Your cruise ship cabin is your "home away from home" during your vacation, but you can't treat it like your real home.

Cruise staterooms come with essential furniture, a private bathroom, and even a stateroom attendant who will tidy up the area daily.

Your stateroom is meant to be a comfortable, private place to rest and enjoy your cruise.

However, you can’t do just anything you want inside your cabin. There are certain rules you must follow during the length of your stay.

Royal Caribbean wants its guests to care for the room they have during their stay and respect the crew members onboard.

You should also use careful etiquette to be mindful of other guests around you.

This article will highlight the most important rules you cannot break, and one rule that is okay to bend. Here are 8 rules to always follow during your cruise

1. No smoking 

Smoking inside the cabin or even on the balcony is a fire hazard.

Royal Caribbean strictly bans guests from smoking or vaping anywhere that is not the designated smoking zone.

While it may seem like you can smoke on your balcony without much risk, ashes could be blown back on another deck of the ship and that poses a major fire hazard.  Plus, ashes going in the ocean is littering.

Fire is actually the biggest danger to a cruise ship! 

Anything with a flame could fall or cling to fabric and should be kept far away from your cruise ship's stateroom.

2. Don’t climb or play on the balcony

Every once in a while, you’ll see a news story about someone who has fallen overboard on a cruise ship.

But the truth is, most cruise ship railings are actually high enough that someone cannot merely slip and fall overboard.

If someone "falls" off, it's because they're doing something they're not supposed to or are in a place they are not supposed to, such as climbing or playing around on a high balcony.

To avoid tragedies like this, everyone is asked to stay off the railings and avoid climbing on any balconies. 

If you don’t follow this rule, you could be kicked off the ship or even banned from the cruise line. 

Remember that cameras are also on every balcony, so you will definitely get caught.

Take your safety and Royal Caribbean’s warnings seriously.

3. Communicate with your cabin attendant

On the first day of your cruise, you will meet your cabin’s stateroom attendant. If you're in a standard cabin, they will ask if you prefer having your room cleaned in the morning or at night. If you're in a suite, you'll have twice-a-day cleaning.

Read more: Why you should get your cruise cabin serviced in the evening instead of the morning

Throughout your cruise, they will be responsible for cleaning the stateroom and taking care of any requests you have.

Don’t be afraid to communicate to them anything you need!

Whether you want ice, need extra towels, want the beds separated, can’t find a hair dryer, or are wondering how any part of the room works, they are there to assist you with any requests.

While gratuities will be charged as part of your cruise fare, consider leaving them a nice tip if you appreciate their service or have special requests.

Read more: 30 Cruise cabin hacks that cruisers love

4. Don’t leave a mess

While your stateroom attendant is there to help, that doesn’t mean that they are your personal maid.

They have other staterooms to service and they deserve your respect.

Out of courtesy, make sure that you don’t leave a huge mess in the room.

Don’t move around furniture or leave out too much clutter. 

Your stateroom attendant needs to be able to get into the room, after all.

Plus, leaving a mess can just stress you out more during a vacation when you’re trying to relax.

5. Use the Do Not Disturb sign for privacy

Royal Caribbean provides a cute do-not-disturb magnet for every stateroom that reads, “sleeping off the adventure.”

If you need privacy at any time, simply stick this outside your room and you will be left alone.

Various deliveries or questions could come to your door anytime, so this is a helpful hack to help you get that peace and quiet.

However, stateroom attendants are not permitted to enter the room while you have this up, so don’t forget to take it down when you leave!

Read more: 15 Things To Do As Soon as You Get to Your Cruise Cabin

6. Don’t throw anything overboard

Cruise ships are committed to protecting the environment and the marine wildlife around them.

Because of this, there are strict rules against throwing anything overboard and into the ocean.

While some people think that it’s okay to send food or trash flying overboard, think again.

Don’t throw anything off the balcony or into the ocean, and especially don’t feed the sea animals!

If you’ve ever heard the quote, “Take only memories, leave nothing but footprints,” this applies to a sea vacation as well.

Keep your arms, feet, and items inside the cruise ship.

Read more: I tried the best inside cruise ship cabin hacks to see how well they worked

7. Don’t flush things down the toilet 

You should only be flushing toilet paper down the cruise ship toilets.

Cruise ship plumbing is very sensitive and can be easily clogged by tampons, wipes, double-ply toilet paper, or any other items.

Not only that but the plumbing is also connected between all the cabins. This means that if you back up your toilet, other passengers will also experience issues.

Be considerate, and put everything else in the trash can.

Read more: Where does the poop go on a cruise ship?

8. Be considerate of noise in the hallways

Not only should you be respectful inside your stateroom, but you should also be considerate when walking to and from your cabin.

Keep the noise down in the hallways, don’t leave a mess, and don’t run or jump around.

We’re all on vacation and understand that it can be fun and exciting. But you should still remember that there are others around, and they may be resting, sleeping, or just not wanting to hear your noise.

Keep it down in the hallways, and rejoice once you’re inside your stateroom with the door closed.

1. One rule you can break: You don’t have to stay in the room you booked

Did you know you don’t necessarily have to stay in the cabin you booked under your room? Whether you’re visiting friends, or splitting a room with a group, you can switch it up.

This is especially a helpful hack for families with kids who want a little more privacy.

Because only guests over 21 can book a room, you’ll want to book one room under each adult’s name.

But when you get on the cruise ship, you can divide the room up differently.

Maybe you’re traveling with teenagers, who are under 21 but would really like their own space.

Simply book that cabin under an adult’s name, and then let them have the room once onboard.

On my recent Icon of the Seas cruise, I set out to find the best dishes onboard.

Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship has gained notoriety for its size and innovations.

Along with upgrades in design and amenities, Royal Caribbean made an effort to improve the food onboard as well.

Icon of the Seas has an almost overwhelming variety of food available.

Not only does the ship have over 20 dining venues on board, but each venue also has a large selection of dishes to choose from.

