A person that went overboard from a cruise ship in Europe was successfully rescued.

A person was reported going overboard while sailing on Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas shortly after departing Barcelona, Spain. 

Just hours after setting sail, guests reported hearing "Oscar, Oscar, Oscar" over the ship's PA system, which is the code for man overboard. 

X user @landonb94 posted that he could see spotlights and rescue boats from his balcony. 

Thankfully, the individual was rescued and taken to the ship's medical facility. 

The incident occurred on the first night of Symphony of the Seas' 14-night transatlantic cruise

Symphony of the Seas' 2023 European season has come to an end. She departed Barcelona on Sunday, October 29 to begin her repositioning sailing to Florida, where she will remain until May 2024. 

The individual fell overboard after departing from Barcelona while en route to Valencia. 

Other scheduled ports of call during the voyage include Cadiz, Spain and Nassau, Bahamas. She'll arrive in Fort Lauderdale on November 12. 

The ship turned around, and after about an hour of search and rescue efforts, the Captain made an announcement that the person had been successfully recovered.  

No details have been given about the individual who went overboard

Royal Caribbean has not announced whether the individual who went overboard was a crew member or passenger. They also have not disclosed their gender, age, or any other details, such as why they went overboard in the first place. 

A full investigation will need to happen to determine if there are any safety violations. 

This is not the first time someone has gone overboard during a Royal Caribbean cruise

Back in April, an Australian man went overboard while sailing onboard Quantum of the Seas from Australia just two days before the ship was scheduled to arrive in Hawaii. A few months later in July, a woman cruising to Singapore on Spectrum of the Seas went overboard. 

On August 29, a 19-year-old guest sailing onboard Wonder of the Seas went overboard on a Caribbean cruise. 

According to CruiseJunkie's website, there have been 60 passengers who have gone overboard on Royal Caribbean ships since 2000, not including this recent incident on Symphony of the Seas. 

Oscar, Oscar, Oscar

Cruise ships have a variety of code words for different situations to avoid alarming guests. "Oscar, Oscar, Oscar," for instance, lets other crew members know that someone has gone overboard.

"Alpha" means there's a medical emergency and is typically followed by a location, such as Deck 11 Aft. 

Royal Caribbean also uses "Charlie, Charlie, Charlie," to alert the crew of a security threat onboard.

Not all cruise lines use the same codes. If you hear "Alpha Team, Alpha Team, Alpha Team" on a Carnival ship, there is a fire onboard, rather than a medical emergency. 

Another milestone in the construction of Royal Caribbean's first Icon Class cruise ship will occur this weekend.

"We've been getting Icon ready for her second sea trials. Now it's almost time to wish her a safe journey and successful sea trials!" wrote Meyer Turku's Facebook page. 

"Icon is scheduled to leave for the second sea trials this Saturday evening." 

While at sea, Icon of the Seas will have certain features and systems tested that cannot be done when she's docked. This is to ensure everything is working properly upon her delivery to Royal Caribbean. 

Related: Icon of the Seas sneak peek: Inside Royal Caribbean's next new ship

What happens during a ship's sea trials? 

Sea trials are tests of a cruise ship's navigational and technical systems. This is the final part of cruise ship construction prior to delivery. Sea trials range in duration, and there may be either one or two sessions. 

Icon of the Seas' first round of sea trials took place in June 2023.

During her four days at sea, she traveled hundreds of miles and had her main engines, hull, brake systems, steering, noise, and vibration levels tested. Onboard were 450 specialists who helped run the tests on the ship’s technical areas. 

During this second round of sea trials, Icon of the Seas will be pushed to her limits. 

Lucky coin ceremony

Have you ever heard of the lucky coin ceremony? When a ship's kneel is placed into the dry dock during construction, coins are placed beneath it as a symbol of good fortune. 

Traditionally, the coins are collected when the ship is floated out; however, Icon of the Seas' were nowhere to be found!

They were recently discovered by divers who were cleaning the ship's hull in preparation for the second round of sea trials, revealing that they were never actually lost. Instead, they had been stuck to the bottom of the ship. The coins were collected and sealed in a special box.

"Project manager Olli Jantunen says that Icon of the Seas has the most powerful lucky coins ever, and they certainly brought luck to Icon on her sea trials, where all tests were completed with great results," said Meyer Turku's Facebook page

Less than four months until her maiden voyage

Icon of the Seas is scheduled to depart Miami, Florida on January 27, 2024. 

Through at least April 2025, she will remain in Miami and continue to make 7-night voyages to the Caribbean. 

The 250,800 gross registered ton vessel will take the title of world's largest cruise ship from Wonder of the Seas. In fact, her launch will mark the first time in roughly five years that an Oasis Class ship will not be the largest in the world. 

Icon of the Seas will be joined by Star of the Seas in the summer of 2025. A third Icon Class ship is set to launch in 2026; however, she does not have a name yet. 

Before they talked any financials, the first comment from Royal Caribbean Group CEO was to condemn the terrorist attacks on Israel. 

Royal Caribbean Group held its quarterly earnings call on Thursday, and while Wall Street was curious about disruptions in the business from the attacks, Jason Liberty was quick to share his support to Israel and its people. 

"Before we begin today," he began, "I would like to first acknowledge the devastating events taking place in the Middle East." 

Liberty strongly proclaimed that the "horrific terrorist attacks" that have claimed "so many innocent lives" have "no place in civilized society." 

