Royal Caribbean Blog

The hottest ticket in cruising right now is Royal Caribbean's first fully immersive restaurant that makes you feel like you're on a classic train.

Royal Railway Utopia Station looks, feels, and sounds like you're on a train, complete with full meal, cocktails, and a fun story too.

Ever since it first debuted on Utopia of the Seas, it has been the most difficult reservation to get because of how much hype and demand there has been. I thought perhaps demand would wane in the first few months, but it's only gotten more competitive as more cruisers discover this option.

It's one of those "you gotta see it to believe it" type things, but before you step aboard, I think there are a few things you should know and do before you mosey on down to Utopia Station.

Reservations are critical

You need to be realistic about your chances to actually get a reservation for Royal Railway, because I've never seen a restaurant this hard to get into.

You'll need to make a reservation before the cruise begins.  There's a near zero percent chance any reservations are available when you board Utopia of the Seas.

The problem is there's no telling when reservations become available. I have yet to discern any kind of pattern as to when Royal Caribbean opens up reservations.

It's usually close to the sail date, and well past the final payment date.  Somewhere around 45-30 days prior to sailing seems to be the usual start, but it really could go at any time.

So in order to get a reservation, you're going to need to be eagle eyed and spot it quickly.  I'd recommend checking for when reservations open up regularly.

If you can join a Facebook group or roll call for your cruise, that might help in being alerted to when reservations open up.

The bottom line is don't wait to make a reservation. Book a spot as early as you can because they will sell out quickly.

There's a story element

Unlike other restaurants on a Royal Caribbean ship, there's a story element to the experience.

In order for it to be a truly immersive dining experience, Royal Caribbean came up with a story that's being told around you.

The performers interject a few times during the meal, and there's limited guest interaction.  A passenger might be asked a question or given something to hold, but that's the extent of it.  

It's a cute show that's very family friendly.  In fact, it definitely leans into the family angle much more.  That isn't to say adults without kids won't enjoy it, but you should know what you're getting a head of time.

There's a few segments, and they're short.  It will interrupt your conversation, but it's not terribly distracting. Cute vignettes that add a element of levity to the meal.

The kids menu has the best dessert

Speaking of family, there's a kids menu that anyone can order off of and it has one of the best desserts I've had.

There are two choices for dessert on the regular menu, and each has its own qualities, but the kids dessert is amazing if you're an ice cream fan.

It's essentially a chocolate covered block of vanilla ice cream that looks like a train.  Think Klondike bar.

Ever since I tried it out "in the name of research", I've been hooked. It might be something to ask your waiter for instead of the standard desserts. Or order all three!

Don't forget your tickets

The night before your meal, there will be paper tickets delivered to your stateroom.

These tickets are neat souvenirs you can take home that look like train tickets, but they're more than a souvenir.

You really do need to bring them to the meal in order to board the train.

When you arrive at Utopia Station on deck 4 for your meal, the crew member will ask to see your tickets.  And then onboard the train, they'll do the same again.

While it's all schtick, you probably don't want to be called out for not having tickets.  So be sure to bring them with you to dinner.

There's a new whiskey tasting option

Royal Caribbean has added a new whiskey tasting event too that you can book.

The "Royal Railway — Utopia Station Whiskey Tasting" was added recently, and it's a celebration of American whiskey

I have it booked for September to try it out, but it's a whiskey tasting event that doesn't have a show element. You still get the train experience of it moving and the sights and sounds that go with it.

From what I've heard from other cruisers that have tried it, it's an opportunity to try various whiskeys in a fun setting. There are 3 varieties of whiskey to sample.

More shows are forthcoming

Royal Caribbean has promised there will be more shows than just the Wild West on Royal Railway.

They see it as a story telling platform where there's so many ways to give guests a train ride that without it being the same thing each time.

Executives have hinted at a Orient Express theme, along with a brunch offering. I've been told the Silk Route option will be less kid focused.

Regardless, we can expect more shows to come online in the future that add a completely different atmosphere, and likely making this restaurant even more in-demand than it already is.

Royal Railway is worth it

Royal Caribbean did a wonderful job in creating something completely different with Royal Railway, and I think it's worth trying.

It's not another restaurant, because it integrates show, meal, and sights into one. 

If your idea of a great vacation is enjoying new experiences and crafting memories, Royal Railway is sure to deliver on that.  It's one of those things you'll do where you're bound to tell friends and family about it when you get home.

Happy Sunday and unofficial start to summer! Temperatures are rising, and so is the pace of cruise news to share with you this week.

