Matt sits down with two Royal Caribbean Blog writers to talk about their most recent cruises, and what it's like to work on a cruise ship.
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What is it like to live on a cruise ship for 9 months straight?
Passengers on Royal Caribbean's Ultimate World Cruise have experienced 239 days of sailing on Serenade of the Seas since December 2023.
The 9-month cruise around the world is set to visit 65 countries, more than 150 destinations, and 11 Great Wonders of the World before it ends in September 2024.
The cruise has been a success for Royal Caribbean, to the point that the cruise line plans to do another.
But what is it really like onboard the viral cruise?
Reddit user Bruin144 previously shared a photo a day to the Royal Caribbean subreddit, updating social media on the world cruise adventures.
After an unexpected family emergency caused him to leave the cruise, he posted a reflection on the past 8 months of the world cruise.
"I think RCL has done a great job on this cruise. I also think it has been a learning experience both for the company & the employees involved in the cruise," he wrote.
Here are his top 15 lessons learned from sailing on the Ultimate World Cruise.
The vast majority of people on the full world cruise are rich," Bruin144 said.
“Not a little rich either—like founder of a successful company, invented a lucrative widget, or successful surgeon rich."
He guessed most of the cruisers have an average net worth of 7 figures or above.
Many of the passengers had never even operated a washing machine or dryer before.
Despite that economic privilege, he doesn’t consider Royal Caribbean a luxury brand. Once you manage those expectations, he said, you’ll have a great time.
As a piece of advice for anyone considering taking the next World Cruise: "If class disparity bothers you a lot, then long term cruising may not be for you."
Because passengers are quite wealthy, you'll notice a huge economic disparity.
Plus, visiting over 65 world nations will open your eyes to a variety of lifestyles and cultures.
Bruin144's post said, "The world cruise was definitely an eye opener on both ends of the economic scale."
“Be nice to your cabin steward,” Bruin144 advised.
Over 9 months and many passengers, they’ll have a lot of cabins to clean.
Bruin144 and his travel partner asked their cabin steward to not clean on Sundays to give them an extra break.
They also tipped and didn’t ask for other things, such as keeping ice in the ice bucket.
Serenade of the Seas has 12 bars onboard.
Rather than having a drink at multiple locations in a day, Bruin144 recommends finding one bartender and bartenders you like, and going there for all your drinks.
He recommends tipping the staff as well—he gave a large tip once a week on average.
While some TikTokers on the Ultimate World Cruise complained that they encountered rude passengers, Bruin144 had a different perspective.
The rich guests onboard weren’t necessarily rude because of their economic status—many were very nice.
But, he pointed out that “anyone when stressed or tired” can be a jerk. “This applies to me,” he confessed.
Despite the long-term nature of a World Cruise, it still counts as a form of travel. Travel can be stressful, exhausting, and annoying.
There were some port days that Bruin144 would have scheduled differently.
For example, the ship docked in a remote industrial area an hour away from Saigon, then only spent a few hours in the major city of Singapore.
He ended up wishing they’d skipped a few of the Southeast Asian ports to do an overnight in Singapore.
Since the World Cruise only stopped at ports for a short period of time, Bruin144 compared it to the movie “If it’s Tuesday it must be Belgium”—in which a group of Americans sees a whirlwind of 9 countries in 18 days.
“Many people skip going ashore in some ports or only go for a short time,” he said.
Additionally, he came to really enjoy sea days, and even back-to-back days spent at sea.
Although not every place was a hit, the Ultimate World was a great opportunity to discover locations Bruin144 might want to revisit.
In the comments, he shared that he would like to visit Japan, Moʻoreʻa & Australia in the future.
Throughout the cruise, Bruin144 wrote, “Several places truly expanded my view of the world.”
“Watching Central India roll by from a train for 6 hours was genuinely a thought-provoking experience.”
For their cruise, Bruin144 and his travel buddy made it a goal to buy and mail a postcard from a local post office in as many places as possible.
They ended up sending them to a family member who collects postcards.
Since he likes trains, Bruin144 also rode metros, streetcars, and trains in many areas.
That was a way to have fun and help get around the cities!
While a normal week-long cruise might seem like the perfect time to buy tons of souvenirs and collectibles, that doesn’t work on a long-term sailing.
Some cruisers tend to buy stuff at every port they visit.
But buying too many items can rapidly fill the cabin you’re spending several months in!
We collect refrigerator magnets and nothing else,” Bruin144 wrote.
If you’re going to be sailing a cruise that visits so many destinations, you’ll need to be able to walk to properly enjoy sights and tours.
Bruin144 recommends that future cruisers “Take six months (or a year) before the cruise, reduce your weight, and do whatever you need to do so you can walk at least a couple of miles in high heat & humidity.”
If you have any health issues or pending surgeries, get those done before boarding the ship.
On a typical cruise, you might be tempted to live it up to the fullest—eat, drink, and party as much as you want.
But on a world cruise, you aren’t on a typical vacation, you’re learning to live on a ship.
You’ll need to “learn to control your eating and drinking in the face of unlimited availability.”
Especially if you don’t blend in with the locals, be sure that you’re not bringing any indispensable items off the ship.
On port days, Bruin144 only brings local cash, US bills, his SeaPass card, a small wallet, and only one ID.
He keeps his other ID and credit cards safe, back in the stateroom.
