Royal Caribbean Blog

Spring break is one of the most popular times of year to take a cruise. The weather is mild, and many kids across the country are off school, making it extra convenient.

I've been taking my kids on a spring break cruise ever for the past 9 years, and it's a wonderful experience because as they get old, it becomes more challenging to find times when we all can travel together.

The catch with any spring break cruise is how many other kids are doing the same thing.  While Royal Caribbean ships always sail full, there many more families on a spring break cruise and that means more people onboard because those third and fourth beds are filled up.

On Star of the Seas, we had over 10,000 people onboard the ship our 7-night Western Caribbean cruise when you combine passengers with crew members. Needless to say, the cruise ship was busy.

Here are some of the tips we used to navigate the unavoidable crowds.

Go to the pool early

Perhaps no other place on your cruise ship will be as crowded as the pool deck on a sea day.

My best advice is to go up to the pool early before everyone else does.  Star of the Seas has seven pools and ten whirlpools onboard, so it's probably the best cruise ship at distributing crowds.

Our strategy was to go to the pool before 10am and get our time in early.  Most people roll up to the pool deck in the late morning, with the peak crowds extending through early afternoon.

But if you go up before 10am, you'll have no problem finding open chairs.  Chair hogs are a notorious problem on any cruise ship, so getting a chair in the morning is critical.

Not only does this strategy get you a chair, but you can also enjoy a much less crowded pool.  

My theory is to enjoy the pool in the morning, then leave at lunch and enjoy an afternoon nap back in my cabin.

Pre-book shows in the app

Royal Caribbean allows you to pre-book shows, and it's an absolute must-do on a spring break cruise.

According to the cruise line, show reservations open up on the first day of the month before the sailing. That's not totally accurate, but it's a good ballpark of when to start looking for them.

We pre-booked all of our shows, so we didn't have to wait in line to see it. There's no cost to pre-book shows, but that also means a lot of people will book show reservations just to have them and they go quickly.

I'd prioritize show tickets for Torque and the comedy shows, because they have the smallest theaters.  Back to the Future: The Musical is also a must-see.

Speaking of Torque, I always recommend booking the aqua shows for the first sailing because too much movement can cancel a show.  By picking an early show, you ensure you can either see it while conditions are ripe, or have more chances to see it later if your viewing is cancelled.

Take advantage of a port day for the water park

Star of the Seas has an entire water park, so the best time to ride all the slides with as little wait as possible is on a port day.

Pick a port that you'll stay on the ship and hit the water slides. Just like my pool deck strategy, go in the morning when the slides first open and enjoy virtually no lines.

Once you get to lunch time, people start returning to the ship and lines for the water slides can build quickly.

Another smart strategy is to bring your bathing suit on embarkation day and go on the slides as soon as you board. 

Few other people will have their bathing suit because they packed it away in their checked luggage, so lines tend to be lower on the first day until about mid-afternoon.

Prepare to splurge for a suite if having a less crowded pool deck is important to you

Paying extra for a suite on top of the premium pricing a new ship like Star of the Seas enjoys can sting, but if you're looking for the "easy button", the extra expense may be worth it.

Suite guests get access to the Suite Neighborhood onboard, which includes its own private pool deck, lounge, and restaurant.

The Grove is the name of the suite sun deck area on Icon Class ships, which has its own pool, hot tub, and lots of loungers.

I was able to access this area because I'm a Pinnacle Club member, and having an enclave from the main pool area provided a wonderful relief from crowds.  There were still lots of people taking advantage of this area, but it's far more manageable.

I would never advocate booking a suite because it's a good value. But there are some people that would prefer to pay extra to avoid crowds, and this is the option for them.

You'll need to book a Grand Suite or any other Sky or Star Class suite to get the full benefits. Traditional Junior Suites (and Surfside Family Suites later this year) only have partial suite benefits, and the pool area isn't one of them.

Make dining reservations early

Just as important as your show reservations are ensuring you have a place to eat each night.

I witnessed numerous times someone asking for a table without a reservation, only to be told there's nothing left for that day.

Royal Caribbean has made it very easy to prebook specialty restaurants, even with the dining package, thanks to the Royal Caribbean app. I made all my reservations before the cruise began and was grateful I didn't have to worry about finding a place to eat onboard.

If you're eating at the Main Dining Room, you can pre-book your My Time Dining spots too.  Personally, I'd recommend Traditional Dining to make it even easier.

If you decide to book something onboard, make that decision early. Book reservations on the first day because all the restaurants were overbooked by the time we got to day three or four of the cruise.

Hit the gym on port days

I found the gym gets overcrowded on sea days, so it's better to go on any port day.

Hit the gym before your excursion early and you'll find the fitness center is so much less crowded.  I went on the morning we were in Perfect Day at CocoCay, and there were maybe 10 people total to contend with.

Staying connected on a cruise can get expensive quickly. Royal Caribbean’s VOOM internet packages can often cost hundreds of dollars for a weeklong cruise, especially if everyone in your cabin purchases their own plan. But there’s a trick you should know that can save you money when buying internet access.

Although Royal Caribbean’s cruise ships are some of the most technologically advanced in the world, you still won’t find free internet onboard. As such, you’ll need to purchase Wi-Fi access if you want to stay connected throughout your cruise vacation. These days, one of the most popular cruise add-ons is an internet package. 

