Cruise ships offer different stateroom categories to accommodate various vacation preferences and travel budgets, ranging from windowless inside cabins to spacious suites. 

Sometimes, however, the cheapest cruise cabin isn't the best. While saving money is always great, the trade-off can affect your onboard experience. For example, a lower-category cruise stateroom typically means less space and no access to natural light.

Before you agree to a downgrade, consider what you might be giving up on your next vacation and whether the cost savings are worth it. Here are 7 reasons the cheapest cruise cabin isn't always the smartest choice. 

No fresh air or natural light

Interior cabins do not have private balconies or windows. As such, they're sometimes referred to as "shoeboxes" or "tombs" because of their compact size and lack of natural light. Some travelers don't mind the setup. Others, however, find the windowless staterooms disorienting and claustrophobic. 

Without a window or balcony, you can't watch the sunrise, step outside for fresh air, or check the current weather conditions. Your stateroom's television will typically have a live feed of the bow or top deck, but it's not a substitute for the benefits of a true verandah or window. 

Plus, if you suffer from motion sickness, being in an interior cabin can make it harder to orient yourself since you can't gaze out at the horizon. 

Limited storage space

Cruise cabins aren't known for being spacious. The lack of storage space, in particular, is a common complaint, especially on older ships. 

While all standard staterooms (i.e., interior, ocean-view, and balconies) provide storage options, the amount varies widely. Since inside cabins are the smallest, they may have limited closets, drawers, and shelving. 

This may not be an issue on a short 3- or 4-night cruise. However, those sailing on longer voyages, such as two-week cruises through the Panama Canal or across the Atlantic Ocean, could find the lack of storage frustrating. 

Read more: I tried the best inside cruise ship cabin hacks to see how well they worked

Less space to relax

The size of inside cabins on Royal Caribbean cruise ships is inconsistent across the fleet. 

For example, most interior staterooms on Enchantment of the Seas come in at around 136 square feet, while those on Utopia of the Seas measure anywhere from 150 to 170 square feet. 

The smaller the rooms are, the less living space you have. In fact, it's not uncommon for many inside cabins to have limited seating, whereas most ocean-view and balcony staterooms have an extra sofa. 

Privacy is harder to come by

One major downside of inside and ocean-view cabins is the lack of a private verandah. Without a balcony, it's harder to savor private moments watching the passing scenery. On typical Caribbean sailings, this may not be as big an issue. 

However, on scenic cruises to places like Alaska or Norway, you might want your own outdoor space to enjoy glaciers, fjords, and wildlife. 

In fact, it is not uncommon for the top deck to be packed on glacier viewing days. As such, a room with a balcony means you won't have to fight the crowds for a good spot. You can even enjoy room service, complete with freshly brewed hot coffee, from the comfort of your private verandah. 

Basic amenities 

One reason to consider splurging on a suite is the extra benefits. The perks vary but often include upgraded toiletries, plush bedding, priority boarding, extra Crown & Anchor points, and access to exclusive lounges. 

Inside, ocean-view, and balcony rooms cover the basics, offering everything from an ensuite bathroom, daily housekeeping, and a television. However, the added comforts of a suite can make a noticeable difference, especially if you're celebrating a special occasion onboard. 

For example, Sky Class suites within the Royal Suite Class include complimentary VOOM internet; access to the Coastal Kitchen restaurant for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; priority boarding; suite lounge access; and more.

Read more: What are the Royal Caribbean suite perks?

Last-minute upgrades are a gamble

RoyalUp is Royal Caribbean’s cabin bidding program that allows passengers to bid on higher stateroom categories before their cruise, with the chance to “win” a better cabin. 

It can be tempting to rely on last-minute upgrades to score a balcony or suite at a lower cost. However, availability varies, and there's no guarantee that your bid will be accepted.

There's less of a chance if your cruise sells out in advance, which is common during peak travel times. As such, you should secure your preferred stateroom when booking to avoid disappointment. 

Guarantee cabins are risky

Finally, the cheapest cruise cabins are guarantee inside staterooms. Rather than selecting your specific cabin at the time of booking, Royal Caribbean will randomly assign a stateroom before sailing based on the remaining inventory.

Although they're a good option for cruisers who want to save money on their fare, you risk being assigned a cabin in an undesirable location, such as near a noisy elevator bank or at the front of the vessel. 

Once the stateroom has been assigned, it cannot be changed. This could be frustrating if you're given, for example, a connecting cabin and don't know the party in the adjoining stateroom. 

Read more: I saved $240 on my cruise by letting Royal Caribbean choose my room, and I'd totally do it again

Royal Caribbean is making a major change to the way passengers can access their final bill after completing their cruise.

Historically, a paper copy of guests' final invoices is left outside the cabin on disembarkation morning. However, effective December 15, 2025, the cruise line will retire the printed copies of the spending summary. 

Passengers who want to view their statement before leaving the ship have a few options. First, they can use the Royal Caribbean mobile app, which allows guests to check their folio at any time during the voyage, not just on the final day. 

The final statement will also continue to be emailed to guests. Additionally, passengers can visit Guest Services to request a printed copy or check their spending summary on iTV, where available.

Royal Caribbean informed travel agents of the change in an email sent out on Nov. 25. 

"For ease of communication, we are discontinuing the use of printed invoices at the end of your clients’ cruises. Starting December 15, 2025, guests will have the convenient option to retrieve their final bill through the App, Email, Guest Services, or on iTV (where available)," the cruise line said. 

How to access digital folios

You can request spending summaries from past cruises by emailing [email protected] or calling 800-256-6649.

Note, however, folios are only available for 7 years. As such, final statements for cruises taken before 2018 are no longer available. 

Other things that have gone digital

In recent years, Royal Caribbean has implemented digital technology across many aspects of the onboard experience, starting with eDocs. 

Royal Caribbean (and Celebrity) cruisers do not need to print out a physical boarding pass. Instead, the SetSail Pass is available through the mobile app once the online check-in process has been completed. 

eDocs also contain helpful information like the reservation number, cabin assignment, sailing time, itinerary, and port directions. 

The eDocs also contain the printable luggage tags. While porters have tags available at the terminal, printing the tags and affixing them to your suitcase helps expedite the embarkation process. 

Finally, Royal Caribbean's Cruise Compass has done digital — well, mostly. You can still request physical copies of the daily schedule. However, passengers can access the Cruise Compass digitally through the mobile app. 

You can (and should) book your Royal Caribbean cruise in advance. 

Reserving your cruise ahead of time has its perks. For example, there are typically more cabins available, which means you can snag your ideal stateroom, whether it's a sought-after suite, solo room, or standard cabin in a specific location. 

Plus, booking in advance also means you will have flexible payment plans. Rather than having to pay the entire fare upfront, you can split your payments over time.

But just how early can you book a Royal Caribbean cruise? 

Royal Caribbean releases new deployments as early as two years before the sail date, though the widest selection of itineraries is usually available about 18 months before the departure date.

However, everyone can't plan that far in advance. Between work schedules, children's extracurriculars, and more, looking into a weeklong cruise that sails over one year away isn't always realistic. 

Still, the earlier you can start planning, the better your chances of locking in the best itinerary, stateroom, and price, even if it's just 6 to 9 months ahead of time. 

When does Royal Caribbean open bookings for future sailings?

Generally speaking, you can book most Royal Caribbean cruises around 18-20 months in advance. For example, at the time of publication, Royal Caribbean's website lists cruises available through April 2028. However, available 2028 cruises are currently limited to The Bahamas, Caribbean, and Mexico. 

