Royal Caribbean Blog

Why doesn't Royal Caribbean have to slash prices like other cruise lines?

While some cruise lines have been offering deeper discounts, Royal Caribbean is getting more bookings than ever before at higher prices.

During Royal Caribbean Group's earnings call with investors on Tuesday, executives were asked exactly that question.  Why are their prices not being discounted when other cruise lines have cut their prices in the Caribbean market.

Their answer centered around the fact the product offered by competitors just doesn't measure up to what Royal Caribbean Group offers and it's the secret to why guests are willing to pay more.

In short, the better ships, destinations, and services all combine to be worth a higher price tag.

Royal Caribbean Group says it's different because of what it offers

One Wall Street analyst pointed to other cruise lines becoming more aggressive with their promotions that discount cruise fares in the Caribbean.  They wanted to know Royal Caribbean Group was seeing the same kind of pricing pressure.

Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean Group CEO, pointed out his company is in a different position.

"I think the reality for the Caribbean is... demand for differentiated assets, which we bring to the table with our ships and with our destinations, you combine that with what we've been able to do across loyalty and other technology related things, has resulted in us getting more reps out of our customers," Mr. Liberty said.

What he means is guests are choosing to sail with a Royal Caribbean Group brand because they offer something competitors don't have.

This boils down to three key differentiators for his company.

New ships are keeping eye balls on them

There are no shortage of new cruise ships, but Royal Caribbean's new ships are getting the lion share of the attention.

Executives touted the Icon Class, including the launch of Legend of the Seas this summer. They've seen a very strong response by consumers to choose this particular kind of cruise ship.

These kinds of new ships is why Mr. Liberty believes investing in new hardware and experiences compel consumers to choose Royal Caribbean, despite the prices.

Private destinations are something no one else can compete with

The fact that Royal Caribbean goes well beyond just a private beach is driving demand as well.

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley said the newly opened Royal Beach Club Paradise Island has already become the company's highest-rated experience in the Bahamas.

He added that almost 4 million cruise ship passengers will visit Perfect Day at CocoCay this year. That's an incredible amount of people.

"You combine that with Perfect Day... we've got these unbelievable products that really do set Royal Caribbean apart from our competition," Mr. Bayley said.

As more beach clubs and private destinations are added, it will allow Royal Caribbean to run away with this advantage.

Customer loyalty is adding more bookings than ever

Throughout the earnings call, executives pointed to the combination of Royal Caribbean's loyalty program and technology for getting people to come back for more cruises.

Mr. Liberty said they've seen growth in repeat guests, while also attracting first-time cruisers.

They revealed more than 90% of guests now use its mobile app, which is a great sales tool for them. It recommends and personalizes upcharges that guests can buy before and during a cruise.

"More than 90% of our guests now use our app, where monthly active users have increased five fold since 2019, and more than half of our onboard revenue was purchased before embarkation," he explained.

Guests are returning more often and spend more when they do.

"Unicorn territory" Guest satisfaction scores

If you think all of this doesn't equate to bookings, the numbers don't lie.

Mr. Liberty said Royal Caribbean is achieving Net Promoter Scores in the mid-70s, which he described as "unicorn territory."

He believes creating memories with their guests builds trust, which in turn is why they want to book another cruise with a Royal Caribbean Group brand instead of shopping a vacation based on price.

"We have continued to lean in and invest in the product and in the vacation experience," Mr. Liberty said. "That is resulting in establishing incredible trust with our guests."

Bookings into next year prove their strategy is working

Not only does Royal Caribbean Group not feel compelled to discount their sailings, they are seeing very strong demand into 2027.

Even though it's still early, booking trends for 2027 are already head of historical levels. If you're holding out hope for a price drop, it doesn't look likely.

They're not looking to lure customers to book with the cheapest price.

Instead, executives believe offering the new ships, private destinations, and a really good vacation will be why people want to come back again and again.

Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty told investors Tuesday that the company remains committed to building Perfect Day Mexico, but acknowledged for the first time that discussions with the Mexican government will push back the project's previously planned timeline.

In May, Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum said the country would not approve the project as proposed at its current site, citing concerns that the large-scale development could harm the local ecosystem, including plans for attractions such as a 170-foot-tall waterslide tower.

Authorities further informed Royal Caribbean that three permits tied to the park, one of which involved a pier, were denied, as reported by Reuters. 

However, objections to the project didn't appear out of nowhere. Perfect Day Mexico has long faced opposition due to concerns about the destination's ecological impact on the town of Mahahual, along with broader debates about mass tourism along Mexico's coast.

During the company's Q2 earnings call on July 28, Jason Liberty, Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, said the company remains committed to the destination and is actively working on a new timeline for the project. 

"...The government is continuing to engage with community stakeholders to better understand their perspectives, a process that will take some time and is expected to affect our previously planned timeline."

Initially, Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean International's President and CEO, said the cruise line expected to begin a soft opening in the fourth quarter of 2027, with the destination fully opening sometime in 2028.

However, has yet to announce a revised opening timeline and will depend on how conversations with Mexican government officials and important stakeholders progress.

Rather than scrap plans for the new resort destination, Royal Caribbean is working with key stakeholders and the local government to revise the project. 

"Mexico has been a key destination partner since our inception, and has played an important role in helping us fulfill our mission of delivering the best vacation experiences responsibly. Our commitment to Mexico and the destinations we visit is stronger than ever," Mr. Liberty explained. 

Perfect Day Mexico talks are still active

Although Liberty did not provide a new opening date for Perfect Day Mexico, he indicated that discussions with government officials and local stakeholders are still ongoing. 

Not only that, but recent comments from the Mexican government have been encouraging, suggesting the project isn't dead in its tracks. 

"[W]e continue to maintain a constructive dialogue with community leaders and public officials as we work to develop a tourism destination that will create long-term opportunities for the region. Recent public comments by the Mexican administration acknowledge the community's support for development," Liberty added. 

Royal Caribbean affirms community investment in Mahahual

Last week, Royal Caribbean announced plans to advance the development of the new Mahahual K'iin Community Center. 

The new center will build on the space that has served the Mahahual community since 2014. However, the larger, more accessible home will feature expanded capacity for education, recreation, cultural programming, and local gatherings.