But, unlike drink packages, Royal Caribbean’s internet packages can actually be shared. While the cruise line strictly prohibits guests from sharing drink packages, Royal Caribbean actually encourages guests to bundle internet devices under a single plan and share the connection to save money.

Essentially, this means you can purchase one internet package for multiple devices and split the connection with others in your travel party. If you're traveling with family or friends, this strategy can significantly reduce the cost of purchasing internet.

Because Royal Caribbean offers discounted pricing when multiple devices are bundled under a single plan, buying one package with several devices is often much cheaper than having each guest purchase their own internet package.

Here’s how sharing an internet package works on a Royal Caribbean cruise, including how much money you can save with this strategy.

How you can share your Royal Caribbean internet package

Royal Caribbean allows guests to purchase internet packages for one, two, three, or four devices. While these plans appear under a single guest’s name on the reservation, the connected devices do not need to belong to the same person.

Instead, the package simply allows a set number of devices to be connected at the same time. Anyone with the login credentials can connect their phone, tablet, or laptop to the internet using that plan, regardless of who originally purchased the package. In fact, you don’t even need to be in the same cabin for this to work, as you can share the internet login with anyone onboard!

For example, two people cruising together could each purchase their own single-device internet package. Another option is for one person to purchase a 2-device plan and share it with the other person. In that case, both guests can be online at the same time, since the plan allows two devices to connect simultaneously.

The same approach works for larger groups. Three friends could share a 3-device package to save money, while a family of four could split a 4-device internet plan.

Because Royal Caribbean discounts internet packages when additional devices are bundled together, sharing a multi-device plan is often noticeably cheaper than having each guest purchase their own internet package.

As always, it’s best to purchase your internet package before your cruise begins. Royal Caribbean typically offers lower pricing in the Cruise Planner than what is available once you’re onboard. Like many onboard extras, internet packages are often discounted in advance, and prices can increase closer to the sailing date or once the ship departs.

Buying ahead of time also allows you to compare different device packages and take advantage of sales that Royal Caribbean frequently runs in the Cruise Planner. If the price drops later, guests can usually cancel their existing purchase and rebook at the lower rate before the cruise, making it easier to snag the best deal.

Comparing the cost of individual plans vs. shared internet packages

To better understand the potential savings, let’s take a closer look at the pricing behind Royal Caribbean’s internet packages. For this comparison, we’ll use the Wi-Fi cost for a 7-night sailing.

For my upcoming 2027 reservation, Royal Caribbean is offering VOOM Surf + Stream for $20.99 per day. This reflects a discount from the original price of $28.99 per day; interestingly, Royal Caribbean marks this as a 25% off discount, although it’s actually slightly more than that.

Either way, for a 7-night cruise, this would be a total cost of $146.93 for one person to have the internet package for one device. Similarly, if two people each purchase their own single-device internet package, the total cost comes to $293.86.

But, if one guest purchases a two-device package with the intent of sharing the login, the total cost comes down to $223.93.

For a 7-night cruise, sharing the internet login would save around $70 compared to each guest purchasing their own package. The difference becomes even more noticeable with larger groups.

If three guests each purchase their own internet package, the total cost reaches $440.79 for the sailing. If we compare the cost to one person purchasing access for three devices, the total cost is only $314.93.

In this case, purchasing three devices for one person saves about $125 compared to each guest purchasing their own package.

For four guests, the price difference is even more substantial!

Based on my 7-night cruise, the total cost for four individuals each purchasing their own package would be $587.72 for the entire cruise. Comparatively, having one guest purchase access for four devices brings the price down to only $405.93.

This means a group of four could save more than $180 simply by purchasing one multi-device package instead of four individual plans. For families or groups traveling together, this difference can be significant, especially if you cruise often!

There are some drawbacks to sharing internet access

Sharing your internet package to save money is pretty straightforward. However, there are a few limitations that you should understand before splitting an internet package with others.

First, you will be sharing the same login credentials with everyone in your group. The internet package is technically tied to one guest’s account, so anyone using the connection will need to log in using that same information. Because of this, you will only want to share the internet package with people that you trust.

Another limitation involves a device limit. If a package allows two devices, only two devices can be actively connected at the same time.

If you log in on a new device without first logging out of another one, the system will automatically disconnect one of the devices that’s already connected.

Essentially, this means someone could unintentionally “bump” another user offline by logging in from another device. This isn’t usually a major problem, but it’s something groups should be aware of when sharing a package.

Other than these limitations, there aren’t many other drawbacks to sharing your internet access during your cruise.

Why Royal Caribbean’s internet is worth purchasing

When it comes to staying connected onboard, VOOM is Royal Caribbean’s only Wi-Fi offering. VOOM is designed to support your everyday activities online, such as browsing the web, sending emails, FaceTime, streaming music or shows, and using social media.

In fact, Royal Caribbean claims that VOOM is the fastest internet at sea, stating, “With six times faster onboard WiFi speed than you’ll find on any other cruise ships in the world, the internet connectivity is unlike anything you’ve ever experienced on a cruise ship.”