Even still, many guests opt to book their cruises somewhere between 9 to 12 months ahead of time to ensure that the dates work with their schedules. 

If you want to plan as far in advance as possible, the best way to keep an eye out for new Royal Caribbean sailings is to sign up for their newsletter, which will let you know when they plan on opening sailings for booking.

Royal Caribbean deployment schedule 2027-2028

You can also look at the cruise line's deployment schedule. Royal Caribbean has released when it plans on opening up new 2027-2028 itineraries for booking:

• NOW OPEN: Alaska (May 2027-Sept. 2027)
• NOW OPEN: Europe (April 2027-Oct. 2027)
• NOW OPEN: 7-night & short Caribbean (March 2027-April 2028)
• NOW OPEN: Northeast, California, & Texas (April 2027-April 2028)
• Week of Dec. 8, 2025: Seasonal Caribbean
• TBD: Australia (Oct. 2027-April 2028)
• TBD: China (Oct. 2027-April 2028)
• TBD: Singapore (Oct. 2027-April 2028)

New bookings are available to book at some point during the specified week, not necessarily on that Monday. Moreover, it's common for new sailings to be entered into Royal Caribbean's booking system first, followed by the cruise line's website. 

This means that you might be able to book a new cruise on the phone with a representative or through a travel agent, even if they aren't listed on Royal Caribbean's website. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean adds new Alaska itineraries, including two giant cruise ships

Best time to book a cruise

Cruise pricing can change by the hour, as fares fluctuate based on supply and demand. As demand increases and cabin availability decreases, prices rise. That said, you can generally find the best cruise prices by booking in advance. 

When new itineraries are released, the fares are lower to generate early interest. These prices increase over time as ships fill up and stateroom availability becomes more limited, especially for popular sailing dates such as Spring Break, Christmas, or New Year's. 

If you can book a cruise around 10 to 12 months before departure, you will likely secure the best rate. Cruise fares tend to steadily increase after that, with prices often at their highest within 1 to 3 months before the sail date. 

Can you book a cheap last-minute cruise?

Although too-good-to-be-true last-minute cruises aren't as common as they used to be, it's still possible to score a great deal by checking out Royal Caribbean's Going, Going, Gone PDF. 

These last-minute deals are for unsold cabins on upcoming cruises, with discounts ranging from good to incredible. New cruises are listed on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, though there are some weeks when no deals are posted at all — it all depends on the available inventory. 

The catch is that you’ll need to be flexible with your travel dates, departure ports, and itineraries. Moreover, most Going, Going, Gone cruises are listed past the sailing's final payment date. 

As such, you must pay the entire fare at the time of booking, rather than placing a deposit and having months to come up with the remainder of the balance. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean has a list of secret cruise deals most people don't know about. It's saved me hundreds of dollars

Royal Caribbean has closed the waterslides on multiple cruise ships to enhance their safety for guests. 

Passengers on Harmony of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, and Independence of the Seas have reported that the slides aboard their ships were closed during their recent sailings. 

These include:

• The Blaster (Navigator of the Seas, closed as of Nov. 20)
• Riptide (Navigator of the Seas, closed as of Nov. 20)
• Perfect Storm Cyclone and Typhoon (Independence of the Seas, closed as of Nov. 20)
• Supercell (Harmony of the Seas, is or was closed)

Read more: Harmony of the Seas slides: What you need to know

Royal Caribbean has not issued a fleetwide announcement regarding the waterslide closures, much to the frustration of future guests who are unsure whether they'll be operational by their cruise date. 

That said, the Cruise Compass app has been updated to reflect the temporary closures aboard Independence of the Seas. 

Guests can find the notification on Day 1 of their sailing under the "Welcome aboard! Tap for hints and tips as we set sail" tab, positioned between the gangway information and the daily planner.

(Credit: smokeybandit/Royal Caribbean Blog discussion forum)

Although disappointing, each ship offers a variety of activities to keep guests entertained, including multiple pools and kid-friendly splash areas, surfing simulators, rock climbing walls, sports courts, and a full line-up of shows and onboard entertainment. 

Moreover, to compensate for the closure, other amenities, such as the FlowRider surf simulator, may stay open for a few extra hours. It's important to check the app to stay updated on the operating hours while on board. 

Replacing the acrylic tube parts with safer fiberglass sections

(Photo of the ongoing waterslide repair efforts on Navigator of the Seas. Credit: Armour3d/Reddit)

Navigator of the Seas' Captain James spoke about the ship's waterslide closures during a recent sailing, giving more insight into the situation and providing a potential timeline of when they will reopen on the Voyager Class ship. 

"It's those acrylic tube parts that are cracking on us, so we just said, 'You know what? Enough's enough,'" he remarked. 

Royal Caribbean brought on engineers to conduct a full assessment of the slides and determine the best long-term solution. They informed the cruise line that they needed to be taken out of service and essentially rebuilt to ensure durability for years to come. 

Continuing, Captain James explained, "They've had to refabricate parts, and they're actually gonna replace the acrylic with the fiberglass sections."

It's not a fast process, either. According to Captain James, each section is custom-made and cannot be pulled from existing inventory. 

The first installation on Navigator of the Seas is scheduled for Dec. 1. The Riptide mat racer slide will be worked on first, followed by the Blaster. 

If all goes according to plan, Navigator's slides should be up and running on Dec. 22, right in time for the ship's holiday cruises. However, guests have reported seeing notifications on the mobile app that the slides on Independence will be closed through Feb. 2026. 

Captain James also alluded to the fact that other Royal Caribbean ships had issues with their waterslides, causing the cruise line to launch a broader review of the slide's safety across multiple vessels in the fleet. 

Earlier this year, a cruise passenger was injured on a waterslide on Icon of the Seas

A guest sailing on one of the world's largest cruise ships sustained multiple injuries after an acrylic panel broke on a slide in the record-breaking Category 6 Waterpark in August. 

At 46 feet tall, the Frightening Bolt is famous for being the biggest drop slide at sea. The trapdoor launch makes it one of the more extreme attractions on Icon and Star of the Seas. 

After the incident, the slide remained closed throughout August as the cruise line made the necessary repairs. Other slides, including the Pressure Drop and Hurricane Hunter, remained open. 

Following the accident, the injured guest retained Alex Perez of Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A., to pursue legal action against Royal Caribbean.

"Our firm has decades of experience handling cruise passenger injury cases, and unfortunately, incidents involving material or design failures aboard cruise ships are something we see far too often," Perez said.

Cruisers react to slide closures

As news of the closures spreads, passengers have expressed their disappointment on social media. While it is frustrating that the waterslides are closed, many are upset with how Royal Caribbean is handling the situation and the lack of communication from the cruise line. 

"We just booked for the end of March. Why are they not sharing that?? It’s one of the reasons we booked on this ship!" shared Katie Taylor, a future Navigator of the Seas passenger, on Facebook. 

Jennifer Vranekovic added, "I even sent [Royal Caribbean] messages telling them guests are only finding out in Facebook groups and not being notified. It should be pinned on the booking page as a notice since this isn’t random or new, they have been down [for] months. Travel agents don’t even know."

Guests currently onboard the affected ships are upset, too. Many embarked with children expecting to enjoy the slides, only to discover the closures after getting on board. 

"We didn’t even find out about the slides until we got on [Navigator of the Seas] and my girls wanted to go down the slide and they told us it was closed," said Tinneke Rossi.

