Royal Caribbean Blog

Planning memorable days ashore on a European cruise is just as important as picking the right ship. From historic walking tours to Mediterranean sailing adventures and authentic cooking classes, there's no shortage of activities for all ages and interests. 

However, as you begin your research, you may be curious as to whether it's better to book directly through your cruise line or through a third party. 

On my recent European cruise aboard Harmony of the Seas, I wasn't sure how to spend my day in Palma de Mallorca. It was my first time visiting the Spanish island, and I was a bit overwhelmed by all the available options. 

Initially, my sister and I thought about taking the shuttle into town and exploring on foot. However, we came across the "Exclusive Soller and Valldemossa" tour through Shore Excursions Group, which immediately caught our eye. 

I had booked with Shore Excursions Group before in Alaska. However, the tour was a round-trip transfer to the Mendenhall Glacier during a stop in Juneau.

This time, I was excited to book with them again for a more immersive and guided shore excursion, especially since I didn't know what to expect from Palma de Mallorca. 

The five-hour tour — which costs around $169 when purchased in advance through Shore Excursions Group's website — included round-trip transportation from the port to Valldemossa and Sóller in a comfortable, air-conditioned van, along with insightful commentary from our private guide. 

Overall, the small-group tour to Valldemossa and Sóller was perfect for my sister and me, and I'd highly recommend it to anyone visiting Palma de Mallorca on a cruise ship who can't decide which must-see highlights are worth checking off their bucket list. 

Editor's note: Shore Excursions Group generously gifted Royal Caribbean Blog this tour in Palma de Mallorca. However, all opinions are still our own. Additionally, we included secure booking links in this article. While it costs nothing to book through the links, we receive a commission for each reservation. Thank you for your support!

One day in Palma de Mallorca: Shore Excursions Group review

The day started off bright and early at 9:30 a.m., when we were picked up directly outside the cruise terminal's doors. The confirmation email provided very clear instructions, along with day-of contact information, so we weren't left guessing where to meet or who to look for once we disembarked.

We were then introduced to our driver, Oscar, and our tour guide, Camy. Although the van had room for up to six passengers, it ended up being just the two of us! This was a nice surprise, though even if more passengers had joined, it would have felt far more comfortable and personable than some of the larger tours I've experienced in other ports of call. 

Camy gave us a quick rundown of our day's itinerary. First, we were going to make a quick stop at the Lafiore glass factory before continuing on to Valldemossa, where we'd be given a short walking tour before being allotted a little free time. 

Inside the glass workshop, we were able to watch real-time demonstrations as artisans transformed molten glass into beautifully crafted pieces right before our eyes.

There was also a large shopping area attached to the workshop, which was filled with finished pieces ranging from delicate oil decanters to decorative vases and more. 

We hopped back in the van and headed to Valldemossa, a postcard-worthy village that's tucked into the Tramuntana mountains. 

En route to the village, Camy shared a bit of its history, explaining that the name dates back to a 13th-century origin meaning "valley of the woman." 

She also pointed out that Valldemossa later became especially popular in the 18th century as a retreat for European artists, writers, painters, and composers, most famously the composer Frédéric Chopin. 

Upon arrival, we took a quick walk through King Juan Carlos Gardens before popping into the Carthusian monastery at the request of my sister. 

Then, Camy guided us on a short walk to a breathtaking overlook that opened up over the valley and surrounding mountains. It was easy to tell why so many artisans and musicians had been inspired by the area! 

Another request we had was to stop in the Majorica pearls store on one of the main roads. My sister's birthstone is a pearl, so she couldn't resist adding a few pieces to her ever-growing collection. 

After that, Camy gave us a little free time to explore the streets on our own. However, she did recommend a pastry shop, even coming inside to point out her favorite treats!

We grabbed two pastries from Ca'n Molinas, along with two much-needed cappuccinos, and found a spot on the quaint back patio to sit, rest, and enjoy our sweet treats. 

Camy highly recommended the almond cake since almond trees grow all over the island (fun fact: there are over 200 different variations of almonds found on Palma de Mallorca!). 

The cake was a little dry, but what it lacked in moisture, it more than made up for in flavor. The nuttiness paired really well with our coffees, too. 

Before we knew it, it was time to make our way back to Oscar and begin the drive to Sóller. After spending time in the direct sun, it was nice to have some built-in time to cool down in the van!  

Our first stop was the lighthouse. I saw so many people making the treacherous hike up the mountain, but both Oscar and Camy said that this wasn't super common. 

I'd understand if it was, though. The views at the top were absolutely unreal, with sweeping stretches of the rugged Spanish coastline and boats dotted throughout the harbor below. 

Like in Valldemossa, we were given a little bit of free time to enjoy the Port of Sóller before finally heading back to our cruise ship. 

The vibe was completely different than Valldemossa. The waterfront promenade had tons of cute cafés and easy beach access. 

In fact, we found time to enjoy some gelato and take off our shoes to dip our toes in the Mediterranean Sea. Visiting in late May, the water was much chillier than we expected, and we didn't understand how so many people were braving it. 

Oscar and Camy were waiting for us right where they dropped us off, and we began our 40-minute drive back to the cruise port. We arrived with over an hour to spare before the all-aboard time! 

Booking a tour through Shore Excursions Group comes with benefits like competitive pricing and smaller groups

After over three dozen cruises, it's safe to say that I've definitely had a lot of luck with third-party tours and often prefer them to cruise line-sponsored excursions. 

For example, I booked a great snorkeling tour in Aruba once that cost less than similar excursions offered through Royal Caribbean. Another time, I found a small-group trip from Civitavecchia to Rome after being unimpressed with MSC's options. 

I've learned that independent operators, like Shore Excursions Group, offer more personalized experiences than what cruise lines offer. Even if they are a little pricier, you get more bang for your buck than when booking tours through the cruise line.

Plus, Shore Excursions Group has the industry's strongest guaranteed return-to-ship policy, so we weren't worried about getting left behind. 

However, if a tour booked through Shore Excursions Group delays your arrival and you miss the ship, they will arrange and pay for your accommodations, meals, and transportation to the next port of call. Plus, they'll shell out an additional $1,000 USD payout per customer for the inconvenience. 

So, is booking a tour through Shore Excursions Group worth it? Absolutely. 

Based on my experience in Palma de Mallorca, the entire day was well-organized, personalized, and stress-free from start to finish. My sister and I loved that the tour ended up being just the two of us, as it allowed for a more flexible itinerary and a more relaxed pace compared to other cruise line excursions I've taken in the past. 

That said, what stood out most was that we benefited from both a guided tour and independent exploration. For example, we got to see hidden gems in Valldemossa while also getting to wander souvenir shops and enjoy an afternoon pick-me-up by ourselves. 

If you're ready to book your upcoming tours, fill out this registration form to receive personalized excursion recommendations for your cruise from Shore Excursions Group.

I recently dined at the Hollywoodland Supper Club on Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship, which is about as fancy a dinner you're going to find at sea.