Plus, its location along the Carretera Cafetal-Mahahual at the heart of town was designed to be easier for more residents to access.

"Mahahual is an important community for Royal Caribbean, and the Mahahual K’iin Community Center reflects the long-term partnership we want to continue building here," said Liberty. 

"This next phase is about turning commitment into action by creating a welcoming place where children can learn, families can gather, and neighbors can connect."

Royal Caribbean Group's latest financial update suggests price drops for a cruise vacation aren't in the cards.

The company released its second quarter financial results on Tuesday with a strong indication that the business is doing very well.

Demand for its cruises remains exceptionally strong, with ships continuing to sell at record prices despite ongoing economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions in parts of the world.

While the press release is filled with financial metrics that investors will find the most interesting, there's a takeaway for cruise fans: lots of people are booking cruises across the Royal Caribbean Group brands and they're willing to pay the higher prices that are being charged.

Demand for cruises remains strong

Despite geopolitical issues, Royal Caribbean Group says its demand remains quite healthy.

It did acknowledge a "modest" impact on its bookings due to "prolonged geopolitical activity", which almost certainly refers to the US/Iran conflict. They did not specify which sailings or itineraries were specifically affected, but executives said the overall booking environment remains healthy.

Perhaps the most important sentence for vacationers is this, "The company remains booked at record prices, booking volumes are above last year's levels, and load factors remain robust across its vacation portfolio."

This is a sign that demand hasn't changed much even if prices have gone up.

According to Royal Caribbean Group Chief Financial Officer Naftali Holtz, cruises in 2027 are already seeing the same trend.

"While still very early, booking trends for 2027 are encouraging and pacing ahead of historical levels," he said.

That's a sign demand isn't slowing.

Cruise ships are sailing full

To illustrate how booked up cruises are, Royal Caribbean reported a second quarter load factor of 110%.

This means ships are not just booked up, but families are bringing their kids and friends with them.

Capacity is calculated based on a double occupancy assumption. But when you add a third or fourth passenger to a cabin, that capacity goes over 100%.

The 110% load factor stat means Royal Caribbean's ships are continuing to sail extremely full.

About 2.4 million passengers sailed on Royal Caribbean Group ships during the second quarter, which was up 6% from last year at the same time.

Guests are also spending more

Not only are people booking more cruises, they're also buying up things that cost extra onboard.

The company indicated there was strong demand for purchases such as drink packages, internet, spa treatments, specialty dining, and more.

"The company continues to benefit from strong guest engagement and demand for onboard and destination experiences, supported by ongoing enhancements to its product offerings and more targeted pre-cruise engagement."

That targeting refers to pre-cruise sales, emails, and app notifications that offer discounts and sales for new bookings.

What this means for your cruise price

After sifting through this earnings report, there's no sign demand is faltering and that likely means higher cruise prices are here to stay.

Royal Caribbean is enjoying a perfect financial combination of strong demand, sold out inventory, and customers buying up everything they're selling that costs extra.

When those conditions exist, there's little incentive to lower prices significantly.

Of course, there will always be certain departure dates and itineraries that don't sell as well as others do. That's when we see price fluctuations, especially at the last minute if the cruise line wants to fill up cabins.

Consumers should be aware that a significant price drop is unlikely, and you're better off finding a price for a cruise that you're comfortable with and booking it.

Booking cruises early remains our best strategy for locking in prices before they jump up, while also having the widest selection of cabins.

Royal Caribbean Group's latest results are a sign that demand for cruises isn't slowing down and neither are the prices.

Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship will have the first ever version of the most famous talent show at sea.

"America's Got Talent" will soon open on Legend of the Seas, and the cruise line has revealed which acts will perform onboard.

Unlike the show, guests won't be auditioning to show off their hidden talents.  Instead, AGT will bring some of its best acts from around the world and have them perform on the ship.

These headliner acts encompass different styles and talents that each bring a different flair to the stage.

Five acts in total will be aboard for the inaugural performances.  It's not clear yet how long a particular act will be on the ship, but this is what the first batch will entail.

Aaron Crow

Belgian performer Aaron Crow competed on Season 13 of America's Got Talent (2018), where he advanced to the semifinals.

Crow builds suspense using using knives, crossbows, and elaborate games of chance. During the show, he included judges like Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, and Howie Mandel as volunteers.

On the ship, it's likely guests can expect suspense with his act. Crow's signature style is to create stunts that look dangerous. His act combines psychological tension with remarkable accuracy.

In the past, this included performing acts blindfolded or slicing fruit off a volunteer's head.

Berywam

This is a French vocal quartet that have impressed many with how they push limits of human beatboxing.

Berywam appeared on France's Got Talent and made it to the finals. They also won the Beatbox World Championship.

If you're unfamiliar with beatboxing, the group uses the sound of an entire band using nothing but their voices. It's high energy, and they can guests can expect deep bass lines and realistic drum beats, as well as electronic music effects and vocal harmonies.

Duo Emyo

Another contestant from France, Duo Emyo is a husband-and-wife aerial duo specializing in aerial straps.

They won France's Got Talent season 20 in 2025 through their extraordinary strength, balance, and artistry.

Their routines perform high above the stage using only a pair of aerial straps.  It's a combination of athleticism and choreography. It feels a lot like dance than acrobatics.

Solange Kardinaly

Hailing from Porgual, Solange Kardinaly is an illusionist that appeared in America's Got Talent Season 19 (2024), finishing in fourth place. 

Her audition became one of the season's most-watched performances, and she's also holds a Guinness World Record for the most quick costume change illusions completed in one minute.

Quick-change combines illusion, choreography, and split-second timing to make costumes appear to transform instantly.

TT Boys

Appearing on Season 20 of America's Got Talent in 2025, TT Boys are an acrobatic duo that made it to the semifinals of the ship. Their act includes an explosive mix of hand-to-hand acrobatics, balancing, and high-risk throws.

Royal Caribbean calls their act "Icarian Games", which is when one performer launches and catches the other using only their feet while lying on their back.

It looks nearly impossible, but they use speed and precision to accomplish it.

