Welcome to March! We hope you are having a great weekend and are ready to sit back, relax and catch up with all the latest Royal Caribbean news!

Royal Caribbean is doubling down with short cruises on big ships.

The cruise line released its short Caribbean itineraries for 2026-2027 and two more Oasis Class ships will be sailing cruises less than a week.

The move is aimed at attracting new cruisers to try an impressive ship, while giving way to the Icon Class ships to take over weeklong voyages.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean diverts more cruise ships from Puerto Rico
• Royal Caribbean rolls the dice on a new casino to address a problem cruise passengers hated for years
• Royal Caribbean revamped its offerings to make a stress-free option
• Royal Caribbean's CEO gives three predictions for the cruise biz in 2025
• I tried Celebrity's All Included package for the first time
• National Park Service layoffs have left just one person to work at Alaska's most popular glacier destination this summer
• Does Royal Caribbean offer senior discounts?
• I tried Royal Caribbean's free room Service breakfast most cruisers don't know about
• The cruise ship private island with the actual best mozzarella sticks in the biz

New RCB Video: Best & Worst Royal Caribbean Cabins Ranked

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 — Best & Worst Royal Caribbean Cabins Ranked — and don’t forget to subscribe to our channel.

What does Royal Caribbean do with all its uneaten food?

Cruise ships are known for having so many places to eat and great food to try, but what happens when it goes uneaten?

Food waste is a problem around the world, but Royal Caribbean is employing sophisticated strategies to significantly cut down on the waste.

From leveraging AI to focusing on freshly prepared options, there's less food ending up in the incinerator than ever before on cruise ships.

Captain Kate leaving Celebrity Cruises

Captain Kate McCue announced her decision to leave Celebrity Cruises on social media.

Her legacy as the first American female cruise ship Captain and social media star made her easily recognizable and a favorite among cruisers.

"Today, I say farewell to Celebrity. I've spent 22 years on 11 ships in the Royal Caribbean Group, from 2nd Officer to Captain," McCue wrote.

Royal Caribbean’s short cruise plan for mega ships sparks backlash

More Oasis Class ships sailing short cruises in winter 2026 is not sitting well with a lot of loyal cruisers.

"Royal Caribbean is ruining most of the Oasis class ships!" is what one person wrote, and it exemplified a lot of the frustration with this week's new deployment that will have four of the mega ships sailing on cruises less than a week.

Some cruisers feel the push towards attracting new cruisers is coming at the expense of the onboard ship experience.

Things I wish I knew before my first Alaska cruise

After taking a few cruises to Alaska, Jenna learned some lessons that would have made it easier on her had she known them at the start.

An Alaska cruise is unlike a Caribbean sailing in so many ways, and there are important things to do that can make a major difference in the maximizing the experience.

While she thought she researched it well, the reality was she felt she still made some avoidable mistakes.

Most common mistakes passengers make on newest cruise ship

After sailing on Utopia of the Seas recently, Matt saw a number of cruisers making rookie mistakes.

While everyone has their own cruising style, there are definitely things that occur that lead to frustration, anger, or wasted time and money.

Because Utopia is so appealing to first-time cruisers, it's clear these folks ran into situations that could have been avoided with some research.

Happy Sunday, and I hope you had a great week. It was a busy week of Royal Caribbean fun, and I have a round-up of all of it in this hand-dandy blog post.

Royal Caribbean shared itineraries and details about its new Legend of the Seas cruise ship.

For the first time, Royal Caribbean is bringing its Icon Class to Europe. Bookings are now open to make reservations through April 2027.

The third Icon Class ship will set sail from Barcelona, Spain, in August 2026, launching with seven-night Western Mediterranean cruises. Then in November, the ship will move to Fort Lauderdale for winter cruises.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean is deeply discounting its drink packages because of an obscure holiday
• Pair of owls stowaway on transatlantic cruise for two weeks
• I booked a cabana at Coco Beach Club for $1400
• 4 snorkel secrets at Perfect Day at CocoCay
• Royal Caribbean cruisers are combining these two snacks to make one delicious dessert
• I tried out the $200 per person private beach club at CocoCay

New RCB Video: The Best and Worst Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships, Ranked

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 — The Best and Worst Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships, Ranked — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

We've just released the 556th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast. In it, Matt walks through everything announced about Legend of the Seas and what his plans are for trying the ship out.