I've eaten at plenty of the cruise line's specialty restaurants, but its supper clubs are a new breed of ultra refined dining.  There's just one serving per night, formal dress code is required, and it costs $200 per person.  

Over the course of my three-hour, six course meal at Hollywoodland Supper Club, several things surprised and impressed me that truly stand out from other restaurants onboard Legend of the Seas. Some were things I had never experienced, and others were changes made for this version of the restaurant.

Here are the seven things you'd likely find surprising if you're eating at this restaurant for the first time.

Check-in was surprisingly personal.

We received a phone call to our stateroom earlier in the day telling us to be outside the restaurant about 20-30 minutes before our dining time.

When we arrived, there were other couples and groups ready for dinner as well. Everyone is dressed elegantly, and you can tell quickly this is something different.

As soon as we arrived, a waiter approached us and greeted us by name.  Each waiter is assigned a few tables, and using the ship's photo manifest, is able to figure out who you are before you can introduce yourself.

When the doors opened, instead of walking into the restaurant on our own, our waiter escorted us in. 

It was a small but striking detail that made the experience feel intimate and thoughtful from the start.

The menu had six courses, but there were a few surprises.

Once seated, you're presented an ornate menu that is heavier than a coffee table book.

It lists four appetizers, a main course, and a dessert.  However, there's more than that to be served.

We were served an amuse-bouche to start, which is a single-bite hors d'oeuvre that's designed to surprise you and start the meal.

There was also a palate cleanser, served over dry ice.

For dessert, not only did they bring out both desserts for us to enjoy, but there was a third surprise dessert that was served at the very end.

The food and cocktails matched the evolution of film.

Our waiter explained each course as it was served, as well as the narrative behind the meal.

Hollywoodland celebrates the golden age of movie cinema, beginning with the black and white era of film and moving into color. The food reflects that.

The amuse-bouche was purely black and white, just like the early movies.  Then the bread course is mostly still black, but introduces subdued color.

One of the appetizers is green, because early film technology lacked the full color spectrum and could only do basic colors, such as green.

As the meal progresses, more color is introduced, so by the time you get into the later appetizers and entrees, it's full color.

I thought this was a clever way to include storytelling in the meal experience.

The entire meal took about three hours to complete.

This was my wife's first time trying a supper club, and she was surprised by the fact dinner was three hours long and how it didn't feel like it was that long.

Usually any dinner on a cruise ship that's more than 90 minutes starts to feel like it drags on, but the combination of live entertainment, a seemingly never ending supply of cocktails, and the creative food displays helped hold our attention.

Supper clubs, in general, are a multi-hour event. Royal Caribbean wanted to be true to form with the format with their version.

The new take on salad surprisingly turned out to be both of our favorites.

Of all the food served, I loved Brown Derby Cobb Salad because of how much it surprised me.

Royal Caribbean actually sent a team to Walt Disney World's Hollywood Brown Derby in Hollywood Studios to sample the best example of the original Cobb Salad that was invented in 1937. The original Brown Derby restaurant burned down in 1987, but Disney's restaurant is a replica and licensed copy.

The version served on Legend of the Seas is a modern interpretation, and I loved how different it was while remaining true to a Cobb salad.

It was the kind of dish I would have liked a few extra to eat another day.

The entertainers took turns for breaks, but it was smartly done.

There are up to four entertainers on the stage at any time during your meal, but they're not up there for all three hours.

Instead, each member of the quartet is brought on stage as the meal begins.  Eventually all four are on stage together, but then one by one, they step away for breaks.

Rather than ending the music temporarily for a break, they strategically will let one or two of them quietly depart while the others keep playing.

This keeps the mood and music going, without abruptly halting the vibe. Moreover, it allows whoever is left on stage time to shine on their own and display more of their talents.

When all four of them are on stage, you recognize the collective talent and it really shines.

I asked for the fish cocktail because it looked too fun.

Each course is paired with a specific cocktail, including the entrees that have their own assigned cocktails.

I ordered the Wagyu beef, but I saw my waiter walking around with a glass fish.  It was meant for the Black Cod dish, but I had to try it because it looked so fun.

My waiter was more than happy to oblige, and he brought one out.  It was a refreshing cucumber based drink, reminding me a lot of the cucumber martini from 150 Central Park.

Never hesitate to ask the crew members if there's something you'd like to try.

Royal Caribbean is buoying up its operations, with plans to launch seven new cruise ships over the next six years.

Now that Legend of the Seas has launched, Royal Caribbean has even bigger plans on the horizon. The family-friendly cruise line — known for its record-breaking ships — will welcome seven new ships to its fleet by 2032, including the first-ever Discovery Class vessels. 

Founded in 1968, Royal Caribbean has grown into one of the world's largest cruise operators. And over the years, they have developed a cult-like following of cruisers who are "Loyal to Royal," welcoming over seven million passengers aboard their fleet in 2025. 

Today, the cruise line operates 30 ships globally, sailing to destinations such as the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Alaska, Asia, and beyond. 

In July, Royal Caribbean officially welcomed its newest ship, Legend of the Seas, to the family. Legend's debut marks the first time that an Icon Class ship has offered regular voyages in the Mediterranean. 

"With Legend of the Seas, we are bringing to life our most legendary vacation yet as we continue to push the boundaries with more of what guests know and love," said Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International. 

"Those looking to get the most out of their vacation can have it all with Legend's combination of adventure-packed experiences and incredible destinations in Europe and the Caribbean."

Looking ahead, the company doesn't appear to be slowing down anytime soon. In fact, they've announced plans for a major fleet expansion, with seven Oasis, Icon, and Discovery Class ships set to join the fleet over the next six years. 

The upcoming additions will continue Royal Caribbean's push to redefine the cruise experience, introducing new innovations, attractions, dining venues, cabins, and more.

New Royal Caribbean ships on order (2027-2032)

Royal Caribbean has confirmed orders for seven new ships through 2032, though some details about the upcoming vessels remain limited. 

For example, the cruise line has only announced the name of its next Icon Class ship — Hero of the Seas — while additional details about other ships and their features have yet to be revealed.

That said, here's a rundown of the New Royal Caribbean ships on order over the next six years:

• Hero of the Seas, Icon Class (2027)
• Unnamed Oasis 7, Oasis Class (2028)
• Unnamed Icon 5, Icon Class (2028)
• Unnamed Discovery 1, Discovery Class (2029)
• Unnamed Icon 6, Icon Class (2029)
• Unnamed Icon 7, Icon Class (2030)
• Unnamed Discovery 2, Discovery Class (2032)

Royal Caribbean's aggressive expansion plans

What's particularly interesting about the proposed timeline is how the company has doubled down on ship launches in 2028 and 2029. 

Royal Caribbean plans to introduce multiple new vessels during those years, with two ships scheduled to debut each year (Oasis 7 and Icon 5 in 2028, followed by Discovery 1 and Icon 6 in 2029).