He also took a moment to recognize the efforts of the team onboard Rhapsody of the Seas, as they worked with the U.S. Department of State to aid in the evacuation of Americans from Israel. 

As a result of the attacks, some Royal Caribbean Group sailings were disrupted.

"About 1.5% of our capacity in the fourth quarter had planned to visit Israel," said Jason Liberty, CEO of Royal Caribbean Group.

"Most of the impacted deployment was quickly adjusted, including a few sailings that were home porting in Haifa."

There were fewer APCDs, or "available passenger cruise days," due to the cancelation of the rest of the sailings from Israel this cruise season; Rhapsody was scheduled to sail from Haifa to the Greek islands through early November.

What is the effect on demand for 2024?

In 2024, the capacity for sailings to Israel accounts for less than 1.5%, with all of Europe accounting for 15% of their capacity. The vast majority of capacity will be on sailings in North America, whether that's to the Caribbean, Bermuda, Alaska, or Canada/New England. 

According to Liberty, the growth that Royal Caribbean has seen has been across all of their markets. 

While the situation in Israel "could potentially weigh on a consumer's psyche...it's not something that [Royal Caribbean] is seeing at this point in time."  

"We're beginning to book for next year. Trends continue to be very strong. But it is, you know, it is early in the European season for us to start calling out that there's no impact from Israel," said Liberty. 

Typically, consumers want to stay within the ecosystem of Royal Caribbean, whether that is on a cruise throughout Europe or one that visits elsewhere in the world. If there is a decrease in demand for European cruises, a consumer will most likely just shift where they want to go, rather than completely abandon the idea of taking a cruise with Royal Caribbean. 

Overall, the demand for cruises has only increased

"The performance of our business continues to accelerate, driven by strong demand and excellent operational execution," remarked Naftali Holtz, Chief Financial Officer at Royal Caribbean Group.

In addition to demand for 2023 and 2024 sailings, Royal Caribbean is seeing folks make bookings into 2025 and 2026. 

"Our visibility in terms of how the consumer is looking at things going forward, at least on a vacation experience on our incredible brands," said Liberty, "is pretty good based off of where the consumer is standing today."

Outside of Europe, cruises to Perfect Day at CocoCay, the cruise line's private island in The Bahamas, have seen an elevated demand.

This is due in part to brand-new experiences, such as Hideaway Beach, opening to the public, as well as it being a port of call on every itinerary on both new Royal Caribbean ships launching in 2024: Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas. 

A brand-new water slide is set to open at Perfect Day at CocoCay's Thrill Waterpark in 2024. 

The Family Flume Water Slide will be able to accommodate groups of 2-4 people at a time and will be part of the Splash Summit Tower, where you can currently find the Sling Shot family raft slide, Splash Speedway mat slide, and Twister tube ride.

Royal Caribbean Blog reader Bobby Southard visited Thrill Waterpark last weekend and noticed a new pole. While initially a new ride was just speculation, the addition of the new water slide has been confirmed by Royal Caribbean International.  

"We are very excited to add another amazing addition to Thrill Waterpark for families and friends to enjoy together," said Neva Heaston, Director of Private Destinations for Royal Caribbean International.

The ride, whose name has not been announced yet, will use the same raft as the Sling Shot.  

Royal Caribbean is also working on adding a new staircase for the Splash Speedway, which will provide direct access to the mat races, improving the flow and convenience of Thrill Waterpark since mat riders won't have to mix with raft riders. 

Related: 10 things you didn't know about Perfect Day at CocoCay

What is Thrill Waterpark?

Thrill Waterpark opened as part of Royal Caribbean's $250 million renovation of the island in 2019. It's an extra-cost activity, meaning that it's not included in the cost of your cruise fare. 

You're still able to enjoy the island without purchasing admission to the waterpark, which usually ranges from $89 to $169 per person. It does not include admission to other areas like Coco Beach Club and the adults-only Hideaway Beach. 

If you want, you can splurge on a cabana rental inside of Thrill Waterpark. Included in the cost is admission for up to six guests, as well as a cabana attendant, a lush sectional sofa, two resort-style chairs, power outlets, towels, and complimentary water bottles. 

The price of admission varies depending on what ship you are sailing on, as well as when your cruise is set to commence. Like other add-ons, Royal Caribbean uses dynamic pricing to determine the cost. 

Currently, there are eight different slides for guests to enjoy. There's also a wave pool, which is the largest one in the Caribbean, and an obstacle course pool named Adventure Pool that has lily pads, a rope swing, a rock wall, and more. 

Daredevil’s Tower is one of the two different towers that's home to five different slides, including  Daredevil’s Peak. This is currently the tallest waterslide in North America at 135 feet high! 

Splash Summit is the other tower where the new ride is being constructed. It will live alongside of the mat racer slides, family raft ride, and tube slide. 

If you do decide to visit Thrill Waterpark, you'll want to try and ride the slides before 11:00am or after 3:00pm for the shortest wait times. You're free to come and go as you please, so you can spend the early morning and later afternoon in the park while still having time to explore the rest of the island and grab a bite to eat at the Chill Grill for lunch. 

The 1990s was the decade when cruising reached the masses, and it's the decade that would see Royal Caribbean launch so many cruise ships that would come to distinguish it to this day.

Royal Caribbean International, which was founded as Royal Caribbean Cruise Line in 1968, has some of the world's largest cruise ships at sea today. When they started, however, their first ship only measured around 23,000 gross registered tons!

