Some Royal Caribbean fans have asked for an all-inclusive cruise, but it's not in the cards for the line.

Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, told passengers on this year's President's Cruise that the cruise line wouldn't offer an all-inclusive pricing.

While on the 2024 President's Cruise, Mr. Bayley took to the stage to answer questions posed by cruisers hailing from all over the world.

One cruiser, Gail from Australia, asked if cruises would switch to blanket pricing.

"I've heard a rumor that the pricing structure for cruising in America is going to be changed to an all-inclusive pricing structure," she said. "Is that correct?"

Mr. Bayley dismissed the rumor and replied that it was not.

Royal Caribbean wants its experience to remain adjustable

An all-inclusive cruise would mean that more aspects of the total cruise experience would be included in the base fare, such as beverage packages, specialty dining, and Wi-Fi.

Mr. Bayley assured cruisers that "Royal Caribbean is not going in that direction."

"I don't think we have any plans to roll it all up into one price," he said.

The cruise line has found from research that the brand needs to give everyone the decision of what they want to be included in their vacation.

"Because of the scale of our brand, we need to give everybody the choice," Mr. Bayley stated.

To appeal to its wide audience of cruisers who hail from all over the world and span many generations, the cruise experience should be adjustable for every individual.

For example, about 52% of Royal Caribbean's guests love the beverage package, but 48% don't.

The average cost of Royal Caribbean's most popular drink package is around $65 to $115 per person per day, depending on the sailing.

If Royal Caribbean switched to all-inclusive pricing, it would force 48% of customers (including families and children) to pay for a drink package they won't use.

Read more: Things I Don't Pay Extra for on Royal Caribbean Cruises To Save Money

Instead, the cruise line wants to focus on an affordable price and value for all cruisers. Then, "If you want to buy stuff, buy it. If you don't, don't."

With the current pricing structure, it's easy for cruisers to simply add the products they want, and not pay for anything they don't want to.

In January 2024, Mr. Bayley said keeping the choice of what extras to buy is better for the cruise line's core customers, "We've learned that unbundling is much easier and better for the guest. It also gets the price point in front of the customer, especially for families. And remember family is our is our real core target market."

"When you unbundle everything, it gives people choice and it pushes the pricing closer to their budget, which is a really important thing for families," he continued.

"We feel like the pricing strategy that we have on the bundling, unbundling is the right path to go."

Gratuities won't be included in the base fare, either

When asked if gratuities would ever be included in the base fare or the cost of services onboard, Mr. Bayley said it wouldn't happen, either. 

He explained that another reason for separating pricing is the different cultures around service.

For much of the world, tipping is not a part of the culture and isn't expected by locals.

In the United States, however, tipping is considered normal, even expected.

Bayley, who's lived in the U.S. for decades, joked, "You're just you're trained to tip for everything. You tip for this, tip for that."

"I'm Americanized, [so] when I go to the UK and I go to the pub with my sister and we have drinks, they bring the change and she puts it in her pocket. And I'm like, what is the matter with you?"

Read more: Tipping on a cruise ship: What you should and shouldn't do

While gratuities are required on a Royal Caribbean cruise, they are charged separately from the total fare.

Guests can choose to prepay gratuities before the cruise or to have them added to their onboard account and settled at the end of the cruise.

As of July 2024, the current daily gratuity is $18 per passenger in standard cabins and $20.50 per passenger in Suites (Grand Suite and above).

Instead of including tips within the total cruise fare, Royal Caribbean is transparent about the cost and gives guests the option to decide when to pay it.

The cruiser was referring to the California "Honest Pricing Law"

Royal Caribbean isn't including add-ons in the cruise price, but taxes and fees are now displayed in the total cost.

The cruiser who posed the question implied that cruises in the United States would be changing to a blanket pricing plan.

"I've heard a rumor that the pricing structure for cruising in America is going to be changed to an all-inclusive pricing structure," she said. 

It's possible the reason Gail believed all-inclusive pricing was going to become the norm for U.S. cruisers was the recent pricing law that went into effect.

Senate Bill 478 went into effect on July 1st. 

Also called the "Honest Pricing Law," this bill now requires businesses to include the cost of extra fees within the listed price.

For cruise lines, this means that fares will look a little higher, as they now include the total cost of taxes and fees.

Michael Bayley explained this during the Q&A session: "When we present the price to you, it has to be an all-inclusive price of what you're going to pay for, which means it has to include taxes and fees."

"It's basically a change in the American market. And I think it makes sense, I think."

However, this merely involves including the price of fees. Royal Caribbean still will not have a blanket pricing structure that includes items like the Internet, specialty drinks, gratuities, and spa services.

What's included in my Royal Caribbean cruise fare?

Despite the separate charges, a cruise fare actually includes quite a lot.

Looking at everything that is still included in the base fare, a Royal Caribbean cruise can come at great value.

Amenities that are included in the base fare on every ship include:

• Stateroom accommodations and private bathroom
• Stateroom attendance and daily cleanings (twice a day for suites)
• Dining venues such as the Main Dining Room and Windjammer
• Beverages like coffee, tea, juice, and milk
• Room service continental breakfast
• Children's programming at Adventure Ocean
• Teen hangout areas and programming
• Entertainment such as musicals, live comedy, and magic shows  
• Many onboard activities 
• Sports centers and classic activities
• Access to the fitness center
• Pools, hot tubs, and sun decks

Guests also have the option to choose to purchase extra add-ons as part of their vacation. 

These can be purchased on the online Cruise Planner before the cruise or onboard during the cruise. Some amenities require reservations or prior payment, while others do not.

Read more: Top 30 extra cruise costs that are not included

Cruise amenities that cost extra include:

• Specialty restaurants
• Beverage packages
• Alcoholic drinks
• Specialty coffee
• Gratuities
• Souvenirs
• Spa treatments
• Salon services
• Room service
• Onboard photos
• Shore excursions
• Internet
• Fitness classes
• Select times at Adventure Ocean
• Arcade games
• Casino 
• The Key
• Medical services
• Laundry and dry-cleaning
• Airport or hotel transfers
• Artwork auctions
• Ship-to-shore phone calls

Royal Caribbean has no intention to bundle these amenities into the base cost of a cruise.

Royal Caribbean just revealed everything that will be new and different on Utopia of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean's latest iteration in the Oasis Class will sail mainly weekend and 4-night cruises out of Port Canaveral. The idea is to offer the ultimate weekend vacation.

Despite Utopia being the sixth ship within the Oasis Class, there are still a lot of tweaks, changes, and additions to this ship.

As the newest ship in the fleet, Utopia of the Seas exhibits a lot of changes that prove how the cruise line is always improving its vessels.

