Another gastrointestinal outbreak sickened dozens of passengers on Navigator of the Seas in July, marking the second outbreak this year on a ship operated by Royal Caribbean, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
134 passengers and 7 crew members fell ill during the outbreak. There were 3,914 guests and 1,266 crew members on the 139,999 gross-ton vessel. The outbreak, which was reported on July 11, happened during a 7-night cruise from Los Angeles, California, to the Mexican Riviera.
The causative agent hasn't been revealed by the CDC, though it's been hinted to be norovirus, a highly contagious virus that spreads easily through contaminated food, water, or surfaces. Symptoms of the illness include diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps.
In response to the outbreak, Royal Caribbean implemented enhanced cleaning protocols, collected stool specimens for testing, and isolated sick passengers and crew.
"The health and safety of our guests, crew, and the communities we visit are our top priority," a spokesperson for Royal Caribbean Group told USA TODAY.
"To maintain an environment that supports the highest levels of health and safety onboard our ships, we implement rigorous cleaning procedures, many of which far exceed public health guidelines," they added.
This year has seen an increase in gastrointestinal cases on cruise ships compared to 2024, which reported a total of 18 outbreaks across all cruise lines between January and December
The first outbreak of the year was aboard Sea Cloud Cruises. The causative agent, however, wasn't norovirus. Instead, it's listed as Ciguatera (presumed).
According to the CDC's website, the first norovirus outbreak on a cruise ship in 2025 happened aboard Holland America Line's Volendam during a 21-night cruise in January.
Only one other Royal Caribbean ship has suffered from a norovirus outbreak this year: Radiance of the Seas. The CDC revealed that the final case counts for the outbreak on Radiance were 160 passengers and 8 crew members.
The affected voyage took place from February 1-8, 2025, with a total of 2,164 passengers and 910 crew onboard. Radiance was sailing from Tampa, Florida, to the Western Caribbean. Ports of call on the itinerary included Cozumel, Mexico; Roatán, Honduras; Belize City, Belize; and Costa Maya, Mexico.
The February 8 voyage's embarkation was delayed to let the crew have adequate time to deep clean the ship before allowing new passengers onboard.
The CDC shares outbreaks when they meet the following criteria:
The ship is under VSP (Vessel Sanitation Program) jurisdiction on cruises including both U.S. and foreign ports
Specific voyage has 3% or more of passengers or crew reporting gastrointestinal symptoms to the ship's medical staff
In Navigator of the Seas' case, 3.4% of guests reported being ill during the 7-night cruise. 0.6% of the crew were also sick.
The Crown Lounge on Royal Caribbean is an exclusive onboard venue for top-tier loyalty members within the Crown & Anchor Society.
Formerly known as the Diamond Lounge, the Crown Lounge was rebranded to honor the legacy of Royal Caribbean's maritime heritage.
The lounge is a quiet and comfortable spot where eligible guests can enjoy complimentary snacks throughout the day, as well as benefit from concierge services. They're found on every vessel within Royal Caribbean's fleet, from Grandeur of the Seas to Icon of the Seas.
Here's everything you need to know about Royal Caribbean's Crown Lounge, including how to access the private space and tips for maximizing the experience.
Access to the Crown Lounge is reserved for Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Club cruisers
There are six tiers within Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society: Gold, Platinum, Emerald, Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Club. The bottom three — Gold, Platinum, and Emerald — don't have access to the Crown Lounge.
In fact, it's not until you reach Diamond status that you start to access worthwhile perks, such as complimentary drink vouchers, free internet, and entry into the exclusive Crown Lounge.
Diamond cruisers must accumulate 80 cruise points in the loyalty program. You earn points on a per-night basis. However, there are a few opportunities to double your nightly earnings, such as when traveling in a suite or solo.
That said, it takes the average cruiser 12 weeklong sailings to become a Diamond cruiser within the Crown & Anchor Society.
If you're a Diamond member — rather than Diamond Plus or Pinnacle Club — be aware that Royal Caribbean has the right to temporarily restrict access during peak hours, such as 5:00pm - 8:00pm.
This happens when there are a lot of top-tier Crown & Anchor Society members on board. They will let guests know of any restrictions on embarkation day in a letter delivered to the cabins.
