Royal Caribbean Blog

The places your cruise ship visits are among the top reasons people choose a cruise vacation, but there are mistakes and red flags to avoid when in port.

Each port of call has a variety of tours and activities you can do. You could book a tour through Royal Caribbean or something on your own. In either case, you want to carefully vet any excursion before you book it.

As a frequent cruiser, I've gone on all sorts of shore excursions in ports around the world, including the Caribbean, Alaska, and Europe. Most of my shore excursions have been great, but a few turned out to be duds.

It's a good idea to check what's included with the cost of your tour, safety protocols, what time it begins and ends, as well as what you'll actually do during the tour.

Here are the red flags I look for in any shore excursion before I book that could take away from your enjoyment.

Long transit times for a short visit

A shore excursion that involves many hours in transit to leave you with a short amount of time at the actual destination might be worth rethinking.

It's not uncommon to find a shore excursion that takes you to a bucket list worthy spot, such as visiting a major city, exploring Mayan ruins, or viewing natural wonders.

The problem with some of these tours can be you'll spend more time on a bus travelling to and from the site than actually at the place.

Common examples include Chichén Itzá, visits to Paris, or a transfer to Walt Disney World.

Sometimes cruise ships dock in ports significantly far from these places. While it is possible to go and see these areas, it involves a long bus ride.

If this is your only opportunity to ever visit, then perhaps a marathon bus ride is worth it.  Otherwise, save it for a land visit.

Read more: 8 cruise ship shore excursions our readers tried and instantly regretted

No refunds if your ship can't dock

Before you book any shore excursion, read the rules on cancelling.

In my opinion, any tour operator should refund all of your money (including the deposit) if your ship is unable to dock. Whether it's because of poor weather that day or an itinerary change, the refund policy should cover that scenario.

Most shore excursions don't include a refund if the weather is poor, but if you are physically unable to make it to the tour because your ship isn't in port, then they should refund your money.

If you book a tour with Royal Caribbean, this is standard practice.  However, some third party shore excursions you can book on your own may not offer it.

Read more: What to do if Royal Caribbean's shore excursions are sold out

Panoramic sightseeing tours

It might sound like a great tour, but panoramic sightseeing tours may leave you disappointed with time at the places you'll see behind a window.

Bus tours are great if you like a more casual view, or perhaps you have mobility issues. Moreover, never underestimate how wonderful air conditioning is in the summer months.

However, if your goal is to walk around and explore historical sights or beautiful natural wonders, I'd recommend avoiding a tour that advertises how much you can see from the bus you'll be on.

When I've done these sorts of tours, I usually end up frustrated that I didn't have enough time to see the places.  

"Let me give you a tour of the island"

An island tour from someone with a flimsy sign is not who you want to book a tour on the spot with.

When you walk out of the port area, there's usually a group of taxi drivers who want you to pay them to take you on a tour of the place you're visiting. While I doubt there are safety concerns with them, I would not recommend booking a tour with them because of how open-ended that can be.

Without knowing anything about the tour operator, their knowledge of the area, or total costs, I think there are too many variables.

If you want a driver for the day and/or a private tour of the port you're visiting, I'd recommend doing some research ahead of time and booking that in advance.  That way you can do your research online and read reviews and get recommendations for whom to work with.

Read more: Quick and easy tips for finding a great shore excursion on your own

Museum tours

Museums are a great idea for an activity in port, but you don't need to book an organized tour.

It's easy enough to get to most museums by taking a cab, and then once in the museum, exploring on your own.  

Not only will a museum shore excursion cost you more, but you'll be moving at the pace of the group and without the option to spend more time at the exhibits that interest you.

If you're worried about being able to understand the tour in your native language, there could be audio tours available from the museum or even utilize Google Translate app to be able to instantly translate signs.

Beach breaks

Just like museum tours, you don't need an organized tour to go to the beach.

Sometimes a shore excursion includes a visit to the beach in addition to the primary activity, but if you just want to spend the day at the beach, I'd question the value of an organized tour.

One issue with a beach shore excursion are crowds. If your tour is going to this beach, other shore excursions probably are too, and that's the recipe for a crowded beach day.  Sometimes crowded beaches are unavoidable, but in the Caribbean where beautiful beaches are a dime a dozen, I wouldn't do it.

The other issue with a beach break excursion is it's probably cheaper to book it on your own. 

Do your research and look up taxi rates along with the fees for accessing the beach, resort, or park.

Royal Caribbean has earned a reputation for amazing entertainment, but creating these shows is no simple task.

Royal Caribbean's entertainment team has created dozens of original productions, from music to dialogue to choreography.

At a recent panel interview on Utopia of the Seas, the Royal Caribbean Blog team spoke to the entertainment management onboard, and got some insight into the process of creating shows.

Christine Coachman, Vice President of Entertainment for Royal Caribbean International, was just promoted to oversee the line's entertainment this May.

After 30-plus years of experience in Royal Caribbean entertainment, here's what she had to say about creating original shows and entertainment for new ships.

How long does it take to create an original show?

During the panel interview, the team was asked how long it takes to brainstorm, design, and create an original show.

Christine Coachman, Vice President of Entertainment for Royal Caribbean International, answered that it takes about 18 months. 

They often don't start from nothing—"We have an idea bank," she said.

But 18 months before a ship launches is the 'go time' to start fleshing out an idea and producing the show.

For Utopia of the Seas, the team actually had a more accelerated schedule.

Read more: Royal Caribbean reveals shows and parties for its new mega cruise ship

"We finished [Icon] in January, and then we were like, oh, yeah, there's Utopia," she said. "So we went fast and furious."

The entertainment team has already started preparing for the next Icon Class ship, Star of the Seas.

With the ship launching in August of 2025, the team officially has 12 months to prepare.

According to Coachman, "We know that we're in a great place for Star."

Will Royal Caribbean produce more original shows?

Not every new Royal Caribbean ship has an original show.

Icon of the Seas, for example, hosts a Broadway-style production of The Wizard of Oz.

However, the entertainment crew has every intention to keep creating original productions.

It's one of Coachman's favorite parts of her job and the most fun she has in her role.

Alex Marchant, Senior and Managing producer of Entertainment for Royal Caribbean International, explained that it depends on each ship's itinerary and demographic.

"It's about the demographic, where the ship is sailing, how long the cruise is," he said.

"But we work with some incredibly talented creatives, and it's the direction we want to go."

Working with creators who write original music, direct choreography, and create costumes is one of the most exciting parts of the job.

Coachman and her team value human artistry, and want to highlight it in their productions.