The 5,668-passenger ship features an exhilarating display of amenities, from thrilling waterslides to the brand-new immersive train car dining experience.

Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer, introduced Utopia's additions and changes during a webinar today.

Here are the top differences you can expect to find on Utopia of the Seas.

First-ever outdoor seating for Giovanni's

Jay Schneider called Utopia's Giovanni's "the best in the fleet."

Taking the place of a two-story Wonderland on Decks 11 and 12, Giovanni's Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar will be the first specialty restaurant to have outdoor seating.

"What we're probably most excited about is our outdoor alfresco," Schneider said.

The outdoor seating will be perched over the Boardwalk.

Double the hibachi and an expanded Izumi

Utopia of the Seas will also have an expanded Izumi, allowing for double the hibachi capacity.

During the webinar, Jay Schneider shared that Izumi "will have double the hibachi, a new omakase, and an expanded sushi experience."

The Izumi in the Park takeout window, first introduced on Icon of the Seas, will also be featured in Central Park.

Guests will be able to grab sushi and ice cream directly from this window.

Read more: Utopia of the Seas restaurant and dining guide

The Pesky Parrot is replacing the Bionic Bar

Royal Caribbean is ending the Bionic Bar in its Oasis Class ships.

"It was really fun and novel when it came out, [but] the Bionic Bar is ten-plus years old," Schneider explained.

Plus, human bartenders can make nearly 40 times the amount of drinks robotic ones can in the same time period.

Instead, Royal Caribbean has introduced a reimagined tiki bar in a classic Floridan style.

Schneider called it a "really fun, highly interactive, loud, vibrant" experience.

Additionally, there will be a real parrot inside the bar! Guests are encouraged to go inside and meet "Brian the drunk parrot."

Expanding Park Café

Park Café continues to evolve. Royal Caribbean is expanding the complimentary venue's hours and food offerings.

The concept will be blended even closer into Central Park.

Multi-story Lime and Coconut Bar

Royal Caribbean wanted to continue to develop its open decks on Utopia of the Seas.

"Utopia's open deck will be the best in class," Schneider said.

To this end, the Lime and Coconut will be taken to a new level, with a multi-story design and access from both the forward and aft ends. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean reveals shows and parties for its new mega cruise ship

Expanded Sprinkles

Pool-goers love grabbing ice cream cones at Sprinkles, the complimentary ice cream venue located near the pool deck.

On Utopia of the Seas, this area is also getting an upgrade.

The area has an improved, larger design, and Royal Caribbean is introducing sprinkles on the ice cream for the first time.

Finally, Sprinkles will have sprinkles!

The Spare Tire

Based on guest feedback, Royal Caribbean wanted to add more complimentary food close to the pool and the open deck.

On Icon of the Seas, the AquaDome Market was introduced.

In the case of Utopia of the Seas, Royal Caribean is adding The Spare Tire, the line's first food-truck-style eatery.

According to Schneider, "In addition to El Loco Fresh, there will be great complimentary food handed out from The Spare Tire right on the open deck."

Extended Ultimate Abyss to remain the largest dry slide at sea

To stake its claim as the largest dry slide at sea, the Ultimate Abyss has been extended 43 feet.

In addition to that, designers have made the slide even more thrilling. 

Passengers will feel like they're flying right into the Boardwalk before they turn at the last minute.

Redesigned Vitality Spa and Salon

Utopia of the Seas will have a reimagined Vitality Spa.

"We've really elevated the design," and Schneider says the cruise line is very excited about it.

The salon area will also have a new design.

Upgraded destination elevators

Cruisers love the destination elevators as a solution to crowding on giant cruise ships.

This computer-assigned alternative ensures that the elevator doesn't stop on every single floor.

The destination elevators were a popular addition on Icon of the Seas, and have been confirmed as available on Utopia as well. 

Solarium suites

Solarium suites are brand-new staterooms coming to Utopia of the Seas, located above the bridge wings on the ship.

Each suite has 270-degree views of the ocean, essentially the same view the captain gets.

Whether at sea or pulling into ports, guests will have that amazing, sweeping sea view from both the bedroom and the main living area.

The Royal Bling store

There will be a Royal Bling store on Utopia, but it won't be its own dedicated space like on Icon of the Seas.

Instead, Royal Bling will be a niche located inside the Effy store.

Icon of the Seas introduced the Royal Bling product as a way to offer special Royal Caribbean jewelry.

The Royal Railway—Utopia Station

Royal Caribbean guests love a classic dinner and a show, or what Jay Schneider likes to call "eatertainment."

To appeal to this desire and bring something unique to Utopia, designers came up with the idea to bring a train car dining experience to the ship.

"What if we put a train on a cruise ship that could take you to more destinations?"

This brand-new dining experience will be a completely immersive adventure.

Guests will receive a real train ticket in their stateroom, which they must bring to the dining venue.

The area has a classic train station platform, with separately numbered dining cars, and real train steam.

Schneider explained that the goal is to blend entertaining performances with amazing culinary dishes.

Passengers will be able to interact with actors dressed up as Wild West characters.

Once the train leaves the station, guests won't be able to "board" their car, so you'll have to show up on time.

Everyone will be called "all aboard," and the train will leave the station, immersing guests in gorgeous Wild West scenery.

Royal Caribbean won't be moving the goal posts back in terms of reaching its highest loyalty tiers.

Royal Caribbean's customer loyalty program, the Crown and Anchor Society, has many tiers, and some cruisers are concerned with how many members are now reaching the top tiers.

One point is gained per night of cruising (or double points for suite and solo guests).

To reach the highest tier, the Pinnacle Club level, cruisers need to have 700 points.

Especially now that Royal Caribbean matches loyalty statuses between its three cruise lines, some cruisers believe that there are too many Pinnacle and Diamond Plus members in the fleet.

During a Q&A during this year's President's Cruise on Oasis of the Seas, one passenger asked if the cruise line would ever raise requirements to make it more difficult to hit the upper most echelons of the Crown and Anchor Society.

Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, who was fielding questions at the event, answered that there is no plan to do so.

Royal Caribbean will not make it more difficult to reach the top tier of the Crown and Anchor Society 

During the Q&A sessions, Amy Weber from Missouri shared that she and her husband reached Diamond Plus during the President's cruise.

"There's concern about Royal raising the qualification for those loyalty levels going forward," she said.

"What do you know about the plans for the loyalty program modifications?"

Mr. Bayley answered that Royal Caribbean has "no plans to do that."

"We're not planning on doing that," he maintained.

Royal Caribbean's requirements for the Diamond Plus and Pinnacle tiers will remain the same.