"The only waterslide that was open was the yellow one. My kids were very bummed," shared Meredith Marlatt Dusek in a Harmony of the Seas Facebook group. 

Elizabeth Francis agreed, saying, "For those with kids--it can entertain them for hours if there are multiple slides. Royal markets these ships as having all these cool water slides."

Royal Caribbean's Icon Class ships are the world's largest cruise ships, offering more amenities, dining options, and entertainment than any other vessels at sea. 

The class's namesake ship, Icon of the Seas, debuted in January 2024 and set a new standard for family cruise vacations. 

From the world's largest waterpark at sea to new Broadway-style productions, family-friendly areas, and dining concepts, every moment aboard Icon Class ships is meant to be unforgettable and unlike any other cruise vacation. 

As the largest cruise ships in the world, the massive Icon Class vessels can accommodate over 7,000 passengers at maximum occupancy. 

The ships also host 2,350 crew members from all over the world. This means that, at full capacity, Icon Class ships can welcome nearly 10,000 people. 

Don't let the crowds intimidate you, though. Royal Caribbean did an impressive job designing these mega-ships. 

With expansive public areas, multiple pools, dining venues, and restaurants, it's easy to find ways to relax, play, and eat without feeling cramped and overwhelmed. 

Here's everything you need to know to determine if a vacation aboard an Icon Class ship is right for you. 

What are the Icon Class ships?

As of November 2025, Royal Caribbean has two Icon Class ships in service:

• Icon of the Seas (2024)
• Star of the Seas (2025)
• Legend of the Seas (not yet in service, expected 2026)
• Icon 4 (not yet in service, expected 2027)
• Icon 5 (not yet in service, expected 2028)

The cruise line is set to welcome the third Icon Class ship, Legend of the Seas, in July 2026. She will be the first to offer European cruises, as Icon and Star of the Seas sail exclusively to the Caribbean from Florida (for now). 

Royal Caribbean Icon Class size

Both Icon Class ships in service measure just shy of 250,000 gross registered tons (GRT). In fact, the Icon Class ships come in at 248,663 GRT. 

In comparison, Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class ships, which were the largest in the world until Icon launched in 2024, measure anywhere from 225,282 to 236,473 GRT. 

In terms of length, Icon and Star of the Seas stretch 1,194 feet from bow to stern. Moreover, they're 219 feet wide. 

Icon Class ship highlights

There's more to do, see, and eat on Royal Caribbean's Icon Class ships than on any other vessel at sea. 

Starting with entertainment, each ship has different shows in the Absolute Zero ice rink, Royal Theater, and AquaTheater. 

Icon of the Seas

• Royal Theater: "The Wizard of Oz," "The Effectors: The Origin Story," "Showband! Live. Music Now."
• Absolute Zero: "Starburst: Elemental Beauty," "Once Upon a Time: The King's Royal Ball"
• AquaTheater: "AQUA ACTION!"

Star of the Seas

• Royal Theater: "Back to the Future: The Musical," "Create," "Showband! Live. Music Now."
• Absolute Zero: "SOL"
• AquaTheater: "Torque" 

Additionally, each ship hosts a variety of game shows, including the famous "Love and Marriage Show," where three lucky couples go head-to-head to see just how well they know each other, as well as dance parties and parades. 

The ships also bring on rotating headliner acts, musicians, and comedians. All the shows are available free of charge since they're included in Royal Caribbean's cruise fare. 

Pro tip: don't miss the Dueling Pianos show! It's exclusive to Icon Class ships and pits two talented pianists against each other in a high-energy, interactive performance where guests request songs and sing along. The venue fills up fast, so you will want to secure seats early! 

Moving on to amenities, Icon Class ships are packed with options for every type of traveler, from young kids to grandparents — think waterparks, sports courts, rock climbing walls, surfing simulators, mini-golf, and more. 

Many activities aren't exclusive to Icon Class ships. Rather, they're upgraded to create a one-of-a-kind experience. 

For example, many Royal Caribbean ships have a miniature golf course. However, the courses on Icon and Star of the Seas were creatively themed to match the vibe of the "Thrill Island" neighborhood. 

Similarly, the rock climbing wall was reimaged and renamed. "Adrenaline Peak" had different courses for all skill levels and offers the "ultimate rock climbing expedition and [the line's] highest vantage point yet."

Next, like Voyager, Freedom, and Oasis Class ships, Icon Class vessels have an ice skating rink. Not only do the talented skaters put on jaw-dropping shows, but guests can also sign up for complimentary skating sessions. 

On Icon Class ships, the ice rink is the line's largest yet and is conveniently located near the Royal Promenade. 

While Icon and Star of the Seas have plenty of amenities that are familiar to long-time cruisers, the ships also have entirely new experiences that set them apart. 

The Crown's Edge, for example, is a new extra-charge attraction that's part ropes course and part zip line. Brave guests will make their way across suspended platforms to a platform that dangles off the edge of the ship. Then, they will experience a sudden drop and zip over the ocean back to safety. 

Next, the Category 6 Waterpark is the largest waterpark at sea and is home to six record-breaking waterslides:

• Pressure Drop
• Hurricane Hunter
• Storm Chasers
• Storm Surge
• Frightening Bolt

Other water-based amenities include the Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay aqua park for kids and babies, and seven pools — each with a unique vibe and atmosphere. 

• Royal Bay (largest pool at sea with over 40,000 gallons of water)
• Hideaway (adults-only infinity pool)
• Swim & Tonic (adults-only pool with swim-up bar)
• Water's Edge (family-friendly pool in the Surfside neighborhood)
• The Cove (a smaller pool located near the Royal Bay pool)
• Cloud 17 (infinity-edge pool near the Lime & Coconut Bar)
• Suite pool (suite-only pool located in the Grove)

If that doesn't seem like enough to keep you busy, Icon Class ships also feature an escape room, laser tag course, casino, jogging track, and carousel. 

Finally, kids will love the award-winning Adventure Ocean youth programming on Icon Class ships. The daytime activities are included in the cruise fare. However, late-night programming costs $15 per hour from 10:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.

Icon Class ships also feature the Royal Babies & Tots nursery program for children between the ages of 6-36 months. As of November 2025, the Royal Babies & Tots nursery fees are $9 per hour until 6:00 p.m. and $12 per hour after 6:00 p.m. 

Icon Class dining options

Icon Class ships have more dining venues onboard than any other ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet. This means that, regardless of your craving or vacation style, you're bound to find something to satisfy every appetite.

There are 13 complimentary (or included) restaurants on Icon Class ships. Many are available fleetwide, including the Windjammer Marketplace and Main Dining Room. However, five are brand-new concepts that are exclusive to Icon and Star of the Seas. 

• Park Cafe
• Windjammer Marketplace
• Sorrento's
• Main Dining Room
• El Loco Fresh
• Sprinkles
• Vitality Cafe
• Coastal Kitchen (for suite guests only)
• Pearl Cafe
• Surfside Bites
• Surfside Eatery
• AquaDome Market
• Basecamp

Diving into the new dining venues, the Pearl Cafe is essentially a next-gen Cafe Promenade. There are a lot of grab-and-go food options, such as pasta or veggie trays, that make snack time easier than ever. However, this is also where guests can order specialty Starbucks drinks for an extra cost. 

Surfside Bites is a fast-casual spot in the Surfside neighborhood, perfect for busy families who need to fuel up between activities. The options aren't anything fancy, but they're definitely kid-approved: popcorn chicken, French fries, cheeseburgers, etc. 

