Eating on a cruise ship is one of the major draws of this type of vacation, and there are plenty of great snacks to enjoy along the way!

From fancy specialty restaurants to complimentary snack stops, there's a cuisine for everyone to try.

But over the limited length of your cruise, you won't get the chance to try everything. Many ships have 8-10 dining venues onboard, so you'll never be able to try every dish at each one.

To maximize your time, you'll need to know the essentials that keep cruisers coming back for more.

We took to Facebook to poll our readers on their thoughts.

Through a post on the Royal Caribbean Dining Facebook Group, we asked users about their favorite snack on any Royal Caribbean ship.

We received hundreds of comments, with readers sharing dishes that they grab the first thing when they get onboard and meals that have them Googling the recipe when they get home.

Here are the top snacks in the whole Royal Caribbean fleet.

Coconut Ranger cookies

Kathleen Smith (and many other readers) shared that her favorite snack is the coconut ranger cookie.

Peggy Czerkies added that she brings Ziplock bags on her cruise just to tuck those cookies away and bring them back to the cabin.

The Coconut Ranger cookies are a fan favorite, a must-try snack that's offered at complimentary venues like the Park Cafe and Promenade Cafe.

Read more: Top 5 signature Royal Caribbean foods

The Ranger cookies are essentially chewy coconutty praline cookies. They can be made with whatever you have lying around, like oatmeal, or chocolate chips.

Royal Caribbean's version adds shredded coconut chips and coconut milk for the extra texture and flavor.

Cruisers love these cookies for their sweet, nutty flavor and chewy texture. Some commenters shared that they like to sandwich the cookies around a scoop of soft-serve ice cream for an extra kick of sweetness.

Sorrento's Pizza

Steve Cohen goes straight for Sorrento's Pizza when he needs a midnight snack.

Sorrento's Pizza is a Royal Caribbean staple, a complimentary pizza place open most of the day serving up New York-style pizza.

Specific times vary depending on the sailing and day, but Sorrento's is often open from 11:00 A.M. up until 2:00 A.M.

The venue is a casual, open-air space that is usually located somewhere central in the ship, like on the Royal Promenade.

Hot, gooey slices of pizza come in several flavors: cheese, pepperoni, Margherita, and Carnivore.

You can choose as many pieces and flavors as your heart desires.

Tuna sandwiches

The Park Cafe or Cafe Promenade is a small, complimentary venue often open in the afternoon, perfect for a late lunch or afternoon snack.

These areas serve up a variety of salads, fruits, and small sandwiches.

Nicole Decker likes the tuna sandwiches, calling them, "amazing for when we wanted something savory."

The sandwich selections change daily, so you can always keep coming back to find new favorites.

There are even gluten-free and other options for those who have dietary restrictions.

Read more: 10 unique foods you will find on Royal Caribbean

Kummelweck

The kummelweck is another favorite sandwich offered at the Park Cafe, Cafe Two70, and Cafe Promenade.

It's a Western New York tradition, a warm, sliced roast beef sandwich on a kummelweck roll.

The kummelweck is a cruiser staple, something that fans come back for over and over.

Ann-Marie Skiffington Butler called the sandwich "to die for," and many users echoed her sentiment.

Joe Bellardini wrote that he loves these sandwiches, and the Park Cafe is the "first place place I hit after boarding."

We lost count of all the comments praising this sandwich!

Roasted tomatoes

Debbie Brommeland Riefner shared a more unusual favorite snack: roasted tomatoes in the Windjammer.

The complimentary buffet on all Royal Caribbean ships serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and the roasted tomatoes can usually be found at breakfast.

Debbie commented: "I could eat my weight in them for breakfast... weird because I don't eat tomatoes for breakfast at home."

These roasted tomatoes are a warm, savory favorite, perfect with bacon, eggs, or alone with a sprinkle of salt.

Feta-stuffed sweet peppers

Greg Burdine commented that his favorite snack is the feta-stuffed pimentos served at Vintages bar.

Vintages is a popular nighttime bar venue, decorated in dark and heavy woods, with a quiet elegant atmosphere.

The bar is known for its alcoholic drinks, particularly a selection of fine wines.

However, snacks are also served here at an extra cost.

The feta-stuff sweet peppers cost $2.50 and are made by stuffing pimentos (aka sweet cherry chili peppers) with feta cheese.

They're a small, savory snack—the perfect pairing for a red wine, such as merlot.

Chocolate croissant

Royal Caribbean's chocolate croissants can be found around breakfast time, usually at the Windjammer or the Main Dining Room.

Read more: How Royal Caribbean's Main Dining Room works and what to expect

Rochelle Root Bushey loves the chocolate croissants, "so much that I pick up an extra at breakfast and save it for later."

Saving items for later is always a bonus of being on a cruise ship.

You can tuck your food into a Ziploc bag, or a napkin, or even just bring the plate back to your stateroom.

The food will be there when you're ready to enjoy it again.

Oatmeal raisin cookies

Melanie Lorino commented that she likes Royal Caribbean's oatmeal raisin cookies located at the Windjammer and cafes.

"[They're] never my go-to cookie but Royal nails it," she wrote.

Royal Caribbean's oatmeal raisin cookies are an extra-warm, extra-soft version of the familiar snack.

You'll be able to find them at almost any complimentary dining venue, such as the Windjammer, Park Cafe, or Cafe Promenade.

Read more: 11 things you should never do at a cruise ship buffet

Funnel cake

Another set of favorite Royal Caribbean snacks can be found off the ships and on Perfect Day at CocoCay.

The cruise line's private island has beaches, pools, chairs, and—more importantly—a variety of popular, complimentary snacks and meals.

Beth Ballard Bean commented that the funnel cake on CocoCay is her favorite.

It's a hot, deep-fried scramble of batter, topped with powdered sugar and served on a small plate.

You'll see lots of guests—from old to young—enjoying this free snack on Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Read more: What to do at CocoCay? 18 things to try on your visit

Buffalo chicken crunch roll

Katina Bradley commented that her favorite savory snack is the Buffalo chicken crunch roll.

Playmakers is the Royal Caribbean arcade and sports bar.

This venue is located on Freedom of the Seas, Icon of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas, Star of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Utopia of the Seas, and Wonder of the Seas.

In addition to showing sports games and offering arcade machines, Playmakers serves casual finger food and beers at an extra cost.