Plus, the team gets to create something that they personally love.

For example, Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean President and CEO, loves the Caribbean, so that inspired the show “Columbus, The Musical”.

"That's the fun part of what we do," Coachman said, "is sitting in a room and just brainstorming all the different ideas."

With such a creative team, they can keep creating stellar entertainment for many years to come.

How long does it take for entertainment to run smoothly on a new ship?

Brand new ships don't always have everything ready for the first sailing. It can take a few sailings for everything to be up and running as planned.

So, when a new ship like Utopia launches, when does the entertainment team sign off on it?

The entertainment management team was on board Utopia of the Seas to oversee its launch, and spent a week after the inaugural manage the launch.

"We're never done," Coachman joked, "But it gets to a point where you have to let it run and operate."

However, Utopia's launch, despite being a new challenge in the world of entertainment, "has been one of the most smooth transitions."

When it came to getting the venues and shows ready, things went smoothly for inauguration.

"We're in a very good place," Coachman said.

To keep entertainment up to guests' expectations, the team is also open to feedback at all times.

Which shows are on which Royal Caribbean ships?

Royal Caribbean currently has 38 original shows in production.

Not all of its ships host an in-house produced show, but some shows are available on multiple vessels.

Below, we've collected all the current shows, and which ships they're available on.

• All in!: Utopia of the Seas
• The Effectors I: Odyssey of the Seas
• The Effectors II: Wonder of the Seas
• Live. Love. Legs: Ovation of the Seas
• Flight: Symphony of the Seas
• The Gift: Anthem of the Seas
• Sonic Odyssey: Quantum of the Seas
• The Beautiful Dream: Ovation of the Seas
• Blue Planet: Allure of the Seas
• Invitation to Dance: Adventure of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, and Independence of the Seas
• Wild, Cool, and Swinging: Explorer of the Seas
• Ballroom Fever: Rhapsody of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas
• Piano Man: Radiance of the Seas and Rhapsody of the Seas
• City of Dreams: Jewel of the Seas and Radiance of the Seas
• Once Upon a Time: Freedom of the Seas and Independence of the Seas
• Fast Forward: Explorer of the Seas
• Tango Buenos Aires: Jewel of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas
• Colombus: Harmony of the Seas
• Pure Country: Rhapsody of the Seas
• Center Stage: Brilliance of the Seas and Mariner of the Seas
• Vibeology: Serenade of the Seas
• Boogie Wonderland: Vision of the Seas
• Music in Pictures: Voyager of the Seas
• Spectra's Cabaret: Anthem of the Seas
• Can't Stop the Rock: Adventure of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas
• Star Water: Quantum of the Seas
• In the Air: Liberty of the Seas
• One Sky: Oasis of the Seas
• Showgirl: Navigator of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas, and Spectrum of the Seas
• The Silk Road: Spectrum of the Seas
• Voices: Wonder of the Seas
• Sequins and Feathers: Quantum of the Seas
• Jackpot: Adventure of the Seas
• Gallery of Dreams: Mariner of the Seas
• Marquee: Freedom of the Seas
• Stage to Screen: Enchantment of the Seas and Serenade of the Seas
• Now and Forever: Brilliance of the Seas
• West End to Broadway: Jewel of the Seas

Happy Sunday! We hope you are having a great weekend! Now it is time to sit back, relax, and catch up on all the Royal Caribbean news from the week!

After spending over a week on Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas, Matt thinks the ship's best in class features really make it stand out.

For just short 3- and 4-night sailings, it's impressive how much there is to do onboard.  The ship has some of the best venues that you'll find on any ship, and there's more activities and parties than ever before.

Don't let the weekend party ship marketing fool you, Utopia is a great ship for a lot of reasons.

Royal Caribbean News

• New Caribbean cruises released for 2025
• I tried every Oasis Class cruise ship, here's how I would rank them
• The best things I ate on Utopia of the Seas
• I paid $30 to try the new escape room on Utopia of the Seas and it was worth it
• I had 2 hours to explore 1,000-year-old Mayan ruins. It was a remarkable experience
• Royal Caribbean makes $137 million Alaska port investment, new beach club director
• European cruise outfits and packing guide for women
• A private karaoke room costs $70 and it was a fun splurge for my family

New RCB Video: All the things I HATE about Icon of the Seas

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 — All the things I HATE about Icon of the Seas — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 540th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, with a cruise review of Utopia of the Seas.

Matt shares his major takeaways from trying Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship.

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.

Why Royal Caribbean's cruise prices will keep rising

Demand for booking a Royal Caribbean cruise is so strong right now that the company expects prices to keep going up.

During the company's earnings call with Wall Street analysts, executives said talked about an upward trend in prices going in to 2025 and beyond.

Royal Caribbean sees its customers are willing to not only book more cruises, but book them at higher prices.

Vintage photos show what cruises used to look like

A cruise ship 40 years ago looked different than what we see today.

Photos from Royal Caribbean cruises in the 1980s reveal the experience is similar, but ships had different offerings too.

There was a midnight buffet, glitter-filled performances, Country Western nights, pirate night and more.

Things you should never do in the suite lounge

The suite lounge is reserved for passengers that booked a suite stateroom, and Matt thinks there are some good rules of thumb to follow in there.

Suite guests and Pinnacle Club members are able to access the lounge, which includes complimentary beverages in the evening, snacks throughout the day, a self-service coffee machine, and plush seating.

It's a wonderful perk for anyone staying in a suite, but Matt cautions what not to do in there.

After 90 cruises, these are the 5 best restaurants (one isn't on a ship)

Dinner is arguably the most popular meal on a Royal Caribbean ship, so Matt ranked the top restaurants in the fleet.

There are a lot of choices of where you can eat on your ship, including restaurants that have an extra cost. 

The top restaurants that stood out among all of them include one that isn't even on a Royal Caribbean ship.

Ready to catch up on what's happening with Royal Caribbean cruises?

With a fleet of 28 ships, there are always going to be things happening and in an effort to keep everyone up to date, here's a quick run through of the latest news from this week.

Think of these as quick hits of changes and news that you should be aware of that changed in the last few days.

Royal Caribbean backs new Seward cruise port purchase agreement

Image courtesy of The Seward Company

Plans were approved this week for a new $137 million cruise ship port in Seward, Alaska that should be ready for the 2026 cruise season.

The Alaska Railroad board voted to approve the purchase of the soon-to-be-built dock that can handle larger ships.

Royal Caribbean's role is to act as the anchor tenant, which gives Royal Caribbean preferential docking rights.  Other cruise lines can still use the port.

