: combine a pool with a bar that serves frozen cocktails and a fun atmosphere.

The space features:

• A spacious bar with submerged barstools
• A surrounding plunge pool with upbeat music and tropical theming
• Dozens of loungers around the deck area
• Access to nearby Chill Bar and Lime & Coconut for overflow service

Royal Caribbean could have changes coming to its co-branded credit card.

During the Royal Caribbean Group second quarter earning call with investors, company executives hinted at changes are coming to its credit card offering.

Royal Caribbean has a Visa credit card that is offered through Bank of America.

When asked about the card and its future, Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty said, "We do have a co-branded credit card. It is tied today to our loyalty program, but not in the way that fits our ambition."

That statement appears to point towards a change consumers can expect in the future.

Something coming "very soon"

Mr. Liberty didn't talk specifics, but he did elaborate a bit more on the subject, tying it into the cruise line loyalty program.

"I think you’re going to see something very meaningful coming out of that very, very soon," he said. This is the strongest signal yet that the Royal Caribbean Visa Signature Card may undergo a major revamp.

While no timeline was given, the fact he said "very soon" is more interesting considering the changes rival Carnival Cruise Line made to its program.

Carnival recently rolled out controversial changes to its loyalty program, including a brand new credit card.

Royal Caribbean's Visa Signature credit card isn't tied to its loyalty program in the same way that Carnival's new co-branded credit card will be tied to Carnival Rewards.

With no annual fee, the credit card offers cardholders the ability to earn points on everyday purchases that can be redeemed for onboard credit, stateroom upgrades, cruise discounts, merchandise, and more.

Carnival's card is far more integrated and crucial to its new loyalty program. 

As part of Carnival Rewards, it allows cruisers there to earn points towards a loyalty program. 

Royal Caribbean's card is limited to simply onboard experiences and cruise bookings. It has minimal synergy with Crown & Anchor Society.

A credit card ties into its loyalty program

The credit card change appears to be part of a deeper push towards loyalty members.

Royal Caribbean is aggressively investing in its loyalty and digital ecosystem. During the earnings call, they mentioned 40% of guests now come from loyalty members and loyalty guests spend 25% more per trip than new passengers.

"Loyalty that really impacts guest behavior… keeps them inside of our ecosystem," Mr. Liberty said.

"Our guests are very focused on recognition and also being incentivized for the spend and loyalty that they provide." 

He went on to say, "Especially on the loyalty program side, we are very tuned into and have a lot of plans on what things our guests and our brands feel are a value to them that would result in them behaving even more loyal to us."

A new credit card could further incentivize high-spending guests, boost repeat bookings, and even compete with hotel and airline programs.

What could a new Royal Caribbean credit card look like?

There were no details shared during the earnings call beyond the vague ambition to change its credit card, but we might have a vision for it based on public filings.

Royal Caribbean recently filed trademarks with the U.S. Patent and Trademark office for phrases that sound a lot like they could be used for a new credit card.

• ROYAL ONE
• ROYAL ONE PLUS
• ROYAL ONE REWARDS
• ROYAL ONE RESERVE
• ROYAL ONE POINTS
• ROYAL ONE PREMIER

In fact, the description of some of these trademarks specifically say they're for a credit card.

"ROYAL ONE RESERVE™ trademark registration is intended to cover the category of magnetically encoded credit cards and loyalty cards that track customer purchases for reward purposes."

"ROYAL ONE POINTS™ trademark registration is intended to cover the categories of retail and online retail store reward program; Credit card reward programs services; the administration of incentive award programs related to the sale and use of credit card accounts."

Loyalty war is heating up

It remains to be seen if Royal Caribbean will go as aggressively into rebuilding its loyalty program as Carnival, but it does appear they are very keen on building its base out.

By expanding into river cruises, building new ships, and developing private destinations around the world, it's clear Royal Caribbean wants to leverage its product lineup as a differentiator among a crowded travel field.

They've made it no secret competing with land vacations is a goal of ships like Star of the Seas or Icon of the Seas, and having these best-in-class assets is a major component.

During the call, Mr. Liberty made a bold statement, "If somebody goes outside of our ecosystem… we should look at that as a fail."

By being all-encompassing, they believe they can hold onto existing customers better while at the same time appealing to new cruisers with flashy offerings that are unrivaled.

Royal Caribbean is making it clear that they value their repeat cruisers.

