Royal Caribbean Group has launched a brand-new foundation and even announced its inaugural pledge to support medical residents in South Florida. 

The Royal Caribbean Group Foundation builds on the company's 30-year legacy of global investments in education, local economies, and environmental preservation.

It also advances the company's longstanding belief in tourism as an economic vitality engine and its commitment to creating positive community impact. 

The Royal Caribbean Group Foundation's inaugural pledge goes toward an emergency medicine residency program at Jackson Health System in South Florida. 

As such, the Royal Caribbean Group Foundation Emergency Medicine Residency Program will help strengthen and empower future physicians in South Florida.

Another goal of the foundation's philanthropic partnerships is to expand its ability to collaborate with global organizations and institutions that support economic opportunity, community well-being, and environmental stewardship.

"Strong communities are essential to delivering exceptional vacation experiences, and the Royal Caribbean Group Foundation reflects the company’s belief that tourism can be a force for long-term positive change," said Jason Liberty, chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group. 

"Supporting the education of emergency medicine physicians in South Florida is an example of how we invest in the long-term vitality of the places we operate, contributing to the essential systems that help communities thrive and sustain meaningful economic opportunity."

The new foundation aligns with Royal Caribbean's SEA the Future sustainability program

SEA the Future launched in 2023 and focuses on sustaining the planet, energizing communities, and accelerating innovation. 

The sustainability initiative helps Royal Caribbean Group protect the planet by enhancing energy efficiency, responsibly treating water, and reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills. 

Everything from reducing food waste to onboard recycling programs and water management policies helps the company work toward its goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

In addition, Royal Caribbean Group employees have contributed thousands of volunteer hours supporting education, disaster relief, ocean conservation, and community development initiatives around the world.

And the Royal Caribbean Group Foundation is just another step in the company's mission to invest in the long-term vitality of the destinations people are eager to discover.

Other purposeful projects include:

• $15 million in scholarships awarded to 6,660+ students since 1998
• 235+ community partners supported across 85+ destinations in 2025
• $13 million invested in conservation efforts and transformational operations work with the World Wildlife Fund since 2016
• $1.6 million donated to disaster relief in 2025
• 15 years of operating L'Ecole Nouvelle Royal Caribbean (ENRC) school in Haiti with 4,600 graduates and 700 scholarships awarded
• 280+ scholarships awarded to United Kingdom Cadet Program maritime students
• 26 reimagined educational spaces impacting 26,000+ teachers and 400,000+ students over 20 years

Read more: Royal Caribbean reveals behind-the-scenes secret to how cruise ships make their own water

One unlucky person thought they were getting a good deal on a Royal Caribbean cruise, only to be defrauded out of over $45,000 and end up without a confirmed reservation. 

Antonio Diaz, 65, and his wife, Maria Blasco Diaz, 64, of Miami, Florida, were arrested on April 7 for allegedly stealing over $200,000 from friends and family members under the guise of offering discounted luxury items, including high-end watches, jewelry, and travel packages, according to a press release from the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office (MDSO).

One of the victims asked Blasco Diaz for cruise advice since she was a frequent cruiser. She then allegedly claimed that she could get cruise discounts through a friend who works for Royal Caribbean.

"Ms. Diaz offered cruise excursions, drink packages, room upgrades, hotel stays, transportation, and travel insurance," said the arrest report cited by another media outlet. The victim then " paid Mr. and Ms. Diaz a total of $44,910 through Zelle, checks, and cash. Checks were all cashed by Ms. Diaz and the Zelle payments were sent to Mr. Diaz." 

The victim believed the offers were legitimate and looked forward to their Royal Caribbean cruise aboard Odyssey of the Seas, scheduled to depart on July 9, 2023. However, none of the promised travel arrangements were ever provided or confirmed. Blasco Diaz went as far as claiming that her friend had even been fired by the cruise line. 

Although the victim was given checks for partial repayment, they "were later determined to be drawn from a newly opened account with insufficient funds," an affidavit in the case reads. 

Eventually, the victim contacted Royal Caribbean directly, who informed them that, although the reservation number was valid, it was not assigned to her or any of her family members.

Blasco Diaz also promised to repay the victim the remaining funds using a home equity line of credit. Per the arrest report, however, that never happened. 

Travel wasn't the pair's only scheme. They reportedly took in nearly $139,000 in deposits for more than a dozen Rolex watches and a Patek Philippe watch, claiming buyers would receive a 50% discount through Diaz's job at a jewelry store.

Not the first cruise-related travel scam

(Credit: LongIsland.com)

This unfortunate story is just another example of why it's important to vet travel agents before handing over money. 

In January 2026, Tavia Thomas, 47, was arrested and charged with multiple counts of grand larceny and schemes to defraud after stealing over $50,000 from clients, police confirmed. 

