Royal Caribbean Blog

A new update to Royal Caribbean's app could save you time waiting in line on your cruise ship.

Souvenir photos have long been a cornerstone of the cruise ship experience, where passengers pose in front of backdrops with the ship's photographer to possibly purchase a print or digital download later.

Royal Caribbean's app now has a photos option on at least one ship that could make reviewing these photos much easier.

RoyalCaribbeanBlog reader and forum moderator Lovetocruise2002 spotted the new icon while sailing on Wonder of the Seas.

It's not clear which ships support this new feature in the app. It's not uncommon for some ships to support certain app features.

When you click the icon, photos you've taken that have been tagged by facial recognition appear in the app.

Guests can favorite the photo by clicking the heart icon, which makes it easier to spot the best photos later for ordering.

In testing on Wonder, Lovetocruise2002 reported guests would still need to go to the photo area if you had purchased a photo package.

Providing copies in the app potentially saves time for guests, as they no longer need to go to the photo station to review photos.

Not only is there only one area on the ship to go to review photos, but the photo area becomes inundated with other guests on the final day who all want to see how their photos came out.

Royal Caribbean has taken steps to speed up this process over the years, including going to digital copies instead of prints, utilizing facial recognition to group photos quicker, and adding more photo kiosks.

The app could potentially reduce demand for kiosks.

Cruise fans seem to love the new approach. LandstromCruise wrote on the Royal Caribbean Blog message boards, "This will be so much easier than running to the crowded photo area to try and view them.  This will make my wife happy! "

Jax also liked it, "This makes me very happy. I suggested improving this process on my post cruise survey last time."

asquared17 also likes how much more convenient this new option is, "This takes out a lot of the guess work when it comes to finding out which ones we will keep!"

Is a photo package worth it?

You could buy individual photos on your cruise, or buy a photo package that includes unlimited prints or digital downloads. But is this a good investment?

Given that a single 8x10 print will cost about $20, a package sounds like a more affordable way to get more for your dollar.

The price of a photo package will vary from ship to ship, but prices for an upcoming Independence of the Seas cruise are:

• 5 photos: $79.99
• 10 photos: $127.99
• 20 photos: $174.99
• 50 photos: $209.99

The photo package will include any photo that you, or anyone else from your cabin, are in the photo. Meaning, as long as someone from your cabin is in the photo, it could be included in your photo package.  If you have multiple cabins booked, you'd need another photo package for people in those cabins (unless someone from your cabin happens to be in their photo).

Just like Royal Caribbean drink packages, if you take the time to get enough photos for your photo package, it could be a great investment.

There are photo stations set up around the ship each evening, along with photographers on the dock when you disembark the ship.

In order to get enough photos for the package to make financial sense, you'll need to coordinate your plans so that you have time to stop for at least a few photos each evening. 

The evening photographers are the main draw to souvenir photos, and they're only around in the evening right around dinner time. Lines can sometimes be quite long for photos, especially on formal night.

While you could certainly take your own photos, many guests enjoy the fun backdrops you can only find at the photo stations. Moreover, the photographers have above average cameras, professional lighting, and do a good job of positioning everyone to produce great looking results.

One issue with the photo package is if you're traveling with a large group. While a photo package for a family staying in the same cabin makes sense, photo packages for groups spread across multiple rooms can make things quite pricey. So either your friends and family also buy a photo package, or only you come home with the printed memories.

If you want to get a photo package, always pre-purchase before the cruise to save money.  There's almost always a discount offered online, and it makes a difference.

You'll also want to plan your day around getting photos taken, so you can get the best value out of the cost. This sounds easy while you're still at home, but there's so much happening on a cruise, you'd be surprised how difficult it can be to muster the motivation to get everyone dressed and ready for photos every day.

When you see a cruise ship in person, you can't help but marvel at just how big these things are and how much bigger they are than you expected.

Icon of the Seas will be Royal Caribbean's next new cruise ship when she launches next year, and she's currently under construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland.

At 250,800 gross tons, Icon will be the biggest cruise ship in the world. There's an entire water park, spa, surf simulator, shopping mall, arcade, casino, gym, three theaters, seven pools, 20 dining venues, and 15 bars onboard. 

It will have 20 decks and enough room for nearly 10,000 passengers and crew members.

Cruise ships are the biggest passenger vessels that humans have ever built.  They can fit a small town's worth of people into a single vehicle, and they certainly have a look to them that is different from ocean liners of 100 years ago.

How did the biggest ships today end up looking like this?

Origins with ocean liners

Before we had the cruise ships of today, there were ocean liners. These vessels were about simply getting you from one place to another.

Ocean liners were built to offer comfortable accommodations across oceans at the highest speed possible.

Of course, crossing a vast ocean, such as the Atlantic, means sea conditions could be miserable if the weather did not cooperate.

Ocean liners were divided up into classes, with the first class areas looking a lot like a fancy hotel you might see on land.

The SS Normandie could cross the Atlantic in a record 4.14 days, and was beautifully designed. She had an Art Déco and Streamline Moderne design, and had first class amenities such as a dining room, first-class lounge, grill room, first-class swimming pool, theatre and winter garden.

Normandie's first-class dining hall was the largest room afloat. At 305 ft, it was longer than the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles.

For first class passengers, the idea was to deliver a luxurious experience that you might find on land. First-class suites were given unique designs by select designers. The most luxurious accommodations were the Deauville and Trouville apartments, featuring dining rooms, baby grand pianos, multiple bedrooms, and private decks.

A vacation at sea

Once air travel became a popular method to cross oceans, ocean liners started to slowly become obsolete.

In the 1960s, it became very apparent that falling ocean liner numbers were not an anomaly and that compelled a change in the market.

By the late 1960s, some liners would head south to the warmer regions in the winter months to offer a different kind of trip. Instead of transportation, these ships offered a vacation.

The idea of a cruise ship started here, but the product would take some time to evolve into what we know today.

Ocean liners were not well acclimated to a leisure product. They were designed to go fast and consumed a lot of fuel. They sat low in the water, which kept them stable in rough seas, but meant they could only access ports with deep harbors. 

They had separate sections for first, second and third class, but that left a lot of passengers without access to amenities and limited everyone's freedom of movement throughout the ship.

And compared to the full time cruise ships of the time, ocean liners were huge. So they'd have to attract a lot of vacationers to be profitable.