Image courtesy of The Seward Company

Plans are for a 68,000 square foot terminal building, which includes a 150-foot transfer span to connect cruisers to an Alaska Railroad train and other ground transportation.

The 750-foot, two-berth floating dock will be the largest floating pier in the state.

The deal is for 30 years and the vote allows the railroad to enter into agreements with the project developer.

Construction on the terminal is scheduled to begin this autumn after Seward’s cruise season ends.

New environmental director named for Royal Beach Club Paradise Island

Royal Caribbean appointed Stacy Lubin as director of environment and sustainability for its new beach club project in Nassau, Bahamas.

Royal Beach Club Paradise Island will open next year to offer a 17-acre beachfront experience in Nassau.

Ms. Lubin brings her 20 years of experience to oversee all environmental initiatives for the beach club.

Royal Caribbean has been adamant since the inception of the project for its commitment to protecting the environment, as well as supporting the people of the Bahamas by employing Bahamians.

The company outlined six key environmental pillars for the Royal Beach Club at Paradise Island:

• Zero waste to landfill
• 100% renewable energy by 2030
• No dredging and no overwater cabanas 
• Best-in-class wastewater treatment
• Protecting the island's natural habitat
• Local environmental monitoring 

Ms. Lubin will work with The Bahamas’ Department of Environmental Planning and Protection to ensure the club’s environmental practices meet both Royal Caribbean standards and local regulations.

Once completed, the Royal Beach Club at Paradise Island will have a public-private partnership, meaning that Bahamians will be able to own up to 49% equity and local businesses can take part in managing the majority of the experience.

More Royal Railway reservations available

If you have a cruise in fall 2024, there's a good chance you can now book Royal Caribbean's hottest new restaurant.

Royal Railway on Utopia of the Seas appears to have more reservations available to book in September, October and November.  Guests booked on sailings in these months reported being able to reserve a time.

Something else guests noticed is the price has gone up from $79.99 per adult to $119.99 per adult. Royal Caribbean employs dynamic pricing for its restaurants, and it also typically uses prices to help manage demand.

Royal Railway is arguably the most popular restaurant in the fleet right now, as the hype surrounding its launch on the new cruise ship has garnered a lot of demand to book it.

This is the first immersive dining experience Royal Caribbean has developed, and it's a dining experience that simulates a train journey.

There are to full size rail cars guests enter that has booths on both side of the car. Each booth has a large digital display that acts as a virtual window.

Read more: Trying out Royal Railway on Utopia of the Seas

Port of Tampa monitoring Tropical Storm Debby

While Tropical Storm Debby isn't expected to be a major storm, it is still a concern for the Port of Tampa Bay and the cruise ships that sail from there.

A hurricane watch has been issued for parts of Florida because future  Tropical Storm Debby has a chance of further development prior to making landfall this weekend.

In a public statement, the Port of Tampa Bay said they are monitoring the track of the storm for any impact to operations.

"Port Tampa Bay is coordinating closely with federal, state, and local agencies, as well as the maritime community to prepare for and respond to potential impacts of Tropical Depression #4."

According to the port, the United States Coast Guard has set Port Condition YANKEE, indicating the possibility of gale force winds (34-47 knots) entering the Bay in the next 24 hours.

So far the only change to schedule is for Margaritaville at Sea's Islander ship.  Instead of returning to Tampa on Sunday, the ship will be delayed and come back on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. Additionally, the Islander's Aug. 4 departure was rescheduled to Aug. 5. 

There are two Royal Caribbean ships that operate out of Tampa currently.  

Grandeur of the Seas will depart Tampa on Saturday, August 3 to begin a 5-night Western Caribbean sailing.

Enchantment of the Seas will also embark on a 7-night Western Caribbean sailing on Saturday as well.

Demand for booking a cruise vacation is so red hot for Royal Caribbean right now that it's likely we'll continue to see an upward trend in cruise prices.

While there is variability in how cruises are priced, Royal Caribbean sees a willingness on behalf of the consumer to not only book more cruises, but pay more for it. The company had to adjust its earnings forecasts because they're getting more bookings than they expected at higher prices.

During Royal Caribbean Group's second quarter earnings call, Chief Financial Officer Naftali Holtz cited an example of bookings for Caribbean cruises for the coming few months.

Caribbean cruises in the third quarter will make up 42% of all Royal Caribbean Group sailings, and a lot of people are willing to pay more to go on them, "this product is booked ahead in both rate and volume and the strong yield growth is driven by new hardware and higher pricing on existing ships supported by our private destinations."

Translated from financial jargon, that means Caribbean cruises in the next 3 months have more cabins booked than normal, and the company is making more money already because people are willing to pay higher prices due to an investment in newer cruise ships and itineraries that visit Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Willingness to pay more

The top reason why you should expect Royal Caribbean cruise prices to continue to rise is because customers are demonstrating they will pay higher prices.

Looking ahead to the rest of 2024, Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty spoke about this trend during the earnings call, "all the yield improvement that you're seeing in Q3 and Q4 is really being driven by price."

"I think it's a really strong indication that not only the willingness to pay more, but these prices continue to increase as we build and manage demand."

To put it in perspective, Mr. Liberty indicated Royal Caribbean Group's revenue for the second half of 2024 is 25% higher than it was in 2019, which was the previous high water mark for the cruise industry. 

If 2024 looks positive, 2025 looks even better for the company. They're taking more bookings for 2025 than for 2024, and that means the higher pricing trend will continue into 2025 and beyond.

"The strength in the commentary that we talk about on pricing and pricing increasing, it very much applies to 2025 and beyond," Mr. Liberty explained during the earnings call.

"So we feel very good. We're in a very strong book position for 2025, pricing is up and increasing are the trends that we continue to see."

"I think we feel really good about 2025. The pattern show pricing continues to accelerate."

When you combine sky-high onboard spending, prices, and demand, it's a formula for higher prices on average. That probably means less cheap cruise deals on the horizon.

If you're reading all of this and think surely consumers will buck against the higher prices, it's not something Royal Caribbean sees on the horizon.

One Wall Street analyst asked about "pricing sensitivity" from customers because of comments made by land-based hotel operators.  Royal Caribbean rebuffed that notion based on what they're seeing on their end.

Mr. Liberty explained, "the booking window continues to extend, so they're planning further out, their willingness to pay more for these incredible vacation experiences continues to increase."

Part of the reason why he believes cruise bookings are stronger than land vacations is because of the value gap between the two types of vacations, which Mr. Liberty estimates is around 20%.