Thomas was a Long Island-based travel agent and the CEO and Destination Travel Specialist of her company, Destiny Travel. However, she used that position to gain trust and defrauded families by taking payments for vacations and failing to book them.

One victim, for example, was planning to sail on a Royal Caribbean cruise out of Bayonne, New Jersey. They gave Thomas over $35,000 in cruise payments and assumed that they were good to go. However, when they arrived at the cruise terminal, they were told that the booking confirmations were fake and were denied boarding. 

Read more: Travel agent arrested after defrauding nine families out of over $35,000 for fake Royal Caribbean bookings

Travel agents are useful tools and can make your vacation planning process easier

Travel agents handle the meticulous details of planning a cruise, from confirming your stateroom to arranging transportation and booking add-ons. When done right, all you have to do is focus on catching your flight and having a memorable getaway. 

They should never create problems for you or keep important booking details from you, like the alleged scammers in Florida and New York. As Diaz, Blasco Diaz, and Thomas proved, not all travel agents or industry professionals operate with the same level of professionalism or commitment to client care. 

It also underscores your responsibility as a consumer to thoroughly vet any travel professional before giving your confidential payment information. 

In the case of Blasco Diaz's victim, the situation could have likely been avoided had they inquired about the alleged Royal Caribbean employee to book with them directly, rather than having a middleman "handle" the arrangements. 

If you aren't sure where to begin your travel agent search, I recommend asking friends and family members for recommendations. Another option is to find agencies affiliated with reputable organizations, like the American Society of Travel Advisors (the world's leading association of travel professionals).

Moreover, never let any friends handle your reservation on your behalf. If they recommend a travel agent, insist on working with them directly. And even then, you'll want to verify the agent’s credentials and avoid sending large sums of money through unsecured payment methods. 

Four Royal Caribbean ships are currently out of service in dry dock at the same time.

Three of the vessels are undergoing major Royal Amplification upgrades, while one is receiving routine maintenance to ensure that she stays fully operable and in good condition for years to come. 

Ovation of the Seas was the first ship to begin this year's busy dry dock season, arriving in Singapore on March 16, 2026. Harmony of the Seas followed, with the work on the Oasis Class ship starting on April 2. Liberty of the Seas is next, entering the shipyard in late April to undergo her long-awaited Royal Amplification upgrades. 

Odyssey of the Seas is the only Royal Caribbean ship currently in dry dock for routine maintenance. 

Here's everything we know about the work that the cruise line has ordered for all the vessels in dry dock right now. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean just announced major upgrades to its cruise ships

Ovation of the Seas Dry Dock

Ovation of the Seas is in dry dock in Singapore. She's expected to re-enter service on April 17, embarking on a 14-night one-way cruise from Singapore to Japan. 

Guests can look forward to a range of enhancements across the ship, including new restaurants, updated entertainment venues, refreshed accommodations, and restored public spaces.

For starters, 40 new staterooms are being added to the Quantum Class ship, including the popular (and expensive) Ultimate Family Suite and Panoramic Suites. 

Ovation will also receive a renovated pool deck, expanded casino, Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen, Izumi Teppanyaki, the tiki-themed Pesky Parrot bar, and a new nightlife spot called Sound Cellar.

To make room for these additions and changes, a few amenities are being axed. The Bionic Bar, for instance, is being replaced by the Pesky Parrot, Izumi Teppanyaki will take the space of the whimsical Wonderland specialty restaurant, and Jamie's Italian will be transformed into Giovanni’s.

Finally, the Music Hall will be replaced by an expanded Casino Royale and the new Sound Cellar venue. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean reveals plans to upgrade one of its cruise ships with a giant casino, new restaurants, and more

Harmony of the Seas Dry Dock

Next up on the docket is Harmony of the Seas. She is stationed in Cádiz, Spain, and is expected to return to service on May 21, offering a quick 3-night getaway to celebrate her new upgrades. 

Although Harmony is one of Royal Caribbean's newer mega-ships, the dry dock work will give her the line's newest innovations and freshen up public spaces. 

Updates include a new Caribbean-style pool area with The Lime & Coconut bar, El Loco Fresh, a redesigned adult-only Solarium, Samba Grill Brazilian Steakhouse, relocated Crown Lounge, the largest Casino Royale in the fleet, Playmaker's Sports Bar & Arcade, and Pesky Parrot Bar. 

And like Ovation of the Seas, they're adding more than 90 new cabins to Harmony of the Seas, including the Ultimate Family Suite. 

What's on its way out? Wonderland, Sabor, the Bionic Bar, and the Conference Center. The total square footage of the Solarium is also being reduced to make way for new suites. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean will add upgrades to the biggest ship it's ever changed. Here's what's planned

Liberty of the Seas Dry Dock

Liberty of the Seas was supposed to undergo her Royal Amplification dry dock in 2021, but those plans were canceled due to the industry shutdown during the global pandemic. 