When the ship is only in port for a short time, Royal Caribbean shore excursions are a good option because the ship is contracted to wait for you before leaving.
However, they can be more expensive when bought through the cruise line.
Most of them also consist of the same formula: “going somewhere on a bus with a driver & a moderately English proficient guide.”
During these bus rides, which can last over an hour, some of the guides will talk the entire time.
“So you get an in-depth view of their country’s history, the guide’s view on politics and/or a history of colonialism or their abuela’s recipe for fish stew.”
This formula may not be everyone’s cup of tea.
Sometimes, local tour guides change the advertised itinerary, Bruin144 said.
Instead of taking guests to the intended destination, they’ll try to bring the group to their cousin’s tapestry factory for shopping.
“You need to learn to incite buswide revolts and insist on going to the item on the itinerary or back to the ship.”
It's been 15 years since Royal Caribbean introduced the megaship to the world, and they remain massively popular for good reason.
What makes these ships so successful?
Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO, answered this question at a talk on Utopia of the Seas' preview cruise last month.
Ashely Kosciolek from The Points Guy asked, "What about the Oasis Class makes it so popular that you're still rolling out new ships 15 years later?"
"This class of ship for Royal Caribbean has been a true game changer," Bayley replied, "Its level of satisfaction for the customer is epic."
When Oasis of the Seas, the first Oasis Class ship, debuted in 2009, it was a really big deal.
Spanning 1,186 feet long, with a capacity for 6,780 passengers, it was the largest cruise ship in the world.
The Oasis Class remained the largest cruise ships until they were dethroned by Royal Caribbean's next big project: The Icon Class.
Icon of the Seas, launched in 2024, measures a whopping 1,196 feet long and can carry 7,514 guests.
Read more: See how Royal Caribbean ships stack up by size (2024)
Royal Caribbean's dominance on huge ships has been extremely profitable for the cruise line.
The sense of breaking a record by sailing the biggest cruise ships draws in passengers, as well as the opportunity for extra onboard amenities.
Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO, explained that “Newer, larger ships can break even on cash flow at around 35% capacity, while older, smaller ships are closer to 50%."
After releasing one Icon Class ship and a new Oasis Class ship, Royal Caribbean is experiencing record profits this year.
Neighborhoods have become Royal Caribbean's formula for creating a successful mega-ship.
According to Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO, part of the Oasis Class' success lies in its size separating into different neighborhoods.
"Ironically, the reason why it works so well is neighborhoods," he said.
"Neighborhoods have been able to pull people together into spaces that they really enjoy. And it creates a feeling of spaciousness elsewhere."
Royal Caribbean intends for its neighborhoods to offer something for everyone; a place where like-minded cruisers can congregate.
"The neighborhood concept [is about] creating spaces for family and everyone has something [they] are excited to do during the day."
The huge size of an Oasis Class ship allows it to be separated into different neighborhoods, which then assists cruisers in better navigating the vessel.
Having a cluster of neighborhoods on a cruise ship serves to make it feel even bigger, while also providing separate spaces depending on a cruiser's interests.
On Wonder of the Seas, launched in 2022, eight neighborhoods provide space for every attraction. Utopia of the Seas also has eight neighborhoods.
For those looking for active fun, the Pool and Sports Zone is located on the top decks, providing pools, waterslides, and other sports activities.
Quiet nature lovers will enjoy the open-air Central Park and its dining venues, while the Royal Promenade is an exciting, happening area, filled with shops, bars, and dining.
Read more: Royal Caribbean Oasis Class Ships by Age
Different neighborhoods allow families and groups to separate during the day, enjoy their preferences, and then come together for an evening meal and a show.
"It's the perfect family vacation because it's great to be with your family... to a degree." Bayley pointed out. "Sometimes you don't want to be with them, you know. So all day, everybody goes off and does their thing."
Royal Caribbean continued this concept into the Icon Class.
Icon of the Seas boasts eight neighborhoods, one of which focuses completely on providing a space for little kids to have fun.
Surfside neighborhood was designed specifically for younger children to enjoy, with quick bites, a colorful Playscape area, and the Splashaway Bay pool area.
"We really focused on bringing the little kids into Surfside," Bayley said.
According to him, hundreds of little kids and their parents went from running all over the ship to spending their days in Surfside neighborhood.
"And they love that space. You can't get those kids out."
Mr. Bayley spoke to Royal Caribbean's dedication to its Oasis Class.
He recently sailed on Oasis of the Seas for the 2024 President's Cruise.
"I hadn't been on Oasis for a number of years," he said, "And as I looked around that ship, I'm like, wow, what a great ship!"
The Oasis Class has been a game-changing, record-breaking family of ships for the cruise line.
Read more: I've only sailed Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class ships: Will I be disappointed if I try other ships?
Additionally, Oasis Class ships are aging very well. Royal Caribbean has invested a lot into these ships and plans to continue doing so.
"Just before the pandemic, we put almost a quarter of $1 billion into one of the Oasis class ships just to bring it up to speed."
In 2019, Oasis of the Seas underwent a Royal Amplification that added new amenities and changes.
The ship received guest favorites such as:
"We are dedicated to the Oasis Class," Bayley said.
Royal Caribbean has earned a reputation for amazing entertainment, but creating these shows is no simple task.
