Former Royal Caribbean C.E.O. Richard Fain's impressive 10,840-square-foot mansion hit the market after more than 35 years for $42 million.
Fain joined Royal Caribbean in 1979 as an outside director on the company’s Board of Directors. In 1988, he took the position of Chair of the Board of the Royal Caribbean Group and was named the company's Chief Executive Officer.
Under Fain’s leadership, Royal Caribbean transformed into one of the most recognized and respected brands in the travel industry. While with the company, Royal Caribbean Group introduced new ship categories that continuously pushed the boundaries of cruise ship innovation, including the Sovereign, Voyager, and Oasis Classes.
(Credit: PROFILEmiami)
He stepped down as C.E.O. on January 3, 2022, with Jason Liberty succeeding him and joining the Board of Directors.
Having spent over 33 years with the company, he amassed an impressive net worth of over $100 million. However, Fain decided it was time to list his waterfront home in Coral Gables, Florida.
The sprawling estate sits on over 2.25 acres
(Credit: PROFILEmiami)
Designed by acclaimed architect Dan Roban, a protégé of Frank Lloyd Wright, the lavish estate showcases tropical modernism, featuring textured coral rock, exposed wood beams, and expansive skylights.
It also highlights one of the best parts of Southern Florida living for the wealthy: direct waterfront access to the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay. The mansion includes 130 feet of waterfrontage, as well as a private dock and boat lift.
(Credit: PROFILEmiami)
In addition to its prime waterfront location, the estate features a pool that complements its tropical modern, upscale design.
Surrounded by lush landscaping, the pool area offers a relaxing retreat far from what you'd find on any Royal Caribbean cruise ship.
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Inside, the home offers seven spacious bedrooms, a chef's kitchen, and a living room with vaulted ceilings. The high ceilings help create an open feel and blend the indoor and outdoor spaces. Expansive skylights also flood the home with plenty of natural light.
Regardless of where you step, large windows frame the property like living art, allowing endless views of the flora and waterfront.
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The home was originally built in 1969 but has undergone obvious updates to preserve its architectural integrity while blending modern conveniences and luxuries.
However, the estate's interior design incorporates warmer colors, straying from the modern trend of minimalist whites and cool tones — think earthy browns and beige instead of clean, sparkling marble.
(Credit: Douglas Elliman)
The estate also includes seven and a half baths, an attached garage, walk-in closets, and more.
The master bathroom is perhaps the most impressive. It features an elegant soaking tub positioned to take full advantage of the property's views.
(Credit: PROFILEmiami)
However, it also has his and hers showers, both of which have small windows to bring in even more natural light.
The massive dual vanity has sleek countertops and offers ample storage, akin to what you might find in one of Royal Caribbean's largest suites!
(Credit: PROFILEmiami)
At $42 million, this over-the-top mansion isn't cheap. In addition to the steep asking price, Douglas Elliman reports that the home comes with $7,500 in annual maintenance and nearly $70,000 in taxes.
The home is located at 700 Arvida Pkwy, Coral Gables, FL 33156 in the prestigious Gables Estates community, which was developed in the 1960s and features just 164 homes and 24-hour security.
Icon of the Seas is advertised to deliver the "ultimate family vacation." With the largest waterpark at sea, dedicated neighborhoods, countless dining options, and around-the-clock entertainment, it's clearly built for families. However, my partner and I, both in our mid-20s, boarded without kids and still found it impressive.
Typically, we prefer sailing with more adult-focused lines, including Celebrity and Princess. But despite being overwhelmingly family-focused, the world's largest cruise ship promised to offer plenty for child-free travelers like us. Plus, we're still young and don't mind the occasional ship-oriented cruise, compared to itinerary-driven sailings.
Initially, I was worried that we'd regret spending over $7,000 on Icon of the Seas. That's not a small lump of change, and with the right planning, we could have toured Europe for two weeks, visiting culturally rich cities and trying new cuisine.
However, as soon as we stepped on board, it was clear Icon wasn't another mega-ship. I've spent over 50 nights on Oasis Class ships and thought I knew what to expect, but Icon of the Seas raised the bar in every way — at least for Caribbean vacations.
The adult-only spaces weren't boring
Take everything you know about the Solarium and throw it out the window. On Icon of the Seas, the Royal Caribbean staple was replaced with The Hideaway.
It's far less about relaxing away from kids, as Thrill Waterpark is dangling above your head, and more about channeling the high-energy atmosphere of the ship in an adult-only setting.
Think of it as chic beach club meets rooftop lounge. The DJ spins tunes all afternoon while bartenders keep the drinks flowing. Sometimes, it felt like a Las Vegas pool party but less overwhelming.
Personally, I liked it best at sea, as the infinity pool gave way to the most mesmerizing wake views ever. However, if you're seeking a little more solitude, you may like it on a port day.
One thing to note is that, unlike the Solarium, I found there weren't many shaded chairs. So, make sure you pack plenty of sunscreen, unless you plan on spending a lot of time at the bar.
If you're seeking a moment of quiet, I'd recommend The Overlook. Though it lacks pools, you won't miss out on any views thanks to the AquaDome's floor-to-ceiling windows.
We could still embrace our inner child
We couldn't resist some of the ship's attractions — particularly the one-of-a-kind Category 6 Waterpark. With six water slides, it's almost like Thrill Waterpark from CocoCay was brought onboard!
Okay, maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration (could you imagine if they logistically pulled off adding Daredevil's Peak to a ship?!), but the waterpark was seriously impressive.