For many years, Royal Caribbean’s onboard Wi-Fi was unreliable and laggy, making the added cost not always appealing. When I first started cruising, the only way to get online was by paying to use the ship’s internet cafe - what a throwback! Thankfully, those days are long gone.

Now, the cruise line’s internet service has improved significantly, thanks to the addition of SpaceX’s Starlink satellite network across the fleet. The cruise line began installing Starlink technology in 2022, and it has since been rolled out across Royal Caribbean ships worldwide.

Starlink uses a network of low-Earth-orbit satellites that operate much closer to Earth than traditional geostationary satellites. Because the satellites orbit at a lower altitude, data travels a shorter distance. This helps reduce latency and improve speeds. Even better, every single Royal Caribbean ship now offers fast Wi-Fi with Starlink!

Because of this, Royal Caribbean’s internet is now faster than ever and more reliable than the satellite connections cruise ships used in the past.

How to connect once onboard

Guests who purchase internet before their cruise can activate the package once they are onboard the ship. In addition, internet is available to purchase once you’re connected to the ship’s Wi-Fi network.

Connection instructions are available in the Royal Caribbean app. After boarding, guests simply open the app and tap “Join” or select the internet icon. The prepaid package will activate automatically once you create an account. 

From there, guests can log in on their selected devices and begin using the internet immediately. Internet access is unlimited with your package and available 24 hours a day throughout the ship. You can stay connected everywhere, from your stateroom to public areas like the pool deck, buffet, and even the spa.

Because Royal Caribbean uses satellite-powered internet, service is available almost anywhere in the world. This also includes access at Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. While connectivity is generally reliable, brief interruptions can occur due to weather or in very remote regions.

This was a busy week with Royal Caribbean news, and we have a summary of all of the news from this week to make certain you did not miss any of it.

Royal Caribbean has cancelled more than 20 scheduled sailings aboard its Freedom of the Seas ship for the summer 2027 season.

The ship has been redeployed for sailings between May and September 2027, which resulted in the former sailings being cancelled.

Freedom of the Seas will be redeployed to Southampton, England.

Royal Caribbean News

• Why every hardcore Royal Caribbean fan will be on Icon of the Seas in October
• US Coast Guard rescues sick passenger from floating cruise ship at sea
• New Tampa cruise port plans are dead
• Can you move to another stateroom if you have a noisy neighbor?
• Inside Royal Caribbean's all-new Ultimate Family Cabana with a slide, hot tub, and more
• Why your Caribbean cruise forecast says rain every day
• Things I would never do on a cruise ship
• Canceling and rebooking Royal Caribbean pre-cruise purchases can save you money
• Mr. Sanchos Beach Resort day pass review
• What St. Patrick's Day is like on the world's biggest cruise ship

New RCB Video: 20 Minutes of Royal Caribbean Secrets You Were Never Supposed to Know

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 — 20 Minutes of Royal Caribbean Secrets You Were Never Supposed to Know — and don’t forget to subscribe to our channel.

Man overboard emergency on ship determined to be false alarm, teenage prank gone wrong

Teens on a Royal Caribbean ship reported a man overboard when there wasn't one.

The prank lead to the "Oscar, Oscar, Oscar" code over the public address system and the US Coast Guard being called in for assistance.

The ship's Captain later announced it was a prank and everyone was accounted for onboard.

Royal Caribbean is bringing its beach club concept to a surprising new destination

Royal Caribbean announced plans for its new Royal Beach Club, and it will be different from the others.

Located on Vanuatu, Royal Beach Club Lelepa will open in October 2027 and be included in your cruise fare.

It won't have pools, but will have a phenomenal beach experience.

Royal Caribbean testing bookings for unannounced Icon ship

It looks like Royal Caribbean might be close to finally revealing its next new cruise ship.

A test load for "HE" was spotted on the cruise line website from Miami in 2027, which is consistent with when we expect to see the fourth Icon Class ship to debut.

While Royal Caribbean has not said anything, test loads of sailings on the website have usually coincided with a formal launch shortly thereafter.

Mariner of the Seas returns with new upgrades

Mariner of the Seas is back in service after a short refurbishment, and there are a few changes.

This wasn't an amplification or major upgrade. Rather, most of the work was maintenance in nature.

However, guests spotted a handful of small enhancements. 

Are there any options if your cruise ship cabin neighbor is loud and noisy?

In my 20 years of cruising, I've been lucky enough to avoid neighbors that are too loud, but there was one cruise that a friend had this problem.

She was booked in an inside cabin and her neighbor thought it was okay to blast their music every day as they were getting ready for their evening festivities. It was an ongoing issue that not only was annoying to hear through the walls, but prevented her from going to sleep.

While you could certainly try to ask them to quiet down, there are a few things to try if a noisy neighbor is a problem on your cruise.

You can call security, but you need to catch them in the act

One of the first lessons is Royal Caribbean won't get involved in a "he said, she said" situation.

This means you can call security about someone being too loud, but they need to be present to witness it themselves. So if you spend all night unable to sleep and complain in the morning, it's too late.

What you want to do is call security the moment your neighbor starts up acting inconsiderately and hope security can get there fast enough to see or hear the disturbance.