Royal Caribbean's Star of the Seas has begun sea trials.

The newest ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet headed out for the first time into the open ocean to ensure all of its systems work the way they should, such as the propulsion, navigation and safety systems.

Sea trials are the final step of a ship's construction prior to being delivered to the cruise line.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean has raised prices on drinks to $15 each
• Royal Caribbean is leaning into a popular water slide trend
• I've stayed in over a dozen Royal Caribbean suites. Here are the 6 mistakes I see first-timers make
• A cruiser forgot to pay off their cruise and it's an important reminder how to avoid it happening to you
• Royal Caribbean cruise ship worker reveals fun rewards crew members get during their off hours
• Royal Caribbean is now sending an email that makes packing for a cruise much easier
• Why I love using my Royal Caribbean loyalty drink benefits on every cruise — and you might, too
• 15 Photos of Summer Cruises in the ’70s
• Can you go on a cruise pregnant? Royal Caribbean has an important safety rule cruisers should always follow
• Royal Caribbean is betting big on this exotic destination. After 4 cruises here, I can see why
• 5 things I wish I knew before trying a Royal Caribbean cruise in Asia

Video: New Rules Of A Cruise This Summer To Follow

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 — New Rules Of A Cruise This Summer To Follow — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

I always try to carry my luggage off my ship at the end of the cruise because it's faster

Whenever possible, I'll take my own bags off the ship rather than wait for them to be delivered to the terminal.

I prefer to "rip the band-aid off" when my vacation comes to an end, and often I'm looking to get going and get home sooner than later.

Carrying my own luggage off the ship allows more flexibility in when I want to disembark, especially if I want to be off early.

16 secrets every Royal Caribbean cruiser should know

There are certain secrets the cruise line won't tell you, and I came up with a list of the best ones.

These are secrets that people that cruise a lot pick up on, and now you can take advantage of them too.

I hope some of these will make it easier for you to have a better cruise in the future.

Royal Caribbean ship helps protect another cruise ship

Strong winds necessitated one Royal Caribbean ship to step in and help another with getting out of port.

When Enchantment of the Seas was attempting to leave Costa Maya, it was so windy that it wasn't possible on its own.

Instead, Wonder of the Seas positioned itself to block the winds and make it easier for Enchantment to get out.

Royal Caribbean emails guests about possible Legionnaires' disease on a cruise ship

People that sailed on a recent Symphony of the Seas cruise were notified another passenger later was diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease.

An email explained the person had sailed on Symphony of the Seas was later diagnosed with Legionella. As a precaution, the cruise line is notifying passengers.

It's unknown where the person contracted it, and it may not have been on the ship.

I always overpack for my cruise, even though experts say not to do it

So many travel experts recommend not overpacking, but I do it anyway.

I understand the logic behind not overpacking, but I find there's more benefit in it because of all the different themes, events, and needs you may have during a cruise.

Ultimately, I'd rather regret the heft in my luggage than not having clothes I need later.

Summer in the ‘70s was different than today, and that included what it was like to go on a cruise vacation.

Cruises have changed a lot over the years, and the first full decade of Royal Caribbean's beginnings had a different look to it all.

Today's megaships dwarf everything from 50 years ago, but those ships were trailblazers in their own right. Royal Caribbean had made history by having purpose built ships for Caribbean voyages, instead of converted ferries or ocean liners.

With the unofficial start of summer right around the corner, we dug through the photo archives to share photos and promotional images that conveyed what it was like to take a summer cruise in the '70s.

1. Pouring wine at the dinner table

2.Cruise ship docked in port

3.Activities around the ship

4. St. Thomas beach

5. Midnight buffet

6. Meeting the Captain

7. What a stateroom looked like

8. Dinner on a cruise

9. Costume contest

10. Passenger talent night

11. Activities onboard for guests

12. Lounge on cruise ship in 1970s

13. Welcome party on first night

14. Eating in the Main Dining Room

15. Pool band

The price of a cocktail on a Royal Caribbean cruise might be headed up just a bit.

Up until now, cocktails across Royal Caribbean ships maxed out at $14 per drink in almost all cases. Beers and some basic drinks are cheaper, but the signature cocktails would reach $14.

It now appears that limit may have increased to $15 per drink.

Royal Caribbean Blog reader Craig Hart is on Utopia of the Seas and spotted the change in pricing for select drinks in the Schooner Bar.

"I was just told from the bartender that $15 drinks are now covered with the drink package," he posted on Facebook.

He is referring to the fact up until now, that $14 drink price was also the maximum a Royal Caribbean drink package would be included as well.