Royal Caribbean's entertainment team has created dozens of original productions, from music to dialogue to choreography.
At a recent panel interview on Utopia of the Seas, the Royal Caribbean Blog team spoke to the entertainment management onboard, and got some insight into the process of creating shows.
Christine Coachman, Vice President of Entertainment for Royal Caribbean International, was just promoted to oversee the line's entertainment this May.
After 30-plus years of experience in Royal Caribbean entertainment, here's what she had to say about creating original shows and entertainment for new ships.
During the panel interview, the team was asked how long it takes to brainstorm, design, and create an original show.
Christine Coachman, Vice President of Entertainment for Royal Caribbean International, answered that it takes about 18 months.
They often don't start from nothing—"We have an idea bank," she said.
But 18 months before a ship launches is the 'go time' to start fleshing out an idea and producing the show.
For Utopia of the Seas, the team actually had a more accelerated schedule.
Read more: Royal Caribbean reveals shows and parties for its new mega cruise ship
"We finished [Icon] in January, and then we were like, oh, yeah, there's Utopia," she said. "So we went fast and furious."
The entertainment team has already started preparing for the next Icon Class ship, Star of the Seas.
With the ship launching in August of 2025, the team officially has 12 months to prepare.
According to Coachman, "We know that we're in a great place for Star."
Not every new Royal Caribbean ship has an original show.
Icon of the Seas, for example, hosts a Broadway-style production of The Wizard of Oz.
However, the entertainment crew has every intention to keep creating original productions.
It's one of Coachman's favorite parts of her job and the most fun she has in her role.
Alex Marchant, Senior and Managing producer of Entertainment for Royal Caribbean International, explained that it depends on each ship's itinerary and demographic.
"It's about the demographic, where the ship is sailing, how long the cruise is," he said.
"But we work with some incredibly talented creatives, and it's the direction we want to go."
Working with creators who write original music, direct choreography, and create costumes is one of the most exciting parts of the job.
Coachman and her team value human artistry, and want to highlight it in their productions.
Plus, the team gets to create something that they personally love.
For example, Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean President and CEO, loves the Caribbean, so that inspired the show “Columbus, The Musical”.
"That's the fun part of what we do," Coachman said, "is sitting in a room and just brainstorming all the different ideas."
With such a creative team, they can keep creating stellar entertainment for many years to come.
Brand new ships don't always have everything ready for the first sailing. It can take a few sailings for everything to be up and running as planned.
So, when a new ship like Utopia launches, when does the entertainment team sign off on it?
The entertainment management team was on board Utopia of the Seas to oversee its launch, and spent a week after the inaugural manage the launch.
"We're never done," Coachman joked, "But it gets to a point where you have to let it run and operate."
However, Utopia's launch, despite being a new challenge in the world of entertainment, "has been one of the most smooth transitions."
When it came to getting the venues and shows ready, things went smoothly for inauguration.
"We're in a very good place," Coachman said.
To keep entertainment up to guests' expectations, the team is also open to feedback at all times.
Royal Caribbean currently has 38 original shows in production.
Not all of its ships host an in-house produced show, but some shows are available on multiple vessels.
Below, we've collected all the current shows, and which ships they're available on.
What was it like to cruise in the 1980s?
A series of vintage ads and photos show what Royal Caribbean cruises were like before the turn of the century.
Royal Caribbean was founded in 1968 by Norwegian shipping companies.
Song of Norway was the cruise line's first ship, a 550-foot vessel that's tiny in comparison to modern mega-ships.
Royal Caribbean used to have a much stronger focus on its Norwegian background.
In a brochure from July 1986, the cruise line gives cruisers tips on what to expect and how to pack for their vacation.
"Velkommen ombord!" The brochure begins.
Let's take a blast to the past as we outline what a Royal Caribbean cruiser could expect in 1986.
Cruisers dressed casually for the times, wearing breezy tropical outfits. Shorts and dresses were the norm.
However, the evenings were much more formal than modern day.
Read more: Photos show what it was like to cruise on Royal Caribbean in the 1980s
"Ladies will wear dresses, and the gentlemen, coats and ties half the time, casual wear the rest of the time," reads the Velkommen brochure.
You could expect to see a lot more formal wear onboard.
Instead of using a SeaPass card, staterooms were unlocked with a physical key.
A paper Cruise Compass was available for guests to discover information about the schedule and ports of call.
News about the outside world was also delivered to staterooms daily, featuring world weather, news flashes, and stock quotations.
Cruisers could use their stateroom telephone to call other guests and ship services.
Tipping was recommended but not required.
The rates in USD were as follows:
The brochure recommends handing bar waiters, bellboys, and bartenders their tips as you are served.
The Casino Royale was available on three Royal Caribbean ships: Song of Norway, Song of America, and the Nordic Prince.
The casino had American roulette, blackjack, and electronic slot machines. Guests could bring their own group to play with or ask a hostess to arrange a game.
The Sun Viking did not have a casino, just slot machines and a card room for games.
As for dining, Royal Caribbean cruises in the 80s focused on the Main Dining Room, the outdoor cafe, and room service.
Dinner time had two seatings: 6:30 P.M. and 8:30 P.M.
Similar to now, each night had a different theme for dinner: Italian, French, Caribbean, or American.
In contrast to today, however, the ship's galleys were not able to prepare meals for special diets, such as kosher or salt-free.