You can subscribe to the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast via iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher or RSS.

We analyzed price data and the cheapest prices for cruises were a lot earlier than we expected

A lot of people know they should book a cruise early, but when exactly do prices fluctuate?

Due to the dynamic nature of cruise prices, fares will go up and down, but as the cruise date approaches, prices tend to go up quickly.

We went through 13 different cruise ship price data to determine the best time to book your cruise to receive the cheapest price.

"None of em pay taxes!" Trump official calls out cruise ships for not paying taxes

A top U.S. official said the Trump Administration would seek to make cruise ships pay taxes.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick suggested the federal government would order a crackdown on taxes paid by cruise operators.

"None of them pay taxes," Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said, adding that "this is going to end."

Utopia of the Seas connecting balcony cabin review

Matt went on a 3-night sailing aboard Utopia of the Seas in a balcony cabin and shared what it's like to stay in this room.

He paid $1,723.54 for a category 4D balcony room instead of a cheaper inside room.

While the room may not have been the cheapest deal ever, it was more comfortable than expected.

Is a short 3-night cruise worth it?

Royal Caribbean is shifting more of its big ships to offer 3-night cruises in order to attract new cruisers, but is it worth it?

They are certainly convenient, and offer people that have never cruised before the chance to try out a cruise vacation without committing to a week.

The downside to a short cruise can be a lack of itinerary variations, and a higher cost than you might think.

Hope you are having a great weekend.  Here is all of this week's Royal Caribbean cruise news.

Royal Caribbean added a new California home port.

More cruise ships will be sailing from the west coast, as the cruise line announced it will expand to a new homeport in San Diego.

The new west coast deployments were released this week, including two ships from Los Angeles.

Royal Caribbean News

• Where to save and splurge on a cruise vacation
• Photos show new Bahamas beach club is inching closer to completion
• It's too late to book a spring break cruise, but here's what an expert says you should book instead
• 4 common Facebook cruise vacation scams
• 7 reasons to avoid cruises with lots of port stops
• My family went on Icon of the Seas. We hated the tech, but loved the ship
• I always choose this time to have my cruise room cleaned. It's not perfect but I think it's the most convenient
• I used to always book a cabin on a high deck on a cruise ship, but now I prefer a low deck room instead

New RCB Video: What I wish someone told me about food on a cruise

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—What I wish someone told me about food on a cruise— and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Why Royal Caribbean's price match is the best way to take advantage of price drops

Did you know you could take advantage of a price drop?

It's not very well known, but there is a mechanism for price adjustments, but there are a few caveats.

The ability to re-price cruises has saved me thousands of dollars over the years, and it's the best way to get a cruise deal.

Royal Caribbean sued by passenger after jet ski accident at CocoCay

A lawsuit was filed by a passenger against Royal Caribbean after an accident at their private island.

The lawsuit alleges the person was on a jet ski excursion and was hit by a jet ski operated by the tour operator.

She claimed she suffered four spinal fractures and extensive internal injuries and is seeking $5 million in damages.

4 Royal Caribbean extra costs I never thought I'd buy

I may have scoffed at these extra costs at one point, but now they're always in my cart.

Royal Caribbean trots out new options all the time, and a few have resonated with me as must-buys.

Part of the fun of going on vacation is splurging and enjoying your time, and I have four I always look to buy first.

Vintage photos of a Royal Caribbean cruise in the 70s and 80s

I love looking back at the way cruise ships used to look, especially before the age of the megaship.

Cruise ships have evolved a lot, including what they and passengers looked like.  Mirroring society, cruise ships have moved on with the times and they looked a lot different 40 years ago.

While ships were big for their time, they definitely had a few key differences compared to ships today.

Happy early Valentine's Day! Hope the holiday is filled with chocolate, flowers and a Royal Caribbean cruise! I'm spreading the Royal Caribbean love with our look at all the Royal Caribbean news from this week.

Almost 100 people are sick on one Royal Caribbean cruise ship this week.

An outbreak of gastrointestinal illness has been reported on Radiance of the Seas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The issue was reported to the CDC on Tuesday, with symptoms including diarrhea and vomiting.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean is adding a new casino to one of its ships in an unusual spot that non-smokers will love
• How do you actually redeem your Royal Caribbean loyalty benefits?
• NCL orders new giant cruise ships to compete with Royal Caribbean
• 14 things to do before a cruise
• Royal Caribbean is giving cruise passengers a report on how much they lost in the casino last year
• The weird thing passengers have to do when Royal Caribbean's new cruise ship is refueled

Video: What it’s REALLY like in Royal Caribbean’s ultra-expensive suites

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 — What it’s REALLY like in Royal Caribbean’s ultra-expensive suites — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

How old is too old to go on a cruise?