When speaking to the bartender, he was told the Diamond drink vouchers that are included with the cruise line's top tier loyalty statuses also covers the $15 drinks.

"I was just told diamond cover up to $15 as well," Mr. Hart said in reference to a question about those.

The $14 cocktail price has been in place for many years now. I attempted to determine when drink prices rose from $13 to $14, but it's not quite clear.  At the very least, it's been in place since at least 2022, and suffice to say, few things have remained the same price since 2022.

Signature drink prices

If Royal Caribbean is indeed increasing the price of its signature cocktails by one dollar, it's arguably more important to those that are budgeting their vacation at scale.

A one dollar change isn't much, but it does change the basis for deciding if a drink package is worth the cost.

For many cruisers, the decision to buy a drink package or not is based on how many drinks they think they'll order each day, multiplied by the price of the drinks.

In general, you have to drink five to six cocktails per day to "break even" on a drink package cost, although there are other ways to make the math work if you're willing to drink other non-alcoholic beverages.

Drink packages include bottled water, lattes, sodas, and beers, and those all cost much less than $14/$15 per drink.  So for the sake of easier math, picking the most expensive drinks to base the decision on is simpler.

Aggressive drink package prices

If there's been a theme so far this year with drink packages, it's been we've seen the lowest prices on drink packages in a long time.

Royal Caribbean has gotten creative with its pre-cruise promotions to target certain cruisers with significant discounts.

While the onboard price a drink package remains well over $100 per person, I've regularly seen discounts up to 40% off if you pre-book at the right time.

Just this week, some of our readers spotted prices as low as $35.99 per day, per person for the Deluxe Beverage Package.  That's the lowest price I've seen since last decade.

To be fair, that price is an outlier, but I've consistently seen great prices on drink packages around $50 per person, per day.

The key to getting a great price is to book your cruise early and watch the sales closely.

Royal Caribbean has sales before the cruise begins with some regularity, often targeting major and minor holidays.

Memorial Day sale on drink packages and more

In fact, this weekend Royal Caribbean kicked off its Memorial Day Sale on pre-cruise purchases.

It's valid for sailings departing between May 25, 2025 – December 31, 2026, and runs if you book between May 23, 2025 – May 28, 2025.

It promises up to 45% off beverage packages:

• Evian Water Package: 40% off onboard prices
• Classic Soda Package: Discount varies by ship.
• Refreshment Package: Discount varies by ship.
• Deluxe Beverage Package: Discount varies by ship.

There's also discounts on select shore excursions, wifi packages, spa treatments and more.

You can check the exact discount offered on your cruise by going to Royal Caribbean's website on the Cruise Planner or in the Royal Caribbean app.

True to its name, Royal Caribbean is best known for delivering unforgettable vacations throughout the Caribbean. Even with a heavy presence in North America, Royal Caribbean offers cruises around the world to Europe, Australia, and Asia.

In the last two years, Royal Caribbean has noticeably expanded its footprint in Asia, adding more ships to the region to keep up with growing demand from Asian travelers. In particular, Royal Caribbean will expand its presence in Hong Kong next year with new itineraries, ranging from short “cruises to nowhere” to port-immersive itineraries to Vietnam, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan.

According to the cruise line, much of this surge is being driven by Gen-Z and Millennial cruisers who are seeking adventurous, experience-focused vacations. 

Notably, Royal Caribbean has seen a growing interest in longer, port-intensive itineraries across Asia. This is a stark contrast from the cruise line’s prior strategy in the region, which mainly focused on short getaway cruises and a few weeklong itineraries.

In all, three vessels in Royal Caribbean's fleet will be sailing across Asia through 2027. These include Spectrum of the Seas (Quantum-Ultra Class), Navigator of the Seas (Voyager Class), and Ovation of the Seas (Quantum Class).

Originally built to serve the Asian market, Spectrum of the Seas sails year-round from Shanghai, China, and Hong Kong. However, both Navigator of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas operate seasonal itineraries in Asia.

This trend isn't unique to Royal Caribbean. Asia has been experiencing a "global tourism boom" over the last three years according to the Economist, with particular interest in countries like Japan, Vietnam, India, and Thailand.

To meet this increased tourism demand, Royal Caribbean is offering more diverse itineraries aboard more cruise ships in the coming years. This includes longer itineraries throughout Asia aboard some of its most innovative cruise ships, featuring culturally-rich and immersive ports of call. 

After taking four immersive cruises in Asia over the last eight years, I can see why Royal Caribbean is betting big on this region.