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

To reach the Diamond Plus level, cruisers need 175 points. To reach Pinnacle, guests need to have a total of 700 points.

Royal Caribbean will not be changing these numbers.

The only requirements that have changed recently are within the loyalty match program.

If a cruiser has 500 Venetian Society Days, the highest level in the Silversea Cruises loyalty program, they will automatically be granted the Pinnacle Club level in the Crown and Anchor Society.

Read more: I tried Royal Caribbean's new loyalty match program. I missed having drink vouchers, but it saved me hundreds of dollars

Are there too many Pinnacle members?

According to Amy Weber, many cruisers are concerned about Royal Caribbean changing the Pinnacle requirements.

This is because some believe there are too many members in the program's highest tiers.

"We have interacted with a lot of other loyal Royal Caribbean cruisers, and I've heard some grumbling about how many Pinnacle and Diamond Plus members there are," she explained.

Michael Bayley also spoke to this point when he answered her question.

"Sometimes we get these comments," he said, "and they're valid comments [but] they're often based upon certain sailings."

Looking at specific sailings packed with more Pinnacle and Diamond Plus members can lead guests to believe that there are an extreme amount of members.

However, Mr. Bayley clarified that on "90% of the sailings, it's just not true."

"You can go on many of our ships many times and there are only a few Pinnacle members sailing with us."

Certain sailings have a higher number of exclusive loyalty cruisers, such as Trans-Atlantic, Trans-Pacific, and President's cruises.

Mr. Bayley pointed out that longer sailings tend to have more Pinnacle members as well. 

"It's logical because as you get to Pinnacle, you're typically getting older." And since older people are usually retiring, they have more time for longer cruises. 

There are no official numbers as to how many Pinnacle members there are, but Mr. Bayley put it into perspective during the Q&A session.

"In the grand scheme of how many people sail with us, next year 7 million guests will sail with Royal Caribbean International. So sometimes it feels like a lot [of Pinnacle members], but it's not."

Michael Bayley says Royal Caribbean is making "extremely positive changes" to loyalty program

As he fielded questions about Royal Caribbean's Crown and Anchor Society, Mr. Bayley also emphasized the impact the Royal Caribbean Group unification has had.

By unifying all the loyalty programs within the Royal Caribbean Group family, the cruise line is making several changes to the programs.

Mr. Bayley said that he believes these changes are "extremely positive."

"It makes it so much easier for you to move between brands and, depending upon lifestyle choices, you can stay within the family and get all of the benefits you've earned over time."

Some great improvements have been made within the Crown and Anchor Society, and, according to Michael Bayley, "there's a lot more planned over the next few years."

Read more: 8 things you might not know about Royal Caribbean’s CEO

The cruise line is currently investing in new technology to bring it all together.

Within the next few years, cruisers can expect to "feel happier with the loyalty program."

Mr. Bayley said to look forward to improvements in the accessibility of information and the way the Crown and Anchor Society is presented to guests.

What benefits do Pinnacle members get?

The Pinnacle tier of the Crown and Anchor Society features many valuable benefits for its members.

These include:

• 50% off any glass of wine, beer, or soda (2 coupons per sailing)
• 50% off a Johnny Rockets milkshake (2 coupons per sailing, on select ships)
• Private departure lounge with continental breakfast
• 25% Discount on any glass of wine, beer, or soda
• Buy a specialty restaurant dinner and receive one complimentary non-alcoholic specialty coffee beverage (excludes Starbucks)
• Priority waitlist seating request in the Main Dining Room
• 6 Complimentary daily drinks up to $14 (excludes Starbucks, Bionic Bar, and Desserted)
• Purchase a specialty restaurant dinner cover charge during the first or second night of your cruise and enjoy complimentary dining for the second guest
• 40% Discount on Deluxe Beverage Packages
• Coastal Kitchen access
• $25 off specialty dining on 5+ nights (Oasis & Quantum class only)
• Exclusive daily breakfast at a specialty restaurant
• Free Unlimited surf and stream Internet access for 1 device only for the length of your voyage
• Exclusive Top Tier Event on 5+ night sailings 
• Priority waitlist for Shore Excursions and Vitality Spa services
• Exclusive Backstage Tour on 5+ night sailings
• Crown Lounge access with nightly happy hour
• Priority access and seating at Theater, Ice show, and AquaTheater events
• Cheers with an Officer on 7+ night sailings
• Suite/Concierge Lounge access
• Flexible arrival
• $6 Casino Royale FreePlay
• Buy a bingo package and receive 6 free Jackpot cards
• Robes for use onboard (delivered upon request)
• $5 off $25 dry-clean or press
• $10 Discount on $34.99 wash and fold laundry bag on 5+ nights
• 3 Complimentary welcome waters (per adult)
• Stateroom phone discount rate of $2 per minute
• Chef’s Choice on 5+ nights
• Personalized gift/amenity (per household)
• One Free $34.99 wash and fold bag on 5+ Nights
• Upgraded bathroom amenities
• 30% Discount on a single photo, photo package, or photo book
• One (1) free digital or printed photo of your choice
• 15% Discount on Royal Caribbean logo products sold onboard (min. $25 purchase)
• 20% Discounts on any spa service (excludes Medi-Spa services)
• Complimentary add-on spa treatment (excludes Medi-Spa services)
• Milestone recognition beginning at 140 cruise points (Crystal Block)
• Personalized lapel pin
• Discounts on Balcony & Suite Staterooms
• Exclusive access to call center staff members
• Single supplement cruise fare reduced to 150% from 200%
• Milestone Cruise Certificate valued at the prevailing rate of a 7-Night Balcony Stateroom for 700 and 1,050 cruise points
• Milestone Cruise Certificate valued at the prevailing rate of a Junior Suite Stateroom for 1,400 and every 350 cruise points thereafter

And the Pinnacle status isn't just for older cruisers, despite the time it takes to reach. 

The tier has specific Youth Member benefits, which include:

• 50% off one scoop of Ice Cream at the Ice Cream Parlor (on select ships)
• Surf and Stream internet discount equal to parents’ benefit
• Buy 1 movie rental in your stateroom and receive the second Free
• Spend $15 in Arcade Credits to get $5 off your onboard expense account, or spend $50 in Arcade Credits to get $25 off 
• 6 Complimentary daily non-alcoholic drinks up to $14 (excludes Starbucks and Desserted)

Read more: The Crown and Anchor perks you should use on every Royal Caribbean cruise

Why is the Wi-Fi on a cruise ship so expensive?

Royal Caribbean's VOOM WiFi comes at an extra cost, per device, per day.

When asked if the cruise line would ever give it away like land hotels, Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International explained why it's not the same thing.