Access to the Crown Lounge can't be shared with friends and family members, and minors must always be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Moreover, only guests who have earned a higher loyalty tier can enter the Crown Lounge, regardless of their cabin category. Gold, Platinum, and Emerald cruisers staying in qualifying suites can enjoy the Suite Lounge, though.
Many Crown Lounges are located near the Viking Crown Lounge at the top of the ship, offering cruisers panoramic views of the ocean and ports of call. However, this isn't the case on every vessel.
Here's where you can find the Crown Lounge on every ship in Royal Caribbean's fleet:
Icon Class
Icon of the Seas: Near the Royal Escape Room, Deck 6,
Star of the Seas: Near the Royal Escape Room, Deck 6
Oasis Class
Oasis of the Seas: Near Studio B, Deck 4
Allure of the Seas: Near the Mason Jar, Deck 15
Harmony of the Seas: Near Studio B, Deck 4
Symphony of the Seas: Near Studio B, Deck 4
Wonder of the Seas: Near Social 100, Deck 16
Utopia of the Seas: Near Social 100, Deck 16
Quantum Class
Quantum of the Seas: Near the Royal Theater, Deck 4
Anthem of the Seas: Near the Royal Theater, Deck 4
Ovation of the Seas: Near the Royal Theater, Deck 4
Odyssey of the Seas: Near the Royal Theater, Deck 4
**Spectrum of the Seas: Near the Solarium, Deck 14
**Spectrum of the Seas does have a lounge for loyalty members, but it's shared with suite cruisers. Called the "Silver Lounge," it's located in the front of the ship on Deck 14, near the Solarium and suite-only dining room.
Freedom Class
Freedom of the Seas: Near the Viking Crown Lounge, Deck 14
Liberty of the Seas: Near the Viking Crown Lounge, Deck 14
Independence of the Seas: Near the Viking Crown Lounge, Deck 14
(Food in the new Crown Lounge on Wonder of the Seas. Credit: Jen McManus Dudek/Facebook)
Voyager Class
Voyager of the Seas: Near the Star Lounge, Deck 5
Adventure of the Seas: Near the Viking Crown Lounge, Deck 14
Explorer of the Seas: Near the Viking Crown Lounge, Deck 14
Mariner of the Seas: Near the Viking Crown Lounge, Deck 14
Navigator of the Seas: Near the Star Lounge, Deck 5
Radiance Class
Radiance of the Seas: Near the Viking Crown Lounge, Deck 13
Jewel of the Seas: Near the Viking Crown Lounge, Deck 13
Brilliance of the Seas: Near the Viking Crown Lounge, Deck 13
Serenade of the Seas: Near the Viking Crown Lounge, Deck 13
Vision Class
Grandeur of the Seas: Near the South Pacific Lounge, Deck 6
Vision of the Seas: Near the Some Enchanted Evening Lounge, Deck 6
Enchantment of the Seas: Above the Viking Crown Lounge, Deck 12
Rhapsody of the Seas: Near the Shall We Dance Lounge, Deck 6
What to expect inside Royal Caribbean's Crown Lounge
There are many perks that come with gaining access to the Crown Lounge.
First and foremost, the space is designed to be a peaceful retreat for Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Club members of the Crown & Anchor Society. As such, the laid-back ambiance is ideal for reading, relaxing, or socializing before dinner.
Throughout the day, however, the Crown Lounge also serves as a place for complimentary snacks and beverages, starting with a continental breakfast in the mornings.
The self-serve coffee machine is also a favorite, with higher-quality, espresso-based brews not available from the standard drip machines throughout the ship.
Before dinner, the Crown Lounge becomes a gathering spot for elite Crown & Anchor Society cruisers. During the nightly happy hour, guests can enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres. If the lounge doesn't have a dedicated bar, such as on Vision of the Seas, bartenders are often roaming to take drink orders.
Although these beverages aren't included, Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Club members can use their daily drink vouchers for complimentary cocktails, wine, beer, or soda.
It's not uncommon for ship Officers to wander into the Crown Lounge during happy hour, too. This gives frequent cruisers a chance to mingle with some of the ship’s senior crew members.
In addition to the snacks, the Crown Lounge features a dedicated concierge who is available to assist with various onboard needs, so you don't have to worry about going to Guest Services. They can help make dining and show reservations, check on billing disputes, and more.