Early birds who woke up early could go up to the outdoor cafe on the lido and enjoy a cup of coffee.
Continental breakfast could also be delivered to guests' staterooms.
For breakfast in the Main Dining Room, cruisers could eat at 7:30 A.M. or 8:45 A.M.
Those who woke up later could enjoy a breakfast buffet at the outdoor cafe, similar to today's Windjammer buffet.
On sea days, a sit-down lunch was served in the Main Dining Room.
A typical lunch in the Main Dining Room included everything from grilled cheese sandwiches to a fisherman's platter to beef Stroganoff.
On port days, lunch became a light buffet with open seating.
The outdoor cafe would serve open-air meals throughout the day: hamburgers, hot dogs, afternoon tea, sandwiches, cookies, and pastries.
At midnight, the dining room would serve a "Midnight Buffet," a gorgeous feast for the eyes and an opportunity for nighttime snacks.
The Captain of the ship would hold a Welcome Aboard Cocktail party on the second night of the sailing.
Each seating in the Main Dining Room was greeted by a speech from the Captain, hor d'oeuvres, and cocktails.
Passengers were encouraged to get really dressed up and socialize!
Entertainment was smaller than it is today, but far from non-existent.
Read more: 11 Old-School photos of Royal Caribbean
On the Song of Norway, the Song of America, and the Nordic Prince, guests could enjoy The RCCL Revue, a Vegas-style, glitter-filled performance with singers and dancers.
On the Sun Viking, professional entertainers and glamorous acts amused that changed from show to show.
On modern-day Royal Caribbean cruises, sailings host a 70 or 80's night onboard.
But back in the 80's, past decades were the theme!
The brochure recommends that guests bring blue jeans for 50's and 60's nights, as well as Country and Western nights.
On one night of each sailing, the nightclub transformed into the Rock 'n' Roll era, complete with bobby socks, poodle skirts, and Angora sweaters.
The Country and Western night was for passengers to wear cowboy boots, suspenders, blue jeans, and bandannas.
Dances included the Cotton Eyed Joe, the Texas Two Step, and the country waltz.
Plus, there was a night to relive the 90s—the 1890s, that is.
"Pack your garters, suspenders, bustles, and spats," the brochure says.
The evening was called the "gay nineties night," and featured ragtime piano, straw hats, striped blazers, and vaudeville.
Plus, guests could dress up in masks for a masquerade night, or pirate costumes for pirate's night.
According to the 1986 brochure: "Ladies win their prizes simply by being fetching. Gentlemen win by being fierce."
"Be with us when we hoist the Jolly Roger, and take over the ship."
Passengers could also show off their skills during a passenger talent show!
A ladies' night reversed the genders: women asked men to dance, bought the drinks, and lit the cigarettes.
At specific times, guests were invited to visit the Bridge for free and witness the captain and crew navigate the ship.
Other events included wine and cheese tasting, a white elephant auction, poolside bingo, feature films, and live music.
The ShipShape exercise program encouraged guests to get active onboard.
Every time they joined a ShipShape event, they'd earn "dollars" which could then be spent on merchandise like T-shirts and visors.
Activities included walking the sports deck, dance classes, exercise classes, skeet shooting, and deck games like shuffleboard, ping pong, basketball, and golf.
Ancient Mayan ruins have been something that has always fascinated me, and I finally had the opportunity to see them myself.
While preparing for a cruise on Radiance of the Seas, I knew that I wanted to see Mayan ruins during the ship’s stops at Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico.
Kohunlich is one of many ancient Mayan ruins near Costa Maya, in the Yucatán peninsula of Mexico.
These ruins, in particular, date back to the late classic period of Mayan civilization, roughly between the 7th and 10 centuries CE.
Seeing them while traveling on a cruise ship seemed so much easier than a land trip, because a land trip would have required much more extensive planning, from purchasing international flights to finding quality lodging to renting transportation to the Mayan ruin sites.
However, on my cruise, it was an easy one-day stop at Costa Maya that took me straight to see these once-in-a-lifetime ancient ruins.
Kohunlich is known for its impressive architecture, including pyramids, temples, plazas, and many well-preserved buildings.
In particular, the most famous building is the Temple of Masks, which features a row of large masks on the front face of the temple.
Today, Kohunlich is a popular tourist attraction, and it was one of the cheapest Mayan ruin shore excursions that was offered on this cruise. It was $101.99, including transportation, snacks, water, and lunch.
Read more: 8 cruise ship shore excursions our readers tried and instantly regretted
My friend, who joined me on the cruise, purchased the excursion with me, and we both beamed with excitement to see these ancient structures.
When our ship arrived in Costa Maya, the excursion started bright and early in the morning. Although the shore excursion was listed as beginning at 8:30 A.M., we had to meet our group at 8:00 A.M.
After showing our tickets, we received stickers with specific numbers so that we could all gather together as a group. They called our numbers one by one when they were ready for us to disembark.
The crew members guided us to the gangway on deck 2, and we could disembark the ship.
After we exited the cruise port, we walked down the pier and were immediately guided into lines for our particular tour.
In front of these lines, three men danced and played drums in traditional Mayan costumes. Cruisers could also go up and take pictures with them!