This expansion would mark one of the company's most ambitious periods of growth, allowing Royal Caribbean to add to its record-breaking ship classes and introduce its highly anticipated Discovery Class product. 

Not only that, but this strategy is slightly unusual in the cruise industry, with most lines spacing out new ship launches to balance financial commitments and manage construction timelines with the shipyards. 

Carnival Cruise Line, for example, has five ships on order through 2033. Unlike Royal Caribbean, Carnival's launches are spread out over several years, starting with Carnival Festivale in 2027. 

After that, Carnival Tropicale will join the fleet, followed by three Project Ace class ships in 2029, 2031, and 2033. 

Similarly, Norwegian Cruise Line is tied with Royal Caribbean on future ship orders, with seven new vessels expected to join the fleet between 2027 and 2037.

However, unlike Royal Caribbean's more concentrated expansion strategy, Norwegian's new ships are spread out across a decade. Norwegian Aura is scheduled to debut in 2027, followed by additional vessels arriving throughout the 2030s, including the line's biggest vessels yet. 

Moreover, most of Norwegian's upcoming launches are spaced roughly every other year. For instance, after the debut of a new Prima Class ship in 2028, Norwegian will launch a new ship class in 2030. Additional ships from that class will then join the fleet in 2032, 2034, and 2036.

Having delivered unforgettable vacations for nearly 60 years, Royal Caribbean is ready to usher in a new era of cruising, one that sees a rapid fleet expansion, introduces new ship classes, and continues to redefine what's possible at sea. 

A court overturned the environmental approval required for Royal Caribbean to begin construction on its newest cruise port. 

According to local news outlets, a regional administrative court in Lazio, Italy, on July 3 repealed the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the €600 million project in Fiumicino. 

Judges ruled that the development had been incorrectly classified as a tourist marina when it should have been classified as a commercial port, even though the Royal Caribbean Group-backed project also includes plans for commercial space, restaurants, a hotel, shops, public waterfront parks, and more. 

As such, the environmental approval issued by Italy's Ministry of Environment and Energy Security was overturned, and construction cannot move forward. 

That doesn't mean the project is entirely dead, though. In a statement to Italian media, Fiumicino Waterfront CEO Galliano Di Marco claimed they will appeal the decision through the appropriate legal channels within the prescribed timeframe.

Why Royal Caribbean wants to build a new Rome cruise port

The newly proposed cruise port, located in Fiumicino near Rome's Leonardo da Vinci International Airport, would allow cruisers to board ships closer to the city center and the airport.

Currently, Rome's cruise port is in Civitavecchia, over 80 kilometers (50 miles) away from the city, or about an hour's drive. 

Its proximity to Rome's major international airport would also make it more convenient for guests to embark and disembark. Those boarding ships in Rome could be at the terminal in minutes, rather than boarding shuttle buses or reserving pricey private transfers for the long drive to Civitavecchia.

According to the developers, the new cruise terminal would have the capacity to serve more than 1 million passengers annually and operate as a homeport for cruise ships for roughly 200 days each year.

Plans further indicate that ships would have access to shore power while docked. As such, they wouldn't have to run the engines in port. 

Moreover, the development would supposedly create thousands of jobs, improve local infrastructure, and help meet the growing demand for cruise and yacht facilities in the Mediterranean. 

Second major setback this year for Royal Caribbean

In May, Mexican Environment Minister Alicia Barcena confirmed that plans for Perfect Day Mexico wouldn't be approved following massive backlash from environmental groups, as previously reported by Royal Caribbean Blog. 

According to a report released by Mexico's Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), officials felt that there were too many concerns tied to mangroves, coral reefs, groundwater systems, and broader ecosystem impacts in Mahahual, Costa Maya. 

SEMARNAT also claimed that Perfect Day Mexico added risks to the Mesoamerican Reef System involving groundwater and underground hydrological systems.

Another concern was that Royal Caribbean combined all elements of the project (i.e., the water park, beach club, and cruise pier) into one large development, instead of evaluating individual parts. Combined, officials argued that the environmental effects would be too significant to ignore.

That said, the company isn't abandoning its Perfect Day Mexico plans. Instead, they're reworking elements of the project to address the concerns around its coastal impact, with plans to re-engage with stakeholders in the future. 

Among all the choices of which stateroom to book on the world's largest ship, a balcony is the most common room you'll find.

Decades ago, a balcony was a luxury. Now, they're the most popular cabin and Royal Caribbean has the most inventory of them on its ships, including the brand new Legend of the Seas.

While there's so much to do around this 5,610-guest ship, it's really nice to come back to your room and have your own private area outside to enjoy.

I've been on over 100 cruises, so I've stayed in every single stateroom category. Balcony rooms are undeniably the Goldilocks choice because of their space, size, and amenities.

Royal Caribbean assigned me a mid-ship balcony cabin for the new vessel's complimentary four-night non-revenue test cruise in late June.

Full disclosure: Royal Caribbean invited me to sail on Legend of the Seas and I did not pay for this cruise.

Balcony cabins can be $600 more expensive (per person) than the cheapest inside cabins.

At the time of writing, the least-expensive inside cabins for Legend of the Seas' 2026 itineraries start at about $1,138 per person for a six night cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Falmouth, Jamaica and Labadee, Haiti (the company's private beach destination).

On the same itinerary, a balcony cabin starts at $1,799 per person, or about $300 per person, per day.

Both types of rooms include the same core options. The difference is in the size, layout, and views you get with a balcony.

Having a balcony means having a quiet space on a ship that is known for being busy

Most standard balcony rooms have a square footage of around 40-50 square feet, which is just enough space for two chairs and a small table.

It's not spacious, but there is plenty of room for two people to enjoy being outdoors.

It's great having your own view, anytime you want it, especially for sailaway or when you want to admire the view outside.

It's also calming to have a balcony room because it's your own space that doesn't have party music, other conversations, or people to contend with. It's nice being able to pop outside anytime you like to read, watch the ocean pass by, or just enjoy some solitude.

Some people will leave their balcony door open and lay in their bed to allow the sea breeze and ocean sounds to filter in.

Luckily my bed was near the balcony door, so I had the perfect view each morning.

I was assigned room 7276, and the king size bed was positioned near the balcony door.  

Royal Caribbean alternates its cabin layout with the bed or the couch near the balcony door.  

Since the couch often gets filled up with clutter, I was happy to have the bed near the window instead.

Better yet, there are USB and power outlets on either side of the bed.  I love having my phone charged overnight and then wake up to be able to conveniently check it as I flip between apps and the outside view.

The couch offers more seating, but I'm bad about keeping it clutter-free.

Our room had a rather large couch, which is nice for having somewhere else to sit during the day.

The sofa is firm, and probably could be good for a nap.

My bad cruising habit that I can't stop doing is using my couch as a collection point for clothes, papers, souvenirs, and anything else I bring back to the room.

There is a vanity and sitting area across from the sofa.

I probably spend more time at the vanity than the sofa, which acts as both my office desk and a prep area for my wife.