My favorite slide was the Storm Surge raft ride. Though we had to shimmy a bit to get going, it picked up speed as soon as we pushed off, splashing us around curves and boomeranging up the over-water "leaf."
We took advantage of the complimentary waterpark first thing in the morning and when docked in CocoCay. As such, we never waited more than fifteen minutes for a slide.
While on Icon, we also splurge on the Crown's Edge and Royal Escape Room. Crown's Edge tested my bravery, as I'm typically not a fan of trap door rides.
However, Crown's Edge is unlike anything I've ever done on a cruise ship. Walking over the side of the ship on the obstacle course while watching the ship glide through the ocean was surreal (and still feels a bit like a fever dream).
The Royal Escape Room was also more fun than I expected. The immersive space-themed puzzle required everyone to work together. It challenged our problem-solving skills and communication, especially at the beginning when we were divided into two groups and separated.
Pro tip: Check on embarkation day to see if there's an ongoing deal for Crown's Edge. We paid $35 per person, but it was just $10 on the first day in Miami.
Last November, I sailed with Disney Cruise Line for the first time in nearly a decade and forgot how amazing their theater productions were.
Though The Wizard of Oz still fell a little short compared to Tangled: The Musical, it was one of the best Broadway-style productions I've seen on a Royal Caribbean ship (Mamma Mia is still my favorite!).
The set design was impressive, and I loved the costumes, particularly the colorful Munchkins in Munchkinland.
Another obvious standout was the aqua show. When we first explored the AquaDome, we were a little disappointed to see how small the AquaTheater was.
However, the intimate setting enhanced the experience because we felt closer to the action. I won't spoil much, but prepare for skateboarders and acrobatic tricks set against an indoor waterfall!
Additionally, I thought the comedy show was on par with comedians I've seen on Carnival, which are arguably funnier than Royal's standard line-up. Simeon Kirkiles had the entire comedy club laughing for his entire set!
Thoughtful stateroom upgrades
Overall, I was impressed with the changes to Royal Caribbean's cabin experience. The bathroom, in particular, was a major upgrade compared to ships as new as Wonder of the Seas. I've never seen a standard shower that large and functional before!
I was also impressed with the storage. Though just two of us in the room, we had plenty of space leftover — and we're huge over-packers. The redesigned storage space felt more functional and helped us keep everything organized throughout the week.
Next time, however, I think I'd opt for an ocean-view room, even if it didn't have a balcony. I had previously cruised in interior-facing cabins on Oasis and Allure of the Seas, but I didn't remember how much the lack of privacy bothered me.
Because we kept the curtains closed so often when changing and sleeping, the cabin didn't get as much natural light as expected.
That said, our travel agent quoted us over $6,000 for an ocean-view balcony, which seemed outrageous for a weeklong Caribbean cruise. Instead, we opted for the more affordable Neighborhood GTY fare, which cost around $3,800. We figured that we'd still have a balcony and wouldn't be in the room much to care.
It was the right decision because the cheaper stateroom gave us a more flexible budget to splurge on add-ons like drink and dining packages, Wi-Fi, shore excursions, and onboard merchandise, bringing our total spend to over $7,400.
Quality dining options, both complimentary and specialty
I'll be the first to admit that I think Royal Caribbean's complimentary dining has gone downhill in recent years. When we booked Icon, I wanted to minimize my time in the dining room, fearing that sailing on the largest cruise ship would mean rushed service and underwhelming food.
We booked the Unlimited Dining Package for $665, and phew, did we get our money’s worth. From juicy filets at Chops Grille to tasty shrimp tostadas at Pier 7 and tender lobster tails at Hooked, we never felt like we were eating on a cruise ship.
By the fourth day, however, we realized our eyes were much larger than our stomachs. Though I don't think I'd get the Unlimited Dining Package again (three days is plenty!), Icon of the Seas should definitely be on any foodie's radar.
There are also enough complimentary options to completely avoid extra-cost restaurants, ranging from the brand-new AquaDome Market to El Loco Fresh, the Pearl Café, Sorrento's, the Main Dining Room, the Windjammer, Basecamp, and Surfside Bites.
Icon of the Seas is easily the best ship in the Caribbean right now. Even without kids, we were constantly entertained, whether listening to music in Lou's Jazz 'n Blues or staying up for the balloon drop in the Royal Promenade.
For our first time on Icon, I think we experienced as much as we could, even overexerting ourselves at times. If we were to return, we'd take things at a slower pace, perhaps spending two days ashore instead of three.
That said, Legend of the Seas in Europe is not on our radar. Between exploring Mediterranean cities and taking advantage of everything the ship has to offer, I think'd we quickly wear ourselves down. When it comes to port-intensive itineraries, we prefer smaller ships since the vessel is not our primary focus.
How early you book a cruise can have a big impact on your vacation cost.
Last-minute cruise deals used to be a fantastic way to score big on a vacation. However, the demand for cruises is so high that Royal Caribbean is focusing on combating high last-minute bookings by rewarding early planners. As a result, last-minute cruise reservations are going to be more expensive than in the past.
During the company's first quarter earnings call on April 29, Royal Caribbean Group (RCG) President and C.E.O. Jason Liberty shared how 86% of the 2025 cruise inventory is booked. Not only that, but the 2026 booking window is about one week shorter.
"Our booked position for 2026, at this point, is in line with the same time last year on a volume standpoint...So we obviously have more capacity next year and at higher prices," Liberty said.