To start, cruising is a convenient way to explore the continent.

Back in 2017, my husband and I visited Asia for the first time after booking a Southeast Asia cruise on Mariner of the Seas. We were broke college students, but the 7-night cruise to Thailand and Malaysia was only $500 each!

While airfare to Singapore was more expensive, we spent less than $2,000 each for a 12-night trip to Asia. Some excursions through the cruise line were only $30 for a full-day tour! We worked all summer to save up for this whirlwind adventure. 

Most people thought we were crazy to embark on such an exotic itinerary for two 21-year-olds, but a cruise was the perfect choice for us. Since we had never been to the continent before, the convenience of cruising, combined with the affordable price, made it an easy choice for the two of us. 

We were able to visit multiple countries, including an overnight stay in Thailand, while still enjoying all the familiar comforts of the ship. My husband and I spent our long days ashore experiencing the local culture before returning to our air-conditioned, comfortable, and safe cabin each night.

It was the perfect balance of vacation and cultural immersion for us without being too overwhelming or stressful. We loved being able to relax on the ship each night instead of worrying about transportation or logistics between each country. 

Since then, I’ve returned to Asia three more times - all by cruise ship.

After my memorable experience visiting Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia with Royal Caribbean, I couldn't wait to book another Asian cruise with my family. 

Seeing the Great Wall of China was on our family’s bucket list, and we were eager to book one of the few longer itineraries to Japan offered by Royal Caribbean. My parents love to travel, but they also value and appreciate the luxuries of a cruise ship. This is especially true while visiting more far-flung ports of call. 

For this reason, cruising was the best choice for our family vacation, as we could return to the familiarity and comfort of our cruise ship while still exploring Japan and China each day. 

We climbed the Great Wall of China in Beijing before taking the famous bullet train to Shanghai and boarding Spectrum of the Seas. After five days independently exploring in China, we were excited to board the ship and settle into our cabin for the upcoming adventure to Japan. 

Within the last year, I’ve returned to Asia twice on unique repositioning itineraries with Royal Caribbean Group. Last fall, we cruised with sister-brand Celebrity Cruises from Sydney to Singapore with stops along the Australian coast and two days in Bali, Indonesia.

Although our adventure-packed days in Bali were unforgettable, we were always relieved to return safely to our cruise ship, Celebrity Solstice. Having downtime aboard the cruise ship allowed us to comfortably decompress from the jam-packed days exploring Indonesia. 

And finally, last month, I returned to Asia once again so I could sail with my family on Anthem of the Seas. This repositioning itinerary departed from Singapore and concluded in Tokyo, with port stops in Vietnam, Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Japan. Our itinerary alternated between full days exploring the ports of call and sea days to recoup and recharge.

For this cruise, we opted to book excursions exclusively through Royal Caribbean. One of the perks of cruising is having the option to book excursions with reputable companies, especially while exploring unfamiliar destinations. Because we had never visited these ports in Asia before, we decided cruise-sponsored excursions made the most sense.

We trusted the excursions offered by the cruise line would be safe, and we weren’t disappointed. We also appreciated the added assurance that we wouldn’t miss the ship’s departure. This alleviated stress during the excursions, allowing us to enjoy our time together ashore as a family. 

Read more: I spent $6,773 to cruise on Anthem of the Seas. Here's what everything cost, from $251 internet to $2,302 flights

Every country in Asia has its own distinct culture, and a cruise lets you experience that diversity all in one trip.

After taking four cruises through Asia, I’ve been able to experience the distinct cultures, traditions, and customs across many different countries. It’s hard to compare Singapore's modernity and opulence with the luscious rice fields in Indonesia or floating villages on the outskirts of Phuket in Thailand. The quaintness of Jeju Island in South Korea was vastly different from the scooter-packed streets in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

By cruising to Asia, I’ve had so many diverse, culturally-rich experiences across the entire continent. Each destination was vastly different from anything I had experienced before, and I loved being able to have even just a glimpse of their local culture during my cruises.

Of course, some will say one day isn’t enough time to truly visit a country. This might be true for some, and some countries do deserve more extended visits. But, I’ve found that even a short stay can give you a meaningful first impression and help you decide if it’s a place you’d like to explore more in the future.

There are some countries that I can’t wait to return to, like Thailand and Singapore. For other destinations, like Hong Kong, a short visit felt sufficient for seeing the city's main sights. I want to see as much of the world as I can, and cruising allows me to embrace that variety, one destination at a time!

Passengers that sailed on a recent Royal Caribbean cruise received an email this week to alert them of a possible case of Legionnaires' disease.