As a remote worker, I appreciate how many power and USB outlets there are here. In fact, I don't think you need to bring a USB power extender on an Icon Class ship because of how many outlets Royal Caribbean has in these rooms.

You'll also find additional drawers here, along with a hidden mini-refrigerator.

The wire baskets are still the worst thing about this cabin.

A closet and shelves offer additional storage, including closet doors that open up to have vertical space for hanging clothes.

There are shelves with wire baskets below, but I cannot believe Royal Caribbean continues to use these in the third Icon Class ship.

The wire baskets make an incredibly loud and obnoxious screeching sound when they slide in or out, and it's been my top complaint about staterooms since Icon of the Seas first debuted.

Despite lots of complaints, these baskets are still in use.  Some passengers collect the baskets and toss them to the side, but then I run into the issue of clothes (particularly socks) sliding too far back into the cubby area.

The bathroom has the best standard shower at sea.

If the baskets are the worst feature about the room, the shower is the best innovation Royal Caribbean added to these ships.

Royal Caribbean has showers on Legend of the Seas that are quite large, with a sliding open door and a seat inside the shower.

Most cruise ships have narrow tube shaped showers that feel cramped and awkward to use.  But this shower feels far less cramped, and has an adjustable shower head that can go up or down.

Be sure to bring your own toiletries.

Royal Caribbean provides a basic 2-in-1 shampoo and body wash, but I think most people will prefer something more specialized.

There's no separate conditioner or body wash, so I'd recommend packing your own to bring onboard.

Since I always fly to my cruise ship at least one day early, I'll buy those toiletries once I arrive to avoid having to fly (and potentially explode) with those kinds of liquids.

Overall, a balcony room is enough for most people's needs

Is a balcony worth spending hundreds of dollars more to enjoy? If having easy access to a private, open-air space with ocean views is important, then yes.

The debate of an inside vs balcony room often boils down to cost versus amenity. You can argue how much you'd actually use the balcony, but there's no denying it's lovely to have it. 

Admittedly, I spent very little time on my balcony on this cruise, but that had a lot to do with the fact it was summer and hot.  Plus, I was busy exploring the new ship.

I think this balcony room is comparable in size to other cruise ship balconies, but I appreciated how many outlets there were and the shower configuration.

Royal Caribbean is offering its smart wearable bracelet that can help parents track their kids' location on its newest ship, Legend of the Seas.

The cruise line's "Find My Kid" feature is available on the latest Icon Class ship, according to the company's website. 

It was first tested aboard Icon of the Seas in mid-2024 and was eventually rolled out on Star of the Seas in 2025. 

Now, this innovative feature has been expanded to Legend of the Seas. This gives families an easy way to keep tabs on their younger kids through the mobile app — for an additional cost. 

How does "Find My Kid" work on Royal Caribbean?

"Take peace of mind to the max on Legend of the Seas and Star of the Seas. Using the Find My Kid feature in the Royal Caribbean® App along with the Adventure Ocean® WOW Band, you can keep an eye on your kids aged 3 to 12 from the convenience of your mobile device," Royal Caribbean says. 

"Signing up is easy: once onboard, register your kids in Royal Caribbean's free, award-winning Adventure Ocean youth program, purchase the Adventure Ocean WOW Band... and sign up for Find My Kid. You... will then be able to locate your kids in public areas of the ship and your stateroom through the app's deck maps."

Parents can also decide who has access to the feature. At their discretion, they can allow other members of their travel party, such as older siblings or grandparents, to track their children's location through the Royal Caribbean mobile app.

Unfortunately, this feature isn't free since it requires a special WOW Band, which currently costs $14.99. That said, the Adventure Ocean WOW Band can also open your stateroom door and be used to make onboard purchases, eliminating the need to carry a SeaPass card. 

Additionally, it can be used on future cruises, meaning families who plan on sailing aboard Star or Legend of the Seas more than once won't need to purchase a new band on each voyage. 

Why not just use Apple AirTags?

Royal Caribbean's "Find My Kid" is designed specifically for use onboard, allowing it to pinpoint a child's location across multiple decks of the ship more accurately than AirTags. 

Plus, since it is seamlessly integrated into the mobile app, parents can quickly view their child's location on the ship's deck map without relying on a stable Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection. 

In fact, you don't need an internet package at all to use the feature (just be sure to download the current version of the Royal Caribbean app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store before your cruise!).

(Credit: Shannon Sinclair)

That said, "Find My Kid" isn't meant to replace parental supervision on Star or Legend of the Seas. Instead, it's designed to provide an extra layer of convenience and peace of mind on these massive mega ships. 

Should "Find My Kid" be available for teens, too?

In addition to being on limited ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet, many passengers argue that the feature should also track teenagers.

"They need to make it available for teens too," commented Courtney on a previous Royal Caribbean Blog post. 

Mike T added, "I'd want this for a teenager at 10pm...not little kids." 

However, teens have the ability to chat through the Royal Caribbean app, whereas guests 13 and under don't. They either have to use a parent's device or communicate through apps like iMessage or WhatsApp with an internet package. 

As such, the "Find My Kid" feature is aimed at younger passengers who may not have a phone of their own and cannot communicate directly with their parents. 

It's not uncommon, for example, to hear announcements over the public address system asking a specific guest to report to Guest Services, often because a family member is trying to locate them and can't get in touch with them.

By making it easier for parents to easily locate their children through the app, the feature can help reduce the need for those ship wide announcements and panic that comes with not knowing where your child is. 

Royal Caribbean is offering a number of one-off cruises in 2027 that are not the sort of typical sailings we expect.

With The Bahamas and Caribbean being year-round destinations, it is easy to visit the same ports of call — such as Perfect Day at CocoCay; Cozumel, Mexico; and Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas — over and over. 

However, as you climb the Crown & Anchor Society tiers, you may begin to crave different experiences. Thankfully, there are plenty of overlooked itineraries that fly under the radar. 

If you are willing to branch out, you will find that Royal Caribbean's 2027 lineup is actually pretty interesting and offers plenty of opportunities to discover new destinations. 

Although many of these one-off wonders are the cruise line's unique twist on repositioning cruises, that doesn't mean they aren't worth considering for your next cruise vacation, especially if you're itching for more time at sea. 

Editor's note: Cruise pricing can change at any time based on demand, availability, and promotional offers. All fares mentioned in this article were accurate at the time of publication. However, for accurate pricing, check directly on Royal Caribbean's website or speak with your travel advisor. 