For consumers, it's a sobering prediction for what the future holds in terms of prices, "the trends that we see is just continued acceleration on the pricing side."

Bargain hunters will need to be agile

While the trend is moving cruise prices higher on average, it's still possible to find an ultra-cheap cruise. 

Royal Caribbean prices its cruises largely based on supply and demand, and there are going to be deals out there, especially on sailings that have less demand.

First and foremost, Royal Caribbean will see the highest prices on its newer ships, such as Utopia of the Seas or Icon of the Seas. That's because new ships always command a higher price because they have the latest and greatest features on them.

Generally speaking, you'll find lower prices on older, smaller ships.  

As an example, try Adventure of the Seas out of Port Canaveral instead of Utopia of the Seas.  Or Freedom of the Seas out of Fort Lauderdale instead of Icon of the Seas.

Some of the best cruise deals are on longer sailings that take place while school is in session. Transatlantic crossings remain some of the best deals from a per-night cost basis.  

Transatlantic cruises take place in the spring and fall when cruise ships migrate from North America to Europe and then back again.

Read more: What it's really like to take a transatlantic cruise

The reason they're cheaper is they are longer, usually 10-14 nights, and a lot of families cannot go on vacation for that long a period.  Plus, families can't book them because their kids are in school.

The other strategy for a good cruise deal is a bit of luck.  Sometimes there's a last-minute cruise deal that pops up, and other times there are specific sailings in the coming months or years that are priced lower.  

Spotting these cruise deals can be just plain luck, or you could also rely on a good travel agent that monitors prices during the course of their daily work and can alert you when they spot something good.

Read more: 10 Secrets Royal Caribbean travel agents wish you knew

While I would not expect cruise prices to drop across the board, savvy consumers should be able to find some deals.  

But for the newest ships, don't expect a lot of wiggle room.  It's why booking early is still the best strategy to get the best price possible on these vessels.

Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas promises epic parties, thrilling activities, and dreamy beach days, but the ship also packs a punch when it comes to dining.

It’s no secret that food is an integral part of a cruise vacation. When I booked a 3-night cruise on Utopia of the Seas—the newest ship in Royal Caribbean’s fleet—I was excited to try the vessel’s extensive selection of restaurants.

As one of the world’s biggest cruise ships, Utopia of the Seas offers dining choices for any type of traveler. Budget cruisers can choose from over ten complimentary venues, but the ship also features more than ten specialty restaurants that come with an extra charge.

Everything from Japanese hibachi to a Mexican buffet and Italian trattoria are available onboard, and I couldn’t wait to try as many dishes as possible on my short weekend getaway. I splurged on the Unlimited Dining Package for $164, which allowed me to try not only the ship’s free restaurants, but the specialty options, too.

After three days onboard (and a few pounds gained) here are the 6 best and 5 worst things I ate on Utopia of the Seas.

BEST: Lobster Thermidor at 150 Central Park

I never knew I liked lobster until I tried the delectable, tender Lobster Thermidor at Utopia’s 150 Central Park. In short, I was blown away by the flavor and presentation of the dish, and I regret not trying it sooner.

150 Central Park is an elegant specialty dining option on Utopia of the Seas. Each dish at the restaurant is prepared with locally sourced ingredients, all of which are harvested during the peak of their season. I booked the restaurant with my Unlimited Dining Package, but the meal costs around $59 per person without it.

Related: Utopia of the Seas restaurant and dining guide

I usually don't care for shellfish, but I decided to step outside my comfort zone and try the menu's renowned Lobster Thermidor. I knew if I didn't like the dish I could order something else instead, so I decided it was worth a shot.

It wasn't my first time at 150 Central Park—the restaurant is available on all of Royal Caribbean's other Oasis Class ships. Yet after tasting my first bite of Lobster Thermidor, I couldn't believe I waited so long to try the dish.

The lobster was tender, seasoned with tarragon and parmesan cheese, and coated with a cognac cream sauce. It was easily the best dish I had on the entire cruise, and I’ll certainly be reserving 150 Central Park on my next sailing.

WORST: Spaghetti Pomodoro at Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen

Royal Caribbean offers three Italian specialty restaurants across the fleet, with Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen—the newest Italian restaurant—offered on Utopia of the Seas.

Like the fleet’s other Italian restaurants, Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen offers a variety of pastas along with meat and seafood entrees. The restaurant differs from the others, however, in that it also offers a pizza menu.

Being Italian-American myself, I’ll admit I have high standards when it comes to Italian food. No restaurant’s red sauce could ever compare to my mom's or grandma's recipe! Even still, I can usually find something to like at any Italian restaurant.

Unfortunately, Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen fell flat for me. I prefer pastas without meat, but I found options limited, with only a spaghetti pomodoro dish offered on the menu. I wish the menu had more vegetarian options outside of pizza, whether a pesto ravioli or eggplant parmesan. As is, the menu options felt rather limited.

The spaghetti pomodoro wasn’t bad, but it didn’t taste significantly better than the free pasta at the Windjammer or Main Dining Room. In hindsight, I wish I had used the last night of my dining package at Izumi sushi or hibachi, which offer food options I cannot find elsewhere onboard.

BEST: Pizza at Sorrento’s

Utopia of the Seas is called "The World’s Biggest Weekend” for a reason. The ship aims to provide the ultimate party experience for her short 3 and 4-night itineraries, and this will surely lead to a few late nights onboard.

As an early riser, I was surprised to find myself out well into the night on Utopia of the Seas. Whether dancing at the toga party or cheering on my team at The Quest game show, I partied harder than ever before on a Royal Caribbean ship.

Related: 5 things Utopia of the Seas does better than other Oasis Class ships

Frequent cruisers know that nothing tastes quite as good as Sorrento's pizza after a few drinks, and the free, unlimited pizza hit the spot every evening of my cruise.

WORST: Raspberry Cheesecake at The Spare Tire

When Royal Caribbean first introduced The Spare Tire—the ship’s new food truck concept—I was intrigued. The fast, casual, and complimentary option seemed like it would be a convenient place to grab a snack while lounging on the pool deck.

Unfortunately, while I still find the concept great, the implementation felt slightly lackluster. I appreciated being able to walk up to the “food truck” and grab an item myself, but the food choices weren’t the most appealing.

It appeared many of the snacks were pre-made and reheated. The Tornados, for instance, were from the same brand of taquitos you could find at a gas station. Likewise, the raspberry cheesecake I tried was from the brand Mini Chimis.