The email was sent by the cruise line to people that went on Symphony of the Seas May 9th sailing from Cape Liberty, New Jersey.

In the email, it says Royal Caribbean was alerted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) of someone that went on Symphony and later was diagnosed with Legionella.

"Your health and safety are always our top priority, and we are reaching out for your awareness," the email said.

"The CDC has advised that while they are unsure where exposed, a guest who recently sailed on Symphony of the Seas, was later diagnosed with Legionella. As a precautionary measure, we implemented heightened sanitation protocols and followed all CDC guidance."

Royal Caribbean went on to advise that Legionella cannot be spread from person to person.

"It's important to know that Legionella is not contagious from person to person. It is contracted by inhaling water droplets from a source containing the bacteria, which can be found throughout the world in any environment containing water - ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams, as well as municipal water systems, fountains, and whirlpools. Most healthy people exposed to Legionella do not get sick."

Symptoms of the infection include cough, shortness of breath, fever, muscle aches and headaches. 

Similar emails were sent earlier this year

Royal Caribbean has sent emails about a passenger that sailed on Symphony of the Seas and later had Legionnaires' disease.

The first such email went out in January when two unrelated passengers on the ship were sickened after their cruise.

One of the passengers had sailed on the ship in October 2024, while the other sailed in December 2024, according to the CDC.

Then in April 2025, more emails were sent to passengers that sailed on Symphony between March and April.

In all the emails sent, the CDC never said the cases originated on the ship.

There's no record of any confirmed disease aboard Symphony of the Seas that has been reported to the CDC.

It's possible the people had Legionella before they ever boarded a cruise ship, or they contracted it after the cruise somewhere else.

How Legionnaires' disease spreads

Legionnaires' disease is a type of pneumonia caused by a bacteria called Legionella, but the truth is that it's actually pretty tough to catch.

The only way to get Legionnaires’ is by breathing in tiny water droplets  that contain the bacteria. You can't get it by touching something someone who has is touched or breathing near them.

These droplets usually come from man-made water systems, such as large air conditioning units in commercial buildings, hot tubs that aren’t properly cleaned, decorative fountains, or even plumbing systems in big buildings like hospitals or hotels. But just being around those places doesn’t mean you’re going to get sick. The conditions have to be just right for the bacteria to grow and for someone to inhale enough of it to cause an infection.

And even then, most people don’t get sick.

In fact, Legionella is commonly found in freshwater lakes or rivers, and don't usually cause a problem. For the bacteria to make someone sick, it has to multiply in a man-made system where the water is warm (between 77 and 113 degrees Fahrenheit), and then that water has to be turned into mist that someone breathes in.

Even if you do breathe it in, you will most likely not get sick. Most healthy people exposed to Legionella do not get sick. The people most at risk are older adults, smokers, people with chronic lung problems, and folks with weakened immune systems.

Every travel expert seems to have advice on how to travel with just a carry-on bag, but I'll overpack every time for my cruises.

I understand why many recommend packing light as a general tip for how to travel smartly, but I really think that advice is rooted in air travel and saving money on checked luggage.

Like many aspects, cruise ships are very different from air travel or staying at a hotel.  

While packing light has its advantages, I still think you're better off overpacking for a cruise.

You can't as easily buy something you need

If you forget something you need on a cruise, it's more difficult to get it compared to on land.

When packing light for land travel, you can always stop at a store to pick up clothes, toiletries, or almost anything else you might need.  Heck, I'll just order it on Uber Eats and have it delivered to my hotel.

That's not really an option on a cruise.

Sure, you could go to a store in a port you're visiting, but that might conflict with your shore excursion plans. And it might be a day or two before your first port stop.

The shops onboard a Royal Caribbean ship stock some basics, but it's limited and you're going to pay full retail price for a lot of things.

Plus, what's available to buy on the ship might not be the brand or style you prefer.

When I was on Enchantment of the Seas for a January cruise, I regretted not bringing shorts so I relented and bought a pair onboard. There was only one option, and it wasn't the style or look I wanted. So I bought it and then promptly threw it away when I got home.

I'd rather bring too many things as to feel confident I (probably) won't need to go out of my way to buy something.

There are themed nights, port days, and evening wear to consider

Another key difference on a cruise are all the occasions that necessitate different outfits.

Royal Caribbean offers themed nights to add a fun element to how you dress up.  So if you want to get a cute family photo of everyone in their matching tropical attire, that's a separate outfit that only gets worn once on that trip.