On July 29, Royal Caribbean Group released its second quarter results, revealing the company is seeing strong demand for its products from previous cruisers, with 40% of guests being repeat passengers. 

According to Jason Liberty, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, the company is tuned into its guests' wants and has a lot of plans to make sure they want to continue cruising with Royal Caribbean Group, whether aboard a Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, or Silversea ship. 

Not only does this mean investing in new hardware, like new ships and exclusive island destinations, but also giving repeat cruisers special offers and loyalty perks. 

Loyalty impacts guest behavior

"Repeat cruisers continue to rate cruising as the best value for their vacation spend, with brands that consistently lead in guest satisfaction and vacation options that range from weekend getaways to bucket list adventures on ocean and on land," said Liberty during the Q2 earnings call on July 29. 

It helps that Royal Caribbean's consumer base continues to feel financially confident, with three out of four guests indicating they feel financially secure. This aligns with the fact that loyalty members are spending 25% more per trip than new cruisers. 

"Holistically, as we get to see millions of spending activities per day, we see a very healthy customer. When we dig into that customer, they have strong, great jobs; they have strong balance sheets; and they're confident in spending and making sure that they're they're receiving the vacation experience that they're looking for," Liberty explained. 

Not only that, but Royal Caribbean has seen strong intent among millennial-aged cruisers and younger, who continue to represent half the company's customer base. Additionally, 7 in 10 of Royal Caribbean's customers from younger generations are more likely to book their cruise closer to departure, reflecting more spontaneity and flexibility. 

"More than half of the millennials tell us they are more likely to consider cruising today compared to two years ago, driven mainly by the attractive value proposition of [a] cruise," Liberty said. 

Although new ships and destinations play a role in attracting customers, building trust and connections with guests means they will be more likely to choose a vacation with Royal Caribbean Group than other competitors, whether they're land-based or another cruise line. 

Liberty added, "We're trying to increase repetition, which ultimately leads to an increase in lifetime value of the customer, lowers our acquisition costs, and positions us to close the gap further to land-based vacations."

By wanting to grow their repeat customer business, consumers will hopefully get better recognition and incentives in the future. 

Loyalty is a two-way street

Recently, Carnival Cruise Line has been under fire for its overhaul of the line's Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) Club. Starting in 2026, cruisers are no longer rewarded based on how many nights they've spent on Carnival ships. Instead, Carnival loyalty status is determined by total spend. 

However, points earned through Carnival's co-branded credit card will also feed directly into the Carnival Rewards ecosystem. This means that guests can work their way up the loyalty tiers not only by cruising on Carnival's fleet but also through everyday spending with the credit card. 

However, the biggest shocker was that status is no longer lifetime. You must requalify every two years, similar to airline and hotel loyalty programs. 

Read more: Rival Carnival Cruise Line made drastic changes to its loyalty program

In the weeks following the announcement, many Carnival cruisers have expressed that they feel like the new system devalues their loyalty to the cruise line.

In contrast, Royal Caribbean is doubling down on its commitment to its guests, stating that loyalty is a "two-way street." 

"Loyalty is very important. I think people want to be recognized. They want to not just be recognized for their spend today, but be recognized for all that they have done in the past," said Liberty.

As such, creating the status match program between Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Silversea helps ensure that consumers are rewarded for their history with the company, regardless of which brand they choose to sail.

For example, a guest who holds Diamond status with Royal Caribbean will enjoy comparable perks when sailing with Celebrity or Silversea, and vice versa. 

This cross-brand recognition strengthens the connection between the cruise lines and makes it so there are options for all types of cruisers within the brand's portfolio, whether you're seeking a family-focused vacation on the world's largest ships, an ultra-luxury getaway, or an upscale European cruise.

Royal Caribbean's cruise boom isn't slowing down.

The second quarter earnings results were released by Royal Caribbean Group on Tuesday, and the message is clear to consumers: cruise demand is surging, even as prices rise.

The company said its ships sailed with a load factor of 110% during the second quarter, indicating ships are sailing full.

"Demand for our portfolio of brands and our industry-leading experiences continues to accelerate," said Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty in a press release.

A stronger than expected second quarter

The posted results paint a picture of very strong consumer demand for going on one of the Royal Caribbean Group brands of ships.

• $1.2 billion net income; EPS of $4.41, beating expectations.
• 2.3 million guests served in one quarter, which is up 10% year over year during the same time period.
• Net Yields up 5.3%, driven by higher ticket prices and onboard spend.

