Royal Caribbean Blog

Consumers might be cutting back on spending in some places, but they're still spending big on cruises.

During Royal Caribbean Group's third quarter earnings call, executives were clear that while people might be looking for ways to spend less overall, they're not willing to skimp on vacation.

"Consumers continue to prioritize experiences and make room in their budgets for meaningful vacations," said Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty as he spoke to Wall Street analysts. 

While there may be-a shift in consumer behavior in everyday life, it hasn't hit vacations.

People are still spending on cruises

If someone is going to try to save money, a vacation isn't where they're looking.

The cruise giant's own research tells them that a vast majority of consumers are still spending the same on vacations as they did before.

Roughly three-quarters of consumers intend to spend the same or more on vacations over the next twelve months, a level that has remained consistent for several quarters. 

Their research also shows that while consumer spending has "normalized" from the elevated levels over the past two years, "demand for experiences and leisure travel remains intact."

While the rest of the economy may have softened on overall spending, people are still spending big on their trips.

Mr. Liberty thinks this is largely due to the great value a cruise offers, "Cruising offers superior value for money versus alternative options, driven by the high-quality onboard amenities and services, pricing inclusive of meals and entertainment, and the opportunity to visit a variety of destinations with the convenience of having everything in one place."

This is evident in the extraordinary demand they've seen for the fist Celebrity river cruises, and the new Icon Class ships.

The other reason the company feels good about the future of consumer spending is because of the new offerings they have lined up.

Royal Caribbean International is on the precipice of launching a new beach club in The Bahamas, followed by two more beach clubs in 2026.  Then you have Perfect Day Mexico opening in 2027.

The opportunity to try those experiences is likely going to drive demand even further, according to Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley.

"[Beach clubs are] also a driver for itinerary as well because we are beginning to see that itineraries that include the beach club as well as Perfect Day seem to be driving even more demand than historically, which has been really strong."

"I think we'll see that kind of combination of beach clubs really push through in onboard revenue and short excursions."

Willing to pay more

Another interesting anecdote about consumer spending is that cruisers are not only still booking, but they're willing to pay up for it.

Liberty talked about how demand is fueling cruise bookings, "As we see really strong demand and people are dreaming more and more about their vacation experiences."

"We are also seeing that translate to onboard spend. And so we are thoughtfully meeting our guests with the experiences, and they are willing to pay for them."

According to Mr. Liberty, the average cruiser has this makeup:

• Great job
• Great balance sheets (bank accounts)
• A strong desire to vacation and build experiences and memories with their friends and family

He acknowledged that they might not be willing to pay as much as they did like last year, "but they are willing to pay more."

Relying more on loyal customers

While tapping the new-to-cruise market is always going to be the primary area for sourcing business, Royal Caribbean Group is also looking to its repeat customers to cruise even more.

The company has steadily enhanced its loyalty matching program so to make it easier and more beneficial to sail on all the cruise lines owned by Royal Caribbean Group.

In 2024, status matching was introduced between the lines so a person could get an equivalent tier of loyalty status at a different line.

The move provided tangible benefits instantly to those that were loyal to one brand, but wanted to try another one.

The company then announced in its earnings call this year a new way to earn points interchangeably between the cruise lines.

Points Choice is coming early next year, and it means you can sail on Celebrity but earn Royal Caribbean points, or vice versa. This is an important change for cruisers looking to climb the loyalty ladder of one line while still being able to branch out.

Executives think it's a win-win for brand and consumer. Its aim is to generate additional sales across all of its brands while making it easier for cruisers to move up to higher loyalty tiers and their associated benefits.

Texas will soon be home to cowboys, barbecue, and one of the world's biggest cruise ships.

Royal Caribbean announced it will redeploy Icon of the Seas to Galveston, Texas in August 2027.

Measuring 250,800 tons, Icon of the Seas is a groundbreaking vessel that captured the imagination of the public. When every cabin is maxed out, over 10,000 people can sail on the ship when you add in crew members.

Unveiled in 2024, Icon of the Seas is about the same size as sister megaship Star of the Seas. When Icon debuted, it introduced 14 specific innovations just for that ship, including destination elevators, an entire waterpark, AI powered customer support and much more.

Beginning in August 2027, Icon will sail alternating 6- and 8-night cruises to the Western Caribbean. But big things are planned later when the cruise line's new mega destination Perfect Day Mexico opens in late 2027.

Perfect Day Mexico is set to debut in late 2027. Royal Caribbean will announce the exact opening date in 2026. 

Perfect Day Mexico is expected to be a vacationer's dream that is aimed at opening up a bonanza of renewed interest in cruises to Mexico. 

It's not much of a surprise given how popular cruises from Texas have become recently, with bigger ships shifting to be based in Galveston. Plus, its proximity to Perfect Day Mexico allows Royal Caribbean to instantly enhance what has become a familiar set of cruise ports.

Icon's move to Galveston is one of many ship deployments also announced this week. Here's a breakdown of what Royal Caribbean has planned.

Icon of the Seas sailing from Galveston beginning August 2027

Royal Caribbean will reposition Icon of the Seas from Miami, Florida to Galveston with a 9-night cruise.

The sailing will visit the Southern Caribbean before heading to its new homeport of Galveston.

Once there, Icon of the Seas will offer 6-, 7-, and 8-night cruises.  the 8-night cruises will visit Perfect Day at CocoCay too.

The new sailings from Galveston are available to book immediately, and are available through April 2028.

The Texas cruise boom

Royal Caribbean has systematically positioned itself to take advantage of more people wanting to cruise from Galveston.

In 2022, they opened a brand new $125 million cruise terminal so that the port could handle the biggest cruise ships in the world.