By 1991, the company had considerably grown and touted a fleet of seven ships, including Monarch of the Seas, who made her grand debut that year. 

To think about the growth of cruise ships throughout the 90s, Monarch of the Seas measured around 73,900 gross registered tons, while Voyager of the Seas, the first-ever Voyager Class ship that launched in 1999, measured over 130,000!

Have you ever wondered what it was like to sail onboard a Royal Caribbean ship in the 90s? TikTok user @tikittytalk posted a promotional video from 1991 that gives a glimpse into what cruising then would have been like. 

Read more: Photos show what it was like to cruise on Royal Caribbean in the 1980s

The original video is small and grainy, but you get the idea of what it looked  like to cruise in the early 1990s on Royal Caribbean.

The video starts with passengers boarding in San Juan, Puerto Rico

Guests embarking on this specific voyage departed from San Juan on a Sunday evening.

As soon as they stepped foot onboard, they were waited on hand and foot. Crew members wearing white gloves are shown assisting passengers with their carry-on luggage. 

Some onboard amenities weren't that different

On the ship, guests could visit the salon to be pampered. Plus, the narrator states that everyone was "wined and dined virtually around the clock," with the Main Dining Room featuring a different international flavor each night. 

This is pretty similar to today, as Royal Caribbean launched new menus in January 2023 that highlight a different cuisine and cooking style each night, from Caribbean flavors to upscale French cuisine and even Mexican and Asian dishes! 

Aside from that, it's easy to find food (and drinks) around the clock while onboard Royal Caribbean ships. While newer ships have the most complimentary options, you'll always find a Windjammer Marketplace (aka the main buffet) and 24/7 cafe onboard even the oldest vessels, such as Grandeur of the Seas. 

The video then cuts to a cabin attendant preparing a cabin for guests 

Do you remember when Royal Caribbean cabin attendants used to leave nightly chocolates in your stateroom? 

Unfortunately, this, along with twice daily service, is no longer offered. Today, you are asked by your attendant when you'd like your cabin to be attended to. You may tell them in the morning or evening; however, they will not service your stateroom twice anymore.  

Moreover, the video shows this specific cabin attendant dressed as though they're headed to formal night. While cabin stewards are still required to wear a specific uniform, they are much more casual today. 

It is also interesting to think about how most cabins only had a window! Promotional videos today tend to show a balcony or multi-level suite. Back then, however, this was not the case. Suites were not as large, and there were very few, if any, standard balconies onboard. 

Monarch of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's ship that launched in 1991, only about 5% had private balconies onboard. 

In comparison, Wonder of the Seas, who currently holds the title for largest cruise ship in the world, has over 2,000 staterooms, including suites, with balconies onboard, which amounts to roughly 70%. 

Read more: What happened to Royal Caribbean's first cruise ships?

On sea days, you could expect a lot of fitness-related activities to be offered

On the top deck of the ship, Shipshape Aerobics were offered in the morning. According to the narrator, "They [were] a great way to get warmed up for all the activities ahead."

Plus, attending these classes would help you earn Royal Caribbean shipshape dollars, which were good for t-shirts and other prizes! Additionally, they'd have morning walkathons. 

While the fitness center onboard Royal Caribbean ships is known as the Vitality Fitness Center, it was called the Shipshape fitness center in the 90s. Inside, guests could find free weights and access the most popular machines, much like you can do today!

Alternatively, you could start your day with breakfast in the Windjammer Cafe

Whether you wanted to work up an appetite or sleep in, the narrator claims that you could "enjoy a nice leisurely breakfast with friends at the casual but captivating Windjammer Cafe,...which presents a decor that's as refreshing as the meals it serves you."

Today, you will not find indoor waterfalls inside the Windjammer, but that does not mean it still is not a great place to go to enjoy a quick breakfast before heading ashore. 

There weren't any shops or bars lining a single main thoroughfare 

Instead, you could browse through the shops of the Centrum. The popular Royal Promenade wasn't introduced until Voyager of the Seas launched in 1999. Before then, the main hub of the ships was the Centrum, which can still be found onboard some older Royal Caribbean ships today, such as Vision of the Seas and Jewel of the Seas. 

The Centrum onboard Royal Caribbean ships is an open air area that spans several decks of the ship. In the middle, you'll find a set of elevators, and various bars, lounges, shops, and dining venues are spread out on the higher decks overlooking the Centrum. 

The narrator says that you can find anything from designer fashions to elegant fragrances, fine arts, and souvenirs. 

The TikTok ends by talking about developing film

That's right! At one point, you could have film developed while onboard a Royal Caribbean cruise. You could even buy cameras and film if you forgot either at home!

Today, you can still buy cameras like Go Pros to use during your trip. However, they're pretty costly. 

Moreover, professional photography services were offered in the 90s, too.

When the Royal Caribbean team was in the process of designing Icon of the Seas, it was important that they cook up dining experiences for every type of traveler. 

Onboard, you'll find over 40 different food and beverage experiences, meaning that every single day and night of your vacation can serve up a different vibe. 

Maybe one night you'll want to splurge on the swanky Empire Supper Club, while the next you'll want to dine under the stars at the complimentary Park Cafe! 

"Our incredible team, they're bringing different types of fare across each neighborhood. I think our guests are going to look at all this variety of dining and beverage as almost an adventure," said Jason Liberty, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean will offer swanky supper club and food hall on new Icon of the Seas when it launches

In order to curate experiences for everyone, the Royal Caribbean team spent a lot of time planning and testing equipment, recipes, designs, and more 

In addition to consumer research, the Royal Caribbean team spent about two years traveling to top cities for research, including New York, New Orleans, Las Vegas, Barcelona, and more. 