Now, she's en route to Europe to finally get her much-needed upgrades. Liberty departed from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on April 3 on a one-way cruise to England. She'll arrive in Southampton on April 19, then head to the shipyard. 

Liberty of the Seas will receive similar changes as the Harmony and Ovation ships, including a reimagined pool deck, a new Royal Escape Room concept, more cabins, and an expanded casino. 

She will also get new food and beverage options, including El Loco Fresh, The Lime & Coconut bar, Izumi Teppanyaki, and Starbucks.

Venues being removed from Liberty of the Seas include Sabor, the Card Room on Deck 10, The Connoisseur Club, On Air, and Boleros. 

After the work is completed, Liberty will begin her summer European season on May 29. She'll offer various itineraries from Southampton to destinations like Norway, Germany, Spain, and Portugal before moving to Galveston in October.  

Read more: Royal Caribbean will upgrade Liberty of the Seas cruise ship with new restaurants, cabins, and more

Odyssey of the Seas Dry Dock

Finally, Odyssey of the Seas is in southern France for a cruise ship dry dock. She was floated into a narrow basin of water, which was then drained to allow technicians and mechanics easy access to the ship's hull. 

Although Royal Caribbean has not disclosed what work is being performed on the Quantum Class ship, dry docks typically include routine mechanical work; inspections of propeller blades, thrusters, stabilizers, and navigation software; cleaning of the hull with a power-washing system; and replacing any worn or damaged parts. 

Minor interior refurbishments may also be completed, such as repainting venues or replacing worn carpets and bedding. In short, a dry dock is when the cruise line gets a chance to give the ship a little more attention that can't be done when there are thousands of passengers on board. 

(Credit: Sarges Raffy / Facebook)

Odyssey of the Seas will return to service on April 16, embarking on an 8-night cruise from Barcelona to Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy. 

Days before the war in Iran reached the one-month mark, the U.S. Department of State issued a "worldwide caution" alert for American travelers. 

"The Department of State advises Americans worldwide, and especially in the Middle East, to exercise increased caution. Americans abroad should follow the guidance in security alerts issued by the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate," reads the recent security alert. 

"U.S. diplomatic facilities, including outside the Middle East, have been targeted. Groups supportive of Iran may target other U.S. interests overseas or locations associated with the United States and/or Americans throughout the world," the department added. 

Recently, the Trump administration began considering deploying thousands of additional U.S. troops to the Middle East. Two anonymous sources told Reuters that the troops would be coming from the U.S. Army's elite 82nd Airborne Division. The soldiers are stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Additionally, Iran dismissed a U.S. ceasefire plan and made a counterproposal demanding reparations, as reported by NPR. These conditions include safeguards against future attacks on Iran, the payment of war reparations to the country, and full recognition of Iran's sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.

The situation remains very fluid, and it's important to research your destination's specific advisories before setting sail. High-risk areas are dangerous, and by visiting, you could be putting yourself at risk. There's also a chance that the U.S. will have limited ability to help in an emergency. 

That said, the new alert isn't banning U.S. citizens from traveling. Rather, it urges heightened vigilance and monitoring of local conditions. 

Six Cruise Ships Remain Stuck in the Arabian Gulf

After the U.S.-Israel attacks, Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz. This important waterway connects the Arabian Gulf to the rest of the world. Consequently, the closure greatly disrupted maritime traffic, including cruise itineraries. 

On an average day, around 138 vessels travel through the Strait of Hormuz. However, on March 24, the Joint Maritime Information Center reported there were just four transits on March 22 and six on March 23. 

"The overall maritime threat environment remains at a critical level due to recent attack patterns, continued navigation interference, and persistent operational disruption, to include port facilities, across the region," the report adds.

As of March 25, six cruise ships remain stuck in Gulf Arab countries due to the closure, including MSC Euribia, Mein Schiff 4, Mein Schiff 5, Celestyal Discovery, Celestyal Journey, and Aroya. 

The Strait's closure has also greatly affected travel and daily life globally. For example, the Strait of Hormuz regularly sees 20% of global oil shipments. With oil tankers not being able to make their way to other ports, the price of oil has risen around the world.

Fortune reported that the cost of Brent oil, the main global oil benchmark, traded at $99.75 per barrel on March 25, 2026. One month ago, the price was just $71.49 per barrel. 

Read more: Multiple Cruise Ships Remain Stuck in the Arabian Gulf

A passenger injured while sailing on Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit seeking damages of more than $75,000. 