A new headline show included onboard

The addition of AGT to Legend of the Seas is meant to push the envelope of what guests expect from entertainment on a cruise ship.

While Royal Caribbean has had headliner acts on its ships, such as magicians, mentalists, and ventriloquists, those were single acts without the pedigree of competing to appear on the well-known television show.

Moreover, it's a combination of many acts into one show that goes well beyond what's typically been done in the past.

"At Royal Caribbean, we are constantly redefining live entertainment at every turn—bringing jaw-dropping performances to life across stage, air, water, and ice—and America's Got Talent LIVE on Legend of the Seas is the perfect expression of that vision," said Christine Coachman, vice president of entertainment for Royal Caribbean.

There's no cost to enjoy AGT on Legend of the Seas, but reservations (free) are recommended.

Sailing in Europe this summer

Legend of the Seas has been sailing in Europe since early July, and is the new biggest cruise ship in the world.

This latest ship can handle over 5,000 passengers and has an entire waterpark, over 40 places to eat and drink onboard, and lots of entertainment too.

Legend offers 7-night Mediterranean cruises sailing from Barcelona, Spain, and Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy. Ports of call include destinations such as Marseille, Naples, and Palma de Mallorca.

In November, the brand new ship will move to Fort Lauderdale to offer 6-night Western Caribbean and 8-night Southern Caribbean itineraries.

Caribbean sailings will include visits to Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas, along with destinations such as Aruba and Curaçao.

There's no shortage of included food on Royal Caribbean, but booking a specialty restaurant is an easy way to make your cruise feel more special. If you plan on eating at specialty restaurants more than once, you should consider a 3 Night Dining Package.

While more restrictive than the Unlimited Dining Package, the 3 Night Dining Package offers a great balance of flexibility and value, allowing you to enjoy elevated culinary experiences without committing to specialty dining each night. 

Plus, purchasing the package is almost always cheaper than paying for three specialty restaurants individually through the Cruise Planner.

In this article, we'll go over everything you need to know about the 3 Night Dining Package, including cost, exclusions, and more — including my opinion about whether I think it's worth it.

Royal Caribbean 3 Night Dining Package Cost

Like drink packages and shore excursions, the 3 Night Dining Package uses dynamic pricing, so the cost fluctuates based on factors like ship, sail date, and demand. Generally speaking, though, you can expect to pay $95 to $150 per person, before the mandatory 18% service charge. 

Child pricing applies to kids ages 6 to 12, while those 5 and under are complimentary. That said, you can add children to specialty restaurant reservations for just $15, which is cheaper than purchasing a dining package. 

As such, families with younger children may not need to purchase a dining package for every person in their group. 

You can (and should) buy your dining package through Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner before your cruise. Not only will you have the best chance of securing your preferred dining times, but you'll also likely save money compared to purchasing it onboard.

For example, the onboard price for the 3 Night Dining Package on an upcoming sailing aboard Legend of the Seas is advertised at $194.70. However, the price drops to $135.28 when bought in advance. 

Royal Caribbean allows guests to cancel and rebook any pre-cruise add-ons on the Cruise Planner website up to 48 hours before their cruise. As such, if the price of the 3 Night Dining Package decreases, you can cancel and rebook at the lower price with no penalties. 

Everything Included with the Royal Caribbean 3 Night Dining Package

The 3 Night Dining Package includes three specialty dinners at participating restaurants on your ship. 

Unlike the Unlimited Dining Package, which allows guests to dine at specialty restaurants as often as they'd like during their voyage, this option gives you a set number of meals during your cruise — and only during dinner. 

Certain restaurants, including Izumi Hibachi, Empire Supper Club, the Chef's Table, and Royal Railway, require an additional upcharge, even if you have the 3 Night Dining Package, and range from $15 to $130 per guest. 

That said, most specialty restaurants are fully covered by the dining package, including Chops Grille, Giovanni's Italian Kitchen, Samba Grill, Hooked Seafood, Wonderland, 150 Central Park, and The Mason Jar.

You can also eat at á la carte restaurants, like Playmakers and Portside BBQ. However, since there isn't a set menu with a cover charge, you'll receive a credit toward your final bill instead. In most cases, this is a poor value compared to what you get at other restaurants and isn't recommended with the 3 Night Dining Package. 

Additionally, you'll get a 40% discount on bottles of wine under $100 and 20% off bottles above $100 while dining in specialty restaurants on your Royal Caribbean cruise. 

Royal Caribbean 3 Night Dining Package Restrictions

As mentioned, the 3 Night Dining Package only includes three specialty dinners during your sailing. This means you'll need to be strategic about when and where you want to use them. 

Moreover, the package does not include every specialty dining venue onboard, with some restaurants requiring an additional upcharge on top of the package cost:

• Izumi Hibachi/Teppanyaki: $15
• Royal Railway: Adult: $50, Child: $25
• Chef's Table & Holiday Dinners: $50
• Izumi Omakase: $60
• Empire Supper Club/Lincoln Park Supper Club/Hollywoodland Supper Club: $130

Moving on, if you use the 3 Night Dining Package at Izumi Sushi, you'll be given the prix fixe menu rather than the full à la carte menu.

The prix fixe menu includes one small plate, two large plates, and one dessert. However, it is important to note that sushi rolls ordered through the prix fixe menu are typically half the size of those on the regular à la carte menu. Still, there's plenty of food between the three courses. 

Finally, tapas and small bites at venues like Vintages and Trellis Bar are not included in the Royal Caribbean dining package.

3 Night Dining Package Reservations

In the past, one of the biggest downsides of the specialty dining packages was that you had to wait until you were on the ship to book your reservations. 

Now, however, you can pre-book specialty restaurants for the 3 Night Dining Package on the Cruise Planner. This means you do not have to rush to the reservations desk on embarkation day!

All you have to do is log in to the Royal Caribbean website and go to the Cruise Planner webpage for your voyage. Then, navigate to the "Dining" tab and choose the 3 Night Dining Package. 

From there, hit the "Reserve" button, select the people you want the package for, and click "Add to Cart." At that point, you can select your specialty restaurants and preferred dining times for your 3 Night Dining Package. 