Why Royal Caribbean's comments mean you should book a 2026 cruise now
New cruise bookings aren't slowing down. In fact, the company is seeing strong demand for its products, ranging from short getaways on Utopia of the Seas to port-intensive cruises aboard Celebrity's upscale ships.
Consequently, those planning a 2026 cruise shouldn’t assume there will be availability in a few months. With more ships, higher prices, and a shrinking booking window, delaying your booking could mean missing out on your preferred itinerary or cabin category.
"Bookings for 2025 have remained on track, cancellation levels are normal, and we continue to see excellent close-in demand," said Liberty.
Royal Caribbean's recording bookings continued into April, with Liberty reporting that RCG's bookings were greater than the same period last year.
Still not convinced? Here are 3 reasons you should consider planning your 2026 cruise as soon as possible.
The demand for cruise vacations is higher than ever
The first quarter results reveal that the company's profits blew past expectations, indicating RCG is seeing strong demand for its cruise products. As such, its full-year guidance was raised.
According to data released during the call, about 2.2 million passengers sailed with RCG during the first quarter of 2025, which is roughly a 9% increase year over year.
Plus, guests part of one of the brand's three loyalty programs — the Crown & Anchor Society, Captain's Club, and Venetian Society Program — accounted for about 40% of the company's bookings in 2024.
A high return rate is good because loyal cruisers are likely to book direct and spend 25% more per trip than non-loyalty members.
Cruise ship inventory is fixed. As inventory drops, prices tend to increase since cruise lines can't magically conjure up extra cabins on a floating vessel.
Fares can change at a moment's notice based on demand. So, as more cabins for a specific sailing are reserved, the cost of the remaining inventory increases.
More often than not, the most attractive rates for a sailing are when new deployments are released, as you'll find the widest selection of staterooms.
Additionally, as Liberty talked about during the call, Royal Caribbean isn't slashing fares at the last minute as much anymore because the demand for its products is so high.
"We see...an uplift in demand as we get very close in. Not only do we see an uplift in demand, we're also about to raise our pricing during that period of time," Liberty explained.
With last-minute bookings driving revenue gains in the first quarter, Royal Caribbean is leaning into strong consumer interest rather than discounting to fill ships. Part of that means maintaining a high level of price integrity to protect the brand's reputation and long-term revenue goals.
In other words, discounting cruise fares isn't done at random. It's a strategic decision to avoid frequent price fluctuations that could undermine customer trust or devalue the brand.
This means that booking a 2026 cruise now is probably going to be more affordable than waiting six months or more.
You may also want to start considering 2027 sailings, as cruise itineraries are typically released around two years in advance. Right now, Caribbean and Bahamian voyages through April 2027 have been uploaded to Royal's site and are available for booking.
Booking early means you have more cabins to choose from
While scoring a lower deal is obviously one of the biggest advantages to booking your cruise earlier rather than later, another major benefit is having a wider selection of cabins.
If you wait until the last minute, you are at the mercy of the leftover cabins, which are typically some of the least desirable rooms onboard, such as those at the front of the ship (terrible for guests with motion sickness) or near a loud public venue (like the casino).
Suites are usually the first stateroom category to sell out, as there are fewer suites on ships compared to standard cabins. As such, if you want to reserve a suite for a celebratory cruise, you'll want to start thinking about your 2026 cruise now.
Adjoining cabins for larger families are in high demand, too.
By booking now, you are locking in a better rate and ensuring you can reserve the best cabin for your travel party, whether a multi-story suite or an affordable interior stateroom near Adventure Ocean.
Royal Caribbean Group's capacity is expected to grow 5.5% in 2025 with the introduction of Star of the Seas and Celebrity Xcel, as well as a full year of Utopia of the Seas and Silver Ray in service.
The demand for RCG's unique product doesn't seem to be slowing down, meaning that there will be fewer last-minute cruises available.
Cruises with last-minute availability will also be priced higher than you might expect to counter the demand, allowing the company to maximize revenue while encouraging cruisers to plan ahead.
Smart cruisers will go ahead and plan their 2026 cruise to take advantage of today's pricing and reserve their ideal cabin.
It wouldn't hurt to look at early 2027 cruises, either.
Select cruise ship passengers booked on an upcoming sailing received quite an offer from Royal Caribbean if they'd consider changing their ship or sail date.
The email from Royal Caribbean doesn't say why they're offering cruisers substantial incentive to change their plans, but it's been a tactic in the past for opening up cabins.
Oversold cruises aren't as common as oversold flights, but they do happen. As a result, cruise lines try to rectify the situation with refunds, future travel credits, and other rebooking options.
Royal Caribbean reached out to guests on Allure of the Seas' May 15, 2025, voyage to see if anyone had flexible travel plans.
"Ahead of our Allure of the Seas, May 15, 2025, sailing, we are looking to see if you and your travel party have flexible travel plans," reads an email sent to confirmed passengers.
"If your plans are set in stone, please mark this email as 'read,' and gear up for your upcoming adventure - although, there are some pretty sweet options below."
Three options with a full refund
It appears as though only certain stateroom categories were oversold on Allure of the Seas' May 15 cruise, as the first option lets guests move to a "beautiful interior stateroom."
"We'll move you to one of our cozy Interior staterooms and Royal Caribbean International will fully refund your current booking, including any non-refundable deposit for Allure of the Seas," says the email.
Additionally, guests will receive $200 USD in onboard credit per stateroom to use during the 7-night Western Mediterranean cruise.
The second option lets passengers move to Odyssey of the Seas' May 18, 2025, cruise from Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy, to the Greek Isles and Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey.