In short, ocean liner's optimal design to make for a quick commute through rough waters hindered its ability to be attractive for a calm ocean at a slow pace.

Royal Caribbean started its operations up in 1969, and the company launched the first ship purpose-built for warm-water cruising. 

A milestone in the transition from ocean liner to cruise ship came in 1979 when Norwegian Caribbean Line bought the S.S. France with the intention of transforming it into a cruise ship.

The new owners spent $80 million to make the ship better at offering leisure cruises. 

The new ship would have larger and more numerous public spaces for the cruise-type recreations, had two propellors removed to reduce fuel consumption, and was given a complete set of bow/stern thrusters to make it easier to dock in port.

 A large lido deck was created at the very back of the ship. They built it wide enough to accommodate as many sunbathing passengers as possible.

The First Class Smoking Room was converted to an outdoor buffet restaurant, and the Patio Provençal on the Sun Deck was filled in with a top-side swimming pool.

Renamed as the S.S. Norway, the new ship started sailing in 1980 and it sailed to  just The Bahamas and St. Thomas, because the ship itself was marketed as the destination (rather than the places you could visit).

The cruise industry was transformed with the launch of the TV show, "The Love Boat" because it made the idea of cruising mainstream to the general public.

The Norway proved that size worked for cruise ships and it kicked off a race to build bigger and bigger ships that would change the look of a cruise ship.

In order to fit more cabins and amenities, everything above the deck became taller to fit all the amenities and that hid smokestacks that used to be an iconic feature on any ship.

To fit even more cabins and amenities, superstructures became wider, which shortened the front part of the ship (bow).

The bow didn't need to be long and pointed to cut through intense waves like on transatlantic liners. So builders rounded them out, giving even more square footage for amenities.

Big and bigger

With the model proven, now ships could grow to meet demand.

Over the next few decades, cruise ships would grow immensely. While the S.S. Norway had an internal volume of 70,000 gross tons, Royal Caribbean's cruise ships today are three times the size.

Icon of the Seas' gross tonnage is over 250,000 gross tons and she follows in many ways the tradition of the first ships.

When Royal Caribbean wanted to build its first mega ship, they had never built a cruise ship with an indoor café, a casino, a champagne bar or a health club; and having made the decision to include those options inside a suitably large hull, the scale of an inevitable new prototype emerged. Thus, Sovereign of the Seas, the world's largest purpose-built cruise ship at the time, was conceived.

The passenger count would be 2,673 total occupancy, more than double Song of America's capacity.

The launch of Sovereign of the Seas in 1988 introduced the era of the mega ship, and vessels became larger and larger. 

Royal Caribbean pushed the envelope of possibilities with the Voyager and Oasis Class ships in the decades to follow.

Is it worth spending extra on a nicer cruise cabin? Many people planning a cruise have to debate if it's worth it to book an inside cabin or a balcony cabin. The choice isn't always simple.

If you're on a tight budget, an inside cabin is certainly a good choice. These cabins come in at the lowest price, but still include access to the same amenities around the cruise ship as someone in a balcony cabin.  However, will a room without any natural light or views be satisfactory?

Balcony cabins are probably the most popular type of cruise ship cabin because they offer more living space than interior rooms, and have a private veranda that guests can use all day and night. In many cases, these rooms are affordable for most budgets and not nearly as expensive as a suite. But you'll still spend considerably more for a balcony than an inside room, so is spending extra worth it?

If you're considering which type of accommodation to book, here's what you need to know to make the choice between a more expensive balcony cabin and a windowless inside room.

What are the differences between an inside and balcony cabin?

A balcony room will be larger, and that means more living space both inside the room and on the balcony itself.

In addition, a balcony room will have natural light, whereas inside rooms have no windows or doors to an outside view. Moreover, there's no fresh air in an inside cabin. The only illumination in an inside room is from the lights.

Most inside and balcony categories are designed for double occupancy, although you can find some variations that can accommodate up to four passengers. You'll find in either room two twin beds that can convert into one king size bed, a vanity area with mirror and chair, and a private bathroom. There's usually a sofa or love seat as well in the room. Rooms that can sleep more than two will likely have pullman beds that drop down from the wall or ceiling.

You can also expect to find a television, closet, minifridge, safe, and hair dryer in both rooms.

Cost

It should come as no surprise that interior staterooms are usually cheaper than balcony staterooms.  The added room size, balcony and view of a balcony come with a higher cost.  The thing is, how much more expensive can vary.

The price gap between an interior stateroom and a balcony will vary from ship to ship and sailing to sailing.  Sometimes it is measured in the thousands of dollars, and other times it is just a few hundred (or less).

When considering the price difference, one should look at the nightly price and what that gets you.  Nearly everyone that books a Royal Caribbean cruise is on some sort of budget, so even if they want to book a balcony stateroom, it may not be financially viable.  It is important to at least consider the options because there are many scenarios in which the difference in price is quite low.

Often inside staterooms are the least expensive option, which means guests can spend less money on their cruise vacation or have more money to spend during the cruise on things like drinks, shore excursions, specialty restaurants or anything else for sale.

The difference in price will depend on factors like itinerary (balconies on Alaska itineraries are more expensive than Caribbean itineraries), time of year (peak vs low season) and ship class (newer ships have more balconies, so more supply).

Living space

Balcony staterooms are significantly larger than interior staterooms. As an example, on Allure of the Seas a standard interior stateroom offers 150-172 square feet of space, whereas a Superior Ocean View Stateroom with Balcony comes in at 182 square feet, plus a 53 square foot balcony.

Room size is hard to quantify in a blog post, but every extra foot you have of living space does make a difference and it becomes noticeable quickly. It all adds up to more room for everyone to maneuver in and makes the entire experience less crowded.

Beyond the size difference, balcony staterooms have natural light, which makes the room feel less dark and gloomy.  You also get fantastic views of the ocean and ports you are visiting.  

Even the most ardent interior stateroom fan will be hard-pressed to debate the virtues of an interior stateroom over a balcony.  Personally, I think the best part of an interior room is the fact it can get pitch dark, which makes for excellent sleeping conditions.

Is it important to book a balcony on certain sailings?

While it's always nice to have a balcony cabin on any sailing, certain itineraries might lend themselves more to a balcony.