Unlimited Dining Package vs. 3 Night Dining Package

So, now that we've gone over the ins and outs of the 3 Night Dining Package, you might be wondering whether you should get the Unlimited Dining Package instead. 

As someone who has purchased both, the biggest difference comes down to how many specialty meals you want during your cruise — and how much food you can comfortably stomach.

On a newer ship with more options, like Icon of the Seas, a three-night package might not be enough to work your way through all the options. 

That said, don't underestimate food fatigue. You don't want to get to the point where another specialty dinner feels more like an obligation than something you're looking forward to. 

Conversely, an Unlimited Dining Package on an older vessel, such as Vision of the Seas or Brilliance of the Seas, could feel repetitive on longer voyages. 

Either way, the 3 Night Dining Package is a solid choice because you can enjoy a few elevated meals while leaving room to experience the complimentary venues included in your cruise fare. Additionally, you will save money compared to booking specialty restaurants individually.

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

Royal Caribbean's best promotion is back for the first time in five years.

Double points is being offered again, and it's surprised so many of us.

This is the best way to move up the loyalty ranks faster, and it's a limited time offer.

Royal Caribbean News

• Port Canaveral cruise passenger arrested over murder charge, 5 others also detained
• 3 ways to maximize the new Royal Caribbean double points offer
• The best way to spend just 72 hours on a cruise
• I tried 6 food hacks on Royal Caribbean's Legend of the Seas
• How Royal Caribbean turns cruise ships around in hours
• Royal ONE or Royal ONE Plus? A side-by-side comparison
• The biggest Royal Caribbean policy changes over the last few years
• Photos of the Icon of the Seas suites
• The cheapest room wasn't worth it. What to book instead
• 5 must-dos when cruising with casual friends and people you don't know well

Video: 40 Nights On Royal Caribbean: These Little Things Made Every Cruise Better

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 — 40 Nights On Royal Caribbean: These Little Things Made Every Cruise Better — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Cruise ship hit with mechanical issue, prompting unexpected itinerary change

Utopia of the Seas sat in port for over 12 extra hours before finally departing.

The ship's Captain made an announcement that it would be delayed due to a mechanical issue, but the delays continued.

Once the ship was able to sail, its itinerary had to be completely swapped out.

Royal Caribbean opened a secret garden bar

There's a new area on Royal Caribbean's private island that you have to look for in order to discover.

The aptly named Secret Garden Bar was quietly opened this week, offering a new spot to sit and enjoy a drink and a read.

There's a bar in the middle, along with chairs and even a mini-library.

The Black Friday in July sale offers deep discounts on cruise extras

Royal Caribbean's new promotion has new discounts on drink packages, Wi-Fi, excursions, and more.

The Black Friday Sneak Peek sale is running for a few more days, and it could save you a lot of money.

There's up to 50% off bundles, 40% off beverage packages, and up to 50% off specialty dining packages.

What every aspect of a trip on Legend of the Seas costs

What's the price to go on Legend of the Seas and factor in everything from cruise fare to airfare to gratuities to casino spending?

Jenna finished a week on the brand new ship and added up all of her costs to illustrate what you should budget for a similar trip.

While cruising is a great value, there are still budgetary considerations that will add-up.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 618th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, with Matt's hot take on Carnival's Celebration Key.

Matt is back to answering your emails, including questions about drink package options, if Icon Class prices will ever drop, and more.

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.

What I did before my Alaska cruise mattered more than I expected.

Cruising to Alaska seems to involve a few extra considerations in planning compared to a Caribbean sailing. I went into my 7-night cruise knowing that I had to approach it differently this time from my previous trip.

It had been 4 years since my last trip, and I was determined to make this one the best yet by avoiding mistakes I made before and changing other things to make it even better.

After cruising a few times to Alaska, you quickly pick up what you should do to make it even better. 

Here are 4 things I did differently when I went back to Alaska this year.

I brought two warm layers to alternate between

It can seem overwhelming trying to pack for an Alaska cruise because of how many temperature changes and weather logistics you try to account for.

I made a decision to not go over the top with my cold weather gear.

Here's a truth about Alaska: you don't need to bring parkas or a week worth of jackets.

I brought a heavier hoodie and a thermal fleece with me, and that's it. I also had my rain jacket which could add an extra layer in a pinch.

This was more than enough for almost every day of the cruise. Even in early June, it never got cold enough where I felt either option felt insufficient. Moreover, alternating between the two was plenty and because I wore clothes underneath them, I didn't think they were soiled.

The only day where it got truly cold was on our glacier viewing day.  For that, I double layered and it worked well.

I saw some people on the ship's helipad with heavy jackets, but I cannot imagine how much space that took up in their luggage. 

Suffice to say, rely on re-using your warm layers and don't feel compelled to bring many of them.

I booked a private tour to see everything in one stop

What to do in Alaska is also a common source of "indecision paralysis", but I went all-in one Alaska shore excursion to ensure we had one tour that wouldn't disappoint.

I booked a private boat tour in Sitka that would take us on a wildlife viewing tour to see every animal we could by boat.

Going with a private excursion meant it would be personalized exactly to what we wanted without compromising on slow group pacing or competing with others for the perfect view.

Admittedly, this is an expensive option.  But Captain Patrick took us out and delivered the kind of excursion that checked all the boxes.

We saw two kinds of whales, sea otters, sea lions, and plenty of eagles too. He catered exactly to what we wanted, and it was easily the highlight of our entire cruise.

Spending a lot isn't the only way to have a great tour.  There are some really good cheap and free Alaska excursions that won't disappoint.  But in this case, I think the investment for a private tour was well worth it.

I planned dinners in the ports because of our late departure times

In both Juneau and Ketchikan, we found a restaurant in town to have dinner instead of going back to the cruise ship.

Our Serenade of the Seas cruise had a lot of late port stays, where we didn't sail away until after 7 or 8pm.

I took advantage of this by purposefully staying in town after our tours to eat dinner.

I believe you have to maximize your time in the places you visit on any cruise, so staying late is a good excuse to check out the local cuisine.

I probably could have researched a bit more to find a better restaurant, but I liked getting a break from the usual cruise line food and indulging in something different.

I paid extra for direct flights to make travelling easier

Paying extra for a direct flight is always worth the expense.