"Guest spending onboard and pre-cruise purchases continue to exceed prior years, driven by greater participation at higher prices," the company said in its prepared statement. That's been a trend for years that is seemingly getting stronger.

What it means is more people booked on cruises than ever are spending more than ever on extras for their sailing, such as shore excursions, WiFi, spa treatments, drink packages and more.

An equally important trend is ships are selling out closer to sail dates, "Bookings have accelerated since the last earnings call, particularly for close-in sailings."

This means the rate of new cruise bookings have picked up since the first quarter, especially for last-minute cruises.

Strong demand for the newest ships and destinations

Royal Caribbean Group called out a few of its newest products that are set to come online because of how well they're selling.

They reported strong demand for new ships like Star of the Seas and Celebrity Xcel.

In addition, there's been an early booking surge for Royal Beach Club Paradise Island.

Mr. Liberty talked about this trend in his prepared remarks, "The strong demand we are seeing across our new ships and land-based destinations reinforces that our strategy is working and resonating with today’s traveler."

Higher prices for cruises

Royal Caribbean Group said Net Yields are expected to rise another 3.5% to 4.0% for the year, and that's important for consumers to understand.

Net Yields measure how much revenue the cruise line earns per passenger, after subtracting certain costs. 

When Royal Caribbean says Net Yields are rising, it means they're making more money per guest. Usually that's from higher ticket prices, and/or higher onboard spending.

In the second quarter of this year, Royal Caribbean’s Net Yields were up 5.3%, and for the full year, they expect them to rise another 3.5% to 4.0%. That may sound like a small percentage, but across millions of passengers, it’s a huge increase in revenue.

There are three key factors pushing Net Yields higher:

• Higher cruise fares, especially for new ships and in-demand itineraries
• People spending more drink packages, specialty dining, shore excursions, and Wi-Fi
• People booking last-minute cruises and still paying premium prices

"Net Yield growth in the quarter was split evenly between new and like-for-like hardware, and was driven by both ticket pricing and onboard spend."

A pipeline of innovation to carry them forward

Another trend within today's results is that Royal Caribbean Group sees even brighter days ahead because of its upcoming lineup of new offerings.

"We see another step change in growth… with a powerful pipeline of incredible new ships, the ramp-up of our highly differentiated new destinations… and continued investments in disruptive technology," Mr. Liberty said in the press release. That's a sign they see their new ships and private destinations as leverage for being even better in the coming months and years.

Over the next two years, Royal Caribbean Group is poised to launch four new cruise ships, new beach clubs and private destinations, and even river cruises.

Plus, expect more investment in personalization and loyalty tech. There's a clear connection between having a better app and website experience and higher revenue for the company.

I tried a little-known hack on my cruise ship’s disembarkation day, and it made the last day of my trip so much better.

Like most passengers, I don’t love the final morning of the cruise. Not only is my vacation coming to an end, but I need to make my way from the cruise terminal to the airport with my luggage.

With thousands of other (grumpy) passengers doing the same thing, too, disembarkation day is anything but enjoyable.

So, on my recent Alaska cruise, I tried Royal Caribbean’s Luggage Valet service—also known as Port Valet—and it greatly improved my experience traveling home.

It’s something I’ll use again and again when I cruise. Best of all, the service was completely free.

Royal Caribbean’s Luggage Valet service brings your suitcase to the airport for you

Royal Caribbean offers a service called Luggage Valet, which puts the easy button on disembarkation day.

Passengers who sign up for this service place their luggage outside their cabin door the evening before disembarkation. The next morning, their luggage is transferred directly from the cruise terminal to the airport and onto their flight.

This means that once passengers place their suitcase in the hallway, they won’t see it again until they arrive at their home airport.

Currently, the program is offered at three airports: Seattle (SEA), Miami (MIA), and Fort Lauderdale (FLL).

Related: Royal Caribbean is bringing back a luggage perk its customers loved

In Seattle, the program is called Port Valet, and it’s a partnership with Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The service in Seattle is offered free of charge aside from any applicable baggage fees from the airline.

In Fort Lauderdale and Miami, Luggage Valet costs $29 per person in addition to airline baggage fees.

I signed up for Seattle’s Port Valet program during my cruise

On the second day of my cruise, I received a sign-up form for Port Valet in my cabin.