This was a different shore excursion experience for me, as there were many people all lined up in sections. Although Radiance of the Seas was the only ship in the port, there seemed to be a large crowd of people around us.
However, the port was well-organized, and our tour guide found us by the sticker numbers we placed on our shirts. She called us forward when it was time to enter the bus.
There, we met our guides and bus driver, and they gave us some snacks and water.
Then we hopped onto the bus and settled in for the 2-hour drive.
While we drove, our tour guide, Kitzia, got on the microphone, introduced herself, and told us stories about the area.
Kitzia herself was half Mayan and even taught us some words in Maya, a dead language, but still learned conversationally.
The drive was about two and a half hours with traffic, but the scenery was fascinating as we passed a few towns.
The main town near the port of Costa Maya is Mahahual, which is right next door, but a striking contrast from the touristy port town we initially saw.
After passing through the town of Mahahual, it was evident that the Port of Costa Maya is a tourist attraction rather than an authentic Mexican town.
As the bus ride progressed, we drove further into the jungle and even passed a nature-preserved swamp, much like Florida’s Everglades.
There was a bathroom located on the bus, but it did not have any running water, so I found myself wishing I had remembered to bring hand sanitizer.
When we finally arrived at the archaeological site, the bus went down a small, one-lane road to get into the area.
When we arrived, our tour guide let us know that the area was being remodeled and the entrance to the site was filled with construction equipment.
They were clearing out more of the jungle to make way for a bigger site, part of a large government project where they are adding a train to visit many Mayan ruins.
This development will do a lot for Mexico‘s tourism and make it easier to get between Mayan archaeological sites.
However, when we were visiting, it meant that there were only portapotties and mostly mud at the entrance to the rooms.
Read more: Ultimate Mexico Cruise Guide
We walked in and started taking pictures. We had to be sure to not take any videos because the park charges an extra fee for any videos or “professional filming”. Our tour guide simply said that video would be prohibited and the group could be kicked out if caught filming.
As we stood in the middle of the pastures, our guide stopped and told us a little more about the buildings that we were seeing: dormitories, a palace, and later on, we approached the temple and ballgame court.
We were able to walk right up onto the buildings and explore the ruins ourselves.
I was amazed knowing that we were walking on thousand-year-old structures that had been built by people in this very location.
One of the larger structures was a former palace, where we could walk up the stairs and stand on the second level. Of course, we had to be careful as the edges were crumbling, but it was still very solid. Most of the buildings were made of limestone and had large wide steps.
Kitzia let us know that the steps were larger because you have to keep looking down when you’re walking on them, making the people bow down to the gods as they entered.
After exploring those buildings, we walked a little further up the pasture and into the jungle. There we saw the main building and attraction of Kohunlich: the Temple of Masks.
Although there are multiple theories about what this building was for, most resources state that this is a temple to the sun God.
Since the Mayans had a very accurate astrological calendar, this temple helped to mark the seasons with the movement of the sun at its corners.
It also features several masks on the side of the building, faces carved into the structure. These masks are huge and remarkably well preserved, and we could see them clearly even from the first level.
Beyond the archeological wonders, I always saw many natural wonders at this ruins site, such succulent vines.
And, although I didn't see them, I heard howler monkeys shrieking!
I appreciated that the hike around the site wasn't too strenuous: people of all ages could join.
I overheard an elderly couple saying that they were grateful they were able to join in on this incredible experience. Although we could walk up onto the buildings, there was no requirement to, and we could also stay on the flat pasture to simply look up at the structures.
It did get hot, especially in the middle of the day, but our guides were consistent in passing out water and finding places to stand in the shade. People could also walk right back to the bus at any time if they needed to.
After our hike around the site, everyone piled back into the bus, and we rode back to the cruise port.
We got back around 3:30 P.M., making the entire trip about 7 hours in total. While it was a long day, I think it required less extensive travel planning than if I had planned to do this on my own as part of a land trip.
Overall, it was a remarkable experience and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see thousand-year-old structures.
And, best of all, we could walk right back onto the cruise ship when it was over, ready to experience adventure at our next destination.
Can you believe it's the last days of July already? It is the middle of Summer and there is a lot of Royal Caribbean news to catch up from during this week.
Royal Caribbean's sailings are selling faster than ever.
Jason Liberty, President and Chief Executive Officer for Royal Caribbean Group, said that the cruise line's "2024 bookings have consistently outpaced last year throughout the entire second quarter and into July, despite the fact that we have significantly fewer staterooms left to sell," he said.
As inventory decreases, staterooms are continuing to sell at increasing prices.
Royal Caribbean faces more cruising demand than ever, as well as an uptick in pre-cruise purchases like WiFi, drink packages, and shore excursions.
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 — Everything I ate on the world’s newest cruise ship — and don’t forget to subscribe here.
One of the top suites you can book on Royal Caribbean's newest ship comes with a big price tag and lots of space.
Matt stayed in the Crown Loft Suite with his family on the inaugural sailing of Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship.
It has two levels and two full bathrooms, but it also cost significantly more than a balcony cabin.
Guests will have a multitude of activities, shows, and dining choices to choose from on Utopia of the Seas.
There simply won't be enough time to experience everything within the 3- and 4-night sailings the ship currently offers.
Matt booked a "back-to-back" sailing on Utopia, getting more value for his travel and turning a weekend cruise into a full week vacation.