Sailing from Vancouver leaves far fewer flight options than Seattle, but I think prioritizing direct flights made for a much easier journey back and forth.

Living on the east coast of the United States, it's about six hours of flight time in addition to the transit time to and from the airport.  It's almost a full day of travel, but I was grateful I minimized my time in flight and in the airport.

I really think it helped ensure we weren't as tired, and it reduced the chances of flight delays or cancellations.

Just like the private tour tip earlier, you don't have to overspend to have a successful trip. But sometimes paying more gets you a lot better results.

Every week, Royal Caribbean cruise ships begin the process of finishing one sailing, while preparing for the next in a matter of hours.

The process of turnaround day is a logistical challenge that involves just about every crew member on the ship to prepare for the next voyage.

Royal Caribbean has fine tuned this process down to a science, and usually has the ship ready to set sail in less than 8 hours.

Passengers are blissfully unaware of how much turnover is occurring, as work begins in the early morning hours and then right up until it's time to set sail.

Here's what happens in-between cruises and the major steps involved to get a cruise ship turned over.

Cruise ships return to port in the early morning hours

Royal Caribbean cruise ships will sail back into their homeport before most passengers wake up.

The exact time varies, but usually a ship is pulling up to the pier and docking around 6 or 7am.  Some of their newest ships, like Star of the Seas, will arrive even earlier.

Docking is a slow procedure, where the ship maneuvers itself alongside the pier using its bow thrusters and Azipods to position itself. Once docked, it will be tied up to ensure it won't go anywhere.

But before anyone can leave the ship, it has to be cleared by the local authorities.

Every country has its own procedures. This could take a matter of minutes, or a thorough inspection may be required that could take hours.

In the United States, both the U.S. Coast Guard and the Department of Homeland Security are involved in allowing a cruise ship to be approved for disembarkation.

Passengers, luggage, and waste are all systematically taken off the ship

Once cleared, Royal Caribbean begins the process of getting everyone and everything off the ship that won't be sailing for the next voyage.

Passengers are directed to walk off the ship based on their luggage. If they are carrying their own luggage, they can walk off the ship as soon as the ship has been cleared.

But Royal Caribbean gives passengers the option to deliver their luggage from the ship into the cruise terminal. Bags are left out overnight and picked up by crew members to be delivered in the morning.

All of that luggage is brought off the ship in groups, and staged in the cruise terminal to be picked up.  

Guests are able to disembark once their bags are ready for pickup in the terminal, and that's done by luggage tag numbers.  An announcement is made to alert guests when a certain baggage number is ready for pickup.

Meanwhile, other crew members are moving trash and waste off.

Royal Caribbean has agreements in place to remove waste from the ship and have it transported to a waste management facility. This includes food, human waste, recycling, and any other goods they won't need anymore.

Because every ship has a waste treatment facility onboard, all the waste is as compact and prepared to be offloaded. Glass, cardboard, plastic, and metal can all be recycled onboard.  Then plastic, aluminum, paper, and glass is transported through a vendor off the ship.

Every passenger is usually off the ship by 9 or 10am.  In the United States, maritime laws require the ship to be at a "zero count", which means every single passenger must be off the ship before anyone else can get onboard.

Crew members begin cleaning everywhere

Concurrently, there are crew members that are cleaning and preparing every venue on the ship.

Royal Caribbean requires passengers to vacate their cabins by 8am, and as soon as someone checks out of their stateroom, there's a crew member there to start cleaning it.

Sheets and towels are removed and replaced with clean ones; Carpets are vacuumed; Trash removed; And everything in the room is re-arranged back to its original configuration.

There are a team of crew members that will work all morning until the early afternoon to prep guest rooms.  A ship like Star of the Seas has 2,805 staterooms and that requires groups of crew members to move room by room to get them all ready.

With all guests out of their cabins by 8am, that leaves them usually just five hours to have them all cleaned and prepped by 1pm.

Meanwhile, new supplies are brought onboard

After all the waste has been removed from the ship, new supplies are brought onboard.

Royal Caribbean works with its distributors to have more than enough provisions for the next voyage.

Frozen items, such as prime rib or fish, are brough every two or three weeks. More than 10,000 rolls of toilet tissue, 1,000 new light bulbs, almost 2,000 pounds of coffee are typically brought onboard.

How much of everything they'll need depends on the length of the voyage, the demographics of who's sailing, and the exact itinerary and where they are visiting. Royal Caribbean usually overstocks what it needs to prevent running out of something, or if a sailing needs to be extended because of bad weather.

In fact, Royal Caribbean uses Artificial Intelligence to predict and prevent food waste. Their system analyzes consumption patterns and operational data to ensure it has enough of everything, without oversupplying.

The cruise line has said for its Oasis Class ships, about 600,000 pounds of food and beverages get loaded on the ship.

Trucks will bring 500 pallets of new inventory to the terminal to be loaded onboard.  Forklifts move it from the pier to the ship, at which point crew members begin stocking it all.

New passengers begin boarding the ship, along with loading their bags

Once all the passengers from the previous sailing have disembarked, it's time to welcome the next sailings' guests.

Passengers drop off most of their luggage with porters that work at the cruise terminal.  Their job is to take the bags and load them onto the ship.

Luggage is tagged by guests to indicate which cabin and deck it needs to go to.  Once on the ship, security will scan each piece of luggage to ensure there are no prohibited items.

Crew members then begin delivering suitcases to each cabin.  It's a process of staging groups of bags by deck, and then moving them to the proper room.

Meanwhile Royal Caribbean starts the boarding process by groups.  I think Royal Caribbean has the best and most efficient boarding process of any cruise line because of their adept use of technology to expedite it all.

The boarding window is open until about 3pm for most cruises.

Every passenger must complete the safety drill before the ship can sail

There's one thing every passenger must do on the ship before the vessel is able to depart.  

Guests must complete the safety drill so they know what to do and where to go in the case of an emergency.

Royal Caribbean employs a digital muster drill, where guests can use their smart device to watch a safety video and know what the emergency signal sounds like.

They then must go to their assigned muster station to confirm they understand what would be expected of them.