Quantum of the Seas — 23-Night Transpacific / April 11, 2027

Dates: April 11-May 3, 2027

Embarkation port: Brisbane, Australia

Disembarkation port: Seattle, Washington

Lowest rate: $3,236 per person for an interior cabin 

Ports of call:

• Papeete, Tahiti
• Moorea, French Polynesia
• Raiatea, French Polynesia
• Oahu (Honolulu), Hawaii

Anthem of the Seas — 16-Night Transpacific / April 14, 2027

Dates: April 14-29, 2027

Embarkation port: Sydney, Australia

Disembarkation port: Oahu (Honolulu), Hawaii

Lowest rate: $2,311 per person for an interior cabin 

Ports of call:

• Papeete, Tahiti
• Moorea, French Polynesia
• Raiatea, French Polynesia

Rhapsody of the Seas — 14-Night Spain & Morocco / April 19, 2027

Dates: April 19-May 3, 2027

Embarkation port: Miami, Florida

Disembarkation port: Barcelona, Spain

Lowest rate: $788 per person for an interior cabin 

Ports of call:

• Casablanca, Morocco
• Tangier, Morocco
• Málaga, Spain
• Alicante, Spain
• Valencia, Spain

Brilliance of the Seas — 15-Night Spain & Morocco / April 23, 2027

Dates: April 23-May 8, 2027

Embarkation port: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Disembarkation port: Barcelona, Spain

Lowest rate: $822 per person for an interior cabin 

Ports of call:

• Nassau, Bahamas
• Tangier, Morocco
• Seville (Cadiz), Spain
• Málaga, Spain
• Cartagena, Spain
• Valencia, Spain

Grandeur of the Seas — 7-Night Colón to San Juan / April 24, 2027

Dates: April 24-May 1, 2027

Embarkation port: Colón, Panama

Disembarkation port: San Juan, Puerto Rico

Lowest rate: $566 per person for an interior cabin 

Ports of call:

• Kingstown, St. Vincent
• Castries, St. Lucia
• St. John's, Antigua
• Tortola, British Virgin Islands

Legend of the Seas — 14-Night Spanish Transatlantic / April 25, 2027

Dates: April 25-May 9, 2027

Embarkation port: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Disembarkation port: Barcelona, Spain

Lowest rate: $1,570 per person for an interior cabin 

Ports of call:

• Seville (Cadiz), Spain
• Málaga, Spain
• Alicante, Spain

Odyssey of the Seas — 14-Night Spain, Italy, Azores Transatlantic / April 25, 2027

Dates: April 25-May 9, 2027

Embarkation port: Cape Liberty, New Jersey

Disembarkation port: Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy

Lowest rate: $1,234 per person for an interior cabin 

Ports of call:

• Ponta Delgada, Azores
• Málaga, Spain
• Cartagena, Spain
• Barcelona, Spain
• Florence / Pisa (La Spezia), Italy

Explorer of the Seas — 14-Night Spain, Italy, Azores Transatlantic / April 26, 2027

Dates: April 26-May 10, 2027

Embarkation port: Orlando (Port Canaveral), Florida

Disembarkation port: Barcelona, Spain

Lowest rate: $740 per person for an interior cabin 

Ports of call:

• Madeira (Funchal), Portugal
• Seville (Cadiz), Spain
• Málaga, Spain
• Cartagena, Spain
• Palma de Mallorca, Spain

Freedom of the Seas — 12-Night Bermuda & Azores / April 27, 2027

Dates: April 27-May 9, 2027

Embarkation port: Miami, Florida

Disembarkation port: Southampton, England

Lowest rate: $707 per person for an interior cabin 

Ports of call:

• Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda
• Ponta Delgada, Azores

Navigator of the Seas — 13-Night Singapore to Tokyo / April 29, 2027

Dates: April 29-May 12, 2027

Embarkation port: Singapore, Singapore

Disembarkation port: Tokyo (Yokohama), Japan

Lowest rate: $2,210 per person for an interior cabin 

Ports of call:

• Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My), Vietnam
• Hong Kong, China
• Taipei (Keelung), Taiwan, China
• Jeju (Seogwipo), South Korea
• Fukuoka, Japan
• Nagasaki, Japan

Anthem of the Seas — 8-Night Hawaii / April 29, 2027

Dates: April 29-May 7, 2027

Embarkation port: Oahu (Honolulu), Hawaii

Disembarkation port: Vancouver, British Columbia

Lowest rate: $935 per person for an interior cabin 

Ports of call:

• Kailua Kona, Hawaii

Serenade of the Seas — 7-Night Pacific Coastal / May 2, 2027

Dates: May 2-9, 2027

Embarkation port: San Diego, California

Disembarkation port: Vancouver, British Columbia

Lowest rate: $564 per person for an interior cabin 

Ports of call:

• Astoria, Oregon
• Seattle, Washington
• Victoria, British Columbia

Rhapsody of the Seas — 11-Night Best of Italy & Greece / May 3, 2027

Dates: May 3-14, 2027

Embarkation port: Barcelona, Spain

Disembarkation port: Athens (Piraeus), Greece

Lowest rate: $2,417 per person for an interior cabin 

Ports of call:

• Florence / Pisa (La Spezia), Italy
• Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy
• Amalfi Coast (Salerno), Italy
• Sicily (Messina), Italy
• Mykonos, Greece
• Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey
• Rhodes, Greece
• Santorini, Greece

Navigator of the Seas — 17-Night Tokyo to Los Angeles / May 12, 2027

Dates: May 12-28, 2027

Embarkation port: Tokyo (Yokohama), Japan

Disembarkation port: Los Angeles, California

Lowest rate: $1,252 per person for an interior cabin 

Ports of call:

• Mt. Fuji (Shimizu), Japan
• Nagoya, Japan
• Kyoto (Osaka), Japan
• Kobe, Japan

Icon of the Seas — 9-Night Perfect Day CocoCay to Texas / August 7, 2027

Dates: August 7-16, 2027

Embarkation port: Miami, Florida

Disembarkation port: Galveston, Texas

Lowest rate: $1,882 per person for an interior cabin 

Ports of call:

• Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas
• Willemstad, Curaçao
• Oranjestad, Aruba

Anthem of the Seas — 10-Night Hawaii / September 26, 2027

Dates: September 26-October 6, 2027

Embarkation port: Vancouver, British Columbia

Disembarkation port: Oahu (Honolulu), Hawaii

Lowest rate: $848 per person for an interior cabin 

Ports of call:

• Kailua Kona, Hawaii

Serenade of the Seas — 7-Night Pacific Coastal / September 26, 2027

Dates: September 26-October 3, 2027

Embarkation port: Vancouver, British Columbia

Disembarkation port: San Diego, California

Lowest rate: $650 per person for an interior cabin 

Ports of call:

• Astoria, Oregon
• San Francisco, California

Voyager of the Seas — 25-Night Transpacific / October 1, 2027

Dates: October 1-27, 2027

Embarkation port: Seattle, Washington

Disembarkation port: Brisbane, Australia

Lowest rate: $2,797 per person for an interior cabin 

Ports of call:

• Oahu (Honolulu), Hawaii
• Moorea, French Polynesia
• Papeete, Tahiti
• Raiatea, French Polynesia
• Port Vila, Vanuatu
• Mystery Island, Vanuatu

Anthem of the Seas — 17-Night Transpacific / October 6, 2027

Dates: October 6-24, 2027

Embarkation port: Oahu (Honolulu), Hawaii

Disembarkation port: Sydney, Australia

Lowest rate: $2,119 per person for an interior cabin 

Ports of call:

• Papeete, Tahiti
• Moorea, French Polynesia
• Raiatea, French Polynesia
• Tauranga, New Zealand

Serenade of the Seas — 15-Night Panama Canal Eastward / October 7, 2027

Dates: October 7-22, 2027

Embarkation port: San Diego, California

Disembarkation port: Tampa, Florida

Lowest rate: $1,947 per person for an interior cabin 

Ports of call:

• Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
• Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala
• Puntarenas, Costa Rica
• Panama Canal (Cruising), Panama
• Cartagena, Colombia
• George Town, Grand Cayman

Quantum of the Seas — 15-Night Tokyo to Singapore / October 12, 2027

Dates: October 12-25, 2027

Embarkation port: Tokyo (Yokohama), Japan

Disembarkation port: Singapore, Singapore

Lowest rate: $2,434 per person for an interior cabin 

Ports of call:

• Kyoto (Osaka), Japan
• Kochi, Japan
• Okinawa (Naha), Japan
• Taipei (Keelung), Taiwan, China
• Hong Kong, China
• Hue / Danang (Chan May), Vietnam

Freedom of the Seas — 12-Night Azores Transatlantic / October 18, 2027

Dates: October 18-30, 2027

Embarkation port: Southampton, England

Disembarkation port: Miami, Florida

Lowest rate: $697 per person for an interior cabin 

Ports of call:

• La Coruna, Spain
• Vigo, Spain
• Ponta Delgada, Azores

Odyssey of the Seas — 14-Night Spain & Portugal Transatlantic / October 31, 2027

Dates: October 31-November 14, 2027

Embarkation port: Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy

Disembarkation port: Cape Liberty, New Jersey

Lowest rate: $963 per person for an interior cabin 

Ports of call:

• Barcelona, Spain
• Cartagena, Spain
• Málaga, Spain
• Ponta Delgada, Azores

Legend of the Seas — 13-Night Spanish Transatlantic / October 31, 2027

Dates: October 31-November 13, 2027

Embarkation port: Barcelona, Spain

Disembarkation port: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Lowest rate: $1,362 per person for an interior cabin 

Ports of call:

• Palma de Mallorca, Spain
• Alicante, Spain
• Málaga, Spain

Explorer of the Seas — 14-Night Spain & Morocco Transatlantic / November 1, 2027

Dates: November 1-15, 2027

Embarkation port: Barcelona, Spain

Disembarkation port: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Lowest rate: $839 per person for an interior cabin 

Ports of call:

• Palma de Mallorca, Spain
• Alicante, Spain
• Cartagena, Spain
• Málaga, Spain
• Tangier, Morocco

Brilliance of the Seas — 15-Night Spain & Portugal Transatlantic / November 6, 2027

Dates: November 6-21, 2027

Embarkation port: Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy

Disembarkation port: Tampa, Florida

Lowest rate: $871 per person for an interior cabin 

Ports of call:

• Cartagena, Spain
• Lisbon, Portugal
• Ponta Delgada, Azores
• Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda

Rhapsody of the Seas — 14-Night Spain & Portugal Transatlantic / November 13, 2027

Dates: November 13-27, 2027

Embarkation port: Barcelona, Spain

Disembarkation port: San Juan, Puerto Rico

Lowest rate: $916 per person for an interior cabin 

Ports of call:

• Valencia, Spain
• Cartagena, Spain
• Málaga, Spain
• Seville (Cadiz), Spain
• Tangier, Morocco
• Casablanca, Morocco

Grandeur of the Seas — 7-Night San Juan to Colón / November 27, 2027

Dates: November 27-December 4, 2027

Embarkation port: San Juan, Puerto Rico

Disembarkation port: Colón, Panama

Lowest rate: $674 per person for an interior cabin 

Ports of call:

• Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas
• Philipsburg, St. Maarten
• Castries, St. Lucia
• Willemstad, Curaçao

Is a longer cruise worth it?

Unfortunately, I'm not yet at the phase of life where considering unique reposition sailings makes sense. 

With my partner's work schedule as an elementary school teacher, it's difficult to get a lot of time off during the academic year. As such, our travel is generally limited to peak seasons, like spring break and summer, which generally don't see as many unique voyages. 

Not only that, but we don't like leaving our senior dog for extended periods. He is nearing 14 years old and has a few health concerns. The last thing we'd want is to be at sea in a drastically different time zone during a crisis. 

That said, there are perks to taking longer cruises, and I can't wait until we can experience them ourselves! 

First, you have more time to enjoy the ship. Transatlantic and transpacific cruises, especially, include multiple consecutive sea days.

And with massive vessels like Legend of the Seas now offering transatlantic cruises, having extra time onboard means you won't be rushed trying to experience everything the Icon Class ship has to offer!

Additionally, the price per day is often lower than for shorter voyages. For example, the cost per night for Freedom's 12-night Azores cruise in October 2027 starts as low as $58 per person!

That said, it's not uncommon to find high last-minute prices since these itineraries are offered so infrequently. As such, you'll want to book these one-off wonders early. 

Older cruise ships typically provide a better value for budget-conscious travelers because they offer many of the same basic experiences for a fraction of what it costs to sail aboard a newer vessel — and that's exactly why I booked a cruise on Liberty of the Seas for my recent European adventure. 

Generally speaking, European cruises are more expensive once airfare and excursions are factored in, so choosing an older ship helped my fiancée and me have the flexibility to plan a longer pre-cruise stay in London, England. 

This gave us time to adjust to the different time zone, explore the city, and check a few must-see landmarks off our bucket list before embarking on our five-night cruise to Germany and Belgium. 

Plus, Liberty of the Seas just wrapped up a multi-million dollar dry dock, adding new enhancements like Izumi Teppanyaki, Royal Escape Room, and a reimagined pool deck. As such, I couldn't wait to get on and check out everything on the amplified ship and visit two new-to-me ports in Europe. 

Our 11-night vacation, including the five-night cruise aboard Liberty of the Seas, came to over $8,500. In this article, I'll provide a full breakdown of what we spent during my Liberty of the Seas cruise, including travel-related expenses, onboard spending, shore excursions, and more. 

Our round-trip plane tickets from North Carolina to London, England, cost nearly $1,200 when paid with a combination of points and cash. 

Airfare prices have been higher than usual for the last couple of years, and finding deals out of Charlotte, North Carolina, has been much more challenging than it was when I lived in New York.

To put it into perspective, it's pretty common for round-trip tickets to Orlando and Miami on American Airlines to cost over $400 per person. In fact, I found a more affordable flight to Seattle, Washington, last year than to Florida!

Charlotte has multiple nonstop flights to London-Heathrow, so I knew getting to England would be easy. However, I was expecting the worst when it came to flight prices. To my surprise, I found round-trip flights for two for $1,199.76 plus 85,000 points.

Considering American Airlines wanted more than $1,300 per person for round-trip tickets, it felt like a great deal since we essentially got one ticket for free. 