Royal Caribbean just announced that it will deploy another ship to the port of Los Angeles.
Beginning in May 2025, the Quantum-Class will sail 3, 4, and 5-night cruises out of California.
Instead of sending Ovation of the Seas to Tianjin, China, as previously announced, the vessel will serve to meet high demand for Royal Caribbean cruises on the West Coast.
What can you expect from the new Japanese dining experience on Utopia of the Seas?
Matt recently tried Izumi Omakase, high-quality Omakase dining experience created by Master Chef Travis Kamiyama.
The host-guided and chef-driven meal was the perfect high-quality meal for a lover of Japanese food.
Royal Caribbean has a well-deserved reputation for offering the best entertainment that rivals New York or Las Vegas, and there's someone new in charge of it all.
Christine Coachman is the Vice President of Entertainment for Royal Caribbean International, and she was promoted to oversee all of the line's entertainment in May.
Taking the reigns of a company that has almost 30 cruise ships with thousands of performers, singers, dancers, and musicians is not a simple task, but Ms. Coachman has been with the company for a long time. She's been at the forefront of Royal Caribbean's entertainment since the '90s.
At a sit down panel interview on Utopia of the Seas last week, Ms. Coachman spoke to Royal Caribbean Blog and other media outlets about her experience, plans for the future, and what Royal Caribbean has up its sleeve.
Coachman is no stranger to Royal Caribbean. "I've been around for quite a while," she said.
She started in 1990 as a performer on Sovereign of the Seas and has familiarized herself with entertainment on Royal Caribbean ships for the past 34 years.
She explained how a brand-new ship like Utopia of the Seas needed a new approach to entertainment, especially since the vessel is starting by offering 3 and 4-night cruises.
When asked what she sees for the future of Royal Caribbean's entertainment, Coachman spoke about how much the cruise line has grown over the years.
When she first started on Sovereign of the Seas, she performed in one venue with a cast of 12 performers.
Decades later, on Utopia of the Seas, she now heads up a team of over 200 entertainment staff in 23 venues.
Coachman herself had a hand with Royal Caribbean's record-breaking Broadway shows: "I negotiated every single Broadway contract. So it's very important to me and the brand."
Although Utopia of the Seas is one of the only Oasis Class ships without a Broadway show (besides Wonder of the Seas, which boasts the in-house Effectors 2), Royal Caribbean isn't done producing them.
It will all depend on the demographic and ship's itinerary.
Original shows, like The Effectors, aren't going out of style, either. Coachman called brainstorming and creating these shows "the fun part of the job."
Her team has no lack of creativity, she said.
Moving forward, the cruise line looks toward incorporating modern technology with human talent.
"As an innovative corporation, technology is important in many aspects of what we do."
"But also it's really important to remember the human artistry. Without humans bringing that entertainment to life, what's the point?"
Comedians, for example, continue to be the cruise line's favorite headliners.
Out of 5,400 headliner bookings across the fleet this year, nearly 1,300 are comedians. That's nearly a quarter of all bookings.
Royal Caribbean—and Coachman herself—loves comedy.
"I always need to find at least one time [to] sneak in the back [of a comedy show] and just laugh and forget about everything for a second," she said.
Because Utopia of the Seas is an Oasis Class ship offering shorter itineraries, passengers have a lot of entertainment to cram into a few days.
"If you look at the big picture, Utopia is a taste," Christine Coachman said.
Entertainment on the vessel is intended to be "a taste of what you could experience on a longer itinerary."
To offer guests a preview of what longer sailings on Royal Caribbean could look like, the entertainment team worked to create several new parties.
To help prepare for the experience, they even created a new position called "Director of Parties and Nightlife." Ken Rush, former Cruise Director, serves in this position for Utopia.
Coachman called the ship a family experience that is also "one party after another."
First, guests will be immediately greeted by "Hey Utopia, Let's Get This Party Started," on the pool deck, which immediately transitions into the high-energy Sailaway party.
Royal Caribbean has designated crew members to become the Party Squad, a group intended to hype up the crowd and invite participation.
"You can participate or you can watch," Coachman said. She personally enjoys people-watching.
Read more: Utopia of the Seas preview: Sneak peek photos of Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship
Utopia of the Seas introduces several new parties to guests as a party of the fast-paced experience.
The Silent Toga party is similar to the SHUSH! Silent party, but with ancient Roman togas for guests to style.
Senses will feature chill house music with projections of sunsets visible from the Royal Caribbean fleet worldwide.
At the Plunge pool party, the Party Squad will bring the hype with water guns that blast champagne into guests' mouths—a fan favorite.
Royal Kappa Chi is the cruise line's first after-party, a frat-themed throwback to college days of beer pong and flip cup.
To help set the fast-paced mood onboard Utopia, Royal Caribbean has hired 29 resident musicians—more than on any other Oasis Class ship.
Cruisers love live music, and high-energy musicians bring the fun.
Coachman had a personal anecdote of experiencing the loud, high-energy fun at the outside Plunge pool party.
"Then I went inside the Royal Promenade and I was listening to the most elegant music from Enchanté, the duo onstage, and it was a complete switch within a matter of 15 minutes."
She remarked that music serves as a great method for setting the mood and appealing to multiple generations at once.
Utopia of the Seas features an eclectic variety of music, with high-class entertainers.