On a shorter cruise, an inside cabin is more than satisfactory given how limited your time onboard is and how likely it is you'll spend more time on the pool deck or around the ship enjoying everything there is to do.  On these cruises, people end up just using their room for sleeping and changing clothes.

In fact, if you're the type of person that spends most of their time on a cruise out and about, not having access to your own veranda probably won't matter since you won't be in the room that much. Plus, there's plenty of places on public decks to take in the views, sunsets, and ocean breeze. The extra money you would have spent on a balcony could be reallocated towards a drink package or specialty restaurant.

However, if you're going to take a longer cruise with more sea days (and think you might spend time in your cabin during the cruise), then you'll want the view and extra space that comes with a balcony room. On Alaska or Mediterranean itineraries, it's great to be able to take in the scenic views without having to run upstairs to the pool deck.

In fact, cruises that take you on more scenic journeys where you can see glaciers or fjords are when spending extra for a balcony cabin is more important.

Having your own balcony is really nice when you can sit in a chair and read a book, have your room service delivered to the veranda, or enjoying sail away.

Should the amount of people in your cabin determine which cabin I choose?

The more people you are sailing with, having enough space makes a difference in the room you book.

Both types of room are large enough to fit everyone, but on a longer sailing, being in an inside room could be more problematic. On short cruises, there's more than enough space for two people in an inside room considering how busy you'll be around the ship and on shore. On a longer cruise, a balcony could be more useful to have time away from the public decks.

Sharing a standard inside cabin for families can be an issue because of how small those rooms will feel. You may determine that a larger room that costs extra is worthwhile considering you'll also get additional beds and more space.

If you're cruising with kids, the extra space from a balcony room really pays off. It's great to have the outdoor balcony as a place to go to while kids are inside.

For someone cruising solo, the decision between a balcony or inside cabin comes down to cost. You'll pay double due to the single supplement fee regardless of which room you book (although some ships have cabins designed for solo cruisers). Depending on your budget, the extra cost could dictate which option you can afford.

Advantages of an inside cabin vs. a balcony cabin

People that prefer inside cabins usually talk about how much better the sleep can be in an inside cabin.

Sleeping in a pitch-black room of an interior stateroom means you won't be woken up by the sun. Many of us go on vacation to catch up on sleep and the notion of "quality of sleep" really means something when you avoid getting woken up by natural light entering the room. This is a good reminder to bring an alarm clock with you because you won't know what time it is when waking up.

Something else to think about is if you are prone to motion sickness. If the seas start getting rough, having access to fresh air and being able to see the horizon can help substantially in feeling better. While you could go up to a public deck and get the same thing, many people prefer the comfort of being in their own bed (especially if you want to sleep off the feeling a bit). In this case, spending extra on a balcony cabin may be worthwhile.

What are the best inside cabins?

In addition to the run-of-the-mill inside cabins that make up most of the cabins on a Royal Caribbean ship, here are a few variations worth considering.

A fun inside room upgrade is a virtual balcony room, which is an inside stateroom with a 80-inch LED television that provides live high-definition views from outside the cruise ship, right into your stateroom.

On Icon of the Seas, there is a new type of interior cabin you might be interested in.

The Interior Plus room is an inside room that doesn't compromise on space. It comes with 157 square feet of space, and that includes much more storage space.

What are the best balcony cabins?

Because balcony cabins are so popular, Royal Caribbean has quite a few balcony choices beyond a standard oceanview balcony.

There are balcony staterooms that do not face the ocean, but instead offer views of the Boardwalk and Central Park neighborhoods. These balcony staterooms have the same balcony experience of ocean-facing balconies, but often at a discounted price and perfect for people watching.

Another "secret" balcony choice among people that cruise a lot are the aft balconies.

Located on the back of the ship, these rooms lack the cookie-cutter design most balcony cabins have and tend to be elongated or oddly shaped, providing extra-large verandas. Aft balcony cabins are a great choice when you want more space inside and out.

Another option if you want a larger balcony space is a hump balcony, which is a fan-generated term for balcony rooms located on the ship's outward bulges. Cabins located where the ship begins to jut out often have extra-large balconies to accommodate the curve or angle of the ship’s superstructure.  To find these balcony rooms, look at the deck plans and you’ll see where these special balcony cabins are located. 

Conclusion

Depending on how you vacation, the choice of cabin may not matter much. Those that prioritize being out and about to enjoy their trip may prefer to save money on cruise ship extras rather than use that money for a nicer cabin.  In that case, an inside cabin may be the way to go.

However, if you prefer to have the views that only a private balcony can provide (along with the seclusion), booking a balcony cabin will be a better choice.

In addition, if you have more than two people in your group, a balcony would be a better choice for the additional space it provides. A balcony will cost more, but if you're flexible with your travel dates and where you sail, there are deals to be found on balcony cabins that will be less expensive.

Planning a cruise? Start here:

• 8 cruise tips for first-time Royal Caribbean cruisers
• What’s included in your Royal Caribbean cruise fare
• 5 quick and easy tips for finding a great shore excursion on your own
• Food on a Royal Caribbean cruise
• Which is the best Royal Caribbean cruise ship?
• What is the best time to go on a Caribbean cruise?

Have you ever wondered what it is like for crew members to eat onboard a cruise ship?

Passengers have a seemingly endless number of dining options, especially on the newer ships. Whether you want more complimentary options or are hoping to splurge on specialty dinners, there is something that will satisfy everyone! 

In August 2023, Bryan James, who was a musician on Wonder of the Seas at the time, shared insight into what crew member life is like on social media while he performed on Wonder of the Seas. 

In the past, he has posted videos about secret crew-only areas, cabin tours, and more. Plus, he has talked about the crew buffet quite a bit!

Where and what do crew members eat?

According to James, every single crew member onboard Wonder of the Seas eats at the crew buffet, which is located below deck.

In one video, he showed what options were available for breakfast. 

"You, of course, have your staples like sausage and eggs," he says, "[but] It's an International crew so lots of rice in the mornings, as well as beans and tomatoes..."

He even showed pastries, pancakes, and a toppings bar! In other words, there's no shortage of options for crew members, either. 

In another TikTok, James showed a crêpe station at the buffet. He he explains it sometimes offers other made-to-order dishes like fried rice or pad thai. 