Your stateroom attendant is another option, so if they're nearby, point out the issue to them and ask them to get their supervisor involved.

You could certainly video it as evidence, but it's my experience that security needs to be present to witness it so they can document it. To be fair, I wouldn't want to get in trouble just because someone else claims I did something wrong.

Usually, they'll give the person a warning and ask them to turn it down and be more considerate. Subsequent incidents could lead to more stern discipline. Your cruise contract leaves a lot of discretion to the ship as to how to deal with obnoxious passengers, so there isn't a firm list of steps or rules related to punishing this.

You could ask for a different cabin, but it's unlikely to be granted

Because Royal Caribbean cruise ships sail full almost every sailing, the chances of being moved to a different room is an option but I wouldn't bet on it.

It's rare to have any spare cabins on a cruise, especially in the same room category as you are booked.  There are sometimes no-shows and rarely unsold rooms, but they're few and far between.

You could ask Guest Services to simply be moved so you're not bothered by this person, but there's only so much the Hotel Director can do if there aren't any free cabins.

My advice is don't get involved trying to police the situation

A friendly, "hey, would you mind turning down the volume?" when seeing your neighbor in the hall is fine, but you really don't want to get involved beyond that.

If your neighbors are fighting or yelling at each other, you should call security and let them deal with it. 

There's no telling how quickly a heated argument will escalate, and ultimately it's not your role or job either.

Avoid booking connecting rooms if you don't know the person in the other cabin

Whenever possible, I don't recommend booking a connecting cabin unless you book both rooms.

The connecting door between the two rooms is quite flimsy, and noise will more easily travel between the rooms than it would with a standard cabin wall between them.

Before you book a cruise, check the deck plans to make sure you aren't picking that sort of a room. Truthfully, most people end up in a connecting room because they opt for a guarantee cabin.

Guarantee rooms are staterooms that cost less because you let the cruise line pick the room. The cabin assigned is an unsold cabin, and often these are leftover connecting rooms.

It's far from a lock that any guarantee room will be a connecting room, but it seems to be fairly common.

A Royal Caribbean cruise ship passenger was reported overboard, but it turned out to be a false alarm.

What could have been a scary, life-threatening situation turned out to be nothing more than a teenage prank on one of the world's largest cruise ships.

Jason Peterson of Orlando, Florida, is currently on the Oasis of the Seas with his immediate family. In exclusive email correspondence with Royal Caribbean Blog, Peterson initially reported that an alert was issued on the starboard side of Deck 11. 

Someone else in the cruise ship's Facebook group claimed that they heard "Oscar, Oscar, Oscar" (Royal Caribbean's secret man overboard code word) over the public address system around 1:00 p.m.

(Credit: Jason Peterson)

Peterson stated that the ship was going to turn around and attempt a rescue operation, with numerous crew members on the open decks. At the time, the vessel was sailing past the northern coast of Cuba, near Cayo Guajaba in the province of Camagüey.

However, he shortly followed up by saying that the man overboard signal was a false alarm. 

"Some teens apparently thought it was a good prank. The individual in question has been found onboard. Everyone is safe," he said.

(Credit: Jason Peterson)

On X, another passenger added that following the Oscar announcement, the Captain reported that the Coast Guard had been notified for assistance, and they would be turning back toward the GPS location where the overboard alert was issued.

After they arrived, the crew searched for around 30 minutes, even asking passengers to help by using the zoom feature on their cell phones. At 1:45 p.m., the Captain came back over the public address system and said the passenger had been found and that it was a joke made by some children. 

Continuing on, Peterson said, "It definitely had a somber mood for a little while and impacted people from being able to use the pools and some of the entertainment due to the sharp turn around the ship made as part of the rescue efforts."

(Credit: Screenshot taken from Cruise Mapper)

Multiple other guests have taken to social media to express their frustration and disapproval of the prank.

"Those kids should be confined to their cabin and their parents should have to pay for the rescue boats coming out. They should all be banned. The kids should have to stand on board when we get off and let everyone know that they are responsible," one passenger wrote on Facebook. 

Someone else added, "Turns out it was a prank. A little girl had her friends tell her grandma she fell overboard. Coast guard and rescue boats called in to help. Ship turned around. Captain and cruise director just announced he’s calling off coast guard and rescues. Turning the boat back around to continue to port as normal."

"Man if you’re here as the parent of these kids. DO. BETTER. Jesus. Absolutely unbelievable how some of you deal with your kids," chimed in another disgusted passenger. 

Although the situation turned out to be a false alarm, Royal Caribbean's skilled crew members sprang into action to activate search and rescue protocols. Had the situation been real, their quick response would have been critical in the potential rescue or recovery of the overboard passenger. 

Oasis of the Seas is currently on the last day of a 6-night Caribbean cruise. The 226,838 gross-ton vessel departed Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on March 15. The itinerary included stops at Nassau, Bahamas; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. 

(Credit: Jason Peterson)

Despite the incident, Oasis of the Seas is continuing its voyage as scheduled. She's expected to return to Fort Lauderdale on Saturday, March 21. 

Read more: What happens when someone goes overboard on a cruise ship?

One of the biggest events of the year is coming up that anyone that cruises a lot on Royal Caribbean won't want to miss.