Then they moved Allure of the Seas to Galveston, which was the biggest ship to ever sail from the port at the time of her debut.

Other cruise lines quickly took notice and adjusted their plans to match. Carnival invested $53 million to upgrade their terminal so that Carnival Jubilee could sail from there.

Just this week MSC opened a $156 million terminal that it will share with Norwegian. MSC Seascape departed on its first voyage earlier this week from the new terminal.

Royal Caribbean hinted strongly bringing an Icon Class ship to Texas

It wasn't a very well kept secret that Royal Caribbean had ambitions to homeport one of its Icon Class ships in Galveston.

As recently as September, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley talked about the idea during the President's Cruise, "I wouldn't be surprised if some big announcement came to Galveston. I'm not saying we're putting an Icon Class there. But if I was a gambling man...."

Prior to that, in August Mr. Bayley answered a question from a travel agent about an Icon ship in Galveston, "We're not going to answer that question. But I can tell you it's coming, baby."

It's one of many hints and teases over the past few years that have pointed to an Icon ship shift.  The only question was when and which of the ships would do it.

A big ship with Royal Caribbean's latest and greatest features

If you want to know why Icon of the Seas is such a big deal, look no further than all the amazing things that are onboard.

Icon encompasses 20 decks, has seven pools, and six waterslides that make up an entire waterpark.

It is divided up into 8 neighborhoods, meant to make it simple to get around the ship and know where you are at any time.

There are over 2,800 staterooms on Icon of the Seas, as well as over 40 bars and restaurants onboard. You can dine at an eight-course meal in a supper club, take the family out for hibachi, or enjoy five different food halls.

On select evenings, there are performances of the Wizard of Oz show in the Royal Theater, plus incredible feats of athleticism and dance in the Aquadome.

In all, the ship has 20 passenger decks. It is 1,198 feet long and 213 feet wide.

More ships released from Texas, California, and New York

In addition to the Icon of the Seas news, Royal Caribbean also shared new deployments for 2027-2028.

Joining Icon in Galveston will be Symphony of the Seas. Symphony will offer short 5-night cruises as well as 7- or 8-night cruises down to the Western Caribbean.

Liberty of the Seas will also sail from Galveston to offer shorter cruises to Mexico.

Oasis of the Seas and Independence of the Seas will sail from Bayonne, New Jersey and offer cruises to Bermuda, The Bahamas, Eastern Caribbean and Canada.

Odyssey of the Seas returns to Bayonne for the winter season to offer 7-12 night cruises down to the Caribbean and Bahamas.

On the west coast, Ovation of the Seas will sail short 3- and 4-night cruises from Los Angeles and Navigator of the Seas is back in LA to offer 7-night Mexican Riviera cruises.

The idea of going on a cruise alone can seem daunting, but I think it's quite rewarding once you try it.

There are plenty of reasons why you'd need to cruise solo: family obligations, a great last-minute rate, or PTO time that's going to expire. Whatever the rationale, you might be concerned that it's a mistake to get on a cruise ship by yourself.

I've taken dozens of cruises alone, and while it's a different approach to how you travel, I find it very liberating doing what you want, when you want to do it. Plus, it means more cruising!

If you're on the fence if a solo cruise is right for you, I've got the reasons to try or skip a solo cruise.

Pros of Cruising Alone

Let's start with the best reasons to try a cruise by yourself because I want to start with why you should give it a try.

In fact, I'd go as far as to say you really ought to give a solo cruise a try, even with the downsides listed later in this article.

Ultimate flexibility

The first thing you'll likely notice when you get on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship solo is you aren't consulting with anyone else what to do next.

Cruising alone means you get to cruise at your speed. You can do what you want, and come and go to whichever activity suits you.

There's no negotiating dinner times, activities, or excursions. No one is waking you up inadvertently, and you have the freedom to set alarms (or not).

Wandering the ship and stopping to do what you like and then leave when you're ready is a very liberating feeling. While I'm sure you enjoy the company of you friends and family, sometimes it's nice to do what you want.

Doing what you want is the common theme of a solo cruise. It allows you to enjoy your cruise without much compromise.

Cruise ships are conducive to solo cruising

Unlike land resorts, cruise ships tend to be a more social experience from start to finish.

I've found that a cruise fosters a lot of social interaction because of how so many events and activities are conducted.

Shore excursions are almost always set up in groups, and you're bound to start up a conversation there. Trivia events at bars are where you're encouraged to form teams. Even the casino tends to generate conversations with strangers because people inevitable like to celebrate or commiserate about how the games are paying out.

Royal Caribbean can seat you with other passengers in the Main Dining Room for dinner.

The more I've cruised alone, the more I've opened up to random conversations with strangers. Most of the time it's just a passing hello, but sometimes you can strike up a good chat and you might have a new friend around the ship.

In fact, the bar scene on cruise ships is a very social one. I've found it can be quite adept to meeting people.

If you have access to the Crown Lounge or Suite Lounge, those are some of the best places to meet other cruisers. There seems to be a sense of comradery in those lounges because of the exclusiveness of them.

It's a faster path to higher loyalty tiers

A common reason to want to cruise solo is to cruise more to reach Royal Caribbean's top tiers within Crown and Anchor Society.

If you're chasing Diamond status or higher, going alone will get you more loyalty points. 

Cruising alone in a standard cabin will get you 2 points per night, and you'll get 3 points per night if you're in a suite. 

There's no doubt I got to Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club status faster because I cruised solo. And once you get higher loyalty status, you get to take advantage of the perks.

Royal Caribbean's best benefits are arguably at the Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Club levels. Having them makes cruising so much better, and you might save money too.