Regardless, quantity is not the most important thing, it helps that James claims the food is pretty good. There are even some dishes that he would say are amazing. In a separate video, he panned to bibimbap that he would rate 10 out of 10. 

All of the food is free, whether it is breakfast, lunch, dinner, or just dessert! Because of this, James says that it is really easy to overindulge or not think too much about the nutritional value of what he is eating.

What if they get hungry in between meals?

Crew members are able to pick up snacks and other day-to-day essentials at the crew store. Here, crew are able to buy toiletries, detergent, and a wide variety of snacks, ranging from chocolate to Takis, nuts, and more. 

James recalls a time in which this was important during the pandemic when they were not allowed off of the ship for eight months. 

"It was like Christmas morning every single time the store got restocked," he says. 

Crew dining on Icon of the Seas 

Royal Caribbean redesigned the crew buffet for Icon of the Seas, which debuted in January 2024 and surpassed Wonder as the world's largest cruise ship.

Related: Royal Caribbean is adding the best crew member cabins and areas on its next new cruise ship

"The crew can looking forward to in the crew Windjammer a lot of the same options that we serve to our guests," said Rebecca Burns, Senior Manager of Restaurant Operations for Royal Caribbean International, "That was something that was very important to us when developing the menus."

Like onboard older ships, the buffet will have both hot and cold food stations. She will, however, stand out in that she will be the first to feature live cooking stations in the crew buffet.

Plus, the crew will actually be able to look outside at the ocean through the porthole windows. 

Cruise ship cabins usually fall into four main categories, but some ships feature unique variations that set them apart from the standard options.

While most balcony and inside cabins share similar designs, certain ships offer exclusive cabin layouts tailored to fit the ship's specific design. These distinctive cabins have gained popularity among frequent cruisers due to their extra space, special perks, or unique benefits not typically found in standard rooms.

These extraordinary cabin layouts have become sort of a hidden gem, known only to insiders, and they tend to sell out quickly. It's akin to a "secret menu" at a restaurant that attracts those in the know.

Whether you're interested in booking one of these cabins for yourself or simply curious about their offerings, let's explore a few rare cruise ship cabins that stand out from the rest and are in high demand.

Sky Junior Suite

As soon as Royal Caribbean announced an upgraded Junior Suite with better suite perks, it got a lot of attention.

Located in Suite Neighborhood on Icon of the Seas, this is the first Junior Suite that has Sky Class benefits.

Sky Junior Suite benefits include Suite Neighborhood access, all-day dining at two suites-only restaurants, free wifi, and concierge service.

Sky Junior Suites are only available on Icon Class cruise ships, and there are only 8 of them on each ship.

Ultimate Family Suite

Believe it or not, there is a huge amount of demand for one of Royal Caribbean's most expensive suites.

As an example, the Ultimate Family Townhouse on Icon of the Seas is going for an average price of $80,000 and it's completely sold out of every sailing in 2024.

This cabin is a 1,772-square-foot mega suite that will be three decks high and sleep up to eight people. There's just one on Icon of the Seas.

It features an in-suite slide, movie-viewing room, karaoke machine and a "backyard" with a ping pong table, outdoor seating and a white picket fence leading directly to the Surfside area.

It's super expensive and super in-demand.

Solo cabins

On some Royal Caribbean cruise ships, there are a few staterooms meant for someone traveling by themselves.

These studio staterooms are smaller than a traditional cabin, but they have just enough space for one person. Best yet, they do not get charged the single supplement fee.

The single supplement fee is traditionally charged to someone booking a cruise alone, because cabin pricing is based on double occupancy,

When Royal Caribbean added these rooms, they designed them to be respective of the ship's business model and this means solo cruisers do not have to pay double the cost of what the cruise should be.

Depending on the ship, there could be as few as two studio rooms, or as much as a dozen.

You can view a list of which ships have studio cabins and if you want one, book it early.

Hump balconies

Most balcony cabins across the fleet look the same, but you might be able to get a larger balcony if your room is positioned perfectly.

The so-called "hump" balcony cabins are the rooms on the outwards part of the curvy outline of the ship.  If you look at a deck plan, you'll notice around mid-ship, the hull design jets outward. 

On many ships, balcony cabins in these areas are significantly larger than other balcony cabins.  And usually the price is the same.

You'll find hump balcony rooms with massive balconies on Radiance Class, Voyager, Freedom, Oasis or Quantum, but look closely at the deck plan to see which balconies are larger.

Aft balconies

Similar to the aforementioned hump balcony rooms, some ships have rather large balcony rooms on the back of the ship.

There are aft balcony rooms on every Royal Caribbean ship, but some of the rear-facing cabins on Vision Class, Radiance Class, and Freedom Class cruise ships have very large balcony space.

This means you not only get an interesting vantage point to enjoy, but much more living space outdoors.

People that cruise a lot will book up the aft balcony cabins on an Alaska cruise for the viewing opportunities.

Four Bedroom Family Suite

If you have a big family, you might be eyeing one of the biggest suites available on any Royal Caribbean ship.

This is one of the best kept secrets within the Royal Caribbean fleet, because you can get 4 separate bedrooms and 5 different sleeping areas. And it comes with the Star Class benefits, such as a Royal Genie.

The Four Bedroom Family Suite is available on Symphony, Harmony, and Liberty of the Seas, formerly known as the Presidential Suite on some ships. 

Surprisingly, some cruisers have found that off-season sailings, combined with certain sales and promotions, can make the Villa Suite pretty affordable. Some have found the sailings for as little as $1,000 per person, which is extremely affordable for a Star Class Royal Suite.

Extra large Central Park Balcony rooms

Ever since I learned about the handful of Central Park balcony rooms on Oasis Class ships, I always look to book these first.

There are two Central Park balcony rooms on each deck that have almost double width balconies for the same cost as other Central Park balcony staterooms.

The cabin numbers are on decks 10, 11 and 12:

• 10229
• 10629
• 11229
• 11629
• 12229
• 12629

Why do these rooms have extra space? There's no actual cabin next door because the area is used by Royal Caribbean for something else.

Having that extra balcony space is a very nice benefit during your sailing.

Family cabins

If you have two or three kids with you, it could be a great idea to try out one of the family oceanview and family inside cabins available on select ships.

While these cabins don't have a balcony, they do offer a ton of living space.