Linken D'Souza, Vice President of Food and Beverage for Royal Caribbean International said, "In our research, our guests told us they were looking for convenience, choice, and variety, as well as the ability to have lots of different opportunities to dine differently while on vacation. And so on Icon of the Seas, we have over 40 food and beverage venues, with over 20 brand new experiences." 

These vary from easy and simple to those that are sophisticated and classy. "Anything that you want to experience as it relates to dining is available on Icon of the Seas," remarked Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean International's President and CEO. 

There were over 100 showcases, which Rebecca Burns, Senior Manager of Restaurant Operations for Royal Caribbean International described as opportunities for the operators to set the stage and tone to see the space, where the ingredients, dishes, and experiences were tested. 

Jennifer Goswami - Director of Product Development for Royal Caribbean International said, "Dining on Icon will be so multifaceted, so we took the best of everything we've learned. And we've really evolved it for Icon."

What does all this mean? There are options for everyone, whether it's an adults-only night out to kid-friendly grab-and-go spaces. 

New dining spots onboard Icon of the Seas

Empire Supper Club

The Empire Supper Club is a super premium dining experience that will feature amazing music, dining, and beverage pairings. This eight-course meal will cost $200 per person and take three hours. With each dish, there will be a small cocktail pairing that matches the ingredients. 

Onboard Allure of the Seas, Royal Caribbean converted 150 Central Park into the Empire Supper Club to test how well all of the aspects of the experience worked together. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean's most expensive specialty restaurant ever will take 3 hours and cost $200 per person

AquaDome Market

Within the AquaDome Market, Royal Caribbean's first-ever food hall, guests will find five food stands with options for all guests, including those who are gluten-free and vegetarians. The five different stands are Feta Mediterranean, Mac's, Toast and Garden, GNGR, and Crème de la Crepe. 

Crème de la Crepe will serve sweet and savory crepes, including yummy breakfast options with eggs and hash browns. GNGR will feature Asian dishes, while Toast and Garden will serve salads and sandwiches. 

Mac and cheese lovers will love the mac and cheese stand, Mac's, where they can order specialty mac and cheese dishes topped with things like pulled pork, broccoli, and more. 

Feta Mediterranean is where you can go to get fresh pitas and Mediterranean bowls. 

Surfside Eatery

Surfside Eatery is one of three brand-new dining experiences within the stay-all-day neighborhood for young families, where you'll also find three water experiences, the first bar for kids and adults, and more. 

Rather than leave the neighborhood to head up to the Windjammer, Surfside Eatery is another complimentary buffet option that's been designed for families! Here, you'll find fun stencil pancakes (i.e., those cut to form smiley faces and more), as well as cookies with different designs!

Pier 7

The casual California specialty restaurant Pier 7 will serve brunch all day long. While mom and dad can enjoy a sit-down meal, kids can dine on their favorites, such as grilled cheese sandwiches. Plus, kids eat for free here! 

Surfside Bites

Those who want a quick snack will appreciate Surfside Bites, where you can go if you want something grab-and-go. This pick-up window will serve handheld options. 

Izumi pick-up window

Speaking up pick-up windows, Icon of the Seas will be the first ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet to have a grab-and-go Izumi window. Located in Central Park, there is where guests can go to grab sushi, hot gyoza, and soft serve bubble cones for a refreshing afternoon sweet treat! 

Basecamp

Thrill Island is where you'll find the record-breaking Category 6 Water Park. Of course, you will need to be able to fuel yourself, so you don't run out of energy. 

Basecamp, the outdoor, fast-casual eatery located in Thrill Island is where you can grab a quick bite to eat before returning to the Pressure Drop for the second (or third) time.

It's also a place where you can meet up with friends and family to talk about all the surrounding activities. Maybe you're traveling with a multigenerational party. 

A lunch at Basecamp will allow your teenagers to fill in their grandparents on all the exciting things that they've been up to while eating things like waffle chicken nuggets topped with hot honey, smash burgers, crispy shrimp bao buns, and more. 

Pearl Café

Located in the Royal Promenade, Pearl Cafe will feature elevated options compared to the Cafe Promenade found onboard some other ships. Don't worry, though, it'll still be open 24/7, meaning that you'll always be able to grab a complimentary sandwich, ready-made salad, and more at any hour!

You'll also be able to enjoy both complimentary and specialty coffees. 

The Grove

The Grove is an al fresco buffet that will only be available to those staying in Star and Sky Class suites, as it's located in the suites-only area. It's another dining option in addition to Coastal Kitchen; however, it'll be much smaller, with a capacity of only 38 passengers. 

Celebration Table

Celebration Table will be kind of like an elevated Chef's Table. This fully rentable private dining room inside of Hooked Seafood will be able to seat twelve guests. 

There will be four different family-style prix fixe menus to choose from: American, Asian, Seafood, and Italian. You can also personalize and upgrade the selections, too. 

Returning favorites

Onboard Icon of the Seas, there will be many fan favorites available for passengers to enjoy, including Playmakers, El Loco Fresh, Hooked, Sugar Beach, Sorrento's, and Coastal Kitchen. 

However, many returning dining venues will have their own flare compared to other ships in the fleet. You can expect to find new dishes, designs, locations, and more! 