A cruise ship can depart once everyone and everything is onboard

In about 8 hours or so, a cruise ship should be ready to drop its lines and make its way out to sea.

The entire process is very similar to how airplanes are unloaded and loaded and then get authorization to begin a new trip.

Since cruise ships have many more passengers, supplies, and provisions, it's a more complex process.

In the space of a day, the biggest cruise ships in the world will handle over 10,000 people in total as one sailing ends and another begins.

Nearly every crew member and officer is involved in making it all happen. It's a massive effort to get it right, while largely unseen by vacationers who are there for a fun trip.

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas offers an impressive 13 different suites, ranging from standard Junior Suites to the massive (and expensive) Ultimate Family Townhouse. 

Every suite is part of the Royal Suite Class, ensuring that you have an elevated experience from the moment you step onboard until disembarkation. 

Whether you choose to relax on the private sun deck or enjoy meals in the Coastal Kitchen restaurant, you're sure to enjoy the perks that accompany staying in an Icon of the Seas suite. 

Below is a look at eight suites that you will find aboard the Icon Class ship: the Surfside Family Suite, Sky Junior Suite, Grand Suite, Owner's Suite, Accessible Icon Loft, Icon Loft, Royal Loft Suite, and the Ultimate Family Townhouse.

Read more: Royal Caribbean Suites Guide & Review

Star Class

Top-tier cabins within the Royal Suite Class on Oasis Class, Quantum Class, and Icon Class ships are the most impressive in the fleet. 

A Star Class suite truly encompasses everything you'd ever need or want on a cruise vacation, with perks ranging from priority boarding to exclusive lounge areas, a free drink package, Royal Genie services, and more. 

Here's everything you can expect while staying in a Star Class cruise room:

• Royal Genie Service
• Coastal Kitchen for All Meals
• Complimentary Specialty Restaurants (including Chef’s Table and à la carte dining, some exclusions apply)
• Complimentary Deluxe Beverage Package (for guests 21 years or older, or 18 and over where applicable by law)
• Complimentary Refreshment Package (for guests under legal drinking age)
• Still and Sparkling Water Replenished Daily
• Complimentary Gratuities
• Complimentary VOOM WiFi
• Expedited Boarding and Departure
• Best Seats in the House in Select Entertainment Venues
• Priority Entrance to Many Onboard Activities
• Suite Lounge Access + Access to Suite Sun Deck
• Royal Caribbean Plush Bathrobes
• Complimentary Minibar + Laundry and Pressing Services
• Luxury Mattress and Pillows
• Frette Linens
• Luxury Bathroom Amenities
• Lavazza Espresso Coffee Maker

Ultimate Family Townhouse

The Ultimate Family Townhouse, exclusive to Icon Class vessels, is the largest and most expensive suite in the Royal Caribbean fleet. Given the name, you'd think that it's supposed to be the most family-friendly cabin ever — and you'd be right. 

Inside, you'll find everything from an indoor slide to a movie room, karaoke machine, popcorn machine, and interactive gaming table.

Parents will love the master bedroom, complete with a king-sized bed and luxurious ensuite bathroom. On the flip side, you may not be able to pry kids out of their own private bedroom, complete with themed bedding and not one, not two, but four television screens. 

There's also a private "backyard," with a ping-pong table and white picket fence that opens up to the Surfside Neighborhood. 

Category: UL 

Sleeps: 8 

Cabin Size: 1,772 square feet of interior space + 751-square-foot balcony and outdoor "backyard"

Royal Loft Suite

The Royal Loft Suite on Icon of the Seas features a massive balcony that overlooks Chill Island and Thrill Island, along with some impressive ocean views. 

The suite has two spacious bedrooms, along with expansive living and dining areas, complete with a well-equipped wet bar and piano, offering plenty of space to relax and entertain.

The spacious master suite on the second floor features a walk-in closet, a small lounge area, a king-sized bed, floor-to-ceiling windows, and more. 

The Royal Loft Suite’s master bathroom is one for the books and is easily one of the most impressive on the ship. The dual vanity, spacious shower, and deep soaking tub create a serene retreat — necessary on one of the world's largest cruise ships with endless activities. 

Category: RL 

Sleeps: 6 

Cabin Size: 1,482 square feet of interior space + 705-square-foot balcony 

Icon Loft Suite 

Like the Ultimate Family Townhouse and Royal Loft Suite, the Icon Loft Suite is a multi-level suite located on Decks 17 and 18 of Icon of the Seas. There are seven of these unique cabins on board. 

The main dining and living area can easily be transformed into another bedroom thanks to the convertible sofa bed. There's also a second full bathroom on the lower level, adding extra convenience and privacy for guests and families sharing the suite. 

The master bedroom on the second floor overlooks the rest of the suite and has views of the floor-to-ceiling windows, providing sweeping ocean views.

Of course, one of the highlights of this suite is the private balcony, furnished with plush loungers, chairs, and a dining table that's perfect for enjoying al fresco meals while cruising through the Caribbean.

Category: IL 

Sleeps: 4 

Cabin Size: 656 square feet of interior space + 151-183 square foot balcony 

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2024/07/04/icon-loft-suite-royal-caribbean-icon-of-the-seas-cruise

Accessible Icon Loft

There's only one Accessible Icon Loft cabin aboard Icon of the Seas (17018), and it's nearly identical to the standard Loft Suite.

However, it’s been outfitted with necessary accessibility features, including wider doorways and even an elevator to make traveling between floors comfortable and easy. 

There are also two fully accessible bathrooms, one on each floor, with roll-in showers, grab bars, adjustable height showerheads, and more. 

Category: IL 

Sleeps: 4 

Cabin Size: 656 square feet of interior space + 151-183 square foot balcony 

Sky Class

Sky Class suites offer spacious accommodations and exclusive benefits at a lower price point than Star Class rooms. 

Although you won't find any multi-level rooms within this tier, each thoughtfully designed suite is sure to be a comfortable home away from home while sailing aboard Icon of the Seas. Plus, you can still take advantage of the private suite-only sun deck, elegant restaurant, and more. 