Among all the cruises you can book, one is hosted by Royal Caribbean and made for cruise fans.

The annual President's Cruise is an open invitation by Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley to all cruise fans to join in.

If you've never been on a President's Cruise, it sounds strange. Book a cruise just to sail with cruise line executives and super fans? But this essentially a celebration of cruising, the cruise line we love, and an opportunity to share in it with friends.

Think of it like the Comic-Con of cruising, where people the super fans come out to see and be seen.

When is Royal Caribbean's President's Cruise in 2026?

There's still time to get onboard the President's Cruise for 2026.

It will be held on Icon of the Seas on the October 3, 2026 sailing. That's a 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise that sails from Miami, Florida.

The cruise will visit St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Why the President's Cruise is worth trying

The appeal of going on a President's Cruise is only understood by those that love Royal Caribbean cruises so much that they are (mostly) exclusive to the brand.

It's akin to a convention that focuses on one brand and celebrating what we love about it. It's not all that surprising considering how successful Royal Caribbean has been. Not only are their ships selling out, but the company enjoys a fanatical loyalty.

Royal Caribbean has hosted it for many years now, with different ships and destinations. 

They go beyond simply picking a cruise and tossing Michael Bayley on there. There are special events, giveaways, celebrities, and more. 

Events blend nostalgia, exclusive first looks, and behind-the-scenes opportunities that you simply won't find anywhere else. It's the only time where Royal Caribbean peels back the curtain and welcomes its fans in for a candid look.

I think some people see the President's Cruise as their best opportunity to voice their opinions. Mr. Bayley hosts a Q&A event during the cruise and provides honest feedback to what people have to say.

If the issue raised is more appropriate for a different executive, Mr. Bayley summons them on stage like a Pokémon he has ready to launch, and that person provides feedback.

Besides the top brass, you'll also find lots of top cruisers who share your passion for cruising. 

The surprises are worth booking this cruise

I think why most cruisers come back over and over again on President's Cruises is because of the events that are held.

Executives from every department are part of activities sprinkled about the normal cruise schedule. In fact, there are special performances by musical celebrities, surprise events, and special excursions.

Every President's Cruise has a featured musical act. Most recently it was Rev. Run of Run-DMC on Utopia of the Seas.  Other musical acts have included Michael Bolton, Boy George, and Patty LaBelle.

You should also expect swag in your cabin. In the past, there have been towels, shirts, clips, and so many pieces of brand giveaways that you'll need to leave extra room in your luggage to make sure you can fit it all after the cruise is over.

Why you should try a President's Cruise

The best reason to try a President's Cruise is because you're on a blog about Royal Caribbean, so clearly you have an affinity for the brand.

In the same way going to a Comic-Con is for anyone that's a fan of comics, the President's Cruise was designed for repeat cruisers.

I think the access you get at the events onboard is a major draw. Being able to hear and see the top decision makers within Royal Caribbean offers both insight and a way to share your own thoughts.

Those that have been on a President's Cruise in the past would tell you the giveaways and special events are a top reason to go. Every President's Cruise is different, so you never know what the line has up its sleeve and staying at home risks a lot of FOMO.

Plus, there's a good chance you can meet your fellow cruise fans.  If you're active online in forums or groups, there's a good chance a lot of people you "know" will be there too.

How to book the President's Cruise

The October 3, 2026 sailing of Icon of the Seas is open to anyone to book, so there's nothing special you need to do to be a part of the fun onboard.

Our preferred travel agency is showing at the time of this article's publishing cabins are still available in all of the four major categories.

An inside cabin starts at $1,670.02 per guest (including taxes and fees). 

The cheapest balcony on this sailing is a Neighborhood Balcony Stateroom Guarantee, which costs $2,042.52 for two people (including taxes and fees).

If you're feeling bold and want to impress Michael Bayley, go for the Ultimate Family Townhouse. It costs $47,034.52 for two people for the week.

Any Royal Caribbean cruise is likely to sell out sooner or later, so space will be limited and you'll want to book as early as you can before prices go higher and more cabins sell out.

Late-night food on a cruise doesn't seem important in the months before your vacation, but when it's 12:37 a.m., the shows are over, the casino’s still buzzing, and suddenly you’re starving.

Royal Caribbean has evolved its food game. Traditionally, it might have been a slice of pizza or waiting for room service. But on the new ships, there are way more late-night food options than you might expect, and some of them are really good.

So instead of guessing, I stayed up late and tried them all while sailing. For the purposes of this test, I considered any time after 10 p.m. "late night".

From grab-and-go snacks to surprisingly good hot food, I ranked every late-night option on Star of the Seas to figure out what’s actually worth your time.

Sorrento's

There's a reason that you can get pizza by the slice on every single Royal Caribbean cruise ship late at night. It's not the best pizza in the world, but darn if a greasy slice doesn't hit the spot.

Sorrento's is open all day, but stays open very late. On Star of the Seas, the ship's pizza joint is open until 3 a.m.

There's always cheese and pepperoni slices available, and usually one or two other variations that change daily. 

Located on the Royal Promenade, it's convenient and also incredibly popular. 

When I asked Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley his favorite food on Icon of the Seas, he said it was a slice of pepperoni pizza. For him, it was tradition to enjoy pizza on a cruise.