For families, one person cruising solo could elevate the entire family since spouses and kids under 18 living in the same household all get the same loyalty status as the highest family member has.

It's a safer environment

While there are no guarantees in life, I find being alone on a cruise ship feels safer than being alone in a city

There are no unfamiliar places at night or dark alleyways to worry about. Cruise ships offer structured, secure environments that make traveling alone feel safer.

I would never say a cruise is crime-free or there's zero risk, but I would argue it feels safer than a city does.

Every single person onboard is accounted for and has their information registered with the cruise line.  It's not a total safety net, but the fact a ship is self contained puts my mind at ease. Heck, it's why I let me kids much more freedom on a ship than I do at home.

Cons of Cruising Alone

Now it's time for the downsides of cruising by yourself. 

Not all of these may apply to you, but I think they are important to be aware of before you tell your travel agent to book the cruise.

The cruise fare is more expensive

The first thing I hear about cruising alone is that it's not cheap.

Booking a standard cabin by yourself means you'll pay the single supplement fee, which is the cost to make up for the missing second passenger.

Royal Caribbean (and nearly every cruise line) charges you a fee if you cruise alone because their business model is based on double occupancy.

Essentially, this means you'll pay for a second person in your stateroom, even though there isn't one there.

While Royal Caribbean does have some solo cabins on certain ships that don't charge the fee, they are few and far between.

Look on the bright side, paying the fee gets you the extra Crown and Anchor points.

There will be times where you're lonely

No matter how many times I've cruised solo, there are moments of loneliness.

This is especially true when dining alone because sitting at a table by yourself tends to make it more self aware that you're the only one there.

The same can be true when you're sitting at a table at a bar, attending a show, or enjoying an activity and miss the comradery of being able to share in it with someone else.

I've found the remedy to this is buying an internet package so you can text, call, and Facetime friends and family at home. It's not exactly the same thing as having them with you on the cruise, but it's the next best thing.

You have to plan everything

Being responsible for all the cruise planning is either the best or worst thing ever.

There's no one else to share in the responsibilities of packing, booking activities, researching what to do, or making decisions along the way.

If you forget something or run into a problem, it's all on you.

This doesn't cause too many issues for my personality, but there have been times I've forgotten to pack something my wife usually brings or I've had to navigate a change in plans and determine the best new option all on my own.

Dining alone is weird

I won't sugar coat it: eating at restaurants on your cruise is strange when it's just you.

It's totally fine at the buffet or when grabbing a slice of pizza, but eating in the Main Dining Room and specialty restaurants can make you feel more alone than you really are.

Food is one of the top two reasons people book a Royal Caribbean cruise, so limiting yourself to just casual spots may be too much of a compromise.

My advice here is that no one cares you're eating alone. It may feel like everyone's looking at you, but people are self-centered enough that they're more preoccupied with their own lives than what one person at table 417 is doing by themselves at a table.

Embrace the solo cruise and give a try

I really think cruising alone on Royal Caribbean is a great idea and worth doing at least once.

You should consider certain ships and itineraries that might be better for a solo cruise.  A port intensive itinerary that will keep you busy is better than a cruise with a lot of sea days.

Likewise, I'd recommend a big ship that has lots to do onboard for a solo cruiser.  The more options you have helps keep you engaged.

Without a doubt, buy an internet package so you can always reach out to friends and be social.

Once you've had a taste for solo cruises, I think you will love the change in pace it brings and might just become a go-to way to squeeze in more cruise vacations!

Multiple Royal Caribbean cruise ships have had their itineraries altered due to a powerful cold front impacting Florida and The Bahamas. 

On Tuesday in Nassau, winds near the port will be around 22-24 knots (25-28 miles per hour). In comparison, the winds are forecasted to drop to around 12 knots, or 14 mph, by Thursday. By Monday afternoon, The Bahamas had already issued a near Gale warning (28-33 knots) for the Northern and Northwest Bahamas. 

According to forecasters, the front will continue to push through The Bahamas before stalling over the Southeast islands. This will result in elevated shower and thunderstorm chances throughout the week. 

As the cold front moves across the region, the unfavorable weather conditions forced the cruise line to make adjustments. 

"Our Captain, along with our Chief Meteorologist, Craig Setzer, are tracking a cold front that will bring adverse weather conditions to CocoCay on Tuesday...To provide you with the best experience, we've switched the days and order we'll visit Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas," reads a letter given to guests sailing aboard Wonder of the Seas. 

The 4-night cruise was initially scheduled to call at CocoCay on Tuesday. Now, however, passengers will enjoy a sea day before visiting Nassau on Wednesday, followed by a visit to CocoCay on Thursday. 

Similarly, Freedom of the Seas' 5-night cruise to CocoCay and Mexico has been completely changed. 

The November 10 sailing axed both scheduled stops and replaced them with visits to Taino Bay on Wednesday and Amber Cove on Thursday. 

This means that both port days will be spent in the Dominican Republic's Puerto Plata region, which is known for its beaches and outdoor activities. Royal Caribbean guests also have the rare opportunity to visit Carnival Corporation’s private destination, Amber Cove, which opened in 2015.

"We have been tracking the development of a strong cold front that will be impacting the area of our sailing...As a result, we've made some adjustments to our itinerary," read the notice given to Freedom passengers.

"We'll need to skip our visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay, and instead, enjoy a Sea Day tomorrow. Additionally, we will now visit Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, on Day 3 and Amber Cove, Dominican Republic on Day 4. While we know it's not the original itinerary we planned, we're excited for our journey together!"