Whether you’re a first-time Diamond cruiser or a few cruises away from reaching the coveted Pinnacle Club tier, here are a few tips to help you make the most of your access to Royal Caribbean's Crown Lounge.
First, skip the Windjammer Marketplace in the morning. Although the buffet has more offerings, the Crown Lounge is ideal for cruisers who don't care about piling their plates high with eggs, pancakes, and bacon.
Instead, those who go to the Crown Lounge for breakfast can enjoy basic continental options, like pastries, fruit, and muffins, with a quality cup of coffee in a quieter atmosphere.
After breakfast, try to visit the lounge during the off-peak hours to enjoy peace and quiet. Mid-morning and mid-afternoon are usually less crowded, as the Crown Lounge can see an influx of guests during the nightly happy hour.
Don't be afraid to strike up a conversation with other cruisers, either. Making new friends is one of the best parts about taking a cruise, and the Crown Lounge attracts Royal Caribbean’s most seasoned travelers. You never know what advice others will have. You may enjoy just swapping travel stories over a beverage, too!
Finally, don't underestimate the concierge. They can be a huge asset throughout your cruise vacation, whether you need help booking specialty restaurants, reserving shows, or making plans for a family photoshoot.
A local court ruled that cruise ships can still visit Nice, France, despite the mayor's determination to ban them.
On July 1, Nice and Villefranche enacted new rules banning cruise ships carrying more than 2,500 passengers from disembarking in the area. However, Voyager of the Seas still called at Villefranche-sur-Mer on July 3, arriving around 6:30am local time.
The Voyager Class ship had 3,114 passengers and roughly 1,200 crew on board. Although port officials said it was a pre-approved stop, Christian Estrosi, the Mayor of Nice and President of the Nice Côte d'Azur metropolitan area, considered the ship's arrival a breach of the recently implemented ban.
Estrosi boarded a police boat with a television crew, approached Voyager of the Seas, and requested to board with an official letter instructing the captain not to let guests ashore.
"In accordance with these publicly announced commitments, I formally request that you refrain from disembarking any passengers from your vessel at the Villefranche maritime station or at any other metropolitan facility," the letter read.
"Given your clear non-compliance with our environmental and territorial regulations, I am bringing this matter to the attention of the Minister for Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion, as well as the Maritime Prefect of the Mediterranean. I am asking them to take, without delay, all necessary measures to order the immediate departure of your ship from the waters off Villefranche."
Voyager's crew didn't let Estrosi on and motioned for him to turn around. Frustrated, he was caught on camera shouting, "Where is the captain?" and ordering the crew to "get out of here." Estrosi later accused Royal Caribbean of ignoring local regulations and described the ship's crew as "arrogant."
In a statement to local reporters, he doubled down on his stance: "I will not give up. I call on all relevant authorities to take the utmost firmness on this issue. I intend to strictly enforce the decision."
Days later, he issued an order to further restrict cruise ship access in the area. The ban would have limited cruise ships to just 450 passengers in Nice and 2,500 in Villefranche-sur-Mer. However, it was suspended on July 13 by the local Administrative Court in Nice, which sided with Laurent Hottiaux, the Prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes department.
Estrosi wanted to cut down on cruise ship visits to help fight climate change and protect marine life
According to the ruling, only the Prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes department can regulate ship traffic. In other words, Estrosi doesn't have the legal right to impose maritime restrictions, despite his dual role as the Mayor of Nice and President of the Nice Côte d'Azur metropolitan area.
Estrosi is "not competent to issue such measures," the court emphasized. Only the Prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes can, as it's "within the framework of his powers to police the waterway, [and] organize the entries, exits, and movements of vessels."
The court also stated that "these limitations go against the freedom of movement for cruise ship passengers and the freedom of trade and industry for cruise operators."
Still, Estrosi, who thinks that cruise ships are "three times worse than airplanes," isn't giving up. He has threatened to sue the State if they don't take action against large cruise ships.
Had the ban gone into effect on July 11 as Estrosi intended, at least 12 cruise ships would have been forced to cancel their planned 2025 visits.
You'll want to steer clear of Central Park the next time you plan on hiding ducks aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise ship.