As a pizza snob myself, I would never gloat over the quality of it. But it has a thin bottom and a pretty good crust.  The slices are small, but load up with 2 or 3, and you're ready to soak up the next round of drinks.

Aquadome Market

Royal Caribbean's food hall is as impressive as a snack stop as it is for a full meal.

Aquadome Market is open until midnight, offering not just a quick bite to eat late at night, but you can also go for a second dinner, too.

When I went up for a visit at 11 p.m., there was a giant line for the crepes. It might have had a longer line than even Sorrento's.  And I can't say I blame anyone who waited in that line.

The crepes are made on the spot just the way you like them: Nutella, banana, chocolate, caramel, or strawberry. 

Around the corner, there are 4 other options with barely any line. 

My favorite late-night snack has to be a good falafel wrap. Ever since I started cruising to Europe, I have fallen in love with falafel or shawarma wraps.  

Call me crazy, but I think these are also healthier than a few slices of pizza. If I'm wrong, please don't tell me so I can continue indulging.

You could opt for a brisket sandwich, Thai bowl, or arepas. All of it included!

Playmakers Sports Bar

If you don't mind spending a few dollars, Playmakers Sports Bar has the bar food to go along with those beers and cocktails.

Bar food just hits right, especially nachos, onion rings, or a buffalo crunch wrap.

My family loves to have dessert here because Playmakers has the best dessert ever: the Campfire Cookie.

It's warm, gooey, sweet, and the kind of dessert that there is no way you're going to leave anything behind.  

Plus, if you're used to having bar food with your late-night drinks, this is your best bet.

The real problem with Playmakers is that the kitchen is only open until 11 p.m., so you've gotta plan ahead if you want late-night nachos.

Pearl Cafe

The only true option that's available any hour of the night, Pearl Cafe is open 24 hours and is the last refuge for the weary-eyed party animal.

There are desserts, sandwiches, and even fruits or vegetables. Heck, you could grab a coffee to power through the next marathon Blackjack session.

I tried the Oreo cheesecake, which was about as indulgent as you can get without paying for the Campfire Cookie. It may be small, but it was a solid serving of cheesecake.

I saw something called a Coconut Cheese Custard, which looked as strange as the name sounded. I decided to try it out in the name of research.

It wasn't as bad as I expected, but it also wasn't good either.  It had a gelatinous consistency to it. Maybe with enough drinks, this will be your must-eat choice.

It's hard to deny the variety of food choices available at Pearl Cafe. It's a major upgrade from Cafe Promenade, and I think an impressive array of choices.

Honorable mentions for not-so-late-night snacks

There are two other venues that close at 10 p.m., but could work for a snack if you're taking a break before the shenanigans really start.

There are two Sprinkles locations on Icon Class ships: the pool deck and Surfside.  The location on the pool deck stays open until 10 p.m.

Soft-serve froyo is great, but I think it's usually an opportunistic snack you would get as you walk past it and think, "Oh! Ice cream sounds great."

The other good idea is Sugar Beach for even more flavors of ice cream (or candy).

Also closing at 10 p.m., Sugar Beach is probably where your kids would want to stop for food while you're between sips of your drink.

I think Aquadome Market has the overall best food, but it's not open as late as other spots

If we're judging this competition purely on the food offered, Aquadome Market wins in a landslide.

They have so much variety and good quality.  You can have a couple of bites or a full meal. And it's all included in your cruise fare.

Sorrento's is a close second because it's open much later, and it seems the later at night it gets, the better their pizza tastes.

Plus, Sorrento's is on the Royal Promenade, making it a very convenient option if you're at the Schooner Bar, Dueling Pianos, or Pub.

Dreams of bigger cruise ships homeporting from Tampa are officially dead. 

On Thursday, March 19, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill that blocked the proposed cruise port in Manatee County near Tampa, as reported by The Herald-Tribune. 

Senate Bill 302 was first introduced by State Sen. Ileana Garcia and was later passed by the Florida Senate with a unanimous 38-0 vote. This granted specific protections to the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve, specifically prohibiting the necessary dredging required to build the port. 

"Florida remains an important destination for cruise expeditions," DeSantis said during the press conference in Bradenton. "There's not really a need to add another port in the middle of a conserved area and aquatic preserve."

He added that the necessary work required to build the new terminal "...would have a major, major change in the lifestyle and the environment of the folks that live in this area."

The new cruise terminal was initially proposed by SSA Marine, a marine terminal operator that's been around since 1949, in January. 

Had the proposal been approved, the 328-acre Knott‑Cowen tract, located at the mouth of Tampa Bay next to the Bob Graham Sunshine Skyway Bridge, would have been transformed into a bustling cruise terminal capable of accommodating larger ships. 

Because of the Skyway Bridge's height restrictions, only smaller vessels — think Grandeur of the Seas, Rhapsody of the Seas, Carnival Paradise, Norwegian Star, Celebrity Constellation, and Margaritaville at Sea's Islander — can sail from Tampa. 

As such, a new terminal on the seaward side of the bridge would have allowed larger, more innovative ships to call Tampa home for the first time. 

Opposition against the new Tampa Bay cruise port

From the get-go, the cruise port proposal faced opposition from environmental groups, local residents, and elected officials. 