First and foremost, these cabins offer a bedroom for the parents, and either an additional bedroom for the kids, or a nook with bunk beds for the kids.

There's also two bathrooms, which can be a godsend for parents sailing with older kids.

These cabins are typically located at the very front or very rear of the ship and offer a ton of living space, meant to be shared by families of 4 or more guests. 

Family rooms are cheaper than a suite and in many cases offers more space.

I sailed onboard Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas and booked an interior cabin, which was the cheapest available option. 

Measuring 139,999 gross registered tons, Navigator of the Seas was the largest cruise ship in the world when launched in 2002.  

In early 2019, she completed a $115 amplification, adding new dining venues, water slides, activities, and more that are round on newer ships in the fleet. 

Today, Navigator is the only Royal Caribbean ship deployed out of Los Angeles, operating 3-, 4-, and 7-night cruises to Baja California and the Mexican Riviera. 

In mid-June, I went on a 7-night cruise that visited Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán, and Puerto Vallarta and paid a little over $2,280 for two people to stay in an interior stateroom, including port fees and gratuities. This broke down to $1,140 each, or about $162 per night, per person.

To save a little extra money, I chose a guarantee rate, so I was not assigned my cabin until closer to the sail date. 

Not only was this my first time on Navigator of the Seas, it was my first-ever cruise on a Voyager Class ship! Since this was going to be the oldest Royal Caribbean ship that I had ever sailed on, I was interested to see the condition of cabins that were over twenty-years-old!

The first thing I noticed upon walking into my stateroom was that there was a small loveseat that was not pushed up against one side of the wall. Instead, it stuck out in the already tight walkway of the 160 square foot cabin. I am glad that I had the beds separated, as I feel like the floor space would've been minimal if they were pushed together!

The length of the loveseat exceeded the length of the wall, meaning that even if we wanted to try to rearrange the layout, it would have been impossible. 

Overall, I appreciated the lighter decor compared to the dark greens found in most staterooms on Freedom Class ships. It made the room feel newer than cabins I have stayed in on both Liberty and Freedom of the Seas. 

Beside of each bed was a small nightstand that had a single drawer with additional storage space underneath. 

While there were no outlets beside of the beds, there were two reading lights. Had the beds been pushed together, the nightstands would've been directly underneath them, rather than on the center of the wall.  

The only two American outlets were located on the vanity. There was one additional European plug; however, neither my travel companion nor myself had an adapter. Thankfully, she brought a cruise line approved power strip, so we had access to multiple USB ports through a single outlet. 

Since the plugs are located far away from the bed, I recommend bringing a longer cord, so you are able to use the device from bed! 

The vanity area itself had plenty of storage, with nine drawers and two cabinets "hidden" behind the mirror. Above the television was the safe and another larger cabinet.

Stateroom mini-fridges are hit or miss in that some keep your beverages colder than others. While this was not the strongest mini-fridge I have had while on a cruise, it kept a couple bottles of water cool. 

The bathroom in my inside cabin was exactly what I expected. Although it was dated, it had everything that was necessary.

There were two cups attached to the backsplash, and between the shelves behind the mirror and the large shelf underneath the sink, there was enough space to hold all of our toiletries, makeup, and hair products.

As someone who cruisers frequently, I was not surprised by the size of the shower; however, it was my travel companions first-ever cruise, and she could not get over how small showers are on ships!

In terms of closet space, there were plenty of hangers for both of us to hang everything that needed to be hung. That, coupled with the shelving, meant there was enough space to unpack a week's worth of clothes. Had the safe been in the closet like on other ships, we would have had one less shelf to use. 

My stateroom (#8447) was located on Deck 8 in the forward of the ship. We loved the location because it was not a far walk from the elevator bank.

Plus, it was only three decks above the Royal Promenade, making our morning coffee commute relatively painless! Three decks above us was the pool deck, so we did not have to rely on elevators much at all. 

While I am still a fan of the larger Royal Caribbean ships, I wouldn't hesitate to book another cruise on a Voyager Class ship, especially if the ports of call were places I had never visited before, such as those in the Mexican Riviera! 

Unfortunately a cruise ship passenger fell overboard after allegedly climbing and sitting on a cruise ship railing meant to keep passengers safe.

The Strait Times reported on Monday a guest from Royal Caribbean's Spectrum of the Seas fell overboard. The ship's security footage captured the guest  sitting on the ship's railing at about 4 a.m. 

The incident occurred on the last day of a 4-night cruise from Singapore.

The report cited the person is a 64-year-old woman who was traveling with her husband.

The husbands says he woke up in the middle of the night and discovered his wife was not in their cruise cabin. 

After notifying the ship's security, video footage was checked to see that the woman was sitting on the ship's railing.

The outlet also reports the ship's overboard detection system alerted that something or someone had fallen overboard the ship.

Royal Caribbean issued a statement regarding the incident, "the ship and crew immediately reported the incident to local authorities and launched a search and rescue operation."

"The shipboard team is working with local authorities and our Care team is now offering assistance and support to the family."

The danger of being somewhere off limits

The report indicates the woman who fell overboard was a result of being on top of a safety railing, which is not permitted.

Deck railings on Royal Caribbean cruise ships are at least 42-inches high, which comply Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act (CVSSA) of 2010.

Royal Caribbean's guest-conduct policy says, "Sitting, standing, laying or climbing on, over or across any exterior or interior railings or other protective barriers, or tampering with ship's equipment, facilities or systems designed for guest safety is not permitted." 

Breaking the rules can result in being kicked off the ship at the next port.

In past similar incidents, guests have not only been kicked off the ship but also banned for life from the cruise line.

A woman that stood on her balcony railing in 2019 was banned for life.

How cruise ship overboards happen

Media reports of man overboard situations get shared a lot, but if you aren't familiar with cruises, you may not understand how it could happen.

A 2022 article from The Points Guy points out that cruise ship railings are sufficiently high enough on all decks and balconies to ensure someone does not slip and fall overboard.

"The only way you risk a fall is if you're standing on furniture to peer over the side or climbing somewhere you're not supposed to," the article's author states.

"It's not possible for you to trip over a door frame or slip on a wet deck and fall off of a vessel."

Not being somewhere you're not supposed to, or doing something you're not supposed to, is key to safety at sea, "Play by the rules and remain in control of your actions, and you don't have to worry about inadvertently falling overboard from a cruise ship."