Speaking during a Q&A during this year's President's Cruise on Oasis of the Seas, Mr. Bayley fielded questions from cruisers on a variety of topics.

In addition to celebrity performances, customized shore excursions, and exclusive parties, the President's Cruise also hosted a Q&A session. 

During the Q&A, Brad from Idaho asked why the WiFi on a Royal Caribbean cruise is so expensive.

"The standard seems to be worldwide—hotels, restaurants, everywhere you go has free WiFi. Is there any possibility of [Royal Caribbean] getting free WiFi in the future?"

Free WiFi won't happen because Royal Caribbean pays "a ton of money" for Internet coverage

Mr. Bayley was quick to answer that free WiFi isn't going to happen. 

"Are we going to give free WiFi? No."

However, there's a good reason as to why Royal Caribbean charges so much for Internet on its ships.

"We got to pay a ton, a ton, a ton of money for WiFi," Mr. Bayley said.

He took the cruiser's example of hotels and restaurants offering free Wi-Fi to explain why cruise ships aren't the same.

Any hotel or venue on land will be plugged into cable or phone line provided internet package that also services thousands or millions of consumers.

Wi-Fi on land relies on underground and undersea cables, which are faster and cheaper than satellites.

Countries like the United States invest lots of money into creating and maintaining the Internet infrastructure and have millions of customers to help support the cost.

Given that large foundation and competition among providers, it makes sense that free WiFi is offered on land.

In contrast, "There is nothing for the oceans. We can't pull a cable with us." 

This means that ships in the ocean must rely on satellites that orbit Earth, a much slower and more expensive method of connection. 

Read more: Is Royal Caribbean WiFi worth it?

Essentially, Royal Caribbean has to enter into contracts with satellite tech companies, and this comes at a huge yearly cost.

"I sign the invoices when they come in [and] every time I see them I'm like, oh my God." Mr. Bayley said he cringes whenever he sees the yearly bill. 

He couldn't remember the exact amount the cruise line pays each year but reiterated that "it's huge."

Starlink satellites have slightly reduced costs

Two years ago, Royal Caribbean began to contract with Elon Musk's SpaceX company to use Starlink satellites for Internet.

Starlink uses mid-level satellites to provide Internet coverage.

"Starlink is a much better technology," Michael Bayley said during the Q&A. "It gives you better coverage, it's much faster, and it is cheaper."

Starlink isn't a lot cheaper than other satellite networks, according to Mr. Bayley, but it is slightly cheaper, and certainly a lot faster.

The Starlink website currently lists a maritime business plan for larger vessels that starts at $1,000 a month. 

All Royal Caribbean cruise ships utilize Starlink internet service at this time.

Read more: I tried Elon Musk's Starlink internet on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship

Mr Bayley estimates another five or more years before Internet prices are reduced again, but cruisers cannot expect free Internet access onboard a Royal Caribbean ship.

How fast is the WiFi?

Given the cost of Internet onboard a Royal Caribbean ship, how well does it work?

The VOOM Internet is called the "faster Internet at sea," and is 6x faster than that on other cruise ships, according to Royal Caribbean's website.

However, factors like the number of guests online and the ship's location can influence the speed of the WiFi.

Freedom, Oasis, Quantum, and Icon Class ships with newer satellite technology tend to have faster speeds.

However, Starlink will slow down if many users are in the same region.

In general, the older ships in the fleet use older technology, so while the Internet still works, it could take some time to load.

Even crew members have to pay for WiFi

Michael Bayley stressed that the Internet fee isn't an unfair price, but rather a "reasonable operating cost." 

Even Royal Caribbean crew members have to pay for WiFi, he said.

The cruise line does subsidize the prices, using different costs for crew members, but the crew is still required to pay.

"We do our best to make it as accessible as we possibly can," Mr. Bayley said.

Crew members are allowed cheaper prices and free periods of the Internet.

Much like guests get access to the Royal Caribbean app, crew members also get access to WhatsApp for free, so they can still stay in touch with family and friends.

Setting sail in style is a challenge during the summer months. You'll want to dress well and comfortably, while also being mindful of the scorching sun.

On a Mediterranean cruise, you can expect the region to run hot and dry during the summer, averaging daily highs of 85º Fahrenheit.

Not only is it important to dress carefully, but you also have a limited amount of space to pack.

For my 7-night Mediterranean cruise, I knew I had to pack light while preparing for the hot temperatures and long days.

Here's what I packed and how I styled it.

What should I pack for a Mediterranean cruise?

I started packing by picking out my shoes, knowing I had to choose carefully because of how much space they take up in my luggage.

They're also unavoidably important for protecting your feet and supporting you during long tours.

I packed one pair of comfortable green sneakers, one pair of white-heeled sandals, and one pair of simple brown sandals.

Since I wore the sneakers on the plane and during most of my travels, my shoes didn't take up too much space in my luggage.

To continue my packing process, I selected three simple, summery dresses. Dresses make great cruise outfits for women, especially in the heat. 

They can range from simple to elegant and you're able to dress them up or down depending on your shoes and accessories.

The open, flowy pattern of a dress also makes for cooler wear, and it can double as a swimsuit cover-up.

In addition to these dresses, I packed a white lace cardigan and a brown lace dress. 

Either of these would work as extra layers for indoor areas with air conditioning, or as cover-ups for swimsuits.

Bringing items that have multiple purposes is a great way to save packing space and dress efficiently while traveling.

For my swimsuits, I packed two bikinis and one tankini. 

I tried to choose colors that varied broadly, so I'd be able to put together a variety of different outfits.

Read more: What to wear on a cruise that works for all dress codes

Since I already packed several dresses, I selected just five small tops to wear on the cruise.

I choose a variety of, from tank tops to crop tops to a longer-sleeved shirt.

To go along with these tops, I also packed two scarves, so that I could stack layers on top if I got cold or needed to cover up more.

To layer over my tops, I packed three light jackets: two brown and one white.

These made for great layering pieces, because I could leave them open or button them up, depending on the temperature.

However, I did end up wishing I had brought one slightly heavier jacket to wear in cold areas like the airplane and the Main Dining Room.

I also selected one set of workout clothes, just in case I wanted to go to the gym.

As you might imagine, I never ended up going to the cruise ship's gym. My cruise involved so many long shore excursions and hours of walking that I didn't feel the need to exercise again.

However, the T-shirt still came in use for pajamas.

For pants, I packed three pairs of light, flowy pants. A patterned blue pair served as a more formal option for evenings, while my brown and black pairs had a palazzo cut for warmer weather.

Additionally, I packed one long skirt and two pairs of shorts. The skirt ended up being a great airplane piece, since it was long and covered my legs, but also had enough ventilation that I didn't overheat.