Within days of the announcement, a Change.org petition was launched. It quickly gained traction, garnering thousands of signatures, and by March 19, it had over 19,000 supporters. 

"This would be absolutely devastating to Tampa Bay. This is the last shoreline that [is] undeveloped in manatee county and it should stay that way. Such a critical part of [the] bay that is already over developed and over pressured. It would also kill my business as a local fishing guide," one opponent of the proposal said.

Someone else added, "I have lived in this area for over 25 years and we kayak fish in that area. It would be absolutely devastating. The traffic would be unbearable as it already is...and Manatee County is not going to add roads or fix the roads that we already have to accommodate that many people."

"STOP the Destruction! Having been here over 40 years, I've witnessed [an insurmountable] loss of [habitat] and fishing decline...due lack of developmental and environmental control. Tampa Bay is recovering and should be Protected Now and in the Future!" wrote another resident. 

"I have lived in Florida my whole life and there's always been destruction left and right but just thinking back to when you actually used to be able to enjoy the scenery and not always hear or see constant construction. [It's] so sad and disappointing how much of the beauty is gone. This port would absolutely destroy the ecosystem and all the living creatures that live there we DON'T need anymore development," chimed in another concerned local. 

Moreover, State Sen. Jim Boyd added an important amendment to SB 302 that effectively made it impossible for a private company to build on the sensitive Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve land. 

Although the bill gives a few small exceptions, it states that "No further dredging or filling of the submerged lands of the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve shall be approved or tolerated by the board." 

"In an effort to protect the pristine coastal area of East Tampa Bay, which has small keys, little bays, and mangroves, this amendment restricts the dredging or filling of submerged lands within the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve," Boyd said to his fellow Senators.

Port Tampa Bay had record-breaking cruise passenger numbers in 2025

Even without the addition of larger ships, Tampa’s cruise industry is experiencing steady growth and popularity. 

In 2025, Port Tampa Bay welcomed over 1.6 million cruise passengers, along with over 262,000 shipping containers, according to Spectrum Bay News 9.

To accommodate the port's growth, Port Tampa Bay is in the midst of working on its $1.2 billion "Master Plan 2030" vision. This includes building warehouses, expanding terminals, and even constructing a brand-new cruise passenger terminal.

"For us, it’s playing, maintaining the maritime industry, protecting it, allowing it to grow, prosper and integrating ourselves with our future plans and the growth of the region — the city of Tampa," Port Tampa Bay Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer Raul Alfonso told Spectrum News.

Months after thousands of guests were informed that their booked sailings on Freedom of the Seas had been canceled due to redeployment scheduling, a new wave of sudden cancellations is affecting even more passengers. 

Passengers on over 20 voyages aboard Freedom of the Seas from May through September 2027 received the dreaded email notification this week.

"As part of our ongoing itinerary planning process - which sometimes requires flexibility due to scheduling, port agreements, or operational needs, Freedom of the Seas will be redeployed for our Summer 2027 season," the email reads. 

"We know how much effort goes into planning your vacation and apologize for the inconvenience," the cruise line continues.

The canceled sailings range from 5-night cruises to the Dominican Republic and Perfect Day at CocoCay to 4-night Bahamian getaways, as well as 9-night itineraries that include stops in Aruba and Curaçao. 

Royal Caribbean did not provide a specific reason for the cancellations beyond citing the line's "ongoing itinerary planning process." However, they did offer options to rebook on alternative sailings or issue full refunds.

Read more: Royal Caribbean cancels multiple sailings on Freedom of the Seas due to redeployment

Rebooking options available for impacted Freedom of the Seas cruise ship passengers

According to the email sent to the guests on the Sept. 17, 2027, voyage, there are four options available. The first allows them to automatically move to a 4-night voyage aboard Wonder of the Seas from Miami, Florida, at a prorated rate. This means that the original stateroom category price will be protected or lowered to the current advertised fare.

If that sailing doesn't work, guests may choose from a 5-night Western Caribbean cruise on Adventure of the Seas or a 3-night Bahamas Getaway voyage on Jewel of the Seas. Like the first option, these alternatives are also offered at prorated rates, meaning guests won’t pay more than their original booking for the same stateroom category. 

"Regardless of the sailing length of the cruise you move to, if your booking was already paid in full and your cruise fare decreases, we'll provide you with a refund for the difference," the email adds. 

The third option allows passengers to rebook any other Royal Caribbean sailing without paying the usual non-refundable deposit change fee. Guests, however, are responsible for any difference in pricing for the cruise fare, taxes, fees, gratuities, and other non-cruise fare items, such as specialty restaurants, drink packages, and excursions.

Finally, if passengers cannot find a new Royal Caribbean itinerary that works for them, the cruise line will issue a full refund of the paid portion of the cruise fare and any prepaid amenities to the original form of payment. 

Refunds will be credited to the original form of payment within 14 business days. However, refund times may vary depending on the financial institution.

"If you used a Future Cruise Credit on this sailing, and you request a refund instead, we'll refund any NEW funds paid above the certificate amount, and we'll issue a new certificate," the email clarifies. 