Before departing, we also had to apply for the UK's Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), which is now required for American citizens entering the country. The application process was straightforward, and the total cost for both of us came to $55.98. 

The good thing about the ETA is that it's valid for two years, so we won't have to pay again if we return to the United Kingdom before June 2028.

Getting to the airport was another small expense. An Uber from our apartment to Charlotte airport cost $28.95, bringing our total pre-cruise transportation and travel documentation costs to $1,284.69 plus 85,000 points.

We arrived five days before the cruise and stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton London — Tower of London, which cost $1,785.62.

Although I'm far from a budget traveler, I also don't like shelling out thousands of dollars for a hotel room I'll rarely be in. While browsing available options, I was shocked that many hotels in Central London were quoting us over $2,500 for a five-night stay. 

In the end, I booked the DoubleTree by Hilton London — Tower of London for nearly $1,800. The rate also included breakfast, which meant we didn't have to budget for coffee or pastries every morning. This helped justify both the nightly rate and the hotel's somewhat inconvenient location.

Our room was tiny and didn't have a closet, so we couldn't unpack and were forced to live out of our suitcases. Plus, the hotel was undergoing renovations, and the hallways smelled of fresh paint. Still, for the price, it was perfectly fine and more than served its purpose. 

We spent around $2,460 in London before the cruise.

London is one of my favorite cities, and I have fond memories studying abroad in England during college. I also have family in London, which gives me a great excuse to visit whenever possible. That said, it was my fiancée's first time visiting London, so we made sure to hit more of the tourist spots than I normally would.

Here's a breakdown of everything we spent, including meals, sweet treats (like the viral Borough Market strawberries), shopping, transportation, and more: 

• Tower of London: $99.37
• Westminster Abbey: $83.25
• The Hunger Games On Stage: $158.45
• Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, Twilight Tour: $276.91
• 5-Day eSim through Saily: $16.99 
• Lunch at Camden Market: $37.65
• Lunch at Borough Market: $31.93
• Dinner at Ave Mario: $76.83
• Dinner at Cahoots: $80.59

• Dinner at The Ivy: $160.55
• Dinner at Barberella: $116.39
• Dinner at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London: $42.71
• Pre-theater drinks at The Alchemist: $33.25
• Drinks at Sky Garden: $66.19
• Afternoon tea at the Sanderson: $228.25
• Shopping: $535.24
• Coffee and other sweet treats: $177.74
• Transportation in London: $172.64
• Train tickets to Southampton: $65.43

TOTAL: $2,460.36

The five-night sailing aboard the Liberty of the Seas ship cost $1,497.84 for a windowless inside cabin. 

Because London was so expensive, we did not mind saving money on our cruise fare. A balcony seemed relatively pointless since the itinerary wasn't scenic, and we planned on spending the two sea days relaxing in the adults-only Solarium.

As such, we booked a Category 4V Interior Stateroom through my travel agent for $1,497.84, or $748.92 per person, including gratuities. This worked out to about $300 per night for the two of us, which seemed more than reasonable for an older ship in Europe. 

Plus, the price of our Royal Caribbean cruise covered more than accommodations, too — ranging from unlimited meals to basic beverages, brand-new original entertainment, and transportation from England to Germany and Belgium. 

On Liberty of the Seas, there are multiple pools, water slides, a fitness center, a three-deck-high dining room, and ice skating shows, among other activities and amenities.

In the end, the 162-square-foot cabin was a comfortable — albeit outdated — space to relax and rest up after long days spent ashore during one of the continent's worst heatwaves in recorded history. 

We racked up $744.55 in other charges, including shore excursions, Wi-Fi, and more. 

We tried to keep our onboard spending low while aboard Liberty of the Seas. We only splurged on one specialty meal, and our eight daily Diamond vouchers meant we did not need to splurge on a pricey drink package.

In total, we spent $242.45 on the ship. This included Wi-Fi, a few arcade games, and dinner at Izumi Hibachi. Our booking included a $50 onboard credit, which helped decrease our spending, as we would have spent closer to $292 without it.

While ashore, we spent an additional $502.10 in Hamburg and Zeebrugge, with miscellaneous charges ranging from tickets to Miniatur Wunderland to bus transfers, lunch, souvenirs (we may have bought too much Belgian chocolate...), and even a Belgian waffle-making class in Brugge. 

Before we knew it, it was time to get off the cruise ship and head to Heathrow Airport for our long-haul flight home.

Our nearly two-week-long trip flew by, and before we knew it, we were packing our suitcases and dreading our long travel day back to North Carolina.  

After debarking the ship, we took a short taxi ride to the Southampton bus station, where we boarded a Flix bus to Heathrow Airport. This was much more economical than booking transfers through Royal Caribbean, which cost around $100 per person! 

Comparatively, we only spent $100.81 on the two-hour-long bus ride for both of us, including a taxi from the cruise port to the Southampton station. 

We took one final rideshare home after landing, which came to $33.97. 

Finally, we paid a family friend $700 to watch our dog, Dexter.

My fiancée and I are lucky that we have a close family friend who is just as obsessed with our dog, Dexter, as we are. In fact, she loves it when Dexter, whom she calls her handsome boy, is "home."

Leaving our dog with our family friend always brings us so much peace of mind, and we usually only travel when we are sure that she's available to keep him. While gone, we receive regular text and photo updates, which makes being away from our little guy, who is almost 14 years old, easier. 

And yes, we always return with a new toy for Dexter and something special for our family friend to thank her for taking such good care of our dog. 

Between travel-related expenses, food, shopping, and the cruise itself, we spent over $8,500 on our Liberty of the Seas vacation.

My 11-night vacation to Europe, including a five-night cruise on the Liberty of the Seas ship and an overnight flight, was not cheap, but it was an unforgettable experience — and a great way to visit Belgium and Northern Germany for the first time!

Plus, with Liberty recently renovated, she offers even more ways to play, drink, and dine than ever before, ensuring that vacations aboard the Freedom Class vessel are exciting for first-time cruisers and longtime Royal Caribbean fans alike. 

The cruise ended up being one of the highlights of the trip. The ship size was perfect, and we never felt overwhelmed by the amenities. That said, we weren't bored, either. 

There was always something to do, whether it was catching an original show, trying a new bar, or relaxing by the pool on sea days. Plus, I thought the food was better than on other recent Royal Caribbean cruises I've taken, where the dining experience has been more hit-or-miss.

While this trip was definitely a splurge, coming in at $8,573.81 for two people, combining the five-night itinerary with a pre-cruise stay in London was an unforgettable experience and worth every penny. 

I take my kids on at least five cruises every year because it's become the best kind of family vacation, but I've had to re-learn the same lesson a few times.

Each of my kids has been cruising since they were 6 months old, and as they've grown, there have been different challenges to traveling with them.  But as they've matured into teenagers, my wife and I have grown to understand we had to change the cabin arrangements for everyone's sanity.

Family fights, arguing, and constant complaining lead us to change how we book cruises with our kids. It's easy to point to kids being spoiled brats, but there is truth in some separation is a good thing for families.