I also found that the shorts were my favorite pieces to wear out in the hot summer weather.

To prepare for the heat and the sun, I also packed two pairs of sunglasses and a hand fan.

The fan was a genius touch: I ended up using it everywhere and got many compliments on the idea. 

In fact, I used it so much that it broke near the end of my cruise, and I immediately went out to buy another!

In addition to my pieces of luggage (a large suitcase and a comfortable backpack), I decided to bring one wide tote bag and one black fanny pack.

The tote bag was large enough to store objects like books and a water bottle, so I could carry it around the pool and to the beach.

The fanny pack made a great shore excursion tool since it could hold my wallet, phone, and power bank safely close to my body.

Cruise outfits for a Mediterranean vacation

For day one, I wore shorts to protect myself from the heat and all the movement I'd be doing to board the ship.

I also paired those with one of my light sweaters, since I knew I would be exploring the ship indoors for the rest of the day.

Read more: Best travel clothes for women on shore excursions

On day 2, we visited Palma de Mallorca.

I went to the Cala Mayor beach, so I brought my pink beach hat, along with a long dress. I wore these pieces with my brown sandals.

I wore my swimsuit under the dress so that I could easily change on the sand. 

That night was also formal night, so I changed into my blue pants and paired them with a sheer top and a white distressed bag I'd purchased in Spain.

To match the white elements of the outfit, I wore my white heels to dinner.

Day 3 was a sea day, so I dressed casually in a red tube top I purchased in Spain, paired with the brown palazzo pants.

Armed with my brown tote bag, this was the perfect outfit for wandering the Windjammer and longing at the pool under the sun.

For day 4, I prepared for a shore excursion to Naples by wearing jean shorts and a tank top under my light, longer-sleeved shirt.

I made sure to wear my comfortable sneakers since I knew we'd be doing a lot of walking.

Also, I styled the look with a big gold necklace but later regretted it because the waitress at a restaurant I visited told me to be careful wearing large jewelry, as it could attract thieves and put me in danger.

The cruise ship stopped near Rome, Italy on day 5, so I dressed in a crop top and jean shorts, along with my light white cardigan.

I wore comfortable sneakers again, preparing for a long day of tours.

I also brought a scarf in case I needed to cover up in air conditioning or to enter a religious building.

On our last port day—day 6—I wore a simple black skirt for my tours.

In the evening, I changed into shorts styled with a white top and jacket.

This was my outfit for dinner, karaoke, and going to the ship's nightclub.

On day 7, I styled a pair of pants that I purchased in Italy with a red tank top. 

I again wore a swimsuit under my outfit so that I could go straight to the hot tub.

Read more: Alaska cruise outfits: ideas of what to wear

Happy Sunday! Hope you are having a relaxing weekend and enjoying summer! It is time to sit back, relax, and catch up on all the recent Royal Caribbean news!

There was a fire on Icon of the Seas earlier this week.

The cruise ship was docked in Costa Maya, Mexico when the small fire occurred in a crew member area, resulting in a brief power loss.

Luckily the fire was contained quickly and extinguished without any injuries.

Royal Caribbean News

• Cruise nails ideas to try on your vacation
• Of the 46 cruises I've taken, here are the best five Royal Caribbean ships for adults
• I go on a cruise ship monthly. Here are 8 cruise add-ons I would never buy
• 4 warning signs a cruise deal is too good to be true
• My Biggest Mistake on a Mediterranean Cruise Was Not Extending the Trip

Ways People Cheat The Royal Caribbean Drink Package

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 — Ways People Cheat The Royal Caribbean Drink Package — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

How to Avoid Paying Unexpected Fees on Royal Caribbean

How can you avoid being shocked by extra charges on your final cruise bill?

Your base fare for a Royal Caribbean cruise includes access to a stateroom, most dining venues, and entertainment. It's a key draw of cruising.

However, Royal Caribbean cruises aren't all-inclusive and certain items cost extra.

Some of these extra fees may surprise you—don't be caught off guard!

2025 President's Cruise Date

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley announced that next year's President's Cruise will happen on the newest Royal Caribbean ship.

The 2025 President's Cruise will be held on Utopia of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's newest addition to the Oasis Class.

The cruise line is inviting passengers to join Mr. Bayley on the September 22, 2025 sailing.

"Unforeseen weather events" are top concern for cruise ships, according to Royal Caribbean's meteorologist

Royal Caribbean is the only cruise line that has meteorologists on staff, tracking the weather and planning ahead for any itinerary changes. 

Craig Setzer, Royal Caribbean Group Chief Meteorologist, works daily and stays ahead of the curve to protect cruise ships from any inclement weather.

According to Setzer, the biggest concern for cruise ships and their passengers are "unforeseen weather events," events that aren't visible on the forecast.

Here are 5 things I wish I'd known before sailing in the Mediterranean

Calista recently sailed the Mediterranean for her second time, and she learned some important lessons through the experience.

Cruises to the Caribbean are the most well-known, but a Mediterranean cruise provides a great opportunity to see amazing artistic, historical, and natural sites.

If you're looking forward to trying a cruise to this underrated region, there are some essential details you should know first.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 538th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available.

As Matt goes over listener emails, get the answers to all your burning questions.

Is traditional dining better than My Time? Where can you bring the soda package cup? 

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.

Royal Caribbean is the only cruise line with dedicated meteorologists on staff, and that's a major asset during hurricane season.

With experts predicting an above-average season, Royal Caribbean Group Chief Meteorologist Craig Setzer works daily to keep cruise ships safe from any nasty weather.

Cruising during hurricane season always comes with the possibility that a storm could impact your vacation.

Mark Sudduth of Hurricane Track interviewed Mr. Setzer on an educational YouTube series called Hurricane U.

Setzer has worked for Royal Caribbean for the past 10 months and has now hired a second meteorologist to assist with weather monitoring.

With his expert knowledge, he's able to track weather events and notify captains if their itinerary needs to change.

Monitoring the weather

Craig Setzer describes weather monitoring as "slow-motion chess."

"You're anticipating, where's the storm going to be? Where's my ship going to be? What am I going to do with my ship?"

If a tropical storm or hurricane ends up moving across multiple itineraries, it becomes challenging, Setzer said.

Experts have to plan to move ships out of the way, and to different ports. Sometimes, the safer ports and destinations end up crowded with vessels as everyone tries to evacuate.

Setzer stays ahead of the curve during hurricane season, looking at the ensemble models every morning.

"You want to get [tropical storms] from the beginning," he said.

Ensemble models use numerical predictions to create a set of forecasts, providing a range of different weather outcomes.

In the cruise industry, Setzer looks at two different types of weather: port weather and voyage weather.