Although the duck hunting phenomenon has taken the cruise community by storm, Royal Caribbean is drawing the line at disturbing the ships' live plants.
A guest sailing aboard a Royal Caribbean vessel shared a photo of a new sign posted in the outdoor neighborhood in the Cruising Ducks Facebook group. The sign is politely asking passengers not to hide ducks in the plants.
"Please help us protect our plants," the sign reads, "This is a duck free zone. Please don't hide ducks in Central Park."
(Credit: Amber Teague/Facebook)
Found exclusively on Oasis and Icon Class ships, the lush Central Park neighborhood features thousands of real plants and trees that require daily maintenance. On Icon of the Seas, for example, there are over 33,000 plants.
An intricate system of irrigation, fertilization, lighting, and drainage is in place to keep the plants alive and healthy. However, duck hiding makes the onboard horticulturalist's job even harder, as passengers purposely reach into the plant beds to retrieve them.
In some cases, children may push, shove, and stomp through the plants in search of ducks, damaging the fragile landscaping.
Many users in the Cruising Ducks Facebook group expressed their support for this restriction, agreeing that the Central Park neighborhood should be off-limits to duck hunters.
"I am glad they put them out. I have seen people rip plants out getting ducks," commented one user.
Another added, "Thank goodness. These people tear up these plants. I had a balcony [overlooking] central park and just watched them annihilate the foliage."
"The workers told me they have to do so much extra upkeep to keep the plants alive and looking good from kids (and adults) walking through the bushes and trees and moving branches and plants back and forth to hide or look for ducks. [I'm] so glad [they're] finally doing this. Tons of places on the ship to hide ducks," wrote someone else.
Other places to hide ducks
(Credit: WAYNO/Royal Caribbean Blog discussion forum)
Choosing safe and respectful locations that don't interfere with safety protocols or the ship's delicate flora is important for duck hunting to remain the popular tradition that it is.
Outside of Central Park, there are tons of other places to leave rubber ducks that are less destructive. For example, cruisers often hide them in stairwells and elevators, behind lounge chairs, or tucked into fake plants.
Your best chances of finding ducks are early in the morning or late at night, when other passengers also aren't on the hunt!
And if you don't see a duck in a particular location one day, it pays to revisit. You never know when one might appear.
Royal Caribbean's newest mega-ship has officially joined the fleet.
Star of the Seas, the second-ever Icon Class vessel, was delivered to Royal Caribbean today at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland.
Measuring over 1,190 feet long with a passenger capacity of 7,600 at maximum occupancy, Star of the Seas is one of the largest cruise ships in the world.
Royal Caribbean executives, including Michael Bayley and Jason Liberty, took delivery of the ship at a special ceremony at the shipyard.
"The completion of Star of the Seas is another significant step in Royal Caribbean Group’s journey toward a completely new type of vacation experience," said Jason Liberty, C.E.O. of Royal Caribbean Group. "We are proud to bring this new generation vacation experience to life at Meyer Turku shipyard together with our esteemed partners."
Star of the Seas will leave the shipyard in mid-July en route to her new home: Port Canaveral, Florida.
The delivery marks a major milestone for Royal Caribbean, as it continues to expand its fleet with record-breaking vessels.
Star of the Seas' sister ship, Icon of the Seas, debuted in January 2024. The long-awaited Icon Class ship redefined the cruise experience with a record-breaking waterpark, new onboard restaurants, an enclosed AquaTheater, over-water ropes course/zipline, and more.
Although Icon and Star of the Seas are more similar than not, there are a few key differences that help give Star a defining personality of her own.
First, Royal Caribbean is raising the entertainment bar even higher with its new theater production, Back to the Future: The Musical, which will have the largest orchestra at sea. Not only that, but there are also new shows in the ice skating rink and AquaTheater.
The AquaDome Marketplace is getting a refresh, too. Instead of GNGR, Mac's, and Toast & Garden, guests will find Pig Out BBQ, Mai Thai, and La Cocinita. The new venues will focus on dishing up fresh barbecue, tasty Southeast Asian favorites, and Latin American street food.
Similarly, the Lincoln Park Supper Club is replacing the Empire Supper Club. The $200-per-person specialty restaurant will feature a Chicago-inspired theme with the cocktails, menu, and music reimagined to reflect the spirit of the Windy City.