Moving on, although no ports were cancelled on Utopia of the Seas' Nov. 10 departure, guests will visit Nassau and CocoCay in a different order. 

Utopia, like Wonder, will enjoy a day at sea on Tuesday, followed by CocoCay on Wednesday. The ship will call at Nassau on Thursday, which was formerly the cruise's day at sea, before returning to Port Canaveral on Friday. 

Read more: What to do in Nassau on a cruise? I love these 7 ideas

Finally, Radiance of the Seas' Nov. 10 cruise pushed its scheduled visit to the capital of The Bahamas. Rather than calling at Nassau on Tuesday, the Radiance Class ship will spend the day at sea. Radiance will now visit Nassau on Thursday, after an unchanged stop in CocoCay on Wednesday. 

"We're terribly sorry for the last-minute change caused by the weather - your safety is our top priority," concludes the letter given to guests aboard Wonder of the Seas. 

The ships' shore excursion teams will reschedule any prepaid tours booked through Royal Caribbean. If the excursion cannot be reaccommodated, it will be automatically canceled and refunded to the card on file in up to 14 business days. 

Reminder to remain flexible

The Atlantic hurricane season is set to wrap up on Nov. 30, and as of Nov. 11, tropical cyclone activity is not expected during the next seven days. However, that does not mean that cruisers are in the clear for weather-related itinerary changes. 

Cold fronts and high winds can impact sailing conditions, making it unsafe to call in port. Although last-minute changes are disappointing, they are always made with guests' comfort and safety in mind. 

Royal Caribbean has a full-time meteorologist who monitors weather patterns and conditions, working directly with cruise ship captains to determine the safest and most comfortable adjustments when unexpected weather arises. 

"Florida cloud shadow! Ideal cold weather setup for Florida with high pressure dropping into northern Gulf coast with cool & dry air spilling undisturbed down the peninsula," Setzer wrote on X. 

"The warmth of the nearby Gulf/Atlantic often moderate the chilly air but not in this flow pattern."

Royal Caribbean is giving fans the chance to make a permanent mark on the all-new duckie-go-round coming to Legend of the Seas. 

The cruise giant introduced the new member of Legend's duckie crew on Facebook and invited cruisers to give her the perfect name. 

According to Royal Caribbean, she is a "rootin’-tootin’ cowgirl who loves to wrangle up the fun and turns every adventure into a wild ride."

The duckie's favorite thrill is glow-in-the-dark laser tag, and she loves building her own tacos at El Loco Fresh. 

In terms of appearance, she sports a rosy cowboy hat with a bandana, emblazoned with the cruise line's famous crown and anchor symbol. 

Fans were quick to share their creative name ideas in the Facebook post's comments:

• Quack-a-long Katy, the Loco Legend of the West
• The LEGENDary Lasso Lucille
• Annie Duckley, the rooting tootin laser shooting sharpshooter
• Celestial Quackgirl
• Dolly
• Señorita Quackalita
• Royal Ruby
• Bandana Barbara

Vicki Freed, the Senior Vice President of Sales, Trade Support, and Service, shared that Legend of the Seas isn’t stopping with just one duck friend on the brand-new carousel. 

"Meet the newest feathered explorer joining the Duckie-Go-Round on Legend of the Seas — an Explorer Duckie dedicated to YOU, our incredible travel partners," she wrote on Facebook. 

Unlike the other competition, there are just four options for the tourist-inspired duckie: Kona, Flip, Miles, and Atlas. Voting ends within the next 48 hours. 

The all-new duckie-go-round will set sail in the Mediterranean summer of 2026. Legend of the Seas' inaugural cruise is scheduled for July 11. 

After a stint in Europe, Legend will reposition to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in October 2026, rotating between 6 and 8-night Caribbean cruises. 

After that, she will return to Europe for another season of Mediterranean adventures. After that, however, Legend's fate is unknown, though the cowgirl-themed duckie-go-round hints that Legend could be heading to Texas.

Is the duck a hint of what's to come?

Maybe I'm reading too much into a rubber duck, but it seems more than a coincidence that the rubber duck has a cowboy hat on, which is synonymous with the state of Texas.

There's absolutely no mention of Galveston or Texas in this fun contest, but the timing seems too convenient.

At some point this week we will get the 2027-2028 ship deployments announced for Galveston, and a lot of people expect Royal Caribbean to announce an Icon Class ship based there.

After years of hinting and dropping subtle clues, Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean International's President and CEO, told a theater full of travel agents that they planned to move an Icon Class ship to Texas. 

Although he could not confirm the timeline, he assured the audience that the news was coming. 

As of now, Royal Caribbean's two Icon Class ships exclusively sail out of Florida. Icon of the Seas' homeport is Miami, while Star of the Seas' is Port Canaveral.

When Legend of the Seas enters service next year, she will cruise from Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) after spending a few months in the Mediterranean. 

However, an Icon Class ship has never sailed from Texas. Moving one of the world's largest ships to Galveston would mark a significant expansion of Royal Caribbean’s presence in the Gulf area. 

This isn't surprising, though. Royal Caribbean has been steadily expanding its Western Caribbean offerings, giving cruisers more reasons to explore the region. Once completed, one of the line’s biggest draws will be Perfect Day Mexico. 

The cruise line is taking what worked at its award-winning private island in The Bahamas and making it ever better. There will be spots for chill, thrill, and family-friendly fun throughout the Royal Caribbean-exclusive destination. 

Royal Caribbean also plans to build a 42-acre beach club in Cozumel. It will feature a large pool with a swim-up bar and plenty of spots to relax on the beach. 

The goal of both new private destinations is to help make Western Caribbean itineraries as popular and desirable as Eastern Caribbean ones. An Icon Class ship sailing from Texas would further allow Royal Caribbean to offer better Western Caribbean experiences.