While the cheesecake bite was palatable, the snack paled in comparison to the freshly-made desserts I could enjoy elsewhere on the ship.

That being said, The Spare Tire’s veggie wrap and chicken sandwich appeared to be made fresh onboard; I found these much more enticing than the pre-made alternatives.

BEST: Southern Breakfast at The Mason Jar

Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, and no restaurant on Utopia of the Seas does breakfast quite as well as The Mason Jar.

As Royal Caribbean’s only Southern-inspired restaurant, The Mason Jar offers both a brunch and dinner menu. While dinner sees favorites like crawfish gumbo and beef brisket, brunch offers a variety of sweet and savory items.

The brunch menu’s diverse options—cinnamon rolls, stuffed French toast, buttery breakfast biscuits, and pimento cheese omelets—were too tempting to pass up. As soon as I boarded Utopia of the Seas, I headed to The Mason Jar for a much-needed brunch after my busy travel day.

Related: The Mason Jar Southern food restaurant review

Feeling something savory, I ordered the Southern Breakfast (sans bacon). My breakfast skillet came with two eggs atop a bed of sweet potato hash. You can’t go wrong with fried eggs, but I loved the stir-fried onions, peppers, and crispy sweet potatoes.

The Southern Breakfast served with sides of Meemaw’s biscuits and jalapeño cornbread easily made this dish one of my favorites on the weekend getaway.

WORST: Red Velvet Pancakes at The Mason Jar

Following the scrumptious breakfast skillet, I couldn’t pass up a sweet treat to end my brunch.

I loved The Mason Jar’s fluffy red velvet pancakes during my first visit to the restaurant two years ago on Wonder of the Seas. This time, however, the pancakes were not as delicious as I remembered.

Despite their pretty appearance, I found the pancakes quite dry. I didn’t mind the thick, cakey texture, but the ratio of cream cheese icing to pancakes felt off. Even though I could have asked for more icing, I was already full from my previous course, so I left most of the pancakes on the plate.

I wouldn’t be opposed to ordering the red velvet pancakes again, but I would definitely ask for an extra cup of icing next time!

BEST: Shaved Ice at Wipeout Bar

A brand new concept to Royal Caribbean is the shaved ice available at Wipeout Bar, Utopia of the Seas’ bustling bar on the ship’s sports deck.

Starting at $6 for a small and $9 for a large, guests can choose up to three syrup flavors from a selection of seventeen. Toppings, including fruit and condensed milk, are priced at $0.50 each, and there are also boozy options sold for $14.

Unfortunately, the shaved ice is not included in the drink package or dining package, and Diamond drink vouchers cannot be applied to the dessert, either.

Related: The Ultimate Guide to Royal Caribbean's Unlimited Dining Package

Regardless, I was tempted to try a shaved ice on embarkation day to cool down in Florida’s oppressive July humidity. It worked, because my watermelon ice was not only tasty, but tremendously refreshing.

I thought the price was somewhat steep given the product (ice and syrup), but it was so revitalizing in the moment that I didn’t even care. Nevertheless, I hope the shaved ice will be included in packages and Diamond vouchers in the future.

WORST: Bubble Cone at Izumi in the Park

Although Instagram-worthy, I didn’t love the bubble cone I ordered at Izumi in the Park, Royal Caribbean’s walkup Japanese cuisine window.

Izumi in the Park focuses primarily on grab-and-go sushi and gyoza, but the casual venue also offers waffle bubble cones. There are five flavors available, including the Strawberry Bliss and Rainbow Mochi, and each flavor promises a warm waffle filled with ice cream and toppings.

Currently, the bubble cone costs $8, but one cone is permitted every 24 hours for passengers with the Unlimited Dining Package.

Even though I found the concept great, I thought the price was rather steep for what was offered. The ice cream used was the same soft-serve I could enjoy on the pool deck for free.

Nonetheless, the waffle and toppings were a nice addition to a standard ice cream cone. I would probably pay $5 for the cone, but $8 was a little high. I was glad it was included in my dining package, though, so the price didn’t really matter in the end.

BEST: Jalapeño Poppers at Playmakers

Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade is one of my favorite casual restaurants on Royal Caribbean ships. Although the venue comes with an extra charge, I find the prices reasonable. The bar’s nachos, wings, sandwiches, and appetizers are priced à la carte, with most between $7 and $12.

The Unlimited Dining Package includes a daily $20 credit at Playmakers, so I ordered both nachos and jalapeño poppers. It’s hard to go wrong with nachos, but the jalapeño poppers were the star of the show.

Crispy and with the perfect blend of spicy and sweet, the fried jalapeños were filled with cream cheese and served with ranch and sweet chili dipping sauces. I don’t eat red meat, so I was happy the poppers were not wrapped with bacon.

I never thought to dip jalapeño poppers in sweet chili sauce, but the combination was delightful! This cheesy appetizer will undoubtedly become a go-to whenever I sail on a Royal Caribbean ship with Playmakers.

BEST: Breakfast at the Windjammer

Weekend cruises on Utopia of the Seas are busy—there’s no doubt about that. The last best thing I ate on Utopia of the Seas was also the most simple: breakfast at the Windjammer buffet.

In between port days in The Bahamas, stunning entertainment shows, and all of the ship’s wild parties, there’s little time for a sit-down breakfast. Instead of starting my day with a leisurely meal in the Main Dining Room, I preferred a quick meal in the Windjammer.

Related: Guide to Royal Caribbean's Windjammer Cafe buffet

Utopia of the Seas’ main buffet is anything but limited. The complimentary venue offers unlimited food, whether made-to-order omelets, bagels and lox, or a waffle station complete with a wide variety of toppings.

I enjoyed a toasted bagel and eggs at the Windjammer most mornings. I never struggled to find a seat in the extra-spacious venue, and the convenience of the buffet was hard to beat.

As someone that cruises about once per month, I get to eat on Royal Caribbean cruise ships a lot, and dinner is usually a big deal on any sailing.

Some restaurants are included with your cruise fare while others cost extra. I like to go back and forth between what's included and not to not only get a wider variety of food, but also evaluate how each restaurant is. Menus change, and as I try new restaurants, it's good to go back and see how other venues compare.

The cost of a Royal Caribbean restaurants vary from included to hundreds of dollars per person. Luckily, I've had the chance to dine at nearly every restaurant on Royal Caribbean's ships.

I'm not a food critic or trained in evaluating restaurants. I just know what I like, and I go often enough to get a good sense of what seems to stand out, so here are my humble opinions on the top Royal Caribbean restaurants I'd recommend to anyone going on a cruise.