Is there such thing as being too old to cruise?

Royal Caribbean is a family cruise brand that appeals to all demographics, and seniors are certainly one of the top groups going on a cruise.

Anyone over the age of 60 should take certain precautions before going on a cruise ship, just in case.

The little known bed upgrade you can ask for

If Royal Caribbean's beds are too firm for you, there is an option to fix that.

Some people complain the beds on a cruise are hard, but you can ask your stateroom attendant for a fix.

Between mattress pads and DIY solutions, it could mean a much better night's sleep.

I sailed on two Royal Caribbean ships on the same itinerary, and there was a clear winner

How similar is it when you go on different ships to the same place?

Within a month of both sailings, I went on Voyager of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas to Cozumel, Mexico, doing almost the exact same itinerary.

The experience was remarkably different on each, and it highlights how important choosing the right ship can be.

7 foods that cruisers call Royal Caribbean's best-kept secrets

The food on a cruise is just as exciting as the places I'll visit or things to do onboard.

I think there are a handful of foods on Royal Caribbean that are some of the least-well known, but taste so good.

Maybe you can try one of these underrated finds on your next cruise.

Happy weekend! We hope you are in the midst of a wonderful weekend full of things to do to pass the time between cruises.  We have a summary of all of this week's Royal Caribbean news in case you missed any of it!

Is it as bad as you might think to go on one of Royal Caribbean's oldest and smallest cruise ships?

Matt was reluctant to try Enchantment of the Seas because it lacked so many things to do found on newer and bigger ships, but he went on a 4-night sailing to give it a try.

With the right mindset, he found Enchantment was better than he expected and it's a good reminder about the value of these ships.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean moves up inaugural sailing for Star of the Seas and adds two new sailings
• Much loved Royal Caribbean cruise ship Captain retires with surprise party
• Celebrity Cruises will start offering river cruises in 2027
• One-of-a-kind ex-Royal Caribbean cruise ship is heading to the scrapyard
• 10 New river cruise ships ordered for Celebrity Cruises – what we know so far
• I went on the cruise ship that gets lots of hate
• Photo tour of spacious balcony cabin on Enchantment of the Seas
• Behind Royal Caribbean's Next Big Bet: Private Islands and Beach Clubs
• I sailed on an older Royal Caribbean ship and a newer one. The big changes show how much focus there is on food
• I went to the beach club in Cozumel, Mexico all the locals always rave about
• Golden Retriever has been living on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship for a year

Video: I put Royal Caribbean's cheap, oldest cruise ship to the test

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 — I put Royal Caribbean's cheap, oldest cruise ship to the test — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Royal Caribbean delays new deployments again

The deployment schedule for new sailings has been changed, resulting in needing to wait a few more weeks.

The change affects three region's 2026-2027 cruise deployments: short Caribbean, seasonal Caribbean, and Australia.

An updated schedule is now available, with the first set coming out later this week.

10 commandments of a great cruise vacation

While some travel advice may be specific to a situation, there are certain things everyone should do for a great cruise vacation.

You don't have to plan out every minute of the trip, but it does behoove you to adhere to a core set of important advice to avoid mistakes later.

In thinking about the breadth of cruise advice I can provide, I came up with the 10 most important cruise tips possible that apply to just about everyone. 

13 things Royal Caribbean has learned about Icon of the Seas in its first year

In the one year Icon of the Seas has been cruising, Royal Caribbean has studied every aspect of it to learn what's worked well.

Royal Caribbean's Product Development team has analyzed guest feedback, and conducted research on the ship to determine the important lessons learned.

These results are being incorporated into future ships, as well as being helpful to someone going on Icon soon.

Royal Caribbean cruise prices are rising—why you should book now

Royal Caribbean reported its fourth quarter earnings to Wall Street this week, and it illustrated why you want to book a cruise now instead of waiting.

Not only did Royal Caribbean experience fantastic growth in the last quarter, but they anticipate demand going up again in 2025 along with prices.

If you're someone that considered waiting to see where prices go, it's quite likely the cost of a cruise will only go up this year.

Happy weekend! We hope you are enjoying a wonderful and relaxing weekend and managing to stay warm. Now it is time to sit back with a cuppa tea or java, and check out the latest in Royal Caribbean cruise news.

Royal Caribbean has really big plans for the next few years with new ships, places to visit, and brand new ways to vacation.

With its business doing incredibly well, Royal Caribbean is poised to add new cruise ships and private destinations to its roster.

Not only will these new offerings bring in new business, but the cruise line wants to further distinguish itself from other vacation choices as something truly unique.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean is re-opening an attraction with a new idea
• Royal Caribbean cancels a sailing of one of its cruise ships to complete maintenance work
• What to expect on Royal Caribbean theme nights
• 10 hacks to maximize the cruise casino perks
• 10 things I'd recommend if someone is new to cruise ship travel
• 12 things I always look forward to on every sailing
• Survey says 50% of cruisers dress up for formal night
• Celebrity Cruises just spent $1 billion to order another new cruise ship
• Celebrity Cruises will let everyone vote on the look, food, and entertainment on its next new cruise ship

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 554th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, all about what people that have never cruised before get wrong about cruises.

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.

New RCB Video: What you need to know about Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class ships

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 — Guide to Oasis Class ships — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

5 things crew members hate when cruise passengers do

Crew members on a ship see a lot, but a few things truly irritate them when passengers do it.

Occasionally, there's something a passenger does during their cruise that can be frustrating for a crew member to deal with.

A list appeared on the internet, and it's a good reminder of what not to do.

Royal Caribbean cancels more cruise ship visits to San Juan, Puerto Rico

It appears repairs to the pier in San Juan, Puerto Rico are not yet complete.

Guests booked on sailings in February 2025 received emails to inform them their scheduled visit has been replaced with other plans.

This is an ongoing issue with the port due to damage to the pier, which prevents Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class ships from docking there.

A $20 DIY hammock transformed this cruise ship balcony

The best balcony hack might be bringing your own hammock onboard.

One cruiser shared photos of how he brought a cheap $20 hammock on his cruise to add more value and enjoyment from his balcony.

He was able to attach it easily to the beams because there are holes in each beam, which was the perfect size for clamping the hammock onto it.

17 mistakes you can avoid making on cruise ship sea days

A sea day is when you have all day to enjoy everything your ship has to offer, but you certainly don't want to waste them.

I think most people want to get as much out of their vacation as possible, and sea days are when you get the most time on the ship to eat, see, and enjoy it all.

If you want to take advantage of what your ship has to offer, I'd avoid these 17 sea day mistakes.

Hope you had a great week and are staying safe out there. Hopefully you had a chance to keep up with what's new with Royal Caribbean this week. But if not, here's a roundup of this week's news.

We will have to wait a few more weeks for the next round of cruise sailings.

Royal Caribbean delayed its spring release of 2026-2027 deployments.

It's not unheard of for deployments to be delayed, as they are complicated and sometimes need more time to coordinate all the plans properly.

Royal Caribbean News

• Beloved Royal Caribbean cruise ship Captain announces retirement
• "Super Mario" takes is 1,000th cruise with Royal Caribbean
• Royal Caribbean wants to pay artists to create works for its new cruise ship
• Royal Caribbean ship delayed returning to Baltimore after medical evacuation
• The US shared a travel warning to a place my cruise is going. Should I worry?
• Answers to cruise cabin questions you're too embarrassed to ask
• 7 Things I instantly regret not bringing that cost less than $10 on a cruise
• Big Ships vs. Small Ships: Is one a better choice?
• My favorite spot to go to at CocoCay has gotten better
• I've cruised for 30 years and tried new things on Royal Caribbean ships, but wouldn't do them all again
• How to save money on internet by not buying everyone an internet package

Video: worst cruise mistakes that will ruin your cruise

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 — 20 worst cruise mistakes that will ruin your cruise vacation — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

11 reasons why eating at the buffet instead of the Main Dining Room is better

The buffet on your cruise is more than just a place for a casual meal, it's arguably a better place to eat dinner too.

While the Main Dining Room is beautiful and has terrific service, you might consider eating at the Windjammer instead for the simplicity and speed it offers.

Plus, the Windjammer food variety is impressive, especially if you have picky eaters.

Cruiser liked Carnival better after only cruising with Royal Caribbean

After years of sailing with Royal Caribbean, one cruiser tried Carnival and liked it a lot.

The person detailed their experience on Reddit, sharing what they preferred with Carnival.

"I am SO SO glad we booked! We had been loyal to Royal previously and have Emerald status. We will still do Royal, and eventually want to try Icon [of the Seas], but I feel like my first cruise on Carnival has beat my last two on Royal."

The cruise excursion idea you might have that's really a mistake

I know what you're thinking, and it's actually a bad idea waiting to happen.

Some cruisers will try to fit two different shore excursions into the same day because it looks like they can fit it into their schedule.

The reality is you don't have as much time as you think, and the rigors of trying to do two tours adds up quickly.

What you should know about your cruise room before you arrive

Your cruise ship cabin isn't exactly like a hotel room, so there are important things you should know about it.

From better utilizing your room to things that won't be there, new cruisers might be surprised what's waiting for them in their stateroom.

Check out the important things you should know before you arrive in your cabin about your room.

Happy weekend! We hope you are enjoying a wonderful and relaxing weekend and managing to stay warm. Now it is time to sit back with a cuppa tea or java, and check out the latest in Royal Caribbean cruise news.

When you finally get into your cruise ship cabin, there's a list of 15 things I'd recommend doing immediately.

Some of the things on the list are about preventing problems later, while others are what you can do to get into "cruise mode" faster.

No matter which type of stateroom you book, it's a good idea to get it situated on the first day so there's less to do later and you can fully enjoy your vacation!

Royal Caribbean News

• Legionnaires' later diagnosed with 2 separate cruise ship passengers after getting home
• Royal Caribbean will change cruise ships based from Los Angeles
• Royal Caribbean drops onboard credit offer for long cruises booked during a sailing
• Utopia of the Seas cruise ship review
• Wonder of the Seas cruise ship review
• Royal Caribbean just added 3 new drink specials to a cruise ship and it looks like a great deal
• Royal Caribbean moved its Italian restaurant on two ships. One was a controversial, but the other has a beautiful setting
• I let my kids roam now on their own on a Royal Caribbean cruise, but I added these 6 rules
• 10 Reasons people end up disappointed with their cruise vacation
• Can you bring water on a cruise? Royal Caribbean rules you need to know
• I tried 8 cruise tips that didn't work as well as I hoped once on the ship

New RCB Video: 5 Things I'll do differently on Royal Caribbean in 2025

Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — 5 Things I'll do differently on Royal Caribbean in 2025 — and don’t forget to subscribe to our channel.

25 Do's and Don'ts for your Royal Caribbean cruise

Ready to start 2025 with the right approach to cruising?

Before you head out to your ship, we have a list of 25 things you should and shouldn't do for your cruise.

From pre-cruise planning to mistakes to avoid on the ship, it's a great list of faux pas and recommendations anyone can take advantage of.

How I find cheap cruises for as little as around $100 a day

It's more difficult than ever to find cheap cruise deals, but they exist.  Assuming you look in the right places.

Sky-high demand for cruise bookings have evaporated many of the deals that used be commonplace, but if you're very flexible and know where to look, there are still good prices out there.

If you want to find a cruise deal, you'll need to be savvy. 

These are 6 of the most overrated tourist attractions I've ever seen

I hate tourist traps because of that feeling that I've wasted my time and money on something truly uninspiring.

There's some debate as to what constitutes a true tourist trap, but in my cruises, I've run across at least 6 places that I knew were overrated wastes of time.

Not everyone will agree, but I feel strongly there are certain places you can visit on a cruise ship that should be skipped.

Cruise purchases vacationers instantly regretted

Have you ever bought something and knew immediately it was a mistake? A lot of cruisers have had the same feeling of remorse related to what they bought on a cruise.

Everyone's tastes are different, but hundreds of past cruise ship passengers shared recently what they bought on a cruise and wish they hadn't. 

Some of the things are commonly cited gripes, while others were a bit of a surprise.

Welcome to the first week of 2025, and here is your look at all of the Royal Caribbean news you might have missed in the past week.

Ready for your first cruise of the year? There have been updates to what you can't bring on the ship.

In just the past few months, Royal Caribbean updated its list of things you can't bring on a cruise anymore.  And that's in addition to things people commonly pack that are still not allowed.

Before you leave home, make sure you leave these 5 things at home before your cruise begins.