"If you booked your airfare through Royal Caribbean, it will be automatically refunded to you. However, if you booked on your own, please contact the service provider directly for your options with them."

Those who don't contact Royal Caribbean by April 1, 2026, will automatically be moved to the first sailing. In this case, it's the 4-night cruise on Wonder of the Seas departing on Sept. 20. 

"Thank you for understanding, and we hope you find another cruise with us. Whether you are celebrating a special occasion or looking to explore, relax, and recharge, we have no doubt your time with us will be nothing short of amazing," Royal Caribbean's Vice President of Guest Experience concludes. 

Read more: After 3 sailings on Freedom of the Seas, I’m convinced this ship offers the best value Royal Caribbean has to offer

Other interesting deployment news

(Credit: ScottishRobbie / Royal Caribbean Blog Discussion Forum)

Royal Caribbean was toying with test load sailings for an upcoming unnamed cruise ship. ScottishRobbie shared the find on the Royal Caribbean Blog discussion forum, posting photos of 7-night itineraries from Miami aboard "HE." Unfortunately, these itineraries have since been removed from the website

No formal announcement has been made regarding the fourth Icon Class ship's name or homeport. However, with the test loads starting around Sept. 2027, it is uncanny timing, considering Icon of the Seas is being redeployed to Galveston one month prior.

"I guess [the test loads confirm] what has been suspected for a while now - Icon 4 will...take over the Miami 7 nighters when Icon moves to Galveston," the poster speculates.

Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas fast facts

Launched in May 2006, Freedom of the Seas is a Freedom Class cruise ship that, at the time, held the title of the world’s largest cruise ship. 

She measures 156,271 gross tons, is 1,111 feet long, and can accommodate 3,926 passengers at double occupancy. 

Highlights of this fan-favorite ship include the Perfect Storm water slides, Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade, Splashaway Bay, a non-smoking casino, Izumi Hibachi, Social003 teens-only hangout, and a Caribbean-themed pool deck. 

The Freedom of the Seas ship will sail from Miami, Florida, through April 2027. It's unclear where she will move that summer. However, the website indicates that she will continue sailing from PortMiami in Oct. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean breaks ground on new Miami cruise terminal

Could Royal Caribbean be closer to revealing its next new cruise ship?

It appears Royal Caribbean is toying with test load sailings for an upcoming unnamed cruise ship. 

The 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises on a ship that begins with "HE" were briefly available on the website. ScottishRobbie shared the find on the Royal Caribbean Blog discussion forum. 

"Under the ship heading HE, these are available to book. Doesn't mention the name of the ship when you try to book," he explains. 

(Credit: ScottishRobbie / Royal Caribbean Blog Discussion Forum)

"HE" is likely a placeholder for the fourth vessel in the groundbreaking Icon Class, which is expected in the second half of 2027. 

Based on the test load dates, the sailings appear to begin in September 2027 and could offer 7-night itineraries to popular destinations, such as St. Maarten, St. Thomas, Cozumel, Roatán, and, of course, Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

Could Icon 4 replace Icon of the Seas in Miami?

Icon of the Seas has called Miami home since she entered service in Jan. 2024. However, she's moving to Texas in Aug. 2027. She will offer 6- and 8-night voyages to the Western Caribbean, calling at ports like Costa Maya (which is set to become Perfect Day Mexico) and Cozumel (the future home of the Royal Beach Club Mexico). 

As such, this timing aligns almost perfectly with the Sept. 2027 test sailings listed under "HE" on the Royal Caribbean website. Positioning Icon 4 in Miami after Icon's departure would ensure that the cruise line maintains a strong presence in the South Florida market without interruption.

"I guess [the test loads confirm] what has been suspected for a while now - Icon 4 will...take over the Miami 7 nighters when Icon moves to Galveston," ScottishRobbie speculates. 

(Credit: ScottishRobbie / Royal Caribbean Blog Discussion Forum)

Of course, this cannot be officially confirmed until Royal Caribbean makes a formal deployment announcement. It is, however, a compelling theory. 

With Legend of the Seas only calling Port Everglades home seasonally (and Star of the Seas sailing from Port Canaveral), South Florida is on track to temporarily lose a full-time Icon Class ship. 

South Florida is a critical cruise hub, meaning that it wouldn't make sense for Royal Caribbean to leave Miami without a flagship Icon Class ship for long.

In fact, PortMiami set a yearly record for cruise passengers during fiscal year 2025, welcoming 8,564,225 cruisers — a 4.02% increase in cruise passenger totals compared with 2024's record of 8,233,056.

Royal Caribbean is also building a brand-new terminal in Miami. Cruise Terminal G will cost $345 million and have the capacity to accommodate up to 7,000 passengers. Officials claim that the terminal's completion date is late 2027, which would also fit the arrival timeline of Icon 4. 

Icon 4 is under construction in Finland

Construction of Icon 4 is underway at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, where Icon and Star of the Seas were also built — and where Legend of the Seas is currently being built. 

The ship's keel-laying ceremony was in Sept. 2025, marking the placement of the first building block in the dry dock where the ship will take shape.

Following maritime tradition, coins were also placed under the first steel block to bring good fortune and protection to the vessel.

Read more: Construction starts on one of Royal Caribbean's largest cruise ships