The form had general information about baggage fees and logistics about which flights are eligible for the program. Not all flight departure times qualify, and while most US airlines participate, international airlines are not included on the list.

You can register for Port Valet ahead of time on the Port of Seattle’s website here, but it was just as easy to register onboard my ship.

Related: Guide to Seattle cruise port for Alaska cruises

My Alaska Airlines flight departed from Seattle at 9:30PM on disembarkation day. I filled out the form with my flight information and brought it to Guest Services to be registered.

Because I was flying First Class, my checked bag fee was waived by Alaska Airlines. If I were in economy, I would have paid $35 for the bag, but the Port Valet service itself remains free regardless of your flight class.

Registering took just a few minutes, and I was hopeful that Port Valet would take the stress out of traveling to the airport with my big suitcase.

I received my luggage tags and boarding pass on the last evening of my cruise

After I finished dinner on the last evening of my cruise, I headed back to my stateroom to pack my belongings.

On my bed were my Port Valet luggage tags, which I placed on the handle of my suitcase. In addition, my boarding pass for my flight was also delivered at this time.

I was already checked in for my flight and I hadn’t even left the ship yet!

I placed my suitcase outside my cabin door — I wouldn’t see it until I landed in my home airport

Passengers participating in Port Valet must place their suitcase outside their cabin door by 10PM on the evening before disembarkation.

On most cruises, I do self-disembarkation, which is when you bring your own suitcase off the ship with you on disembarkation day. Therefore, it was a bit of an adjustment to pack everything the night before.

I had to make sure I had enough toiletries for the morning, and, of course, a change of clothes so I didn’t walk around the next day in my pajamas.

Related: How disembarkation day works on a Royal Caribbean cruise

However, I also had to ensure I packed my carry-on backpack appropriately, too. Because I wouldn’t see my suitcase until I got home the following night, I needed to make sure I had everything necessary for my day in Seattle and trip to the airport.

If I forgot anything important, my suitcase would not be accessible on disembarkation day.

After carefully packing my carry-on and checked bag, I placed the checked bag outside my cabin door with the appropriate luggage tags.

I waved goodbye to my suitcase hoping that everything would go to plan. If so, I would see my trusty purple suitcase when I landed at home.

On disembarkation day, it felt strange to leave the cruise terminal without my suitcase

As your vacation comes to an end, disembarkation day is anything but fun. Nonetheless, getting off the ship and through the cruise terminal was a breeze without carrying my heavy luggage.

When I walked out of the cruise terminal, I felt like I was missing something. All I had was a small backpack, and my suitcase was headed off to the airport in Seattle.

With twelve hours until my flight departed, I felt free to explore the city without worrying about where to store my luggage. I walked around downtown, grabbed coffee at a quaint cafe, and enjoyed lunch at a delicious dim sum restaurant in the city.

When it was time to head to the airport, I hopped on the light rail, which conveniently travels from downtown to the terminal in just under 40 minutes. For only $3 per person, it was cheaper than ordering an Uber or Lyft to the airport.

With luggage, I would have opted for the private ride, but having just a small backpack made it easy to take the cheaper public transportation option.

Once at the airport, I breezed past the baggage kiosks

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the US, with over 52 million passengers transiting through the airport each year.

Crowds can be expected virtually anywhere, but especially at check-in desks and security lines.

Luckily, because I already sent my luggage off with Port Valet, I could go straight to security once I entered the airport.

I noticed long lines and crowds near the terminal’s luggage drop off desks and kiosks, and I was so grateful I didn’t need to worry about dropping off my bag.

After a relatively quick security line, I headed to the lounge to relax before my flight. It felt odd to have not seen my luggage for nearly an entire day, but I trusted that it would be placed safely onto my flight home.

I picked up my suitcase from the luggage carousel at my home airport

My 90-minute flight home was short and effortless. Once I landed, I walked to the luggage carousel hoping that my bag had made it all the way from outside my cabin door to my home airport.

Like clockwork, my bag was one of the first on the carousel. I was pleased everything went as planned, and I promptly grabbed my bag and ordered an Uber home.

I couldn’t believe how convenient my disembarkation day was because I used Port Valet. I also couldn’t believe the service, aside from any airline baggage fees, was complimentary.

It seemed crazy that such a useful travel hack was offered free of charge by Seattle’s airport, but I’ll take any opportunity I get to make my travel days less stressful.

