If you're looking for a fun-filled weekend but don't want to use up a lot of PTO days, Wonder of the Seas is a new fix for that.

Wonder of the Seas is the newest Royal Caribbean party ship sailing from Miami, Florida, and I was lucky enough to be onboard for the ship's first 4-night sailing. 

Joining her sister ship, Utopia of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas is part of Royal Caribbean's push to have more of its big ships sailing short Caribbean itineraries.

These getaway cruises have proven to be massively popular for the cruise line, as cruisers can vacation without taking as many vacation days. To meet the rising demand for shorter cruises, Royal Caribbean is shifting its strategy by offering its biggest, most impressive cruise ships.

I’m a big fan of shorter cruises, as I have a hard time taking too much PTO from work. After recently cruising on Utopia of the Seas this winter, I was excited to see Wonder of the Seas beginning her season of short Caribbean itineraries. 

Here’s what it was like sailing a short cruise on Royal Caribbean’s newest party ship.

Wonder of the Seas has plenty of parties and late-night activities

Royal Caribbean has been branding Wonder of the Seas as “Miami’s New Weekend Wonder.” The ship is now decked out for “wilder weekends” with 10 next-level parties. The Oasis class vessel features more than 15 dining spots with international flavors, four pools, and 10 onboard bars.

As promised, our cruise was packed with parties and late-night activities. In fact, I ran out of time to try all of the hosted parties during our short 4-night cruise to the Bahamas. Starting with the lively Sailaway Party, it was easy to see our cruise would have a lively crowd.

Later that evening, the ship hosted Bring the Beat Back: A Party Through the Decades, a themed party in the Royal Promenade with music from the 70s, 80s, and 90s. This party was extremely popular and well-attended, and many cruisers dressed for the occasion.

During our sea day the next morning, I was eager to attend the Plunge Day Pool Party on the pool deck. The vibes were high with many cruisers dancing and singing from Wonder’s two main pools. This was one of my favorite parties of the entire cruise, as I much prefer a mid-day party versus a late-night gathering.

Other popular parties included the Let’s Dance Street Party, Royal Kappa Chi, and Silent Toga Party. In addition, you could attend karaoke, midnight parties in the nightclub, and the famous Crazy Quest gameshow. If you’re someone who likes to party and dance the night away, there’s no shortage of parties to attend.

Our sailing was popular for groups traveling together

Our 4-night cruise on Wonder of the Seas was packed with large travel parties. This isn’t surprising, as shorter cruises are ideal for everything from family reunions to bachelor and bachelorette parties, milestone birthdays, and other celebrations at sea.

These quick getaway sailings are especially popular for large parties because they’re affordable, convenient, and easy to coordinate. With most short cruises lasting just 3 to 5 nights, they’re far less expensive than weeklong itineraries. In addition, longer cruises require more PTO days and planning, which can be difficult to align across busy work, school, and family schedules.

In fact, I’d argue that Oasis Class ships are some of the best in the industry for group travel. Most of my extended family cruises have been aboard Oasis Class vessels, and they’re always crowdpleasers for kids, adults, and everyone in between.

Read more: 6 things to know before you book Wonder of the Seas

At 236,000 gross tons, Wonder of the Seas truly has something for everyone. Families with children can enjoy nonstop action, from onboard thrills to Adventure Ocean youth programs and the Social100 teen club. Adults hoping for a reprieve from the youngest cruisers can enjoy the expansive adults-only Solarium, along with an array of bars and lounges.

Between the variety of dining, onboard attractions, entertainment, and multiple neighborhoods, Wonder of the Seas was a popular choice for groups traveling together. Don’t be surprised to find large travel parties if you’re cruising on Wonder of the Seas, as the party atmosphere will likely continue to attract celebratory groups.

The cruise was energetic, but never out of control

I’ve taken my fair share of party cruises, including a few particularly spirited cruises with Carnival Cruise Line. I wasn’t sure what to expect for our cruise on Wonder of the Seas, although I’ve been on other Royal Caribbean weekend cruises, and the craziest experiences have been over spring break.

Even still, I was prepared for a party atmosphere onboard, especially considering Royal Caribbean’s “wildest weekend” branding for this cruise. I love having a good time, but chaotic, out-of-control crowds aren’t really my scene.

Throughout our cruise, there was definitely an energetic ambiance, but I never felt like things were rowdy, hectic, or disorderly. The only time we experienced a noisy crowd was during our Nassau sailaway in the Solarium. Even then, the group of adults chanting and taking shots wasn’t over-the-top.

If anything, I found the older kids and rambunctious teens to be more of an issue. It wasn’t uncommon to find groups of teens sitting around the stairwell. I even saw a few teens hitting their vapes throughout the ship, and not in the designated smoking areas.

The ship was busy at times with some long lines

One of the biggest downfalls of cruising on a mainstream, mega cruise ship is dealing with crowds. This can inadvertently lead to long lines across the ship for the popular amenities and restaurants.

Although the ship was definitely busy at times, Royal Caribbean designed Wonder of the Seas in a way that helps ease crowds and prevent bottlenecks. Like all Oasis class vessels, Wonder of the Seas utilizes its distinct neighborhood concept to disperse crowds and reduce congestion.

However, when you’re cruising with thousands of other passengers, there are bound to be crowds. In particular, embarkation day was especially busy in the Windjammer buffet and Royal Promenade. Actually, the Windjammer buffet was always busy and crowded when we visited. In my opinion, the buffet space is too small to accommodate such a large crowd.

Another busy venue was Sorrento’s pizzeria in the Royal Promenade. While the line moved quickly, there was always a small mob of people waiting for a fresh slice of pizza. Because this was one of the few late-night food options, the party crowd seemed to gravitate here in the evenings.

The most popular attractions also had long lines. For instance, I considered riding the zip-line across the top deck, but the line was always too long. In the scorching summer heat, the slow-moving line wasn’t worthwhile for me. Those cruising on Wonder of the Seas should consider trying all of the onboard thrills on embarkation day or while the ship is docked in port to avoid the longer lines.

We loved Royal Caribbean’s signature entertainment each night

Royal Caribbean’s Oasis class vessels have some of the best entertainment in the entire cruise industry. While other cruise lines are making obvious cost cuts to their entertainment, Royal Caribbean continues to invest heavily in its signature wow-factor entertainment.

The first evening, we attended the ice show on Wonder of the Seas, known as 365: The Seasons on Ice. I’m a huge fan of Royal Caribbean’s ice skating performances, as they’re the only cruise line with this style of entertainment. We were amazed at the ice stunts throughout the awe-inspiring performance.

Wonder of the Seas also features an AquaTheatre in the aft of the ship. This is another signature performance venue that you can only find on Oasis class ships, although the new Icon class features a redesigned, indoor AquaDome.

Read more: Review of Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas Cruise Ship

Onboard Wonder of the Seas, the AquaTheatre show is called inTENse and features an all-women cast of highly-skilled athletes. The women perform gravity-defying stunts, high dives, synchronized swimming, and acrobatics in the small pool. This impressive production was fantastic, so much so that we attended the show again. You won’t find entertainment like this on any other cruise ship!

In the Royal Theatre, you’ll find other production shows, including the technologically-heavy Effectors II: Crash and Burn. This musical headliner show is certainly geared towards kids and families with its superhero-themed storyline and music. While it won’t win any awards, the full-scale production was fun to watch with cutting-edge technology.

Finally, Wonder of the Seas also featured Voices, an a cappella-style production in the Royal Theatre. This was our least favorite production show of the cruise, as the pre-recorded vocals felt gimmicky for an “all-voices” performance. The graphics also featured obvious post-pandemic photos with masks and social distancing, which might have better aligned with the ship’s debut in 2022.

Four nights weren’t enough time to do everything we wanted

Wonder of the Seas is a massive vessel, clocking in as the 4th largest cruise ship in the world. The only cruise ships larger include Royal Caribbean’s Icon class ships and sister-ship Utopia of the Seas.

Being a ship of this magnitude, it’s impossible to experience every restaurant, amenity, and activity onboard. In a short 4-night cruise, you have to accept that you can’t do it all.

We did our best to make the most of our time onboard. For instance, we splurged on a dinner at Chops Grille the first evening so my friend could experience one of the specialty restaurants on her first cruise.

The other evenings, we had fantastic dinners in the main dining room, which is included in your cruise fare. Because we enjoyed the main dining room experience so much, we opted to visit Izumi Sushi for lunch instead of dinner. I highly recommend checking the schedule for a specialty dining lunch, as it can often save you money compared to the standard dinner price.

We didn’t get a chance to try all the complimentary restaurants, including Boardwalk Dog House and Solarium Bistro — and we barely scratched the surface of all the specialty dining options.

In particular, we wished we could have tried venues besides the Windjammer buffet for breakfast. With late nights watching the entertainment and attending the parties, we often missed the 9 a.m. cutoff time for the additional breakfast spots, such as Johnny Rockets and the main dining room. This would also alleviate some congestion in the Windjammer, which is the only breakfast option open after 10 a.m.

Brunch was not offered in the dining room either, which would be a seemingly good fit for a party-branded cruise ship. I hope Royal Caribbean reconsiders the operating hours for breakfast, given the late-night vibe of the ship.

I already booked another 4-night cruise, but this time on Utopia of the Seas

For many years, Carnival Cruise Line dominated the short cruise market, but Royal Caribbean is now shifting the landscape. With some of the world’s newest and biggest ships sailing on 3-night and 4-night itineraries, short cruises no longer mean sacrificing ship size.

It’s hard for me to take time away from work to sail on 7-night cruises, so I prefer embarking on quick, getaway cruises to save time and money. It’s just enough time to get into a vacation mindset, even if I don’t get around to experiencing every single restaurant, show, or activity onboard.

I’ve already booked another weekend getaway cruise for February 2026, but I’ll be sailing on Utopia of the Seas from Port Canaveral, Florida. This is only because cruising from central Florida is more convenient from my home in the Panhandle!

I wouldn’t hesitate to take a short cruise on Wonder of the Seas again, as we had a fantastic time without too much chaos onboard. There are plenty of parties to keep the most energetic cruisers entertained, but the energy was never out of control. Overall, Wonder of the Seas showed that a short cruise can still feel like a real vacation with a perfect mix of fun, relaxation, and big-ship experiences, without feeling overwhelmed.

For many cruisers, indulging in delicious cuisine is a major highlight of cruising. With such an emphasis on the dining experience, many cruisers like to plan ahead of time to make the most of their time onboard. Not to mention, there are so many dining options to choose from during your cruise, including both specialty and complimentary restaurants. 

Thankfully, Royal Caribbean makes it simple to browse dining menus right from their app. You can see the planned menus for each night of your cruise before you even set sail! For a routine itinerary, such as a 3-night or 4-night cruise on Utopia of the Seas, menus can be available months in advance in the app. 

However, menu availability can change based on your specific Royal Caribbean cruise. For example, unique sailings, such as repositioning itineraries, transatlantic cruises, or one-way sailings, may not have menus available until closer to embarkation. In addition, even if you see menus populating for each night, it could change as the sailing approaches.

Also, it's important to note that specialty dining menus are the same every night during your cruise. In fact, specialty dining menus are standardized across Royal Caribbean’s fleet. In this way, what you see in the app is what you can expect to find once you’re onboard.  This can make it easy to decide in advance if a restaurant like Chops Grille or Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen is worth booking for your trip.

If you’re planning to book a meal at one of Royal Caribbean’s specialty dining restaurants, I recommend checking the main dining room menus beforehand. It’s not unusual to have one or two menus that don’t excite you, which presents the perfect opportunity for specialty dining.

For this reason, I personally love having access to Royal Caribbean’s menus in advance. This makes planning my dining schedule easy and also ensures reservations fit nicely into my busy cruise plans. 

I’ve been cruising with Royal Caribbean since I was a kid. I vividly remember the excitement each night of arriving to dinner and seeing what’s on the nightly menu. Eventually, that evolved into menus being displayed on the electronic screens outside of the elevators each day. Now, we are lucky to have access to every menu during our cruises directly in the Royal Caribbean app. How times have changed!

Within the Royal Caribbean app, you can see the rotating nightly menus in the main dining room, including what’s being served for breakfast, brunch, and lunch. Additionally, you can browse the specialty dining restaurants before you book a table or opt to book a dining package for your cruise. 

If you're curious how to navigate the dining section of your Royal Caribbean app, you've come to the right place! Here’s a step-by-step guide to navigating the app so you can preview your meals before stepping onboard. I’ll be using screenshots from my upcoming cruise on Wonder of the Seas, so keep in mind that your ship’s specific restaurant selection might be different. Either way, the navigation process is the same.

Step 1: Open the Royal Caribbean App

First, download the Royal Caribbean app from your phone’s app store, then log in with your cruise reservation details. Once your sailing is linked, you’ll want to select your upcoming cruise. This will take you to a homepage for your specific cruise. It should look something like this with an image of your ship, along with your itinerary and daily agenda.

If your cruise is in the future, the app will say “Day 1” with your embarkation port at the top. This screen also provides important details like the all-aboard time, the daily weather forecast, and a welcome message. At the bottom, you can switch between your Daily Planner and My Calendar, or use the navigation bar to access shortcuts like dining, beverages, and excursions.

At the bottom menu bar, you’ll see a few icons including Cart, Check-In, For You, and Beverage. Tap “More” (three dots icon) at the end of the bottom menu. You should see this in the bottom right corner. A shortcut screen will appear, and this is where you’ll select “Dining” to begin exploring your options.

Step 2: Choose Between Specialty Dining and Main Dining

Once you’ve tapped into the Dining section, the app will display the dining homepage. On the home page, you will notice several tabs across the top of the screen for restaurants, dining experiences, bars, dining packages and more. If you're visiting Perfect Day at CocoCay, you can even access the island's menus here!

Each tab helps you quickly find what you’re looking for between complimentary and specialty dining. If you’re looking for the included dining options, swipe over to the “Main Dining” tab. This section will show you everything served in the main dining room, including nightly menus for dinner onboard.

Here’s a brief summary of what you can find under the a few of the tabs.

Restaurants

This tab shows all of the specialty dining venues onboard, such as Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen, Hooked Seafood, Chops Grille, and Izumi. These restaurants come with an extra charge, but their menus are consistent each night of your cruise. The menus here are standardized across the Royal Caribbean fleet, so if you’ve sailed before, you’ll often see familiar options here.

Main Dining

This is where you’ll find the complimentary dining rooms, which are included in your cruise fare. Unlike specialty restaurants, these menus rotate nightly, so you’ll see different appetizers, entrees, and desserts throughout your sailing. Breakfast is available each morning in the dining room, although lunch and brunch can be available on a select few days during your itinerary.

Bars & Lounges

If you’re curious about the drink options onboard, this tab highlights the different bars and lounges on your ship. This is where you can find drink menus for cocktails, mocktails, wine, beer, or specialty coffee. It can be especially handy if you have a drink package and want to know what’s available at different venues.

Step 3: Select a Dining Room

After navigating to the dining tab, your ship might list multiple dining rooms to choose from. This will usually include My Time Dining Room and the main dining rooms. Before boarding, your ship's main dining rooms will likely be named Main Dining Room 1, Main Dining Room 2, etc. Once you’re onboard, these will update to show the exact name of the dining rooms.

It doesn’t matter which dining room you select, as they will each serve the same menu. In the app, you can usually click on any of the main dining rooms to see the same menus. If one doesn’t work, try selecting a different dining room. You can also see the dining times in this area once you’re onboard, which can be helpful for planning your meals.

Tap on a dining room, then hit “View Menu” to see what’s being served. 

Step 4: Browse the Menus by Day

When you open a dining room menu, it will default to Day 1 Dinner. This is usually the “Welcome Aboard” dinner in the main dining room, but this could differ. 

Scroll down to browse the specific menu for that evening. Here you’ll see the Chef’s Recommendation, appetizers, main courses, and desserts for that night, along with a wine menu. 

At the bottom of the screen, you’ll find a row of tabs for each day of your cruise (Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, etc.). Tapping through these allows you to preview the menus for the entire sailing. 

Each night has a different theme, such as Taste of France with escargot, Italian Night with tiramisu, Caribbean Night with jerk pork chops, and Royal Night with lobster. You can also toggle between breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus here. 

Step 5: Explore Specialty Dining Menus

If you’re planning to splurge on a specialty dining meal, you can also view the restaurant's menu in Royal Caribbean’s app. As mentioned, these are fixed menus for each restaurant across the fleet. Each venue will be listed with its pricing and description. You can also see when each restaurant will be open during your cruise.

Tap on a restaurant like Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen or Hooked Seafood, then hit “View Menu.” You can view all of the menus for every specialty dining venue on your ship. In addition, you can even make reservations for these restaurants directly on the Royal Caribbean app. 

Why this can be helpful for planning your cruise

During your Royal Caribbean cruise, you can dine every evening in the main dining room, as this is included in your cruise fare. If you want a more upscale dining experience, you can also pay extra for specialty dining during your cruise.

Being able to view the menus ahead of time makes it easier to plan your meals during the cruise. For example, you may decide to book a specialty dining reservation on a night when the main dining room menu doesn’t look as appealing. Moreover, you might prefer the main dining room’s lunch menu versus grabbing something quick in the Windjammer buffet.

This can also help those with dietary restrictions or meal preferences, such as vegetarians or vegans. If you have any dietary preferences, make sure to tell your dining room staff and they are always happy to accommodate you.

The dining section of Royal Caribbean's app is also where you can purchase a dining package for your sailing. This allows you to pre-pay for specialty dining meals, including the unlimited dining package. 

Finally, some of Royal Caribbean's biggest ships have a wider selection of restaurants to choose from, such as the Oasis and Icon class. Being able to view menus across the ship ahead of time helps you prioritize where you want to eat so you don't miss out on any must-try spots. If your future cruise isn't displaying menus, keep checking back as the sailing approaches. 

When could you book Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship, Star of the Seas, and get the best price on it?

As the newest ships for Royal Caribbean, these vessels have quickly become some of the most popular in the cruise line's fleet. Between the ship's record-breaking size, cutting-edge design, and wide array of family-focused amenities, Icon Class ships have so much to offer. 

But, all these innovations and fun things to do come with a price tag to it.  New cruise ships always command higher prices, but the public wants to be able to try it all out without paying top dollar.

If you’re looking to sail aboard Star of the Seas in the next couple years, you’ve come to the right place! As a data analyst by day (and cruise writer by night), I spent some time combing through pricing data on Gangwaze.com to determine the best times to cruise on Star of the Seas.

My analysis looks at balcony stateroom pricing per person for Star of the Seas’ itineraries through April 2027. Some values are normalized to calculate an average nightly price for comparative purposes. Additionally, I’ve incorporated data for Icon of the Seas to see how pricing compares between two of the largest cruise ships in the world. 

Here’s when you should consider booking your cruise on Star of the Seas, especially if you’re hoping to save money.

How much does it cost to cruise on Star of the Seas?

Before diving into the pricing trends, let’s get a better idea of how much you can expect to pay nightly on a per person basis. 

All of Star of the Seas’ itineraries are 7-night sailings to Eastern or Western Caribbean. In addition, all of her itineraries include a stop at Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Using data provided by Gangwaze, here’s a breakdown of the different cabin categories and the average nightly cost per person.

• Inside cabin: ~$241
• Oceanview cabin: ~$267
• Balcony cabin: ~$301
• Suite: ~$732

As expected, interior cabins without windows are the most affordable staterooms on Star of the Seas, followed by Oceanview cabins. Balcony cabins cost only slightly more, likely because of the higher proportion of balcony staterooms available on the ship. On the other hand, suites are priced much higher than all other categories. 

Additionally, some of the prices for Star of the Seas vary slightly depending on the itinerary, particularly between Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings. We can also see this pricing gap becomes more pronounced in 2026 and 2027.

For instance, the data shows that Star of the Seas' Western Caribbean sailings are marginally cheaper overall. 

The average cost for a balcony stateroom per person is $2,070 for Western Caribbean sailings compared to Eastern Caribbean itineraries at $2,075. These itineraries include ports of call in Cozumel (Mexico), Costa Maya (Mexico), Roatan (Honduras), and Perfect Day at CocoCay (Bahamas).

Comparatively, Eastern Caribbean itineraries on Star of the Seas visit destinations like Perfect Day at CocoCay (Bahamas), Charlotte Amalie (St. Thomas), and Philipsburg (St. Maarten). These ports of call tend to be more popular, likely leading to higher demand and higher prices overall. 

Looking only at 2026 sailings, we see the average cost per person for Eastern Caribbean itineraries is $2,176. However, Western Caribbean sailings are slightly cheaper at $2,167. The gap widens even further in 2027 with Eastern Caribbean itineraries averaging a cost of $2,023 per person and $1,980 per person for Western Caribbean.

When is the cheapest month to sail on Star of the Seas?

Cruise fares typically fluctuate throughout the year with obvious seasonality trends. To better understand seasonality impacts and pricing trends for Star of the Seas, I analyzed the month-over-month pricing averages. Statistically, we can see that month of year explains about 56% of pricing variance for Star of the Seas. 

Regardless of the ship’s age, seasonality is still an important factor to consider if you’re wanting to save money. Overall, we see prices for Star of the Seas continue to climb each month throughout the remainder of the year. Surprisingly, itineraries in the next few months on Star of the Seas are some of the ship’s cheapest sailings. For instance, the average price for September 2025 is $1,506, compared to $1,899 in September 2026. 

June 2026 and July 2026 are the most expensive months to sail on Star of the Seas, with average prices of $2,674 and $2,700 per person, respectively. By September 2026, however, fares drop sharply to an average of $1,899. This is a 29.67% decrease from the summer peak!

Since Star of the Seas is branded as the “World’s Best Family Vacation,” it’s no surprise that demand skyrockets during school breaks. Families tend to book heavily in June and July, which drives up prices to match the surge in demand.

(Balcony pricing by sail date for Star of the Seas, from Gangwaze)

If you’re hoping to save money and avoid sailing with as many families onboard, September and October are the best months to book. Whenever possible, it’s worth skipping peak summer months altogether for a more affordable and relaxing experience.

Of course, we also see obvious price increases during other peak cruising months, including spring break and holidays. Massive pricing surges are observed for December 2025 and 2026. While early December itineraries have more typical pricing (around $1,930), holiday itineraries over Christmas skyrocket to $2,881 and $3,443 per person.  

Looking at all available monthly data, September is consistently the cheapest month to cruise on Star of the Seas. The average cost for a balcony stateroom per person drops to $1,730 in September compared to summer months. With kids back in school and hurricane season at its peak, September tends to see some of the lowest demand and most affordable fares for Star of the Seas.

Other months to consider booking for saving money include January (average cost of $1,908) and October (average cost of $1,892). 

How does the price compare to Icon of the Seas?

With Star of the Seas joining her sister-ship as the latest Icon Class vessel, you might be wondering how the pricing compares between the two. Since Icon of the Seas has been sailing for nearly two years, prices have leveled out as the initial hype has worn off.

In addition, Star of the Seas isn’t the first of its kind like Icon of the Seas was. Therefore, pricing is already slightly less volatile than we experienced with Icon of the Seas during her inaugural season.

Overall, pricing for Icon of the Seas follows the same seasonality trends as Star of the Seas. The highest prices are seen in June and July, followed by the holiday season in December. Over the next two years, pricing between Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas steadily comes into alignment with almost identical pricing in 2027. However, Star of the Seas will continue to be more expensive than Icon of the Seas through 2026.

In 2025, Star of the Seas has an average balcony price around $1,870.90 per person. Comparatively, Icon of the Seas has a lower average cost, around $1,767.80 per person. In 2026, this gap widens even further. The average cost for Star of the Seas increases to $2,229.90 while Icon of the Seas is about $262 less, at $1,968 per person. With Star of the Seas continuing to sail for her inaugural year, pricing seems to be consistently inflated throughout 2026.

However, we see a big shift in pricing trends in 2027. Looking at pricing data for 2027 sailings, Star of the Seas has an average price per person of $2,000 while Icon of the Seas is similarly priced at $1,966. By this point, the cost difference between Star of the Seas and Icon of the Seas is marginal at only $34. 

Based on early trends for 2027 itineraries, pricing for Star of the Seas appears to stabilize, as we would expect with the ship entering her second year of service. 

Right now, Star of the Seas is less sensitive to seasonality fluctuations

Both Star of the Seas and Icon of the Seas follow clear seasonal demand patterns, with prices peaking in the summer and dipping in the fall. However, Star of the Seas is currently less sensitive to seasonality changes.

During the busy summer months when families are most likely to vacation, Star of the Seas and Icon of the Seas have the highest prices of the entire year. However, once the prices begin to fall, Icon of the Seas has a steeper drop in pricing compared to Star of the Seas. For instance, from December 2025 to January 2026, Icon of the Seas declines in price by 33.28% while Star of the Seas decreases by 26.14%.

The difference here is how sharply the ships respond to these seasonal swings. Icon of the Seas is now almost two years old and shows steeper seasonal discounts as the initial launch hype has worn off.

On the other hand, Star of the Seas is still basking in the “new ship” effect and holds its pricing power more firmly over the next year. We see less dramatic pricing fluctuations with Star of the Seas right now.

However, it’s important to note that Royal Caribbean will introduce a third Icon Class ship, Legend of the Seas, in summer 2026. Once Legend of the Seas makes her debut in Europe, Star of the Seas will no longer hold the “newest ship” spotlight.

As a result, Star of the Seas' pricing is likely to normalize and follow a path more like Icon of the Seas with strong summer peaks and steeper discounts. Right now, Star of the Seas resists seasonality more than Icon of the Seas thanks to her novelty, but that advantage will fade once Legend of the Seas launches.

Surprisingly, you can still book impressive last-minute deals for Star of the Seas.

Last-minute cruise deals are largely a thing of the past. With most ships sailing at or near full capacity, waiting until closer to your departure date usually means paying more for your cruise. However, I was surprised to find some last-minute deals for Star of the Seas during my pricing analysis.

Considering Star of the Seas is brand-new, I would expect that a last-minute sailing for this fall would be astronomical. In fact, we see the opposite. You can book some of the cheapest fares for Star of the Seas in September 2025. Currently, Royal Caribbean has two sailings next month with an average price of $1,506 for a balcony stateroom. Interior cabins are even cheaper, as these windowless staterooms are priced around $1,300 for next month.

This could be related to September being considered peak hurricane season with lower demand. Regardless, it’s unusual to see lower prices for a last-minute deal on a brand-new vessel. If you have flexibility in your schedule and you’re looking for a spontaneous getaway, check out some of the September itineraries for Star of the Seas.

In addition, if you’re looking to plan a cruise on Star of the Seas in 2027, it’s best if you book your sailing soon. In general, we recommend booking your cruises as far in advance as you can. For those who aren’t able to plan years in advance, this might not always be realistic. However, for those who can plan this far in the future, you can grab a more affordable rate for Star of the Seas in April 2027.

Royal Caribbean has officially expanded its adults‑only Swim & Tonic policy from Icon of the Seas to its newest ship, Star of the Seas.

The brand-new vessel just debuted as the newest Icon Class ship for Royal Caribbean, welcoming guests onboard for its first revenue sailing. Previously, Star of the Seas had sailed a few short media cruises for travel agents, influencers, and content creators. Now that revenue guests are onboard, new details about Star of the Seas are beginning to emerge.

Royal Caribbean Blog’s Matt Hochberg is currently sailing on Star of the Seas for her first two revenue cruises, and we can confirm that the entire Swim & Tonic pool has been designated as adults-only on the ship.

Royal Caribbean first introduced the adults-only policy at Swim & Tonic onboard Icon of the Seas last month as a trial.

Last month, Royal Caribbean made a statement about the policy change for its swim-up bar on Icon of the Seas. The cruise line confirmed, "At Royal Caribbean, we're consistently listening to guest feedback and exploring opportunities to enhance our guests' vacations. Currently, we are piloting an 18+ age requirement at Swim & Tonic pool onboard Icon of the Seas. This will only be tested onboard Icon.”

Now, the positive response appears to have influenced Royal Caribbean’s decision to extend it to Star of the Seas as well. In photos taken by Matt, we can see the Swim & Tonic pool has a sign that reads, “Welcoming guests 18 and older.”

Located in the Chill Island neighborhood, Swim & Tonic is considered the world’s largest swim‑up bar at sea. It’s one of the many innovative venues aboard Icon class ships. Swim & Tonic features a full swim-up bar on one end, along with in-pool tables for setting drinks and in-water loungers to relax.

Initially, families with children were allowed to swim in the Swim & Tonic pool. The shallow depth made the pool especially enticing to kids, but many adults were not happy about the disruptions. 

In response to feedback, specifically about children splashing pool water into guests' drinks, Royal Caribbean tested the adults-only rule at Swim & Tonic on Icon of the Seas. The pilot was designed to create a more relaxed, adult-focused atmosphere.

Royal Caribbean’s leadership team confirmed the change was a result of guest feedback.

During a recent travel‑agent Q&A aboard Star of the Seas, Senior Vice President of Sales, Trade Support & Service Vicki Freed acknowledged the Swim & Tonic policy change as a direct result of the advisors’ feedback.

While addressing the travel agents on Star of the Seas, Freed stated, “I also want to thank you for the comment that you just made about the Swim & Tonic bar. It was because of the feedback that we received.”

“Last year, that comment was brought up, ‘Don’t let kids in that pool,’ and we heard you. We changed the policy. And your question was, will it be in effect on Star of the Seas? Yes. It's 18 and older now in our swim-up bars. And so, you've got our commitment.”

Many cruisers complained about disruptive children in the Swim & Tonic pool.

During a Q&A session with travel agents on a Utopia of the Seas preview cruise last summer, one advisor raised a concern about the Swim & Tonic experience. The agent explained how children in the pool had become a distraction at Swim & Tonic. The agent remarked, “Icon is fantastic, but at the swim-up bar, there are kids splashing into your drinks.”

Following the feedback, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley responded that the cruise line hears passengers' concerns and will look into it. With the new adults-only policy now in place on both Icon Class ships, it’s clear that Royal Caribbean has acted on that feedback.

In general, the response has been positive about the policy change, too. One Royal Caribbean Blog reader commented, “Great change! Going back again in a few weeks and not having splash attacks ruin my drink is a welcome change. My experience was the Swim & Tonic pool was used by kids whose parents were lounging nearby not at the bar.”

“Fantastic idea. I don't want to see kids splashing around in the pool, being ignored by their parents drinking at the bar, and suddenly have the lifeguards having to rescue a drowning child,” commented another cruiser.

One Royal Caribbean Blog reader responded on Facebook, “The kids have plenty of other places to swim. Plus, Hideaway is not quite big enough for the adult-only crowd. Hopefully this will help having two adult-only pool areas.”

While you might be thrilled to receive a “free cruise” through Royal Caribbean’s Casino Royale program, it's not always good news for travel agents.

During a recent Q&A session aboard Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, Star of the Seas, multiple travel agents expressed their concern and frustration with the cruise line’s casino offers. While many gamblers are happy to accept a free (or "comped") cruise, travel agents are finding that Royal Caribbean’s current system is cutting into their business.

Essentially, some travel agents find that clients will first reserve their cruise at retail pricing, earning the agent a standard commission, but later receive a complimentary offer for the same sailing through Royal Caribbean's Casino Royale.

When this happens, most guests will cancel their original reservation with the travel agent and rebook under the casino offer to take advantage of the savings. For example, an agent might have a $5,000 booking lined up at full commission, but if the client switches to a comp casino offer, that income drops significantly - sometimes to just a small percentage of the original amount.

Travel agents are still able to book casino-comped sailings for clients, but their commission is virtually nonexistent. These reservations also don’t count toward an agency’s travel revenue or group booking totals, which can further impact benefits and perks. For many travel agents in the industry, this is especially frustrating because it directly cuts into their income and undermines the value of relationships they’ve built with loyal clients.

Several agents also noted that Royal Caribbean appears to be sending out more casino offers than before, meaning the issue is cropping up more frequently. As such, it became one of the most talked-about topics during the Q&A session aboard Star of the Seas.

Travel agents were quick to bring up the casino issue on Star of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean is currently hosting travel agents aboard its newly-built Star of the Seas. In a Q&A session with some of the cruise line’s top travel partners, Royal Caribbean’s top leaders were present to answer questions from travel advisors in the audience. This included Royal Caribbean International President and CEO, Michael Bayley; Senior Vice President of Sales, Trade Support, and Service, Vicki Freed; and Jason Liberty, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group.

At the beginning of the Q&A, Freed first praised the travel agents for their hard work and business collaboration with Royal Caribbean. 

She stated, “I just wanted to say a heartfelt thank you to all of you. Your success is truly our success. You are the people that really guide the consumer into making the right buying decision. And we really depend on you to help us, bring us the best clients, the best guests. And we thank you for from the bottom of our hearts.”

Following these opening statements, the first question asked by travel agents involved the ongoing dilemma with casino comps.

The travel agent stated, “I've been a travel advisor specializing actually, in Royal Caribbean, 75% to 80% of my sales are with Royal Caribbean because I love it very much. My husband and I escort group [cruises] a couple times a year. A lot of our passengers are now casino comps, a lot of them, and they don't bother to come through me.”

The agent continued, “Their reason is, well, we don't want to bother you. We know you don't get much commission on it. We don't want to bother you. But, since we have group [cruises], I'm still doing the work. I have a pre-cruise party at my house, I pre-arranged excursions, I pre-arranged dining, I do all that stuff and now I feel like I've lost them.”

“And as travel advisors, I think we would really love to partner with you on this and so that everybody's happy. I don't want to continue to lose my passengers. I have passengers that [have] sailed with us for 30 years and now they're not. So again, we love everything that you do, but if you could help us partner with you on that, we would really appreciate it. Thank you,” concluded the travel agent.

The topic continued to surface throughout the discussion with multiple travel agents bringing their concerns to Royal Caribbean’s leadership team. While the cruise line was receptive to feedback provided by the travel agents, it’s an issue that’s clearly becoming more prevalent for advisors.

Royal Caribbean’s casino program is still an important revenue stream for onboard spending.

It’s no surprise that Royal Caribbean’s casino program is an important component of the company's income, as gambling is a massive source of revenue for the cruise line. During the Q&A, Freed noted, “Casino [spending] is an important revenue source for us. So, it's something that we do need.”

Royal Caribbean’s casino operates its own loyalty program that is separate from its Crown and Anchor Society. Unlike the traditional loyalty program, your Casino Royale tier is determined by the number of points you accrue within a single gaming year.

Gamblers who meet a certain spending threshold can earn annual cruise certificates, along with other perks and discounts. While onboard, higher-tier members may also enjoy perks such as free drinks in the casino, discounts on internet access, and complimentary casino play money. In addition, some players may receive targeted offers or promotional mailers for complimentary cruises.

For many cruisers, Royal Caribbean’s casino rewards can offer excellent value, allowing them to take advantage of enticing perks. However, gambling carries inherent risks and can be addictive, so it’s important to gamble responsibly. It’s also worth noting that there’s no guarantee your gambling will result in a complimentary cruise.

Why travel agents find casino comps frustrating.

Travel agents primarily earn their income through commissions, as most do not charge clients any fees for booking their cruise. For many travel agents, the commission compensates their hours spent working with clients, managing payments, answering questions, comparing itineraries, and troubleshooting when plans change.

Losing existing reservations to Royal Caribbean's Casino Royale is a direct hit to a travel agent's income. For instance, many cruisers sail multiple times throughout the year with numerous bookings under the same travel agent. Clients benefit from the services and perks that come with booking through a travel agency, while the agent earns commission as compensation for their time, expertise, and industry knowledge.

Unfortunately, if a loyal client starts receiving ongoing promotions for comped cruises through Casino Royale, it can have a long-term negative impact on a travel agent’s business. Each time the client books through one of these offers, the agent loses another commission opportunity.

Moreover, if the guest was originally part of a group booking, rebooking under a casino offer can also remove that cabin from the group’s total count. This not only creates logistical challenges for the agent when managing group arrangements, but it can also affect their ability to offer extra perks or amenities tied to group size. The casino reservation would also likely deduct from the agency’s revenue, as casino offers do not have an associated cruise fare.

Not to mention, that travel agent might be the reason the client was introduced to Royal Caribbean in the first place. Advisors that work with Royal Caribbean are often the ones who introduce new clients to the brand. They may have spent years building trust with their client and recommending Royal Caribbean as their preferred cruise line.

As mentioned, travel agents earn only a minimal commission for booking comped cruises through Casino Royale, and many find the process frustrating. For example, agents must call Casino Royale directly to make the booking, and several have reported that Royal Caribbean makes this process cumbersome.

As a result, some travel agents choose not to handle casino-comped bookings at all, feeling the effort isn’t worth the low payout. However, other travel agents continue to book these offers as a way to maintain long-term relationships with their clients.

Multiple travel agents voiced their frustration with casino comps during the Q&A.

After the first travel agent raised the issue of comped casino bookings, others quickly spoke up. 

Another travel agent stated, “On a recent Allure of the Seas Mediterranean cruise, I had 300 people in my group, and about 30% of them, including my husband, received a casino certificate during the sailing. While I was promoting my next group cruise, I realized many of those same people might rebook through Casino Royale.”

“If there’s any way to flag guests who are part of a group or booked by a travel agent, that would help. And if that’s not possible, can you at least give us credit for those casino bookings? Right now, we can’t move them into the group, so they’re not recognized, and it would make a big difference if we could get that credit," the travel agent requested.

In other words, this travel agent is asking Royal Caribbean to either link casino-booked passengers back to their original group or at least give the travel agent credit for those cabins. Without this credit, the agent loses the group booking recognition, which can reduce perks for everyone in the group.

Another travel agent echoed this sentiment, commenting, “I won't belabor the point, but the casino comp issue, it's really, really important to us. We need your help with this, guys. And we're counting on you. You've been good to us since day one. Don't let us down with this. We need your help.”

Finally, another agent shared to the leadership team, "Now real quick, that casino thing is why I'm here. The team in the Casino Royale is horrible. They don't like agents. They put other people's names on your reservations and it takes forever to fix it. And I'm really sorry, but that's the truth."

“You have our commitment”

Despite multiple travel agents expressing their frustration with casino comps, Royal Caribbean's leadership team was very receptive to their feedback. First, Freed assured travel agents that the casino program isn’t meant to pull business away from them.

She explained, “We are in no way trying to take your clients and bring them to us via the casino. If you run into a problem, please let me know, I’m always available to help you. I hear what you’re saying, and we’re looking at programs right now where we can partner with travel advisors to bring both of us clients, including casino players. We're not trying to take these clients away from you.”

She also noted that Royal Caribbean has acted on agent feedback in other areas, citing the recent change to make the Swim & Tonic bar an adults-only space.

“It was because of the feedback we received last year that we made the decision not to allow children in that pool. You asked if this policy would be in effect on Star of the Seas. Yes, it’s now 18 and older in our swim-up bars. You have our commitment.”

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley also addressed the concern, noting that adjustments to the casino program will take time but stressing that travel agents’ feedback is being taken seriously.

“As Vicki mentioned, it’s a journey and a learning process. We value your feedback, and we’ll work to refine this so we can find win-win solutions. It will take a little time, but we’ll work to find the right balance. We value you, and we don’t want to harm your business, so we’ll keep working on it and provide updates along the way," stated Bayley. 

As the Q&A session wrapped up, Freed reiterated Royal Caribbean’s commitment to addressing and improving the casino comp program. She stated, “You have our commitment. We are really going to take a hard look at the casino. We are going to start from scratch, I promise you. Your comments are very important to us. We will figure it out. And we promise you, you have our commitment."

Cruises are meant to whisk you away from one idyllic port of call to the next. With so many cruise ports located around the world, some destinations are certainly more popular than others. On the other hand, a handful of cruise ports are infamous for offering a less-than-desirable experience.

A Reddit user recently asked the r/Cruise community, “Big time cruisers - what is one port that you will NEVER go to again?”

In the caption, the poster continued, “Hey cruisers! As a cruise lover (25+ cruises so far), I love introducing cruising to my friends and helping them with questions along the way. My question to you: if you are a big time cruiser, what port would you NEVER visit again and what happened to make you feel this way?”

The thread has garnered over 600 comments from fellow travelers, with many detailing their disappointing, and even scary, situations in different ports of call. With so many comments, a handful of ports were repeatedly mentioned by numerous cruisers.

Here’s a list of cruise ports that longtime travelers say they’d never want to visit again, based entirely on real cruiser experiences shared on Reddit.

Colon, Panama

Among the many responses on Reddit, one of the most common responses was Colon in Panama. For cruisers who have always wanted to visit the Panama Canal, they’ve likely experienced the disappointing and unsafe city of Colon.

Located on the Caribbean coast of Panama, Colon is located at the northern entrance to the world-famous Panama Canal. In this way, the city serves as a gateway port for ships that are transiting the Panama Canal between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

In addition, some Caribbean itineraries include a port stop in Colon, Panama, for a partial transit through the canal. Colon is often used as a starting point for excursions visiting the Gatun Lake or Panama Canal locks. For many, seeing the engineering marvel of the canal is a bucket-list experience.

Unfortunately, the city of Colon leaves a lot to be desired. Many cruisers stated the port itself felt extremely unsafe, and the port lacked development or infrastructure.

“Colon, Panama. High unemployment & resulting crime rates. They built a huge shopping mall adjacent to the port that is mostly empty. We did a tour of Gatun Lake to see waterfowl, sloths and howler monkeys. That was fine, but one and done for me,” reads the top comment.

One cruiser shared, “We had to wait at that sad little mall two hours for our ship to go through the locks to pick us up. The tour guide was from Colon and even she said not to leave that mall under any circumstance.”

“So dangerous!! Nothing there. Panama City wonderful! Colon not so much,” echoed another commenter.

One cruiser even questioned Royal Caribbean’s decision to use Colon as an embarkation port for future itineraries: “We are American expats who live in Panamá. Colon is really sketchy. Royal Caribbean is starting cruises from Colon in October. Almost $1000 base rate for an inside cabin for 7 days?!?!”

“Colon Panama. It was our debarkation port. Complete and utter chaos. People waited out in the blazing sun for hours. The military shouting at people. Never again,” explained another cruiser.

Jamaica

As one of the more popular ports in the Caribbean, Jamaica was repeatedly mentioned as a least favorite destination. The island nation is a staple destination for many Western Caribbean itineraries, with Ocho Rios, Falmouth, and Montego Bay as the three main ports.

Jamaica is often advertised with lush mountains, reggae music, beautiful beaches, and vibrant culture. The Dunn’s River Falls is one of the main attractions. Sadly, many cruisers on Reddit criticized the country for aggressive vendors and described safety concerns with visiting Jamaica.

“Anywhere in Jamaica. Every time I’ve been, I’ve been called a [slur] and have felt completely unsafe. It’s also generally been dirty and full of scammers. And one time we went, and the port was literally on fire lol. We had to turn around and go back out to sea,” states one of the top responses.

Read more: I visited 25 Caribbean destinations on a cruise ship. These are the 4 I'd return to and the 3 I'd skip

One cruiser even shared a scary experience attempting to walk outside of the port area. “Our cruise stopped at Falmouth a few years ago. It was me and my two sons, probably ages 9 and 12 at the time. Once we left the port area, things got sketchy quickly.”

The commenter continued, “There was a uniformed and heavily armed police officer at every corner. We were hounded by people selling stuff. After walking a couple of blocks, we turned around and got back on the ship. To put this experience in perspective, I've walked alone at 1AM in Chicago easily 100 times and felt unsafe only once. Falmouth was an order of magnitude beyond.”

“Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Been once, no desire to go back. Just a super busy shopping center with people yelling at you the entire time,” replied one cruiser. “Went to Falmouth. We did a bus tour. Passed through multiple armed checkpoints. Never again,” stated another responder.

Belize City, Belize

Although not as widely disliked as Jamaica and Colon, Panama, another common response in the Reddit thread was Belize City, Belize. Located on the eastern coast of the country, Belize City is the main port and largest urban area in the country.

For many cruisers, Belize City is a gateway to the country’s renowned Barrier Reef snorkeling, Mayan Ruins, and Cave Tubing. However, Belize City itself is an unpopular destination due to poor infrastructure and inconvenient tendering. Many responders also mention staying onboard in Belize City due to these concerns.

“Belize City. Loooong tender into a pretty lousy port area. Not much around either,” reads one of the top comments.

Additionally, one cruiser shared, “The tours you can do are great, but they're mostly all things where you leave Belize City immediately. It's not a port you'd want to get off in and just walk or drive around exploring the city on your own.”

“We just got back from a cruise with a stop in Belize, it was on Celebrity Equinox, we should have stayed on the ship - we paid a lot I think like $200 each to do the excursion to swim with mana rays and baby sharks and snorkel. It was two long boring boats to get there and then it felt slightly scary in the water with the rays swimming around your feet. There was an emergency nurse on board in case,” explained one cruiser.

“It's been a long time but that port scared me. We had an excursion that we really enjoyed but after that, we stayed on the ship while there.”

Nassau, Bahamas

Nassau, Bahamas, might be one of the most visited cruise ports in the world, but that doesn’t mean it’s a favorite among cruisers. Because of its close proximity to Florida, Nassau is often included on shorter Caribbean itineraries. 

Although the cruise port can be found on many different itineraries, Nassau is infamously unpopular. The main cruise terminal was recently renovated with a $300+ million investment to the pier. Nearby attractions include the Atlantis Paradise Island, Junkanoo Beach, and Queen’s Staircase.

However, multiple commenters in the Reddit thread expressed their disdain for the Bahamian capital, stating they would rather stay on the ship than visit Nassau again.

One responder shared, “Nassau. Not much to do without getting hassled. We’ve done all of the easy stuff: tours around the area, Junkanoo beach, Atlantis, Señor Frogs, Queens Staircase, etc. Ends up being a lovely day to stay on the ship!”

“Crime, annoying vendors, lack of charm, not much to do besides shop for imported crap and drink heavily,” shared one responder. Another cruiser stated, “I can live a fulfilled life without ever needing to go back to Nassau.”

In addition, one cruiser shared, “Nassau by far. High pressure, high price, aggressive street vendors. Felt unsafe.”

“Nassau. It used to be super fun, until the really big ships started docking there. It’s pretty dangerous if you leave the tourist area. Now it’s just dirty sleazy bars & expensive souvenirs,” replied one cruiser.

Costa Maya, Mexico

Considered one of the biggest tourist traps in the Caribbean, Costa Maya is one of the more common ports of call for Western Caribbean sailings. The cruise terminal itself is built entirely for tourists and filled with shops, restaurants, wildlife encounters, a swim-up bar, and live entertainment.

For those wanting to venture outside of the port, excursions are offered to Mayan ruins and the relaxing beach of Mahahual. Regardless, many cruisers expressed their disappointment with the Costa Maya port during their cruise, citing the inauthentic feel.

“Puerto Costa Maya is my least favorite. It's a giant trap to separate you from your money,” replied one cruiser.

Another cruiser echoed, “It’s a total maze to get out of the port area! I hated that.”

“I wouldn’t get off the ship at this port if I ended up there again. We did the Mayan Ruin tour when we were there last time and it was good, but there wasn’t much else to do. It was just a giant shopping mall in the middle of nowhere,” noted another cruiser.

One passenger mentioned, “Costa Maya. We will visit it and there were some good excursions, but you have to beware of credit card theft. There are instances of have you card cloned when you scan at some vendors then they start buying things with your card.”

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

While some cruisers rave about their experience in Cabo San Lucas, not everyone was impressed by this port of call. Located on the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula, Cabo San Lucas is known for its iconic landscapes, beautiful beaches, and beachside parties.

However, for some, the cruise experience in Cabo San Lucas was underwhelming, with pushy locals and aggressive salespeople. Others find the port to lack authentic Mexican culture with too many tourist shops. Additionally, lengthy and uncomfortable tendering operations worsen the experience for many.

“Cabo. For the hundredth time I don’t want to buy a bracelet or [terrible] jewelry,” commented one cruiser. One Redditor replied, “Cabo is Taco Bell with jewelry shops and fishing charters. Not Mexico, at all.”

Read more: I hadn’t cruised from the West Coast in 15 years. I had a great time, but I’m not sure I would do it again

“Also Cabo. Tendering in was [horrible] on extremely rough waters and there is absolutely nothing to do in the port area unless you book an excursion,” explained another cruiser.

“They are aggressive in Cabo. We stopped there on a cruise and the people selling stuff wouldn’t leave us alone.”

Cartagena, Colombia

For Southern Caribbean itineraries, most sailings include a visit to Cartagena, Colombia. This port city is known for its vibrant and authentic culture, along with its colonial architecture, historic walled city, local markets, and colorful streets.

In addition, the city’s Historic Old Town, Ciudad Amurallada, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The walled city is perfectly preserved with cobblestones, plazas, churches, and colorful buildings. However, the vendors can be aggressive, which can leave some cruisers feeling overwhelmed and unsafe.

“Cartagena. Vendors swarmed our excursion bus when we stopped at the fort. They shook the bus and climbed up to the windows to show their wares,” detailed one responder. Another replied similarly, “Cartagena, Colombia. Horrible street vendors.”

“Cartagena. I’ve never felt unsafe on a cruise until we went there. Step a foot outside the port and it’s scary. Aggressiveness was off the charts.”

One cruiser replied, “We’ve had vendors walk behind us all the way to the bus trying to get us to buy whatever we said no to! Crazy!”

“One port we didn't enjoy at all was an excursion in Cartagena, Colombia. If you ever go there, do tours that take you away from the walled part of the city. We did a tour there and the venders swarmed us the whole time. Our guide did nothing to help so the only time we were away from them was when we were able to go inside somewhere,” described another cruiser.

“Cartagena Colombia. Street vendors are just way too over the top aggressive,” shared one responder.

Santorini, Greece

As one of the most picturesque ports in the Mediterranean, Santorini is an island in Greece. Known for its iconic blue-domed churches, stunning cliffside views, and quaint village of Oia, Santorini is often considered a bucket-list destination for many.

Because of its popularity, many itineraries around the Greek Isles include a port stop in Santorini. However, some cruisers found the small island to be overcrowded and difficult to navigate. Given the island’s rocky landscape, cruisers typically need to take a cable car ride, walk the steep steps, or ride a donkey while visiting the tender port.

“Probably an unpopular opinion - I’d say Santorini - too sad to see the donkeys taking passengers up and down the cliffs, and the queue to the cable car is too long. Ok views at the top but quite dirty in general,” replied one traveler.

In addition, one cruiser shared, "I agree with you… Santorini is our least favorite port… crowded! And the wait to go down to the dock on the cable car was long (40 minutes) and we were the only ship in port that day. People should definitely watch YouTube videos to acquaint themselves with this port.”

“Surprised most of these are Caribbean, would assume big time cruisers would have gotten bored with that. I'll throw out Santorini, beautiful (especially Oia) but way too many people and way too commercial,” stated another cruiser.

One cruiser shared, “It was my first cruise and we did the excursion with RCI, we got tender to the old port I believe then bus the whole way up till we got to Oia, on our way to Fira we did a wine tasting. I think we waited an hour to an hour and an half to get down with the cable car.”

As a frequent traveler, I often pride myself on packing strategically and efficiently. However, I made a few notable packing mistakes on my recent Mexican Riviera cruise that I definitely won’t make again for future travels.

Whenever possible, I try to cruise with just a carry-on suitcase to keep my luggage to a minimum. This also makes it easier navigating the airports and cruise terminals with fewer suitcases to haul around. I especially try to pack lightly when I’m flying to my embarkation port, as checking a bag with the airline can slow me down at the airport.

Of course, packing with just a carry-on is typically easier on shorter cruises to warmer destinations. With these itineraries, you don’t need to pack as much, and summer clothes usually take up less space in your suitcase. Longer itineraries with varied climate and unpredictable weather forecasts can make this much more difficult.

For instance, when I sailed to Norway last summer and to Iceland the year before, I ended up checking two suitcases with bulky winter clothes for my cruise! On the flip side, I never struggle to pack just a carry-on for cruises to the warm and sunny Caribbean, even for weeklong itineraries.

Read more: 40 essential things to bring on a cruise

And although I’ve cruised on many itineraries across North America, I had never visited Cabo San Lucas on a Baja Mexico cruise. With the highly-anticipated arrival of Ovation of the Seas in Los Angeles earlier this summer, my mom and I decided to fly across the country for an inaugural sailing. 

Ovation of the Seas is a Quantum class ship, and the biggest ship to ever sail from Los Angeles, California. As such, we were excited to be on the first sailing to Cabo San Lucas in Mexico aboard Ovation of the Seas! My mom and I had never visited this popular port of call in Baja, Mexico, and the cruise was surprisingly affordable at $700 each for the 5-night cruise.

This particular itinerary featured an overnight stay in Cabo San Lucas with two days at sea in between. Having an overnight port is one of my favorite features of an itinerary, as it allows more time to explore the destination without rushing to return to the ship.

We arrived in Los Angeles the night before embarkation and drove across town to the cruise terminal the next morning. For this sailing, I packed for the weeklong adventure with just a carry-on and personal item. I encouraged my mom to do the same, given some logistics of our travel days, so we were both prioritizing packing light for this cruise.

Throughout the cruise, I was disappointed in myself for making a few rookie packing mistakes. In fact, some of these forgotten items are ones that I never leave behind! Here are some of the amateur mistakes I made when packing for this Mexican Riviera cruise, including a few items I won’t forget again.

1. Forgetting a pair of long pants

When I picture cruising to Mexico in the summer, I think of the scorching heat and stifling humidity. However, most of my summer itineraries to Mexico have departed from Florida and visited ports of call like Cozumel and Costa Maya. Moreover, as a Florida resident, I typically cruise from the ports near me, and I haven’t spent much time on the West Coast while traveling.

Although I had looked at the weather before packing, I focused on packing summer clothes for the warm and sunny days in Cabo San Lucas. Unfortunately, I somehow forgot to pack a pair of pants for this cruise to Mexico. Instead, I prioritized shorts, dresses, and skirts for our time both onboard and ashore in Mexico. I completely disregarded the possibility that our embarkation port and sea days might be chilly.

To my surprise, Los Angeles was quite cool with cloudy weather and low humidity on the first morning. This is when I learned about California’s “June Gloom," which is a Southern California term I had never heard before.

June Gloom describes the weather patterns in the early summer with cloudy, overcast skies. This usually brings cooler temperatures, often accompanied by a foggy marine layer. Supposedly, May is called “May Gray” and July has been dubbed “No Sky July” because of this weather phenomenon. Naively, I had assumed June in California would be sunny and warm!

Because most cruisers onboard were local, the majority of people on our cruise were wearing pants for the first two days with the cloudy weather. While I was comfortable inside the ship, I definitely felt chilly when my mom and I walked around the top deck during the day or strolled along the promenade after dinner.

The chilly breeze was a big surprise for us, and not packing pants was a complete oversight on my part. In the future, I’ll definitely plan to pack at least one pair of leggings or pants for my cruises. 

Read more: My 64-year-old parents love to cruise. Here are 10 essentials they always pack

2. Choosing not to pack personal shower products

Although cruise cabins are well appointed, Royal Caribbean’s bathrooms only include one basic product for shampoo and body wash. The 2-in-1 combination product works fine as a body wash for me, but I prefer to pack my own shampoo and conditioner usually.

Because my suitcase was packed to the brim, I decided to minimize the amount of cosmetics packed to save space. In addition, I didn’t want to have too many travel-sized products and get flagged by TSA for airport security (which has happened before). I was also relying on the upgraded bathroom products provided by Royal Caribbean to Diamond Plus loyalty members.

Because of this, I chose to pack a small bottle of conditioner and planned to use the shampoo and body wash provided by Royal Caribbean. We requested the upgraded shower products from our cabin steward on embarkation day and received them on the first night. While we were given shampoo, body wash, and lotion, there was no conditioner included for some reason.

Read more: 5 Dollar Tree Items Cruisers Should Stock Up on Before Their Sailing

Sadly, forgetting to pack conditioner was a big mistake. At some point, I apparently decided to use my travel conditioner bottle for lotion instead. I wasn't able to tell the difference when packing, given the similar texture of lotion and conditioner.

Halfway through the cruise, I realized I was conditioning my hair with cocoa butter instead of actual conditioner. That certainly explained why my hair was so greasy! By the end of the trip, my hair was looking less than impressive. Thankfully, my mom had packed a small bottle of conditioner that I borrowed on the last night. But, the half-filled bottle was not enough for us to share for the entirety of the cruise.

I was relying on the cruise line to provide conditioner for this cruise, but that ended up being a mistake. Even if I’m tight on space in the future, I’ll prioritize packing my own shower products.

3. Not bringing enough casual outfits for the ship

Our 5-night itinerary on Ovation of the Seas included two sea days and two days in Cabo San Lucas. While packing for this cruise, I planned to bring three nicer outfits for our time in port, three evening dresses for dinner, and exactly three casual outfits for our time onboard.

For this vacation, my mom and I booked an excursion on the first day in Cabo San Lucas to make the most of our time in port. On the second day, we had planned to venture ashore for a little exploring before the ship's all aboard time. 

However, after a full-day excursion in Mexico, we were completely worn out by that evening. On top of that, Cabo San Lucas is a tender port, which requires extra planning and dealing with the tender boats to get ashore. Our tender boat on the first day was quite small while navigating the choppy waters, leaving me a little woozy before the excursion even started.

On the second day, all aboard was scheduled for early afternoon, so we decided to stay on the ship instead of going ashore in Cabo San Lucas as we originally planned. We didn’t want to deal with the tendering process again, especially since we had already seen and done so much during our excursion the day before.

Because I had packed only three casual outfits to wear on the ship, I ran out of casual clothes by the last day. While I wasn’t left without something to wear, I wished I had packed more comfortable lounging outfits for onboard the ship and worried less about packing specific outfits for Mexico.

Not to mention, this meant I was rewearing the same stinky, stale airport outfit from my first travel day to California. This was a good reminder to always pack a couple of extra versatile pieces that you can wear, no matter how your plans change.

Read more: Caribbean and Mexico cruise outfits for women

4. Leaving behind an evening purse for dinner

Whenever I cruise, I typically pack a different purse to use onboard the ship for the evenings. However, I had already packed my daily crossbody pouch and a small backpack to use ashore in Cabo San Lucas that could hold my larger camera. 

While trying to keep my suitcase from overflowing, I opted to ditch the evening purse, but I did end up regretting this. Instead, I was using my casual crossbody pouch for evenings onboard, and I felt underdressed and mismatched.

For instance, on formal night, I thought my crossbody pouch looked pretty tacky with my nicer black dress for the occasion. Although no one else probably noticed or cared, I would have preferred having a nicer accessory for our evenings onboard.

Next time, I’ll plan to pack a more versatile option for both daily use and evenings onboard the ship, like my leather crossbody purse from a Mediterranean cruise. When it comes to packing minimally, having clothes and accessories that can serve multiple purposes is key, and my bag choice on this trip was definitely a packing mistake.

On the other hand, my mom went the opposite route and ended up packing too many bags for this cruise! She is notorious for bringing multiple bags while traveling, even if they’re not practical. Like usual, she didn’t end up using every bag she packed. While they didn’t take up much space in her suitcase, she definitely could have narrowed down her selection and saved herself the extra clutter.

5. Forgetting to pack a few magnetic hooks

While magnetic hooks are a popular cruise staple for many, we opted to forgo packing these because of our shorter cruise itinerary. I always pack these for longer sailings to make the cabin more functional and organized. However, I convinced my mom that we didn’t need to bring any magnetic hooks this time because a full set can be heavy and take up unnecessary room in our suitcases.

In hindsight, magnetic hooks are useful no matter how lightly you decide to pack. While our cabin had plenty of storage for us, having a few magnetic hooks on the walls would have made it so much easier to grab things quickly, like a light sweater or our cabin lanyards. This also helps reduce clutter in your cruise cabin, especially when you have minimal counter space on the vanity or dresser.

Next time, I’ll plan to pack at least one or two magnetic hooks for my cruise, even if I’m convinced they won’t be necessary. A full set might be too bulky for a short cruise, but bringing just a couple can make the cabin feel more organized without adding much weight to my luggage.

Read more: 21 Cruise Cabin Essentials Everyone Should Pack

6. I should have left more room for souvenirs

I love shopping while cruising, but traveling with only a carry-on can make it challenging to leave extra space for souvenirs. In fact, sometimes I intentionally don’t leave room in my suitcase just to keep myself from shopping too much. If there’s no room for souvenirs, I shouldn’t be tempted to browse the local markets for trinkets and treasures.

Even still, I was excited when I found a small set of hot sauces for my husband during our excursion in Mexico. It was also Father’s Day weekend, so I purchased a T-shirt and baseball hat to send back with my mom for my dad's present. We did resist the temptation to purchase tequila during our tasting event, as there were only a few travel-sized bottles that would fit in our suitcase.

We also enjoyed some of the onboard shops, as we are both suckers for a good cruise T-shirt! I try to avoid looking in the shops because I usually find something I like, and I know they’re overpriced.

At the end of the trip, even a few souvenirs were difficult to pack in our already-full suitcases. My mom and I both struggled to find room for the small treasures, even though we made a conscious effort to minimize our shopping.

It’s always best to leave a little bit of wiggle room while traveling, as you never know what you’ll find! This also alleviates some stress when packing your suitcase at the end of the cruise, as my mom and I needed to spend a few hours strategically packing. Luckily, we were able to squeeze everything in and bring home our finds without too much trouble.

One of the best travel credit cards is getting overhauled, and it’s no longer the best option for cruisers.

As a credit card enthusiast, I always strategize to find the best cards to align with my spending. Each purchase is meticulously charged to the best credit card, which we pay off in full each month to avoid interest charges and fees. It’s essentially a part-time job, but the rewards are substantial.

Last year, my husband and I saved over $23,000 thanks to our portfolio of credit cards. The bulk of this savings comes from redeeming our points for travel with airlines, hotels, and rental cars. And yes, I track our credit card savings each month - I am a data analyst, after all!

For many years, the Chase Sapphire Reserve used to be one of the best credit cards for earning points on cruise purchases. This was my top recommendation for cruisers for many reasons, including the card’s generous 3x point multiplier on travel. With this, you could easily rack up thousands of points with your cruise purchases.

Because of this, the broad “travel” category earned 3x points on all cruise purchases. This included everything from your cruise fares to shore excursions, internet packages, specialty dining packages, spa treatments, and drink packages.

Unfortunately, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is receiving a drastic makeover, although most cardholders consider it a huge downgrade. Among many changes and restrictive redemptions, the broad 3x travel category is being eliminated.

If you’re wondering which credit card is now the best for cruise purchases, you’re not alone. I'm also personally impacted by these changes, and I am definitely not thrilled about it. Here are the travel credit cards I plan to use for cruising, including a few other options worth considering.

Here’s exactly what is changing with the Chase Sapphire Reserve

Chase recently announced a complete overhaul of the point-earning structure and provided benefits. Not only is the annual fee getting hiked from $550 to $795, but the 3x point earning on travel is being replaced with 4x points on airfare and hotels, but only when booked directly with the airline or hotel.

Removing the generic 3x points on all travel is a frustrating change for a top-tier travel card. For cruisers in particular, the removal of the 3x point benefit is a huge loss. Travel is easily my top spending category, so this downgrade was an unwelcome change for many. 

Additionally, the travel category also included all transport, including taxis, ride shares, tolls, parking fees, and public transportation. Even better, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is a Visa with no foreign transaction fee. While traveling abroad and taking public transport, the Chase Sapphire Reserve was my most-used credit card to maximize the earning potential.

Instead, Chase is adding a bunch of lifestyle coupons, such as credits for DoorDash, Peloton, AppleTV, and StubHub. These credits are divided into monthly, quarterly, or bi-annual usage, making them more difficult to actually use.

How the change would directly impact your point-earning potential

For this example, let’s say you spent $2,000 on your cruise fare, along with $2,000 for shore excursions, internet access, and a drink package. With the old structure, you’d earn 3x points on $4,000 worth of cruise purchases.

With the 3x points offer, this would equate to 12,000 points of Ultimate Reward points with Chase. You could then redeem those points through the Chase Travel Portal for 1.5 cents per point.

For 12,000 points, this would be worth approximately $180 towards travel redeemed through the Chase Travel Portal. Additionally, you could transfer the points to various travel partners, such as many hotel chains and airlines. For me, 12,000 points could be redeemed with Delta Air Lines for a flight worth about $200.

Now, you’ll only receive 1x points on that purchase, which would equate to only 4,000 points on that same vacation. Redemptions are changing too, so you could only redeem those 4,000 points for $40 worth for most travel purchases.

There is an opportunity for “Points Boost” offers worth up to 2x points with “top picked hotels and flights with select airlines through Chase Travel,” and all other redemptions will be reduced to a 1:1 rate.

Rather than having the option to redeem your points on any travel, you are now limited to the select offers provided by Chase for hotels and airlines. This limits how your points can be redeemed, although most strategic cardholders will likely transfer points to travel partners.

What are the best credit cards now for cruisers?

With all the overhaul, you might not be wanting to pay $795 for the Chase Sapphire Reserve anymore; and honestly, I wouldn’t blame you. There are many travel credit cards on the market, and there might be one that fits your travel spending better.

Following the disappointing change to the Chase Sapphire Reserve, I’ve been researching the best credit cards for cruising purchases. I’ll also be adjusting my spending strategy, as I always charged my cruises to my Chase Sapphire Reserve.

Of course, one of the top competitors to the Chase Sapphire Reserve is the American Express Platinum Card. Unfortunately, American Express isn’t as widely accepted as Visa credit cards when traveling internationally. This is one of the reasons the Chase Sapphire Reserve was always my go-to card when traveling.

However, there are other options from both American Express and other credit card companies. Here are my top recommendations for cruising purchases moving forward, along with a few caveats to know.

American Express Green Card

If you still want to earn 3x points on cruise purchases, you should consider signing up for the American Express Green Card. This is considered one of the best replacements for the Chase Sapphire Reserve because of its 3x points on all travel and transit purchases. 

Currently, the Amex Green has an annual fee of $150, making it more affordable than the Chase Sapphire Reserve. However, you will receive fewer luxury perks, such as the Priority Pass lounge access or the same level of travel insurance. 

Another perk of the American Express Green Card is how well it pairs with other American Express credit cards. If you already have another Amex, all of your Membership Reward Points will be automatically pooled together.

For instance, I have the Amex Gold (for 4x points on groceries and dining), the Amex Green (for 3x points on travel and transit), and the Amex Platinum (for 5x points on airfare). All of these points are combined in my Amex account, which I can easily transfer to a partner airline for redemption. 

The top spending categories for the Amex Green Card include:

• 3x points on travel: Cruises, airfare, hotel, campgrounds, car rentals, and vacation rentals
• 3x points on transit: Trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways
• 3x points on dining: Worldwide dining, takeout, and delivery

Other benefits include the following:

• $199 CLEAR Plus credit
• Travel Delay Insurance
• Baggage Insurance
• Rental Car Loss Insurance
• No foreign transaction fees

For cruisers, the Amex Green is one of the best choices on the market now. You’ll still earn 3x points on all travel and transit charges, which rivals what you would have been receiving with the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

Wells Fargo Autograph and Autograph Journey

If you’re looking for another credit card with 3x points on all travel, Wells Fargo has two solid options to consider: the Autograph and Autograph Journey credit cards. Just like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, you can still earn 3x points on all travel and transit purchases, in addition to other categories like restaurants and gas.

The Wells Fargo Autograph credit card has no annual fee, while the Autograph Journey carries a $95 annual fee. With the Autograph Journey card, you’ll earn even more points on hotel and airline purchases. These accrued points can be redeemed for travel, gift cards, and statement credits.

This makes both credit cards excellent options to rack up points with cruise purchases, along with other cruise-related and travel expenses. The low annual fee means you have high earning potential with your travel purchases, and you aren’t tied to a travel portal for redeeming your points.

Additionally, you’ll receive some included travel protection with the Autograph Journey card for your cruising. This includes travel accident insurance, lost bag reimbursement, trip cancellation and interruption protection, and an auto rental collision damage waiver.

The Wells Fargo Autograph credit card includes 3x points on the following categories:

• Restaurants: Including dining in, takeout, catering, and delivery
• Travel: Airfare, hotels, car rentals, cruise lines
• Transit: Subways, ride shares, parking, tolls
• Gas: Gas stations and electric charging stations
• Streaming services and phone plans

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey credit card includes the top spending categories and benefits:

• 5x points on hotels
• 4x points with airlines
• 3x points on travel and restaurants
• $50 annual statement credit: with a $50 minimum airline purchase

U.S. Bank Altitude Connect

Another travel credit to consider is the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature credit card. The credit card has no annual fee and includes a generous 4x points on all travel, although point redemption options are more limited. For casual cruisers not wanting to pay an annual fee for a credit card, this could be one of the best options.

You won’t be able to transfer your points to travel partners, but you can earn an eligible deposit into a U.S Bank account, along with some merchandise, travel, charity, and gift card options. Instead, you’ll want to think of this card as earning cash back for your travel purchases (around 2% to 4% essentially), which is a better option for casual cruisers who travel once or twice each year.

The top spending categories for the U.S Bank Altitude Connect include:

• 4x points on travel
• 5x points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked with the Altitude Reward Center
• 4x points on gas stations and EV charging stations, up to $1,000 each quarter
• 2x points on dining, groceries, and streaming services

Other benefits include:

• 4 Priority Pass lounge visits each year
• $100 statement credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every 4 years
• Basic travel interruption, delay, and cancellation insurance

Capital One Venture X

Another popular choice among travelers is the Capital One Venture X credit card, known for its premium travel benefits and strong earning potential. With an annual fee of $395, the Venture X is considered a more accessible option compared to other high-end travel credit cards.

Although the Venture X credit card doesn’t offer cruise-specific perks or bonus categories for cruises, this premium credit card shines when it comes to covering general travel expenses.

The Venture X credit card earns the most miles when booking travel directly through the Capital One Travel portal, including hotels, airfare, rental cars, and vacation rentals. But, you’ll still earn 2x miles on everyday spending, including cruising. However, if you prefer booking with airlines and hotels directly, you might not maximize your point-earning potential with this card.

Other noteworthy travel benefits include a $300 annual travel credit when booking through Capital One Travel, along with lounge access and a statement credit for either TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.

More importantly, your Capital One Venture X credit card offers strong travel protection that can provide peace of mind for your cruises. This includes trip cancellation, delay, and interruption coverage for unexpected circumstances. In addition, the Venture X has common carrier travel accident coverage, baggage insurance, and rental car collision coverage.

The top spending categories for the Venture X credit card include:

• 10x miles: When booking hotels and rental cars booked through the Capital One Travel portal
• 5x miles: When booking flights and vacation rentals booked through the Capital One Travel portal
• 2x miles: All other purchases

Some of the travel-related benefits and perks include:

• $300 annual credit towards Capital One Travel portal
• 10,000 annual bonus miles each anniversary
• $120 credit for PreCheck or Global Entry
• Priority Pass Lounge access
• Capital One Lounge and Landing Access

Bank of America Premium Rewards Credit Card

If you don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on annual credit card fees, the Bank of America Premium Rewards Credit Card could be a great choice. With an annual fee of only $95, you’ll still receive some excellent travel perks and earn extra points on all travel purchases.

With the Bank of America Premium Rewards Credit Card, all travel and dining purchases earn 2x points while all other expenses earn 1.5x points. This means all cruise purchases would qualify for 2x points for all of your purchases. If you’re a member of the Bank of America Preferred Rewards loyalty program, you can earn even more points on travel purchases. This includes 25% to 75% boost in points, making the 2x points on travel increase to 2.5x to 3.5x points on travel.

Even better, the Bank of America Premium Rewards Card is a Visa credit card with no foreign transaction fees. That makes this credit card better suited for international travel, as Visa is widely accepted everywhere.

You will also receive flexibility for how you want to redeem your points. For instance, points can be redeemed for cash back in your Bank of America account or an eligible Merrill account (including 529 accounts). In addition, you could redeem points for a statement credit or gift cards through the Bank of America Travel Center.

Finally, you’ll receive travel insurance protections for delays, cancellations, interruptions, misplaced luggage, auto rental collision coverage, and baggage delays. The credit card also includes coverage for emergency evacuation and transportation for qualified events. 

Other benefits for the Bank of America Premium Credit Card include:

• $100 statement credit for airline incidentals
• $100 statement credit for TSA PreCheck
• 10,000 annual bonus miles each anniversary

American Express Platinum Card

If you’re wanting to swap your Chase Sapphire Reserve for another top-tier, luxury travel credit card, then you might want to consider the American Express Platinum Card.

Regarded by many as the best travel credit card, the Amex Platinum is heavy on the benefits, but not necessarily as strong with earning potential. Currently, the Amex Platinum has an annual fee of $695, but many speculate this will be increased to align with the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

The top spending categories on the Amex Platinum include 5x points on all airfare purchases and prepaid hotels, but only 1x points for all other travel. While that’s not necessarily impressive, there are other lucrative cruise and travel perks that could be worthwhile, including access to many different airport lounges.

With the Amex Platinum, you are eligible to receive perks through the Cruise Privileges Program (CPP). When you book a cruise five nights or longer through the Platinum Travel Service, you can receive onboard credit between $100 to $300 per stateroom. The Cruise Privileges Program also provides unique amenities for each cruise line, along with 2x points on each dollar you spend per booking with American Express Travel.

Another enticing perk with the Amex Platinum is the comprehensive travel insurance for trip delay, cancellation, and interruption. Some of the most important coverage with the American Express Platinum Card includes medical assistance, which provides emergency medical coverage up to $250,000, evacuation up to $100,000, and accident insurance up to $500,000 in the event of injury. Luggage protection is also provided, and cruise ships are specifically mentioned in the coverage.

Additionally, you’ll receive many travel-related benefits with the Amex Platinum as well, including:

• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Baggage fees and other incidental credits
• $200 Hotel Credit: Select hotels prepaid through the Amex Travel portal, includes Fine Hotels & Resorts and Hotel Collection
• $200 Uber Credit: Available monthly in your Uber account
• Global Lounge Access: Access to the Delta SkyClub, Amex Centurion Lounges, and Priority Pass lounges
• TSA Precheck, Global Entry, and CLEAR Plus Membership

It’s the most wonderful time of the year for online shoppers, as Amazon Prime Day is finally here! Each year, Amazon features a multi-day sale with steep discounts on some of the most popular items online.

This year, Amazon Prime Day will take place between July 8 at 12:00am (Pacific Time) and end on July 11 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). The sale features exclusive deals for Amazon Prime members, although anyone can participate in Prime Day through a free trial membership. Only Amazon Prime members will have access to the Prime Day 2025 deals.

Each summer, Amazon Prime Day is a huge event for the online retailer with record-breaking sales. Because of its massive success, Amazon has expanded the sale from 48 hours to 96 hours, meaning shoppers have four days to take advantage of this year's Prime Day deals. Reuters states that sales are projected to rise nearly 30% during the four-day sale with Amazon recording $14.2 billion in sales from last year’s Amazon Prime Day.

Amazon has also introduced “Today’s Big Deals,” featuring themed daily discounts with some of the best deals of the event that are exclusive to Prime members. This includes big-name brands like Samsung, which is a great choice if you need new luggage for your upcoming cruise! Some deals are only available for a short amount of time, such as Lightning Deals, which are limited-time promotions with pop-up sales on products across Amazon.

As someone who loves to online shop, I look forward to Amazon Prime Day each year. I’ve been able to snag some great deals on travel and cruise gear for my upcoming adventures. A few of my absolute favorite products are steeply discounted this year, including Away Luggage, a portable sound machine, and Apple AirPods.  If you’ve been waiting to buy travel gear for your next cruise, now is the perfect time to shop.

With thousands of products on sale this year, it can feel overwhelming to find the best deals on cruise essentials and travel necessities. Luckily, we’ve done the hard work for you by combing through the top deals on travel and cruise must-haves! Here’s our list of everything you’ll want to pack for your upcoming cruise vacation.

Please note that we do receive a small commission if you purchase any of the products from our affiliate links below. You can also check out our Amazon Storefront for other essential cruise items that we recommend. Purchasing from the links below costs you nothing extra, but the small commission will help support Royal Caribbean Blog. 

All prices below were at the time of publication. Prices may change during the sale based on availability.

Cruise and Cabin Necessities

This year, many of the most popular cruise and cabin accessories are heavily discounted for Amazon Prime Day. I’ve also included some of our readers’ favorite cruise essentials and must-have items. From magnetic hooks for your cabin walls to handheld fans and clear luggage tags, you’ll find all the best picks in our list.

1. Magnetic Hooks

Cruise cabins are notoriously small, and magnetic hooks give you extra hanging space for hats, lanyards, jackets, and bags by attaching securely to the cabin’s metal walls. Many cruisers claim these are essential for their cabins!

Product Link: Neosmuk Magnetic Hooks,30lb+ Heavy Duty Earth Magnets with Hook for Refrigerator, Extra Strong Cruise Hook for Hanging, Magnetic Hanger for Cabins, Grill (Silver White, Pack of 10)

Price: $5.59 (44% off)

2. Cruise Luggage Tag Holder

You’ll need to attach a luggage tag to your suitcase before arriving at the cruise terminal, and these clear tag holders keep your printed tags protected and securely fastened to your bag. Last year, our embarkation day in Sydney, Australia was very rainy, and I was thankful to have these tags to keep my luggage tag dry and safely secured.

Product Link: Highwind 4 Pack Cruise Luggage Tag Holder for Suitcases - Compatible with Celebrity 2025 Royal Caribbean Luggage Tag Holders Travel Essentials Cruise Lanyard

Price: $4.99 (9% off)

3. Portable Fans

If you’re heading somewhere hot and humid, having a portable fan for your days ashore or in your cruise cabin can keep you cool and comfortable. Some cruise ships tend to be warmer than others, so having a small fan is an essential for many cruisers. 

Product Link: TOPK 2 Pack 5000mAh Portable Desk Fan, Ultra-thin Strong Wind Digital Display 4 Speeds Adjustable Small Quiet Battery Powered Personal Travel Fan for Bedroom, Office, Cruise, Library, Outdoor

Price: $25.47 (27% off)

Product Link: Gaiatop Mini Portable Fan, Small and Powerful, Cute Design 3 Speed Personal Handheld fan and Desktop with Base, Lightweight USB Rechargeable for Travel Lash Makeup Girl Women Summer Gift Black

Price: $8.99 (10% off)

4. First Aid Kit

If you end up needing medication or first-aid supplies on board, you’ll likely pay inflated prices. It’s best to bring your own travel-sized first aid kit so you’re prepared for anything unexpected. A small first aid kit can provide peace of mind during your vacation.

Product Link: General Medi Mini First Aid Kit, 110 Piece Small First Aid Kit - Includes Emergency Foil Blanket, Scissors for Travel, Home, Office, Vehicle, Camping, Workplace & Outdoor (Red)

Price: $9.49 (32%)

5. Magnetic Door Decorations

Decorating your cruise cabin door has become increasingly popular in recent years. If you want to jazz up your stateroom door without taking up much space in your luggage, consider bringing a set of decorative magnets. You'll be among many with decorations! 

Product Link: Large Cruise Door Decorations Magnetic - Wxiben 4PCS Retro Family Cruise Ship Door Decorations Sea Navigation Tropical Drink Cruise Door Magnets for Carnival Cabin Refrigerator Party Ship Decor

Price: $7.99 (20% off)

Product Link: Family Cruise Door Decorations Magnetic - Wxiben 6PCS Vintage Hawaii Cruise Door Ship Decorations Magnets Glasses Palm Tree Sunset Drink Cruise Door Magnets for Family Vacation Carnival Cabin Decor

Price: $10.39 (20% off)

6. Travel Bottles for Toiletries

When packing for your cruise, make sure to bring some of your must-have toiletries from home. I always pack my own shampoo and conditioner for cruising, as the bathrooms are typically limited with products. These small bottles are also TSA approved for carry-on travel and color coordinated for easy organization.

Product Link: 16pack Travel Bottles for Toiletries, TSA Approved LeakProof Squeezable Silicone Toiletry Containers for Shampoo, Conditioner, 3oz Portable Refillable Traveling Size Liquid Containers (16Pcs/Colorful)

Price: $6.64 (5% off)

Suitcases and Luggage Sets

Whether you’re driving to your cruise port or heading to the airport for your next vacation, having reliable and high-quality luggage makes all the difference when traveling. I finally invested in more expensive suitcases a few years ago, and now I will never go back!

This year, some of the top brands are offering great deals for Amazon Prime Day. For example, my all-time favorite luggage brand, Away, has incredible discounts of up to 25% off their most popular suitcases. If you’re looking to invest in new luggage for your cruises, take a look at some of the discounted suitcases below.

7. Away Luggage

I have a full set of Away luggage (the Bigger Carry-On, Medium, Large Flex, and Trunk), and I’ve convinced my sister, husband, and parents to purchase their own set. It’s a pricey investment, but you’ll receive a lifetime warranty, sturdy luggage, buttery-smooth wheels and excellent customer service. By far, it's the best suitcase I've ever owned.

Product Link: Away Bigger Carry-On Luggage, Lightweight Hardside Large Suitcase with Spinner Wheels, TSA Lock, Airline Approved, Sorbet Orange

Price: $236 (20% off)

Product Link: Away Medium Checked Luggage, Lightweight Hard Shell Suitcase with Spinner Wheels, Durable Rolling Luggage, TSA Lock, 26 Inch, Cloud Gray

Price: $276 (20% off)

(My mom and I both used our Bigger Carry-On Flex suitcases on our recent Royal Caribbean cruise)

Product Link: Away Large Checked Luggage, 29 Inch Hardside Suitcase with Spinner Wheels, Lightweight & Durable, TSA Lock, Cloud Gray

Price: $300 (20% off)

Product Link: Away Large Trunk Luggage, 31 Inch Hardside Suitcase with Spinner Wheels, Lightweight & Durable, TSA Lock, Ideal for Long Trips, Cloud Gray

Price: $326 (25% off)

8. Samsonite Luggage

If you’re not wanting to splurge on high-end luggage, Samsonite is another popular brand for travelers. This year, Samsonite is having major discounts for their best-selling suitcases. Whether you’re needing a carry-on or checked bag for your cruise, these options are excellent choices for mid-tier suitcases.

Product Link: Samsonite Omni 2 Pro Hardside Expandable Luggage with Spinner Wheels, Pro Carry-on, MIDNIGHT BLACK

Price: $110 (50% off)

Product Link: Samsonite Freeform Hardside Expandable with Double Spinner Wheels, Black, 2-Piece Set (21/28)

Price: $240 (20% off)

Product Link: Samsonite Centric 2 Hardside Expandable Luggage with Spinner Wheels, Caribbean Blue, 3-Piece Set (20/24/28)

Price: $279 (60% off)

Product Link: Samsonite Omni 2-2 Piece 19/28 Hardside Luggage with 360° Spinner Wheels - Scratch Resistant Hardshell - TSA, Airline-Approved - Expandable Polycarbonate Lightweight - Midnight Black

Price: $195 (50% off)

Luggage Accessories and Gear

In addition to suitcases, Amazon Prime Day features thousands of deals on luggage accessories to enhance your packing and organization. For example, packing cubes have become very hyped among travelers and cruisers. Other accessories our readers love include tech organizers, hanging toiletry bags and travel pill organizers.

Here are some of the best Amazon Prime Day deals for luggage accessories and gear that you should bring on your next cruise.

9. Packing Cubes

As a frequent traveler, I’d consider packing cubes to be an essential item that I never travel without, especially compression ones. Packing cubes help keep everything neatly organized in my suitcase and make unpacking super easy in my cruise cabin. My favorite set of compression packing cubes from Bagsmart is 30% off this year for Amazon Prime Day!

Product Link: BAGSMART 6 Set Compression Packing Cubes - Lightweight Travel Essentials, Durable Luggage Organizer

Price: $29.99 (30% off)

Product Link: Veken 8 Set Packing Cubes for Travel, Beach Vacation Essentials Accessories for Cruise Ship, Suitcase Organizer Bags for Luggage with Hanging Toiletry & Shoe Bag, Birthday Gifts for Women Mom Her

Price: $17.99 (40% off)

Product Link: BAGAIL 8 Set Packing Cubes Luggage Organizer Bags for Travel Accessories-Cream

Price: $14.44 (42% off)

10. Electronics Organizer

If you pack multiple cords and chargers for your devices while cruising, an electronics organizer is a great way to keep both your suitcase and cabin clutter-free. You won’t have to worry about cords tangling in your luggage, either! Even once I'm onboard, I continue using my electronics organizer to keep the cabin vanity organized. 

Product Link: FYY Travel Cable Organizer Pouch Electronic Accessories Carry Case Portable Waterproof Double Layers All-in-One Storage Bag for Cord, Charger, Phone, Earphone Black

Price: $7.95 (39% off)

Product Link: BAGSMART Electronics Travel Organizer Case, Tech Accessories Cord Storage Bag for Phone, Power Bank, SD Card, Cables, Black

Price: $11.89 (15% off)

11. Insulated Coffee Mug with Lid

Cruisers love bringing their own insulated coffee mug onboard, as the mugs provided by the cruise line are often very small. The insulation keeps coffee warm while the lid prevents spilling - perfect for watching glaciers in Alaska from the top deck or sailing through the Norwegian fjords!

Product Link: ALOUFEA 12oz Stainless Steel Insulated Coffee Mug with Handle, Double Wall Vacuum Travel Mug, Tumbler Cup with Sliding Lid, Navy

Price: $10.75 (27% off)

12. Pill Organizer

If you’re someone who takes daily medication, a travel pill organizer is a necessity for your cruise to save space. It can also be handy for packing over-the-counter meds since onboard options are limited and expensive. 

Product Link: Holii Travel Pill Organizer, 8 Compartments Portable Pill Case, Daily Pill Box to Hold Vitamins, Small Pill Container for Pocket Purse Medicine Organizer（Khaki）

Price: $5.06 (15% off)

Product Link: Cute Pill Dispenser with 7 Large Compartments, Portable Pill Bottle Organizer with Wide Opening for Easy Use, Anti-Mix Pill Organizer for Travel, BPA-Free Pill Container, Pink

Price: $8.78 (37% off)

13. Hanging Toiletry Bag

Cruise cabins are tiny, but the bathrooms are even smaller. With limited counter space, having a hanging toiletry bag that hangs on the back of the door will save space and reduce clutter by keeping everything neatly organized. I've cruised with one for over 15 years, and it's one of the best investments I've made for traveling.

Product Link: BAGSMART Toiletry Bag Hanging Travel Makeup Organizer with TSA Approved Transparent Cosmetic Bag Makeup Bag for Full Sized Toiletries, Medium-Black

Price: $15.99 (43% off)

Product Link: Elviros Hanging Toiletry Bag for Men Travel Essentials 3-in-1 Large Waterproof Dopp Kit PU Leather Shaving Bag with Separate Compartments for Grooming and Toiletries Mens Gift

Price: $20.78 (23% off)

14. Jewelry Organizer

A travel jewelry case is perfect for keeping your jewelry organized and secure during your cruise, so you don’t have to worry about tangled necklaces or missing jewelry on vacation.

Product Link: BAGSMART Travel Jewelry Organizer Case Foldable Jewelry Roll for Journey Rings, Necklaces, Earrings, Bracelets, Mini, Black

Price: $13.59 (15% off)

Cruise Tech and Electronics

Amazon Prime Day is known for having some of the best deals on technology and electronics. Whether you’re looking for headphones, a portable charger, or other cruise essentials, it’s the perfect time to stock up before your next sailing. Some of my favorite cruise products are included here, such as my extra-long phone cord and portable sound machine.

15. Charging Stations

If you’re sailing with multiple people in your cruise cabin, you might find yourself fighting over the outlets to charge everyone's devices. The same is true if you’re sailing on an older ship, which often have only one or two outlets available. To expand your charging capabilities, bring a charging station to use in your cabin with additional USB ports.

Product Link: Anker Charger, 60W 6 Port USB Charging Station, PowerPort 6 Multi USB Charger for iPhone 14/13 Series, iPad Pro/Air/Mini, Galaxy S23/S22/S21, Note 20 Ultra, LG, HTC, and

Price: $19.99 (33% off)

Product Link: Anker Charger, 65W 4 Port Charging Station, PIQ 3.0 & GaN Fast USB Charger Adapter, PowerPort Atom III Slim Wall Charger - 45W USB C Port, Ideal for MacBook, Laptops, iPad Pro, iPhone, Galaxy, Pixel

Price: $23.99 (31% off)

16. Wireless Headphones

Anytime you’re traveling, it’s crucial to pack a pair of wireless headphones to use during your trip. This Amazon Prime Day, top brands like Apple AirPods and Beats are on sale, which makes this a great time to upgrade! I recently upgraded to AirPods after years of wired headphones, and I love the ease of connecting them to all of my Apple devices.

Product Link: Apple AirPods Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds, Active Noise Cancellation, Hearing Aid Feature, Bluetooth Headphones, Transparency, Personalized Spatial Audio, High-Fidelity Sound, H2 Chip, USB-C Charging

Price: $149 (40% off)

Product Link: Beats Solo 4 - Wireless Bluetooth On-Ear Headphones, Apple & Android Compatible, Up to 50 Hours of Battery Life - Matte Black

Price: $97.99 (51% off)

17. Kindle Paperwhite

If you’re someone who likes to read on vacation, but you want to save space in your luggage, an e-reader can be a great solution. This year, Amazon has their latest model discounted 22% for Prime Day!

Product Link: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 16GB (newest model) – Our fastest Kindle ever, with new 7" glare-free display and weeks of battery life – Black

Price: $124.99 (22% off)

18. Portable Charger

You should always travel with a portable charger, as this can provide extra charging capabilities whether you’re onboard or exploring ashore. Cruise lines are also relying heavily on passengers using their apps, which can drain your battery quicker than usual. Consider purchasing a portable charger with built-in fan for added convenience!

Product Link: Portable Charger with Built in Cables, Portable Charger with Cords Wires Slim 10000mAh Travel Essentials Battery Pack 6 Outputs 3A High Speed Power Bank for iPhone Samsung Pixel LG Moto iPad

Price: $18.99 (37% off)

Product Link: JISULIFE Handheld Mini Fan, 3 IN 1 USB Rechargeable Portable Fan [12-19 Working Hours] with Power Bank, Flashlight, Pocket Design for Travel/Summer/Concerts/Lash, Gifts for Women (Pink)

Price: $12.74 (15% off)

19. Portable Sound Machine

Cruise ships can be very loud with clanking and clinging constantly. Not to mention, your cabin could be in a noisy location, like under the kids' club or near the pool deck. A portable sound machine drowns out the noise so you can sleep well at night. I absolutely never cruise without this sound machine - it's compact and easy to pack.

Product Link: Babelio White Noise Sound Machine for Adults Kids Baby, Travel Sound Machine for Sleep, Mini and Portable, 15 Non-looping Sounds, Timer, Memory Function, Easy to Pocket and Travel White

Price: $15.19 (31%)

20. Extra-Long Phone Charging Cord

You never know how far the outlet in your cabin will be from the bed or the sofa. If you’re someone who likes to scroll on your phone before going to sleep, make sure to bring an extra-long charging cord. I use mine all the time while cruising.

Product Link: White USB C Cable 10 ft, Long USB A to USB C Cable Fast Charging, USBC Charger Cord Braided Compatible with iPhone 16 15 Pro Max Plus, for Samsung Galaxy S21 Note 10, Pixel

Price: $5.98 (25% off)

Cruising is one of the best ways to travel with a multigenerational group. Growing up, I cruised frequently with my parents, grandparents, and extended family, creating many cherished family memories. 

Now, as an adult, I continue to cruise with my parents as a way to spend quality time together. Living across the country with my husband means we don’t get to see each other often - and cruising together allows us to travel, relax, and reconnect with one another.

In October, I traveled to Australia for a 15-night cruise with my sister and parents onboard Celebrity Solstice. The repositioning itinerary sailed from Sydney to Singapore with stops along the Australian coast. We also spent two unforgettable days in Bali, Indonesia during the sailing. After a canceled trip to Australia in March 2020, we were eager to plan a trip to the Land Down Under again.

As you might imagine, traveling in your 20s is a completely different experience than cruising as a baby boomer. My parents are in their early 60s, so their style of travel is a little different than mine. Their boomer travel priorities, vacation budget, and cruising habits sometimes clashed with my budget-friendly, millennial approach to travel.

Although cruising simplifies many aspects of the logistics, we still encountered some bumps in the road. Here are 7 ways we traveled differently on our Celebrity cruise to Australia.

1. Paying extra for a balcony cabin instead of saving money with a cheap interior stateroom

One of the biggest cruising differences between my boomer parents was our cabin preference. My parents opted to spend an extra $1,000 on their cruise fare for a balcony stateroom on Celebrity Solstice. This is always a top priority for them, as my dad prefers to have a balcony, especially on longer itineraries. Their balcony was technically an obstructed balcony; however, the obstruction was minimal.

On the other hand, my sister and I don’t mind booking an inside cabin when it saves us money. We were happy to save $1,000 between the two of us to have an interior stateroom. Our cabin was located at the very aft of the ship, surrounded by a linen closet and ice machine for the room service staff.

Luckily, our cabin location was mostly quiet and the configuration was quite spacious. Because our stateroom was nestled among storage closets, the cabin felt larger than other interior staterooms I’ve stayed in. 

In addition, we found our stateroom had better climate control as we sailed to warmer climates. My parents’ balcony cabin struggled to keep the cabin cool with the heavy humidity in Singapore and Indonesia; however, our inside cabin was an ice box! Although we initially regretted not booking a balcony stateroom, we were pleased with our selection given the large space and temperature control.

2. Booking excursions through the cruise line rather than independent exploration

Whenever I cruise with my parents, we typically book excursions through the cruise line rather than independent tours. These excursions offer added peace of mind, ensuring you’ll return to the ship on time without the risk of being left behind.

For example, we snorkeled in the Great Barrier Reef, which required sailing more than one hour away from the anchored ship. To reach the reef, we would be venturing far from the ship. We opted to book the $300 per person excursion through Celebrity Cruises because this was the most convenient option, even if it was more expensive.

The only port where we didn’t book an excursion was in Bali, Indonesia. The Celebrity Cruise excursions were expensive and limited, so we decided not to book any of these. Instead, we booked through Shore Excursions Group, per the recommendation of our travel agent, and saved hundreds of dollars.

Because we had an overnight stay, we didn’t worry about returning to the ship on time the first day and felt comfortable exploring all over the island. On the other hand, my sister and I rarely book excursions through the cruise line. Instead, we opt to explore independently when visiting ports of call because excursions are expensive. We enjoy wandering around the ports of call on our own, opting to walk whenever possible.

3. Splurging on specialty dining multiple times in leu of the main dining room

When my sister and I cruise together, we might book specialty dining for one evening. In general, we stick to complimentary restaurants, like the main dining room, unless we can get a really good deal on a specialty dining restaurant. Most of the time, we find the main dining room has plenty of options and delicious cuisine already included in our cruise fare.

During our cruise with our parents, we ended up spending three nights at the specialty restaurants on Celebrity Solstice. My dad really enjoyed the experience at Tuscan Grille, prompting a second return to the restaurant later in the sailing.

While my sister and I might not have splurged on the dining fee for these restaurants, we were happy to accompany our parents. Perhaps this is a difference in budget, but I prefer spending my travel budget in other ways, such as shopping in port or trying local cuisine.

4. Reserving transportation beforehand instead of ride-sharing

When it comes to transportation while traveling, my boomer parents prefer to prebook arrangements. Navigating the rideshare apps can be confusing and nerve-wracking for my parents, as they are usually unsure about Uber and Lyft.

During the travel planning process, my parents arrange for transportation from the airport to their hotel. These transfers are usually booked through Viator and reasonably priced, especially when our family travels with a lot of luggage.

In addition, they schedule a private transfer from the hotel to the cruise port for embarkation day. Similarly, my parents want to relax on the morning of their cruise instead of navigating public transport, squeezing into a taxi, or fumbling on their phones for an Uber.

Comparatively, I would rely solely on local transport and ride-sharing for logistics when cruising. As a millennial, I am very comfortable using Lyft or Uber in foreign countries. I also wouldn’t have an issue asking the hotel front desk to schedule a taxi or transfer, if needed. By not prepaying for transport, this allows for more flexibility with my schedule depending on my agenda for that day.

In fact, we were grateful for Uber when our prearranged transport failed to show up at the Sydney Airport after our arrival. The Uber XL showed up immediately and we ended up saving $100 total in the end. I'm not confident my parents would have known how to arrange an Uber on the spot like this, so I was thankful my sister and I were there to help. 

5. Wanting to get on the ship right away rather than exploring the city

When embarkation day arrived, I quickly realized that my parents had different priorities for boarding the cruise ship. My parents prioritize boarding as early as possible to maximize their day, while I prefer a more flexible approach. For me, embarkation day is usually an opportunity to explore the city before heading to the ship.

With our cruise departing from Sydney, we were very excited to explore all the city had to offer. We flew in two days before our sailing departed, giving us one full day to tour and two half-days to explore.

After two days of sightseeing in Sydney, I still had a few more places I wanted to check out before embarking on our cruise. Because our sailing was a repositioning cruise, we wouldn’t be returning to Sydney at the end of the voyage.

Read more: Australia & South Pacific cruise guide: Best itineraries, planning tips and things to do

Unfortunately, my parents and I clashed on when we wanted to arrive at the cruise terminal for embarkation day. All-aboard time was 3:00pm, but my parents scheduled our transfer at 11:00am. With so much to see in Sydney still, my sister and I would have preferred arriving to the port later in the day.

However, arranging separate transportation didn’t seem practical, either. We considered the possibility of checking in, dropping off our luggage, and getting back off the ship to explore more. Due to customs and immigration with our repositioning sailing, this would not be allowed for security purposes.

Ultimately, we found a compromise. My dad waited at the cruise terminal cafe with our luggage while my mom, sister, and I walked to the nearby street market to shop for trinkets. We walked around and shopped for about 90 minutes before it started to rain, which was the perfect time to board our ship.

6. Moving at different paces with varying priorities

It’s no surprise that my parents and I travel at different paces. While my parents are healthy and in great shape for their age, I was surprised by the difference in our travel preferences.   

Each evening, my parents would be waiting in line outside of the main dining room for our early dinner slot. Meanwhile, my sister and I would often arrive a little later, instead stopping to watch the sunset on the promenade deck or grabbing a drink at happy hour.

Similarly, my parents were always early to the excursion meeting spot, often fretting about whether my sister and I would arrive on time (for the record, we were never late). While I would be eager to get the best spot on the bus or tender boat, my parents were very nonchalant about it.

This difference was especially noticeable during our excursion to the Great Barrier Reef. I couldn’t wait to get my wetsuit on and start snorkeling in the reef. To my slight frustration, my parents were in no rush to disembark from the catamaran. This felt like wasting time in my opinion, although they were content to take their time.

In the end, we found a balance between our varying travel styles. In some ways, I appreciated my parents getting to certain places early, such as busy theatre shows. Similarly, I tried to maximize our port time by keeping the family on a steady travel pace.

7. Flying in premium economy seats over cheaper options

Traveling from the United States to Australia and back from Singapore involves very long travel itineraries. We spent upwards of 30 hours flying to and from our cruise with multiple layovers involved.

With such long travel days, my parents splurged on Delta’s premium economy seats for the long-haul legs of our trip. Considering the flight from Los Angeles to Sydney is 15 hours, they wanted to have more comfortable seats. This upgrade ended up costing about $1,500 more per person.

In contrast, my sister and I booked main economy of our travels. While we dreaded the flight to Australia in economy, I kept reminding her that we saved thousands of dollars! This price difference literally almost paid for our cruise between the two of us.

Although the flight was uncomfortable with a stranger sitting in our middle seat, my sister and I survived to tell the tale! After taking some sleeping medication and getting comfortable in my window seat, the flight passed quickly and we landed in Sydney before I knew it.

In the end, my parents said the premium economy seats were worth every penny for the international flights. They had bigger seats, more legroom, higher quality food, and more amenities. At their age, they said they probably will never take an international flight in main cabin again. They’ve already booked these same seats again on an upcoming long-haul flight.