One of the more exciting features is Royal Caribbean's pilot program for facial recognition cabins. While they won't be available throughout the entire ship, these innovative cabins use advanced technology to allow guests to unlock their stateroom doors with their face — no SeaPass or WOW Band needed.
They're also making the Surfside neighborhood better by appealing to older and younger children. As such, guests can expect new features added to the Playscape and Splashaway Bay aqua park. The Water's Edge pool will also be enhanced to better suit kids.
Speaking of water, one of the earliest changes announced for Star of the Seas was the addition of an extra hot tub. Initally planned for Icon, it was removed over weight concerns.
Star of the Seas size
Gross tonnage: 248,663
Length: 1,196 feet
Passenger capacity (full occupancy): 7,600
Crew: 2,350
Staterooms: 2,806
Flag state: Bahamas
Godmother: Diana Ross
Star of the Seas will sail from Port Canaveral, Florida, to the Eastern and Western Caribbean
Star of the Seas' inaugural voyage is scheduled for next month. The first sailing for paying guests is August 16, 2025. Following a few shorter cruises, Star will begin offering weeklong Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries out of Port Canaveral beginning on August 31.
According to Meyer Turku, construction on the next Icon Class ship, Legend of the Seas, is going well. Later this summer, the vessel will be moved from the construction dock to the outfitting dock. Legend will join Royal Caribbean's fleet in 2026.
Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas was stuck in Vancouver, Canada, after encountering technical issues with the engine.
The 90,090 gross-ton vessel was supposed to depart Vancouver on Sunday, July 6, on a 7-night voyage to Alaska. However, the ship was forced to return hours after setting sail and remained docked overnight.
"Currently on Serenade …. Just left port and we are now returning back to Vancouver...'Technical issues with the engine,'" Heather Albert shared in the Serenade of the Seas Facebook group.
Albert later updated the post around 12:40pm EST, saying that the Captain announced they were running tests on the technical issues, but had no real answers yet.
Royal Caribbean has not confirmed exactly what is wrong with the engine or what has caused the issue. However, Serenade of the Seas had technical issues last week, which impacted the previous voyage to Alaska.
According to other reports online, Serenade canceled at least one port of call during the sailing. The ship also missed a scenic day of cruising in the Tracy Arm Fjord.
"I just got off Serenade and I was so glad to get off it half the ports were canceled due to ship issues, we couldn’t go into icy point because ship issues had to cut one port short too," wrote one cruiser on the r/RoyalCaribbean Reddit thread.
Instead of calling at Icy Strait Point, guests aboard the June 29 cruise had an extra day at sea while they proceeded directly to Ketchikan.
Everyone was given onboard credit equal to one day of their cruise fare. It was automatically credited to guests' onboard accounts. Whatever wasn't spent will be refunded to the card on file.
Serenade of the Seas finally set sail around 9:30pm EST
Serenade of the Seas was slated to arrive in Sitka, Alaska, on July 8. However, the delay is causing the vessel to miss its first port of call to make up for the lost time.
According to Albert's Facebook post, the tests have been showing good propulsion results, and they received confirmation that they'd set sail around 6:00pm PST. The Vancouver Harbour webcam confirmed this and showed Serenade pushing back from the pier thirty minutes later, closer to 6:30pm PST.
Other ports on the itinerary include Tracy Arm Fjord (scenic cruising); Juneau, Alaska; Ketchikan, Alaska; and Prince Rupert, British Columbia. Updates on the new itinerary and compensation are forthcoming.
Future guests are anxiously awaiting updates on their itinerary
If Royal Caribbean can't fix the ongoing issue, they might be forced to cancel future sailings to give them more time to repair the engine.
Last year, passengers ready for a fun-filled cruise to Alaska were left disappointed when the propulsion system faced a technical issue that impacted the ship's speed, forcing the cruise line to cancel the sailing after everyone had already boarded.
Royal Caribbean let passengers use the ship as a floating hotel for two nights while they adjusted their travel plans. Still, it wasn't the vacation anyone had envisioned. The sailing the week after was canceled, too.
There's no word whether future sailings on Serenade of the Seas will be canceled. However, many are preparing for the worst.