Jaimie Lewis, of California, was a fare-paying guest vacationing aboard Harmony of the Seas when she slipped on a walkway in Central Park and fell backward onto the hard deck in November 2024, as reported by Holzberg Legal.

The outdoor neighborhood was wet due to the rain, with Lewis asserting that passengers could not reasonably perceive how slippery it was. The lawsuit, which was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, further alleges that Royal Caribbean breached its duty of reasonable care by failing to maintain the Central Park deck in a safe condition for guests. 

According to the complaint, there were no visible wet-floor warning signs or anti-slip applications on the floor, despite the ship's crew being aware of the hazard. As such, the lack of signage, warning cones, or verbal warnings left Lewis unaware of the danger, which directly led to her accident. 

Lewis's legal team, Gerson & Schwartz, P.A, claims that she sustained severe physical and emotional damage, including a concussion, neck injuries, and a puncture wound. 

Her lawsuit seeks compensation for past and future medical expenses, physical impairment, disability, and the aggravation of pre-existing conditions, along with damages for pain and suffering, mental anguish (i.e., shame and humiliation), and the loss of capacity to enjoy life — all of which exceed $75,000. 

Lewis asserts that her injuries are permanent and continuing in nature. Moreover, she was not the first guest to allegedly slip and fall on a wet Central Park walkway to file a lawsuit.

(Credit: Jeanne Grubbs / Facebook)

Between 2020 and 2024, there were over ten specific cases involving guests who suffered similar accidents. For example, on November 8, 2024, another passenger fell on a slippery Central Park walkway on Allure of the Seas (Hill v. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., Case No. 1:25-cv25669). 

Similarly, on May 23, 2023, a guest on Oasis of the Seas slipped and fell on a wet Central Park walkway (Shipe v. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., Case No. 1:24-cv-20645).

Earlier, on January 2, 2020, a passenger identified only by the initials A.S. experienced a similar fall on a wet and slippery walkway aboard Symphony of the Seas (Selwood v. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., Case No. 1:20-cv-24513).

Lewis's legal team argues that these prior incidents demonstrate a pattern of hazardous conditions that have not been adequately addressed by Royal Caribbean on its Oasis Class vessels.

Most recently, the court issued an update stating that Lewis must file proof of service on the defendant by April 22, 2026. The order further states that failure to do so will result in dismissal of the case without notice. The directive was signed by Judge David S. Leibowitz on March 23, 2026.

Lewis hopes to hold Royal Caribbean accountable for the alleged negligence that disrupted her vacation on the Harmony of the Seas cruise ship and impacted her long-term health.

Which Royal Caribbean Ships Have Central Park?

The Central Park neighborhood debuted on Oasis of the Seas. Since then, the outdoor neighborhood has become a defining feature of Oasis and Icon Class ships. 

Following its debut on Oasis of the Seas, the Central Park concept has been incorporated into all Oasis Class ships, including Allure of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, and Utopia of the Seas. 

Icon Class ships — Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas, and the upcoming Legend of the Seas — feature an evolved Central Park design. For example, the open-air neighborhood is home to the Izumi specialty restaurant, along with innovative infinite verandahs that seamlessly blend indoor and outdoor living spaces.

Read more: Icon of the Seas Central Park: What to expect

Aboard Oasis Class ships, the Central Park area is located on Deck 8 and offers passengers an array of retail and dining options, ranging from Chops Grille to Park Café, Hublot, the beloved Trellis Bar, 150 Central Park, and more. 

Because Central Park is not fully enclosed, its walkways are exposed to the elements, including rain, humidity, and condensation, which can occasionally make surfaces slick under certain weather conditions.

However, Royal Caribbean generally takes precautions to mitigate risks, including placing visible wet-floor warning signs throughout the outdoor neighborhood.

Harmony of the Seas Royal Caribbean Facts

Harmony of the Seas is an Oasis Class ship that set sail in May 2016. She measures 226,963 gross tons and is 1,188 feet long, according to the cruise line. 

At double occupancy, the Harmony of the Seas cruise ship can accommodate 5,479 guests, in addition to the 2,200 international crew members who help the vessel run smoothly. 

Highlights include the AquaTheater, zip line, FlowRider surf simulators, mini-golf course, Perfect Storm water slides, ice skating rink, Rising Tide Bar, escape room, adult-only Solarium, and more. 

Harmony of the Seas is set to undergo a major refurbishment in April and May 2026. As part of the ship's Royal Amplification, she will receive brand-new cabins, an expanded casino, Pesky Parrot Bar, Playmaker's Sports Bar & Arcade, Samba Grill Brazilian Steakhouse, Caribbean-inspired pool deck, an upgraded Crown Lounge, and more. 

Following the dry dock, Harmony of the Seas will spend the summer of 2026 in Europe, offering bucket-list cruises to destinations like Palma de Mallorca, Spain; Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; Barcelona, Spain; Seville (Cádiz), Spain; and more. 