According to the email, "You'll receive a complimentary transfer to the Odyssey of the Seas sailing you selected in the same category you previously booked. The complimentary transfer covers your cruise fare for the new sailing only and excludes taxes, fees & gratuities."
Moreover, Royal Caribbean will fully refund the reservation for Allure of the Seas.
The last option is for those who aren't satisfied with the other choices and prefer to cancel their booking altogether.
Passengers on Allure's May 15 cruise who decide to cancel will receive a 100% refund, as well as a 100% Future Cruise Credit (FCC) to use on another Royal Caribbean sailing departing by May 15, 2026.
Guests who select option two (Odyssey) or three (full refund + FCC) will also be reimbursed for non-refundable, pre-purchased travel expenses, including hotels and flights.
Those interested in changing their booking must submit their reservation details through a special survey link by May 7, 2025. Call centers can't process inquiries over the phone.
Then, Royal Caribbean will directly reach out via phone or email and send an updated booking invoice to your email.
If guests don't hear back from Royal Caribbean by May 8, they will remain booked on the existing Allure of the Seas voyage to Naples, Italy; Barcelona, Spain; Palma de Mallorca; and La Spezia, Italy.
Allure of the Seas just received over $100 million in upgrades and is sailing to Europe for the first time since 2015
After being indefinitely postponed during the pandemic, Allure finally received her long-awaited Royal Amplication.
New features include a renovated resort-style pool deck with the Perfect Storm waterslides, a Splashaway Bay aqua park for kids, two hot tubs on Deck 16, and The Lime and Coconut bar.
That's not all, though. Playmaker's replaced Sabor Modern Mexican on the Boardwalk. Now, guests can enjoy casual bar bites in the sports bar setting steps away from the new Ultimate Abyss dry slide.
The Mason Jar is another new specialty restaurant on Allure of the Seas with southern-inspired dishes (think Lobster n’ Crawfish Gumbo and Smoky Deviled Eggs), live music, and unique cocktails.
Royal Caribbean also added the Pesky Parrot, a new bar that first debuted on Utopia of the Seas, as well as a shaved ice bar near the FlowRider surf simulators.
Additionally, over 100 cabins were added to Allure, ranging from standard staterooms to spacious Sky Class suites with 200-degree ocean views.
Royal Caribbean is going to offer a one-of-a-kind cruise it never usually has.
Typical Royal Caribbean cruises are on right around 7-nights, with longer sailings getting up to two weeks.
However, the cruise line is going to step out of its usual assortment of cruises with an epic, 25-night repositioning cruise aboard Quantum of the Seas.
Sailing from Los Angeles to Brisbane, this isn't your typical cruise. Royal Caribbean sees it as a bucket-list adventure as it combines coastlines, tropical islands, and two continents.
Quantum of the Seas will depart Los Angeles and then visit Catalina Island, California, before making their way to Hawaii. Even better? The itinerary includes an overnight stop in Oahu (Honolulu).
From there, Quantum will continue its journey across the Pacific Ocean, calling at Raiatea, French Polynesia; Papeete, Tahiti; and Moorea, French Polynesia before finally arriving at her new home — Brisbane.
This is all part of Australia's new 2026-2027 deployment that was released today.
Two Quantum Class ships — Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas — sail from Australia, offering guests the opportunity to explore stunning destinations while experiencing the familiar Royal Caribbean standard of service and innovation.
Itineraries will depart from Sydney and Brisbane, Australia, and sail to Australia, New Zealand, and the sun-soaked South Pacific islands.
Quantum will sail from Brisbane, while Anthem's seasonal homeport will be Sydney
Quantum Class ships aren't new to the South Pacific. As such, it's not a surprise that Royal Caribbean is doubling down with two of its most popular vessels for the 2026-2027 season.
These ships are some of the most innovative at sea, offering skydiving simulators, robot bars, multi-purpose indoor spaces, enclosed observation capsules, and more.
While the ships themselves are destinations, they're even more special when combined with a bucket-list-worthy itinerary.
Another noteworthy itinerary is Anthem of the Seas' 18-night cruise from Oahu (Honolulu) to Sydney. Many of the ports are the same as Quantum's lengthier Transpacific cruise, making it an appealing option for those who may not have nearly a month to spare on a cruise.
Prices for Quantum's Transpacific journey start at a staggering $2,292 per person. However, this breaks down to less than $90 per night when sailing in a windowless interior stateroom. Comparatively, Anthem's 18-night cruise starts at $1,896 per person, or roughly $105 per night.
Of course, those looking to cruise to Australia and beyond will be more interested in the coastal and island-focused sailings from Sydney and Brisbane.
Sample itineraries include:
11-night New Zealand cruise on Anthem of the Seas: Departs Feb. 1, 2027
9-night South Pacific cruise on Anthem of the Seas: Multiple departures
8-night South Pacific cruise on Quantum of the Seas: Multiple departures
8-night Queensland cruise on Anthem of the Seas: Departs Jan 24, 2027
4-night Airlie Beach cruise on Quantum of the Seas: Multiple departures
The new Australia cruises are open for booking now
Royal Caribbean's 2026-2027 Australia deployment is open for booking. You can either book directly through the cruise line's website or contact your travel agent for assistance.
Waiting on one more deployment
Royal Caribbean is set to release its October 2026 - March 2027 sailings from Singapore sometime the week of May 12, 2025.
This is the last deployment for the 2026 - 2027 schedule.
Two of the biggest cruise companies in the world shared different outlooks on how they see the rest of the year going.