"I’m sailing August 10th I hope if they cancel they do it soon so I can figure another trip out before school starts," one concerned guest shared on a Serenade of the Seas Facebook page.
Another added, "Honestly with all the issues I’ve been reading about that the people on board have had the past few weeks I’m hoping they just cancel our July 13th sailing. At least then we all get a full refund and can rebook."
The wildest events on a cruise ship are off-limits to guests — no suite or loyalty status will get you in.
Bryan James, an entertainer for Royal Caribbean, revealed that these secret crew-only parties are sometimes so large that they need to close down one of the public spaces to accommodate the crowd.
"Crew parties can get so big that there's no place that you can throw them below deck," James says in a recent TikTok, which has amassed over 130k views.
"So, to solve this, the cruise ship will shut down a place like the ice skating rink or the Solarium, and they'll lock the doors and say it's a private event."
(Credit: Bryan James/TikTok)
According to James, the parties are typically thrown about once per month, and they’re massive. They sometimes draw more than 1,000 crew members on mega-ships like Utopia of the Seas.
On smaller ships without ice skating rinks, they will throw a "provisions party," where the crew parties "deep, deep below deck in one of the large storage areas."
Some vessels are even notoriously known as party ships, and James says that he knows plenty of crew members who don't care about the ports of call:
(Credit: Bryan James/TikTok)
"If the crew bar is good, then they're good to go."
Special events for Seafarers' Day
(Credit: Bryan James/TikTok)
Seafarers' Day is an annual holiday dedicated to those who work on ships. It takes place on June 25 and isn't just for cruise ship crew; it's for seafarers of all stripes who work on ships and play an important role in the global maritime industry.
To celebrate, cruise lines often go all out with special events for the crew. After all, there wouldn't be cruise vacations without the hardworking crew members!
"[It] kinda feels like Christmas, the Fourth of July, and Thanksgiving all wrapped up in one," James says.
(Credit: Bryan James/TikTok)
James celebrated Seafarers' Day while working on Allure of the Seas in Europe (he will be onboard Allure until August 21, 2025).
One of the highlights included a huge raffle for prizes like PlayStation game consoles, iPads, and GoPros. The crew mess was also transformed into a festive banquet hall with a chocolate fountain, freshly carved turkey, plenty of desserts, decorative ice sculptures, and more.
However, the star of Seafarers' Day was the massive party thrown for the crew — with unlimited free drinks like beer and soda.
Speaking of food, did you know that crew members sometimes get leftovers from the guest buffet?
(Credit: Bryan James/TikTok)
In a previous video, James revealed that uneaten food doesn't necessarily get thrown away at the end of the night.
"If there's something really good leftover, it winds up downstairs at something that we call 'midnight mess,'" he explains, "And the sooner you get there, the better the food is. I'd say after an hour, it ends up just being normal crew mess food."
In this particular TikTok video, James shows that the special dishes available for the crew included grilled pork chops, sautéed spinach, and shrimp curry. Although it's small, the midnight mess is a well-deserved treat for those who help keep the cruise ship running.
A Caribbean nation has added a new measles requirement to tourists, including those that visit by cruise ship.
Honduran authorities recently announced that they're requiring documentation to show proof of a measles vaccine for travelers coming from the United States, even those arriving by sea.
If someone can't receive the vaccine, they must show proof 72 to 80 hours before their flight of a negative measles test.
The new requirement went into effect four days ago, but travelers onboard Royal Caribbean cruise ships haven't been notified about any changes regarding the updated entry rules, leaving passengers confused about what to expect.
Honduras' new health measure seems to be part of a broader effort to prevent the spread of measles, a highly contagious virus that infected roughly 10.3 million people worldwide in 2023, amid rising global numbers, particularly in the United States.
A few days ago, Michigan reported the state's second outbreak, bringing the U.S.'s total confirmed cases this year to over 1,200. Health workers have also been rushing to contain an outbreak in a country jail in New Mexico, according to the Associated Press.
As of June 24, 2025, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a total of 1,227 measles cases in 37 states and jurisdictions, including:
Alaska
Arkansa
Arizona
California
Colorado
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York City
New York State
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
In 95% of cases, the vaccination status is "unvaccinated or unknown." Just 5% of the confirmed cases have had either one or two doses of the MMR vaccine.