From the live music inside Bolero's to the soundtrack for shows like Aqua 82, the entertainment team works to mix up multiple genres and eras of music.
"The combination helps keep it fresh," Coachman said.
Read more: New Royal Caribbean cruise ship sets sail. It's a cruise so nice you'll want to sail it twice
Royal Caribbean has always been a distinctly family brand, so how will families and kids fit into the new party-heavy Utopia of the Seas?
"There are a lot of parties and entertainment," Coachman explained, "There's a lot that families will want to do together."
However, the entertainment team is also planning for moments when parents want to go have a date night or hit a late-night party.
The Adventure Ocean children's program is ready to accommodate kids for even longer.
Utopia of the Seas introduces several changes to the program, which Royal Caribbean is hoping to extend out to other ships.
Starting on Day One, parents can drop off their kids "all the way up to the moment you drop off your luggage in your room."
Instead of having a longer orientation period, parents can take their children to Adventure Ocean as soon as they step onboard.
Utopia of the Seas has plenty of family moments, but also more opportunities for parents to get away.
Adventure Ocean will stay open until 1:00 A.M., and the team is considering extending that until 2:00 A.M.
For parents with younger kids or those who simply don't want to leave family for more than a few days, a weekend cruise is the perfect chance to get away.
Utopia will provide opportunities for family time, as well as adult get-aways and parties.
Another Royal Caribbean cruise ship is being deployed to the port of Los Angeles.
Starting on May 28th, 2025, Ovation of the Seas will begin sailing 3, 4, and 5-night cruises out of the San Pedro World Cruise Terminal.
Instead of being deployed to Tianjin, China, as previously announced, Royal Caribbean is moving the 4,905-passenger vessel to the West Coast.
Ovation of the Seas will join Navigator in the California area for the summer of 2025.
Around October 2025, Quantum of the Seas will replace her sister ship in the Los Angeles market.
Based on the port's schedule, Quantum will take her first cruise out of Los Angeles on October 2nd, 2025.
During a call with investors on Thursday, Royal Caribbean cited high demand in California (rather than low profit in China) as the reason for the move.
The cruise line was previously absent from the Los Angeles cruise market for a decade, not entering the area due to declining profits and partially filled ships.
In 2022, Royal Caribbean finally sent Navigator of the Seas, a Voyager-Class ship, to homeport in Los Angeles.
Although Royal Caribbean previously cited low bookings and profits as the reason for pulling out of Los Angeles, it seems the tides have changed.
Navigator of the Seas, built in 2002, has a capacity for 4,000 passengers, and she isn't large enough to carry all the demand in the area.
Ovation of the Seas carries nearly 1,000 more passengers and signifies that the cruise line is renewing a commitment to the LA market.
"We have strong ambitions to grow the West Coast in the US," Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean President and CEO, announced.
During the 2024 second-quarter earnings call, he informed investors that the cruise line wants to infuse more energy into California.
"It's the sixth largest economy in the world," he said.
In 2022, California reached a population of 39 million, expanding a huge market for the cruise line.
Bayley said that Navigator, which has been on the West Coast for two years, has been "performing exceptionally well."
Bookings are selling quickly, and the cruise line is responding to high demand.
Michael Bayley announced the move during a meeting for travel partners on Utopia of the Seas. The room erupted into applause.
Adding another ship to the West Coast alongside Navigator and Quantum of the Seas is a strong indication of the cruise line's investment in the area.
During the second quarter earnings call, an investor asked if moving Ovation away from China is a sign that China hasn't been a strong market for the cruise line.
Michael Bayley responded that, on the contrary, the cruise line has "very good market choices to make."
"Our belief in the long-term potential for China has not changed at all," he said.
Spectrum of the Seas, another Quantum-Class ship that started sailing out of Shanghai a few months ago, hasn't disappointed the cruise line.
Read more: All about Quantum Class ships
"It's performing very well and we feel good about the China market."
The 5,622-passenger vessel has been consistently filling sailings since it began sailing out of Shanghai in April of 2024.
Royal Caribbean was the first major cruise line to return to the China cruise market after industry shutdown in 2020.
Spectrum of the Seas was designed for the Asian market, and Royal Caribbean is quite pleased with her performance in Shanghai.
However, Bayley did inform investors that "it hasn't reached the levels we're seeing in the American market."
Royal Caribbean was faced with a choice: continue investing long-term into China with Ovation of the Seas, or deploy to California and meet high demand there?
Ultimately, the cruise line "made the decision based upon maximizing performance."
However, this doesn't at all indicate a move away from the Chinese market.
In fact, Royal Caribbean is still committed to filling sailing there long-term.
Bayley hinted that guests will see more ships in China very soon. "We're quite committed to the opportunity there," he said.
"And we'll be announcing in the future more deployments into China."
Royal Caribbean's bookings and profit in 2024 have been on fire.
Jason Liberty, President and Chief Executive Officer for Royal Caribbean Group, said during the second quarter earnings call that bookings are significantly higher than in the second quarter of last year.
Inventory is flying off the shelves, "despite the fact that we have significantly fewer staterooms left to sell."
Read more: "We are just getting started" Royal Caribbean reports $4.1 billion in revenue in second quarter
In the second quarter of 2023, Royal Caribbean carried 1,900,810 guests at 105% occupancy.