On April 29, Royal Caribbean Group released its first quarter results, revealing the company is seeing strong demand for its products, ranging from Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas to Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Ascent.
"Bookings for 2025 have remained on track, cancellation levels are normal, and we continue to see excellent close-in demand," said Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO, during the company's Q1 earnings call.
Record bookings continued into April, with Liberty reporting that the company's bookings were greater than during the same period last year.
However, Norwegian Cruise Line's first quarter results weren't as positive.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) posted its earnings the very next day. Revenue for Norwegian came in at $2.13 billion, below the estimated $2.15 billion as per data compiled by LSEG. This means that the company's quarterly revenue declined 3%, marking the first year-over-year decline since the second quarter of 2021.
Norwegian also reported adjusted profit of 7 cents per share, below estimates of 9 cents. Consequently, NCLH's stock tumbled 9%, as reported by Reuters.
The company warned of weak consumer spending on pricier voyages, citing growing concerns about a possible recession that may be affecting spending.
One area they are seeing softness in is European cruises.
“[Europe] was actually booking really, really well till about a month or two ago. And then the American consumer seemed to be a little skittish about doing far-from-home travel,” CEO Harry Sommer told CNBC.
Now, the annual net yield is expected to increase between 2.0% and 3.0%, compared to its earlier forecast of 3.0%. In contrast, Royal Caribbean raised its annual profit forecast.
Despite the disappointing Q1 results, Sommer believes the cruise industry has an advantage during economic turmoil because of the value proposition compared to land-based vacations.
“You know, you may have a weak month, a weak quarter, but consumers continue to take vacations,” Sommer said. “It’s sort of one of their God-given rights, and they enjoy them...they come back.”
It's probably going to cost you more than ever if you wait to book your cruise vacation.
Historically, last-minute cruises were a great way to score a cheap family vacation. While there was always a risk involved, the reward was often worth it. However, Royal Caribbean is changing that narrative.
Instead of slashing fares to fill empty cabins, Royal Caribbean is focusing its combating high last-minute demand while trying to prioritize early bookings and build a stronger fan base. This represents a significant change for travelers who have scored big at the last minute.
"We see...an uplift in demand as we get very close in. Not only do we see an uplift in demand, we're also about to raise our pricing during that period of time," said Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean Group's C.E.O., during Royal Caribbean Group's first quarter earnings call on Tuesday, April 29.
He continued to talk about last-minute bookings driving revenue gains in the first quarter, and that trend is continuing into the second quarter, particularly among loyal cruisers who are big spenders.
While Royal Caribbean's last-minute fares might be higher than you remember, Liberty wants to maintain a high level of price integrity, which helps protect the brand's reputation and long-term revenue goals.
"We are very religious about price integrity," he said, "We've been through different cycles before, and ensuring that we have a high level of price integrity is very important."
Though they also have different promotional tools that help stimulate demand, Liberty wants to focus on making sure that whatever they're putting into the marketplace won't impact the integrity of the brands.
In other words, discounting is done carefully and strategically to avoid frequent price fluctuations that could undermine customer trust or devalue the brand.
Loyal cruisers are spending more
Members of Royal Caribbean Group's loyalty programs accounted for roughly 40% of the company's bookings in 2024. This is good news to the brand, as if you have been on a Royal Caribbean cruise, you're likely to spend more on your next sailing.
According to Liberty, loyal cruisers are likely to book direct and spend 25% more per trip than non-loyalty members.
Plus, cross-brand bookings between Royal Caribbean Group's three brands — Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Silversea — are increasing.
86% of the 2025 cruise inventory is booked
Demand for this year is strong. If you haven't booked your summer vacation, your options are narrowing, and prices are likely climbing.
With limited staterooms left and a high demand for the remaining cabins, waiting could mean settling for less desirable itineraries or higher costs. Worst case scenario? The sailing you've been eyeing sells out.
Looking ahead to 2026, Liberty said the booking window is about one week shorter, which is being driven by close-in demand.
"Our booked position for 2026, at this point, is in line with the same time last year on a volume standpoint...So we obviously have more capacity next year and at higher prices," he said.
Icon of the Seas is known for being the largest cruise ship in the world. Not only is her size record-breaking, but she's also the first cruise ship to have a dog living onboard full-time.
Rover is an adorable golden retriever who has been sailing the high seas since she was a puppy. Known as the "Chief Dog Officer," Rover's duties include meeting passengers, strolling through Central Park, and making visits to the Bridge.
On a recent cruise aboard Icon of the Seas, two families bid for a private session with Rover during the Make-A-Wish auction.
"We got to have the private session [with Rover] by winning the Make a Wish Auction on the second day of the cruise. In case you aren't aware, Royal Caribbean has a partnership with Make a Wish and does special auctions on each cruise for a variety of experiences / perks," Chalker explained on a Royal Caribbean Blog discussion forum.
"On Icon of the Seas, a private session with Rover is usually one of the items. We got into a small bidding war with another family, but stopped bidding at $300. The cruise director then offered both our families sessions with Rover if we both made a $300 donation. We quickly agreed."
On Day 6, the family met Rover's handler outside of Spotlight Karaoke, where they were escorted to a private room for 25 minutes.
"Rover had a ton of energy and was sniffing all over the place and loved rolling around and being petted. We got to spend about 25 minutes total with them, asking lots of questions and getting pictures and videos taken with Rover," they continued.
Afterward, Chalker decided to share what they learned about Rover. Here are 19 facts about the cutest dog at sea!