Royal Caribbean’s Oasis class ships are among the most activity-packed cruise ships in the world. With only 4 days aboard Wonder of the Seas, I challenged myself to try every complimentary activity.

Wonder of the Seas is Royal Caribbean’s newest megaship to sail short getaway cruises. Building on the popularity of the party-focused Utopia of the Seas, the cruise line is clearly leaning into the trend of weekend party sailings.

I was lucky to be among the first to sail aboard Wonder of the Seas for the ship’s very first 4-night sailing. After a fun-filled cruise on Utopia of the Seas earlier this year, I was eager to see how the experience would compare.

Our itinerary included two ports of call in the Bahamas: Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay. We also had one sea day to enjoy all of the ship’s amenities and onboard attractions.

Typically, I prefer spending my sea days in the adults-only Solarium. With only one sea day in our short itinerary, I didn’t have much time to check everything off my bucket list.

Although I tried my best to attempt every activity, I did have some limitations. Essentially, I didn’t want to hurt myself and ruin my vacation. My 30-year-old body isn’t quite as nimble as it once was. Luckily, I’ve been cruising with Royal Caribbean for two decades, so I’ve tried many of the activities on prior cruises.

I always crushed climbing on the rock wall and could, at one point, do tunnel flips on the FlowRider (those days are long gone!). The zip line is another favorite activity on Oasis class ships; however, the line was always long and wrapped around the activity deck. I was committed to zip-lining, but I couldn’t find the energy to stand in the scorching heat for more than an hour for a 5-second ride.

Ice skating is another unique activity on Royal Caribbean’s ships, but this requires long pants for skating. I completely forgot to pack pants so I could ice skate, as an August cruise to the Caribbean doesn’t exactly require pants. With just a carry-on suitcase and no pants available, I skipped ice skating.

All that said, I hit the ground running and crammed as much as I could into my sea day. I spent nearly 12 hours of nonstop activity running around the ship. It was exhausting, but tons of fun, and I would definitely do it again!

10:30 a.m. - Windjammer Breakfast

Our morning started later than we expected, but that’s the beauty of a sea day! We had nowhere to be, so we didn’t set an alarm. My friend is a mom of young kids, so she was happy to sleep in.

By the time we got out of bed and dressed, the Windjammer was our only option for breakfast. In my opinion, the Windjammer buffet space is too small on Oasis class ships. Although there are many different places to dine, the Windjammer is your only option for late breakfast. Considering Wonder of the Seas’ focus on late-night partying, I’d like to see more options for brunch or late-morning breakfast.

We navigated the packed buffet for a quick breakfast, along with many other guests doing the same. Despite the crowd, we enjoyed our selections, and the food was served hot and fresh!

11:30 a.m. - The Ultimate Abyss

Following breakfast, I decided to ride the Ultimate Abyss — the world’s tallest dry slide at sea! Because we were finishing breakfast on the ship’s top deck, the Ultimate Abyss was an easy activity to knock off my bucket list.

My friend wasn’t interested in riding the slide with me, so I ventured on my own to experience the 10-story slide. I positioned myself on the slide for a wild ride in the provided snack. It reminded me of the burlap sacks used for slides at a fair, but this one was more padded. We were given a small demonstration on how to position ourselves, and I listened intently.

The slide was so much fun! I was concentrating on following the instructions that I started to slide sideways from being so stiff. I slightly scraped my knee, but nothing that left a mark. I screamed the entire way down.

12:00 p.m. - Boardwalk Carousel

The Ultimate Abyss brings you from the ship’s top deck down to the Boardwalk on Deck 6. After the exhilarating ride, I noticed the Boardwalk’s signature carousel was offering rides. Although we didn’t have any kids with us, we asked if we could ride, and the operator said it was no issue.

I’d passed by the carousel countless times but had never actually taken a ride. In fact, I couldn’t even remember the last time I’d been on one — maybe Disneyland about eight years ago.

We hopped onto two horses for a fun ride. I expected a slow, boring spin, but the carousel moved faster than I anticipated. We laughed along with the kids, and before we knew it, the ride was over after just a few lively turns.

12:30 p.m. - Trivia: Who Wants to be a Caribbeanaire

As we wandered around the ship, I popped into an energetic game in the Karaoke Spotlight lounge in the Royal Promenade. The lounge was packed, so I knew it was going to be a fun game.

This game is similar to the classic ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire’ game show with multiple-choice questions that gradually get more difficult as the game progresses. Although I didn’t participate, I enjoyed watching the game and trying to answer the questions myself. The crowd was super engaged and interactive, which is always fun. I would definitely attend this show again!

Read more: I went to 5 different parties on my last Royal Caribbean cruise. One was clearly the best

1:00 p.m. - Relaxing on the Back of the Ship

Wonder of the Seas is a busy ship, so we were always on the lookout for a quiet, comfortable place to relax. One of our favorite spots on the ship was at the very back of the ship on the walking path.

Oasis class ships have a dedicated walking and running path around the entire ship on Deck 5. Where the ship wraps around the ship’s aft, you can find some chairs that overlook the ship’s wake.

We relaxed here for about an hour while enjoying the beautiful, sunny day. There were only a few other people relaxing here, so it’s a great spot to retreat if you appreciate ocean views! We retreated to this spot multiple times a day, and it’s a great spot to watch the sunset each evening.

2:00 p.m. - Lunch at El Loco Fresh

One of my favorite casual eateries on a Royal Caribbean cruise is El Loco Fresh. The Mexican cuisine is served buffet-style, but everything tastes freshly made. You can find an assortment of burritos, quesadillas, tacos, nachos, and desserts.