Measles symptoms typically begin with a high fever, cough, runny nose, and/or red, watery eyes. Within a few days, small white spots, known as Koplik spots, may appear inside the mouth, followed by a distinctive red rash that can spread from the head to the rest of the body.
The virus is dangerous and can lead to serious complications, especially in babies and young children.
Roatán is a popular port of call on Western Caribbean itineraries
In July and August, four Royal Caribbean ships are slated to call at the Coxen Hole port in Roatán: Icon of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, and Grandeur of the Seas.
Carnival also has a private port in Honduras called Mahogany Bay. Between both ports of call, over 25 visits are expected in July alone.
This means thousands of U.S travelers could be affected by the new vaccination requirement this summer.
The U.S. Embassy in Honduras advises travelers to have travel documents up to date and easily accessible, as well as to carry proper identification at all times. It's also important to visit the CDC Travelers' Health Page and monitor local media for updates.
Guests sailing on Star of the Seas can now make specialty dining reservations using Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner.
The new Royal Caribbean ship will begin sailing in August, and cruisers have been clamoring to book its restaurants.
As the newest Icon Class ship, there's a lot to look forward to, from "Back to the Future: The Musical" to the first-ever facial recognition cabins and an enhanced Surfside neighborhood.
However, one of the best parts of any cruise vacation is the food, and Star of the Seas is set to deliver with a wide range of complimentary and specialty restaurants.
With the exception of passengers with My Time Dining, reservations aren't needed for the included venues, such as the AquaDome Market, Windjammer Marketplace, and El Loco Fresh.
That said, if you're planning to indulge in any of the ship’s specialty dining options, like the Lincoln Park Supper Club, Chops Grille, or Izumi Hibachi, you’ll want to make reservations as soon as possible.
These venues fill up quickly, and it's not uncommon for the most desirable times to be taken before embarkation day. By utilizing the Cruise Planner to reserve your spot, you can guarantee that you and your travel party can dine at the best restaurants at your preferred time, rather than settling for an inconvenient early or late reservation.
You can also make specialty dining bookings by calling Royal Caribbean at 1-800-398-9819 or speaking with your travel agent.
What specialty restaurants are on Star of the Seas?
Star of the Seas has 14 extra-cost dining venues.
However, only eight can be booked in advance through the Cruise Planner: Lincoln Park Supper Club, the Chef's Table, Chops Grille, Giovanni's Italian Kitchen, Izumi Sushi, Izumi Hibachi, the Celebration Table, and Hooked.
Other specialty restaurants include Playmaker's Sports Bar & Arcade, Izumi in the Park, Desserted, Trellis Bar, Starbucks, and the brand-new concept replacing Pier 7 in Surfside.
Generally speaking, you'll save money booking your specialty restaurants in advance thanks to Royal Caribbean's pre-cruise sales.
The price varies based on ongoing promotions. However, you'll typically pay more if you wait to book your specialty meals on the ship.
Here are the prices for specialty restaurants on Star of the Seas for the first revenue sailing on August 16, 2025:
Celebration Table — Dinner: $1,000 (Up to 14 guests. No pricing discounts for smaller parties)
Chef's Table — Dinner: $110/guest
Lincoln Park Supper Club — Dinner: $200/guest
Chops Grille — Dinner: $70/guest
Chops Grille — Lunch: $30/guest
Giovanni's Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar — Dinner: $55/guest
Giovanni's Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar — Lunch: $25/guest
Izumi — Lunch & Dinner: $40/guest
Izumi Hibachi — Dinner: $70/guest
Izumi Hibachi — Lunch: $45/guest
Hooked — Dinner: $65/guest
Hooked — Lunch: $25/guest
Royal Caribbean also offers dining packages to help guests save money while experiencing more than one of the delicious specialty restaurants onboard.
Options like the 3-Night Dining Package or the Unlimited Dining Package bundle the price and allow you to visit multiple specialty venues. It's easier than making individual reservations in many cases.
Dining packages can also be booked directly through the Cruise Planner. In the past, you had to wait until you were onboard to make your dining reservations with the Unlimited Dining Package. However, Royal Caribbean now lets guests book their specialty meals on the Cruise Planner.