1. Rover is almost two years old
Icon of the Seas' crew went all out for Rover's first birthday party. According to an Instagram reel shared to Rover's official account, she was groomed before her celebration, sporting a party hat and a colorful bandana.
The crew-only area was decorated with balloons and plenty of sweet treats. Rover even got her own dog-friendly cake! Of course, she also received tons of pets and brand-new toys.
Her second birthday is quickly approaching! It's an exciting one because she'll finally be allowed to have plush toys.
2. She joined the ship when she was 6 months old
Rover has been living on Icon of the Seas for most of her life. While she wasn't part of the overseas action in Finland or Spain, she joined the crew in Puerto Rico ahead of the official christening ceremonies in January 2024.
Before boarding Icon, Rover spent time aboard Freedom of the Seas. She needed some experience at sea before joining the world's largest cruise ship!
Thankfully, she has great sea legs and has hardly had any issues during rough weather.
3. Rover's handler has the best job in the world
"Rover's Chief of Staff" is responsible for taking care of her. When Chalker met Rover, her handler had been onboard since Sept. 2024 and was preparing for vacation. Rover's first Chief of Staff was Alison Hubble, who had been with Royal Caribbean for six years before joining Rover's team.
"Another crew member was ‘in-training’ to take over and would be moving into the cabin in the near future," Chalker explains, "This position is highly competitive due to the perks that come with it (i.e. the cabin, the duties, and schedule). It only goes to staff [who] have spent a significant amount of time on Icon and already know and interact with Rover a lot."
4. Royal Caribbean has a partnership with the American Humane Society
Rover's role as Chief Dog Officer was created in consultation with animal welfare experts at the American Humane Society.
Today, the American Humane Society conducts regular visits and inspections to ensure Rover's health and well-being.
5. As such, Rover can only "work" for a set number of hours daily
(Credit: JohnK6404/Royal Caribbean Blog Discussion Board)
The guidelines mandate that she can only work a maximum of two to three hours per day in 20-minute shifts.
These measures ensure Rover has time to relax, enjoy playtime, and receive proper care at sea. "The rest of her day is doing normal 'dog' stuff," Chalker says.
6. She doesn't like big crowds
Measuring over 248,000 gross registered tons with a passenger capacity of 7,600, one might assume that Rover is a social puppy who doesn't mind large crowds.
However, according to Chalker, Rover is quite the opposite. As such, she typically makes unscheduled appearances in quieter areas, like Central Park and the Overlook.
7. Rover is a 3 Stripe Officer
Because of her rank, she gets to live in a special suite with enough space to play and sleep — in one of three different beds! Rover also has plenty of toys and activities available to keep her entertained.
The cabin itself has windows, a spacious living area, a large desk for her handler, a separate bedroom, and a specially designed crate.
8. She spends a lot of time in the crew areas
While one of her primary duties is to bring joy to guests, the crew loves her just as much!
"She regularly visits the bridge and the captain loves her. The crew in general love[s] interacting with her through the day, such as in the crew café area," says Chalker.
"There are certain areas she can also run around, such as the helipad, where she regularly plays fetch."
9. Rover gets off the ship in Miami
Icon of the Seas sails 7-night itineraries to the Eastern and Western Caribbean, returning to Miami every Saturday.
When Icon is docked in Florida, Rover disembarks for regular vet visits and to see her groomer. Not only that, but she loves going to the beach, outdoor parks, and even the mall!
"She’s sometimes recognized as Rover by people walking around Miami," Chalker adds.
10. She has a few costumes
While Rover doesn't dress up often, she has a Captain's hat, pirate costume, reindeer costume, and various bandanas.
Additionally, when Chalker met Rover, she was wearing a cute skirt that was designed to look like a mermaid tail.
11. Rover loves fetch and tug-of-war
In fact, she loves playing so much that crew members can't say "ball" or "tug" in front of her! Whenever the crew is talking about fetch or tug-of-war, they have the spell the words out.
She gets so excited that she thinks it's time to play and will wait by certain doors since the games are only allowed in specific areas, such as the helipad.
12. She has a special life vest
Cruise ships have enough life vests for all passengers (and dogs)!
Similarly, like all guests, Rover has a muster station to report to in case there's an emergency. According to Chalker, "Her muster station is by the giant dog statue on the Royal Promenade."
13. There's a dedicated pet relief area onboard Icon of the Seas
The area is on Deck 5 along the walking track near the front of the ship and is a comfortable space for Rover to take care of her needs at sea.
Chalker explains that, "It’s got what looks like a raised bed garden planter in it with what looks like wood chips or similar that is a dirt simulant."
14. She loves treats and is typically hand-fed
Rover's Chief of Staff always has a fanny pack on them filled with Rover's food, which is why you might see her nibbling throughout the day. However, she does get other treats, including carrots and bananas.
In fact, she's quite the fan of carrots. One day, her Chief of Staff asked the Galley crew if Rover could have a spare carrot on the floor. They said no and disappeared into the cooler, returning with a clean, full-sized carrot for the pup!
"Rover thought this was the most amazing thing and was strutting around with the carrot in her mouth like a stick or bone for a while (they clearly didn’t want Rover to have to settle for a ‘scrap of carrot’)," explains Chalker.
15. She's smart and responds to hand signals
Before Rover joined Icon of the Seas, she underwent extensive training. For example, not only does she know how to sit on command, but she loves posing and waving for the camera!
During their private session, Chalker got a short video of their family and Rover waving to the camera at the same time.
16. Royal Caribbean allows service animals onboard
Whenever there's a service dog onboard, the Chief of Staff is notified because Rover isn't a fan of smaller dogs, as they're usually aggressive around her.