My go-to at El Loco Fresh is a chicken quesadilla with sour cream and Mexican cheese — it’s divine! My friend loved the nachos, and we both tried a taco with tender, flavorful pork. Everything was delicious and we hardly had to wait in line.

3:00 p.m. - Mini Golf

This one is a cruise classic! Wonder of the Seas has a miniature golf course on the back of the ship. Mini golf is a great family-friendly activity to keep both kids and adults entertained. You simply grab your own club and golf ball to start your game. It wasn’t entirely clear which hole was meant to be first, and there didn’t seem to be any particular order that we were meant to follow.

The miniature golf course is brightly colored and ocean-themed with a giant octopus, whale, and stingrays. I loved the theming, even though my miniature golf game isn’t anything to write home about.

5:00 p.m. - Dinner in Main Dining Room

After a rousing game of miniature golf, we ventured back to our cabin to relax, shower, and get ready for dinner. We were assigned a lovely table right by the window with excellent wait staff (shout out to Bayou and Gino). We looked forward to our dinners in the main dining room each evening. The food was also fantastic, and the service was attentive! In fact, it was one of the best main dining room experiences that I’ve had in a while.

8:00 p.m. - inTENSE AquaTheatre Show

Oasis class ships have some of the best entertainment in the cruise industry, including high-diving productions in the AquaTheatre. With a giant amphitheater at the back of the ship, you can watch jaw-dropping shows with divers, synchronized swimmers, acrobats, and aerialists.

Our show on Wonder of the Seas was inTENSE with an all-woman cast of performers. The production was outstanding with high-diving stunts from crazy heights and acrobatics like I’ve never seen. The energetic performance was so entertaining that we returned for a second show the following night.

9:00 p.m. - Pizza at Sorrento’s

Is it really a late night on a cruise ship without a slice of pizza? Because our dinner was early at 5:00 p.m., we enjoyed our late-night stop at Sorrento’s in the Royal Promenade. This was one of the most popular restaurants on our cruise, as there was always a line that wrapped around the restaurant.

Luckily, the line moved quickly, and we were happy to gorge on pepperoni pizza. I also love that Royal Caribbean provides ranch dressing for pizza dipping — it makes my Midwestern heart so happy!

9:30 p.m. - Voices Production Show

Our last activity of the night was attending a show in the Royal Theatre called Voices. I had never heard of this show before, and I was eager to see what the a cappella production would be like.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t my favorite show during our cruise. I looked forward to the a cappella performance, but most of the vocals were pre-recorded. The visual displays were impressive and the singers were very talented, but the show wasn’t my cup of tea. I really appreciated the concept of an a cappella performance, but the pre-recorded vocals were distracting from the live performers.

Royal Caribbean has started its Black Friday sale, and it's the beginning of the holiday shopping season that could save you money on a cruise.

Many cruisers look to Black Friday as a way to net the lowest prices of the year on popular add-ons and even cruise fares.

While I haven't seen deep discounts on drink packages or Wi-Fi, I have spotted deals on other extras that will definitely cost more if you wait to book. Of course, the exact discount will depend on your sailing because there is variable pricing.

Expect there to be a series of "preview sales" leading up to the actual Black Friday and Cyber Monday holidays. Now is the perfect time to re-price things out and I would recommend checking back to see if there are better sales later too.

Royal Caribbean's Black Friday sale on Cruise Planner items applies to purchases made through November 30, 2025.

After spending a day going through all the offers, I came up with a list of the best buys available now. Buying now will get you a good price and definitely save you money compared to anyone that waits to book it onboard.

Day pass to the Royal Beach Club

The best discount right now is on Royal Caribbean's new beach club that is opening in The Bahamas.

Royal Beach Club Paradise Island opens on December 23, 2025 and it looks to be an incredible way to spend your day in The Bahamas.

This is an extra cost beach club experience, meaning you have to purchase admission to get in there.

Thanks to Black Friday, we're seeing prices for an adult admission that includes alcohol around $129 - $149 per person. Prior to the sale, prices were closer to $200 - $250 each.

On two different Utopia of the Seas sailings in 2026, I saw my price drop from $245 to $149 for the day pass with alcohol ($139 for non alcohol).

All-in Package

Exclusive for Black Friday, the All-in Package is a new option that bundles the most popular add-ons into one buy.

It includes an unlimited alcohol package, unlimited specialty dining package, and Wi-Fi internet. If your ship visits Nassau, it also includes admission to the Royal Beach Club.

The pricing for the All-In package without the Day Pass is $119.99 per person.

It's worth pricing out the individual components of the package to see if you could save more buying them separately, but for a lot of people the bundle is a better deal. For my sailing, it was $139 less expensive to book the bundle than all separately.

Unlimited soda package

So far, the unlimited alcohol package prices don't seem much lower, but the soda package is definitely a good buy right now.

I'm seeing prices as low as $8.99 per person, per day on a few upcoming sailings.

That's 40% off the onboard price and could be a great buy for kids and teens that devour soft drinks all day long.

In truth, any pre-cruise sale on a drink package will be cheaper than buying it onboard. When you can get it for a lower than average price online, that's a win.

Thrill Waterpark admission

I've seen better than average prices for Thrill Waterpark at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

The waterpark has a variety of slides and a wave pool, and for about $60ish per person, it's a great price.

I've seen the admission cost go as well over $100 per person, so to get it for less than $70 per person is pretty good.  This might the chance for families to finally try all the slides.

Last-minute cruise fares

Don't overlook booking a cruise during Black Friday.