The Buffalo chicken crunch roll is a crunchy wrap of chicken and melted cheese. It comes with buffalo and blue cheese sauce and is sold for $5.

Traveling to a completely new continent is an intimidating experience.

To help you prepare for your next European cruise, I’ll share 8 things I learned through experience.

My first trip to Europe happened last November, and I learned some important lessons from that cruise.

I sailed on Enchantment of the Seas for my first Mediterranean voyage.

Not only was this my first Mediterranean cruise, but it was also my first visit to the entire continent of Europe!

The 7-night sailing traveled to exotic locations at multiple ports: Athens, Mykonos, Santorini, Crete, Palma de Mallorca, and Barcelona.

As with any experience, I couldn’t have predicted the lessons I learned on this wintery cruise.

These are the 8 aspects that most surprised me, but all in all, my number one tip is to immerse yourself as deeply as possible in the culture, language, and unique sights.

It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so don’t be afraid to experience everything you can!

Read more: What is the best time to cruise the Mediterranean?

1. Shore excursions are the highlight of a Mediterranean cruise

From Alaska to the Caribbean, different cruises have different attractions.

Nature lovers might select an Alaskan cruise, while those who love beaches and culture will choose a cruise to the Caribbean.

Each location has its own set of features to draw cruisers in, but you don’t always know what to expect until you experience the cruise.

When it comes to a Mediterranean cruise, the shore excursions at historical locations are really the draw. 

A sailing to the Mediterranean is like to have more port stops than a Caribbean cruise. 

I found that the majority of my budget for the cruise went towards shore excursions, with my focus zeroed in on seeing the local architecture, history, landscapes, and monuments.

Read more: Is it worth booking an inside cabin for a Mediterranean cruise?

2. Learn a few words of the local language to be polite

This is one tip that I didn’t follow, but looking back, I wish that I had. 

American tourists have an unfortunate reputation for being ignorant and rude, and it’s something I always try to be mindful of when I travel internationally.

I noticed that some people I encountered on my cruise gave me more of a cold shoulder when they heard my accent.

Of course, almost everyone I encountered spoke English, so that I could get around Greece and Spain without any trouble.

However, I wish that I had learned a few words in Greek to be more polite.

There’s no requirement to be fluent, but just learning a few phrases such as “please” and “thank you” goes a long way.

It shows politeness and knowledge, and after my cruise there, I could tell that I would be appreciated.

3. Most shops rely on cards instead of cash

When you begin preparing for your first cruise, you’ll see that many blogs and experts recommend bringing a selection of cash onboard.

However, this doesn’t necessarily apply to a European cruise. Most of Europe has phased out the use of cash, only using credit and debit cards.

Not only that but paying with a card also means that you don’t have to exchange any bills.

Most American cards work at any hotel, shop, or restaurant in Europe.

4. When it comes to cards, don’t bring American Express

As you pack your credit cards for a Mediterranean cruise, remember that most places don’t take American Express cards.

I had to find this out the hard way, as I was attempting to pay for souvenirs at a shop on the island of Mykonos, Greece.

The shopkeeper regretfully told me they couldn’t accept any American Express cards, so I had to find a different card to use.

As you prepare for your cruise, try to bring a different card type, such as Visa or Mastercard.

To save yourself more time and money, look for a card that doesn’t have foreign transaction fees, and let your bank know that you’re traveling.

With this preparation, you’ll have quick and seamless point-of-sale transactions in any country on your cruise.

Read more: I’ve been on 3 European cruises, and I see people making the same 12 mistakes: here’s how to avoid them

5. You’ll need a good pair of walking shoes

With shore excursions being the highlight of a Mediterranean cruise, you’ll also need to be prepared for the amount of walking they involve.

Walkable cities are the norm in Europe, and sometimes your tours will consist of long walks around a historical site or shopping area.

Not only that, but sometimes taxis are harder to find, so you may need to walk to get where you need to go.

For example, at ports of call on my cruise, I found that I had to walk from the cruise port or wherever the tender boat dropped us off, to the next area of interest.

If I wanted to get to the beach on Mykonos or find a restaurant in Athens, I needed to walk.

Considering all the walking you’ll be doing, it’s important to prepare by getting a good pair of walking shoes.

Some of the roads are older and cobbled, so planning ahead will protect your feet for a whole cruise of walking tours.

6. Have modest clothing on hand

When I researched the type of clothing I should pack for my Mediterranean cruise, I found classic lookbooks of flowing linens, wide pants, and comfortable white shirts. 

However, I also learned that packing some more modest clothing would come in handy for my cruise.

Greece is still deeply influenced by its Orthodox history and is home to many beautiful, historical churches.

No matter your religious beliefs, these locations are worth seeing, but before you enter, there are some important customs to be aware of.

To enter any church, patrons should be wearing modest clothing, with their shoulders, cleavage, and knees covered.

Even if you don’t plan on attending any churches, I recommend bringing along a shawl or jacket just in case. 

You never know when you might stumble upon a particularly beautiful or old church, and long to see the inside.

7. Try the food recommended by locals, not just the most well-known dishes

When it comes to the food in the Mediterranean, it’s hard to be disappointed.

I went crazy trying everything I could: cheeses, fresh fruit, olives, salads, and more.

But when you’re looking at the menu and deciding what to order, don’t go straight for the dish that you recognize first.

While the most well-known dishes are certainly good, I found that I discovered some unexpected gems when I asked the waitstaff or other locals what they recommended.

More Americanized dishes still tasted great—even the ingredients were better—but the meals that I tried based on local recommendations were heavenly.

This applies to venues onboard Royal Caribbean ships, not just land restaurants. The food onboard the ship was better than on any other sailing I’ve experienced. 

8. Download WhatsApp for the quickest communication

For Americans who may not be familiar with WhatsApp, I highly recommend that you download the app before your cruise.

A secure messaging platform, WhatsApp works to text and call your current and new contacts.

It also loads on WiFi, so this makes it a great option for travelers who don’t buy local data plans.

Additionally, many hotels, tours, and guides in Europe use a WhatsApp number for contacts.

For example, when my cruise stopped in Spain, I was left waiting for my pre-ordered taxi to arrive.

When the taxi driver was late, I began to worry that I would miss my flight home.

The website offered a WhatsApp number, which I was able to use to contact and confirm the driver was coming.