Because the service is complimentary, I really can’t see a reason to not use Port Valet for an Alaska cruise. If you’re paying the fee to check a bag anyway, why deal with the hassle of bringing your bags to the airport yourself?

Instead, you can simply place your luggage outside your cabin door and pick it up once you return home.

The convenience is simply unmatched, and it’s a hack I’ll use on every Alaska cruise I take.

One big reason I use a travel agent to book my cruises is to make things easier for me.

Ever since I started using travel agents, I realized the services they provide can save me time and money, as well as simply taking the burden off of me.

I've been using MEI Travel for a couple of decades now, and by now I have a good rapport for what I look for in my cruise. Just like the waiter in the dining room that knows what drinks I like to have every night, my travel agent knows which booking preferences I have.

On any cruise I book, I always ask my travel agent to do four important things.  Truthfully, they already know to do most of these before I ask, but I think these are the things I'll always verify are done before I set sail.

Specify my Main Dining Room time and table

When you book a cruise, one of the first decisions you have is which dining option you prefer.

Guests have the choice of Traditional Dining or My Time Dining, and I always pick Traditional Dinner for the simplicity of having a table each day waiting for us.

When I started cruising, we picked the late dining time, but since we started cruising with kids, we've switched over to early seating.

One thing I never liked about late dining was when we got out of dinner, it felt like we missed all the prime evening entertainment.  But when we do early dining, it still feels like "the night is young".

As I'm writing this, I might start considering more the new middle dining time that Royal Caribbean recently added to its ships for that Goldilocks time slot.

My travel agent will always subsequently ask me if there's someone else onboard the ship I want to dine with in the Main Dining Room.

When you link reservations together, Royal Caribbean should put everyone at the same table together.  Or at least, that's what's needed to hopefully make that happen. I'll still verify the table assignment one I get onboard the ship.

Pre-pay my gratuities

Royal Caribbean offers its guests the choice of pre-paying gratuities or having them charged automatically each night of the cruise.

Personally, I prefer to pre-pay them before the cruise begins so there's one less charge on my onboard bill.

When I started cruising, I always hated having a big bill waiting for me at the end of the cruise.  To avoid this, I pre-pay as much as I can so I can budget accordingly.

Another advantage of pre-paying gratuities is it locks in the gratuity rate, even if Royal Caribbean raises it later.

I'll ask my travel agent to add the gratuities to my reservation, and then I'll go into the Cruise Planner to pre-book specialty restaurants, drink packages, shore excursions, and WiFi.

Not only does pre-booking make it easier to pay things off before my vacation begins, but it will save me money too with all the various sales Royal Caribbean runs.

A cabin near the elevator

I really cannot recall the last time I didn't ask my travel agent to pick a cabin near the elevator.

Having a cabin near the elevators and stairs means it'll be convenient to going in and out of my room when I need it.

While I can appreciate the views an aft facing balcony can have, I'd prefer to minimize the walk to and from my room.  This is especially true on Royal Caribbean's really big cruise ships.

I used to be concerned about noise from the elevator lobby, but in my experience I've never any noise from the elevators, and most guests are pretty quiet walking past.

Sure, there is the occasional couple having a loud conversation, teenager running down the hallway, or someone yelling at someone else, but that can happen anywhere on the deck.

If I want to buy travel insurance

I recommend everyone get travel insurance for every cruise they take, and it's one of the things I'll always double check with my travel agent.

Not all travel insurance policies are the same, so it's important to look into what's covered or not.

Royal Caribbean sells its own travel insurance policy, which is underwritten by Arch Insurance Company.

Their policy includes six primary benefits:

• Trip Interruption: Up to 150% of total trip cost if you can't start or finish your cruise vacation because you're sick or hurt, there's a death in the family, or another covered reason.
• Trip Delay: Up to $2,000 ($250 per day) for catch-up expenses
• Missed Connection: Up to $300 if you miss your trip departure for covered reasons by three hours or more.
• Accident and Sickness Medical: up to $25,000 if you get hurt and $25,000 if you get sick on your cruise vacation.
• Emergency Medical Evacuation: Up to $50,000 for emergency medical transportation during your vacation.
• Baggage Protection and Delay: Up to $1,500 if your bags are lost, stolen, or damaged and up to $500 to buy necessary personal items if your bags are delayed.

My advice is compare a few travel insurance policies to find the best one that fits your needs.  Don't just buy travel insurance for the sake of buying travel insurance.