Families who want more variety can head to the Surfside Eatery. Think of this like an extended version of the Windjammer buffet. However, rather than having to haul children up to Deck 15, it's located in the heart of the Surfside neighborhood. 

The AquaDome Market is Royal Caribbean's first food-hall concept. The stalls on Icon and Star of the Seas are different, but both offer a mix of international flavors, fresh ingredients, and quick-service options.

AquaDome Market options on Icon of the Seas 

• Crème de la Crèpe (Crèpes)
• GNGR (Asian)
• Mac's (Mac and cheese)
• Feta (Mediterranean)
• Toast & Garden (Sandwiches and salads)

AquaDome Market options on Star of the Seas 

• Feta (Mediterranean)
• Crème de la Crèpe (Crèpes)
• Mai Thai (Thai and Southeast Asian dishes)
• Pig Out BBQ (American BBQ)
• La Cocinita (South American-inspired street food)

Finally, there's Basecamp. Basecamp can be found in the Thrill Island neighborhood and was designed to be a spot to relax between activities. Food options include warm pretzels, tater tots, and chicken tenders. There's also a bar nearby for those who need to quench their thirst with a tasty cocktail. 

Icon of the Seas also boasts an impressive number of specialty restaurants, though there are plenty of included options for those who don't want to spend extra money on food:

• Chops Grille
• Giovanni's Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar
• Playmakers Sports Bar
• Hooked Seafood
• Starbucks
• Izumi Hibachi & Sushi
• Izumi in the Park
• Empire/Lincoln Park Supper Club
• Pier 7
• Desserted
• Trellis Bar
• Celebration Table

Izumi in the Park is Royal Caribbean's first-ever to-go sushi window, where you can grab sushi, hot gyoza, or soft-serve bubble cones for a refreshing afternoon sweet treat! It's located in Central Park. 

Pier 7 is the all-day brunch restaurant in Surfside that dishes up tasty options like mango lime shrimp tostadas, smoked salmon benedicts, fluffy buttermilk pancakes, and surf & turf tacos.

The supper clubs are perhaps the most unique dining experiences aboard Icon Class ships. The concept is the same on both ships: a $200-per-person, eight-course meal is paired with live music and drinks.

That said, the theming, menu, and presentation differ. On Icon of the Seas, the Empire Supper Club was designed after New York City in the 1930s. The menu focuses on premium American cuisine with dishes like wagyu, oysters, and more. 

The supper club takes on a new vibe aboard Star of the Seas. The Lincoln Park Supper Club was themed after Chicago in the 1930s and 1940s. Menu items include kampachi, steak tartare, crab ravioli, and the famous Palmer House brownie that originated in the Windy City. 

If you'd prefer a more intimate specialty dining experience, consider booking the Celebration Table. It's kind of like an elevated Chef's Table. However, instead of a set prix fixe menu curated by the chef, you can choose between a few family-style options: American, Seafood, Italian, and Asian. 

Moving on, Desserted is the brand-new specialty milkshake bar, while Trellis Bar now offers a small menu of bar bites for an extra charge. 

Icon Class cabins and suites

Icon Class ships feature 28 unique categories of staterooms, ranging from spacious inside cabins to multi-story suites. 

As some of the world's family-friendliest ships, it should come as no surprise that more than 80% of all the staterooms can accommodate 3 or more guests. Moreover, more than 70% of Icon Class rooms have balconies. 

In total, there are 2,805 staterooms on Icon and Star of the Seas, broken down into 179 suites, 1,815 balcony cabins, 276 ocean view rooms, and 535 interior cabins.

All suites aboard Icon Class ships are part of the Royal Suite Class, meaning guests can expect lavish cabins and upscale amenities compared to older vessels. 

The exact benefits vary based on the category. For example, Sea Tier suites (i.e., Sunset Junior Suites and standard Junior Suites) are the most restrictive, meaning you won't have access to The Grove Sun Deck or Coastal Kitchen for breakfast or lunch.

If you have a little extra money to burn, consider splurging on a Star Class suite. These are the largest cabins on Icon and Star of the Seas and come with perks like an unlimited drink package, Royal Genie (essentially a butler), and more. 

Where do Icon Class ships sail?

As of November 2025, both Icon Class ships in service — Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas — sail from Florida to the Eastern and Western Caribbean. Icon offers vacations from Miami, Florida, while Star calls Port Canaveral, Florida, home. 

However, when Legend of the Seas debuts in July 2025, she will be the first Icon Class ship to sail in the Mediterranean, with voyages departing from Barcelona, Spain, and Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy.

Legend will move to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in November 2025, where she'll alternate between 6- and 8-night Caribbean cruises. The shorter voyages will visit the Western Caribbean, while the 8-night cruises will sail to the Southern Caribbean ports of Aruba and Curaçao. 

Then, in April 2026, Legend of the Seas will return to Europe for another European season. Once again, the Mediterranean voyages will depart from Barcelona, Spain, and Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy. 

Icon and Star of the Seas will both remain in Florida until August 2027 — when Icon of the Seas will make the move to Galveston, Texas, and offer Western Caribbean cruises to Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day Mexico and Royal Beach Club Cozumel. 

Packing for a cruise is a more intentional endeavor than packing for a weekend trip to New York City or Walt Disney World. 

When traveling on a cruise, you must pack the essentials carefully, considering both the onboard activities and shore excursions in port. 

That said, cruise cabins have limited storage. It's easier to pack more than you think you'll need, just to run out of space when settling into your stateroom. 

One user asked what experienced travelers regretted packing for their cruise on Reddit. The post received over 200 comments, with many saying that they had second thoughts about how much clothing they brought. 

Other answers ranged from common household items like steamers to lanyards and soda. Here's a round-up of the most regretted items packed for a cruise vacation. 

Too many clothes

Many cruisers shared that they regretted bringing too many clothes. While planning vacation outfits is fun, trying to pack multiple outfits for each day can be stressful. 

"I packed ~12 outfits and 4 swimsuits + coverups for a 7night/8day cruise and I could have packed less than half of that," wrote ResolutionStunning42. 

Instead, they wished they had focused on bringing a few nicer outfits, a few comfortable outfits, swimsuits, and a single cover-up. 

luckyvacaythrowaway added that they would not have brought clothes they felt insecure in at home, since they didn't end up wearing any of them. 

If you bring too many clothes, your cabin can quickly become a cluttered nightmare, making it harder to find the shirt you really want to wear for White Night. 

Shoes

On a similar note, a lot of travelers thought they had packed too many shoes. Not only do shoes take up a lot of valuable luggage space, but it's harder to organize them in the stateroom. 

"[I] now try to only pack two pairs and I wear my bulkiest pair on the plane/ship (sneakers). I then pack a pair of flip flops or water shoes for the pool and spa areas," shared 317ant. 

They also bring a pair of sandals that can be dressed up or down, depending on the occasion. 

Uncomfortable shoes are also a no-go. Although you might be okay running back to the room mid-evening to change, your feet will thank you for bringing footwear that can handle long days ashore and evenings running from activity to activity. 

Box of tissues

Cruise cabins are stocked with the basics, including hand soap and tissues. As such, one traveler regretted bringing their own box of tissues. 

HawaiianShirtsOR wrote, "It just took up suitcase space unnecessarily. I have no idea why I thought there wouldn't be tissues in my cabin."

Typically, the tissues can be found tucked into one of the dressers or vanity drawers. You can also ask your cabin steward if you can't find them or need extras. 

