With 2024 coming to a close, I can't help but look back on a great year of cruises.

In 2024, I took 16 Royal Caribbean cruises and 1 Celebrity Cruise. It was a busy year, and I'm incredibly lucky to be able to have taken the most cruises I've ever had in a single calendar year.

In reflecting back on these sailings, I wanted to handpick the five best moments of the year for me, and why these sailings stood out.

Here are my favorite travel experiences of the year.

Visiting Spain & France for the first time

I was able to go back to Europe after taking my first European cruise in 2023, and this time it was to ports in Northern France and Spain.

While this might not have been the most exotic European itinerary, I relished it because I always wanted to visit France. I studied French for many years in school, and I was fascinated by the opportunity to try out my skills.

My cruise visited Bordeaux and Paris, although both cities required a multi-hour bus ride to get there. While the bus rides were as dull as you probably expected, the opportunity was worth it.  

I might not sit on a bus for as long as I did again to visit these places, but to be able to say I've been to both was totally worth it.

The surprise for me was how much I enjoyed Spain.  I visited La Coruna and Bilbao, and each had its own charm, history, and appeal. 

I think I preferred Bilbao a little bit more because of its natural beauty, history, and terrific food. Nonetheless, it was a great experience to explore each city, and I didn't have to sit on a bus for either one!

My eyes were opened to the possibilities of a European cruise last year when I went to Norway, but now I really see just how incredible it can be to mix things up and get out there.

I loved going to Europe so much that I'm already planning to return in 2025 (and I'm inviting you to join me for it!).

Getting to see Icon of the Seas

There's no question Icon of the Seas the ship of the year, and when Icon launched in January, it was an amazing moment.

The lead up to Icon last year brought a great deal of attention and intrigue. Royal Caribbean had put so much work into this brand new ship that they generated a lot of hype to go with it.

I think, the ship lived up to the hype and when I stepped onboard in January 2024, I was so impressed by this next evolution in ship design.

A new ship is exciting for just about anyone, but it's rare to get a brand new cruise ship class that attempts to set a new standard. Certainly, Royal Caribbean had high ambitions with Icon, and I couldn't get enough of the ship. I went on a couple of the preview sailings, and then the inaugural cruise, followed by a group cruise with friends and family.

What I especially like about Icon is the flow of passengers that really addresses minimizing crowds. I'm not saying there aren't lines or crowds, but their impact on your vacation seems to be the least of any cruise ship I've been on.

Plus, you can see where Royal Caribbean put a lot of energy into new offerings. An incredible culinary experience, new entertainment options, and arguably the best laid out pool deck in the fleet.

The proof for me is that while I got to sail on many more ships in the months since I went on Icon, I always judged each of those against Icon.

Staying in the Ultimate Family Suite

I couldn't believe I was actually staying in a suite I thought I'd have the opportunity to be in, but I took my family for a weekend cruise in the Ultimate Family Suite on Utopia of the Seas.

I had toured this sort of suite on other ships, but the price is as crazy high as you probably can imagine. So I didn't think it was possible until my wife and I got creative with the cruise dates.

Sometimes if you book early and look around a lot, you can find better prices on a particular cruise. I hesitate to call it a deal considering the room cost $12,000, but it was a better price than average for this kind of a room.

Besides the price, I was concerned the suite would have a novelty factor that ran out quickly.  I thought after a couple of hours, the suite would be underwhelming when you look past all the glitzy elements.

The truth is it's a giant suite with just about the best comfort qualities you can find in a room. You can entertain really well in it, and as the name implies, my kids absolutely loved hanging out in the cabin.

Add onto it the VIP privileges with the Royal Genie and access to Thrill Waterpark, and it's a heck of an experience.

I don't have any cruises booked in any of the Ultimate Family Suites or Townhouses that Royal Caribbean has, so whether or not I ever stay in another kind of these rooms, I can safely say this first time was an incredible experience.

Chartering a catamaran in Bermuda

I took my family on a quick 5-night cruise to Bermuda in the summer, and the highlight was what we did on the first night in Bermuda.

Leading up to the cruise, we didn't book any tours.  We assumed we'd just take the ferry to Hamilton and the bus to the beach.  

While we did explore Hamilton as planned, I found a last-minute catamaran rental opportunity for a sunset ride and swim.

The 3-hour catamaran charter was just for my family, and it was the perfect way to see Bermuda's beauty.

We started out going around the island and sailing past the coastline. There were bean bags at the front where we could sit and enjoy the view as the sun started to set.

We then got to feed a school of fish that lived near a ship wreck, and then it was off to a pristine cove for swimming.

Our captain then took us to the perfect spot for a beautiful unobstructed sunset that will probably be the source of family photos we will look back on fondly for decades.

It may not have been the cheapest excursion option, but darn if it didn't create amazing memories for my family.

Three new dining experiences

In addition to launching two new cruise ships in 2024, Royal Caribbean also introduced three new dining experiences.

According to Royal Caribbean's internal research, food is one of the top two reasons anyone books a cruise. So upping their restaurant choices is a major priority for the cruise line.

Three restaurants were added in 2024: Izumi Omakase, Empire Supper Club, and Royal Railway Utopia Station.

Each of was incredibly different from the other.

Empire Supper Club is a glitzy themed meal that incorporates high quality food, live entertainment, and cocktail pairings.

It's the best date night offering I've ever found on a cruise ship, and I think the level of thought that went into typing the music, food, and beverages together is why I love cruises so much.

Royal Railway was perhaps the most hotly anticipated new restaurant I can recall on a cruise ship, and it's because of how innovative this idea is.

Royal Railway Utopia Station makes you feel like you're on a classic train having dinner. There's a story element that appeals to parents and kids alike, and an all-new menu.

In total, I tried it three times this year and I think it's a fantastic memory maker for families. The sort of activity that you'll be talking about when you get home after the cruise.

I really don't think it's "just another specialty restaurant" because it has much higher ambitions. Once Royal Caribbean rolls out subsequent themes to it, then the true power of what it can do will be apparent, and I think that's when Royal Railway will be more than just "the train restaurant".

Finally, we have Izumi Omakase on Utopia of the Seas. I had never tried a chef-driven meal like this, but I think it's the perfect option for Japanese fans.

First and foremost, it's not just more sushi. The biggest surprise for me was how little sushi there was in this meal.

There are eight courses with impeccable service to go along with it. There was was nothing on the menu I didn't like, and I discovered a couple of new favorites, such as the miso broiled cod.

These new restaurants prove the appeal of a cruise vacation in that it makes things approachable, convenient, and most importantly, fun.