In fact, your travel agent can be a good resource for recommending a good policy or company to use.  Don't be afraid to ask their opinion.

Can you believe it's the last days of July already? It is the middle of Summer and there is a lot of Royal Caribbean news to catch up from during this week.

The top story this week centered around a crew member that jumped overboard from a cruise ship after stabbing another crew member.

According to the Royal Bahamas Police Force, the male crew member stabbed a female crew member multiple times on Icon of the Seas and then proceeded to jump off the ship.

A Royal Caribbean spokesperson said the incident was "a personal dispute," but did not provide any further details.

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Video: 5 Things I Want on Royal Caribbean's Rumored New Small Ship Class

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 — 5 Things I Want on Royal Caribbean's Rumored New Small Ship Class — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

The worst cruise ports, according to Reddit

What are the cruise ports that cruisers never want to go back to again?

Travelers responded to that exact question and shared why they felt so strongly about never wanting to return to the port again.

Over 600 comments were shared, with ports ranging from Santorini to Cartagena.

What it's like to try a luxury cruise

Matt tried Silversea and his first luxury cruise was unlike anything he'd ever done before.

He sailed on Silver Dawn to the Norwegian Fjords, and it was very different from his years of sailing with Royal Caribbean.

From the level of service, to what's included, to the quality of food, the Silversea experience is a major shift.

5 small changes I made before my Alaska cruise that made a huge difference

Sometimes minor tweaks have a big impact on improving a cruise.

Jenna recently sailed to Alaska and made a few tweaks to her approach that made the cruise much better.

These changes saved her money, as well as improved her enjoyment of the trip.

6 places I avoid on a cruise ship

Matt goes on lots of cruises, but realized he tends to skip a few venues all the time.

Sometimes these areas he doesn't go to are a matter of personal preference, while other times he thinks it's a mistake to go there.

Everyone has their own cruising style, and it's easy to overlook an area or simply run out of time to get there too.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 572nd episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, with Matt's hot take on Carnival's Celebration Key.

Celebration Key opened this week, and it's largely being compared to Perfect Day at CocoCay.  Matt shares his initial thoughts on the new project on this week's episode.

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

A Royal Caribbean crew member violently attacked another worker before jumping off the world's largest cruise ship. 

The 35-year-old South African man stabbed a 28-year-old South African on Thursday, July 24, shortly before 7:30PM, the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) confirmed. 

Guests reported hearing "Oscar, Oscar, Oscar" (Royal Caribbean's secret code word for "man overboard") around 7:18PM. Icon then slowed down and returned to the location where the crew member had gone overboard. He was found dead by onboard medical staff less than an hour later. 

One passenger revealed that they saw the rescue mission from their port-side balcony cabin, where they witnessed crew members dropping life preservers into the ocean. They also saw a rescue boat deployed, which later returned with the crew member onboard. However, guests weren't made immediately aware of his condition and presumed the rescue mission was successful.  

Read more: Crew member dies after going overboard from Royal Caribbean cruise ship

Royal Caribbean initially shared that there was a man overboard incident on Icon of the Seas that resulted in the death of a crew member but withheld further details until authorities could investigate.

"Our crew immediately initiated a search and rescue operation, but unfortunately, the crew member passed away. We extend our condolences to the crew member’s family and loved ones," said Royal Caribbean in a brief statement issued to 7News Miami.

However, in a statement given to NBC News, police confirmed that the incident involved a dispute between two crew members and that the woman sustained multiple stab wounds to her upper body. She received treatment and is in stable condition. 

(Credit: CBS News Miami)

"One of the crew members was injured, was attended to by the onboard medical team, and she is now in stable condition," a Royal Caribbean spokesperson later said. 

"Unfortunately, the other crew member is deceased after he went overboard and was recovered in a search and rescue operation."

Icon of the Seas was sailing about 200 miles off the coast of Nassau, Bahamas, en route to Perfect Day at CocoCay when the crew member jumped overboard. The last day of the 7-night itinerary wasn't impacted by the incident, and Icon returned to Miami, Florida, on Saturday, July 26. 

An investigation into the attack is ongoing. Additionally, an autopsy will be conducted to determine the crew member's exact cause of death. There's no reason that the investigation should impact or delay cruise operations for future Icon sailings. 

The two crew members have not been identified out of respect for their families and their privacy.