Chops Grille

For the first time, you'll be able to hand-select your cut of meat at Chops Grille thanks to the impressive butcher's display. 

Izumi

Have you ever wanted to enjoy sushi al fresco? Izumi is being relocated to Central Park onboard Icon of the Seas. Plus, there will be more hibachi tables to allow even more guests to enjoy a fun teppanyaki experience. 

Trellis Bar

Also returning to Central Park is the Trellis Bar. This beloved meeting point will, for the first time, have a menu for those who want to enjoy some snacks at the bar. Some potential offerings include beef tartare, mac and cheese poppers, crab cake fritters, steak bites, and crispy truffle fries. 

Park Café

In addition to the legendary Royal Kümmelweck roast beef sandwich, guests can expect to find new breakfast, lunch, and -- yes -- dinner sandwiches, as the Park Café onboard Icon of the Seas will be open later than on other ships in the fleet. Plus, there will be new salads, too.

Giovanni's Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar

Located on Deck 6 in the Royal Promenade, the new location of Giovanni's Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar will allow diners to be connected to the action of the main thoroughfare. It will be the first time that Royal Caribbean will feature a specialty restaurant in the Royal Promenade, too!

Main Dining Room

A staple onboard every Royal Caribbean ship, the three-story Main Dining Room onboard Icon of the Seas will have a special kids' menu where they'll be able to see their options, as well as fold and play with it after making their decisions! 

Read more: First look at Royal Caribbean's new main dining room menus

Windjammer

Kids will love the Windjammer as it'll feature a "Kidjammer." In other words, a section of the Windjammer has been designed with children in mind, and they will find yummy treats like cake pops, as well as kid favorites like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and chicken fingers. 

A milestone in the construction of Celebrity Cruises' fourth Edge Class cruise ship has begun.

On September 27, Celebrity Ascent departed from Saint-Nazaire, France to begin her sea trials. 

"It’s always a great emotion for anyone who worked on a cruise ship to see it take the sea for the first time," wrote Saint-Nazaire Renversante on Facebook. 

"Today the #CelebrityAscent left for 4 days of sea trials before returning on September 30th to #SaintNazaire. Its delivery and departure are scheduled for early November. We'll keep you informed."

Celebrity Ascent sails the open ocean for the very first time

Over the course of the next few days, Celebrity Ascent will have certain features and systems tested that cannot be done while she's docked. 

Sea trials are an important part of the construction process of any cruise ship, as they allow for certain navigational and technical systems to be tested. It's the final stage of construction prior to the ship being delivered to the cruise line. 

Sea trials range in duration. When Icon of the Seas underwent her first round of sea trials earlier this year, she spent an entire week at sea. Celebrity Ascent, however, is planned to return on September 30 after only four days. 

In addition, sometimes, there can be two different sessions. 

Fourth ship in the cruise line's innovative Edge Class

While Celebrity Ascent is not part of a brand new class of ships like Icon of the Seas, she is part of Celebrity Cruises' most innovative class of ship yet. 

Sister to Celebrity Edge, Apex, and Beyond, the launch of Celebrity Ascent means that guests have more opportunities to sail onboard an Edge Class vessel. 

“First launched in 2018, the Edge Series transformed what cruising could be and its ships like Edge, Apex, and Beyond quickly became consumer favorites," said Laura Hodges Bethge, Celebrity Cruises’ President.

"Continuously striving to offer travelers a better way to enjoy travel and reach the world around them, we are so proud of what we have built and look forward to welcoming both seasoned and new cruisers alike.” 

Of course, many Edge Class favorites will return, such as the state-of-the-art theater, Rooftop Garden, resort-style pool deck, adults-only Solarium, Sunset Bar, Magic Carpet, the Grand Plaza and Martini Bar, and three-story Eden Bar and Restaurant.

To make this brand-new ship stand out, there will be new and refreshed experiences. In other words, cruising onboard this ship will be different from any other ship in the class!

In terms of dining, guests can expect to find a redesigned Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud, a plant-based tasting menu at Eden Restaurant, high-end bourbon tastings at Craft Social, an expanded Martini Bar menu, and a refreshed complimentary Cosmopolitan restaurant. 

Moreover, Blu, the exclusive restaurant dedicated to AquaClass guests, will have an outdoor terrace with the ability to seat 24 guests.

Other aspects of the cruising experience will be enhanced, too, such as the theater's original production shows, the addition of interactive digital experiences in the Club, new immersive shows in Eden Bar and Restaurant, and a redesigned casino that will feature brand-new games. 

Those looking to shop will appreciate the Sunset Collection by Nate Berkus, which is a collection of travel and home accessories that can only be found onboard Celebrity Ascent!

Where will Celebrity Ascent sail to?

Celebrity Ascent is going to begin her maiden season sailing throughout the Caribbean before she embarks on a transatlantic voyage to spend her summer in Europe.

Whether you want to bask in the warm Caribbean sunshine or experience culturally rich European cities, there's the perfect itinerary for you to choose from if you want to sail onboard Celebrity Ascent within the first year of her launch. 

Her maiden voyage is slated to set sail on December 3, 2023. It will be a 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise that will visit St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and Puerto Plata.

There's a chance that Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises will be merging their loyalty programs in the future. 

The Captain's Club is the cruise line's program that rewards cruisers for showing loyalty to Celebrity Cruises. After your first cruise with the brand, you'll start earning points to move up the ranks of their program.