Port weather would affect ships when entering, exiting, or even staying in a port.

And voyage weather predicts where the itinerary needs to go, such as if the wind is too strong for the ship to get into a port, or if they'll need to avoid a tropical cyclone.

There's also a third type of weather event that Setzer has to deal with. He calls them unforeseen weather events.

"Unforeseen weather events"

Craig Setzer said that the biggest concern he deals with in the cruise industry are unforeseen weather events.

These are weather events that aren't well-modeled, especially out in the ocean where there's no radar coverage.

These events can be a microburst of air or a gust front of wind that wasn't visible on the forecast.

Setzer experienced one such incident just a month into his time with Royal Caribbean.

He said he was speaking to a particular captain and trying to get the ship quickly ahead of a high wind front up to 40 knots that was coming through.

Just an hour later, the captain called to show Setzer that the ship was experiencing winds of 65 knots.

"And I'm like, what is happening?" Setzer quoted. "It's ahead of what the forecast was. It's not even near what the forecast was, and it's higher than what the forecast was."

At the time, Setzer thought his job was over and joked, "Well, that was a short stint as a meteorologist for a cruise line."

Thankfully, the captain steered through the wind and the team later determined that it was a gust front that hadn't shown up in the models.

These unforeseen weather events "can also be the most disconcerting," Setzer said because if a big wind hits the ship, the vessel can begin to lean and cause the pools to spill over.

Using AI to predict the weather

As it turns out, AI marks a huge step in the history of weather modeling.

Previously in the maritime industry, "There's a sense of, oh, it was the weather, it happened, what could we do?" Setzer said.

But working at Royal Caribbean, Setzer intends to change that way of thinking.

"Not that [weather] just happens to us, that we can predict it, that we can avoid it, that we can take advantage of it."

He believes that AI can be used for this purpose, helping to learn the biases to adjust and fine-tune weather models.

"I see AI as right on the precipice of a big jump forward in terms of numerical modeling."

How cruise ships remain stable 

How do cruise ships remain stable on the ocean?

Interviewer Mark Sudduth compared movement on the ocean to turbulence in the air. 

"When it comes down to it, turbulence is not welcome in the ocean either," Sudduth said.

There are two types of motion on the sea, Setzer explained. 

The first is synchronous roll, when waves hit the vessel from the side, causing it to rock back and forth.

The second is parametric roll, in which the frequency of the waves causes the ship to bob up and down and perform a rolling motion.

Both of these types of motion can be dangerous, so cruise ships use stabilizers to dampen and avoid it.

Stabilizers are "wing-shaped blades that stick out under the water on the ship. They will turn at an angle to counter the roll."

No matter the type of roll the ship tries to perform, the stabilizers go in the opposite direction to make sure the ship doesn't lean.

"It's amazing," Setzer said, and it's what works to keep everything on the cruise ship balanced, down to the straight pool tables. 

When is the best time to cruise?

Cruising during hurricane season does come with a risk that a tropical storm could disrupt your itinerary.

However, Setzer doesn't discourage cruisers from sailing during hurricane season.

His role at the company exemplifies how Royal Caribbean seeks to keep its passengers safe and informed.

The ships reposition based on good weather for the region.

Plus: "You're not going to be impacted [by a hurricane] on a cruise ship because we're getting away quickly," Setzer said.

"The one thing that might happen is your itinerary might change."

Royal Caribbean's fleet doesn't play it close when it comes to hurricanes. Its ships can and do steer clear, far away from any storms.

Setzer just wants cruisers to remember to be flexible.

Do cruise ships get hit by lightning?

Lightning is another weather phenomenon that cruise ship captains have to be aware of.

When it comes to hurricane season, some tropical storms can also put out lightning.

"That is an issue," Setzer admitted, "our ships do sometimes get hit."

However, to avoid any damage or fires, Royal Caribbean vessels have a good grounding system, with lightning arresters and other tools that redirect the path of lightning.

Much like airplanes, cruise ships can be hit by lightning but have devices that channel the strike.

Thanks to these precautions, usually no damage is done.

The biggest risk with waterspouts

What about waterspouts? Are they a concern for cruise ships?

A waterspout is a spinning column or funnel of air and mist that occurs over a body of water.

Although waterspouts are usually weak, they have the potential to be almost as dangerous as tornados on land.

Craig Setzer said that waterspouts usually last a short duration.

The biggest concern during one is "the deck chairs on the upper decks blowing around."

If they get caught up in the wind of a waterspout, they could create a hazard. 

"It's not the wind, it's the debris in the wind that could cause problems."

Because of this, if the bridge crew sees a waterspout approaching, they inform security and pool staff to evacuate the upper decks and close the pool.

Everyone should stay indoors until the ship passes the waterspout or the event ends.

What can people do to stress less about the weather on a cruise?

Should you be worried about the weather on a cruise?

Setzer believes that it's natural for travelers to feel a little apprehensive during hurricane season.

"It's just human nature that you're going to feel some stress. So accept the fact that you're going to be a little bit anxious."

However, passengers don't have to feel stressed about upcoming weather events.

"I'm watching the weather so you don't have to worry about it," Setzer likes to say.

"If there's something big, we're going to talk about it and we're going to let our guests know."

During his interview, he stressed that Royal Caribbean works to be transparent and keep guests as updated as possible. 

"We tell guests everything that we know. And if we don't know what's happening, we'll say, we're monitoring the situation."

The cruise line always gives hurricanes a wide berth and updates guests if itineraries change as a result.

Read more: Safe at sea: what it’s like on a cruise ship when there’s a hurricane

Setzer said Royal Caribbean will inform guests ahead of time if ports change.

"If we have multiple port misses, then we start doing, refunds and credits," he added.

He recommends that guests don't feel anxious, but prepare to be flexible if they end up going to different ports.

"You may end up going someplace a little different, but I promise it's still going to be a good time."

The pre-vacation checklist can feel endless, with tasks ranging from documents to packing and purchases. To add to that list, you also want to look your best during a cruise.

Depending on your preferences, you might want your hair, lashes, and nails done before a cruise.

However, there's a way to shorten this to-do list and simplify the process. Getting beautiful nails before your cruise doesn't have to be time-consuming or expensive.

Here's how I get cute, sturdy cruise nail styles in just a few minutes.

Please note that we’ve linked items on Amazon, which contains an affiliate link. This affiliate link costs you absolutely nothing extra, but Royal Caribbean Blog makes a small commission if you purchase it.

How to do your nails for a cruise

For a convenient and cheap way to do your nails, I highly recommend press-ons.

The nice thing about press-ons is that they range in price, so they can fit any budget.