Body wash and shampoo

Cruise cabins are equipped with basic toiletries, including soap, shampoo, and body wash. On Royal Caribbean ships, standard staterooms have a shampoo-body wash hybrid. 

As such, Intelligent_Ad_1385 argues that travelers do not have to pack body wash or shampoo.

Bringing your own bottles takes up luggage space and adds unnecessary weight, especially if you pack full-sized products. 

That said, many cruisers disagree with them, saying that personal hygiene products are essential. 

"I would recommend bringing shampoo and conditioner 100%, that soap is super harsh, it works [perfectly] on the body but it will strip all the moisture out of your hair," wrote iamadesert. 

Moreover, Royal Caribbean cabins do not have any conditioner. If you forget, you'll have to visit the onboard shops and pay for an overpriced travel bottle. 

Haircare products

On a similar note, one passenger shared that they regretted bringing their haircare products. 

"My hair was never done. I did need my [leave-in] conditioner so I could get the brush through my hair, but a curling iron and other products were laughable to me! It's so windy and humid sometimes! I'll never bring them again," stated GoldengirlSkye. 

This comes down to personal preference, though. Some cruisers enjoy styling their hair on vacation and couldn't imagine leaving home without important products or tools, especially those with textured hair. 

Steamer

Cruise lines have a long list of prohibited items that guests are not permitted to bring aboard their ships. Many items are common sense, like firearms, explosives, and illegal drugs. Others, however, can be easily overlooked during the packing process. 

Unfortunately, one cruiser learned the hard way that everyday household items can be flagged during the check-in process. 

No-Tank-1826 said, "We packed a travel steamer and got a note in our checked luggage that it was confiscated, 🤪 and we could pick it up from security after the cruise."

Read more: 5 things you can't bring on a Royal Caribbean cruise in 2025

Wrinkle-release spray

Since steamers (and irons) aren't allowed on Royal Caribbean ships, many cruisers opt to bring wrinkle-release spray. As popular as it may be, maestra612 claimed that they ended up leaving it untouched in their cabin during their sailing. 

If you don't want to worry about finding wrinkle-release spray before your cruise, I've found that hanging the wrinkled garment in question to hang in the bathroom while showering works pretty well. 

The steam from the shower relaxes the fibers. Generally speaking, many wrinkles will smooth out by the time you're clean, but it isn't a fool-proof replacement for an iron or steamer. 

Pop-up laundry hamper

Many cruise content creators recommend bringing a pop-up laundry hamper. However, several cruisers regret listening to that advice. 

little_blu_eyez is one of them. In their eyes, the pop-up hamper took up too much floor space. Instead, they started using packing cubes. 

"I fully unpack when I get onboard," they said, "As I wear clothes I pack them back into the cube."

By the last night, they're already halfway packed and can spend more time enjoying the ship, rather than scrambling to fold everything neatly back into their suitcase. 

Alternatively, Due_Warthog725 suggests bringing a trash bag for dirty clothes.

Books

Many passengers love finding a comfortable lounge chair and diving into their newest book. Others, however, would rather spend their vacation taking advantage of the ship's amenities. 

East_Celebration6706 commented that they took a book on their cruise, but they did not open it once — there were too many other activities on the ship!

On a similar note, if you are planning on bringing books on board, you may want to invest in a Kindle. Rather than bringing bulky hardcover or paperback books with you, you can download multiple titles onto a single, lightweight device. 

Pro tip: download a variety of books before you board, especially if you aren't planning on purchasing Royal's Wi-Fi package. 

"Make sure you download any books you think you might like to read before you go since I think it would be very hard to do on board," advised tylersmom1919. 

Laptop

Vacation is a time to kick back and relax. However, if you bring a laptop with you, you may feel obligated to check in on how things are going at the office. 

That's what happened to thinkdeep. Bringing a laptop meant that they weren't able to fully disconnect during their hard-earned vacation. 

Magnetic hooks

There are tons of articles out there about how to maximize cabin storage (Royal Caribbean Blog is guilty of having a few). While we're big fans of magnetic hooks, they haven't been a home run for everyone. 

According to zzrryll, they never needed the hooks that "people insist on shilling." To be fair, newer ships tend to have smarter storage options, from extra hooks to clever shelving. 

As such, the takeaway from zrryll's comment is that before packing recommended storage accessories, research your cruise cabin. You may find that your specific stateroom has more than enough storage without needing to bring extra hooks. 

Over-the-door shoe organizer

Like magnetic hooks, some travelers have found the over-the-door shoe organizer hack to be overrated. 

"It all seems so excessive. Never once I have needed an over the door hanging organizer with 3 million pockets," said dawson33944, a Diamond cruiser within Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society. 

IslandGyrl2 added, "The shoe organizer is a hint you've over-packed; it just brings your clutter out into the open, and it makes a clunk-clunk every time you open the door."

Read more: 30 cruise cabin hacks that cruisers love

Fan

Fans can be great accessories in the warm Caribbean or Mediterranean — nobody wants to overheat while trying to enjoy one of the ports of call. Sometimes, they can be useful in the staterooms, too. 

However, MyRunningAcct did not find their cabin hot or stuffy. As such, they ended up not needing the portable fan that they had brought.

RochR0k agreed, adding that their stateroom was so cold they had to turn off the air conditioning. 

Formal attire

It is no surprise that cruises are not as formal as they used to be. In fact, many modern-day cruisers elect not to participate in formal night. Some cruise lines, including Norwegian, have effectively gone away with traditional formal nights entirely. 

SeaSpeakToMe wrote, "Our first cruise we brought [one] nicer outfit (not super formal) for formal night and learned it’s not our style. Now we hit up the buffet or some other included food on formal nights. I can see the appeal, it’s fun to dress up sometimes, but it’s not my vacation style."

Unless formal nights are a must for you, you may be happier packing casual dinner outfits and skipping the dining room altogether. 

Telescope

If you are cruising to Alaska, binoculars are a must. You don't want to miss the dramatic landscapes or impromptu wildlife sightings. However, telescopes are generally considered overkill on a cruise. 

"I wanted to take in the sights of the ports from the top deck and see things up close and personal. Results were....okay," shared tubbis9001. 

It also didn't work well for stargazing. They could not keep the telescope stable enough to see the moon or stars while on the bow. 

Case of water

Royal Caribbean's base fare includes select beverages, such as tap water, drip coffee, lemonade, hot chocolate, and juice. However, bottled water costs extra, along with soda, alcoholic drinks, specialty coffee, and more. 

Many cruisers who decide to forego Royal's pricey drink package bring on limited quantities of non-alcoholic beverages, including one case of water or soda. While it can help save money, some cruisers think hauling on beverages isn't worth the effort. 

"[The water we brought] didn't get drunk and I dont think that terrible in room fridge could even catch up over the whole 5 day cruise so they were still barely chilled," said icebox_Lew. 

Another guest shared a story about having their carry-on soda bottles burst open in their bag:

"The soda we bought was in bottles and I thought that I had them well-packed to be safe. I was wrong. A couple clinked together and one broke. At least it was in our carry-on that contained mostly swimwear which was really easy to clean."

The moral of the story is that if you're going to bring drinks on your Royal Caribbean cruise, make sure that they are securely sealed and well-cushioned — the same goes for wine. 

Lanyards

You're either Team Lanyard or Team Anti-Lanyard. Personally, I think lanyards make cruising easier. However, they aren't the most fashionable accessories, so I understand why some may prefer to find more creative ways to keep their cruise card safe. 