Star of the Seas is set to enter service on August 16, 2025
The 4-night cruise will depart from Port Canaveral, Florida, and visit Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Following a few more short cruises, Star will finally begin offering regular weeklong voyages on August 31. They will alternate between the Eastern and Western Caribbean.
Royal Caribbean's third Icon Class ship, Legend of the Seas, won't enter service until 2026. However, guests can look forward to a few new dining changes, such as a re-themed supper club.
Cruise ship buffets dish up hundreds of pounds of food each day to cater to different taste preferences and dietary restrictions, but have you ever wondered what happens to the uneaten food?
Bryan James, an entertainer for Royal Caribbean, revealed what happens to uneaten food once the passenger buffet closes for the night.
James has worked on numerous ships in Royal Caribbean's fleet, including Odyssey of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, and, most recently, Allure of the Seas in Europe.
He regularly shares vlogs and short videos across multiple social media platforms, showing what life is like as a crew member aboard a cruise ship. His content has attracted a large audience, with more than 835,000 followers on TikTok alone.
(Credit: Bryan James/TikTok)
In one recent video, James explained that uneaten food doesn't necessarily get thrown away at the end of the night.
"If there's something really good leftover, it winds up downstairs at something that we call 'midnight mess,'" he explains, "And the sooner you get there, the better the food is. I'd say after an hour, it ends up just being normal crew mess food."
On this particular night, James shows a few special dishes available for crew members, including grilled pork chops, shrimp curry, and sautéed spinach.
Part of a larger effort to reduce food waste onboard
There's no denying that food waste is a major problem on cruise ships. From multi-course meals in the Main Dining Room to massive all-you-can-eat buffets and quick-service options scattered throughout the ship, the volume of food prepared each day is staggering.
That said, once food is served — whether in the dining room or placed in the buffet — it can't be returned to the ship's kitchen to be reused later. So, it's either eaten or thrown away.
To help combat the issue, Royal Caribbean Group created a new initiative dubbed "Win on Waste." As of early 2024, Royal Caribbean Group reported a reduction in food waste of about 33%.
This milestone marked significant progress toward their goal of reducing food waste across its fleet by 50% by 2025 — as well as saving tens of millions of dollars a year.
To help reach its goal, the company has implemented programs to track food consumption, introduced food waste awareness campaigns, assigned new onboard roles, and begun tracking guest demand for specific menu items.
Another major advancement is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) to adjust food production in real time. For example, AI helps chefs estimate how much food should be ordered, prepped, thawed, and produced on a given day.
It's been successful, too. When the world's largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas, began sailing in January 2024, the AI system helped ensure the vessel was utilizing 86% of the onboard food supply.
In the same video, James reveals other facts about life onboard a cruise ship
(Credit: Bryan James/TikTok)
Depending on the cruise ship, guests might be able to travel as low as Deck 3, 2, or 1. For example, Allure of the Seas' lowest passenger deck is 3, whereas Carnival Luminosa's is Deck 1.
Regardless, there's a whole different world below the public decks. These lower levels are hidden from guests and are where many ship operations take place, as well as where most crew members live, eat, and relax.
"Deck 1 is not the lowest deck on a cruise ship," James says, "Below that is Deck 0 [and] below that is Deck -1. We call it 'Tween Deck.'"
The lowest decks of a cruise ship don't look the same as the upper levels, with carpeted hallways and nicely decorated lounges.
Instead, the industrial spaces, which are often below the waterline, are bare with non-slip tile and fluorescent lighting. James claims that they look more like "a submarine."
Below deck is also where a lot of crew members live. The compact cabins aren't as luxurious as standard staterooms. Plus, many crew members have to share rooms with other employees.
(Credit: Bryan James/TikTok)
"Did you know that pretty much everyone [who] works on a cruise ship has a roommate?" James asks in the video.
"It's either going to look a little bit like this, where you've got bunk beds...or it'll look like this, where you have your own room but you share a bathroom with somebody."
He goes on to add that the shared walls are thin, meaning you can hear everything that your neighbor is doing.
Royal Caribbean Blog is an unofficial fan blog written for other fans of Royal Caribbean International. The Royal Caribbean Blog is not affiliated with Royal Caribbean International
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