If you'd like a cheap set, you can find options for as little as $6. If you'd like a more quality set of nails, you can find handmade and custom options for $50 and above.

All you need to apply them are the nails, nail glue, and a nail file.

They can easily fit inside a carry-on bag, or quickly be applied before your cruise.

Press-ons have risen in popularity in recent years, with celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Rihanna sporting them on vacation.

You can find endless styles of press-ons in stores and online—I purchased mine from Amazon.

First, you'll want to start with a set of press-on nails.

Your pack of nails should come with a nail file and a cuticle pusher. 

Your set may also come with a pack of jelly tabs for adhesive. I don't recommend using these, especially on a cruise. These tabs are designed to come off in water, so washing your hands or going into the pool will cause your nails to fall off. Instead, purchase a strong nail glue—I like the Kiss or Sassi brands.

To prepare your nails, make sure they are clean and dry, and cut as short as possible.

Use an alcohol wipe to clean them off, and then push back your cuticles.

After this, you'll need to file your nails thoroughly. Filing them gives the nail glue a rough surface to stick to.

The nail file that comes with your press-ons should work fine, but I also like to purchase my own for a stronger hold and finer grit.

After filing, you can start to glue down the nails.

Start from your pinky fingers and do your thumbs last (this gives you enough strength to push down the nails with your thumbs).

Apply a small amount of glue in the middle of the press-on nail, and then spread a thin layer over your real nail. Make sure the glue is distributed evenly, without getting any on your skin.

Let the glue dry for a minute to 30 seconds, and then carefully press the fake nail onto your real one.

Be careful to line it up evenly, because you only have a short amount of time to adjust the angle before the glue dries.

After the nail is applied the way you like, press down on the nail to stick it to your finger.

Continue this process with each hand.

Once all of your nails are applied, try to keep your hands dry for about half an hour. This will give them the chance to set and dry securely.

Depending on how experienced you are, the whole process should take 15-30 minutes.

You can easily apply press-ons while in the packing process, instead of trying to rush to make an appointment with a nail salon before your departure.

Press-on nails don't use many supplies. You don't need a UV light to cure them or an electric nail file. 

They can also be packed up in a bag, and you can apply them at the beginning of your cruise!

Cruise nail ideas

What kind of nails should you do for a cruise?

Nail styles are so fun because you can change the theme depending on the occasion.

Press-on nails are also a great way to do this because they can be applied and removed quickly and easily. 

Even if your cruise is just for a weekend, you can apply these nails in a matter of minutes and remove them when the cruise is over.

The classic patterns for a cruise would involve blue or ocean themes, such as blue swirls or seashell and pearl styles.

However, you can also switch up your style and go as creative as you want.

Tropical flowers, summery fruit, or sea animals would all be cute styles for a cruise.

You could even style your nails based on the cruise's itinerary.

For a Mediterranean cruise, try designs like:

• Blue and white tile
• Classical or Impressionist art 
• Simple French tips

For a Caribbean cruise:

• Beach waves
• Hibiscus flowers
• Sunset colors
• Palm trees and coconuts

For an Alaskan cruise:

• Glow-in-the-dark
• Whale tails
• Mountains and icebergs

For a cruise to Mexico:

• Tequila and lime
• Tropical fruit
• Starfish and sea turtles

For a cruise in Asia:

• Lily pads
• Cherry blossoms
• Cute cartoons like Sanrio characters

For my recent cruise, I went with a light pink and white pearly pattern.

The textured patterns and pearl charms were reminiscent of sea animals and a mermaid theme, while the pink and white took the nails beyond a basic ocean look.

I choose a medium-length almond style, perfect for a cute look while also leaving me lots of room for movement.

I also tried a long coffin style on a recent cruise.

These nails were a cute nude to blue ombre, featuring white hibiscus flowers.

The pattern was cute and stylish, matching the blue and ocean themes all around.

However, these nails were very long. The longer your nails, the less mobility you'll have.

If you're less experienced with wearing long nails, consider what activities you want to do on your cruise before applying them. If you'd like to be active and have a lot of mobility on your cruise, I recommend purchasing shorter nails.

More press-on cruise nails:

• Pink mermaid with pearls
• Starfish in neon pink
• Short square fruit for summer
• Glossy starfish and beach wave design
• Short ocean design tips

What do you need to know before cruising the Mediterranean?

Cruises are most well-known for destinations like Mexico and the Caribbean. However, cruising the Mediterranean is a marvelous method of seeing some of the world's best art and historical sites.

The Mediterranean Sea provides access to countries like Greece, Spain, Italy, France, Croatia, and Turkey.

I love how much is included in a cruise, and they provide the opportunity to see many unique destinations.

If you're looking forward to trying a cruise to this region, there are some important details you should know first.

After taking my second Mediterranean cruise, here are the top things everyone should know before cruising the region.

Know the history of your destinations

My most essential tip is to do your research beforehand.

Don't assume that your tour guides will provide all the information to you.

Before my cruise, I checked out several library books about the countries I'd be visiting. 

These books gave me something to do on the plane and provided some helpful context to the nations and sights I was looking forward to.

Be sure to also research the ports and cities you'll be visiting on the cruise. 

Don't assume that each city within a country is the same—many regions have distinct languages and cuisines.

Doing research prepares you to understand the sites you'll be seeing. Especially in historical cities like Florence and Rome, doing proper research on the past of the area will greatly enrich your experience.

Not only that, but when you do research you'll better know the cultures and customs of the area.

Avoid being an ignorant tourist, and educate yourself to better interact with the locals.

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

Learn a few words in the local language 

Adding on to the previous tip, I recommend learning as many words as you can in the local language.

Even if you feel unequipped to fully study a new language, learning just a few phrases will go a long way.

I recommend teaching yourself how to greet and thank people at a minimum. You could also learn how to ask, "Do you speak English?", instead of assuming that everyone does.

While stopping at a bathroom in Italy, I saw another American cruiser walk up to the bathroom attendant and ask her a question in English.

The woman stared back blankly, refusing to respond, and finally, the American had to walk away with her question unanswered.

Politely addressing someone in the local language shows respect and knowledge of the culture.

I noticed a lot of shopkeepers and restaurant owners perk up when I first tried to address them in their native tongue. This is especially true in France.

Even though I couldn't speak much, they appreciated that I tried to, instead of assuming that everyone around me should speak English.

Not only that, but the locals I met also helped me improve and learn more new words!

It's a great way to appreciate the culture and immerse yourself in a new country.

The summer season will be unbearably packed

You've probably heard it before, but let me reiterate: summer in the Mediterranean gets very crowded.

I chose to sail the Mediterranean in June because I saw a deal on an Oasis of the Seas cruise. I heard that the cities would be busy, but assumed I could handle the crowds.