Royal Caribbean is calling these their Black Friday Mega Deals, and there are some seriously good discounts, if you have a flexible travel schedule.

I found cruise fares for less than $200, but you're going to need to move fast. Most of these sailings depart in the next two weeks.

There are also many other cruise deals to choose from.  A list of 12 pages of cruise offers are available.

If you're looking to squeeze in another cruise soon, I'd recommend checking out the list for a cheap last-minute cruise.

Supper club

One other notable discount to highlight are the Supper Club experiences on Royal Caribbean's newest ships.

The Empire Supper Club and Lincoln Park Supper Club are both exquisite six-course meals that usually cost $200 per person.

Thanks to the sale, the price is down to $159.99. That's the lowest price I've seen for the meal.

Expect more sales this month

Don't sleep on the Black Friday sale as what you see today is what it will be.  

Royal Caribbean will likely relaunch its Black Friday offers throughout November, including the actual holiday itself.

While I don't have any inside information of what to expect, it's been experience that they tend to run a series of promotions that mix up the exact discounts.

Last year, the cruise line changed the Black Friday offer a few different times all the way through early December.

I recommend using a price tracking tool to make it easier on yourself so you can be notified when there's a new discount available.

Another busy week of Royal Caribbean fun just wrapped up, but if you missed any of it, I have a concise look at all of it for you in this weekly news round-up!

Royal Caribbean quietly removed one of its popular Broadway shows.

Grease has been performed on Harmony of the Seas and Independence of the Seas for almost a decade, but that's now over.

The cruise line confirmed both ships have pulled the show with a possible replacement coming soon.

Royal Caribbean News

• After Hurricane Melissa, Royal Caribbean begins delivering relief supplies
• Royal Caribbean reroutes cruise ships from Jamaica after hurricane
• Royal Caribbean's latest cruise ship deployment sparks questions about what's still missing
• 14 Do's and Dont's for your first day on every cruise
• Can you cruise without a passport?
• What you should do if you forgot something on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship
• Miami, Orlando, Tampa included in airports cutting flights because of shutdown
• I cruise many times each year. Here are common mistakes I see cruisers make.
• Royal Caribbean is trying to elevate cruise ports passengers complain about

New RCB Video: 8 Uncomfortable Things You Don't Expect On A Cruise

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 — 8 Uncomfortable Things You Don't Expect On A Cruise — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Royal Caribbean's early Black Friday sale has new discounts

Royal Caribbean's Black Friday deals are here!

Retailers have been kicking off Black Friday sales earlier, and Royal Caribbean has joined this trend.

There are new discounts on a variety of add-ons and cruise fares too, with great prices spotted across the board.

7 Kick streamers thrown off a Royal Caribbean ship after a brawl

A group of streamers were reportedly escorted off a Royal Caribbean ship this week after a fight and guest complaints forced the line's hand.

While on a 7-night Western Caribbean sailing on Harmony of the Seas, there was a fist fight among two members that got both sent to the brig and then left off the ship at the next port.

Then five others were removed at the next port when complaints escalated.

New Caribbean cruises for 2027-2028 added

The latest deployment was posted this week including 7-night and Short Caribbean year round sailings.

Sailing between May 2027 and April 2028, there are five ships included in this list.

These new sailings are available to book immediately.

14 things you can buy at a Dollar Tree to make your cruise better

There are lots of things you can buy for a cruise, but you might save money by shopping at the Dollar Tree store.

Instead of going to Amazon or Target, a dollar store offers very similar items are a significant discount.

Matt tried it out before his recent cruise and was pleasantly surprised how well it worked.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 582nd episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available at all our links.

Why Royal Caribbean’s latest announcements feel like an early gift to loyal fans.

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

A group of live streamers were kicked off a Royal Caribbean cruise ship this week for two different incidents caused onboard.

The group of live streamers call themselves the "Cx group" and they are lead by streamer Ice Poseidon, and their approach is to broadcast on Kick.com nearly everything they do.

During the course of their 7-night western Caribbean cruise, a number of incidents lead up to most of the group being kicked off the ship.

Clips of the group doing various things started circulating online, including one member getting into a verbal argument with a passenger because he was standing up and recording the show. 

Dave Willis was recording when another passenger wanted him to sit down because it was blocking their view. He then berated the family and used profanity and slurs to get his point across.

In another clip, the group (including Ice Poseidon) went door to door around the ship looking for upside down pineapple magnets on guest doors.

Upside down pineapples are known for being a symbol of couples that engage in swinging. When they found one, they knocked on the door and asked the passenger if that was indeed what they were interested in.

This all lead up to incidents that caused the ship's Captain to get involved and request the group go home early.

What got them kicked off the ship

According to Cx group leader Ice Poseidon, there were two different incidents that got the 7 members kicked off the ship.

The first incident was a fight on the pool deck between two members, David Ryan and Dave Willis.

Evidently the two started fighting over a joke that kept escalating, but it erupted into punches and tackling each other.

The fight was live streamed and a clip of it was widely circulated, which got the two of them immediately detained and kicked off thee ship in the next port of call, which is Roatan, Honduras.

The rest of the group seemed to be okay until the next morning when the ship's staff contacted five other members early in the morning to ask to leave too.

According to Ice Poseidon, a total of five group members were called down to the ship's security and interviewed before being asked to leave the ship.

He said their removal stemmed from a combination of harassing other passengers in an elevator while live recording and subsequent complaints from cruise ship passengers.

Not only were they kicked off the ship, but Royal Caribbean forced the group to pay a $800 taxi ride to get them to the nearest airport in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

He later said the issue was guests complaining about them recording, ""[A woman] said, 'I didn't like the camera,' and that was it."