Now that my kids are entering their teens, I've had to create a rule for our family cruises that ultimately makes everyone happier.

I book separate rooms and bathrooms for us and the kids

The rule about booking cruises started off that we needed to have one bathroom for us, and one bathroom for our girls.

As girls mature, they take longer showers and spend far more time getting ready to go out.  Makeup, hair, styling, admiring, singing, and whatever else they do in there takes up time.

Trying to share a bathroom between two adults and two kids just wasn't working, and it lead to me taking showers at odd times of the day or even going to the ship's fitness center to use the showers there.

So I started having my travel agent price out two connecting rooms or suites that had two full bathrooms.

Sharing a suite with them, like the Icon Loft Suite, proved that even having a second bathroom doesn't work from a privacy standpoint.

The couch in that suite opens up to a bed, but there's not enough physical separation between the master bedroom upstairs and the living room/bedroom for the kids downstairs.

I was fine giving up suites in favor of connecting rooms because it's ultimately cheaper.

I book two rooms near each other

At first, I would book connecting rooms so we had a common door between us to make it convenient for going back and forth.

I don't mind connecting rooms, but you end up with the same room category for both cabins.  So if I book a balcony room for me and my wife, my kids get a balcony room too.

My kids never go out on their balcony.  Most of the time they keep the curtains closed to keep the room dark!

This lead me to a little-known fact that Royal Caribbean will allow you to book a minor in a stateroom by themselves if it's one room across or adjacent to the parents.

This means I can book a balcony room for us, and a less expensive inside room for the kids. It's a financial and logistical win all around.

Some suites could work, but it's expensive

You might be surprised how difficult it is to find a suite that has two separate bedrooms and full bathrooms.

Most suites tend to have just one full bathroom, and fewer have two bedroom areas. 

The best suite for this is the Two Bedroom AquaTheater Suite on the Oasis Class ships, but the price of all Royal Caribbean suites has sky rocketed over the last few years. 

None of the Icon Class ships have this sort of a cabin, so it's really the Ultimate Family Townhouse or nothing. Paying six figures for a suite is well out of my price range.

Booking two cabins to have two bathrooms has avoided so many arguments

The family cruise hack of booking two rooms went from "nice to have" to our family cruise rule to avoid problems.

While my kids will quarrel amongst themselves who gets to shower first when we return from the beach, at least there's no competition with us for it either.

Moreover, having two rooms means we can come back from our evening fun around the ship without waking the others up.

There is one problem with separate cabins and that's enforcing curfew. While we let our oldest daughter roam the ship with her friends, we can't peek in the room easily to see if she's back before her curfew time.

Our best solution thus far has been to send us a photo from inside the cabin when she returns to confirm she's there. 

It would be easier with a connecting room, but the money saved by getting them an inside room is worth the hassle.

I wish there were lower level suites that could accommodate our needs

Royal Caribbean has a variety of suites, but they tend to be rooms that are giant versions of balcony rooms.

I would prefer if they added more two bedroom suites that are within the Owner's Suite or Grand Suite price range.

However, their workaround seems to be adding cabins that have outside connecting doors you can close off to form de-facto suites.

I've seen on newer ships more options to book two or three cabins that have a common hallway or outside door.  Once you close off the outer door, you can keep every cabin door open/ajar and allow for free flow between rooms.

This sort of works, except you have to prop open the main door since every cruise ship cabin door automatically locks after a few seconds.

My family cruise rule keeps everyone happy

Any dad out there would likely agree when you take your family on vacation, you want everyone to have a good time and spare your spouse unnecessary fights among the kids.

I think having a room for the kids and a room for us has proven to be a winning combination.

I look at this way: a cruise should be a fun vacation for everyone, and I'm willing to spend a little bit extra to make it easier on us all.

Royal Caribbean has made two changes to Crown and Anchor Society benefits that cruisers should be aware of.

The cruise line does not update its loyalty program often, but the lineup of benefits are a critical reason many people remain "loyal to Royal".

We've noticed two major changes that have been introduced recently, and I think they could make your cruise better (assuming you qualify for them).

One change was announced via email, and another was spotted by our site readers.

Here's what's new and different in the Crown and Anchor Society benefits.

Priority tendering added for Pinnacle Club members

If you're lucky enough to have made it to the upper most tier of Crown and Anchor, there's a new perk.

Pinnacle Club members now don't have to worry about getting a tender ticket to go ashore.

"We’re introducing a new exclusive benefit for Pinnacle Club members designed to make getting ashore faster and more seamless than ever," the announcement said in an email.

Available on select European sailings, tender tickets are now distributed via the Royal Caribbean app.

• Odyssey of the Seas: Santorini tender port days
• Harmony of the Seas: La Spezia tender port days
• Legend of the Seas: La Spezia tender port days

"With Priority Digitized Tendering, you’re automatically set to head ashore — no lines, no waiting, no extra steps."

On ships where Digitized Tendering is not yet available, Pinnacle priority tendering will not be offered, just yet. However, Royal Caribbean says more ships will be added as the experience expands.

Royal Caribbean recently experimented with offering tendering on an Oasis Class ship for the first time. It was to prepare for an even larger ship, Legend of the Seas, to offer tendering as well.

Traditionally, tender tickets were distributed by hand and required guests to a location to request them.  Making them digital means a more convenient way for everyone to sign up.

Single supplement discount for all Diamond Plus guests now?

UPDATE: The grid update was a misprint, and the benefits grid has been updated once more to add back in the 340 points requirement.

• Previous Verbiage: Single supplement cruise fare reduced to 150% (125% on Transatlantic, Transpacific, and Panama Canal sailings) from 200% for members that have 340+ Cruise Points.
• Correct & Current Verbiage: Single supplement cruise fare reduced to 150% (125% on Transatlantic, Transpacific, Panama Canal and Canada sailings) from 200% for members that have 340+ Cruise Points. 

Royal Caribbean had updated its loyalty benefits grid, which temporarily showed a more widely applied discount for those cruising solo.

Royal Caribbean Blog reader Mick noticed the change and posted about it on our Royal Caribbean message boards.

The Crown & Anchor Society loyalty benefits grid was updated verbiage that no longer mentions needing 340 points to qualify for the single supplement cruise fare reduction.

However, the change has since been revised further to re-add the 340 cruise point requirement to be able to pay only 1.5 times the cruise fare of one person, instead of two times.

The terms and conditions have not changed for the restrictions on this discount: Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club single members are eligible for a single supplement cruise fare at 150% (125% on Transatlantic, Transpacific, Panama Canal and Canada sailings). This offer is based on availability with certain restrictions. 

This offer is not applicable to Ocean Voyage Packages, Holiday sailings (including Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President’ s Day, Holy Week, Easter/Spring break, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Golden Week [Asia],Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year ’s), or peak summer months from June 1 through August 15. Not valid on new ships within the first 365 days of service.

The single supplement discount does not apply to studio cabins, which are solo fares from the start.