If I hadn’t already had the app downloaded, my trip to the airport could have been even more delayed!

Read more: My European cruise wasn't what I expected: here's why

Happy weekend! In case you missed any Royal Caribbean news, here is a look at everything that happened this week!

After suffering a propulsion issue mid-cruise, Radiance of the Seas next sailing has been cancelled.

After initially delaying the sailing's departure by two days, Royal Caribbean informed guests their cruise would be cancelled.

Passengers had already boarded the ship while the vessel underwent work in port for an additional two days, however, the decision was made to cancel the cruise altogether.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean would consider offering river cruises
• "What a great start to the year" Royal Caribbean reports strong first quarter earnings
• Royal Caribbean touts "significant progress" in decarbonization reduction target
• Royal Caribbean executives talk amazing demand, beach club, ordering new ships and more
• Royal Caribbean breaks ground on new beach club in Bahamas reserved for its passengers
• Royal Caribbean eliminated norovirus outbreaks on its cruise ships last year after making big changes
• Royal Caribbean cancels more visits to Labadee, Haiti into the fall
• This Royal Caribbean drink package workaround saves so much money if you're not a heavy drinker
• "Should be illegal": Crew member shows off daring high dive on cruise ship

New RCB Video: Why Royal Caribbean's customer loyalty perks are in trouble

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—Why Royal Caribbean's customer loyalty perks are in trouble—don’t forget to subscribe to our channel!

I went to Royal Caribbean's private island on a Celebrity cruise ship. Here's what surprised me about this visit

Celebrity Cruises took its first visit to Royal Caribbean's private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, and Elizabeth went onboard to see what it was like.

Celebrity Reflection and Celebrity Beyond are both scheduled to regularly visit the island on future itineraries.

Elizabeth sailed on Celebrity Reflection and saw frequent advertisements for Perfect Day at CocoCay onboard.

Here's everything that surprised her on the visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay with Celebrity Cruises. 

Almost 1 in 2 Royal Caribbean cruise ship passengers are millennials

When you picture the average Royal Caribbean fan, do you visualize a young, hip millennial?

Recent statistics show that over half of passengers on Royal Caribbean cruise ships are between 43-28 years old, or even younger.

Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean Group's CEO, said that "almost  1 in 2 guests are millennials or younger."

"It's a very powerful statement."

Royal Caribbean Oasis Class Ships by Age

Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class ships have been record-breaking, expectation-setting vessels ever since their inception.

With Utopia of the Seas launching this summer, and the introduction of a new Oasis Class ship to be released in 2028, how many Oasis Class ships are there?

Here's every Oasis Class ship by age, oldest to youngest—and what makes each one special.

New casino partnership

Royal Caribbean Group announced on Friday that it will be partnering with Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming to provide deals and added perks to loyalty members.

Members of Royal Caribbean's Club Royal, Celebrity Cruises' Blue Chip Club, and Hard Rock's Unity loyalty programs will receive extra benefits thanks to this partnership.

Essentially, cruisers who have status in Royal Caribbean or Celebrity Cruises' casino loyalty programs can now gain benefits at Hard Rock Casinos—and vice versa.

Cruise advice that makes sense until you get on your ship

You'll hear lots of cruise tips before you sail, but a few of them seem to make sense until you get onboard.

There's merit in these cruise tips, but in practical terms, they just don't work well. Whether because they're too limiting or impractical, these are the cruise tips you might want to think twice about embracing.

Here's my list of cruise tips that aren't as good as they sound.

12 reasons to eat at the buffet instead of the dining room

Whether you're a picky eater or not, the cruise ship buffet is an underrated option for dinner.

There are advantages to eating at the Main Dining Room or Windjammer, including convenience, variety, and service.

To help make this decision easier, here are 12 reasons to eat at the buffet instead of the dining room on your cruise.

A Royal Caribbean crew member recently shared what it's like to do a high dive on a cruise ship, and it looked scarier than when watching from the seats.

Crew members often share their unique day-to-day lives on social media, and this woman shocked the Internet with her daredevil antics.

Ginni van Katwijk, a Dutch cliff diver, recently shared a video to Instagram of a shocking high-dive.

She lives and works on the Oasis Class Harmony of the Seas, and has been with Royal Caribbean for 11 years.

Harmony of the Seas is currently the world’s fourth-largest cruise ship, although she held first place when she was first launched in 2015.

The ship carries over 5,000 passengers and crew members.

About 20 of these crew members are performers at the ship's AquaTheater, which is seen in the viral video.

Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class ships feature an AquaTheater uniquely designed to combine a pool, diving boards, a high wire, and technology for a stunning show space.

Read more: Harmony of the Seas review: What this cruise ship is like in 2024

Harmony of the Seas has a sensational aerial, synchronized swimming, dancing, diving, and slackline show called “The Fine Line,” in which Katwijk performs.

The show combines talented crew members, lights, music, and acrobatics to dazzle guests in the AquaTheater.

However, Katwijk's recent performance on social media went above and beyond (literally).

Katwijk was visibly nervous before she dove off the 55 feet platform

Katwijk shared a video of her record-breaking high dive, leaping 55 feet (16.8 meters) down into the water.

She posted the video to her Instagram feed under the username @adventures_with_ginni.

In it, she shows an angle of her perspective of the dive, pointing out the pool’s features from above.

The AquaTheater’s diving tower includes two springboards and two higher platforms, reaching 32.8 feet (10 meters).

From these high platforms, a dive into the pool marks a total of 55 feet.

She marks a point in the left third of the pool where she is attempting to land—a place that looks tiny from her high vantage point.

Guests can be seen walking the deck and sitting nearby.

As her hands begin to shake with nerves, Katwijk says “Just like normal, we got this. Easy peasy."

Then, she stretches her arms high and leaps, doing a couple of flips as she dives down into the water.

Katwijk elegantly lands feet-first in the spot she pointed out earlier, with a loud splat confirming her landing. 

The video also catches a round of applause and cheers from the deck as guests witness her performance.

Commenters expressed anxiety and shock, applauding her bravery

The video was posted on March 30th, 2024, and already has upwards of 40 million views.

Many commenters also jumped in to share their opinion.

“That should be illegal,” user @queendawkins commented.

@waiyi_chan echoed this perspective: “How is this allowed?”