What happens when someone is overboard?

As is the case with the incident this week on Spectrum of the Seas, the first thing the ship's crew will do is attempt to ascertain when the man overboard situation occurred.

The ship will also contact local authorities to help conduct a search.

In the United States, the Coast Guard is contact, but since this occurred in Asia, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre Singapore was the agency Royal Caribbean contacted to assist in the search.

The ship and local authorities will attempt to search an area based on where the person likely hit the water, and where they are likely to be.

While there's a lot of advice shared on the internet about how to take a cruise, some of these tips are rooted in a different time and since then, the experience has evolved.

In many cases, cruise tips last a long time because they simply work. As an example, packing layers for an Alaska cruise remains to this day one of the best Alaska planning tips because it's as true today as it was a decade or two ago.

Other pieces of advice may have changed over years, and some tips just don't apply to today's generation of cruise ships. Thanks to bigger ships that have lessons learned applied to them, there are some cruise tips that aren't necessary anymore.

I wanted to point out a few cruise tips I see shared still that just don't apply to modern cruise ships, especially in Royal Caribbean's fleet.

You need a balcony cabin to be able to enjoy outdoor scenery

When I took my first Alaska cruise, everyone said I needed to book a balcony cabin because it was the best way to enjoy Alaska's beautiful landscape.

The rationale for booking a balcony stems from two arguments.

First, if you don't have access to your balcony, you'll be relegated to public areas that can get crowded, especially on glacier viewing days.

Second, the convenience of being able able to go out to your balcony is wonderful.

Read more: Best cabins to book for an Alaska cruise

A big reason why I don't think a balcony is as critical as it used to be is ships are bigger, and there's more public space than ever to enjoy the views.

Royal Caribbean has steadily put larger ships in Alaska, and I've found plenty of public space to enjoy the views of glaciers, wildlife, and the surroundings.

Moreover, being on a public deck is easier to go from one side of the ship to another if there's something else to see. In fact, I find the pool deck a much better viewing spot on glacier day because of how much easier it is to go from side to side.

In the Caribbean, while the water is certainly quite pretty, the need for a balcony to enjoy the view is significantly lessened.

I won't argue the merits of being able to enjoy your own balcony, because it is very nice to have a private balcony.  But don't book a balcony because you think you'll miss out on seeing the sights otherwise.

Don’t book a cabin near an elevator

No one wants a noisy cabin, so there's often tips about avoiding a cruise ship cabin near the elevator.

In my experience, this is not an issue on any Royal Caribbean ship I've been on to date.

The elevator lobbies on Royal Caribbean are sufficiently far away from the first rooms that I've never heard the "ding" of an elevator arriving, nor have I heard any elevator machine noise.

In fact, I prefer a cabin near an elevator for the convenience it provides.

Being near an elevator lobby makes it faster to get around the ship, especially on Royal Caribbean's biggest cruise ships.

Royal Caribbean only has elevators in the forward and middle parts of the ship. On Oasis Class or Quantum Class ships, this means cabins located towards the back of the ship will have a much longer walk.

While there will be more foot traffic near a cabin closer to an elevator than further away, I've rarely found this to be a problem in terms of being disturbed by it.

Basically, I think the convenience of an elevator is more important than the off chance someone is loud walking past your cabin.

Don't rely on cruise ship wifi because it's slow and expensive

Thanks to Royal Caribbean's partnership with Starlink, I think ship wifi is finally turning the corner to becoming far more useful than in the past.

While I'm not sure we will ever see cruise ship internet become free, I do think the cost is far more affordable on Royal Caribbean than some other lines.

I've read cruise tips that suggest skipping wifi all together as a means of saving money and to avoid frustrations, but I think Royal Caribbean's internet plans are far more useful than ever.

It's not perfect yet, and I do think wifi on Alaska cruises in particular are quite painful still due to the mountains interfering with the signal, but on a Caribbean or European cruise, buying a wifi package makes more sense than ever.

Being online doesn't mean you're working.  For a lot of people, being on the internet is a way to keep up with friends and family, and it's as a casual experience similar to reading a magazine or watching TV. 

Ask to have your mini bar emptied

One of the first cruise ship tips I remember reading and applying to my cabin was asking my stateroom attendant to empty the mini bar fridge.

The fridge is tiny, and emptying it means opening up more space to keep bottles of water or other snacks cooled. Plus, it avoids getting accidently charged for a mini bar item I didn't actually consume.

On a Royal Caribbean cruise, the mini bars are now automatically emptied and have been that way for a few years. Instead, there's a form you can fill out to have your stateroom attendant stock your fridge with items you want.

Other cruise lines may still stock their mini bar, but you don't have to worry about this on Royal Caribbean.

More cruise advice

• Cruise tips that make sense until you're on the ship
• 12 things I'd tell anyone new to cruise ship travel
• The 10 commandments of a great cruise ship vacation
• 5 Costly lessons learned on a cruise (and how to avoid them!)
• Our best 75 travel tips to make you the world's most savvy cruiser

It's only been two years since Royal Caribbean launched Odyssey of the Seas, yet many seem to forget about this new cruise ship.

Perhaps our perception is clouded by the massive hype around Icon of the Seas, which will be the newest ship debuting for Royal Caribbean in early 2024. This groundbreaking vessel is already making waves in the cruise industry for its unconventional design and unparalleled amenities onboard. 

Not to mention, Royal Caribbean welcomed the brand-new Wonder of the Seas in early 2022, not long after Odyssey of the Seas entered service. This only gave Odyssey of the Seas just a few short months to hold the title as the cruise line’s newest vessel. With delays due to the pandemic, these two cruise ships debuted uncharacteristically close together. 

Odyssey of the Seas is the second ship in the Quantum Ultra-class for Royal Caribbean. The ship is also the final vessel for the Quantum class, which was originally slotted to debut in 2020.

Regardless, you should not write-off Odyssey of the Seas when planning your next cruise. I just sailed on this Quantum Ultra-class ship back in October 2022 for a fabulous 12-night sailing to Israel - and it really blew me away. 

Here are 10 reasons why I think Odyssey of the Seas is absolutely worth your attention. 

Impressive Itineraries

One of the biggest advantages that Odyssey of the Seas has over other new vessels is the impressive itineraries offered. Because the ship spends her summers in Europe sailing from Rome, you can visit some incredibly historic and culture ports. 