She will return to Florida in August 2026. Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida, will be Harmony's homeport through at least April 2028. 

If you've recently been annoyed by seemingly constant Royal Caribbean emails about your upcoming vacation, you’re not alone.

Cruisers have reported receiving numerous emails from the cruise line containing the same basic information about their reservation — myself included. 

Ever since paying off my upcoming 3-night voyage on Harmony of the Seas, my inbox has been flooded with a "Welcome Aboard" email nearly every day. 

The message always begins with, "Wohoo! You're officially booked, and we're thrilled you'll be joining us on your boldest vacation yet" before providing the booking number for "easy reference." 

Then, the email gives a brief reminder to make sure all of my travel party's details are completed and up to date in the reservation dashboard. 

"Once your information is complete, download the Royal Caribbean app to make the most of every vacation moment. Book shore excursions, make dining reservations, create a personal calendar for your onboard activities and more — all from your phone," it continues. 

"The countdown is on, and now it's time to start setting up your ultimate vacation! Start exploring all the ways to upgrade your adventure and score the best deals right now before you board Harmony of the Seas."

Beneath that, the email features a series of links that direct to the online Cruise Planner. This is where booked passengers can browse add-ons, like beverage packages, shore excursions, dining packages, and internet packages. In addition to the spammy emails, the Cruise Planner is also accessible through Royal Caribbean's website. 

Every "Welcome Aboard" email that I've received since Feb. 20 — there have been 20 — has been the exact same. As such, they've promptly ended up in my email's trash. In fact, after the first two or three, I stopped reading them entirely and automatically deleted them. 

According to a recent Reddit thread, I’m far from the only one dealing with the repetitive messages. 

"I booked my June 2026 cruise back in December, and finished paying it off in February. When I booked it, and everytime i made a payment, I got one of those welcome aboard emails, which i thought was weird but whatever. Now I seem to be getting them almost every day??" shared MissDeeBee.

"Just curious if this has happened to anyone else. I've double checked my reservation and nothing seems to have changed so it's just odd. I feel very welcome now, Royal Caribbean, you can stop now!"

Over two dozen users shared similar experiences, with some speculating that it could be a glitch. Others argue that it may be an aggressive sales tactic to increase pre-cruise bookings through the Cruise Planner. 

"I have an upcoming sailing in late April and I've received 'Welcome Aboard' emails since near the end of February. I had assumed it could be a glitch with their emailing software but I also could see they're trying to encourage us to book dining packages or shore excursions through those emails," Must-Be-Gneiss said. 

Meow217 added, "I have a cruise next month, and I’m getting the welcome aboard email daily as well, which hasn’t happened before. I thought it was because it was coming up so soon but I feel for [y'all] who still have a ways to go and are getting an email taunting you!"

"I’m getting the sense that their add on bookings aren’t quite what they were anticipating, so they’re pushing out as much marketing as possible to people to book drink packages, dining, and all of the other upcharge stuff that people are foregoing (in contrast to their projections for onboard spending). We cruise late next week and I’ve gotten fewer desperate, repetitive bits of communication from an ex," nmunyat joked. 

"OMG I just googled this about my own situation and found your post! I don't understand why they're doing this, but it makes me want to unsubscribe from all of their emails, but I see we're in good, but unfortunate company," Suspicious-Orchid-40 wrote. 

While Royal Caribbean hasn’t addressed the duplicate "Welcome Aboard" messages, it's clear that if it's a marketing strategy, it's backfiring. The emails are more annoying than helpful and are easy to ignore and delete. Plus, they're sent in addition to regular promotional emails that advertise ongoing sales. 

Read more: How far in advance can you book a Royal Caribbean cruise?

Not the first time Royal Caribbean has had a technological glitch

Last spring, Royal Caribbean cruisers reported receiving numerous pop-ups on their devices from the mobile app. The test notifications were filled with placeholder text and ascended sequentially from "test segment 1" to "test segment 19." 

The cruise line confirmed they were aware of the situation and let their IT team know about the annoying pop-ups:

"We're sorry you received pop-ups. Our IT team is doing updates on the app. We've let them know guests are receiving notifications. Sorry about that."

The notifications finally stopped at around 12:30 p.m. EST. Some found the pop-ups to be annoying, while others turned the situation into an inside joke of sorts and created funny memes that they shared on social media.

For example, on Reddit, amishengineer shared a meme that suggested everyone should mark themselves "safe from testing in production," referring to the Facebook feature people use after a natural disaster or major news event.

Another meme mimicked the famous SpongeBob SquarePants scene where Mr. Krabs looks frazzled while keeping the Krusty Krab open 24 hours for days in a row. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean app sends out erroneous pop-up messages

Royal Caribbean is one of many companies hit hard this week by the fallout of the Iran conflict, as its stock price took a tumble.