She's been introduced to the Toto puppet for the onboard production of The Wizard of Oz and was confused because, though it looks like a small dog, it didn't smell, sound, or move like one.
17. Rover has a traditional dog collar
Crew members have special ID tags that are different from standard guest SeaPass cards. Rover, however, wears a traditional dog collar with a tag revealing her name and phone number.
Her Chief of Staff said they want Rover to have a unique crew ID but haven't been able to get one yet.
19. Star of the Seas will also have a Chief Dog Officer
Sailor was born in February and is growing up fast! She's opened her eyes, taken her first steps, learned to play with her friends, and had her teeth start growing in!
While Sailor still must undergo training before she can assume her role as Chief Dog Officer aboard Star of the Seas, she's proving to be just as adorable as Rover!
19. Rover won't stay on Icon forever
While Rover enjoys living her life aboard Icon of the Seas, she's only expected to remain onboard until she's 5 or 6 years old.
Then, she'll be adopted by a loving family to live out the rest of her life in a "normal home environment," rather than at sea visiting ports in the Caribbean.
According to Chalker, there's already a long list of interested adoptees eager to welcome Rover into their homes when she retires.
Royal Caribbean has rules against reserving chairs, but that isn't stopping people from flagrantly taking up chairs.
Chair hogs are a perfect sea day's nightmare because as soon as you get to the pool deck, you realize there's no where to sit.
A cruiser aboard Utopia of the Seas took to Reddit to share their frustration involving chair dogs during a recent sailing.
The post revealed that by 8:30am, all lounge chairs had been "taken" (i.e., claimed with Royal Caribbean's blue pool towels) near the splash pad and three pools.
With over 300 comments, the post quickly gained traction, with some wondering why Royal Caribbean isn't enforcing its time policy, as it's a common problem on ships within the fleet.
"I watched a group of ladies go out at 9 am and put their towels out for the family ( 10 loungers) and use the toppers that say 'No reserving lounge chairs' to secure the towel to the lounger. And a staff member up above watching, doing nothing," wrote pennynv.
"They did not actually use the seats till 1pm. Pissed me off. Some people are so entitled."
Albuwhatwhat added that these people aren't just reserving chairs for fifteen or twenty minutes. They're claiming the seats and going to breakfast or worse, back to bed.
(Credit: LongroddMcHugendong/Reddit)
"Royal staff have policies against this but it just isn’t being enforced. I was on a cruise 3 weeks ago where we went swimming at 9am and only maybe 6 other people were there but every single lounger was 'claimed,'" they explain.
Because of the cruise line's lack of action, others suggested moving the towels yourself
ConsiderationFun7511 added that they've never seen Royal Caribbean enforce its time policy for reserving chairs and have often taken matters into their own hands, saying, "Last cruise I went on, I watched a 'claimed' chair in the solarium be empty for a full hour. Shoes and towel. No one came back to the chair in that time, so I moved the stuff off to the side onto a different chair..."
"Probably 30-40 mins after we’re sitting there, a teen girl and her bf come in - from outside of the solarium- and she aggressively starts asking if I moved her stuff. I said nope, sorry!"
Others chimed in, claiming that it's easy to "mistake" your spot for someone else's when all the towels look the same.
DrPanda82 commented, "Pick the seats you want, move that stuff to the lifeguard desk, enjoy."
"I would toss it all to the side. This isn’t assigned seating. These are not their chairs," added AZMadmax.
One Reddit user suggests that Royal Caribbean should add more cubbies around the pool deck
While chair hogs are obviously frustrating to guests who want to utilize the pool deck on vacation, it's difficult for the crew to keep an eye on every lounge chair, especially on mega-ships like Utopia of the Seas.
Cubbies are often available near waterslides, such as near The Blaster on Navigator of the Seas and the Category 6 Waterpark on Icon.
However, one Reddit user thinks the chair hog situation would improve if there were more places for guests to safely store their belongings, rather than throwing them on the ground.
"I wish the ships had a [cubby] system. You put your glasses, bag, towel, whatever in the [cubby] and the seats are for actively sitting/sunning," says ArtisanGerard.
They added that as long as they're free, they felt like they'd be used. ArtisanGerard even said they would use an open cubby without a door or lock, "not like a chair is [safer]."
Tips for beating chair hogs
If you unfortunately encounter chair hogs during your cruise vacation, consider these tips to make the most of your sea day.
First, though you would think that getting up earlier would secure a prime spot on the pool deck, LongroddMcHugendong's Reddit post reveals that others are thinking the same thing, with most chairs being taken by 8:30am.
Instead, consider staying onboard one port day. With fewer guests on the ship, you can take advantage of relatively empty pools, shorter buffet lines, and more.
Additionally, look for chairs away from the pool. Freedom of the Seas, for example, has a ton of lounge chairs overlooking the ship's wake near the FlowRider.
You could also opt for a later dinner time and enjoy the pools once the majority of passengers return to their cabins to freshen up.
On my recent Wonder of the Seas cruise, my partner and I decided to eat dinner in the Windjammer and enjoy fewer crowds in the hot tubs, and it made for a memorable night, even if we skipped the theater show.
A more expensive option would be to rent a casita, though I think private cabanas are a waste of money. I rented one while on Celebrity Ascent last summer and wasn't impressed.
While the shaded seating area was nice, it was too windy to fully enjoy it. Plus, the "exclusive" food menu wasn't much better than the seafood buffet.