Coco Beach Club restaurant

In terms of food, I have never left the Coco Beach Club restaurant disappointed because the food quality is so good.

Located within the Coco Beach Club section of Perfect Day at CocoCay, the restaurant is included as part of your admission cost to enter the club. Club admission prices vary depending on the sailing, but it can be less than $100 per person or as high as $200 per person.

I think the filet mignon served at the Coco Beach Club restaurant is just as good, if not better, than the steaks you find on Royal Caribbean's ships. 

Friends who eat seafood rave about the grilled Bahamian lobster served, as well as the Coco lobster sandwich.

Usually private island food is nothing exciting, but Royal Caribbean broke the mold with the Coco Beach Club restaurant, and it's just as good as the food I've found on the ships.

150 Central Park

If there's a top quality specialty restaurant that flies under the radar, it's 150 Central Park.

Available on the Oasis Class ships, 150 Central Park is a modern American restaurant that might appear overly fancy, but the cuisine is not only approachable, but fantastic.

I could rave about the entire menu, but there's three items I order every single time I go because they are just so good.

The garlic bread served when you sit is simply amazing, especially if you can manage to snag the middle piece before someone else at your table does. It's not drowning in oil, but has more than enough to make every bite satisfying.

The beef tenderloin for two is large enough you can actually share it with a tablemate, or keep it all to yourself. No judgements.

I think this is the best cut of steak on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship (although the new Iconic cuts at Chops Grille on Icon and Utopia of the Seas might change my opinion on that).

To finish out the meal, the fried cheesecake balls are just about the best comfort food I've found on a cruise ship.

While it doesn't have the widest menu out there, I think 150 Central Park has enough going for it that it warrants not only trying, but eating at every single time you're on an Oasis Class ship.

Aquadome Market

Royal Caribbean's first foray into a food hall concept quickly became one of my favorite restaurants to visit, day or night.

Aquadome Market is a series of stalls that serve a specific cuisine.  Each is freshly prepared, and it's perfect for a quick bite or a full meal.

• Crèpes
• Asian
• Mac and Cheese
• Greek pitas and bowls
• Sandwiches and salads

First and foremost, all the food in Aquadome Market is included in your cruise fare. Plus, it's all really good.  Best yet, it's open late, so you can get something other than a sandwich or pizza past 9pm!

I think the crèpes, pitas, and Asian bowls are the best choices available, and every time I happen to be anywhere near deck 15, I'll think twice if I want to stop by for something from the market.

Izumi Hibachi

If there's an award for restaurant I always leave full, satisfied, and entertained, it's Izumi hibachi.

Teppanyaki dining is as popular on Royal Caribbean's cruise ships as it is on land because it combines freshly grilled meats, rice, and vegetables with a show.  

When we eat at hibachi, I know we aren't leaving hungry. There's a lot of food served, and usually by the end the chef is asking if anyone wants third or fourth servings.

There's the choice of many different proteins with your meal: chicken, beef, lobster, shrimp, or scallops.  If that isn't enough food, you can actually order sushi too.

Whenever I'm asked for one specialty restaurant to recommend to try for families, couples, friends, or random people from the internet, my first choice is hibachi because of how well-received it is.

Main Dining Room

In coming up with this list, I wrote down my list on a piece of paper and really struggled with which I would pick for my fifth choice, but it was too difficult to overlook the Main Dining Room. 

The Main Dining Room is an institution on any cruise ship, and while it may not be the flashiest restaurant (and definitely not the newest), there's a reason it remains the top spot for dinner on every single Royal Caribbean cruise ship.

While not every single dish is necessarily my favorite, I can always find a few things each night that I really like. The sheer variety of food served in this restaurant across your cruise is impressive.

Not to mention the service gets just as much praise as the food. There are some seriously talented waiters that truly make an effort to get to know you and want to ensure you have a fabulous meal.

Whenever I go too heavy into specialty restaurants on a cruise, I get a hankering to return to the Main Dining Room because I really enjoy the tradition and ambiance you can only find there.

One of the lesser known activities on Royal Caribbean are the cruise line’s escape rooms, and I tried the newest puzzle room to see if it was worth it.

On several of Royal Caribbean’s ships, guests can reserve a time slot at an escape room, a room in which guests must figure out a series of puzzles in order to “break free” and win the challenge. The activity comes with an extra cost, and the escape room’s theme varies depending on the ship.

Utopia of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s newest cruise ship, debuted a brand-new escape room onboard, and the experience costs $30 for a half hour in the room.

Some passengers may question whether or not it’s worth it to pay extra for an activity on a ship with nearly endless complimentary activities—myself included. I’m always looking to try new activities on Royal Caribbean, though, so I decided to book a time slot on my weekend cruise on Utopia of the Seas.

I wanted to see what the escape room was like and whether or not it’s worth paying extra for the short experience.

As an escape room novice, I was skeptical about whether I would enjoy the activity

Two years prior to my Utopia of the Seas cruise, I booked an escape room on Oasis of the Seas. It was my first time trying an escape room, and I remember feeling slightly intimidated around the other guests who appeared to be escape room experts.

I didn’t know where or how to look for clues, and even though my group solved the puzzle before time ran out, I’m not sure I helped in any way whatsoever.

Nevertheless, I wanted to give Royal Caribbean’s escape rooms another try. I thought I would have a better idea of what to do this time around, so I tried to maintain an open mind about the experience.

Royal Caribbean was the first cruise line to have an escape room, and there are currently seven escape rooms across the fleet

Royal Caribbean is always trying to add new activities and thrills for guests, and escape rooms have been a huge success for the cruise line.

The rooms are designed and implemented by Puzzle Break, the first escape room company founded in the United States. I actually had the chance to speak to Lindsay Morse, the Game Designer for Puzzle Break, while onboard Utopia of the Seas, and her insights gave me a newfound appreciation for these addicting puzzle experiences.

She explained how escape rooms were viewed with curiosity when the company first launched in 2013.

“Back then it was a weird thing. We’d be like, we’re going to lock someone in a room and they’re gonna pay us money, and it’s like…what?!”

Clearly, however, Royal Caribbean saw an opportunity with escape rooms, and the cruise line launched a partnership with Puzzle Break prior to Harmony of the Seas’ launch in 2015. The ship was the first in the fleet to feature an escape room, Escape the Rubicon, and since then, escape rooms have been added to six more ships in the fleet.

Related: 50 things everyone should do on a Royal Caribbean cruise at least once

Currently, you can find an escape room on Harmony of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, and Utopia of the Seas. An eighth escape room is slotted and ready to install on Icon of the Seas, too.