Most of the time, if you want to sail on a more unique and port-intensive itinerary, you’ll be looking at sailing on a smaller and older vessel with Royal Caribbean. This is mostly due to size restrictions with Oasis-class ships when it comes to accessibility with ports.

On Odyssey of the Seas, you can sail on itineraries to Israel, Greece, Turkey, Italy, France, Portugal and Spain during the summer European season. 

You won’t find destinations like this onboard Royal Caribbean’s newest (and upcoming) ships, including Icon of the Seas, Utopia of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas. Each of these will be sailing to the Bahamas and Caribbean for the foreseeable future. 

In fact, the sole reason we booked our cruise on Odyssey of the Seas was because of the specific itinerary we wanted to sail on. My family and I had been wanting to do a Holy Land itinerary for years, and we were thrilled to see a newer vessel sailing this type of itinerary.

Odyssey of the Seas offered a 12-night itinerary with two overnights in Israel. This gave us three full days to explore the country, which is unusual for an itinerary. Being able to sail on an exciting itinerary onboard a brand-new ship was invaluable!

Quantum Ultra Class

As mentioned, Odyssey of the Seas is considered a Quantum Ultra Class cruise ship, which is a subset of the Quantum Class for Royal Caribbean. Odyssey of the Seas is the second ship in this class, along with Spectrum of the Seas. 

Unless you plan to sail in Asia on Spectrum of the Seas - which you absolutely should, I can personally say that it’s incredible - sailing on Odyssey of the Seas is your best bet to try out this amplified ship class. 

Quantum Ultra Class ships have a few differences compared to the original Quantum Class ships. The most notable difference is the size of the ships, as the Ultra Class ships are slightly longer and taller. 

Another difference is the addition of the SkyPad to the Sports Deck, which is a circular structure that hangs over the side of the ship with a glass floor walkway, featuring views of the ocean below. Although Royal Caribbean is removing the trampolines from SkyPads in the near future, the structure will remain as an activity venue and is still unique to Ultra Class ships. 

You can also find unified dining rooms on Quantum Ultra Class ships, which is an improved design choice from the earlier Quantum Class ships with separated dining rooms. 

Finally, Quantum Ultra Class ships feature an entire dining venue dedicated to the Teppanyaki restaurant. This is in addition to the specialty restaurant, Izumi Sushi, which has become one of the most popular dining venues for Royal Caribbean. This dedicated space will allow for more guests to enjoy the specialty Asian dining onboard. 

Stylish, functional staterooms

When we sailed on Odyssey of the Seas, I was surprisingly impressed with our stateroom’s design and functionality. Prior to this, I had mostly been sailing on Radiance and and Voyager-class ships, which are around 20 years old now. 

Odyssey of the Seas features Royal Suite classes onboard, which allows cruisers to choose between Star Class, Sky Class and Sea Class. These luxurious staterooms can provide lucrative amenities and spacious accommodations onboard and Royal Suites are only available on Royal Caribbean’s newer ships. 

During our Odyssey of the Seas cruise, my sister and I bid on a Junior Suite during the Royal Up process for just $300 each to upgrade from our inside cabin. We were shocked to see our minimal bid accepted, but we were anxious to try out an entry-level suite on one of Royal Caribbean’s newest ships.

Our stateroom was not just beautiful, but very thoughtfully designed. We had two separate bathroom spaces - one with a large bathtub with a walk-in shower and another space with a separate sink and toilet. This is certainly a modern approach to bathroom design and it was much appreciated when we were both getting ready in the morning. 

New dining options

Like most new cruise ships, you’ll experience the best of the best when it comes to dining onboard. With 17 different dining options onboard, including specialty and complementary choices, you’ll be experiencing some of the best cuisine Royal Caribbean has to offer.

One of the most exciting dining options that debuted on Odyssey of the Seas is the first Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar. While Royal Caribbean has always had Giovanni’s Table, the new and reimagined Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen features a younger, fresher and more contemporary design. The cruise line also expanded to include hand-tossed pizzas on the menu. 

Onboard Odyssey of the Seas, you can also enjoy El Loco Fresh, which is one of Royal Caribbean’s newer complimentary dining options. This quick and casual eatery is located on the pool deck and includes Mexican offerings, such as tacos, quesadillas, burritos and nachos. 

After sailing on many older and smaller ships recently, having so many eateries available onboard truly enhanced our 12-night itinerary. Dining at Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen was a highlight for us, as the fresh Italian food tasted excellent. Additionally, I grabbed a quick lunch at El Loco Fresh on many days when we returned to the ship and wanted a little something to eat on the pool deck. 

Resort-style pool deck

Unlike other Quantum Class ships, the cruise line opted to remove the indoor pool feature on Odyssey of the Seas. Instead, you’ll find a resort-style pool approach with two outdoor pools. This is all in addition to the adults-only, enclosed Solarium onboard. 

Odyssey of the Seas' pool deck is vibrant and colorful with Caribbean-infused decor all around. The design of the pool deck is fantastic, as the layout breaks up crowding on the top deck with the two outdoor pools separated by a structure in the middle. 

You can also enjoy the hot tubs on the second level, with an infinity-style design, that overlook the lower pool deck. With additional hot tubs on the bottom pool deck, you shouldn’t have trouble finding a hot tub spot during your cruise. 

Another feature of the resort-style pool deck is the multilevel bar venue called Lime and Coconut. This Caribbean-themed bar offers its signature Lime and Coconut drink - one of my absolute favorites.

We enjoyed happy hour while watching the sunset at Lime and Coconut almost every evening, including the unforgettable sunset over Santorini.

Advanced technology

Odyssey of the Seas is one of the most technologically advanced cruise ships in Royal Caribbean’s fleet. You can find the technical innovation across the ship, including Odyssey of the Sea’s design, artwork, activities and overall guest experience. 

In fact, Odyssey of the Seas is one of two cruise ships in Royal Caribbean’s fleet that features the use of digital keys. This is of the perks that comes with being designated as a “smart ship” for the cruise line. This advancement allows guests to open their stateroom doors by opening the Royal Caribbean app and placing their phone against the key reader on the door. No longer will you need to fumble in your bag to find that SeaPass card that has slowly made its way to the bottom of your purse!