“The landing sounds like a shotgun!” @therealmotzemog commented on the loud noise of her dive into the pool.

In addition to being shocked at Katwijk’s high dive, users also couldn’t believe that this was taking place on a cruise ship.

In addition to the shocking height of the dive, being on a cruise ship poses extra challenges due to the possibility of wind and waves.

“WHY IS THIS ON A CRUISE SHIP?” @lotsasmiles wrote.

Plenty of users expressed that they would never be able to complete a dive this high, with lots of comments reading “no thank you."

‘You’d have to pay me to do this.’

Many commenters seemed concerned that this dive would be offered as an option for guests, but Katwijk made it clear that this experience was only for trained professionals, aka the AquaTheater performers.

“Currently, guests are not allowed to swim in this pool at all—it’s just for shows and for the performers to train and warm up in,” she wrote in a previous Instagram post.

Read more: Trying out the free activities on Harmony of the Seas

The AquaTheater pools are the deepest at sea 

Harmony of the Seas is no stranger to these exciting high dives.

In 2017, Cesilie Carlton, an American high-diver on the ship, posted a video on Instagram performing the 55-foot high dive from the same high platform.

Carlton's video was filmed by fellow performer Sydney Brown and showed a similar dive from the platform.

The AquaTheater on Harmony of the Seas is uniquely designed for exciting aqua shows. 

Quests are not allowed to use the AquaTheater pool, as it is only used for shows and performer warm-ups.

As part of the shows, Oasis Class ships boast the deepest pools at sea. The pool’s depth can be adjusted to a depth of almost 18 feet (5.5 meters).

In a previous Instagram post about the pool, Katwijk shared that the pool has a mechanism underneath that takes up 3 feet, leaving 14 feet for divers to land in.

"YES," she wrote, "We touch the bottom every time when we come from the high dive!" 

The AquaTheater is the most technologically advanced aspect of the Oasis Class

Royal Caribbean's unique AquaTheater shows may look effortless, but there's a lot of work behind the scenes to fit everything together.

The divers, stage managers, swimmers, and tech crew must all communicate clearly and trust one another to perfect their timing and performer safety.

So that performers can hear stage manager instructions at all times, there is an underwater speaker in the Aquatheater pool.

Read more: Crew member shows what it's like to sail on an empty cruise ship with no passengers

In addition to these vocal cues, there is a lights system at the diving boards that behaves like traffic lights, letting divers know when they're clear to go.

The performance looks simple at its completion, but it takes a lot of moving parts for the show to go on.

“No one just has an epiphany and wakes up and says, ‘Let's build the AquaTheater,’” said Richard Fain, former Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean International. 

“It’s very much an iterative process and evolutionary. You learn from doing it on other ships, and each time you learn more, and you use that.”

There's simply nothing within the cruise industry that compares to the scale and pizzazz of Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class ships.

Since Oasis of the Seas launched in 2009, these large ships have revolutionized what you can experience on a cruise.

Not only are these ships massive, but they’re also intentionally designed with a large variety of activities, entertainment, and dining.

The Oasis class was the first to introduce the concept of neighborhoods, distinct areas that offer different amenities, separating crowds and making it harder to get lost.

Not only that, but Oasis Class ships also feature amenities like laser tag, zip lines, ice skating rinks, AquaTheaters, Boardwalks with carousels, the Perfect Storm water slide, the Ultimate Abyss dry slide, and an entire nature-filled neighborhood modeled after Central Park.

However, they aren’t all the same. 

With each new rendition, Royal Caribbean seeks to improve and revitalize its ships.

In order of ships oldest to newest, here are all of the Oasis Class ships and what makes them unique.

Oasis of the Seas

• Inaugural sailing: December 2009
• Maximum passenger capacity: 6,780
• Gross tonnage: 226,838

Royal Caribbean launched Oasis of the Seas in 2009, starting the Oasis Class off with a bang.

At the time of her launch, Oasis of the Seas was the biggest cruise ship in the world, featuring more amenities and activities than ever before.

She broke ground with seven distinct neighborhoods, becoming a destination in her own right.

In addition, she was amplified in 2019, adding new dining venues and bars, updating the pool deck to a Caribbean resort style, and revamping the kid’s programs and other activities.

Royal Caribbean invested $165 million in the amplification, ensuring that Oasis still feels fresh and luxurious even at 15 years old.

The first Oasis-Class ship mainly sails from Miami and Cape Liberty, offering Caribbean cruises.

In the summer of 2024, she will sail to the Mediterranean and begin 7-night Western Mediterranean cruises.

Read more: I've only sailed Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class ships: Will I be disappointed if I try other ships?

Allure of the Seas 

• Inaugural sailing: December 2010
• Maximum passenger capacity: 6,780
• Gross tonnage: 225,282

Royal Caribbean didn’t hesitate to continue the popularity of its Oasis Class.

Allure of the Seas, the second Oasis-Class ship, was launched in 2010, just one year after her predecessor.

Similar to Oasis, Royal Caribbean updated Allure with features found on newer ships.

In 2025, Allure underwent a $100 million Royal Amplification to add new waterslides, a revamped pool deck, the Ultimate Abyss dry slide, new restaurants and more.

These changes greatly enhance the appeal with families to choose Allure.  

In 2025, Allure of the Seas is splitting her time between summer in Europe before heading back to Florida to offer Caribbean cruises in the winter.

The appeal of going on Allure of the Seas is you get updated features, but will probably pay less than the newer ships in the class.

Harmony of the Seas

• Inaugural sailing: May 2016
• Maximum passenger capacity: 6,687
• Gross tonnage: 226,963

Harmony of the Seas is one of Royal Caribbean’s most popular and well-known cruise ships.

She is the 3rd ship in the Oasis Class but ushered in new expectations with a set of enhancements to the Oasis-Class experience.

Harmony was the largest cruise ship in the world when she was launched in 2016, and was later revitalized in 2021.

She has the updated Oasis-class features like the Ultimate Abyss slide, three multi-story water slides, and an escape room.

Additional activities make for an adrenaline-packed cruise experience: an 82-foot zip line, two rock climbing walls, a mini golf course, a full-sized basketball court, an ice skating rink, and two FlowRider surf simulators.

The 3rd Oasis-class ship currently offers 7-night Western Caribbean cruises out of Galveston, Texas.