Another nuance of cruises is your day is often split between time in port and time on the ship in the evening.  Not only are there different clothes for each, but if you're cruising in the warm months, you might end up sweating through clothes.

While you don't have to have three outfits a day, I do think you'll need more clothes overall for a cruise compared to a trip to a city or resort.

There are no luggage fees on a cruise

One major reason why so many travel experts advocate packing light are to avoid airline baggage fees.

To be fair, you might need to fly to your cruise and then their advice holds up.  But once again, I think my other points earlier in this article necessitate paying for checked luggage.

The good news is Royal Caribbean doesn't have any baggage fees. This is even better if you can drive to your ship.

Plus, if you end up paying for airline baggage fees, you won't get hit again with the same fees on a cruise.

I'd rather regret having too much

In my mind, I weigh the emotion of fear of too much or too little.

If I overpack, I ended up bringing things I didn't need, but there's no financial or logistical impact. It's more of an annoyance that I thought I'd need that gym outfit but ended up at the bar instead.

On the other hand, I will get frustrated with myself when I forget something at home that I needed. 

When I don't have something I need, I get angry at myself, and then start an internal debate of do I really need to go out of my way to buy it.

If I'm lucky, I'll catch the mistake the night before the cruise and buy it in my departure city (because you should always fly in the day before the cruise begins).  But it seems I always discover the missing thing once I'm on the ship and unpacking.

Passengers aboard Royal Caribbean's Enchantment of the Seas nearly missed out on their port day in Costa Maya, Mexico, due to rough seas and high winds. 

The 28-year-old vessel approached the inner pier, but the captain suspended the disembarkation process because of the inclement weather conditions, with winds at about 15-18 knots.

However, as Wonder of the Seas, a newer Oasis Class vessel, sailed into port, the 235,600-gross-ton mega-ship shielded Enchantment from the wind and ocean swells. 

"The hope and now reality/success [is] that Wonder of the Seas arrived and is now miraculously blocking the swells and wind from the other side of the pier (our portside) and allow[ing] a safe disembarkation process to the pier," said Come Cruise With Me's Dennis Post. 

It's not uncommon for captains to cancel ports due to unfavorable weather. Although disappointing, these decisions always prioritize guest and crew safety — a principle upheld by Enchantment of the Seas' crew during the initial disembarkation delay.

Coming in at 18 decks tall compared to Enchantment's 12, Wonder towered over her like a natural protector. Wonder's sheer size and position calmed the conditions along the pier enough to allow guests to safely disembark and enjoy their day in Costa Maya.

Read more: "It’s time Enchantment of the Seas was taken out back and shot" I went on the cruise ship that gets lots of hate

Everything wasn't picture-perfect, though

According to passengers on Enchantment, the Costa Maya port area was at capacity. 

Along with Wonder and Enchantment of the Seas, Carnival Jubilee, the newest ship in Carnival's fleet of fun ships, docked at Costa Maya on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. 

This brought over 10,000 guests to the port — more than it can comfortably handle with its current infrastructure. 

Read more: I spent $4,700 for a 7-night cruise on Wonder of the Seas

Brandon Green of Lakeland, Florida, was traveling aboard Enchantment of the Seas and went ashore once guests were given the all-clear, as reported by Come Cruise With Me. 

"It was a nightmare getting into the port, and once we got in, the shops were overrun," he said.

Wonder of the Seas' capacity at double occupancy is 5,734, while Enchantment's is just 2,252. Carnival Jubilee, though smaller than Wonder, still holds an impressive number of people — up to 5,362 at double occupancy. However, at full capacity, these ships can hold more people. 

Cruise ships can use this maneuver

As soon as our team read about this story, it reminded me of a similar need for wind blocking last year.

In February 2024, a sudden storm caused Royal Caribbean to evacuate Perfect Day at CocoCay. A cold front moved in quickly, and the two ships needed to get out of the port immediately.

To help, Oasis of the Seas blocked the wind so Freedom of the Seas could depart safely. The winds were so bad that normal departure procedures wouldn't be safe.

Oasis was able to block the winds for Freedom to leave. Oasis remained docked until it was safe to depart on its own.

Royal Caribbean is transforming Costa Maya into the next best destination in the Caribbean

Royal Caribbean has big plans for Costa Maya: they're going to transform the port into the next sought-after destination in their Perfect Day series. 

Perfect Day Mexico is poised to elevate the private destination experience with the same blend of chill and thrill that has made Perfect Day at CocoCay a fan favorite. 