All escape rooms are unique. Even those that have a similar look to the room, such as the escape room on Mariner and Navigator of the Seas, offer completely different puzzles to solve.

Escape U: Freshman Year is the escape room on Utopia of the Seas

With the launch of Utopia of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, came another escape room: Escape U: Freshman Year.

Although solving puzzles is fun enough, every escape room on Royal Caribbean follows a storyline. These storylines allow guests to better immerse themselves in the puzzle experience.

Oasis of the Seas, for instance, features an escape room titled Mission Control: Apollo 18. The escape room transports participants back to 1973, as they work together to launch a spacecraft to the moon before time runs out.

“[The escape room] on Oasis was hard to design,” Morse explained. “A lot of research went into it about the Apollo program. All things in that game were related to real life.”

On Utopia of the Seas, however, Escape U tells the story of a group of elite freshman students who, upon entering their classroom, discover that their professor has gone missing. A maximum of twelve participants (the “students”) must then work together as quickly as possible in order to find their professor.

Most of Royal Caribbean’s escape rooms are 60 minutes, but Utopia’s is only 30 minutes

Something you’ll notice when booking the escape room on Utopia of the Seas is that the experience is only 30 minutes long. All of Royal Caribbean’s other escape rooms offer a 60-minute experience.

When I asked about the time difference, Morse explained how Utopia of the Seas’ short, 3 and 4-night cruise itineraries led to the change.

“Often the escape room sells out before people even get onboard,” she said, “so this gets more people to play.”

In addition to the increase in time slots for Escape U, the 30-minute length could be more appealing to passengers on a short itinerary. Every minute of a cruise vacation counts, and with only a few days onboard, committing to a 30-minute experience might be more appealing than spending a whole hour at the escape room.

The time change seems to have worked, because the escape room sold out on the inaugural sailing of Utopia of the Seas.

While I was skeptical, I had nothing to worry about—the escape room was a ton of fun

As a beginner at escape rooms, my hesitations about the activity were unnecessary. The room ended up being a lot more enjoyable than I could have imagined.

Upon arrival at the escape room, myself and eleven other participants received a brief introduction about the room, letting us know that we were students who needed to save our missing professor.

During this time, we all introduced ourselves to the group as well, which helped to break the ice with other passengers.

After the introduction, we entered the room, which was designed like a typical classroom. The timer started, and everyone immediately began to look for clues.

Just like on Oasis of the Seas, several participants took charge over others, and I felt a little lost on what to do. There are no instructions to an escape room; instead, participants must look for clues themselves.

I, of course, do not want to spoil the escape room for those who plan to participate on their Utopia of the Seas cruise. What I will say, though, is that I ended up finding a key clue that allowed us to progress further with the game. I felt quite successful given my subpar performance at my first escape room.

With just 23 seconds left, we completed the puzzle, and managed to “find” our professor. What a relief!

I thought the escape room had an ideal level of difficulty

I'm no professional escape room participant, and I was initially concerned the puzzles would be too complicated to figure out. Yet I found the difficulty level adequate—it was neither too easy nor too difficult.

It’s essential for an escape room to be just complicated enough. If a room is too simple, participants will solve the puzzles in only a few minutes. Yet if the room is made too challenging, it’s likely to lead to frustration.

Speaking with Lindsay Morse after the experience, the game designer explained how tweaks are frequently made to the game prior to launch. Before a room launches on a Royal Caribbean ship, an identical game is set up on land, where test groups first play through the room.

By observing the test groups, game designers can tweak certain elements of the room to increase or decrease the difficulty.

“Most of what we’re looking for is that people have fun, that they’re not frustrated or bored, and that everyone stays engaged the whole time,” she explained.

For $30, I would try other escape rooms on Royal Caribbean

Even though I entered Utopia of the Seas’ escape room feeling skeptical, I left feeling happy I booked the add-on experience. Now that I have done two escape rooms, I have a better idea of how they work, and I’d say $30 was a fair price for the activity.

I actually preferred that it was just a half hour, especially because the cruise was so short. The shorter time allowed me to better fit the activity into my day without feeling like I was missing out on other programming happening onboard.

And even though the ship offers a plethora of complimentary onboard activities—waterslides, rock climbing, and a zip line, to name a few—the escape room offered a unique experience I could not find on other ships.

I love how Puzzle Break designs the rooms to be different on each ship, and now I’m itching to solve the five other escape rooms I have yet to try.

Serenade of the Seas will sail from Cartagena, Colombia and Colón, Panama in 2025 and 2026. 

The Radiance Class vessel is set to conclude Royal Caribbean's first-ever world cruise on September 10, 2024. Afterward, the 90,090 gross registered ton ship will remain in Tampa through March 2025, offering 5- to 9-night cruises to the Caribbean, before relocating to the West Coast for a summer season in Alaska. 

Then, Serenade of the Seas will embark on a 13-night Panama Canal cruise from San Diego to Miami on September 19, marking the last time the ship will visit Florida through at least April 2026. 

Effective October 5, Serenade will offer cruises to the Southern Caribbean from Cartagena, Colombia and Colón, Panama.

Sailings departing from Cartagena, Colombia will spend a day in Colon, Panama, and vice versa

Similar to many European cruises, all voyages on Serenade of the Seas from Colombia and Panama are "interport" sailings, meaning that guests may choose their embarkation city. 

Unlike Caribbean sailings that depart solely from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or Port Canaveral, interport cruises offer flexibility and a broader choice for travelers, allowing guests to determine which city is most convenient or appealing for their departure. 

Currently, Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas is sailing interport cruises, where passengers may embark in Barcelona, Spain or Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy. 

Read more: I sailed on a Radiance Class ship

Most itineraries are 7 nights

On October 5, 2025, Serenade will depart from Cartagena, Colombia on a 7-night cruise to Willemstad, Curaçao; Oranjestad, Aruba; and Colón, Panama before returning to Colombia on October 12. 

Though all itineraries visit at least two of the ABC (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao) islands, each voyage offers a blend of destinations and experiences. Some, for example, may only visit Bonaire and Curaçao, while others call at Curaçao and Aruba or Aruba and Bonaire. 

Select sailings visit all three: 

• December 12, 2025 from Colón, Panama
• December 14, 2025 from Cartagena, Colombia

On sailings with three ports of call, including Panama or Colombia, the ship will spend three days at sea. 