In contrast, the second quarter of 2024 saw 2,040,242 guests at over 108% occupancy.
The cruise line hit its profit goals 18 months ahead of time, exemplifying how Royal Caribbean is in high demand this year.
Sailing and stateroom options are becoming more and more limited, due to the popularity of Royal Caribbean cruises.
For those looking to book a cruise in the upcoming months, booking as early as possible is your best bet.
Booking early is the smartest way to secure lower prices and a specific cabin category.
Prices for 2025 and 2026 will also continue to increase as inventory is selling out further in advance.
Go ahead and place the deposit on your 2025 cruise as soon as possible.
Read more: Royal Caribbean launches a half dozen new 2025 and 2026 itineraries in latest deployment
Air travel is different than cruising, and demands an entirely different set of decisions.
Flying to your cruise adds another factor to your plans, requiring careful consideration. What airport will you fly into? Should you get a nonrefundable ticket?
Adding a second mode of transportation complicates your travel details, and opens up the possibility for even more to go wrong.
A delayed flight could delay your arrival at the cruise port, or a more expensive ticket could cut into your budget for the vacation.
Before you book your flight, there are a few important aspects to consider—and they're not just doubling-checking the booking dates.
If you're thinking about booking a flight to your cruise port, here are some details you should consider first.
Read more: Flight attendant shares 20 tips to minimize air travel fiascos
A variety of factors could disrupt your travel plans—influencing anything from your cruise date to the passengers flying with you.
Your cruise fare may not be refundable, but you can purchase refundable airfare if your plans are uncertain.
If you're unsure where you're flying, if you'll be able to sail on the cruise, or who's coming with you, refundable airfare is the way to go.
Not all plane tickets are refundable, so you'll have to intentionally plan to make sure you get one.
Tickets that are refundable directly (not in flight credit) often cost more. You'll want to weigh your priorities and your level of certainty about travel plans to decide if this is the best option for you.
Not every airline has refundable fares.
Southwest, Jetblue, Delta, United, and American Airlines offer refundable tickets for most of their flights.
If you don't want to pay the full price of a refundable plane ticket, some airlines also offer flight credit or points in exchange for a refund.
The most expensive cruise mistake you can make is to book a plane flight on the same day your sailing begins.
The air travel industry experiences frequent delays, and an on-time flight is never promised.
Should your flight arrive late, the cruise ship isn't obligated to wait for you.
If you miss your cruise, that's considered a no-show and the cruise fare won't be refunded, leaving you with an expensive loss and no cruise vacation to enjoy.
Instead, book your flight at least one day before the cruise departs, and plan to stay near the cruise port.
Booking the first flight in the morning also makes it unlikely for you to be delayed, and gives the airline lots of time to re-book you should anything happen.
Booking international flights can be a complex, expensive process.
For an international cruise, you might find yourself needing 2-3 distinct flights to take you to your destination.
Royal Caribbean's flight booking system, Air2Sea, can help with that.
Through Air2Sea, cruisers can purchase air travel that links directly with the cruise booking.
Using Air2Sea is a convenient way to put all your travel information in one place. Additionally, it comes with extra perks like special deals and promotions, as well as 24/7 customer support.
If any unexpected delays or emergencies arise, Royal Caribbean will work to help you.
Air2Sea offers "assured arrival," meaning that the cruise line will ensure you get on the ship at the next legal port of call should you miss the departure day.
As someone who's been on too many international flights to count, they are not easy.
Sitting inside a plane for over 8 hours is a marathon of patience and a test of your ability to plan ahead.
The most memorable flights are the disagreeable ones—where you've been squished between two passengers or seated in the same row as a screaming baby.
A good seat could mean the difference between hours of torture versus hours of relaxation and entertainment.
For longer flights, especially international ones, consider booking a better seat, whether that’s a window seat, or upgrading to business or first class.
If you choose a comfortable seat and more legroom, your body will thank you.
Instead of arriving at your destination sore, cranky, and tired, you'll land feeling refreshed and ready for your cruise.
For those long flights, prioritizing your comfort is key.
Certain cities are cheaper to fly to than others.
For cruises out of major cities, consider looking for a smaller, nearby city to fly into instead.
Read more: Cheap places in the US to fly to for a cruise
Because smaller airports come with lower fees, airlines price those plane tickets at a lower cost as well.
To save money, consider flying into smaller airports, and then getting transportation to your cruise port.
For example, if your cruise leaves from Miami, a flight to Fort Lauderdale (FLL) is cheaper than one to Miami (MIA).
If the cruise begins in Vancouver, Canada, a domestic flight into Seattle may cost less.
Additionally, if your flight requires a long layover, choose your layover airport carefully. Ensure that it won't be overcrowded and that there is easy access between gates.
Flying to your cruise means you're adding even more money, time, and effort into your travel plans.
This huge investment—with the potential for more complications—is the perfect opportunity to purchase travel insurance.
Smart cruisers know that travel insurance covers many scenarios beyond your control, and allow you to get compensated should anything go wrong.
When it comes to flights, travel insurance can cover airline cancellations, lost baggage, and more.
Additionally, your health insurance can be out-of-network when you leave the country, so travel insurance can cover any mishaps like accidents, health problems, or even flight incidents.
Travel insurance gives you that extra peace of mind that you'll need when taking multiple modes of transportation on your cruise.