Oil prices surged on Friday amid growing fears of a broader storage crisis in the Middle East, which could force the world's largest oil producers to halt extraction. But what does this mean for cruise lines that rely on massive amounts of fuel for their ships to travel between ports?

Unsurprisingly, fuel is one of the cruise industry's largest and most volatile expenses. In Q4 2025, Royal Caribbean consumed 439,000 metric tons of fuel at $667 per metric ton, according to GuruFocus, and the company projects using 1.76 million metric tons throughout 2026, at a total cost of roughly $1.17 billion. 

Although 60% of Royal Caribbean's 2026 fuel was hedged (or pre-bought) at $474 per metric ton, the remaining 40% is subject to market fluctuations — for better or worse. Approximately 10% of the 2026 fuel consumption is expected to be from LNG and biofuel blends. 

As such, based on the 2026 fuel forecasts, there are over 520,000 metric tons of fuel that could be subject to a 30% price increase. 

The cost of West Texas Intermediate oil, the U.S. oil benchmark, jumped to $86.57 per barrel on Friday morning, while Brent crude, the international benchmark, rose 4.7% to $89.44, as shared by CBS News. Both were trading near their highest levels since April 2024. 

Thankfully, oil prices aren't close to what they were in late 2007 and 2008, when the West Texas Intermediate benchmark hit roughly $146 per barrel — around $220 in today's money when adjusted for inflation. At around $86 per barrel as of Friday, current oil prices remain well below those historic highs.

Royal Caribbean's hedges mean that the company isn't as susceptible to wild market swings, which helps soften the blow of rising fuel prices.

Unlike Royal Caribbean, Carnival Corporation & plc doesn't hedge any of its fuel. Brokerage William Blair & Co. claims that the rising fuel costs could penalize the company's full-year earnings by about 20 cents per share, Seatrade Cruise News reported. 

Consequently, the rising oil prices have created significant uncertainty for cruise operators, contributing to a sudden decline in cruise stocks. If prices remain high, cruise companies like Royal Caribbean and Carnival may face tighter profit margins and see major impacts on current share prices. 

Will Royal Caribbean pass on a fuel surcharge to guests?

According to Royal Caribbean's cruise contract, the cruise line has the right to impose a fuel surcharge on its guests without warning, either when booking the cruise or anytime before the sailing begins. 

"Subject to the terms of this Section, Carrier reserves the right, without prior notice to Guest, to impose a fuel supplement charge (the 'Fuel Supplement'). Carrier may impose such Fuel Supplement either at the time of booking or thereafter at any time prior to sailing," the contract states. 

The contract further specifies when a fuel surcharge could be imposed. If, after booking, the price of West Texas Intermediate crude exceeds $65 per barrel or the Henry Hub Natural Gas Spot price exceeds $3 per million British Thermal Units, Royal Caribbean can charge guests up to $12 per day, per person.

"Carrier may, in its sole discretion, require Guest to prepay the Fuel Supplement prior to boarding the Vessel or apply such charge to Guest’s onboard folio at the time of sailing. Guest’s refusal or failure to prepay any Fuel Supplement may be deemed as a cancellation by Guest," the contract continues. 

Despite the specific terms and conditions (and West Texas Intermediate fuel clearly exceeding $65 per barrel as of March 6), it is unlikely that Royal Caribbean will add fuel surcharges, even as oil prices continue to spike. 

When oil prices rose in 2022, Royal Caribbean Group opted not to pass the costs directly onto passengers, The Points Guy reported. Then-spokesperson Jonathon Fishman explicitly said, "We won't be imposing fuel surcharges" in an emailed statement to the online publication. 

The company’s hedging strategy plays a key role in the decision since 60% of the 2026 fuel has already been locked in and accounted for in the budget, meaning the cruise line has a buffer for sudden market changes. 

In other words, they don't have to immediately resort to drastic measures like imposing fuel surcharges and can avoid burdening passengers with unexpected fees, even though it's something everyone agrees to in the contract. 

Why are crude oil prices rising?

Last weekend, the U.S. and Israel launched multiple sustained air and missile strikes against Iran, targeting the country's missile infrastructure, military sites, and leadership, the BBC reported. During the attacks, Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, and several high-ranking officials were killed.

Iran retaliated by launching ballistic missiles towards Israel and several Gulf states, which hit or were intercepted in countries like Lebanon, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. 

They also halted shipments of oil and liquefied natural gas through the Strait of Hormuz, which normally carries about 20% of global oil shipments.

On a normal day, about 138 vessels travel through the Strait of Hormuz. However, that number dropped to "single-digit levels," according to a statement issued on March 6 by the Joint Maritime Information Center. 