Casitas on sea days can cost as much as $300 or $400, making them a pricey investment.
However, if you enjoy exclusive benefits, booking a suite with access to a private sundeck may meet your needs. In addition to the sundeck, cabins within the Royal Suite Class include an exclusive dining room, priority boarding, and more.
One Royal Caribbean performer lost their job for over 6 months due to a visa disaster.
Lera, an artistic swimmer from Russia who had worked on Royal Caribbean ships for 6 years, lost a contract when she didn't get her visa renewed in time.
While working on cruise ships, she had been sharing behind-the-scenes videos of what it's like to be a crew member on her social media, with her YouTube channel amassing nearly 9,000 subscribers.
Last year, she realized her visa was close to expiring, so she went to the U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas during a port day.
"Spoiler alert: This was the worst decision ever," she says in a video shared to her YouTube channel.
Lera booked an appointment for March 25 and brought all the required documentation, including proof of a new contract offer.
She claims this interview was different compared to other ones. She was asked questions about whether she was traveling to the U.S. for personal reasons and exactly how many days she planned to be in the country.
"At the end of the interview, I thought, 'That's it. I'm fine. Everything is good,'" Lera explains. However, she was given a piece of paper and told that her documentation needed to be sent for administrative processing.
She began researching what administrative processing was, learning that it's an extra background check. Still, she never learned why her application was flagged or how long the process would take.
(Credit: YouTube/Lera Synchro)
"Believe me, I am doing everything legally. I'm working with one of the biggest cruise ship companies in the world. I never break any rules," she remarks.
Unfortunately, her hope quickly faded when she discovered a chat with other foreigners going through similar issues — some had been waiting for years!
"No visa means no contract, no work, no nothing...My whole life is built around my contract"
(Credit: YouTube/Lera Synchro)
Reading comments about other people who had been waiting 2 to 3 years consumed her, and Lera started to feel down. Because she didn't have a visa, her next contract was canceled.
"I was feeling so sad because everybody in my cast started receiving contracts," she says.
Her husband, Mario, also refused his contract because they didn't want to spend 10 to 11 months without seeing each other.
(Credit: YouTube/Lera Synchro)
While they want to settle down and have a family, she claims it's different when you're choosing to make that decision versus when you're forced to do it.
The last month of her contract wasn't as happy as expected. Not only was she sailing through Europe, which was a dream, but her parents came on board.
"I was just so exhausted. I was trying to process everything...My whole life is performing on a cruise ship," she confesses.
However, she had accepted her fate by the very end, saying that she remembers telling herself to enjoy her last show.
Once the contract ended, she returned to Russia and spent time with her family, but she spent a lot of time lying in bed and thinking about her next steps.
With time, she began to feel better, celebrating her 30th birthday:
(Credit: YouTube/Lera Synchro)
"I am healthy. I have my husband. I have my family and friends...I will be okay."
After her birthday, she visited Colombia and kept emailing the Embassy
After six months of waiting, she finally received an email instructing her to return to the Bahamas, but not revealing whether she would receive her visa or not.
Initally, Lera booked an Airbnb for five days. Because of the lengthy process, though, she spent over two weeks in the Bahamas. She couldn't leave because the Embassy had her passport.
"Honestly, those two weeks [were] the worst," she says. Since she wasn't there on vacation, she was constantly anxious.
(Credit: YouTube/Lera Synchro)
She finally received her passport but was disappointed to learn that she had only been granted one visa. Lera didn't get the visa needed to travel to Miami, Florida, for rehearsals. Royal, however, assured her that everything should be fine.
She got a contract to work aboard Allure of the Seas
Lera was excited to be working aboard Allure of the Seas, an Oasis Class ship that just re-entered service after a $100+ million revitalization. Still, after getting the visa and contract, she felt everything was too good to be true.
With rehearsals scheduled to begin in late February, she started planning her life around her new contract. Her gut feeling was right, as she received an email saying immigration rules had changed, and she couldn't travel to Florida without a tourist visa.
Lera claims she's the "most controlling person ever," yet she had no control over her life.
She felt lucky that Royal wanted to continue working with her
(Credit: YouTube/Lera Synchro)
Instead of revoking her contract, Royal agreed to let Lera travel straight to Allure. She was supposed to leave at the end of March ahead of Allure's April 11 voyage, but she needed to obtain a Schengen visa.
This added another complicated layer to her already tight travel timeline, especially since she says that right now isn't the best time for Russian citizens to obtain visas. Because she was still in Colombia, she needed to return to Russia to apply.
"I don't know who cursed me. Please, can you lift that curse? I cannot handle this anymore," she half-joked.
After applying for the visa, she was stuck in yet another limbo, waiting for the country to return her passport.
Though they had confirmed her passport had been mailed, they didn't disclose whether she was granted the right visa. Without the Schengen visa, she couldn't work on Allure of the Seas, which is where her husband is working.
In the meantime, she tried to keep herself busy by rehearsing using videos sent to her of the choreography, utilizing her phone and laptop to watch the other casts' movements.
"I'm trying to keep my head high and hoping that I will get the Schengen visa," Lera says.
She doesn't end the video on a negative note
(Credit: YouTube/Lera Synchro)
With hopeful music playing in the background, Lera opens up a package containing her passport. She's shaking and scared.
However, she quickly breaks down into tears when she realizes she got the necessary Schengen visa.
"I did not expect to react like that...I'm going to a ship!" she happily remarks. If you're sailing on Allure of the Seas this summer, keep an eye out for Lera, who is ready to return to work on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship!
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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