One passenger said that they ditched their lanyard after it kept getting tangled. Instead, they preferred using a fanny pack. 

TollerLuvLJP added, "I discovered I hate the feeling of having something hanging around my neck. My clothes all have pockets, or I bring a bag."

Not enough over-the-counter medications

Just like you can regret packing too many clothes or pairs of shoes, you can also regret not packing enough of something. 

Being stuck in the middle of the ocean for days on end means you should come prepared with basic, over-the-counter medications. 

Cruise ships have medical facilities onboard, but they lack a full-size pharmacy. Moreover, while the onboard shops have a limited supply of medication, they are more overpriced than at your local drugstore. 

goinhungryyeah shared that they wish they had packed more random over-the-counter medication for stuff they never expected. 

Start with pain relievers, cold & flu meds, antacids, cough drops, seasickness medication, Band-Aids, toothache gel, and eye drops. You may find that you want to add more to your list. 

One passenger was kicked off a Royal Caribbean cruise after getting into an alleged violent altercation with another guest. However, his family didn't pause their fun because of his immature mistake. 

The 44-year-old Australian passenger was on a 10-night cruise aboard Anthem of the Seas when he allegedly assaulted another guest on the Quantum Class ship around 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 13, as reported by Otago Daily Times. 

The Aussie male was kicked off the ship when it docked in Dunedin, New Zealand, and had to pay for his transportation home. His family, however, remained on board to finish out their vacation. Thankfully, the other guest only sustained minor injuries and received medical attention for a cut on the nose. 

A spokesperson for the New Zealand Police confirmed the incident in a statement to PEOPLE, further adding that officers were alerted about the altercation on Nov. 13. Police then met Anthem of the Seas in Port Chalmers after it docked. 

"Officers attended and spoke with those involved, and following this, the alleged offender was given a warning. He was also escorted off the ship," the statement continued. 

Anthem of the Seas departed from Sydney, Australia, on Monday, Nov. 10. After a port-intensive cruise in New Zealand, visiting Dunedin, Fiordland National Park, Lyttelton-Christchurch, Wellington, and Picton, the ship will return to Sydney on Nov. 20. 

Although larger media outlets don't reveal how the incident played out, it was severe enough for Royal Caribbean to kick one of its paying passengers off mid-cruise. 

Fights on cruise ships aren't necessarily common, but they are always taken seriously, whether they occur on a Royal Caribbean, Carnival, or MSC vessel. 

"Inappropriate or abusive behavior is not permitted," states Royal Caribbean's official cruise contract, "This includes: uninvited physical contact, solicitation, harassment, vandalism, theft, violence, use of fake/false identification, [and] underage drinking."

Recently, two streamers were kicked off a Royal Caribbean ship in The Bahamas after fighting on the pool deck

During an organized streamers' cruise, two livestreamers — David Ryan and Dave Willis — were removed from Harmony of the Seas after a violent altercation on the pool deck. 

Supposedly, the two began fighting over a joke. However, it quickly escalated, and they began punching and tackling one another to the ground.

The nature of their group cruise meant the fight was immediately caught on camera and widely circulated online, which led to swift intervention from Harmony's security team. 

Ryan and Willis were kicked off at the ship's next port of call: Roatán, Honduras. This showcases Royal Caribbean's strict zero-tolerance policy for violence and disruptive behavior that jeopardizes guest and crew members' safety.

A heavily debated question is, “What’s the best cruise line?” While it ultimately depends on your personal preferences, reputable rankings can help you by weighing key factors, such as value for money and dining. This year, Royal Caribbean performed better in a popular rankings list than it did last year.

The 12th annual U.S. News & World Report Best Cruise Lines rankings were released on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. The rankings cover the most popular cruise lines in ten categories:

• Best Luxury Cruise Lines
• Best Cruise Lines for the Money
• Best Cruise Lines for Couples
• Best Cruise Lines for Families
• Best Cruise Lines in the Caribbean
• Best Cruise Lines in the Mediterranean
• *Best Cruise Lines for Dining — Luxury (*new)
• *Best Cruise Lines for Dining — Mainstream (*new)
• *Best Cruise Lines for Solo Travelers (*new)
• *Best Cruise Lines for Wellness (*new)

Compared to last year, when Royal Caribbean only ranked in the top three for “Best Cruise Lines for Families,” the cruise giant walked away with awards in two categories heading into 2026.

This year, they earned second place for “Best Cruise Lines for Families,” as well as third place for “Best Cruise Lines for the Money.”

The latter isn’t a significant jump, but it is worthy of praise — Royal Caribbean placed fourth in the same category in the 11th annual rankings.

Meanwhile, Celebrity Cruises was favored in this year’s rankings, receiving a top-three placement in three categories, including one brand-new one: “Best Cruise Line for Wellness.” This isn’t much of a surprise, as Celebrity’s AquaClass product offers an immersive wellness experience.

Celebrity also beat Royal Caribbean in the "Best Cruise Lines for the Money" category, coming in second just below Virgin Voyages. However, the premium cruise line came in first place last year. 

Newcomer Explora Journeys also received an impressive number of accolades, placing in the top three in six categories.

"U.S. News Travel’s offerings are continuously evolving to meet consumers where they are as they consider new destinations, adventures and experiences," said Nicola Wood, Senior Travel Editor at U.S. News.

"The 2026 Best Cruise Lines rankings recognize the top cruise lines in a variety of categories, allowing travelers to compare features, amenities and itineraries across multiple lines. Now, four brand-new ranking lists give even more comprehensive choices for cruisers to create their ideal experiences at sea."

Here’s a breakdown of the 2026 rankings:

Best Cruise Lines for the Money 
1. Virgin Voyages 
2. Celebrity Cruises 
3. Royal Caribbean International

Best Luxury Cruise Lines 
1. Viking Ocean Cruises 
2. Explora Journeys 
3. Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Best Cruise Lines for Families 
1. Disney Cruise Line 
2. Royal Caribbean International 
3. Norwegian Cruise Lines

Best Cruise Lines for Couples 
1. Viking Ocean Cruises 
2. Explora Journeys 
3. Seabourn Cruise Line

Best Cruise Lines in the Caribbean 
1. Disney Cruise Line 
2. Virgin Voyages 
3. Explora Journeys

Best Cruise Lines for Dining – Luxury 
1. Viking Ocean Cruises 
2. Explora Journeys 
3. Oceania Cruises

Best Cruise Lines in the Mediterranean 
1. Viking Ocean Cruises 
2. Explora Journeys 
3. Silversea Cruises

Best Cruise Lines for Dining – Mainstream
1. Virgin Voyages 
2. Celebrity Cruises 
3. Disney Cruise Line

Best Cruise Lines for Solo Travelers 
1. Crystal 
2. Norwegian Cruise Line 
3. Oceania Cruises

Best Cruise Lines for Wellness 
1. Celebrity Cruises 
2. Explora Journeys
3. Virgin Voyages

How is the best cruise line determined?

U.S. News & World Report scores ships based on their overall rankings, a numerical score that is represented by a graphical star rating rounded to the nearest half-star.

Three important criteria determine the overall rankings:

1. Expert Rating — 30% (U.S. News & World Report editors assign each ship an Expert Rating between 3 and 5 based on the ship’s level of luxury, size of the ship, the ship’s launch date, when the ship was last updated, crew-to-passenger ratio, cabin categories, and more)
2. Traveler Rating — 50% (Ship's traveler ratings are provided under license by Cruiseline.com. Reviewers assign a rating between 1 and 5 based on their level of satisfaction with their cruise experience)
3. Health Rating — 20% (A ship's health rating is based on sanitation inspection scores published by the Vessel Sanitation Program [VSP] at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]).