With the world's longest lazy river, the tallest waterslides in North and South America, the biggest bottle of tequila, and so much more, Perfect Day Mexico is set to redefine what it means to have a “perfect day."

Royal Caribbean doesn't plan to close off Costa Maya exclusively to its guests, but it is aiming to transform part of the port into a destination that rivals Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

The port will remain open during the construction of Perfect Day Mexico. Once complete, there will be a new welcome center — built by Royal Caribbean — to acquaint guests of visiting cruise lines, including Carnival, with popular attractions in the Mahahual area and provide transportation throughout the region.

Read more: I’ve been to Perfect Day at CocoCay 9 times — 6 reasons I’m even more excited for Royal Caribbean's new private destination in Mexico

Splurging on a spacious suite for your Royal Caribbean cruise is a great idea for an over-the-top and lavish vacation, but I'd hate for you to squander it.

I've booked suites over the years on different ships, but I've seen cruisers occasionally missing out on the best things about these rooms.

The value of a suite goes well beyond the actual cabin itself, and if you're in a suite, I'd recommend doing six things so you can fully enjoy what it offers.

Considering how pricey suites are, every advantage you can get from the cruise fare is going to make it all worth it.

Not taking advantage of early entry

When you book a suite, Royal Caribbean offers flexible arrival times on embarkation day.

As part of the check-in process, you pick a check-in time for the cruise terminal.  This is a 30 minute window of when you plan to arrive to start the check-in.

Suite guests have a special function that goes beyond that.

In the email the concierge will send you about a week before the cruise begins, there's a provision for flexible arrival time.  This gives you an additional hour before or after whatever time you selected in the check-in process.

In my opinion, the earlier you can get in and checked-in, the better. I'm so excited to start my vacation that I want to get on the ship as fast as possible.

When you arrive at the cruise terminal, be sure to look for the suites entrance.  Sometimes it's a dedicated door at the cruise terminal, and other times it's a different line.  

In either case, let the staff know you're in a suite and take advantage of the earlier time and dedicated entrance.

Not meeting Concierge on first day

The suite concierge is one of the best perks of staying in a suite.

Think of the concierge as your helper in any issues you run into, and there's far less people vying for them than at Guest Services.

You'll find the suite concierge in the suite lounge, and it's a good idea to head up there on the first day of the cruise to meet them.

On Oasis and Icon Class ships, there are two suite concierge members.

In addition to problem solving, the suite concierge is also a friendly face. They will regularly strike up conversations with suite guests in the lounge, and love getting to know their guests.

During the evening cocktail hours, the concierge acts as a kind of emcee, helping people find seats, directing waiters to get drink orders, and ensure the hors d'oeuvres are replenished regularly.

While they can sometimes be busy with their clerical duties, they make an effort to get to know their guests.

Skipping Coastal Kitchen

I admit I made this mistake for years before realizing I was making a mistake of not dining at Coastal Kitchen.

On Royal Caribbean's biggest ships, there's an included restaurant just for suite guests and it's really good.

Coastal Kitchen is like a Main Dining Room exclusively available for suite guests, and it's really darn good.

I think it's best for breakfast and dinner, although they serve lunch here too.

Early on I skipped Coastal Kitchen because I was enamored with specialty dining.  Even when I booked a suite, I'd still book specialty restaurants. 

Later, I realized the food quality and service is excellent in Coastal Kitchen, and I could save money on specialty dining by opting to eat in Coastal Kitchen instead.

If you happen to be in a smaller ship that doesn't have Coastal Kitchen, I'll extend this tip to remind you about the free breakfast in Chops.

Since those ships don't have Coastal Kitchen, a private breakfast is offered each morning at Chops Grille on smaller ships.

Each morning of our cruise, complimentary breakfast was offered in Chops Grille exclusively for suite guests. This menu featured an enhanced menu compared to breakfast in the Main Dining Room or Windjammer buffet, with both sweet and savory dishes.

Not taking advantage of room service

One of the lesser known perks of staying in a Royal Caribbean suite is you get room service included.

Ordinarily room service has a $7.95 service fee, but that's waived in a suite.

Moreover, you can order food from the Main Dining Room when it's open and have it delivered to your cabin.  I love that perk, and it's great for kids if they want to eat in while parents go to dinner.

Or you might simply want to have breakfast on your balcony, which is usually quite large.  Nearly all suites have massive balconies and there could even be a dining table out there.

At the very least, have breakfast brought to your balcony each morning so you can enjoy coffee, eggs, and fruit with a view each day.

And if you have a late port day or are just feeling like hanging out in your suite, order dinner to be delivered.