"Recent AIS review indicates transits continue at single-digit levels, with only 04 confirmed commercial transits observed in the past 24 hours. JMIC has no indication that these vessels were escorted," reads the statement. 

"This represents a near-total temporary pause in routine commercial traffic, resulting from ongoing regional conflict dynamics involving Iran, including warnings against transits by U.S., Israeli, European, and allied vessels."

Read more: How the US-Israeli attacks in Iran are impacting cruises so far

An Israeli man was arrested at PortMiami on Monday after he was found with child sexual abuse material on his cellphone, according to a report from the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office. 

Basilios Grayeb, 29, of Haifa, Israel, was detained after U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers received a "suspicious activity report" regarding "the purchasing of child sexual abuse material," CBS News reported. 

Grayeb was sailing aboard Freedom of the Seas. Rather than waiting for him to disembark and pass through the terminal, federal agents boarded the 156,271 gross-ton ship to take him into custody. 

According to the arrest report, an officer conducted a border search on the suspect's phone and found a video showing a man sexually assaulting a girl who appeared to be younger than five years old. 

(Credit: Miami-Dade County Corrections and Rehabilitation)

Grayeb confessed to viewing and possessing the material after being read his Miranda rights. He was then brought to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Facility, where he was booked on February 16, 2026, around 4:00 p.m.

He is being held on a $2,500 bond as of Tuesday morning, The Times of Israel reported, and was also placed on an immigration hold. 

According to Cruise Mapper, Freedom of the Seas had just completed a 4-night Bahamian cruise to Freeport and Nassau, departing on Feb. 12. 

(Credit: Mugshots Zone)

The 19-year-old ship set sail on her maiden voyage in May 2006. She measures 1,111 feet long and has a passenger capacity of 3,926 at double occupancy. Freedom will remain in Miami, Florida, through at least April 2028, embarking on a series of cruises to The Bahamas and Caribbean. 

A Royal Caribbean cruise ship is back in service after engine problems, and a temporary issue with its private island pier has been fixed.

Between the itinerary changes due to the unprecedented winter weather, technical issues, and damaged piers, the past few weeks haven't been the smoothest for travelers. Thankfully, recent repairs and better forecasts seem to be helping things get back on track. 

For starters, Anthem of the Seas is back in service after being pulled for repairs to address a technical issue that arose last month. Passengers aboard the January 27, 2026, cruise were informed just a few days before embarkation that, as a result, their sailing had been unfortunately canceled. 

"Anthem of the Seas experienced a technical issue on its last sailing, and we're returning to begin required maintenance. Unfortunately, we will not be able to complete the needed repairs in time for our 27 January sailing," read the upsetting email. 

(Credit: Mattynice75/Reddit)

However, according to a Reddit post shared on Saturday, Feb. 5, Anthem of the Seas is ready to welcome passengers back on board. 

"Beautiful day to board Anthem of the Seas. After she spent 10 days alongside for emergency repairs it’s great to see Anthem here in Sydney for our cruise. Perfect day for it too," wrote Mattynice75. 

Cruise Mapper further confirms that Anthem of the Seas returned to Sydney and set sail on the scheduled 7-night round-trip Queensland cruise. She is expected to arrive in Airlie Beach on Feb. 9. 

(Credit: Cruise Mapper. Screenshot taken at 1:25 p.m. EST on Friday, Feb. 6)

Anthem of the Seas is a Quantum Class cruise ship that debuted in 2015. She'll remain Down Under through April 2026 before relocating to Seattle for a seasonal stint in Alaska. Anthem is scheduled to return to Sydney, Australia, in October. 

She measures 168,666 gross tons, 1,141 feet long, and can accommodate over 4,100 passengers at double occupancy. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean cancels Australia cruise because of propulsion problem

CocoCay pier is fully operational again

At least two cruise ships had to cancel their visits to Perfect Day at CocoCay this week after high winds caused the catwalks to fall into the sea on the eastern side of the pier. Freedom of the Seas was diverted to Cabo Rojo, Dominican Republic, while Celebrity Reflection went to Freeport, Bahamas. 

"As the Captain announced earlier, due to this past weekend's winter storm, which included strong winds and heavy seas at Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas, catwalks fell into the sea on the eastern side of the pier," read the informational letter given to guests aboard Freedom of the Seas. 

"Unfortunately, divers have not been able to locate all of them, which prevents us from safely docking the ship at Perfect Day at CocoCay. After exploring and exhausting all other alternatives, we'll skip our visit. We'll now enjoy a sea day tomorrow and visit Cabo Rojo, Dominican Republic, on Wednesday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM," it continued. 