Royal Caribbean News

• 12 Royal Caribbean guests sue cruise line, former crew member over hidden camera in cabins
• 7 Best Royal Caribbean cruise destinations you can visit
• I take a dozen cruises every year. Here's the 20 things I do before every sailing begins
• Cruise splurges I made in 2024. Some weren't worth it
• 12 ways Royal Caribbean’s made its app the best in the cruise industry
• I tried the shore excursion that got shut down. The beach was great, but the tour was too expensive
• Real ID deadline is coming in the spring of 2025. How to get one now
• Here's What To Expect From This Year's After-Christmas Sale

Video: I'm not buying these things on my cruise in 2025

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 — I'm not buying these things on my cruise in 2025 — and don’t forget to subscribe to our channel.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 553rd episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, with wishes for Royal Caribbean in the new year.

Matt and Billy share their annual tradition of making three wishes each for what they want to see changed within Royal Caribbean.

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.

Man spent $160 per day to reach Diamond status tier in just 30 days

One cruiser decided to get to Diamond status in Crown and Anchor Society in just one month.

The person went from Gold to Diamond in 30 days by booking back-to-back cruises and sailing various routes. 

He started his month-long journey with 21 cruise points. By the end, he had reached Diamond status, accumulating a total of 81 cruise points.

I tried Royal Caribbean’s luxury Star Class suite for the first time for $11,000

Jenna tried her first Star Class cabin, and while the perks were amazing, she thinks she might enjoy a cruise just as much in an inside cabin.

She sailed in a two bedroom AquaTheater suite on Utopia of the Seas, which came with the services of a Royal Genie, and access to the suite-only areas of the ship.

The price of these suites is a tough pill to swallow, especially when you consider how much money can be saved by staying in a lower category cabin.

One of the best Royal Caribbean cruise ships of all time is waiting to be rediscovered

Voyager of the Seas is 25 years old, but it's a great ship that should not be overlooked.

The 137,276-ton cruise ship was a game changer when she debuted.

Matt sailed on Voyager for the first time, and he was impressed by how this mega ship remains a compelling choice.

Happy New Year! Before we pop champagne and toast to a better year next year, we have a look back at all the Royal Caribbean news from this week to share.

Royal Caribbean had an amazing 2024, and its CEO celebrated just how good a year it has been.

Michael Bayley is the President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International and shared a holiday greeting summing up everything the cruise line did to make it an incredible year.

From launching two new ships, to announcing a new private beach day, to other firsts, Mr. Bayley is very proud of how good this year has been.

Royal Caribbean News

• These were the 5 cleanest Royal Caribbean cruise ships this year, according to the CDC
• More cruises to Puerto Rico cancelled, with no update yet on when it will get fixed
• The cruise ship safety drill could be even faster and better with important changes, inventor says
• Are last-minute cruises cheaper?
• 6 tips for the best time to buy Royal Caribbean 
• Caribbean island is hiking port fees for cruise ship passengers
• After 17 cruises in 2024, these are the best things I did on Royal Caribbean cruise ships this year

Video: How much I tip everyone on a cruise

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 — How much I tip everyone on a cruise — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Royal Caribbean perfected the sports court, solving the top reason I always avoided them

There are sports courts on every cruise ship, but the SeaPlex is the only sports court Matt will visit.

Sports courts on cruise ships have been around for a while, but the Quantum Class ships have a different take on it, and the difference is significant.

Between climatizing the space, integrating a sports bar, and offering more activities than ever, the SeaPlex is so much more enjoyable.

Best first-time cruise destinations

Is there are a better cruise to take if it's your first cruise than another?

After cruising for decades, it seems clear certain sailings are a better choice than others for someone that has never been on a cruise ship.

Whether it's because of the destination, length, or ship choice, there are certain itineraries that are best for first-time cruisers.

What surprised me staying in Royal Caribbean's biggest suites

When you book one of the biggest suites on a cruise ship, you expect lots of space, but there are a few surprises too.

Matt sailed in some of the biggest suites you can book this year, and there were a few takeaways he wasn't expecting.

While these rooms are far from cheap, they include top tier service and you'll want to take full advantage of everything offered.

How a balcony cabin on 5 ships differs

Balcony cabins are the most popular cruise ship room category, but they can be different from each other.

Royal Caribbean offers sub-categories of balcony rooms that mix up the amenities, size, and location.

While the core experience is the same across them all, one stood out as being the best value.