One week certainly wasn't enough time to try it all, but I decided to focus on the complimentary options and find some new favorites.

Here are the top seven free dishes I think everyone should try on Icon of the Seas.

Read more: Icon of the Seas restaurant and dining guide

Sugar cinnamon donuts 

Located at: Park Café

Park Café, the only complimentary restaurant located in Central Park, is somewhat of a hidden gem on the Icon of the Seas.

Nestled between the beautiful trees and bushes, this venue serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and I highly recommend checking out their breakfast options.

If you love pastries of any kind, Park Café will have something for you.

Whether you're feeling donuts, muffins, croissants, danishes, or cinnamon rolls, there's a selection of every flavor imaginable.

My personal favorite here was the sugar cinnamon donut—a fluffy, sweet pastry perfect for a small breakfast.

And even though I'm someone who doesn't always love breakfast, I thought the pastries here were light, delicious, and not too sweet!

Avocado tofu salad

Located at: the Main Dining Room

This appetizer is usually served on Caribbean night at the Main Dining Room.

It features chilled tofu marinated in honey and soy sauce tossed with plump grape tomatoes, ripe avocados, and white sesame seeds.

I love avocados and soy sauce, so this dish hit the spot. 

The tofu was also well-handled, not too starchy or too mushy.

It's a lovely, refreshing marinated dish that mixes sweet and savory flavors.  

The only complaint I could make about this dish is that it's a little small, but the waitstaff at the Main Dining Room always encourage guests to order more dishes if they desire.

Read more: I ate at every new restaurant on Icon of the Seas and here's how I would rank them

Strip steak

Located at: the Main Dining Room

One of the main reasons I happily eat the complimentary food on a cruise is that the food included in the cruise fare is just so high-quality!

Whenever I order a steak dish at the Main Dining Room, I can't differentiate between it and a meal from the popular, extra-cost Chops Grille.

This strip steak from Icon's Main Dining Room menu comes made to order, and I usually ask for them to cook it medium.

Served with a baked potato, carrots, broccoli, and a creamy side of flavored butter, this meal makes for a hearty, delicious dinner.

Whenever I order this dish, I usually struggle to finish everything!

Mediterranean bowls

Located at: AquaDome Market

A brand-new food hall on Icon of the Seas, the AquaDome Market has more tasty dishes than I have space to recommend here.

The venue is located at the front of the ship's AquaDome and features five unique stalls of different types of food. 

Crème de la Crèpe serves sweet crèpes, GNGR offers up Asian cuisine, Mac's has various flavors of mac and cheese, Toast and Garden serves sandwiches and salads, and you can find Mediterranean food at Feta.

At Feta, you can select a base (gyro, rice, or lettuce), protein (chicken, pork, or egg), and toppings, and then add sauces to your liking.

The dish is completely adjustable to whatever you prefer, but I quickly learned that I loved creating a chicken bowl with lettuce as my base.

I would top it with onions, tomatoes, and hummus, and end up with a quick, delicious, healthy, and filling meal!

Bacon mac and cheese

Located at: AquaDome Market

Another type of stall at the AquaDome Market, Mac's, exclusively offers different types of mac and cheese. 

You can try multiple different kinds: classic, bacon, chili, broccoli, and pepperoni pizza.

My personal favorite was the bacon flavor: it was a simple yet tasty salty, cheesy mix.

Paired with a glass of lemonade, eating a bowl of this mac and cheese makes you feel like a kid again, enjoying a snack after school.

Hummus snack

Located at: Pearl Café

Another new free venue onboard Icon of the Seas is the Pearl Café.

Located above the Royal Promenade, next to the Pearl art installation, this café is the perfect spot for a grab-and-go snack or drink.

The Café serves complimentary and specialty coffee, juice, soda, snacks, and desserts, all in portable containers.

The desserts were located behind a counter, but the snacks could be found in an open-air fridge, meaning you could just walk up to one and pick out what you liked.

My favorite healthy snack at the Pearl Café is a snack pack filled with hummus, ranch, carrots, celery, and cucumbers.

Read more: The 10 Essential Dishes to Eat on Icon of the Seas

It's the perfect quick bite to eat; whether you're sitting down to enjoy live music in the Promenade or taking it back to your cabin.

While the dessert menu at Pearl Café changed daily, the hummus snack was something I could always expect to be there on every day of the cruise. 

Chicken madras curry

Located at: the Windjammer

Royal Caribbean's complimentary buffet was even larger and better on Icon of the Seas.

As someone who loves Asian food, I was glad to see they had distinct sections for both Chinese and Indian cuisine.

I love tasting the Indian food at the Windjammer, and the chicken madras curry was a dish I hadn't seen before stepping onboard Icon.

It's a fragrant, red curry made with paprika and tamarind, which adds a little bit of tang.

As someone who loves spicy food, I did find this dish was pretty mild, and wished they served a hotter version.

However, this does make it more accessible for anyone who can't handle spice but might like to try this dish.

I highly recommend this curry, and I loved pairing it with a cooling yogurt sauce on the side.

What would you do to reach the top tier of Royal Caribbean's customer loyalty program?

The Crown and Anchor Society is Royal Caribbean's member rewards program, and there are enviable benefits for those at the top.

For every night a cruiser spends onboard a Royal Caribbean ship, they'll gain one point (or double points if they've booked a suite).

The highest level is Pinnacle, and it requires a total of 700 points.

The small percentage of cruisers who reach this level gain a host of attractive benefits.

To gain these benefits, one couple made a detailed plan—complete with an Excel spreadsheet.

They use a spreadsheet and a host of other tools to track their progress and plan the cruises they need to take to reach the Pinnacle level.

Read more: Pathway to Pinnacle: How I reached the top of Royal Caribbean’s Loyalty Program

The Notarnicolas realized early on they were going to take a lot of cruises

Dorothy and Steve Notarnicola took their first Royal Caribbean cruise on Independence of the Seas, in 2016.

They took the cruise as a way to celebrate their older son's graduation and were immediately hooked.

"We realized early on that we love cruising and knew that we were going to be taking cruises a lot in our future."

Onboard Royal Caribbean ships, they've come to love music in the Pub and Schooner Bar.

The family appreciates any venues "where we can engage 'cruise brain,' have a cocktail, and relax."

Neither of them grew up cruising, but Steve had some experience on big ships as a Surface Warfare Officer in the United States Navy.

Read more: After 68 cruises, I'm about to reach the top tier of Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society: here’s what being a Pinnacle member means

The Pinnacle level became their ultimate goal

The Notarnicolas are very goal-oriented and want to enjoy all the benefits of the Crown and Anchor Society.

The Pinnacle level includes the following benefits:

• Priority check-in at the pier
• Concierge Club access for complimentary continental breakfast, evening drinks, and hors d'oeuvres
• Reserved seating at shows in the main theater, AquaTheater, Studio B, and Two70
• Priority departure at the end of the cruise
• Exclusive access to the Pinnacle Lounge
• Complimentary specialty dining experience for two
• Exclusive behind-the-scenes tours
• Exclusive Pinnacle Club cocktail reception with senior ship officers
• Complimentary 7-night cruise for two in a balcony stateroom, available once you reach 700 cruise points
• Personalized milestone recognition gifts
• Priority waitlist for shore excursions and spa appointments
• Complimentary VOOM Internet package
• Access to a dedicated Loyalty Call Center

Read more: Royal Caribbean adds new benefit for Pinnacle Club members

The Notarnicolas especially love breakfast in Chops Grille every morning, spending time in the Suite Lounge/Concierge Club, and dining at Coastal Kitchen.

Additionally, since Steve works as an operations analyst and Dorothy as a librarian, having early embarkation and disembarkation allows them to get to their cruises or back to their jobs quickly, using maximum vacation time.

The Notarnicolas told us that the Pinnacle members they've met on their cruises are "the most engaging, personable, friendly, and helpful people."

"We just really thought it would be great to join that group."

The Notarnicolas developed a detailed plan to reach the ultimate level of the Crown and Anchor Society

To become part of the Pinnacle membership level, the Notarnicolas came up with a unique plan.

In 2021, they had 33 points and were still at the Platinum level.

That spring, while the pandemic forced cruises to come to a stop, they realized that "getting to Pinnacle might be possible if we planned it out." 

With his experience as an analyst, Steve enjoys figuring out multiple scenarios to achieve a specific result.

Since the family had already been tracking their cruises, building and implementing a plan felt organic for them. 

They planned to book up to ten 3-night weekend cruises and two 7-night cruises throughout 2022 and 2023, all in Junior Suite cabins.

They estimated that booking these cruises would give them a total of 88 points per year.

They started with an Excel spreadsheet with multiple tabs, and finding a quality travel agent.

The spreadsheet tracks every cruise, past or future—the ship, length of the cruise, date, excursions, ports visited, stateroom type, and points earned per night.

They also have a page that projects how many points they'll need to earn per year, and what year they expect to reach Pinnacle.

Their travel agent serves as a helpful "enabler"

As of August 2023, The Notarnicolas had 310 Crown and Anchor points, with 21 more cruises planned.

They project that they will have 508 Crown and Anchor points by March 2025.

"Obviously we’re not there yet, but we are comfortable with our plan," Steve Notarnicolas said.

The Notarnicolas work with Kelley from MEI Travel, who calls herself their "enabler" when it comes to the cruising scheme.

With Kelley's help, they find good deals and fill in any gaps to maximize their cruises.

For example, Kelley helped them rebook a 15-night Transatlantic cruise from a guaranteed balcony to a guaranteed suite stateroom.

Thanks to this change, they ended up gaining double points on the 15-night cruise!

They stay flexible to enjoy different kinds of ships and itineraries

With a detailed plan to reach Pinnacle status, the Notarnicolas have a fun but focused way to keep cruising and maximize future benefits.

They also began planning to start a legacy of cruising.

"As our kids start having kids, we really want to introduce and reinforce with them how great cruising is," Steve Notarnicolas said.

It's not all just for the points.

"We really love cruising with Royal, and as such, we are always open to experiencing new ships and new itineraries."

When the Notarnicolas see group cruises or new ship itineraries that interest them, they're willing to adjust the plan and add another sailing.

They are booked to sail on both Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas in 2024, ships that were launched after they first developed the spreadsheet.

The Notarnicolas offered a few tips for other cruisers who want to reach Pinnacle

For any cruisers who want to try a similar plan (or are simply looking forward to reaching Pinnacle), the Notarnicolas advise enjoying the journey.

"The best advice is to not look at the plan as an absolute," they told us.

"Don't get too focused on points."

They also extended other tips for planning ahead and gaining those extra points.

For example, the Notarnicolas use the Shipmate app to track past cruises as well as upcoming cruises on one single screen.

This helps them find any gaps in their cruise booking schedule, and fit in more sailings.

The Notarnicolas also take advantage of the Club Royal at the Casino, earning benefits and complimentary cruises there.

The Casino Royale has its own loyalty program that offers benefits like discounts, free drinks, and even a free cruise!

Read more: I gambled enough in Royal Caribbean's casino to get free drinks and a cruise

This has accelerated their Pinnacle Plan by adding even more cruises to the schedule.

What happens when they reach Pinnacle?

The Notarnicolas love cruising with Royal Caribbean and say that they would still be cruising even if there was no Pinnacle level to achieve.

Thus, they look forward to continuing cruising even after they reach this ultimate Crown and Anchor achievement.

They might even have a double Pinnacle plan in the works!

Status or no status, the Notarnicolas aren't going to stop cruising anytime soon.

When you book your Royal Caribbean stateroom, you can select between various categories.

Royal Caribbean cruises promise luxury of every sort, and this includes the staterooms.

Different stateroom categories, from suites to ocean views, allow you to choose a cabin that suits your preferences.

Whether you value a gorgeous view, a huge space, or sticking to a smaller budget, several options will fulfill your needs.

But while booking, you may come across some puzzling terms and run into several confusing acronyms.

It’s crucial that you clearly understand the differences between all the categories so that you can choose exactly which cabin will meet your needs.

If you’ve ever wondered what “GTY” means, and whether you should book it, this is your guide to demystifying the term.

Here's what stateroom GTY means, and how it can enhance your cruise experience.

“Stateroom Guaranteed”

“Stateroom GTY” stands for “Stateroom Guaranteed,” a category also known as a guarantee stateroom. 

When you’re booking your cruise on the Royal Caribbean website, this option also shows up as “We pick your stateroom.”

It means you select a certain stateroom category (interior, oceanview, balcony, or suite) on your booking.

Instead of selecting the exact cabin, this guarantees that you will receive one in that category.

When you select a GTY stateroom, the exact stateroom, number, and location will be assigned by Royal Caribbean based on availability.

You are promised at least your chosen category of cabin. 

If there is none available, Royal Caribbean will upgrade you to a higher category.

However, upgrades are rare and never promised. It is most likely that you will receive the cabin category you booked.

The promotional GTY categories also have acronyms that could confuse cruisers.

They are as follows:

• WS: Suite/Deluxe
• XB: Balcony
• XN: Neighborhood view balcony (on Oasis and Icon Class ships)
• YO: Oceanview 
• ZI: Interior 

On Oasis and Icon Class ships, you could be assigned a neighborhood view balcony stateroom with a view of Central Park, the Boardwalk, or Surfside.

Essentially, by booking a stateroom GTY, you opt for a guaranteed type of cabin, leaving the cruise line to assign you one from their selection of available inventory.

Should I book a guarantee cabin?

The main draw to booking a stateroom guarantee is that it usually comes at a cheaper price than selecting your own stateroom.

A guarantee cabin is an excellent option for flexible cruisers who want to save money on their cruise cabin.

By leaving the stateroom selection up to the cruise line, you give up control of the cabin’s location but gain a good deal and the excitement of a mystery cabin.

A guarantee cabin suits cruisers who enjoy being flexible and adventurous, and who don’t have their heart set on a particular cabin type or location.

However, there are several details you should consider before jumping into this type of booking.

As with any decision, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons.

First, ensure that the deal makes sense with your budget.

The discount you get from booking GTY varies, so first check that the difference is worth it for you.

Next, keep in mind that you won’t be able to select the cabin’s location at all.

If you have certain preferences, like wanting your stateroom to be away from elevators, in the middle of the ship, or have an unobstructed view, all of these will be out of your control.

Cruisers who experience seasickness could be assigned a far-forward or far-aft cabin that may worsen their symptoms.

Other than the stateroom categories, you have no way to ensure that your preferences are met.

Guarantee staterooms are also usually unbooked cabins, meaning that they are probably less desirable.

You’ll be receiving the “leftovers” essentially, locations that are far back or far forward, or close to a noisy location like the nightclub.

If you need a particular type of cabin, such as an accessible cabin or connecting rooms, you should opt to select your own cabin instead.

Also, if you are traveling with family or friends, and want to stay close to them, remember that booking a guarantee cabin will leave this out of your control. 

If you book several different staterooms, they could be spread out all over the ship!

Additionally, if you are sailing on a back-to-back cruise (two or more cruises taken consecutively) and book a guarantee cabin, you could be assigned different cabins on each cruise.

This means you’d have to move staterooms in between your back-to-back cruises.

When will I receive my cabin assignment?

Before the sailing, Royal Caribbean assigns an unbooked room to its guaranteed cruisers.

The Royal Caribbean website reads that this could happen “at any time up until checking in at the port.”

After booking, most cruisers find that they receive their cabin assignment around 5 days to 4 weeks before the sailing.

This timing is influenced by factors such as availability, popularity of the sailing, and cabin category.

After your stateroom is assigned, no particular email or notification will be sent out.

You simply have to check the website or app to see if you’ve received your assignment.

Usually, this shows up in the form of the cabin category and the room number.

Once you receive this, you can look at the ship’s deck plans online to determine where the room is located.

Something to note, as well, is that you can still do Royal Up with a guaranteed cabin.

Royal Up is the process of bidding on a stateroom upgrade.

After booking your cabin and receiving a stateroom assignment, you can browse through further options.

You then select the amount you’d be willing to pay for each category upgrade. The more money you put down, the more likely you are to get an upgrade.

For example, if you’re interested in upgrading to an oceanview cabin, you can select that you’d be willing to pay $300 to receive one.

This is a bid priced per person, based on two guests per stateroom, and lasting for the entire length of the cruise.

You can bid on multiple rooms (this increases your chances of getting upgraded) but you’ll only pay for one.

If your bid is accepted, you’ll be charged the amount for the upgrade. If not, you keep the stateroom you have.

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas is the world's largest cruise ship and has 27 places to eat.

More than half are included with your cruise fare, including a giant dining room, buffet, pizzeria, and taco bar.

On top of that, there are 12 spots which cost extra. These range from sushi bar, to steakhouse, to classic Italian.

I recently spent a week on Icon of the Seas, and tried to eat as many different dishes as I could in that time.

Because I'm always looking for a budget-friendly cruise, I also challenged myself to only eat at complimentary venues on this cruise.

Even with limiting myself to free dining, there were more options onboard than I had the chance to try on my 7-day cruise.

I thought the food onboard was the best of any Royal Caribbean ship I've tried before.

Of course, food is subjective, and different people have their own opinions when it comes to dining.  From my perspective, here's how I'd rate each venue I dined at.

Read more: Icon of the Seas restaurant and dining guide

Main Dining Room

Royal Caribbean's Main Dining Room is the complimentary, sit-down dining venue on all ships. It serves 6,000 guests in a three and a half hour time frame for dinner alone.

Dinner is the most popular meal to attend in the Main Dining Room, and I elected to dine there with the traditional dining option. This means we had a the same table assignment, dinner time, and waiters every night of the cruise.

The Main Dining Room has a set menu for its four-course dinners that varies for every day of the cruise.

Because of that, I was familiar with most of the meals and could compare them to the ones I've tasted on other Royal Caribbean ships.

We started with a selection of tasty bread buns and ordered an appetizer from the menu.

The appetizers were tasty, and the portion sizes were pretty large.

The main course was about equal to the ones I've tried on other ships, but it did come a lot faster and warmer than I'm used to. The speed of service and temperature of the food was a big improvement.

I also saw a lot more vegan options available in the Main Dining Room. 

I usually order vegan ice cream for dessert, but on previous ships, they've only had a few flavors available (mostly chocolate and vanilla). 

On Icon, however, they had unique vegan flavors of ice cream, like chocolate praline crunch.

Pros:

• The meals were fast and hot
• There's no work involved; waiters do it all

Cons: 

• Dinner lasts at least an hour
• It's a more formal setting

Windjammer

The Windjammer on Icon felt vastly improved compared to other ships I've been on. It seemed to have an endless choice of dishes available, and was huge.

The complimentary buffet was open for three meals a day, every day.

Whether you enjoy waffles, hamburgers, salads, curry, roast beef, fruit, or grilled vegetables, there's something for everyone to try a taste of.

I also thought that the meals were of much higher quality than on other ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet.

One thing I always look for is Asian food, and I loved this Windjammer's selection of Asian food—from Indian curries to Chinese sweet and sour chicken.

My only complaint was that, while some of it was flavorful, none of the food was very spicy. However, I understand that they have to appeal to a wider audience.

On the last day of the cruise, they also laid out a delicious charcuterie spread of fruits, olives, meats, and cheeses.

Pros:

• A variety of high-quality food
• Freedom to self-serve and go back for more

Cons:

• There's the potential to spread germs
• The food isn't very spicy 

Read more: 12 reasons to eat at the buffet instead of the dining room on your cruise

AquaDome Market

The AquaDome Market is an entirely new venue on Icon of the Seas, and I think they did an amazing job with it.

Located at the entrance to the ship's AquaDome, this dining location is a complimentary food hall—the first of its kind on a Royal Caribbean ship.

It features unique dishes at five distinct stalls: crépes, Asian food, mac and cheese, Mediterranean food, and sandwiches and salads.

I thought all of the food here was awesome, from the sweet crépes to Mediterranean bowls with chickpeas, to bacon mac and cheese.

The AquaDome Market was also conveniently open in the late afternoons when the Windjammer is usually closed and guests might be searching for a late lunch or snack.

Read more: I ate at every new restaurant on Icon of the Seas and here's how I would rank them

Pros:

• Strong variety of dishes
• Easy to split into a small snack or create a full meal

Cons:

• Not all of the food stalls will be open at the same time

Pearl Cafe

The Pearl Cafe is complimentary and located near the Pearl over the Royal Promenade, quickly became my favorite venue on board.

Because it's open all through the day and even late at night, the Pearl Cafe is a great, quick stop for coffee, snacks, drinks, or desserts.

Icon of the Seas upgraded the cafe with a wider variety of snacks and juices. I loved walking up to the open fridges and just picking out a snack.

I especially kept coming back for the portable containers of hummus, ranch, and vegetables; the perfect quick bite for me to sit down and eat or take back to my room.

Pros:

• Quick, easy place to grab a snack
• Open at all hours and has a fun view of the Promenade

Cons:

• A lot of plastic is used, so not very environmentally friendly
• You usually won't find non-dairy milk here

Park Cafe

The Park Cafe is somewhat of a hidden gem onboard Icon, and I heard about it from a crew member at the Pearl Cafe.

He recommended eating at the complimentary venue for breakfast, and I am so glad I took his advice.

Located in the beautiful, sunny Central Park, the Park Cafe is a free venue that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner—including the popular Kummelweck sandwiches!

I tried both breakfast and lunch at this location and thought the food was pretty regular.

However, there were a lot of choices available (especially if you like pastries for breakfast or sandwiches for lunch) and Central Park is the perfect location for a meal.

Pros:

• Beautiful atmosphere and location, sometimes with live music!
• Lots of complimentary food and snacks

Cons:  

• Most of the food here wasn't stellar
• There weren't many gluten-free options

Read more: The 10 Essential Dishes to Eat on Icon of the Seas

El Loco Fresh

El Loco Fresh is Royal Caribbean's venue for Mexican cuisine, and it's also included in your cruise fare.

They serve grab-and-go food like burritos, tacos, nachos, quesadillas, and salsa.

I loved the bright, fun decorations of this venue, and the easy access to the pool decks onboard.

However, my travel buddy and I thought the food was nothing special.

While I love Mexican food at home, the selections I tried at this venue were tasteless and chewy.

Perhaps I made a mistake in grabbing the pre-made packs of food and should have built my own meal instead, where I would have the ability to add all the sauces and seasoning I desired.

Pros:

• Easy access from the pool decks
• Hot grab-and-go food

Cons:

• The pre-made food wasn't very flavorful 
• Only a small selection of dishes available

Sorrento's

Sorrento's pizza is a Royal Caribbean staple.

This free pizza place is the perfect late-night stop when you need a bite to eat or are craving something warm and cheesy.

Although this venue is fun and convenient, I'm of the opinion that there's nothing special about the pizza itself.

The crust is thin, and the top develops a layer of oil.

I was riding in the elevator one night when I saw a boy holding a plate covered with napkins. 

When we asked why he had napkins over his food, he took them off to reveal a few slices of Sorrento's pizza.

"The pizza's too oily, so I'm tryna get it off," he said.

Sure enough, three of the napkins were soaked through with oil.

For the record, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley went on record to say his favorite food on Icon of the Seas was a slice of pepperoni pizza from Sorrento's.

Pros:

• Open late into the night
• Endless, yummy pizza

Cons:

• Can have long lines at certain times
• The pizza is very oily 

Happy Mothers Day! All the moms out there deserve a big hug, thank you, and hopefully a new cruise booking too.

The next new Royal Caribbean cruise ship is on her way to completion.

Utopia of the Seas began her sea trials this week, which is a major milestone in the construction of any cruise ship.

On May 7, Utopia of the Seas departed from the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France for a 5-day sea trial during which the ship will sail more than 1,000 miles. 

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean Slashes Prices on Icon of the Seas' New Ropes Course by Almost 75%
• Royal Caribbean will hire 10,000 workers this year to meet booming demand
• I tried the Miami hotel everyone says is the best pre-cruise option. It was comfortable, but my stay had some issues
• I went on Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship and saw why the surging hype is real
• Empty cruise ship is sailing without passengers and it's a more relaxed atmosphere for crew members
• I spent $2800 for 7 nights in a 157-square-foot room on the world's largest cruise ship. Take a look inside my tiny cabin
• I got to blow this cruise ship's horn on Odyssey of the Seas. Here's how I did it.
• Can you upgrade your room after final payment on my cruise?

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 533rd episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available!

With a special guest, Emma, we discuss how to approach planning a European cruise for the first time.

Please feel free to subscribe via iTunes or RSS, and head over to rate and review the podcast on iTunes if you can! We’d appreciate it.

10 Fun Royal Caribbean upgrades under $50!

Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — 10 Fun Royal Caribbean upgrades under $50! — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Simple tips to safely take a cruise ship shore excursion

How can you stay safe while trying a new tour in a foreign location?

Royal Caribbean cruises take you to fascinating ports of call, but it still takes preparation and an alert awareness to protect yourself.

Here are some extra tips before your next cruise ship shore excursion.

9 easy ways to save money on a European cruise

A cruise to Europe could be cheaper than you'd think.

With these easy ways to save money on your cruise, you can customize your experiences for any budget.

European cruises don't have to break the bank, and a few adjustments, there are countless ways to save money.

4 mistakes I saw other people make on Icon of the Seas—and 2 mistakes I made

Calista recently sailed on Royal Caribbean's newest ship, but she noticed it takes some adjustment from everyone.

To make the most of your cruise on the world's largest vessel, it's important to prepare and learn from others' mistakes.

From what to pack to how to use the elevators, here are 6 mistakes you shouldn't make.

Royal Caribbean saved a passenger's life

Crew members on Ovation of the Seas saved a passenger's life after he had a cardiac arrest.

Thanks to the swift response of crew members, they successfully stabilized the patient and coordinated with the US Air Force for a medical evacuation via helicopter.

The passenger's daughter posted her thanks to the medical professionals, saying she is "in awe" of Royal Caribbean's response.

You've probably heard lots about Icon of the Seas by now, but what makes the ship so highly celebrated?

I sailed on Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship this month on a 7-night Western Caribbean sailing.

I wanted to see exactly why this ship has been so hyped over the past few months, and if all the praise is deserved.

Initially, I expected the ship to feel like a bigger version of an Oasis-Class ship, with tons of amenities and huge crowds.

Other than knowing about the ship's size and focus on providing a fun experience for younger families, I didn't know what to expect.

But by the end of the sailing, I think I was just as impressed as everyone else. Icon of the Seas felt more like a mix between an Oasis-Class and a Quantum-Class ship.

Yes, she's big, but the vessel has more to offer than just size.

From the moment you step on board, it's evident that Royal Caribbean wanted to improve upon previous problems while creating an entirely new class of ship.

Read more: 14 improvements Royal Caribbean developed just for Icon of the Seas

What justifies all the hype around this ship is that the improvements and new ideas are well-designed, well-executed, and extremely celebrated throughout your time onboard.

The size makes you feel like you're not on a cruise ship at all

Of course, Icon's size cannot be overlooked.

Since the vessel debuted, I've seen graphics and photos of how large the ship is. However, it's hard to comprehend once you're onboard.

Especially with the wide-open public spaces, it hardly feels like you're on a cruise ship.

Icon of the Seas feels more like a small city.

Part of her novelty is that you can almost forget you're floating in the ocean (until you glance outside, that is).

I think Royal Caribbean wanted to lean into this aspect because, at the beginning of the cruise, they announced that there wouldn't be any daily event announcements or updates from the captain.

Without a direct connection to the bridge, the ship felt less like a cruise ship and more like a theme park.

I won't say that everyone will enjoy this aspect, but it made for a unique and interesting experience that you can't get anywhere else.

Read more: First look Inside the World's Biggest Cruise Marvel, Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas

The ship's design is the perfect mix of elegant and fun

When I first walked up the gangway, and onto deck 5, I was immediately struck by the bright colors and cheerful style of decoration.

This is most evident in Surfside neighborhood, an area focused on families with young kids that pops with neon colors and bright pinks and blues.

However, all areas around the cruise ships are filled with these vibrant colors.

I even mentioned it to our stateroom attendant, and she agreed.

"It's so cheerful!"

However, the playful colors were combined with elegant designs onboard.

For example, art pieces were in every corner of the ship.

The Pearl brought a smooth, graceful atmosphere to the Royal Promenade.

The entire design of the ship, from decorations to layout to art pieces, perfectly mixed the vibe of young and old, fun and elegant.

Read more: I took the inaugural cruise on Royal Caribbean's newest ship. It was a giant party, but not everything was totally ready

Extra space, stairs, and seating helped move crowds along

The biggest difference I noticed from other large Royal Caribbean ships I've sailed on was the lack of crowds.

Of course, you could still tell there were a large amount of people onboard. But the ship's layout ensured that no one would ever be squished into one place, and we never ran into any traffic jams.

I noticed that high-traffic areas, like the Royal Promenade and the Windjammer, were built a little wider than usual, helping to create space for a large amount of people.

There was also a ton of seating everywhere on the ship, so everyone found a place to sit and rest.

I also really liked the large amount of central staircases onboard, such as in the Royal Promenade, going up to Central Park, or down to Surfside neighborhood.

Lastly, the destination elevators helped to alleviate crowds as well.

These all helped to ease foot traffic and calm crowds.

The ship was intentionally celebrated

Excitement is contagious, and I think that's another part of why Icon has been so heavily hyped.

Even though it's been a few months since the ship's inaugural sailing, crew members and cruisers were still extremely excited about being onboard.

Wherever we went, staff welcomed us, saying: "Have an Iconic cruise!"

My cruise embarked the day after Royal Caribbean's partnership with Hard Rock Casinos was announced, so we were greeted at the port with live music, dancers, and free T-shirts!

Throughout the cruise, I saw everyone wearing their "Hard Rock 'n' Royal" T-shirts. A common uniform is a great way to build camaraderie, so this move also added to the energy onboard.

Not only that but on night one, the ship's cruise director, Gemma Hugo, made a speech to everyone gathered on the Royal Promenade for the balloon drop.

She made everyone solemnly swear to have fun and eat tons of food while onboard.

Such intentionality and care lends itself to an infectious air of excitement.

A focus on families with young children creates a playful atmosphere

Even as someone who doesn't have kids, I could tell that Icon of the Seas was the perfect ship for families with young children.

A lot of fun areas focused on families with young kids, like the Surfside neighborhood, water slides, and even a playground on deck 15.

Icon of the Seas provides an awesome family experience, and I could tell when I was onboard.

Kids were included in tons of events onboard, like silent discos or being allowed to compete in trivia games.

One night in the Main Dining Room, I saw a waiter bring two kids a lobster folded out of dinner napkins! They were overjoyed.

I loved how much kids were included in the fun onboard—it lent a vibrant, playful atmosphere to the cruise.

Seeing babies dance at the silent parties and children sing at "finish the lyric" challenges genuinely warmed my heart.

Cruise ships offer exciting shore excursions to unique areas, but how can you make sure they’re safe?

Royal Caribbean cruises have the appeal of taking you to multiple exciting ports of call, from the gorgeous landscapes of Alaska to the ancient ruins of Greece. 

But when you’re traveling to a new and foreign location, safety is always a top priority.

Ensuring that you have a safe, enjoyable experience during your shore excursions takes some careful preparation.

While most shore excursions come with safety in mind and experience tour guides, being smart and proactive is the best way to stay safe.

Especially if you have special concerns (like pregnancy or a disability), are traveling alone, or haven’t been on a cruise before, some extra research and preparation will help you stay protected throughout your cruise.

Here are our top tips for safely taking a cruise ship shore excursion at any port of call.

1. Book through the cruise line

One of the simplest ways to tour a port of call is by purchasing a shore excursion through Royal Caribbean.

Although more expensive, shore excursions sold through Royal Caribbean have been carefully reviewed.

The tour groups and guides have been vetted.

Not only that, but the cruise ship will also wait for your excursion if it runs late.

You’ll be perfectly safe from being left behind in a foreign place!

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

2. Research extensively beforehand

Before you even purchase your preferred shore excursions, take your time to research each aspect of the experience.

Investigate each port of call you’ll be visiting. Even if you have multiple stops in the same country, don’t assume that they’re all the same.

Research will tell you about the safety level, available activities, the landscape, weather, and other important information.

You’ll also need the specific details for your shore excursion: the price, duration, activity level, and dress code.

Knowing all this beforehand helps prepare you for a safe and fun experience.

Read more: Is Royal Caribbean still going to Labadee, Haiti?

3. Don’t be afraid to speak up

I was on a cruise that stopped at Cozumel, Mexico, and was walking through the busy tourist port, when an older man approached me and offered me an already-opened bottle of beer.

When I politely refused, he started to insist that I drink, saying it didn’t matter if I was underage.

I firmly said no, and kept quickly walking.

Can you imagine what might have happened if I had gotten nervous, hadn’t said no, or even agreed to drink the beer?

Being firm, smart, and unafraid to speak up when something seems wrong is a key way to protect yourself.

Of course, you want to be aware of cultural differences, and be careful that you don’t degrade any local customs.

Read more: Top 10 cruise ship shore excursion mistakes to avoid

But your safety is what’s important here, so speak up if something feels wrong! 

Trust your intuition, and don’t let anyone make a sucker out of you.

4. Listen to your tour guide

Your shore excursion’s tour guides will be the best source of knowledge about your port of call.

They are extremely trained and experienced in doing exactly what you need: keeping you safe while giving you a fun experience!

Listen to their safety briefings, which will involve important information about safety, meeting points, and any potential hazards.

Take note of any guidelines they give you.

When you’re in any unfamiliar or remote area, listening to experts is the best way to keep yourself safe.

If you do experience any problems or feel unsafe at any time, let your guide know that you need help.

5. How to you keep your money safe on excursions

You're probably going to need cash during your shore excursion, whether to pay the tour, tip someone, or purchase souvenirs.  So how do you keep that safe, especially when you're on a beach or snorkeling trip?

As a tourist, try to keep a low profile, and don't wear jewelry or hold large amounts of cash. 

Your best bet is to treat valuables, such as cash, like you would normally at home.  Keep it in a wallet, and ensure it's out of sight in either your pants, purse, or backpack.

If you prefer, there are various types of waterproof wallets you can purchase. A simple dry pack that can fit your cash, identification, SeaPass card, and a credit card is all you need (Note, this link is an affiliate link that costs you nothing extra to use).

No matter where you store your cash, keep it out of sight. Put valuables in a bag, and then cover it up so a passerby cannot see it easily. 

If you're somewhere where pickpocketing is a concern, you can carry valuables in a hidden pocket worn under your clothing.

6. Stay with your tour group

For additional safety, try to stay with your group. 

Traveling with a larger group—one of whom is an experienced tour guide—ensures that no one can single you out or take advantage of you.

While some tours do have opportunities for you to explore along, try not to wander too far.

There’s safety in numbers. 

Not only that, but a Royal Caribbean shore excursion will consist of other people on the same cruise ship, and who likely speak the same language as you. They’re a great source of help if you run into any problems.

Even when in a big group, make sure you also stay vigilant of your surroundings!

7. Respect local laws and customs

This is where doing research ahead of time really comes in handy.

To keep yourself safe, you need to understand the context of where you are traveling.

What is considered polite and respectful? What should you wear? Who should you speak to—and who should you not?

Familiarizing yourself with the local traditions and laws ensures that you don’t accidentally do anything considered disrespectful or offensive.

You are a visitor to this country, so make sure that you educate yourself and respect all cultural differences.

Read more: 5 quick and easy tips for finding a great shore excursion on your own

8. Get an Internet connection

While this isn’t required—and it’s certainly trickier when you’re in a new country—having Internet access can really ease your mind when it comes to personal safety.

You have an easy way to do immediate research. You’ll have access to Google Translate, local maps, and a way to call or text anyone if you’re in an emergency.

There are a few ways you can get an Internet connection when you’re off the cruise ship in a foreign country.

You can try to find a restaurant or cafe that has free WiFi. Many areas understand that tourists may need Internet access, and they’ll be happy to provide it to you if you purchase something.

You could also buy a SIM card to get local data. These are sold everywhere, such as in airports or near currency exchanges.

If you need an e-SIM, there are several ways to buy them online. I like to use the app Airlo, which allows you to buy an e-SIM for any country and choose a specific timeline for it to be activated.

After crew members assisted a passenger who was having a heart attack, the US Air Force rescued a man in the open Pacific Ocean last Tuesday.

No one wants the worst to happen while on a cruise ship, but this week's events show that Royal Caribbean staff is well-prepared.

User ChedderCheeseCheetah posted to the Royal Caribbean sub Reddit page that staff onboard Ovation of the Seas saved her dad's life.

"My dad had a cardiac arrest onboard the Ovation two days ago and RC staff responded immediately with excellent CPR and successfully resuscitated him with an AED, stabilized him, and kept him alive for 36 hours," she wrote.

The user shared on Reddit that her dad made it to the hospital safely. 

"[He is] safe and stable but still critically ill."

She credits the cruise line's crew members for making a difference. Without the quick response from Royal Caribbean crew members, ChedderCheeseCheetah's dad may not be alive today.

She commented that she wanted to sing their praises publicly because of this.

"I am just in awe of Royal."

Ovation of the Seas was hundreds of miles from land when the cardiac arrest occurred

Ovation of the Seas was on a 9-night one-way cruise from Honolulu, Hawaii to Vancouver, Canada when the medical emergency happened.

Built-in 2016, she has a capacity for a total of 4,905 guests and 1,500 crew members.

She became the first Quantum Class ship to offer cruises to Alaska in 2019. Ovation of the Seas is also the newest Royal Caribbean ship to cruise to Alaska.

Read more: Comparing the Royal Caribbean ships sailing to Alaska in 2024

The unnamed man who suffered the cardiac arrest was onboard celebrating his upcoming 40th wedding anniversary with his wife.

At the time, Ovation was located in the middle of the sea, with no time to sail to land.

The patient had to be stabilized by medical staff and then evacuated off the ship via helicopter.

After his evacuation, the wife remains onboard and will have to wait until the ship disembarks in Vancouver.

The rescue was coordinated by the United States Coast Guard and Air Force

The Reddit user ChedderCheeseCheetah reported that, after her father's cardiac arrest, medical staff onboard Ovation of the Seas resuscitated and stabilized him, then placed him in a medical coma for the helicopter recuse.

Once the US Coast Guard could get within range of the ship, they were able to send a helicopter to lift the father to a hospital in California.

ChedderCheeseCheetah said the United States Coast Guard and Air Force worked together to coordinate and complete the medical evacuation.

Videos show the evacuation involved a military-grade Pave Hawk helicopter and a C130 to refuel it in the air.

That way, the helicopter could fly hundreds of miles out to sea and back.

This rescue involved complex coordination between Royal Caribbean, USCG, and USAF. It is an impression accomplishment that the evacuation could take place to save this man's life.

Reddit user jpchopper added that the evacuation was "no small thing... and it's an even bigger accomplishment that they were able to coordinate all of this in 2 days."

ChedderCheeseCheetah also said she found it "funny but not funny" that her father is an Army combat veteran.

"[He] would be beside himself with pride at the job well done by our military men and women for this rescue. And he would have loved the helicopter ride if he hadn’t been medically sedated for it."

Many users resonated with the heartwarming story 

Many Redditers commented, sending their prayer to the poster's father and applauding Royal Caribbean staff members.

"I got the chills reading this," HurryAdventures8335 said. "It’s so amazing that everything turned out okay."

The Reddit post also served to connect passengers who are currently on the Ovation of the Seas cruise.

Mfhicks wrote to the original poster: "I am so glad you have shared this! My uncle sat with him [in the Main Dining Room] throughout the week and was very concerned when he wasn’t there a couple of days ago. 

"We would love to keep up with his progress and offer any assistance possible."

Users also pointed out that, in addition to the fast medical response, Royal Caribbean is doing its part to reimburse passengers on the current sailing and the next for the cruise ship delays.

"This couldn’t be cheap for Royal because they are reimbursing passengers for missed flights and hotel stays. They are doing the right thing and willing to absorb a loss for it," pharmecist commented.

At the time of this article, Cruise Mapper showed Ovation close to the North American West Coast, making its way to Vancouver.

The cruise ship's arrival at port was delayed by nearly 12 hours.

Guests booked on Ovation's next sailing also commented on Reddit that their cruise had been delayed.