After staying in standard ocean-view balconies, interior-facing balconies, and infinite verandas, I finally tried an aft balcony. 

Aft balcony cabins are popular due to their large verandas, great wake views, and privacy.

However, they're more limited in availability since they are only found at the back of the ship, rather than lining the port and starboard sides of the vessel. As such, they're generally more expensive than traditional balconies. 

Recently, I stayed in an aft veranda on Celebrity Cruises' newest ship, Celebrity Xcel. The cruise line invited me on a short 2-night sailing to celebrate the launch of Xcel, and my only complaint about the cabin was that I didn't have more time to spend in it!

My stateroom, 12288, was one deck below Celebrity's enhanced pool deck. This meant I could easily access the resort-style pool and Oceanview Café using the aft stairs. 

Not only that, but a lot of other popular venues are found in the ship's aft, including the Sunset Bar (Deck 15), complimentary dining rooms (Decks 3 and 4), and the Bazaar (Deck 5). 

The cabin was stylish in a minimalist, boutique hotel kind of way. Instead of crowding the room with busy patterns or excessive decorations, the design relies on intentional pops of color and refined accents that add personality without feeling overwhelming. 

As soon as I walked in, I noted how bright the room felt, which was accentuated by its yellow accents throughout. 

The light wood paneling also added a modern, airy feel compared to older vessels, and the space was thoughtfully designed to avoid feeling cluttered. 

Of course, the true highlight of the stateroom was the aft veranda, which was the largest balcony I've ever had on a cruise ship. 

The amenities were the same as standard balconies. However, the deep, aft-facing layout meant that I had an unobstructed view of the ship's wake.

With more time onboard, I could easily picture myself on the veranda enjoying room service and sipping on fresh coffee while pulling into port. 

Celebrity Xcel Sunset Veranda Review

Having previously sailed on Edge Class ships, I knew I was in for a treat. To date, I've never stayed in more luxurious-feeling standard cabins than when I cruised on Celebrity Ascent — and I wasn't disappointed on Celebrity Xcel. 

Celebrity Xcel's Sunset Verandas have around 228 square feet of interior living space, with an 89-square-foot balcony. Combined, that's over 300 square feet of private space, which is a rarity on a cruise. 

For example, on Celebrity's older Solstice Class ships, the interior space in aft veranda cabins is approximately 194 square feet, while the balcony measures 54 square feet. 

Moving on, there was ample storage space, though my sister and I opted to live out of our suitcases. 

Between the closet, dresser, and built-in shelves, unpacking on a longer cruise would be easy. There's plenty of space to keep everything tidy and organized. 

Since Celebrity is a premium cruise line, you'll also find plush bathrobes in the closet on embarkation day, whereas on Royal Caribbean, Celebrity's sister line, you must reach a specific tier within the Crown & Anchor Society, then request them from your cabin steward. 

Another pleasant feature in Celebrity Xcel's Sunset Veranda was the bathroom. Edge Class bathrooms are noticeably more spacious and modern than older counterparts. 

Plus, they come with a range of amenities, including body lotion, shower caps, shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.

Being a brand-new ship, neither my sister nor I had any issues with the bathroom. The shower's water pressure was great, and the water quickly warmed up to the desired temperature. 

If I could change one thing about the cabin, I'd ask for an extra shelf in the shower. My sister is passionate about beauty and skincare, and she travels with a lot of products that quickly overtook the shower's single shelf. 

Since the cruise was over in the blink of an eye, there wasn't time for us to bicker over sharing the shelf. However, we would definitely want more space to keep our stuff organized in the shower on a longer cruise. Siblings, right?

That said, there was plenty of storage lining the bathroom's large mirror. The six shelves were perfect for smaller items, such as toothbrushes and toothpaste, makeup, and other miscellaneous toiletries.

The number of charging options in the cabin was also appreciated. On the vanity, there were two standard American outlets, two USB ports, and a European outlet in a handy cable box that helped keep our cords tidy. 

In addition, there were two more USB ports and another American outlet beside the bed. I was a bit surprised that Celebrity didn't add USB-C ports to its newest ship, though. 

Our Sunset Veranda also had a mini-fridge, which was locked since this was one of Xcel's first-ever sailings, a great air conditioning system, and ample lighting — all of which made the room feel comfortable and practical. 

It was hard to fully appreciate the amenities and spaciousness of the cabin on a short 2-night cruise. However, I can attest that it would be easy to settle in and call one of Celebrity Xcel's Sunset Verandas home on a longer voyage. 

The Celebrity Xcel ship is the most Instagrammable of 2025

2025 saw a lot of ship launches, from Star of the Seas to MSC World America, Disney Destiny, and Star Princess. None, however, is as visually striking as Celebrity Xcel. 

From its sleek continuation of the Edge Class design to jaw-dropping new spaces, every corner of the ship was thoughtfully crafted to catch the eye. 

Compared to previous Edge Class ships, Celebrity Xcel has 7 newly enhanced spaces for guests to explore, from the Bazaar to the Celebrity Pool Deck, Bora specialty restaurant, Celebrity Flagship store and museum, and more.

As such, Celebrity Xcel offers plenty of surprises, even if you think you know the Edge Class product forwards and backwards. 

Celebrity Xcel is Celebrity Cruises’ newest ship — and she’s stunning from bow to stern.

With the addition of Celebrity’s next Edge Class ship, the cruise line has 15 ships in operation, sailing globally from Australia to Alaska, Europe, and the Caribbean.

Celebrity Cruises invited me on a short 2-night sailing to check out everything the new Celebrity Xcel cruise ship has to offer.

In just a few short hours, I fell in love with the ship’s sleek design, thoughtful amenities, and exclusive experiences. Like her name implies, Celebrity Xcel excels in every detail.

Editor’s note: Although Celebrity Cruises paid for this sailing, all opinions are my own.

Celebrity Xcel fast facts

Celebrity Xcel measures 141,420 gross tons, 1,073 feet long, and has a maximum passenger capacity of nearly 4,000.

Onboard, there are 1,646 cabins, comprised of 198 suites, 163 AquaClass staterooms, 299 Concierge cabins, 664 verandas and infinite verandas, 153 ocean-view rooms, and 169 inside cabins.

The ship boasts 32 culinary offerings, including 14 cafés, bars, and lounges; 8 specialty restaurants, 4 distinct dining rooms; 4 complimentary casual venues; and 2 suite-exclusive restaurants.

Other amenities include a state-of-the-art casino, multiple pools, unparalleled entertainment, the line's largest spa at sea, and more. 

Grand Plaza

This Grand Plaza is the heart of every Celebrity Edge Class ship, from Celebrity Edge to Celebrity Xcel.

The three-deck atrium is complete with a dazzling chandelier and the cruise line’s famous Martini Bar.

Whether you’re in the mood to sip on a handcrafted cocktail, listen to live music, or partake in fun activities like the ship’s popular Silent Disco, the vibrant hub brings guests together day and night.

From the Grand Plaza, it’s easy to explore the many spots that line the surrounding decks

Deck 3 is home to the Martini Bar, Guest Relations, the Concierge Lounge, and two of the ship’s complimentary dining rooms: Normandie and Tuscany.

One deck above, you’ll find Café al Bacio, Celebrity Xcel’s specialty coffee shop. The casual venue also serves light snacks, such as cookies, pastries, and sandwiches.