During a Captain's Club webinar sent via email on September 26, Celebrity Cruises President Laura Hodges Bethge answered questions sent in from loyal Celebrity fans, including some about Perfect Day at CocoCay, the future of "All Included," vaping in the casino, and potential changes to their loyalty program.

While no definitive answer was provided, members of Celebrity Cruises' Captain's Club and Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society may be able to consolidate their statuses in the future. 

Is Celebrity Cruises considering the possibility of consolidating Royal Caribbean Group loyalty programs?

Andrea Shay, AVP of Loyalty for Celebrity Cruises, took the reign on this question, responding by saying, "I'm so glad that this question came up, and it's something that members are asking for."

"We have some status match between the brands today, but there's such a huge opportunity for us to do more and really take advantage of the connection and us being part of the same family."

According to Shay, the status match doesn't thread the three Royal Caribbean Group brands together, so they're working with their sister brands. Hopefully, more will be revealed in the coming months. 

Celebrity Cruises' current status match program

By status matching, cruisers are able to receive comparable benefits from Celebrity's Captain's Club when sailing onboard Royal Caribbean ships. 

You won't, however, be able to match your status with Royal Caribbean until you become a Select member, which corresponds with the Platinum tier of the Crown & Anchor Society. 

When you become an Elite member, you'll level up to a Diamond Crown & Anchor member. This is the highest tier you will be able to match into. 

Likewise, if you are matching into Celebrity's Captain's Club through the Crown & Anchor Society, Platinum and Emerald members will be able to benefit from Select benefits, while those Diamond and become will get those of an Elite member. 

With the status match program, you don't earn points when sailing on a sister brand. So, for instance, if you are a Diamond Crown & Anchor member through points, sailings on Celebrity Cruises won't help you move towards Diamond Plus status. 

Similarly, you won't earn any Crown & Anchor points if you embark on a 14-night transatlantic cruise onboard a Celebrity ship. 

What kinds of benefits do Elite Captain's Club members get?

To become an Elite member, you'll have to earn 300 points. Earning points is based upon a couple of factors, such as the length of your cruise and cabin category that you sail in:

• Inside or ocean view: 2 points per night
• Veranda: 3 points per night
• Concierge Class and AquaClass: 5 points per night
• Sky Suites and Aqua Sky Suite: 8 points per night
• Celebrity, Signature, Royal, and Sunset Suites: 12 points per night
• Penthouse, Reflection, and Edge Villa: 18 points per night
• Iconic Suite: 24 points per night

This means that it is possible to earn Elite status after three cruises if you book a Penthouse, Reflection, or Edge Villa. 

Elite members get a private continental breakfast, access to private events, priority tender access, 20% off any bottle of wine, 15% discount on drink package or premium drink package, a complimentary cocktail hour from 5-7pm, and more. 

What perks come with Royal Caribbean's Diamond tier?

Once you reach 80 cruise points, you'll become a Diamond member with the Crown & Anchor Society. This is when you begin unlocking some pretty lucrative benefits, such as daily drink vouchers, a free day of internet, a complimentary photo, and more. 

This means that if you are an Elite member with Celebrity thinking about taking your first-ever Royal Caribbean cruise, you'll be eligible for the same perks. 

Note that typically you earn a single cruise point for each night sailed with Royal Caribbean. This means that if you go on a 7-night cruise, you'll get seven cruise points. 

You can earn an  extra point per night by staying in a suite, or double points for traveling solo. Those cruising alone in a suite will earn three cruise points per night. 

It would take 12 week-long cruises to become a Diamond member in standard cabins, or six if you're staying in suites or traveling solo. 

CocoCay, smoking in the casino and more

During the webinar, Laura Hodges Bethge mentioned that adding Perfect Day at CocoCay to Celebrity itineraries was an easy decision.

One thing that loyal guests were asking for was a private destination, and since Celebrity Cruises does not have their own at this point in time, this was the easiest and fastest way to make it happen for their guests. 

With Coco Beach Club and the addition of Hideaway Beach in January 2024, there's something for those seeking either a relaxed day at an exclusive beachfront beach club or for adults wanting a fun day away from children.

Moreover, Zenith members, those who have reached the highest tier of Celebrity's Captain's Club, are able to access The Retreat Lounge effective immediately.

She did note, however, that since this perks was initially pulled back due to volume and capacity issues, there may be times that Zenith members will be offered an annexed space, rather than getting access to The Retreat Lounge.

Finally, while they did a test onboard two ships to see if they would allow smoking in the casino, Celebrity Cruises figured out that the majority of passengers are against this. Therefore, the casino onboard Celebrity ships will remain a no smoking (or vaping) area. 

Even the most organized travelers should make a list of last minute things to do prior to their cruise vacation. You don't want to show up to the port and realize that you left an important document at home!

Plus, it is not as easy to run out and pick up something, like medication, if it were left behind. When you are on the ship, you are not a short drive away from a drug or megastore, such as Target or Walgreens. 

To save yourself the last minute panic, here are 12 last minute things that you should check off of your list before your next cruise vacation. 

1. Pack your passport or birth certificate and government-issued form of identification 

Being denied boarding would surely put a damper on your cruise vacation. Without a passport or birth certificate and government-issued form of identification, you will not be able to set sail. These documents are checked prior to embarkation, so it is crucial that you ensure that they're packed in your carry-on luggage. 

If you are going on a closed-loop cruise, or one that begins and ends in the same U.S. port, you are able to use a birth certificate. Sailings that are one-way or depart from outside of the United States, however, require that you have a valid passport. 