Symphony of the Seas

• Inaugural sailing: April 2018
• Maximum passenger capacity: 6,680
• Gross tonnage: 228,081

When she launched as the fourth Oasis-Class ship, Symphony of the Seas replaced Harmony of the Seas as an even larger cruise ship.

Not all ships within the same class are the same, and Symphony does a great job of proving how Royal Caribbean tries to improve each cruise ship.

For example, she was the first Royal Caribbean ship to have Hooked Seafood, an extra-cost restaurant with fresh New England seafood cuisine.

Symphony is one of Royal Caribbean’s most action-packed ships, perfect for guests who love a variety of different activities.

She was recently upgraded in 2023 and currently offers summer cruises from Cape Liberty, New York, sailing to Port Canaveral, Florida, Perfect Day at Cococay, and Nassau, Bahamas over 7-night cruises.

Wonder of the Seas

• Inaugural sailing: March 2022
• Maximum passenger capacity: 6,988
• Gross tonnage: 236,857

Much like her sister ships, Wonder of the Seas was the biggest cruise ship in the world at her launch.

In fact, she was only recently de-throned in 2024 by Icon of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean continued to improve and change the Oasis Class with Wonder’s launch, adding unique features like the Mason Jar Southern restaurant, Cantina Fresca bar, and Vue bar.

Instead of the usual seven neighborhoods, she has an eighth addition: a Suites-only neighborhood at the ship's top.

The opportunities are endless. 

Wonder of the Seas also has countless activities and a new underwater-themed playground called the Wonder Playscape.

This massive vessel sails 7-night Caribbean itineraries (both Eastern and Western) out of Port Canaveral, Florida, with stops at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Utopia of the Seas

• Inaugural sailing: July 2024
• Maximum passenger capacity: 5,668
• Gross tonnage: 236,860

Royal Caribbean isn’t done releasing Oasis-Class ships. 

Utopia of the Seas is the newest Oasis Class ship and it's proof Royal Caribbean is still dreaming up new ways to make these ships even more impressive.

The ship operates on a hybrid model, leveraging Liquified Natural Gas (LNG), the cleanest fossil fuel to power ships today.

Use of LNG can reduce carbon emissions by 30%, sulfur emissions by 100%, and nitrogen oxide emissions by 85%.

Utopia of the Seas is different in that it sails 3 and 4-night cruises only.   from Port Canaveral, Florida, to Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau, Bahamas.

While it's quite similar to other Oasis Class ships, there's more opportunities to party. Royal Caribbean wanted this ship to be the ultimate weekend party, and they expanded its entertainment offerings on Utopia.

Unnamed (expected in 2028)

An order has been placed for a seventh Oasis Class ship, set to be launched in 2028.

Little details have been released, and the public does not yet know the name of the ship.

But Royal Caribbean has found a massive amount of success with its Oasis Class. 

The ships have become a new standard in the cruise industry, a paragon of size and amenities.

Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO said that, “From the moment [the first Oasis Class ship] sailed, it has been an absolute huge success.”

“These ships deliver from every dimension. And the most important dimension is customer satisfaction.”

He says that the breadth and depth of these ships, as well as the unique neighborhoods, are partially responsible for this huge success.

Because there’s something for every individual, families can experience fun activities separately, and then come together in the evening for dinner or other events.

families can experience unique activities, there’s something for every individual 

“It really is a winning formula.”

Did you miss any of this week's Royal Caribbean news? No worries, because we have you covered with our wrap-up of cruise news!

Royal Caribbean crew members are often praised for going above and beyond, and this Windjammer employee is a cut above the rest.

Reminding guests to wash their hands is a simple task, and Stacian makes it entertaining like no one else can.

She is one of the many members with the "Washy Washy" assignment, and has worked on Royal Caribbean cruise ships for 20 years.

Royal Caribbean News

• 24 Alaska cruise tips to follow in 2024
• Royal Caribbean cancels cruise because of Houthi Attacks in Red Sea
• 6 mistakes to avoid while planning a cruise and sharing a cabin with a friend
• Is Royal Caribbean still going to Labadee, Haiti?
• Royal Caribbean will have a dog that lives on Star of the Seas
• 4 mistakes people make when booking another cruise onboard their ship
• Royal Caribbean's Newest Ship to Feature an Epic '80s Music Spectacular
• 8 Useful Apps Every Cruiser Should Know About
• Toilet paper: The unspoken downside of going on a cruise ship

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 531st episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available! 

How do you get a free Royal Caribbean cruise from gambling? And is it worth it?

Matt answers all your questions about the Casino Royale deal—the best one out there—in this episode.

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

New RCB Video: The WORST Royal Caribbean Deals

Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! 

This week, we are sharing our latest video—The WORST Royal Caribbean Deals—don’t forget to subscribe to our channel!

16 things to ask your cruise ship cabin attendant

What kind of special requests can you make to your stateroom attendant?

Whether you need a sharps container, extra towels, or even furniture moved out of your way, your stateroom attendant can tend to all your concerns.

To ensure you have the most comfortable stay, here's everything you can ask your cabin attendant for.

Follow our NEW Facebook page!

We have a new Facebook page, so please follow us there too!

Unfortunately our old Facebook page was removed, so you'll need to follow us on our new Facebook page so you don't miss any updates!

Celebrity will visit Royal Caribbean's private island

Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean will be bringing their close sisterhood even closer.

On Monday, April 22nd, Celebrity ships begin visiting Royal Caribbean's private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay.

The move is symbolic of the sister lines' closer relationship.

Because of the high demand for Bahamas and Caribbean cruises, Celebrity will begin visiting the region, with occasional stops at CocoCay.

What happens on Turnaround Day on a Cruise?

How do cruise ships go straight from one sailing to the next?

Turnaround day is when the previous guests disembark from a cruise and the incoming guests board.

Behind the scenes, crew members and cruise terminal staff work tirelessly to get it all down in just a few hours.

This is the entire process of turnaround day, and how the crew gets it all done.

When you think about a cruise vacation, you have images in your mind of sun soaked days in beautiful places that's a dream getaway, except for one oddly overlooked aspect: the toilet paper. 

There’s one thing most people hate about cruise ships: the toilet paper.

Anyone who’s been on a cruise before has also been victimized by the thin, sandpaper-like material in the bathroom that passes for toilet paper.