(Credit: Lynette Trease/Facebook)

Future cruisers were initially wary that their visits to CocoCay might be canceled due to the recent pier damage. However, Royal Caribbean confirmed that the repairs were complete in a statement given to TravelPulse:

"Perfect Day at CocoCay experienced adverse weather over the weekend of January 30–February 1 and temporarily closed. Following assessments, the eastern side of the pier was unavailable for docking, and select itineraries were adjusted. Guests were informed directly, and operations have since resumed."

This was confirmed when both Adventure and Liberty of the Seas successfully docked on Thursday, Feb. 5. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME! The dock at Coco Cay is re-open! Liberty and Adventure are currently here!" Lynette Trease shared on Facebook. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean Ship Diverted from CocoCay Due to Temporary Pier Issue

Another winter storm caused two ships to skip visits to CocoCay today

(Credit: Cruise Mapper. Screenshot taken at 1:45 p.m. EST on Friday, Feb. 6)

Unfortunately, while the pier is fully repaired, strong winds on Friday, Feb. 6, prevented two ships from docking safely, forcing last-minute cancellations for guests sailing on Explorer and Icon of the Seas. 

Angela Marie Collins Frost shared the news on Facebook, with Cruise Mapper confirming that the scheduled port day was turned into an extra day at sea for the vessels. 

According to Wunderground, the reported winds in the Bahamian capital of Nassau were around 17-18 miles per hour (mph) this morning. While that might not seem extreme, the winds were strong enough to make docking unsafe for large vessels.

Icon of the Seas is currently on a 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise that previously called at St. Maarten and St. Thomas. The Icon Class ship is due to return to Miami on Saturday, Feb. 7. 

Explorer of the Seas is finishing up a 5-night Bahamian cruise. The 137,308 gross-ton vessel departed Port Canaveral on Feb. 2 and visited Bimini two days later. She'll return to Florida on Saturday as well. 

A Long Island travel agent has been charged with multiple counts of grand larceny and schemes to defraud after stealing over $50,000 from clients, police confirm. 

Tavia Thomas, 47, of Hempstead, New York, was the CEO and Destination Travel Specialist of her company, Destiny Travel. 

Authorities allege that she defrauded families by taking payments for vacations and failing to actually book them, PIX 11 reported. 

Some of the victims were hoping to sail on Royal Caribbean cruises. In July 2024, for example, she supposedly received $35,753.98 from nine people to book a Royal Caribbean cruise out of Bayonne, New Jersey. 

(Credit: LongIsland.com)

Unfortunately, when the victims arrived at the terminal to board their cruise, they were informed that their booking confirmations were fake, officials said. As such, they were denied boarding. 

Just one week later, Thomas was hired to arrange a resort reservation for a destination wedding through ALG Vacations. However, the reservation was never made, and the clients did not receive a refund for the $5,000 they had paid. 

LongIsland.com shared that several members of the wedding party also made payments to Thomas, totaling over $2,600, which were never refunded. 

A reporter from The Shade Room spoke with Denise Perez-Horton to learn more about the impact of Thomas' alleged actions. 

"Final payment comes, and I’m like, 'Okay, where’s the reservation number?'" she told Justin Carter. "…She’s like, 'Well, the resort had a child that was electrocuted in the pool…and they have mold...' downplaying the resort, and I’m like, 'What? What is going on?'"

Perez-Horton was then informed that the reservation was moved to another resort, though they still did not receive flight or hotel confirmations. When she called the resort, she learned that the business "never" got the booking from Thomas. 

In another case, a family of 50 paid Thomas over $10,000 for a celebratory birthday trip to the Dominican Republic. According to Nassau County police, she never booked the accommodations and failed to return the family’s money.

Thomas faces three counts of third-degree grand larceny, three counts of first-degree scheme to defraud, and two counts of fourth-degree grand larceny.

Her arraignment was held on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, at the First District Court in Hempstead. 

It's important to do your research before trusting a travel agent

A travel agent's job is to make your life easier by handling all the meticulous details of planning a trip, from confirming your stateroom to helping book specialty restaurants and arranging transportation. If they do it right, all you have to do is focus on enjoying your well-earned vacation.  

Unfortunately, as Thomas proved, not all travel agents operate with the same level of professionalism or client care as others.

That's why it is important to check reviews, verify credentials, and even ask for references before giving a stranger any payment information. 

If you aren't sure where to start, ask friends and family members for recommendations. You can also look for agents affiliated with reputable organizations, like the American Society of Travel Advisors (the world's leading association of travel professionals). 

At Royal Caribbean Blog, we love working with MEI-Travel. Having now booked over one dozen cruises with MEI, I can attest that their employees are professional, timely, and dedicated to ensuring you have the best experience possible from start to finish. 

Read more: I always ask my travel agent for 4 things on every cruise I book to make my cruise easier