It is important to research what documents your specific cruise requires before you book. If, for instance, you book a last minute cruise from Anchorage to Vancouver thinking that you can sail without a passport, you are sure to be disappointed upon arriving at the cruise terminal. 

Read more: Guide to cruising with a birth certificate

2. Complete the online-check in process

If you have yet to do so, you will want to set aside a couple of minutes to complete Royal Caribbean's online check-in process, so you do not have to worry about it on embarkation day. 

The online check-in process opens 45 days prior to your cruise departure date, and it is recommended that you put a notification on your calendar of the exact date check-in opens, so you can complete it as soon as possible. This will ensure that you get your first pick of arrival times, too. 

To complete the online check-in process, you will need the following things on hand:

• Personal information (i.e., legal name, birthday, and address) for each passenger
• Identification document information for each passenger
• A picture of each passenger (note that there are requirements that the picture has to meet; any selfie won't suffice)
• Crown & Anchor Society membership number
• Credit/debit card to link to your onboard expense account

3. Get your favorite over-the-counter medications

If you are like me, then you probably have a preference when it comes to certain over-the-counter medications. I am a huge fan of Advil Liqui-Gels versus other types of pain relievers, so I always make sure that I have them packed for any vacation! Maybe you prefer Bonine over Dramamine to help cure symptoms of seasickness. 

Inventory is limited on a cruise ship. In other words, you won't find a fully stocked pharmacy onboard. Plus, the prices will be higher than what you would pay if you were to purchase everything beforehand at a store on land. 

The hope is that nobody in your travel party falls ill while on vacation. Life, however, does happen, and it is better to be prepared! This is why you should also make sure that you pack cold and flu medication, like DayQuil or Tylenol Cold + Flu, which will enable you to treat your symptoms at any hour of the day. 

Other first-aid-related items to pack are band-aids, including those intended to specifically treat blisters, cough drops, toothache gel, antacids for heartburn and indigestion relief, and eye drops. 

4. Print your cruise luggage tags 

Once you finish checking in for your Royal Caribbean cruise, you will be able to print your luggage tags. These help crew members know where to drop your suitcases off once they are loaded onto the ship. 

When you arrive at the cruise terminal, you will be greeted by porters, who will take your larger bags. While they have paper tags that are ready to be filled out, printing your own ahead of time will help streamline the embarkation process. The faster you get through the physical part of check-in, the sooner you will be onboard and officially starting your vacation!

Don't worry, though-- if you don't have plastic luggage tag holders, the porter will have a stapler on hand! They can, however, be purchased on Amazon for around $6 for a pack of four! If you plan on frequently cruising, they are a great investment, as luggage tag holders can be used time and time again on all your future Royal Caribbean sailings. 

Read more: 40 essential things to bring on a cruise

Please note that we have included a link to an Amazon item above, which contains an affiliate link. This affiliate link costs you absolutely nothing extra, but Royal Caribbean Blog makes a small commission if you purchase the item through it. 

5. Download the Royal Caribbean app

The Royal Caribbean app will be a useful tool during your vacation, even before it begins! Through the application, you can access your SetSail Pass, which is what is scanned prior to you getting on the ship since you don't get your SeaPass until you are able to access your stateroom. 

Once onboard, the app is where you will find the daily schedule with activities, restaurant times, and more. You can also use it to keep track of your onboard spending, connect to the ship's wi-fi, and book shore excursions and specialty restaurant reservations. 

Downloading the app ahead of time will allow you to get your bearings with it before you get to the cruise terminal.

6. Make any last-minute pre-cruise bookings through Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner 

Passengers are able to access Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner website up to 48 hours before their sail date, meaning that if it is the week before your cruise is scheduled to depart, you can still take advantage of booking cruise add-ons from the comfort of your own home! 

While options will be more limited (i.e., you probably won't be able to secure prime-time My Time Dining spots), you will not have to worry about spending time making reservations on embarkation day. 

While those who booked a dining package will have to wait in line, if you are just interested in one specialty restaurant, it would behoove you to book it ahead of time, as the lines can get relatively long on the first day with everyone scrambling to book the rest of their restaurants. 

Plus, onboard pricing will be more expensive! You can typically score a Royal Caribbean drink package for less by purchasing it in advance. Another benefit to doing so prior to your cruise is that you can begin taking advantage of it the second you step on the ship. 

Read more: Best shore excursion in every Caribbean cruise port

7. If Royal Caribbean's shore excursions don't appeal to you, research options offered by third parties

Hopefully you have your shore excursions lined up in advance. If, however, time slipped away from you, take some time to research each of the ports that you are visiting. Maybe your ideal excursion through Royal Caribbean sold out in advance, and you need to find a backup option through an independent tour operator. 

It is best to have all of this lined up before you board, especially if you are planning on cruising without internet access.

That being said, if you have booked any third-party excursions, make sure that you print out any documents that are needed in advance. You may want to write down the meeting point or phone number of the tour operator, too. 

8. Get cash from your bank

Your SeaPass card will act as your credit card while onboard the ship, meaning that you won't have to worry about keeping your cards or cash on you when making purchases at a bar or merchandise shop. 

While in port, however, you will need to have local currency. Some vendors will not accept credit cards, and even if they do, you might be faced with hefty foreign transaction fees. For that reason, it is always best to have cash on hand to help pay for things like taxis, local restaurants and cafes, museum entrance fees, beach chair rentals, and souvenirs. 