Here's everything you can expect while staying in a Sky Class Royal Caribbean suite:

• Concierge Service
• All-Day Access to Coastal Kitchen and The Grove
• Specialty Bottled Water Upon Arrival
• Complimentary VOOM Internet
• Priority Boarding and Departure
• Priority Dining Reservations
• Suite Lounge Access + Access to Suite Sun Deck
• Royal Caribbean Plush Bathrobes
• Luxury Pillow Top Mattress
• Luxury bathroom Amenities
• Lavazza Espresso Maker

Owner's Suite

While neither a new cabin category nor a multi-level suite, the Owner's Suite seems to get more luxurious with every new build from Royal Caribbean.

The private bedroom with sliding door ensures that you have a private retreat separate from the living area. Regardless of what room you're in, though, the expansive floor-to-ceiling windows fill the space with plenty of natural light and offer front-row ocean views. 

The ensuite bathroom is a major upgrade compared to standard accommodations, too, featuring a separate shower and soaking tub and a spacious vanity area.

Category: OS

Sleeps: 4 

Cabin Size: 658 square feet of interior space + 190 square foot balcony 

Grand Suite

Grand Suites are a staple suite found on Royal Caribbean ships. On Icon of the Seas, Grand Suites can easily be transformed into a two-room space, thanks to the blackout curtain between the bedroom and living areas. 

The balcony provides passengers with a private spot to enjoy the ever-changing scenery, while inside, the bathroom is outfitted with upgraded hardware and fixtures to complement the luxurious suite. 

Category: GS

Sleeps: 4 

Cabin Size: 431 square feet of interior space + 108 square foot balcony 

Sky Junior Suite

Icon of the Seas was the first ship in the fleet to feature special Junior Suites that come with Sky Tier benefits. Typically, Junior Suites are only in the Sea Tier, which doesn't come with many perks.

While these suites aren't as extravagant as the Owner's Suite, they are a more economical way to enjoy the elevated Sky Class perks without breaking the bank. 

Category: JY

Sleeps: 4 

Cabin Size: 322 square feet of interior space + 80 square foot balcony 

Sea Class

Royal Caribbean's Sea Class is the lowest category of suite on Icon of the Seas. These rooms are designed primarily for guests looking to enjoy a larger cabin and earn two loyalty points per night, up from one in standard accommodations. 

Here's everything you can expect while staying in a Sky Class Royal Caribbean suite:

• Dinner at Coastal Kitchen (Based on Availability)
• Royal Caribbean Plush Bathrobes
• Luxury Pillow Top Mattress
• Luxury Bathroom Amenities
• Lavazza Espresso Coffee Machine

Surfside Family Suite

The Surfside Family Suite overlooks the hopping Surfside Neighborhood, Icon's stay-all-day family-friendly space. As such, it's ideal for families, with a layout designed for privacy between adults and kids and fun kid-friendly elements.

For example, kids have their own sleeping nook with a couch that converts into a bed, a flat-screen TV, and a Surfside-view window. 

The suite also features a split bathroom design. One bathroom has a sink and a spacious shower, while the room across the hall is home to the toilet and a smaller sink. 

Category: SF

Sleeps: 4 

Cabin Size: 269 square feet of interior space + 53 square foot balcony 

I just spent $4,359 to sail on Royal Caribbean’s newest cruise ship, Legend of the Seas. Although my dreamy European vacation wasn’t cheap, it was the highlight of my summer.

Brand-new cruise ships typically warrant the highest prices, and Legend of the Seas is no exception. The vessel is the third in Royal Caribbean’s record-breaking Icon Class, and she made her official debut earlier this month. I sailed on the ship’s inaugural voyage, a 7-night Western Mediterranean cruise from Rome, Italy.

When budgeting for a cruise, it’s important to consider not only the cruise fare, but all of the extra purchases that make up the total cost of a vacation. I had to budget for flights, a pre-cruise hotel, shore excursions, and miscellaneous expenses while onboard.

Here’s what it really costs to sail on Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, Legend of the Seas.

My cruise fare was $4,450, or $2,225 per person

Icon Class cruise ships come at a premium thanks to the plethora of things to do, see, and eat onboard. You shouldn’t expect to see any budget fares on these vessels, especially on an inaugural voyage.

I reserved an interior guarantee cabin for $4,450. This was the cheapest option available when I booked the cruise in January 2026. The cruise fare included taxes, fees, and gratuities for two adults. I shared the cabin with my brother, bringing the total cost to $2,225 per person.

Related: Should you book a guarantee stateroom on a cruise?

Spending over $2,000 per person for an interior cabin is expensive—there’s no denying that. Last year, I booked a cruise to Greece on a smaller Royal Caribbean ship, Explorer of the Seas, for a little over $2,000 total.

Nonetheless, I expected the price to be high, and I was looking forward to sailing on the exciting new ship.

Fortunately, my interior guarantee cabin resulted in an upgrade to a Surfside Neighborhood View cabin. Because the cruise fare was so high, this was a welcome surprise. I thoroughly enjoyed the room’s natural light and spacious size during my week onboard.

*Note: Although my cruise fare included gratuities, I also budgeted for additional tips while onboard. Tips have not been included in the final cost breakdown.

My Economy Class flight cost $1,325, but I booked it with points

Flying to Europe for a cruise can be expensive, especially if your cruise departs between June and August. These are the busiest months for Europe travel, and prices certainly reflect that.

My flight to Italy cost $1,325 from North America. The cruise came in between a separate trip to Mexico, so I flew from Mexico City to Rome and then returned from Milan back to Mexico City a few days after the cruise.

Technically, though, my flight was $0. I booked the flight with Chase Ultimate Rewards Points, using 132,469 points. This wasn’t the most lucrative redemption for my points, but options were limited with my travel dates and itinerary.

Related: 6 things to do before a cruise if you need to fly

Using points and miles is one of the most savvy ways to save money on your overall cruise cost. I make every daily purchase with either my Chase Sapphire Preferred card or my Capital One Venture X card, allowing me to accrue miles at a fast rate.

Although you might still have to pay taxes and fees out of pocket, the savings are substantial when booking flights this way.

That being said, I’ll use the cash equivalent in my overall spending report, as not all passengers book their flights with miles.

Next, I spent $234 on land transportation and a pre-cruise hotel stay

Sometimes the little costs you don’t expect can start to add up.