Nearby are two specialty restaurants: Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud and Le Grand Bistro. I had the chance to try Le Voyage on a previous sailing aboard Celebrity Ascent and was blown away by the attentive service and expertly crafted dishes.

The meal isn’t cheap, coming in at around $125 per person, but it’s worth it for foodies looking to celebrate a special occasion on Celebrity Xcel.

Also on Deck 4 are the retail stores, casino, Future Cruise desk, The Club, the bottom level of the Theater, and Cyprus and Cosmopolitan restaurants, which are included in everyone’s cruise fare.

Moving up, Deck 5 is where the World Class Bar is located. The upscale bar is known for its high-quality cocktails, crafted by skilled mixologists in a stylish setting.

Around the corner is the Fine Cut Steakhouse, a must-visit for steak lovers who want to enjoy aged cuts of meat, indulgent sides, and an extensive wine list.

On the other side of the hall is Raw on 5, Celebrity’s sushi restaurant that features fresh sushi rolls, sashimi, and creative Japanese favorites.

Finally, Celebrity’s brand-new flagship store is steps from the top floor of the Grand Plaza. The store offers a curated selection of merchandise like spirit jerseys, coffee mugs, hats, and more. 

In short, whether you want a bite to enjoy, a spot to enjoy panoramic views, or browse merchandise, the Grand Plaza has something to offer everyone.

The Bazaar

Let’s jump into some of the venues and experiences that make Celebrity Xcel stand out from her counterparts, starting with the Bazaar on Deck 5.

The Bazaar is Celebrity Xcel’s vibrant marketplace that blends shopping, dining, and entertainment.

The brand-new venue encourages discovery and connection, with the cruise line bringing the culture, flavors, sights, and sounds of the itinerary on board the ship.

At the Mosaic Restaurant, for example, chefs put their spin on the destination’s signature dishes, delivering local flavors to your table at sea. And yes, the menu changes based on the port!

Market at the Bazaar means you don’t have to worry about carving precious time ashore for souvenirs — Celebrity will bring the best local must-haves onboard.

Not only that, but Market at the Bazaar also showcases the work of skilled artisans from the destinations the ship visits.

Finally, there will be a unique line-up of parties that celebrate the culture and traditions of the itinerary’s destinations.

The Bazaar on Celebrity Xcel replaced Eden, the signature multi-level venue found on previous Edge Class ships.

Attic at The Club

Although The Club isn’t a new venue, the upstairs has been transformed into Attic at The Club, which is brought to life with its retro-inspired design, complete with neon lights and bold patterns.

The new space, open 24/7, features everything from pool tables to darts and classic arcade games.

Passengers can also book a private space in the Attic for group activities like karaoke and golf simulation games.

Celebrity Pool Club

Celebrity’s resort-style pool deck received a major upgrade on Celebrity Xcel. The refreshed space features more shade, personalized service, and entertainment than ever before.

For example, the Pool Valet offers services like chilled towels and sunscreen, ensuring guests can kick back and relax without any worries.

Cabanas are also available for those who want an even more elevated experience, with dedicated service, elevated drinks and snacks, and the best seat on the pool deck.

Don’t worry, though — the resort deck is still home to a signature statue. On Celebrity Xcel, it’s a monkey holding an infant, while on Celebrity Ascent, it’s a large octopus.

Along with the monkey, you can’t miss the bright orange Magic Carpet. The multi-purpose venue serves as a tender launch point and bar.

This revolutionary platform first debuted on Celebrity Edge and quickly became an Edge Class staple.

The cantilevered design allows the Magic Carpet to move up and down the ship’s exterior, providing panoramic views at different levels.

Adjacent to the Celebrity Pool Club is the adults-only Solarium — AKA one of my favorite spots onboard!

This relaxing indoor spot is only available to passengers 16+ and features a private pool, hot tubs, and plush loungers.

One change that I quickly noticed is that Celebrity removed the Spa Café from the Solarium. On other ships, this grab-and-go venue served up light bites including turkey wraps, sesame udon noodles, and fresh fruit.

On Celebrity Xcel, however, the Spa Café was removed to make way for the expanded salon and spa.

Celebrity’s largest spa at sea

According to Celebrity Cruises, Celebrity Xcel’s spa offers more ways to unwind than ever before, with more than 120 treatments.

New amenities include the Hydra Room, a therapeutic H2O experience within the SEA Thermal Suite, expanded salon space, and the addition of a Vitamin D Deck.

The Vitamin D deck is exclusive to Thermal Suite guests and offers sweeping views from the front of the ship. The new space also includes complimentary non-alcoholic beverages.

In total, the Thermal Suite on Celebrity Xcel now offers eight distinct relaxation areas, including saunas, steam rooms, and hydrotherapy spaces.

Bora

Bora is a brand-new al fresco Mediterranean restaurant exclusively on Celebrity Xcel. Located on Deck 15, this specialty venue is more than a meal — it is a sensory journey.

The experience begins with a welcome celebration in the Rooftop Garden, an open-air space surrounded by lush greenery and two small pools, which is complete with cocktails and live music.

Brunch guests can enjoy a Bloody Mary bar and dishes like French toast with orange zest, figs, and pistachios.

At night, Bora transforms into an upscale restaurant with complimentary spritzers, tableside preparation, and hand-selected regional wines.

Steps away from Bora is Celebrity’s iconic Sunset Bar. This spot offers the best wake views and a signature drink menu.

Dining on Celebrity Xcel

Celebrity Xcel is home to over 30 distinct food and beverage experiences, from casual spots to specialty restaurants. Here’s a rundown of a few of the complimentary options.

There are four Main Dining Rooms on the ship — Normandie, Tuscany, Cosmopolitan, and Cyprus — each with a unique design and signature dishes inspired by different regions around the world.

All meals in the dining rooms are included, from low-key breakfasts to multi-course dinners.

Moving on, Celebrity’s Oceanview Café on Deck 14 is more akin to a stylish food hall than a traditional buffet.

Not only that, but the buffet offers a wide variety of stations featuring global flavors and made-to-order dishes.

Guests can enjoy everything from seafood saganaki to ceviche, stir fry, chicken paella, and decadent desserts, all served in a chic setting.

Also on Deck 14 is the Mast Grill. This casual poolside eatery serves up classics like burgers, hot dogs, and French fries.

It’s perfect for a quick bite while enjoying the Celebrity Pool Club and taking in ocean views.

Spice, down on Deck 5, is a new casual dining concept that’s located within the Bazaar. It replaced the Eden Cafe and, instead, offers a rotating selection of destination-inspired bites.

Guests staying in AquaClass cabins or The Retreat can also enjoy Blu or Luminae at no extra charge.

Celebrity Xcel cabins

Celebrity Xcel has over 1,600 staterooms, ranging from windowless inside cabins to 2,500-square-foot suites.

During my sailing, I stayed in a Sunset Veranda Stateroom, which offered a spacious layout, modern décor, and a private balcony with wake views.

Having previously sailed on an Edge Class ship, I knew that even if Celebrity had assigned us to an inside cabin, it would feel leagues above other cabins in the industry — and Celebrity Xcel didn’t disappoint.

My cabin featured thoughtful touches like an abundance of charging options, ample storage, ambient lighting, and a luxurious bathroom.

Although Celebrity’s Edge Class is known for its controversial infinite verandas, it was nice to experience a more traditional balcony cabin, with sliding doors and real sea breezes.