If you want to sail through the Panama Canal, you will have to book a dedicated Panama Canal cruise

Colón, Panama sits at the entrance to the Panama Canal and is a significant port city for maritime trade. However, it's not located inside the canal. Instead, it serves as a gateway to the canal's operations. 

Sailing through the Panama Canal is a bucket list cruise for many, as it offers a unique opportunity to traverse one of the world's most famous engineering marvels. 

Do not book a sailing to the Southern Caribbean on Serenade of the Seas in hopes of seeing the canal in person—you'll end up disappointed. 

Royal Caribbean offers repositioning cruises through the canal throughout the year, typically in the fall and spring. In 2025, guests may choose from four sailings on two Radiance Class ships: Serenade of the Seas and Radiance of the Seas. 

• 16-night Panama Canal cruise on Serenade of the Seas from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Los Angeles, California on April 13
• 15-night Panama Canal cruise on Radiance of the Seas from Tampa, Florida to Los Angeles, California on April 19
• 13-night Panama Canal cruise on Serenade of the Seas from San Diego, California to Miami, Florida on September 19
• 16-night Panama Canal cruise on Radiance of the Seas from San Diego, California to Fort Lauderdale, Florida on October 4 

Updates to Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor single supplement benefit

WAAAYTOOO took to Royal Caribbean Blog's discussion forum to share an update they received in their recent Crown & Anchor newsletter. 

"Starting August 1, Pinnacle Club and Diamond Plus members with more than 340 points will enjoy a reduced single supplement cruise fare of 125% on all Transatlantic, Transpacific, and Panama Canal sailings," the post reads. 

"We want to make booking these popular voyages even easier. For all other sailings, you will continue to enjoy a reduced single supplement fare of 150%."

Read more: Crown and Anchor Society loyalty program info, tips & secrets

This means, for example, if the cruise fare is $1,000 per person, Pinnacle Club and Diamond Plus cruisers would only pay $1,250. Before this update, the fare would have cost $1,500. 

The change only applies to Pinnacle Club and Diamond Plus sailors with 340+ cruise points. There's no single supplement benefit for Gold, Platinum, Emerald, or Diamond Crown & Anchor members. 

If you're booked in a suite on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, you'll get access to the cruise line's suite lounge. 

Suite guests and Pinnacle Club members are able to access the lounge, which includes complimentary beverages in the evening, snacks throughout the day, a self-service coffee machine, and plush seating.

I'm able to access the lounge either because I'm booked in a suite or because I've attained Pinnacle Club status in Royal Caribbean's Crown and Anchor Society loyalty program.

I like how quiet the suite lounge can be in the daytime, and how much fun it can be meeting other passengers during the happy hour each evening. I also like having access to the food and drink, along with the services of the Suite Concierge.

Here are five things I never do in Royal Caribbean's suite lounge.

Stuff yourself on food

There's snacks to enjoy in the suite lounge three times per day, and the exact variety will vary. By far, the evening hors d'oeuvres are the best choice with skewered meats, charcuterie boards, eggrolls, and more.

They can be tempting, especially because it's "included" and costs nothing to enjoy, but I won't load up my plate unless I'm starving or know I won't be eating for a while. I've made that mistake before and it resulted in ruining my appetite for dinner.

I think dinner on a Royal Caribbean cruise is the most celebrated meal of the day, and there's also the best choices around. 

I enjoy going to the suite lounge for a few pre-dinner drinks, especially on ships that have a bar in the suite lounge (such as the Radiance Class ships). It's a great way to meet people and enjoy complimentary alcoholic beverages without a drink package.

Read more: Royal Caribbean drink package information and tips

After a drink or two, having a snack can be mighty tempting, but I try to limit my consumption and snacking so that I can enjoy the great dinner service offered on the ship.

Have a phone call

The suite lounge isn't a library, but I do think it's important to be respectful of others in the lounge.

Just like on an airplane, train, or cafe, no one wants to hear someone else's phone conversation. 

If I get a phone call, I'll answer and quickly ask them to hang on or I'll call them back so I can step out of the lounge and take the call.  This is easy on the Voyager Class ships that have an outdoor deck to the suite lounge, but sometimes I'll actually walk back to my stateroom or another public area.

Part of the fun of the suite lounge is to have a conversation with someone there, but I do think phone calls tend to be louder.  And if someone has their speakerphone on, then it's just annoying to others to have to hear.

While it hasn't been an issue I've seen, I would always use headphones for any kind of audio while in the lounge. 

Stiff the concierge or bar staff

Tipping on a cruise is a bit of a gray area because it's not that well defined, but you should expect to tip while in the suite lounge.

How much and who you tip really depends on how much interaction you have with the staff.  

If I spend some time in the lounge and get to know the suite concierge, I usually tip that person at the end of the sailing.  The amount depends on how much I ask of them, how long the sailing is, and how well I get to know them.  There isn't a right or wrong amount, they're appreciative of what you can give them.

The sort of things the suite concierge can do for you is escort you off the ship to bypass the line of guests disembarking, fix billing issues, book specialty restaurants, or basically do anything Guest Services can do. On some cruises, I ask a lot of them, and others not so much.  Even if all I do is stop in to get an escort off the ship on disembarkation day, I'll tip them for the help.

Read more: 8 reasons to get off your ship as early as possible on disembarkation day

The other time to tip while in the suite is when you order a drink from the wait staff.

You can get complimentary alcoholic beverages every day in the suite lounge (refer to your welcome letter in your suite for exact hours) and there are waiters to take your drink order.

A dollar or two per drink is the customary tip, although some guests will tip a specific waiter at the end of the sailing.  

Sneak non-suite guests in

It can be tempting to want to bring friends and family into the suite lounge so you can all hang out, but it's against the rules if they aren't also in a suite.

This isn't so much about protecting Royal Caribbean (although it is strictly against the rules), but rather, being considerate of your fellow passengers.

Suite lounges are not big. In fact, many are quite tiny. It's why Royal Caribbean will sometimes restrict the amount of Pinnacle Club members that can access the lounge.

Leave my kids unattended

Don't confuse the suite lounge with the adults-only Solarium, but I still wouldn't let my kids just hang out alone in there either.

I like to take my kids into the suite lounge so we can enjoy time together, plus allow them to enjoy the suite benefits they're entitled to.  It's a good way to introduce them to what to expect, so when they're older, they know how to act.

I love my kids, but I know when left unsupervised, they can sometimes be loud or simply annoy each other and that can get loud.  This goes back to some of the other faux pas' I listed in this post about being respectful of other guests.

I have no problem sending my kids up to the lounge by themselves on a mission to grab a drink or snack, but never to hang out.