"Literally, the sight of a camera will get you kicked off of the boat now."

Each of them had to secure their own flights home at their own expense.

Three other members of the Cx group not directly involved in the incidents were allowed to stay on the ship.

"I didn't do anything that would be a nuisance"

Upon reaching his hotel, Ice Poseidon live streamed his thoughts in a 2 and a half hour video laced with profanity.

"I didn't do anything that would be a nuisance on that boat, except for the first day asking for swingers, but that's not big of a deal," he explained.

He said he stopped immediately once being told that was not acceptable by the ship's staff.

He then later questioned why he was kicked off when others were the ones that were the instigators of the group, "Why am I getting the blame?"

The ship's security team told him guests went to Guest Services to complain. Specifically an incident in an elevator where the other passengers felt "intimidated".

He then downplayed his filming on the ship after the first day. 

Later in the video, he claims he received a call from the ship's security to check on their progress and let them know they're welcome to cruise again with the line. This confused him given he was just removed from the ship.

He says he's going to try to get a refund for the rest of the sailing.

Most travelers automatically assume that a passport is necessary for a cruise vacation, but that isn't always true. 

Generally speaking, passports are recommended for all cruises, whether a short 3-night Bahamian getaway or a voyage to The Last Frontier. However, they aren't always required. 

Whether you're a first-time cruiser or have waited too long to renew, you can embark on certain cruises without a passport — so long as you have a valid birth certificate and government-issued photo ID. 

There are two stipulations to that freedom, though. First, you must be a U.S. citizen, and second, the sailing must be a closed-loop cruise that departs from the United States. 

Here's what cruisers need to know about traveling with — and without — a passport. 

What is a closed-loop cruise?

A closed-loop cruise departs from and returns to the same port of call and visits at least one foreign port in between. 

For example, a round-trip cruise on Icon of the Seas from Miami, Florida, is a closed-loop cruise. As such, you can technically cruise without a passport on one of the world's largest ships to the Eastern or Western Caribbean. 

A short 3-night cruise on Utopia of the Seas from Port Canaveral, Florida, is also a closed-loop cruise, as all voyages call at Nassau and/or Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas. 

One-way sailings, even if they begin and end in the United States, aren't closed-loop cruises. These include one-way Panama Canal voyages and other repositioning cruises. 

Moreover, round-trip cruises from ports outside of the U.S., such as a weeklong sailing around the Mediterranean from Barcelona, Spain, don't qualify as closed-looped. 

Therefore, all guests would need to have a valid passport in order to sail, regardless of citizenship. 

What documentation do you need to go on a closed-loop cruise?

U.S. citizens can cruise without a passport on a closed-loop cruise with just a birth certificate and government-issued photo ID (depending on the age of the traveler). 

The birth certificate must have been issued by the Vital Records Department in the state where they were born. However, an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) can be used in place of the birth certificate. 

EDLs are a low-cost, convenient option for entering the U.S. from Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean through a land or sea port of entry, and they have complied with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) since June 1, 2009. 

However, they're only available in five states: Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington. They are different than REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses, too. 

Those without an EDL will still need to provide a birth certificate when embarking on a cruise without a passport. 

Moreover, a valid form of photo ID is necessary for all cruisers 16 and older. An example is a government-issued driver's license that includes a photo, name, and date of birth.

Where can I cruise without a passport?

U.S. travelers have plenty of options if they want to cruise without a passport, although they can travel to more destinations with one. 

So long as the voyage is a round-trip sailing from a United States port of call (that visits at least one foreign destination, such as The Bahamas or Canada), you do not need a passport. 

Popular closed-loop itineraries for guests without a passport include: 

• The Bahamas
• The Caribbean
• Alaska (round-trip from Seattle only)
• Canada & New England
• Bermuda
• Mexican Riviera

You cannot visit destinations like Europe, the Panama Canal, Asia, Australia, or New Zealand without a passport. 

The rules are stricter for air travel than for closed-loop cruises, and U.S. citizens always need a valid passport to fly internationally. 

Moreover, if the round-trip sailing from the U.S. visits Panama, Colombia, or Martinique, a passport is required, even if it meets the technical definition of a closed-loop cruise. 

What qualifies as a valid passport?

Many destinations require that your passport be valid for at least six months beyond your planned return date. So, if your cruise were to return to Florida on July 1, 2027, you'd need your passport's expiration date to read January 1, 2027, or earlier. If it's later, you'd need to renew your passport before using it on a cruise. 

I recently had to renew my passport even though it didn't expire until May 2026 because it wouldn't have been valid past November. Thankfully, the process was quick. I renewed via mail, shipping my current passport, application, and updated photograph on October 6. 

I paid to expedite the application and return shipping, and was surprised with I got a notification that it was delivered on the 19th! Even so, I gave myself over a month until I needed it just to be safe. 

According to the U.S. Department of State's website, the current routine processing time for passports is 4-6 weeks. The expedited process takes 2-3 weeks and costs an extra $60. Processing times don't include shipping. 

Should I bring a passport on a closed-loop cruise?

Passports are preferred over birth certificates and valid photo IDs because they make international travel smoother and provide more flexibility in case of unexpected emergencies. 

For example, if you have to suddenly disembark the cruise ship because of a medical emergency, a passport ensures you can fly home from a foreign port without any delays.

Additionally, traveling with a passport generally means you have smoother embarkation and disembarkation experiences, as those without one can get stuck in longer immigration lines. 

"We strongly recommend that all cruise passengers travel with a passport book, even if not required by the cruise line. You need to have a passport book to fly home on an international flight in an emergency," reads the U.S. State Department's website.