Rather than a soft double-ply, or a cheap single-ply tissue, the toilet paper resembles something like half-ply tissue paper.

Read more: 22 unpleasant cruise ship problems you aren't prepared for

Without going into too much detail, you can imagine that this type of paper would leave guests feeling uncomfortable. 

However, this choice of toilet paper is completely intentional, and it’s not just to save money.

There are good reasons as to why Royal Caribbean (and most other cruise lines) uses such scratchy, thin tissue.

Why is the cruise ship toilet paper so thin?

Cruise ships feel like a self-contained city, with cabins, bathrooms, dining, activities, and pools all onboard. But they’re still essentially an ecosystem that floats on water.

Because of this, they have to be mindful of the environment around them and the storage space onboard. 

Cruise ships have to use a thin toilet paper that is suitable for RV, portable toilet, or marine use. It’s specifically designed to flush easily and quickly break down in the holding tanks, preventing any nasty clogs.

Marine sewer systems are intricate, and so unable to process the thicker, plushier toilet paper you’re used to at home.

Cruise ship toilets can easily get clogged

Because cruise ships are so contained, the sewage pipes are smaller and more susceptible to blockages. 

Any small clog could lead to a blockage of an entire pipe.

Not only that, but the toilets are also all connected. This means that if one guest’s toilet is blocked up, all the other guests will suffer.

Usually, the ship’s plumber will have to manually remove the blockage from the pipes.

Clogged plumbing is a common problem on cruises, and it's why crew members and signage repeatedly remind guests about what they can't flush, such as feminine hygiene items, tissues, or wipes. 

The only thing that should be going down the toilet is your business and that thin, scratchy toilet paper!

Can you pack your own toilet paper?

You might be tempted to bring your own toilet paper or flushable wipes onboard as a workaround to the problem.

However, this is not a good idea.

Remember, the plumbing on cruise ships is very sensitive. Anything other than marine-grade toilet paper could clog up the pipes.

Some guests have even reported that they had their personal rolls of toilet paper confiscated as they were boarding on embarkation day.

If you really don’t want to rely on the cruise ship’s toilet paper, but also don’t want to throw away wipes and tissues in the trash, you could also try a bidet.

Some suites have a bidet, but there's only a handful of cabins with this feature.

Where does the poop go when you flush?

You might be wondering where the contents go when you finish using that see-through toilet paper and flush the toilet.

All wastewater—including your poop and shower water—goes into a water-treatment system onboard.

None of it will go overboard until it is run through this treatment plant. This advanced treatment system has been rated above the US federal standard for purified water.

The wastewater purification plant onboard splits the water into three categories: grey water, black water, and bilge water.

Grey water is shower and tap water from sinks, laundries, and drains.

Black water is what comes from food waste and toilets.

And bilge water is the oils that are released from the engine compartments at the bottom of the ship.

Blackwater (that’s the human waste division) will go through three processes: aeration, filtration, and disinfection.

First, a bioreactor aeration chamber breaks down the organic contaminants with bacteria that can dissolve the black water.

Next, the sewage goes into a membrane filtration system that filters all impurities. Dense substances will float to the bottom in the settlement chamber, while water floats to the top.

The leftover sludge at the bottom is repeatedly cycled until the system is left with water and any remaining sludge is incinerated.

Lastly, the clean sewage (that leftover water) enters a disinfection chamber where any remaining pathogens are sterilized. UV radiation purifies any remaining bacteria, leaving clean and safe water that is left in a storage tank until it can be discharged.

This water really is fresh! It’s considered almost tap-water quality.

Once the cruise ship is far enough away from land to meet local and international regulations, they can discharge the water.

However, this does depend on the location of the ship, as regulations vary, and some areas even prohibit discharging.

The purified sewage water and the grey water are discharged far out to sea, and don’t contain any harmful bacteria.

Read more: Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ships will convert waste to energy

There are compelling reasons to book a cruise onboard a Royal Caribbean ship, but you'll want to double-check everything before you hand over your credit card.

Picture yourself onboard a cruise you’ve looked forward to for months (or even years). You’re having such a blast that you’re starting to dread disembarking.

With NextCruise, you can book your next cruise right onboard, having another fun experience guaranteed before you even get off the ship. Booking a cruise onboard at NextCruise offers promising deals and benefits.

You can conveniently plan out and book your next Royal Caribbean cruise with guidance from a qualified crew member.

Not only that, but using NextCruise offers some exciting deals, such as onboard credit, low deposits, and discounts on shore excursions.

Does it sound too good to be true?

When you find yourself at the NextCruise booth, avoid these common mistakes to get the best deal out of your experience.

In the excitement of experiencing your current cruise and planning your next one, it’s easy to overlook some important potential pitfalls.

As convenient as the NextCruise booth is, you never want to miss something that ends up costing you money or even delaying your upcoming cruise.

To avoid any problems when booking at NextCruise, watch out for these common mistakes.

Read more: Should you book your next cruise while onboard?

1. Forgetting to confirm offers in writing

Royal Caribbean’s website promises exciting deals for booking with NextCruise. These include:

• The best offer on any sailing, guaranteed
• Up to $600 in onboard credit for your next cruise
• Deposits as low as $100 per person
• The ability to handpick your suite or stateroom
• Booking up to three staterooms with the same benefits for friends and family
• Up to 10% off shore excursions

Not only that but you’re also guaranteed onboard credit when you book with NextCruise.

The onboard credit varies depending on the length of the sailing and the type of stateroom you choose.

• 4-5 night cruises
  • Inside/Oceanview: $25
  • Balcony/Junior Suites: $50
  • Grand Suite & Above: $150
• 6-9 night cruises
  • Inside/Oceanview: $50
  • Balcony/Junior Suites: $100
  • Grand Suite & Above: $300
• 10 nights or longer cruises
  • Inside/Oceanview: $100
  • Balcony/Junior Suites: $200
  • Grand Suite & Above: $600

But how can you guarantee that’s the offer you’ll be getting?

When the NextCruise agent books your cruise, excursions, or add-ons, they will give you a printout of all the details and guarantees. It's easy to lose track of what you discussed, and which promotions or offers you're actually getting.

Double-check that printout you receive from NextCruise to make sure everything you were promised is there in writing.

From onboard credit to the final price, that physical paper will ensure that you get the discounts you’re looking for.

Read more: You can now book new cruises from the Royal Caribbean app while onboard a cruise

2. Not paying attention to deposit type

In the excitement of booking your next cruise, it’s easy to miss some details and not realize the important parts until later.

Before you hand over your credit card to book the cruise, there are a few things you should double-check

One key detail is checking your deposit type.

When booking your Royal Caribbean cruise, the two deposit types are refundable or non-refundable.

The NextCruise agent will likely automatically quote you a non-refundable deposit.

There’s nothing wrong with a non-refundable cruise deposit. In fact, the price is usually a bit lower than a refundable deposit. However, it’s important to double-check the deposit type and details of your cruise.

If you don’t confirm that this is what you want, you could end up going home and needing to change or cancel the cruise. Or, you may have wanted a refundable fare in the first place.

If you’re unsure about any aspect of the sailing, from the date to ship to unexpected fees, be careful that you aren’t booking with a non-refundable fee.

If you do want a refundable deposit, verify that it is selected when you book your cruise.

Even if you choose a refundable deposit and get home and confirm that the cruise details still work for you, you can change the booking to a non-refundable deposit type.

3. Leaving your current travel agent on the reservation

NextCruise automatically assigns any new bookings to the travel agent you booked the current cruise through.

For example, if you booked your cruise on some random website, and then decide to book a new cruise once onboard, the reservation will automatically go back to that original agency.

If you don’t want this to be the case—maybe you’d like to keep the reservation for yourself, or use a different travel agent—you’ll need to change this manually.

If you’d like to change the travel agent on file, you’ll need to get a transfer form and complete it within 30 days of booking at the NextCruise booth.

Extra work like this negates the ease of booking at NextCruise, so try to avoid changing the travel agent after booking.

To prevent any extra changes, check which travel agent is on file before you pay for your next cruise.

Read more: Royal Caribbean Next Cruise program details, info and tips

Not taking airfare into account

So you’re on an amazing cruise, and see a great deal for another one with an exciting destination.

You might see discounts on cruises to Europe, Australia, or Alaska.

A cruise to unique destinations such as these might appeal to you, and with the deals from NextCruise, you could jump right into booking.

But before you pay for a cruise to a far and exciting destination, make sure you also check the cost of other travel, such as airfare.

International flights can easily run into thousands of dollars per person, adding to the cost of your cruise even after you book it.

You don’t want to book at NextCruise, then go home and check the cost of flights and realize you can’t actually afford this trip.

Before you confirm your next cruise, check the prices of any additional travel you’ll need to do to make it to the port.

You can make your cruise so much easier with a few helpful apps.

As a traveler who’s visited 12 countries and countless cities, I’ve had to build up my toolbox from the ground up.

From Google Maps to Airbnb, a variety of modern apps and websites have been created that help travelers with everything they need. When you have the right tools by your side, your experiences will become much easier and incredibly rewarding.

It takes trial and error (and sometimes some embarrassing mistakes!) to find all the best apps and websites to help you out along the way.

Some of these apps aren’t well-known but they can save you a lot of time, money, and energy.

To make sure you’re not missing out on any tools, here are the top 8 apps I recommend every cruiser use.

1. Airalo

International travelers are familiar with the feeling of stepping foot in a foreign place and desperately searching for WiFi.

Cruise ships don’t stop in one place for long, and this can leave cruisers at a disadvantage when it comes to phone connectivity on land.

When you’re visiting a country for only eight hours or so, it doesn't make sense to find a store and waste money buying a physical SIM card for your phone that you’ll throw away the next day.

Airalo provides a simple solution. The app allows you to purchase eSIMs for a selected amount of days so that you can connect to data on your trip.

While it depends on the region and offers available, you can usually choose between 7 days, 15 days, 30 days, and 365 days.

The eSIM uploads directly to your phone, and you can activate it immediately! The app is free to download, and you get 5% cashback with each transaction you make.

The best part is, these eSIMs are extremely affordable. Most 7-day packages are under $5.

With Airalo, you will never again have to find strange cafes to sit in while you download maps or Google search for what to do next.

Read more: Royal Caribbean WiFi: Guide to Internet at sea

2. Been

What Goodreads is to readers, Been is to travelers. 

Been is an app that allows you to track the places you’ve visited, lived, and wish to travel to.

Been tracks how many countries you’ve visited and calculates what percentage of the world you’ve been to.

When you update your map with a location, that location lights up in color. You can edit your map to display your countries in many different ways.

The app also allows you to share an image or video of all the places you’ve visited.

It’s an exciting way to craft your travel bucket list and remember all the places you’ve been.

While the app is free, there is a premium version you can upgrade to.

The premium version is $2.29 and allows you to update specific cities and airports, compare your profile with friends, and add more visualizations to your map.

3. WhatsApp

Americans may not be familiar with WhatsApp, but it’s useful in almost every other country.

WhatsApp is a secure messaging platform that many use for texts and calls. It works without data, just on WiFi, so it’s a great option for travelers.

It is a free app that connects your contacts using your phone number.

When traveling abroad, you’ll find that many hotels, tours, and other locations offer a WhatsApp number to contact them.

For example, when my Mediterranean cruise ended in Barcelona, I ordered a shuttle service to get me to the airport in time for my flight home.

However, the driver was 20 minutes late, and the only contact number listed was a WhatsApp number. 

If I didn't have the app downloaded and set up, I could have been delayed even more in contacting them and getting on the road.

Before you leave for your cruise, just download WhatsApp and you’ll be one step ahead.

4. Tripit

Cruising often involves organizing several different methods of travel.

You may have to fly to your cruise ship, and then get onboard. You will have to enter different ports of call and find transportation to your tourist destinations.

It’s a lot to organize—but TripIt can help. TripIt is an app that organizes all your travel plans into one place.

The best part is that you can forward your travel receipts and plans directly to [email protected], and the app will automatically add them to your profile.

You can even share your plans with others inside the app or in a text or email.

All these features are free to use, but the pro version—which costs $48.99 a year—automatically invites others to your trips and tracks your loyalty programs and rewards.

TripIt is the most simple and efficient way of organizing your trip.

5. Royal Caribbean

If you cruise Royal Caribbean, you definitely need to have the app downloaded.

The Royal app is your key to the entire cruise vacation.

Before the cruise begins, you can use the app to check in, plan your arrival time, and make pre-cruise purchases like dining, shore excursions, and WiFi.