Forgetting to send clothes out for pressing

Did you know Royal Caribbean includes complimentary pressing for the first formal night?

Buried in the many suite perks is a provision that you can get "Complimentary Pressing on First Formal Night".

No matter how good of a packer you are, your clothes are probably going to be a little wrinkly, folded, or have creases in them. 

The key is to ask your stateroom attendant for this service on embarkation day so it can be ready for the first "Dress your best"/formal night, which is usually the next day.

It's so easy to overlook this perk, but it's a cost you'd otherwise incur.

Not asking their Genie for more

If you happen to be staying in a Star Class suite, I think those new to it often don't leverage their Genie enough.

I think the best benefit of Star Class is the Royal Genie, and they're there to make your cruise amazing.  But you've got to ask the right questions too.

What I mean is the Genie is very personalized, and they don't always volunteer ideas for what they can offer you.

I think those new to Star Class are both timid to "bother" the Genie while also unaware of what others have gotten.

As an example, the Genie can arrange to have Starbucks drinks delivered each morning, or they can have an ice cream social set up in your suite.  They can arrange for you to meet Rover the dog, or even the ship's Captain.

It can feel strange and almost awkward to make requests of the Genie, but they've seen it all and the worst they'll tell you is it's not possible.

I'd recommend asking your Genie for what sort of things other guests have asked, or ideas for fun things only Star Class guests can get.  They're very creative and it's the key to unlocking the best value of these expensive suites.

Sea days are busy for crew members. Although they're ideal for passengers to kick back and relax, the behind-the-scenes reality for crew members is vastly different. Still, there are opportunities for the crew to take time away from demanding passengers, collect themselves, and possibly win a special prize. 

Bryan James, an entertainer for Royal Caribbean who has worked on numerous ships in the fleet, shared incentives offered to crew members on busy sea days, when many are working 10 to 13-hour shifts. 

"There is one part of the day, though, that gets kind of relaxed around here," he says in a reel shared to TikTok, "It's called Tea Time."

On this specific day, Tea Time took place in the crew mess and came with a fun twist: crew-only bingo. 

Passenger bingo is a popular activity, as the prizes often include onboard credit, free cruises, and more. However, playing isn't free. Royal Caribbean offers different packages, with the cheapest costing around $40 for 3 paper cards. 

Cruisers line up in advance to secure their playing cards and seats ahead of the highly anticipated game. Comparatively, the attendance for the free-to-play Tea Time session in James' video was scarce, with the crew presumably catching up on rest, tackling other duties, or spending their break eating lunch in the mess. 

Crew bingo offers rewards and doesn't cost the crew money to play

"They just announced the prices," James continues, "First place is some headphones, Skull Candy; second place is a bottle of wine; and third place is a case of water." His voice sounded disappointed, as he initially thought crew members were playing for a cash prize. 

Cash prizes for passenger bingo depend on how many guests are playing and how many cards have been sold. It's not uncommon to hear of jackpots as high as $5,000 or $6,000 being won by lucky passengers. 

As mentioned, the cheapest package to buy into bingo costs $40, but some cruisers are willing to pay for the top-tier options that cost upwards of $70 and include over 35 ways to win on a special tablet. 

"There's typically only one or two sea days per cruise"

According to James, port days are more balanced. While the days are still long, there's a different rhythm compared to sea days, when thousands of guests need to be constantly entertained and fed.

However, there are sailings, including Transatlantic and Transpacific voyages, where passengers might be at sea for 7, 8, or 9 days in a row. "They make you wonder, 'Why do I do this job?'" James jokes. 

"But then you realize at the end of that 7-day sailing, you wind up in Tokyo or you're in Australia," highlighting one of the perks of working on a cruise ship, despite the grueling hours and sometimes unpleasant guests. 

James is currently working aboard Allure of the Seas

Allure of the Seas is in Europe for the first time since 2015. She just underwent a major revitalization, bringing new concepts to the 14-year-old vessel, including Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade, the Mason Jar, the Pesky Parrot, a resort-style pool deck, the Ultimate Abyss dry slide, and so much more. 

James has been sharing glimpses of his life as a crew member on cruise ships across various social media channels, including TikTok (831k followers) and Instagram (305k followers), for three years. However, James claims that his contract on Allure of the Seas, which lasts until August 21, is his last. 

"For me, this is actually my last contract ever," he said in a TikTok posted on April 10, "If working on ships has taught me anything, it's that I don't have to hunker down and have that typical 9 to 5 job. I want to be able to continue to travel and work on my own terms."