After all, it's just some tourists, right? Wrong.

The crowds were nearly unbearable, especially when it came to popular destinations like the Uffizi Gallery or the Vatican.

Read more: Why you need to cruise the Mediterranean in winter with Royal Caribbean

Some areas were so packed full of people that I felt like I could barely enjoy the destination.

Especially at the famous Uffizi Art Gallery in Florence, it was hard to even see the classical art for all the people in the way!

I had to pick my way through the throngs of tourists and keep a close eye on my belongings. 

If I could do the cruise over, I'd choose a cruise early or late in the cruising season.

Bring clothing or cover-ups that cover your shoulders and knees

Many major destinations, especially churches, require that visitors dress modestly. 

At a minimum, you should try to cover your shoulders and knees, and not wear anything low-cut.

To help me prepare for these requirements, I packed some pairs of pants, cardigans, and scarves.

Read more: 8 lessons learned after trying a European cruise for the first time

On days out, if I wore shorts or a tank top, I'd make sure to bring a scarf along, just in case I wanted to enter a site that required more modest clothing.

In general, I also find that Europeans dress more formally than Americans, so I'd recommend packing less casual clothing. At the very least, don't wear flip-flops or sweatpants in public.

And feel free to go all out for formal night on the cruise.

Arrive at your embarkation port early 

We recommend getting to your port at least a day before any cruise.

The same applies to a Mediterranean sailing, but I'd suggest getting to the port as early as possible.

With so much international travel and potential airline delays, you'll want to give yourself as much of a margin as you can.

On my recent Mediterranean cruise, every single flight I took was delayed by at least an hour.

I was quite grateful to arrive at my cruise port the day before but wished I had decided to arrive in the city even earlier.

One day isn't enough time to get over the jetlag you'll experience from switching time zones.

Jetlag can make you exhausted all day long, and if you don't recover quickly, it could limit your cruise experience.

Read more: How much does a Mediterranean cruise cost?

Getting exhausted right before a busy, port-intensive Mediterranean cruise (where you'll also do lots of walking!) is a recipe for disaster.

To rest up ahead of time, I recommend getting to the embarkation port at least 2-3 days before the cruise.

Plus, this gives you more time to explore the area before the sailing begins. 

My Mediterranean cruise was packed with exotic ports, historical sites, classical art, and incredible food. But I made one crucial mistake: not staying longer.

I sailed on a 7-night Oasis of the Seas cruise to Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca, Spain, and Florence, Rome, and Naples, Italy.

When I stepped off the tour bus in Florence, Italy, I saw a scene that looked like it was out of an impressionist painting.

Plush green trees and medieval architecture lined the banks of the wide Arno River.

Young people sunbathed on the river bank, reading and smoking cigarettes.

"Places like this really exist?" I wondered.

I longed to join the sunbathers and grab a cappuccino at the cute cafe I saw by the river, but I didn't have enough time.

Instead of getting to eat or walk around, I had to rush straight to my appointed time at the Uffizi Gallery art museum.

After the art museum, the time for the tour was over, and we had to get onto the bus for a two-hour drive straight back to the cruise ship.

"Next time," I promised myself.

I didn't have enough time to explore each port

Traveling by cruise ship barely gave me time to explore each port.

The vessel stopped in each town for about twelve hours.

However, I found that the largest, most famous cities near these ports (such as Florence and Rome) were quite far from where the vessel was docked.

When we visited Florence, it took longer than two hours to get from the port, La Spezia, to the famous Renaissance city.

So much travel time cut into my chance to explore Florence.

I only had three hours to spend there—leaving me wishing I could have tried more food and seen more historical sites.

Read more: 8 lessons learned after trying a European cruise for the first time

A day or more would have been ideal to explore.

The same happened in Rome, but even worse, I booked an afternoon tour of this rich historical city.

It took over an hour to travel from the port city of Civitavecchia to Rome, and we still had to return before the ship left at 8 P.M.

Because I had so little time in each port, I often could only book one tour or visit one museum.

In Naples, Italy, for example, I was torn between seeing the ancient city of Pompeii or visiting the famous Blue Grotto on the coast of Capri.

I could only choose one, and it broke my heart to be so close to these incredible sites and not be able to see them.

For this reason, I should have booked a much longer stay in Europe on either side of my cruise.

Some of my fellow cruisers told me that, after the cruise, they were planning on staying in Spain for a week or traveling around Europe for a month.

I quickly realized that I should have gone this route as well.

One week in Italy and one in Spain would have given me much more time to see all the exciting places I wanted to.

The cruise didn't provide many opportunities to try local food

I'm ashamed to admit this, but I traveled to Italy and still didn't try any local pasta.

Although I ate regional meals as often as I could, the cruise only stopped at each port for such a short amount of time.

I had to manage my schedule carefully. 

Rather than trying the food, I ended up prioritizing seeing historical sites, buying souvenirs, and visiting museums.

Since the cruise ship offered so many complimentary options, I put less effort into finding local cuisine, knowing that I could always eat when I got back on the ship.

While this was a convenient way to find food and save money, I missed out on trying some great local dishes.

Italy is especially famous for many foods, such as pasta, pizza, and lasagna.

While Royal Caribbean's dining staff did serve some of these meals onboard, I knew that it wasn't as authentic.

Because I didn't extend my stay in the Mediterranean past the length of the cruise, I missed out on trying actual local cuisine.

If I'd been able to stay longer on land, I would have been able to try so many more meals.

Staying longer would have given me a chance to recover from jetlag 

It took a Herculean amount of effort to recover from jetlag on this cruise.

With an 8-hour time difference and a 12-hour flight, I was exhausted by the time I arrived in Spain.

I had to force myself to stay awake until the evening so my body clock could adjust to the local time.

Even though I arrived in Spain the day before the cruise embarked, it was not nearly enough time to adjust.

While I made myself stay awake to experience the amazing sites and exciting amenities, I spent most of my cruise exhausted.

Not only was I suffering from jetlag, but the cruise was also packed with port stops: 5 out of the 7 total days were port days.

Each day at port required me to wake up early, get to my tour or go off the ship, and spend a lot of time walking around.

I would come back to the ship with sore legs and aching feet and still want to spend time experiencing the ship's amenities.

Because of this, I never fully adjusted to the local time.

I simply napped when I could, and for the last couple of days, I barely slept at all!

The cruise was so fast-paced that I had less energy to explore in the long run, making it even harder to see everything I wanted to.

Staying in the area for a longer time would have made the long flights worth it, and given me a chance to recover from jetlag and exhaustion.

It would have stretched out my time into a more relaxing pace.