YYou will also complete your safety briefing on the app by watching a series of short videos.

Once you’re onboard, you also have access to maps of every deck, a daily Cruise planner, and your own personal calendar.

It’s an indispensable tool throughout your cruise, from finding out what dining venues are open to seeing the dress theme for the night.

In-app messaging also allows you to communicate with guests who are linked under your booking, or who have your full name. 

The app is completely free to use, even if you do not purchase Royal Caribbean WiFi. Free WiFi onboard will allow you to use the app 24/7.

6. Xe Currency

How many dollars are in a euro again? Why does this item cost thousands of yen?

When you use Xe Currency, you won’t have to memorize the exact conversation rates.

This app automatically displays the most updated exchange rates for as many currencies as you need.

It’s also a method of sending money directly to bank accounts or mobile wallets.

To save yourself the headache of memorization, or the embarrassment of opening a calculator at every purchase, you should use Xe Currency.

7. CruiseMapper

If you’ve ever wondered where a cruise ship is at this moment in time, CruiseMapper is a great app to download.

There are many free cruise ship tracking apps available online.

CruiseMapper is one such free version, but it does display ads on the bottom of the screen.

The app takes you to a world map that displays ships sailing all over. Arrow icons indicate ships that are currently sailing, while dots are ships that are docked at port.

You can click on each icon to explore the ship or search by ship/port to find a specific one.

Whether you’re curious about someone else’s voyage or checking up on a familiar ship, CruiseMapper is a great way to track a cruise ship’s location.

8. My Cruise

If you’re trying to get younger kids used to the idea of cruising, My Cruise is a game that can help.

My Cruise is a free mobile game where you can control all the parts of creating a luxury cruise vacation. You will work to build a cruise ship, developing restaurants and staterooms. 

You can even set sail, visit different ports of call and collect passengers.

It’s a fun game with calming music and a cute art style, also making it a relaxing option for adults who love to cruise!

Some crew members stand out from the rest, especially one woman who makes a simple task a big deal.

If you’ve ever been on a Royal Caribbean cruise, you know going to the ship's buffet involves sanitizing your hands. Often the crew member repeats a friendly refrain (that has probably gotten stuck in your head).

“Washy washy before you yummy yummy!”

“No washy washy, no foody foody!”

The idea is to make a memorable way to remind guests what to do, and it's been in place for many years.

But one crew member in particular goes above and beyond when it comes to the “washy washy” job.

Stacian has gained a cult-like following for her washy-washy duties

Stacian is a crew member who works hard at making the Washy-Washy job fun and memorable. 

She has reportedly worked for Royal Caribbean for 22 years and has a total of 14 distinct costumes for her Washy Washy duties.

From a Minnie Mouse to a nurse's uniform, each outfit is completed with a hat or a sash that reads “Washy Washy.” You're going to quickly notice her if you're on her ship.

She greets guests with a huge smile, singing her own refrain of “Washy-Washy” to remind guests to clean their hands.

Her fun demeanor and unique outfits have garrned a following among cruise fans who make a point to stop and say hello if they see her.

A user on the Royal Caribbean Dining Facebook Page shared a post memorializing Stacian’s influence on her cruise. Over 300 people commented that they too had seen her on a ship and loved her energy.

“My favorite part about waking up on the Wonder of the Seas is knowing that I get to see Stacian,” Dana Meeks wrote.

“It never fails to put a big grin on my face.”

Hundreds of commenters resonated with the influence Stacian had during their cruise. 

“She is such a joy to see first thing in the morning!” Jackie Pellegrini Hamilton wrote. “[A] great way to start the day!”

The washy-washy crew members wake up early to greet guests entering the Windjammer, which opens at 7:00 A.M. for breakfast.

Often, these crew members will be the first smiling faces that guests see in the morning.

And many guests agreed that Stacian made their morning delightful.

Stacye Greer remembered Stacian as well, calling her “a Royal treasure.”

“She is great! So much fun.”

Cindy White Menser Bazzy commented, “She informed us that she creates all of her costumes and she is the one who started the washy-washy. We absolutely loved her.”

She makes the experience uniquely memorable

Each crew member that stands at the Windjammer entrance seems to have the freedom to give the task their own, fun twist: some play ukuleles, while I’ve seen others blast pop music through speakers while they sing along with a parody involving the “washy-washy” message.

However, you won’t find another Stacian on any other ship.

In addition to being credited with starting the “washy washy” job, she goes above and beyond to make the task brighter.

Wearing colorful costumes (that she makes herself) and greeting guests with high energy and a bright smile, she has garnered quite a fanbase.

Stacian is one such crew member who makes the job brighter by wearing fun, colorful costumes. She is also credited with starting the job, beginning the trend of brightly reminding guests to wash their hands. 

“She is fantastic! She sets the bar!”

“I always love the staff on Royal, but Stacian is the most memorable and brought the energy every day,” Jim Jarvie wrote.

Read more: 11 things you should never do at a cruise ship buffet

However, not everyone seems to enjoy the washy-washy experience. 

Sassafras Johnstone commented on the Facebook post, saying that the “washy-washy people are ridiculous.”

“We are not two years old. [It’s] so annoying. I think the job is demeaning to them as well.”

Some cruisers don’t like the music and singing outside the Windjammer, or feel offended at being reminded to wash their hands.

Why is hand hygiene important?

Washing your hands isn't just something to do at the buffet. It's one of the most important personal hygiene tasks you can do on a cruise ship.

No one wants to get sick, and washing your hands often minimizes the chances of getting sick from germs on the surface of something you touch. The best way to avoid spreading or catching germs is to wash your hands, especially before you eat or after using the restroom. It's also smart to wash your hands after touching a handrail, elevator button, or other high-touch surfaces.

Royal Caribbean ships have hand sanitizer available to use, but most health experts agree washing your hands is a superior strategy. Hand sanitizer is more than adequate when you're not near a sink. In the case of the Windjammer, many of the larger ships have hand washing stations as you enter the venue.

Hand-washing helps prevent the spread of disease, especially in a public, shared space like the Windjammer buffet.

One of my favorite cruise tips is to pack liquid soap to keep in your cabin bathroom to make washing your hands easier than using the provided bar soap.

Read more: 21 Cruise Cabin Essentials Everyone Should Pack