Virtual balconies are also available on Odyssey of the Seas if you are looking for an affordable, but unique, stateroom option. This floor-to-ceiling television screen provides live footage of the cruise ship’s outside views.  

Next-generation SeaPlex

Because Odyssey of the Seas is one of two Quantum Ultra Class ships, the popular SeaPlex space received a major facelift. The ship’s SeaPlex is the largest indoor and outdoor activity center that you’ll find at sea. This versatile space is where you can do things like ride bumper cars, play glow-in-the-dark laser tag or partake in a virtual reality game. 

When Odyssey of the Seas was built, Royal Caribbean reworked the design and layout of the SeaPlex. Pods were removed, along with the addition of large screens and new venues added. Inside the SeaPlex, you’ll find the conveniently located Playmaker’s Sports Bar. Odyssey of the Seas was the first ship to combine the two venues into one convenient area. 

Even better, you’ll find 56 television screens in this area to watch all of your favorite sporting events. 

Awe-inspiring entertainment

Sailing on a newer ship, you can also enjoy such a wide variety of entertainment, including fantastic production shows. Onboard Odyssey of the Seas, there are two main production shows for you to enjoy. These include The Book, located in Two70, and Showgirl: Past, Present and Future.

“The Book: Seven Chapters, One Adventure" is a visually-impressive, highly-technical production located in the outward aft-facing venue called Two70. This show follows the storyline of a librarian who explores different book chapters through music, song and dance. With many different elements and performing styles, The Book is seriously a one-of-a-kind show. I have a hard time describing it other than you simply need to see the show for yourself. 

Showgirl is a flashy production show in the main theater inspired by Las Vegas showgirls. This energetic show features dance styles from all eras of the showgirl-type dance. This upbeat production is a lot of fun to watch.

Another unique venue on Odyssey of the Seas is the Music Hall, where you can find live bands most evenings onboard. It’s probably the closest that you will find to a rock concert onboard a cruise ship!

Endless activities and attractions

Odyssey of the Seas is one of those cruise ships that simply has a little something for everyone when it comes to activities. While you can still enjoy the traditional cruise ship activities, like bingo and trivia, there are other onboard thrills and attractions that are notable. 

For example, the iFly skydiving simulator can be found on Odyssey of the Seas. Although it’s not complimentary, this is one of the few cruise ships in the world where you can partake in a skydiving simulator. 

Additionally, the North Star observation pod is uniquely found on Quantum Class ships. We chose to ride the North Star on our embarkation day while docked in Civitavecchia, Italy. This was my first time riding in the North Star and it was such a fun and unique experience. Rides are complimentary while the ship is docked in port while sea day rides require an additional cost. 

Finally, you can try Zone Zero onboard Odyssey of the Seas. This is an immersive virtual reality experience where you will walk around in the real world while seeing and experience a completely different virtual world. This is something completely unique that you can experience on Odyssey of the Seas. 

Other attractions you can find is the FlowRider surf simulator, rock climbing wall, bumper cars, SeaPlex activities and Splashaway Bay aqua park area for kids. 

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

Royal Caribbean might be considering building a smaller cruise ship.

While they are best known for building the biggest cruise ships in the world, Royal Caribbean is building a new smaller cruise ship is "deeply in our consideration", according to the CEO of the cruise line.

President and CEO Michael Bayley told cruise fans there is a lot of conceptual work going on regarding a new class of smaller ships.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean Group smashes expectations with second quarter earnings
• Photo shows kids dangerously sitting on cruise ship balcony
• Bahamas raises cruise ship passenger taxes in 2024
• Royal Caribbean is doing better now than it ever has in its history, even after a two year shutdown
• Royal Caribbean will host next Presidents Cruise on Oasis of the Seas in summer 2024
• 10 things you should know before cruising onboard Freedom of the Seas
• I cruised on the oldest and newest cruise ships to Alaska: here’s how they compare
• Best fall cruises to try
• Best time to cruise to the Bahamas
• New Celebrity cruise ship will have whiskey tasting and plant-based multi-course dinner

New RCB Video: 5 worst things about cruising with Royal Caribbean: should it stop you from booking?

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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 — 5 worst things about cruising with Royal Caribbean: should it stop you from booking? — Plus 1 to break — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 506th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, with advice on when to buy those cruise add-ons.

From the drink package to wifi, when is the best time to pre-purchase your cruise add-ons? Matt shares his opinion on when you can get the best price for these extras.

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.

Royal Caribbean wants to raise cruise fares even higher

Even though the price of a cruise is probably higher today than in 2019, Royal Caribbean would love to see prices go even higher.

In comparing the "value gap" between a cruise vacation and land vacation, Royal Caribbean International's CEO Jason Liberty thinks there's more room to narrow that gap.

He wants the value of a land-based vacation and cruise vacation to be much closer.

Icon of the Seas will have a radically different Royal Promenade

When Icon of the Seas launches next year, expect to find a different looking Royal Promenade.

At 362 feet long, the Royal Promenade onboard Icon of the seas is longer than a football field, and for the first time, it brings ocean views into the ship's main thoroughfare through floor-to-ceiling windows.

You'll also find The Pearl on the Promenade, which is a three-deck high sphere built with 3,000 kinetic tiles. 

Could Royal Caribbean be looking to restart cruise ship upgrades again in 2024?

Is the Royal Amplified program on its way back?

Nothing has been officially announced, but cruise line executives hinted at upgrades for ships that did not get upgrades during the shutdown of 2020 and 2021.

Food truck concept coming to Utopia of the Seas

The pool deck food game is about to change with a new food truck coming to Utopia of the Seas.

Known as The Spare Tire, guests will find a food truck-style eatery near the main pools.

While we don't have a menu, expect "handheld favorites" to be served up.

Anthem of the Seas Guide & Review

Anthem of the Seas is a popular Royal Caribbean cruise ship because of her innovations and fun itineraries.

If you have a cruise booked on Anthem, here's a full rundown of what to expect onboard!

Why Wonder of the Seas might the perfect cruise ship for a first timer

Know someone that has resisted trying a cruise ship for one reason or another? Wonder of the Seas might be the perfect first cruise ship for them!

Whether they think they'll be bored, overwhelmed, or stuck at sea, Royal Caribbean designed Wonder of the Seas to address all those concerns.