In addition to my flight, I spent another $153 on transportation to and from the airports, cruise port, and my hotel. This included $30 in Ubers, $17 in transfers to and from the port, and a $9 train from the Rome airport to the city, along with other miscellaneous transportation expenses.

The night before my cruise, I booked a hotel in the small beach town of Santa Marinella, located around 7 miles from the Civitavecchia cruise port.

Related: Western Mediterranean cruise guide

Many guests stay in Rome the night before their cruise, but I personally prefer staying outside the city. Rome in the middle of summer is extremely hot and crowded. Spending the night in the quaint seaside town of Santa Marinella was much more relaxing.

Our hotel, Hotel Isola, was $162 total for the night, or $81 per person. It was just a short walk from the beach and near many authentic Roman restaurants to enjoy classic dishes without the crowds (and prices) of central Rome.

My onboard purchases totaled just $58

While onboard Legend of the Seas, I spent almost nothing extra. A lot is included in your cruise fare, from production shows to activities and over a dozen complimentary restaurants. I rarely felt the need to spend extra on the ship.

Additionally, as a Diamond Plus member in Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society, I receive several benefits that reduce my onboard spending. The five daily drink vouchers, for example, mean I never spend extra on alcoholic beverages, and the free bag of laundry saves me $40 on every cruise.

Related: How to maximize Crown & Anchor Society benefits at every tier

I spent just $58 onboard at Izumi Sushi, Giovanni’s Wine Bar, and Starbucks.

On the first evening of the cruise, my brother and I decided to treat ourselves to a specialty meal at Izumi Sushi. I spent just $24 for dinner, thanks to the BOGO Specialty Dining benefit I received as a Diamond Plus member in the Crown & Anchor Society.

I also enjoyed a specialty meal at Giovanni’s Wine Bar. Rather than pay the $50 cover charge to eat dinner in the adjacent restaurant, Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen, I instead purchased a margherita pizza from the wine bar’s à la carte menu. After gratuity, my bill was around $9.

Finally, I spent $25 at Starbucks throughout my cruise. Although I can use my Diamond drink vouchers at coffee shops like Pearl Café and the Rye & Bean, I find Starbucks drinks to be higher quality.

I spent $368 on shore excursions in France and Italy

I don't typically book shore excursions, as I usually prefer visiting ports on my own. However, I decided to give two excursions a try when Legend of the Seas visited Marseille, France and La Spezia, Italy.

Having been to Marseille several times before, I wanted to get out of the main city center and explore areas further from the port. Likewise, I hoped to visit Cinque Terre when the ship tendered in La Spezia, but I didn’t want to deal with the hassle of planning logistics myself.

So, instead of traveling on my own, I booked two tours with Shore Excursions Group: Avignon and Wine in Marseille and Cinque Terre by Train and Limoncello in La Spezia.

There were only five guests on the Avignon and Wine tour, making it feel more like a private tour than a group excursion. We toured the Chateau Fortia winery, and later enjoyed free time in the charming city of Avignon. This tour costs $256 per person, and I appreciated the small group experience.

In La Spezia, our tour to Cinque Terre cost $112 per person. It included an all-day train pass and visits to the towns of Riomaggiore, Vernazza, and Monterosso, along with a brief limoncello tasting.

Related: 5 quick and easy tips for finding a shore excursion on your own

Even though I generally explore ports on my own, I was grateful that I booked tours in these two ports. I wanted to experience destinations further from where the ship docked, and a tour seemed like the most reliable way to do that.

*Note: Shore Excursions Group generously gifted Royal Caribbean Blog these two tours, but all opinions are our own. Tour prices are included as expenses in this overall cruise spending report.

I spent an additional $149 on miscellaneous expenses in port

In addition to spending $368 on excursions, I spent extra in various ports of call.

The night before my cruise, I spent $25 on dinner in Santa Marinella, indulging in a generous portion of cheesy Roman cacio e pepe pasta. I also spent $4 on dessert at a gelateria along with $10 on a pre-dinner cocktail.

During my itinerary, Legend of the Seas visited the ports of Marseille, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, and La Spezia. Unfortunately, Royal Caribbean Blog duties kept me onboard in Barcelona, but I thoroughly enjoyed the other ports of call.

Aside from my tour in France, I spent around $20 on lunch in the center of Avignon along with another $5 on macarons at a local bakery.

I didn’t book a tour in Palma de Mallorca. Instead, I split my time between the city center and Cala Major, a free public beach.

I kept costs to a minimum throughout the day, spending $6 on local bus tickets, $17 on souvenirs, $12 on Spanish tapas, and $13 on an iced coffee and pastry at a bakery.

Finally, in La Spezia, I visited a cafe before our tour began, spending $5 on a coffee and croissant. While visiting Cinque Terre, a gelato, Aperol spritz, and focaccia set me back $21. I also spent $11 on a plate of pesto pasta before getting back onboard the ship.

I’m not big on souvenirs, but trying local food made a small dent in my budget.

After my cruise, I budgeted extra to extend my vacation in Italy

Considering that I was already in Italy after my cruise, I decided to stay in the country for a few more days after the cruise ended. While I won’t include the total price of my post-cruise vacation in my total, I budgeted around $1,000 for five nights in Tuscany and the Italian Riviera.

Crossing the Atlantic takes time, money, and effort, so I often encourage cruisers to extend their trip on either end. Even just two or three extra nights allows you to experience more of your embarkation city and beyond.

Visiting towns like Lucca and Camogli was the cherry on top of a gorgeous Mediterranean vacation, and soon enough it was time to head home.

In total, I spent $4,359 to cruise on Legend of the Seas

My Legend of the Seas cruise was among my favorite sailings yet.

Icon Class ships are truly something special, and I enjoyed every moment of my time onboard. Whether it was the late-night runs to the AquaDome Market for crêpes or catching the Broadway show of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, there was always something interesting to experience around the ship.

Even though my cruise fare was high, I still stuck to a budget on extras like onboard expenses, and I tried to keep costs down in port as well.

All in all, my vacation wasn’t the cheapest trip I’ve ever taken, but it was an excellent way to discover an impressive cruise ship in such a beautiful and historic region of the world.