Cruise ships have ATMs onboard; however, they have some fairly expensive fees. If you find yourself in a situation where you need more cash, you can theoretically take money out via the casino by loading money into a slot machine. The amount you select will be charged to your onboard account. Then, you can simply cash out before actually gambling and visit the cashier.

9. Prepare your embarkation carry-on bag

As mentioned earlier, when you arrive at the cruise terminal, your larger bags will be collected by a porter.

This is why it is essential that you have a carry-on bag with you where you can keep your boarding documents (i.e., passports, birth certificates, etc.), as well as any medication, electronics, jewelry, and anything else that you want on your person. You won't have access to your bags until they are delivered later in the afternoon. 

For those traveling with children, pack some toys, light snacks (i.e., crackers or goldfish), books, diapers, and a change of clothes. You will want them to be entertained while you're waiting to finish the physical check-in process, as well as throughout the day before you're able to enter your cabin for an afternoon nap. 

10. Check the weather forecast

One of the most important aspects of pre-cruise planning is making sure that you are packing efficiently! 

The weather is something that's subject to change at any moment. Even if you checked it when you packed a week ago, you will want to check it one more time before heading out the door. Maybe a random cold front will be blowing in during your cruise to The Bahamas or it will be unseasonably rainy in the middle of June on your Alaskan cruise. 

11. Watch a tour of your ship on YouTube

The best way to acquaint yourself with your specific ship ahead of time, especially if it's a new-to-you class of ship that you've never sailed on before, is by watching a tour online. Here at Royal Caribbean Blog, you can find a tour of almost every ship in the fleet on our YouTube channel.

Of course, it is recommended to get a feel for the ship you are booking ahead of time. What if, for instance, you are hoping that it has a certain dining venue or onboard activity? You may be disappointed upon boarding to find that the ship you are on lacks the amenities everyone in your travel party was looking forward to. 

Even if you have done your research, ship tours will often reveal hidden secrets about the ship. Maybe there's a quiet space for you to escape the crowds, such as the shuffleboard alcove off the running track onboard Symphony of the Seas.

12. If you're an e-book user, download books ahead of time

There's nothing quite like catching up on your reading list while sailing on the open ocean. Cruise ships have libraries onboard, but the selection can often be limited. If you are in the middle of a certain series, you are better off either bringing your own copies or downloading them on your e-reader ahead of time, especially if you are foregoing wi-fi. 

If you are traveling with children, you'll want to ensure that you have their toys packed, too. While Royal Caribbean's onboard shops do sell some, the selection is limited to mostly branded options. Plus, they are on the pricier side!

Sometimes, Royal Caribbean has to make the tough decision to cancel a sailing because of weather. 

This happened recently for two cruises onboard Radiance of the Seas due to a problem with the ship's propulsion.

Unlike the mechanical issue that forced Royal Caribbean to cancel the sailings to Alaska, another cancellation has been made due to the weather. 

Those who were scheduled to depart on Vision of the Seas on September 23 were notified that their sailing has been canceled due to Tropical Storm Ophelia. 

Read more: All about Vision Class cruise ships

Royal Caribbean made the decision around 7:30pm EST on September 21. The update reads, "Along with our Chief Meteorologist, we’ve been closely monitoring a developing tropical storm bringing forecasted high winds and inclement weather in and around Baltimore, Maryland."

"Unfortunately, the weather will prevent us from safely conducting our upcoming cruise on Vision of the Seas, and we’ll have to cancel our September 23rd, 2023 sailing."

Nobody wants to hear that their highly-anticipated cruise has been canceled, and while compensation is never enough to heal the disappointment, it is a nice gesture made by the cruise line. 

Those who were supposed to set sail on Vision of the Seas tomorrow will receive a 100% refund, including taxes and fees, pre-paid packages and gratuities, amenities, shore excursions and any flights purchased through Royal Caribbean, and pre-purchased Royal Caribbean Travel Protection.

It will be refunded to the payment on file within 14 business days; however, they do say that some banking institutions may take longer.

If a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) was used to pay for the cruise, they will refund any new funds paid above the certificate amount. Plus, they will reinstate the original FCC certificate.

Moreover, everyone will get a 50% FCC to be used towards a future Royal Caribbean sailing that should arrive by September 29, 2023. The new cruise must be booked by December 31, 2023.

The 5-night cruise onboard the 78,340 gross registered ton vessel was scheduled to depart from Baltimore, Maryland and sail to Bermuda for an overnight stay. 

Read more: See how Royal Caribbean ships stack up by size (2023)

Where is Tropical Storm Ophelia 16 headed?

The National Hurricane Center released the newest forces for Tropical Storm Ophelia at 11:00am EST on September 22. Throughout this evening, tropical storm conditions are expected to impact parts of the southeastern and mid-Atlantic coast of the United States.

Swells generated by this storm system will affect the east coast throughout the weekend. Moreover, Tropical Storm Warnings have been put into place for portions of eastern North Carolina, as well as southeastern Virginia.  

Other impacts to Vision of the Seas

The forecasted weather conditions resulted in a cancellation of an entire cruise, rather than an adjusted itinerary as was the case for many cruises during Hurricane Lee.

In fact, Vision of the Seas was one of the ships impacted. Rather than depart Baltimore on September 14th, guests boarded the ship and set sail the following afternoon on September 15th. 

The September 9th sailing was modified, too. The ship returned to Baltimore one day earlier than scheduled. Moreover, rather than sail to Bermuda, guests cruised to Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau.