After 15 Royal Caribbean cruises, I finally splurged on the Unlimited Dining Package. 

Although part of the allure of cruise vacations is the complimentary dining that's included in the base fare, I've found that specialty restaurants typically have higher-quality food and a more intimate setting. Plus, I cruise so frequently that the dining room has begun to lose its appeal. 

So, my partner and I decided to purchase Royal Caribbean's Unlimited Dining Package for our weeklong vacation on Icon of the Seas. As the largest cruise ship in the world, she's filled from bow to stern with specialty dining options, including Izumi Sushi and Hibachi, Hooked, Pier 7, Chops Grille, and more. 

The Unlimited Dining Package wasn't just about indulging in better food. It was about the variety, atmosphere, and service. For example, we had the flexibility to dine at multiple specialty restaurants per day, allowing us to explore more of the ship's culinary options. 

Making our reservations was easy thanks to Royal Caribbean's new feature that allows guests to book their specialty dining package reservations in advance, rather than once onboard. Even after booking, we could easily make changes through the Cruise Planner, adjusting restaurants and reservation times as needed.

As our cruise neared, we looked forward to tender lobster at Hooked, flavorful Italian classics at Giovanni's, and fun interactive meals at Izumi Hibachi. 

However, by the end of the voyage, we didn't feel as satisfied as expected. Instead, we felt burnt out. The pressure to "get our money's worth" meant we ate more than we usually would on a cruise. Dinner began to feel like something we had to check off a to-do list, rather than something we were looking forward to on vacation. 

Here's why I wouldn't purchase the Unlimited Dining Package again — even as someone who is a fan of specialty restaurants on cruise ships. 

Read more: I take over 10 cruises a year as a cruise reporter. I always book this one thing — even though it costs extra money

It's not all-inclusive

Certain restaurants have an upcharge, even if you purchase the Unlimited Dining Package. For example, to eat at Izumi Hibachi, you must pay an extra $15 per adult. 

Because hibachi is one of our favorite meals at home and on a cruise ship, we made reservations to eat at Izumi twice during our 7-night cruise, resulting in $60 of upcharges. 

Other restaurants come with similar caveats. Royal Railway, for instance, is not included with the Unlimited Dining Package and requires an upcharge of $50 per adult and $25 per child. 

Chef's Table, the cruise line's multi-course dinner hosted by a chef and sommelier, also comes with an upcharge of around $50 per person. 

Similarly, Royal Caribbean's relatively new Izumi Omakase experience costs an extra $60 per person, even if you've purchased the Unlimited Dining Package. 

The most expensive upcharge is for Empire Supper Club, a premium, reservation-only dining experience that blends an eight-course tasting menu with craft cocktails and live jazz paired to each course. 

Even with the Unlimited Dining Package, guests must pay an additional $130 per person to dine there. However, the onboard price costs $200, just $70 more than the upcharge with the dining package. 

Depending on which restaurants you want to eat at, you may be better off booking each individually, especially if there's a good pre-cruise sale on Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner. There are no discounts on the upcharges for the specialty restaurants, as they're paid once onboard the ship. 

Additionally, certain menu items aren't included with the Unlimited Dining Package, including Chops Grille's Iconic Cuts and the broiled Maine lobster. The latter costs around $25 (after the mandatory service charge), while the price for Chops' Iconic Cuts varies from $16.99 to $39.99. 

Read more: I spent $60 to eat at Royal Caribbean’s most bizarre restaurant. I thought I would hate it, but it was one of the best meals of my cruise

It's too much food on a weeklong cruise

Overall, we found that eating at specialty restaurants for 7 nights in a row was too much food for us — our eyes were definitely bigger than our stomachs! The first few nights were exciting, but we began to feel sluggish and overly full by the middle of the cruise.

One sea day, we pushed ourselves even more, indulging in a multi-course brunch at Pier 7 ahead of our dinner at Chops Grille. 

Although both meals were delicious, the constant indulgence in heavy meals left little room for snacking. This was disappointing at CocoCay when I couldn't eat as many coconut shrimp as I wanted at Hideaway Beach!

Read more: Royal Caribbean menus: Main dining room, specialty restaurants & more 

It also made it difficult to fully enjoy each meal, especially during the second half of the trip. By that point, dining felt like a commitment. 

At $665.48 per two people, the Unlimited Dining Package on the world's largest cruise ship broke down to nearly $100 per night. As such, we felt a lot of pressure ot maximize each meal to get our money's worth. Had we wanted to save money, we could have eaten in the buffet, the Main Dining Room, or other included venues!

Some ships have limited specialty restaurants

Sailing on Icon of the Seas meant we didn't have a shortage of restaurants to choose from. However, older vessels don't have nearly as many specialty dining options. 

While Icon boasts more than 20 dining venues, including new concepts like the Empire Supper Club and Pier 7, older Royal Caribbean ships have just a handful of specialty restaurants, typically limited to staples like Chops Grille, Giovanni’s Table, and Izumi Sushi.

For example, Vision of the Seas, a Vision Class ship launched in 1998, features four specialty restaurants: Izumi Sushi, Chops Grille, Giovanni's Table, and the Chef's Table. The latter has an upcharge, too. On a weeklong cruise, eating at the same specialty restaurants can quickly start to feel repetitive. 

A 3-night dining package would meet our needs better

Next time, we'd likely consider a 3-night dining package, rather than the pricey unlimited one. Because there's so much food included in the base fare — ranging from the buffet to fast-casual bites and Main Dining Room — spending nearly $700 on specialty dining felt wasteful, especially since we didn't enjoy the package as much as expected. 

Not only are the 3-night packages more affordable, but they also offer more flexibility without the pressure to plan your entire cruise around dining reservations or big meals. Additionally, if you're on an older ship, you'll have fewer restaurants to cross off your list, so you may not want to pay to eat at the same venues over and over. 

Ultimately, the Unlimited Dining Package is a great way to indulge in the ship's best culinary offerings. However, it's not the right fit for me. I'd prefer a smaller package so I could enjoy specialty restaurants — while leaving room for coconut shrimp.

Read more: I ate my way through 29 cruise ships. These are the 9 best things I tasted that stood out from the rest

One of Royal Caribbean's most famous crew members is bidding life at sea a fond farewell. 

Chris Wong, a crew member who has worked on cruise ships since as far back as 2013, is taking his final bow after years of service on some of the line's most dazzling vessels.

"I have officially announced and decided that this will be my last ever contract as a crew member for Royal Caribbean. After a long career with this company, it is now time to move on to the next phase of my life. I am excited and nervous for what is to come," he shared on a Royal Caribbean Blog discussion forum. 

Wong's 11th — and final — contract is aboard Allure of the Seas. Allure finished up a massive dry dock a few months ago and is sailing in the Mediterranean for the first time since 2015. 

He shared on his Patreon that taking this contract was a difficult decision. However, working aboard Allure after her multi-million dollar renovation in Europe was too enticing to turn down. 

Although he wasn't planning to return to sea, he states that there's no way he is going to change his mind about continuing to work on cruise ships. 

"No matter what happens this year, this is going to be my final contract...this will be my last year as a seafarer," he says in a video posted to his popular YouTube channel.

"Now is the time. I've always been told that you will know when the right time is for you to walk away from this life."

He rose to fame during the pandemic, giving cruisers a first look at ships as they restarted

Wong started sharing vlogs on YouTube in 2019, shortly before the global pandemic caused the cruise industry to shutter. Since then, he's amassed 114,000 subscribers and over 8 million views. 

His content during the cruise shutdown offered a rare, behind-the-scenes look at what life on cruise ships was like during one of the most uncertain times in the industry's history. 

He posted videos showing what it was like to be stuck in quarantine as a crew member, as well as providing updates on their protocols. 

For example, the crew wasn't allowed off the ship for a while, but he was happy to share that in May 2022, they were finally granted shore leave again. 

After the pandemic, he continued to vlog about his experiences as a crew member. He provided great coverage of Icon of the Seas during her launch, going as far as showing what their newly designed cabins looked like and the crew-only neighborhood. 

Read more: Photos show a tiny crew-only cabin on Icon of the Seas

"This has given me everything"

Working on cruise ships for over a decade allowed Wong to travel the world. 

Not only that, but he was part of some amazing projects, including working on Ovation of the Seas during her restart after the pandemic, as well as on Icon of the Seas during her inaugural season as the world's largest cruise ship. 

2024 was a big year for Wong, too. In August, he received his 5-year recognition award, followed by a major promotion to Casino Host in December. 

Yet, despite his success within the company, Wong felt it was time for a change. 

"The way I was able to travel, the way I'm able to make friendships that span the globe, the opportunity to create this online community. My whole professional life, what I'm trying to say, has been incredible, and I owe it all to Royal Caribbean," he says. 

Read more: Photos show the secret crew-only areas on Icon of the Seas

Wong will make the transition to becoming a paid passenger

After finishing his contract on Allure of the Seas, Wong's plan is to continue to sail aboard cruise ships. However, he wants to experience them as a passenger, rather than a crew member. 

His overall goal is to work his way up the ranks of Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society, ultimately becoming a top-tier Pinnacle Club cruiser — a status reserved for the most loyal fans. 

That said, one of the ways he hopes to fund this next chapter is through the Chris Wong Membership Club. This is a subscription-based community for fans who want to support his journey, gain behind-the-scenes access to his adventures, and receive exclusive content.

He also plans to provide tips on how to book cruises, review pre- and post-cruise hotels, talk about dining reservations, and more. 

"This is going to be a crucial part to start my journey to becoming a Pinnacle member within the Crown & Anchor Society," Wong explains. 

Pricing starts at just $1 per month. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean crew member shares how much he makes working on a ship

Looking for a cruise that goes beyond the usual places? Royal Caribbean is known for visiting some of the top tropical destinations, but there are a few hidden gem cruises that go even further.

With the Bahamas and Caribbean being a year-round destination, it's easy to visit the same ports of call over and over. While there's nothing wrong with that, sometimes you begin to crave something different, especially as you become a more experienced cruiser. 

There are plenty of overlooked itineraries that don't get enough attention, particularly on a family-friendly line that hyper focuses on private destinations. In other words, if you're willing to branch out, you will find that Royal Caribbean’s 2025 lineup goes beyond the usual beach destinations.

Whether you're itching to visit countries like Portugal, Japan, or South Africa, or simply want extra time for R&R at sea, there's a cruise that offers a refreshing change from basic itineraries to St. Maarten, CocoCay, and Cozumel. 

If you haven't planned your next voyage for 2025, look no further than these special sailings.

Editor's note: Cruise pricing can change at any time based on demand, availability, and promotional offers. All fares mentioned were accurate at the time of publication. However, for the most current pricing, check directly on the cruise line's website or with your travel agent.

Celebrity Silhouette — 14-Night Greenland & Iceland, August 15, 2025

Dates: August 15 - August 28, 2025

Embarkation port: Reykjavik, Iceland

Disembarkation port: Boston, Massachusetts

Lowest rate: $1,542 per person for an interior cabin

Ports of call: 

• Isafjordur, Iceland
• Akureyri, Iceland
• Qaqortoq, Greenland
• Corner Brook, Newfoundland
• Sydney, Nova Scotia
• Halifax, Nova Scotia

Brilliance of the Seas — 8-Night Spain & Portugal, August 22, 2025

Dates: August 22 - August 30, 2025

Embarkation port: Barcelona, Spain

Disembarkation port: Southampton, England

Lowest rate: $1,594 per person for an interior cabin

Ports of call: 

• Palma De Mallorca, Spain
• Valencia, Spain
• Lisbon, Portugal
• Porto (Leixoes), Portugal
• La Coruña, Spain

Brilliance of the Seas — 15-Night Iceland & Greenland, August 30, 2025

Dates: August 30 - September 14, 2025

Embarkation port: Southampton, England

Disembarkation port: Boston, Massachusetts

Lowest rate: $2,490 per person for an interior cabin

Ports of call: 

• Glasgow (Greenock), Scotland
• Reykjavik, Iceland (overnight)
• Qaqortoq, Greenland
• Nuuk, Greenland
• Sydney, Nova Scotia
• Halifax, Nova Scotia

Serenade of the Seas — 5-Night Pacific Coastal, September 14, 2025

Dates: September 14 - 19, 2025

Embarkation port: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Disembarkation port: San Diego, California 

Lowest rate: $393 per person for an interior cabin

Ports of call: 

• Seattle, Washington
• Astoria, Oregon

Serenade of the Seas — 13-Night Panama Canal Eastward, September 19, 2025

Dates: September 19 - October 2, 2025

Embarkation port: San Diego, California 

Disembarkation port: Miami, Florida

Lowest rate: $1,633 per person for an interior cabin

Ports of call: 

• Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
• Huatulco, Mexico
• Puntarenas, Costa Rica
• Cartagena, Colombia

Radiance of the Seas — 8-Night Pacific Coastal, September 26, 2025

Dates: September 26 - October 4, 2025

Embarkation port: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Disembarkation port: San Diego, California 

Lowest rate: $595 per person for an interior cabin

Ports of call: 

• Astoria, Oregon
• San Francisco, California (overnight)
• Catalina Island, California 

Anthem of the Seas – 9-Night Hawaii, October 4, 2025

Dates: October 4 - 13, 2025

Embarkation port: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Disembarkation port: Oahu (Honolulu), Hawaii

Lowest rate: $936 per person for an interior cabin

Ports of call: 

• Seattle, Washington (overnight)

Radiance of the Seas — 16-Night Panama Canal, October 4, 2025

Dates: October 4 - 20, 2025

Embarkation port: San Diego, California

Disembarkation port: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Lowest rate: $3,450 per person for an interior cabin

Ports of call: 

• Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
• Mazatlán, Mexico
• Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala
• Puntarenas, Costa Rica
• Colón, Panama
• Cartagena, Colombia
• George Town, Grand Cayman

Ovation of the Seas — 11-Night Tokyo to Singapore, October 9, 2025

Dates: October 9 - 20, 2025

Embarkation port: Tokyo (Yokohama), Japan

Disembarkation port: Singapore, Singapore

Lowest rate: $5,111 per person for a balcony cabin

Ports of call: 

• Nagasaki, Japan
• Jeju (Seogwipo), South Korea
• Hong Kong, China
• Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My), Vietnam

Read more: Royal Caribbean is betting big on this exotic destination

Anthem of the Seas — 17-Night Transpacific, October 13, 2025

Dates: October 13 - 31, 2025

Embarkation port: Oahu (Honolulu), Hawaii

Disembarkation port: Sydney, Australia

Lowest rate: $3,831 per person for an interior cabin

Ports of call: 

• Papeete, Tahiti
• Moorea, French Polynesia
• Raiatea, French Polynesia
• Tauranga, New Zealand

Odyssey of the Seas — 14-Night Transatlantic, October 22, 2025

Dates: October 22 - November 5, 2025

Embarkation port: Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy

Disembarkation port: Cape Liberty (New York), New Jersey

Lowest rate: $4,868 per person for a suite

Ports of call: 

• Florence / Pisa (La Spezia), Italy
• Cartagena, Spain
• Málaga, Spain
• Gibraltar, United Kingdom
• Ponta Delgada, Azores

Allure of the Seas — 13-Night Transatlantic, October 26, 2025

Dates: October 26 - November 8, 2025

Embarkation port: Barcelona, Spain

Disembarkation port: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Lowest rate: $1,429 per person for an interior cabin

Ports of call: 

• Palma De Mallorca, Spain
• Alicante, Spain
• Cartagena, Spain
• Málaga, Spain

Voyager of the Seas — 18-Night Barcelona to Cape Town, October 27, 2025

Dates: October 27 - November 14, 2025

Embarkation port: Barcelona, Spain

Disembarkation port: Cape Town, South Africa

Lowest rate: $1,367 per person for an interior cabin

Ports of call: 

• Tangier, Tangier, Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceima
• Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
• Walvis Bay, Walvis Bay
• Cape Town, South Africa (overnight)

Jewel of the Seas — 8-Night Ft. Lauderdale to San Juan, October 31, 2025

Dates: October 31 - November 8, 2025

Embarkation port: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Disembarkation port: San Juan, Puerto Rico

Lowest rate: $775 per person for an interior cabin

Ports of call: 

• Labadee, Haiti
• Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis
• Castries, St. Lucia
• Roseau, Dominica
• Philipsburg, St. Maarten

Celebrity Ascent — 13-Night Italy & Bermuda Transatlantic, October 31, 2025

Dates: October 31 - November 13, 2025

Embarkation port: Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy

Disembarkation port: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Lowest rate: $1,332 per person for an interior cabin

Ports of call: 

• Cagliari, Sardinia
• Gibraltar, United Kingdom
• Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda

Brilliance of the Seas — 7-Night Boston to San Juan, November 2, 2025

Dates: November 2 - 9, 2025

Embarkation port: Boston, Massachusetts

Disembarkation port: San Juan, Puerto Rico

Lowest rate: $1,113 per person for an interior cabin

Ports of call: 

• Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda
• St. John's, Antigua
• Tortola, British Virgin Islands

Voyager of the Seas — 17-Night Cape Town to Singapore, November 14, 2025

Dates: November 14 - December 1, 2025

Embarkation port: Cape Town, South Africa

Disembarkation port: San Juan, Puerto Rico

Lowest rate: $1,370 per person for an interior cabin

Ports of call: 

• Port Elizabeth, South Africa
• Pointe Des Galets, Reunion Island
• Port Louis, Mauritius
• Singapore, Singapore (overnight)

Celebrity Equinox — 15-Night Portugal to Argentina Transatlantic, November 21, 2025

Dates: November 21 - December 6, 2025

Embarkation port: Lisbon, Portugal

Disembarkation port: Buenos Aires, Argentina 

Lowest rate: $2,159 per person for an interior cabin

Ports of call: 

• Tenerife, Canary Islands
• Salvador de Bahia, Brazil
• Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
• Montevideo, Uruguay

Voyager of the Seas — 12-Night Cape Town to Singapore to Brisbane, December 1, 2025

Dates: December 1 - 13, 2025

Embarkation port: Singapore, Singapore

Disembarkation port: Brisbane, Australia

Lowest rate: $2,241 per person for an interior cabin

Ports of call: 

• Benoa, Bali
• Darwin, Australia
• Cairns (Yorkeys Knob), Australia
• Airlie Beach, Queensland

Read more: I tried my first Australia cruise: here are 7 things that surprised me

Celebrity Ascent — 11-Night Panama Canal & Perfect Day Holiday, December 22, 2025

Dates: December 22, 2025 - January 2, 2026

Embarkation port: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Disembarkation port: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Lowest rate: $2,732 per person for an interior cabin

Ports of call: 

• Cartagena, Colombia
• Oranjestad, Aruba
• Willemstad, Curaçao
• Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas

Pros of a longer cruise

If you're like me, you might initially gloss over longer sailings. With my partner's work schedule as an elementary school teacher, it's difficult to get a lot of time off during the academic year. 

Not only that, but we don't like leaving our dog for extended periods. He is older and has a few health concerns. Plus, paying for quality care is expensive! 

However, there are perks to taking longer cruises. First, you have more time to enjoy the ship. Transatlantic and transpacific cruises, especially, include multiple sea days in a row. 

These give guests ample opportunity to relax, rather than feeling rushed to cross everything off their must-do list. 

Additionally, the price per day is often lower than for shorter voyages. That said, it's not uncommon to find high last-minute prices. As cabins sell out, cruise lines might raise rates for unique sailings. 

Another perk of choosing a longer sailing is that the itineraries are more diverse. You can visit more interesting ports around the world, especially if you are willing to sail on a one-way cruise, without sacrificing the Royal Caribbean experience.  

Royal Caribbean is about to launch a brand new mega-ship this summer, but don't overlook their smaller vessels.

Cruise giant Royal Caribbean is ready for its best summer yet. While most eyes are hyper-focused on Star of the Seas' launch in August, there's a lot more worth talking about. 

For example, Ovation of the Seas just began her first season sailing from Los Angeles to the Baja Peninsula. 

Before the 168,666 gross-ton vessel set sail from California, the largest Royal Caribbean ship to call Los Angeles home had been Navigator of the Seas. 

When Royal Caribbean returned to Los Angeles after more than a decade in 2021, Navigator signaled the company's commitment to expanding its West Coast presence. 

Now, with Ovation of the Seas stepping in, they're even more excited to double down on their offerings out of California to ports like Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada, Mexico. 

Ovation, which launched in 2016, features next-level amenities like a skydiving simulator, an indoor multi-purpose venue, a North Star glass observation capsule, and more. 

Anthem of the Seas makes her Alaska debut

This summer is filled with firsts for Quantum Class ships. In addition to Ovation sailing from Los Angeles, Anthem is heading to Alaska for the first time. 

Anthem of the Seas launched in 2015 and has sailed across the globe, from Norway to Spain, Australia, and Japan. However, this marks her inaugural season exploring The Last Frontier. 

Sailing from Seattle on 7-night itineraries every Friday through September 26, Anthem will call at iconic ports like Skagway, Juneau, and Sitka.

All the while, passengers can enjoy Anthem's signature Quantum Class features. The North Star observation capsule is a highlight, as it offers panoramic views of Alaska’s glaciers and snow-capped mountains from over 300 feet above sea level.

Read more: I’ve been on 5 Alaska cruises, and I see people making the same 20 mistakes: here’s how to avoid them

Amplified Allure of the Seas in Europe

Looking for a different kind of adventure? There's none more exciting than Allure of the Seas' summer season in Europe. Not only is this Allure's first time in Europe since 2015, but it follows her highly anticipated amplification. 

Allure of the Seas was supposed to undergo a multi-million-dollar renovation in 2020; however, the plans were indefinitely postponed due to the global pandemic. 5 years later, she finally got the attention she desperately needed compared to newer Oasis Class ships. 

Now, Allure sports a resort-style pool deck, Perfect Storm waterslides, Ultimate Abyss dry slide, Playmaker's, Mason Jar specialty restaurant, Pesky Parrot tiki-bar, a new AquaTheater show, and more. 

In short, if you've been waiting to sail aboard Allure of the Seas, there's no better time than this summer, especially as she's set to visit culturally rich cities in Europe. Allure will remain in the Mediterranean through late October, when she'll reposition to offer Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean just finished $100 million in upgrades to Allure of the Seas. First look at all the changes

Finally, Star of the Seas is set to sail from Port Canaveral, Florida

There's no denying that Icon of the Seas has been a smash hit. Building on that momentum, Star of the Seas promises to add to the experience with new dining options and shows. 

For instance, Royal Caribbean is switching the theme of the upscale supper club. Rather than copying and pasting the same old-school NYC experience, the Lincoln Park Supper Club will pay homage to Chicago in the 1930s. Additionally, Pier 7 is being replaced by a new dining concept. There will be an extra hot tub, too! 

Sailing from Port Canaveral, Florida, Star will transport guests to the Eastern and Western Caribbean. All itineraries include a scheduled stop at Royal Caribbean's award-winning private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

Ahead of her maiden voyage on August 31, Star will embark on short 3- and 4-night showcase sailings starting on August 16, 2025. Ironically, her original inaugural cruise was scheduled for the 17th but was pushed back because of construction delays. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean reveals 21 ways to party, dance, and show on its new Icon Class ship

In celebration of environmental advocacy and sea turtle conservation, Royal Caribbean Group and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) have partnered to launch a new awareness campaign. 

Shell Week will run from June 8 (World Oceans Day) through June 16 (World Sea Turtle Day) and is meant to bring ocean lovers of all ages together through interactive digital rewards available in the Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises mobile apps. 

One of the highlights of the campaign is a bracket-style Turtle Tournament, where turtles will go head-to-head in daily videos. Participants can view the videos to learn new facts and vote for their favorites. The winning turtle will be crowned on June 16 — World Sea Turtle Day — via social media. 

There's also the Ocean Explorers Club in both the Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises apps. Cruisers can find interactive educational content and conservation activities. Plus, there's a chance to earn the special Ocean Explorers virtual badge. 

The best part about this badge? You don't have to sail on a new cruise ship or visit a different region of the world! 

ShellWeek.com is set to go live later this week. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean rolls out badges for every ship you've sailed on

One of the best parts of the new campaign is the chance to win a trip to Florida

Shell Week also features a sweepstakes where one lucky winner will receive a 2-day trip to Florida for two. 

That's not all — at the heart of the experience is a special opportunity to spend a day in the field with a WWF scientist studying sea turtles in their natural habitat.

The heart of the campaign lies in connecting cruisers with Royal Caribbean Group's SEA the Future initiative

The initiative, which launched in 2023, focuses on sustaining the planet, energizing communities, and accelerating innovation.

Through the initiative, Royal Caribbean Group helps sustain the planet by improving the company's energy efficiency, treating the water it uses, and keeping waste from reaching landfills. 

Additionally, they hope to inspire future generations, connect with local cultures, and support economic vibrancy. 

The last pillar — accelerating innovation — reflects Royal Caribbean Group’s commitment to creating sustainable ship designs and exploring cutting-edge technologies that create best-in-class experiences. 

Everything from the reduction of food waste to water conservation helps the company work toward their goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Read more: Royal Caribbean reveals behind-the-scenes secret to how cruise ships make their own water

If you've recently been annoyed by a surge of notifications popping up from your Royal Caribbean app, you’re not alone.

Cruisers have reported receiving numerous pop-ups on their devices from the mobile app. However, they don't contain any important information. Rather, they're test notifications filled with placeholder text like "head - test segment 1, subtitles - test segment 1, content - test segment 1." 

The generic phrases ascended sequentially with each push notification, going from "test segment 1" to "test segment 19" within hours. 

Royal Caribbean confirmed they were aware of the pop-ups but didn't say what updates were being made to the mobile app. 

"We're sorry you received pop-ups. Our IT team is doing updates on the app. We've let them know guests are receiving notifications. Sorry about that," Royal Caribbean wrote on X. 

It seems the random notifications finally subsided around 12:30pm EST. 

The random spam of pop-ups left guests confused and irritated

"I thought I was going crazy," CaptGoodvibesNMS commented on a Reddit thread about the glitch, "Now I know it’s RCI losing their marbles."

Another sarcastically wrote, "Make sure you click every single notification, make sure they know we got it."

Amidst the jokes and confusion, others hypothesized as to what the notifications could be related to. 

"Do we think these notification issues are related to booking trouble?" asked one Reddit user. "I put some excursions and a soda package into my cart this morning but was unable to check out — I kept getting a 'cart empty' or 'cart rolled away' message on both the app and website."

One user seemed to agree, as they noted they couldn't log into their Royal Caribbean account during the push notification incident. 

Personally, whenever I clicked on one of the notifications, I was redirected to a webpage to book flights through Royal Caribbean. This could mean they're working on a feature that allows guests to book Air2Sea flights directly on the app. 

Although annoying, the vague notifications resulted in funny memes on social media

The digital hiccup quickly became an inside joke within the cruise community, and forums filled up with sarcastic cracks about the incident.

For example, amishengineer suggested that everyone mark themselves "safe from testing in production," as one might on Facebook after a natural disaster or major event. 

Others joked about the notifications like it was a multi-day all-nighter, mimicking the famous SpongeBob SquarePants meme of Mr. Krabs looking frazzled while keeping the Krusty Krab open 24 hours for days in a row. 

Another user quipped, "boy oh boy i cant wait for [test] 19, really wonder what surprises it holds." 

Royal Caribbean has recently added new features to the app

It seems Royal Caribbean's been playing with its mobile app more than usual lately. Two months ago, they rolled out new app-exclusive badges that denote which ships you've sailed on. 

A little over a month later, they enhanced the feature to include destinations. Different regions of the world that Royal Caribbean ships visit are listed, including Bermuda, Perfect Day at CocoCay, Europe, and Mexico.

Although it's a quirky feature that subtly makes guests want to become repeat cruisers, it doesn't add anything practical to the app experience, which may explain why they're playing with a new functional tool. 

Passengers aboard Royal Caribbean's Enchantment of the Seas nearly missed out on their port day in Costa Maya, Mexico, due to rough seas and high winds. 

The 28-year-old vessel approached the inner pier, but the captain suspended the disembarkation process because of the inclement weather conditions, with winds at about 15-18 knots.

However, as Wonder of the Seas, a newer Oasis Class vessel, sailed into port, the 235,600-gross-ton mega-ship shielded Enchantment from the wind and ocean swells. 

"The hope and now reality/success [is] that Wonder of the Seas arrived and is now miraculously blocking the swells and wind from the other side of the pier (our portside) and allow[ing] a safe disembarkation process to the pier," said Come Cruise With Me's Dennis Post. 

It's not uncommon for captains to cancel ports due to unfavorable weather. Although disappointing, these decisions always prioritize guest and crew safety — a principle upheld by Enchantment of the Seas' crew during the initial disembarkation delay.

Coming in at 18 decks tall compared to Enchantment's 12, Wonder towered over her like a natural protector. Wonder's sheer size and position calmed the conditions along the pier enough to allow guests to safely disembark and enjoy their day in Costa Maya.

Read more: "It’s time Enchantment of the Seas was taken out back and shot" I went on the cruise ship that gets lots of hate

Everything wasn't picture-perfect, though

According to passengers on Enchantment, the Costa Maya port area was at capacity. 

Along with Wonder and Enchantment of the Seas, Carnival Jubilee, the newest ship in Carnival's fleet of fun ships, docked at Costa Maya on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. 

This brought over 10,000 guests to the port — more than it can comfortably handle with its current infrastructure. 

Read more: I spent $4,700 for a 7-night cruise on Wonder of the Seas

Brandon Green of Lakeland, Florida, was traveling aboard Enchantment of the Seas and went ashore once guests were given the all-clear, as reported by Come Cruise With Me. 

"It was a nightmare getting into the port, and once we got in, the shops were overrun," he said.

Wonder of the Seas' capacity at double occupancy is 5,734, while Enchantment's is just 2,252. Carnival Jubilee, though smaller than Wonder, still holds an impressive number of people — up to 5,362 at double occupancy. However, at full capacity, these ships can hold more people. 

Cruise ships can use this maneuver

As soon as our team read about this story, it reminded me of a similar need for wind blocking last year.

In February 2024, a sudden storm caused Royal Caribbean to evacuate Perfect Day at CocoCay. A cold front moved in quickly, and the two ships needed to get out of the port immediately.

To help, Oasis of the Seas blocked the wind so Freedom of the Seas could depart safely. The winds were so bad that normal departure procedures wouldn't be safe.

Oasis was able to block the winds for Freedom to leave. Oasis remained docked until it was safe to depart on its own.

Royal Caribbean is transforming Costa Maya into the next best destination in the Caribbean

Royal Caribbean has big plans for Costa Maya: they're going to transform the port into the next sought-after destination in their Perfect Day series. 

Perfect Day Mexico is poised to elevate the private destination experience with the same blend of chill and thrill that has made Perfect Day at CocoCay a fan favorite. 

With the world's longest lazy river, the tallest waterslides in North and South America, the biggest bottle of tequila, and so much more, Perfect Day Mexico is set to redefine what it means to have a “perfect day."

Royal Caribbean doesn't plan to close off Costa Maya exclusively to its guests, but it is aiming to transform part of the port into a destination that rivals Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

The port will remain open during the construction of Perfect Day Mexico. Once complete, there will be a new welcome center — built by Royal Caribbean — to acquaint guests of visiting cruise lines, including Carnival, with popular attractions in the Mahahual area and provide transportation throughout the region.

Read more: I’ve been to Perfect Day at CocoCay 9 times — 6 reasons I’m even more excited for Royal Caribbean's new private destination in Mexico

Sea days are busy for crew members. Although they're ideal for passengers to kick back and relax, the behind-the-scenes reality for crew members is vastly different. Still, there are opportunities for the crew to take time away from demanding passengers, collect themselves, and possibly win a special prize. 

Bryan James, an entertainer for Royal Caribbean who has worked on numerous ships in the fleet, shared incentives offered to crew members on busy sea days, when many are working 10 to 13-hour shifts. 

"There is one part of the day, though, that gets kind of relaxed around here," he says in a reel shared to TikTok, "It's called Tea Time."

On this specific day, Tea Time took place in the crew mess and came with a fun twist: crew-only bingo. 

Passenger bingo is a popular activity, as the prizes often include onboard credit, free cruises, and more. However, playing isn't free. Royal Caribbean offers different packages, with the cheapest costing around $40 for 3 paper cards. 

Cruisers line up in advance to secure their playing cards and seats ahead of the highly anticipated game. Comparatively, the attendance for the free-to-play Tea Time session in James' video was scarce, with the crew presumably catching up on rest, tackling other duties, or spending their break eating lunch in the mess. 

Crew bingo offers rewards and doesn't cost the crew money to play

"They just announced the prices," James continues, "First place is some headphones, Skull Candy; second place is a bottle of wine; and third place is a case of water." His voice sounded disappointed, as he initially thought crew members were playing for a cash prize. 

Cash prizes for passenger bingo depend on how many guests are playing and how many cards have been sold. It's not uncommon to hear of jackpots as high as $5,000 or $6,000 being won by lucky passengers. 

As mentioned, the cheapest package to buy into bingo costs $40, but some cruisers are willing to pay for the top-tier options that cost upwards of $70 and include over 35 ways to win on a special tablet. 

"There's typically only one or two sea days per cruise"

According to James, port days are more balanced. While the days are still long, there's a different rhythm compared to sea days, when thousands of guests need to be constantly entertained and fed.

However, there are sailings, including Transatlantic and Transpacific voyages, where passengers might be at sea for 7, 8, or 9 days in a row. "They make you wonder, 'Why do I do this job?'" James jokes. 

"But then you realize at the end of that 7-day sailing, you wind up in Tokyo or you're in Australia," highlighting one of the perks of working on a cruise ship, despite the grueling hours and sometimes unpleasant guests. 

James is currently working aboard Allure of the Seas

Allure of the Seas is in Europe for the first time since 2015. She just underwent a major revitalization, bringing new concepts to the 14-year-old vessel, including Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade, the Mason Jar, the Pesky Parrot, a resort-style pool deck, the Ultimate Abyss dry slide, and so much more. 

James has been sharing glimpses of his life as a crew member on cruise ships across various social media channels, including TikTok (831k followers) and Instagram (305k followers), for three years. However, James claims that his contract on Allure of the Seas, which lasts until August 21, is his last. 

"For me, this is actually my last contract ever," he said in a TikTok posted on April 10, "If working on ships has taught me anything, it's that I don't have to hunker down and have that typical 9 to 5 job. I want to be able to continue to travel and work on my own terms." 

One cruiser received a major scare when they were notified that their upcoming cruise was cancelled after forgetting to make their final payment. 

Full payment isn't required when cruises are booked in advance. Instead, travelers can place a deposit to secure their reservation, with the final payment due by a specific deadline — often 60 to 90 days before departure, depending on the cruise line and itinerary. 

Norie08 shared their harrowing experience on a Reddit message board, serving as a warning for fellow travelers not to make the same mistake in the future. 

"I [forgot] to pay my final balance on my Royal Caribbean [cruise]. [Then, finally], remember[ed] it while I'm at work. I'm planning to pay for it after work. But now I have received notice of [the] cancelation of my cruise," they explain.

"Can I still beg them [that] I'm going to pay? I keep calling them, but nobody answers. I'm so sad!" 

Norie08 booked a 4-night sailing for July 2025 directly through Royal Caribbean's website to celebrate their 6th anniversary. This also would have been Norie08's first cruise, making the situation more heartbreaking. 

Luckily, they got in touch with Royal Caribbean's customer service team, who were able to reinstate their booking. 

"I got it. I contacted them, and I paid my final balance and restored my reservation. I just lost my freebies for the anniversary!" they said. 

Although Norie08 was relieved to have their cruise back, the situation served as an important lesson in travel planning. 

Here are 4 tips to ensure you don't forget to make the final payment for your upcoming cruise vacation.

Read more: 25 Do's and Don'ts for your Royal Caribbean cruise in 2025

Set calendar reminders

"In the future, always put a calendar reminder in your phone!" commented one Reddit user. 

The final payment due date will be clearly listed on your booking confirmation, whether it's 6 months or two years away, as well as on your online account. 

As soon as you've placed your deposit, set multiple calendar alerts so you're frequently reminded about the upcoming payment date. 

For example, you might not want the first reminder to pop up two days before you have to drop thousands of dollars on a cruise payment. 

Instead, consider setting a reminder for two months, three weeks, and two days before the final payment is due. That way, you have time to come up with the funds, rather than scrambling at the last minute. 

Read more: Should I make final payment for my cruise?

Work with a travel agent

Booking cruises through a travel agent is a game-changer. Not only can they help you find deals and decide on cabin categories, itineraries, and even shore excursions, but good agents will remind you when final payments are due. 

For example, my amazing travel agent through MEI Travel, Christina, will always email me days ahead of when the final payment is due, asking if it's okay to go ahead and charge the card on file. 

It's nice because I never have to worry about missing the final payment on my cruise vacations — one of the many perks of using a travel agent! 

Similar-Routine7337 agrees, writing, "This is a big reason why I use a travel agent. I don’t have to worry about missing this deadline."

Read more: 10 things I'd recommend if someone is new to cruise ship travel

Frequently check your email

Cruise lines will send important notices to your email. Some may be related to your sailing's final payment, while others might be about itinerary changes. 

For example, Carnival Cruise Line recently emailed me about ongoing maintenance on the main pool during my weeklong Alaska cruise. Though minor, I was glad I knew that the only indoor pool would be closed before I stepped foot on Carnival Luminosa. 

Regularly checking your inbox will help you stay on top of important updates about your cruise. You may also receive a special upgrade offer!

Arrange automatic payments

"I always take the balance I owe after the initial deposit and divide by the number of months I have to pay it prior to the final payment due date and schedule equal monthly payments to be automatically taken from my credit card. This way I won’t have to pay a lump sum at the time I make the booking or at the final payment due date," explains Altruistic-Couple989.

"It’s sort of like putting your cruise on layaway, no finance fees and it makes it easier (at least for me) since I usually have 4-6 future cruises booked and all being paid in monthly automatic installment payments."

This is great advice for cruisers who fear they'll forget the final payment date or want to consistently pay off their vacation. 

I recently tried one of Royal Caribbean's new Royal Signature Excursions, aimed at immersing guests in the local culture with reputable third-party operators. 

According to the cruise line, these curated tours were hand-picked for their elevated benefits, such as amazing itineraries, food, and small group sizes.

When I discovered they were only available in 11 ports — and my weeklong Caribbean cruise aboard Icon of the Seas was visiting two of them — I knew I needed to test them out for myself. 

Though I never imagined spending over $110 per person on a snorkeling excursion in the Caribbean, it was one of the most affordable Royal Signature Excursions that wasn't sold out yet. 

My other option was the "Taste of St. Kitts: Wine Sampling, Local Treats & Beach" tour that cost over $300 per person! That was a hard pass from us. 

In the end, the "St. John by Sea: Catamaran, Champagne & Snorkel" excursion was one of the highlights of our cruise and worth every penny. 

Read more: I went on the world's most family-friendly cruise ship without kids. It was worth the $7,000 price tag for 5 reasons

The tour started out like any other Royal Caribbean-sponsored excursion

Because we pre-booked the tour through the Cruise Planner, we received our excursion tickets on embarkation day in our stateroom. 

Since it was relatively last minute (about one month before our departure date), the pre-cruise sale wasn't as great as if the tour had been reserved around Black Friday. 

As such, my partner and I paid $221.98 altogether, or $110.99 each. Still, knowing prices are usually more expensive in the Eastern Caribbean, I wasn't too upset. 

Our tickets told us to meet our group in the Royal Theater at 7:00am, so we started our day with one of my favorite ways to ease into an early morning on a cruise: room service breakfast on our infinite verandah.

We were fully checked in and seated by 6:55am, though we weren't guided off the ship until closer to 7:20am. Once on the pier, we stood in line while tour operators passed around a medical questionnaire that everyone had to verbally answer. 

In short, it said if you had conditions like asthma, heart disease, or epilepsy, you'd be disqualified from the excursion. It also informed guests that the use of full-face snorkel masks was prohibited in St. John. 

Those who confirmed they weren't affected by the conditions on the list were given a small green boarding pass to hang onto until we reached the marina. 

By 7:40am, we were loaded onto an open-air safari bus and began the trek through St. Thomas' steep, twisting roads during the morning rush hour.

We safely made it to the Compass Point Marina about 40 minutes later, and at this point, everyone was ready to get on the catamaran and take in the Caribbean's tropical sun. 

We were split into two groups

My partner and I boarded the Dancing Dolphin catamaran, while others were sent to the Adventuress. Both were U.S. Coast Guard-inspected vessels, which was reassuring to hear. 

There was ice water waiting on the bar when we embarked for guests to grab as they made their way to the outer deck. Though it wasn't too warm yet, it was refreshing to sip on after the bus ride while we listened to the safety announcements. 

Our crew consisted of Ian, Cameron, and Deena, the captain. The trio had an amazing sense of humor that set everyone at ease. 

Before we knew it, we were pulling away from the dock and sailing on the surprisingly calm waters toward Honeymoon Beach in St. John. 

The ride to Honeymoon Beach didn't feel too long

Snorkeling gear, including masks, life jackets, and flippers, was passed out during the ride, so by the time we anchored offshore, everyone was eager to jump in. 

They gave another short safety briefing, establishing boundaries as to where we could and couldn't swim and hand signals in case of distress, before allowing everyone in the water. 

While most guests wanted to snorkel, there was an option to ride the dinghy to the soft white sands. This was appreciated, as it let everyone, regardless of their physical ability or comfort level, enjoy their time in St. John. 

However, I couldn't resist jumping into the crystal-clear water. It was a little cooler than I thought, but I quickly got used to it. 

We spent about an hour snorkeling. Overall, it was a quiet day for marine life, but we did spot a few stingrays and tons of fish. 

As we made our way toward the catamaran, we heard Deena shouting to look underneath us. To my surprise, a sea turtle was grazing the ocean floor! 

Back onboard, the crew was busy preparing fun libations and light snacks

I opted for the rum punch mimosa, while my partner went with a regular glass of champagne. However, they also had non-alcoholic drinks. 

The crew kept the drinks flowing (literally, by carrying around pitchers of punch and champagne bottles around the deck!) for the entire 40-minute ride back to St. Thomas.

Light snacks, including cheese, fruit, crackers, and meat, were also served, but I was disappointed with how greedy some guests were, as the food quickly ran out.

Despite that hiccup, the ride back to the marina was calm and scenic, with views of the Virgin Islands' lush hillsides. 

We spent time conversing with the guests around us. Surprisingly, both couples beside us either currently lived or had previously resided in North Carolina! 

Read more: My favorite stop on my first cruise was St. Thomas

We definitely got our money's worth on our Royal Signature Excursion

Excursions — especially in the Bahamas and Caribbean, where I've been over 20 times — are often one place I decide to save, rather than splurge. 

However, the Royal Signature Excursion reminded me that there's always something new to experience. 

The small group aboard the catamaran made for a relaxing morning without feeling overwhelmingly crammed on a boat, which is how we felt in Mykonos last summer. The unlimited alcohol and snacks to fuel up after snorkeling were a nice touch, too. 

Plus, the crew's friendly energy made the experience feel like we were connecting with old friends. They definitely struck the perfect balance between professionalism, safety, and fun. 

That said, I'd be more interested in trying one of Royal Signature Excursions in a more culturally rich port, such as La Spezia, Italy, where you can go truffle hunting and enjoy a traditional Tuscan farmhouse lunch.