A passenger injured during a jet ski excursion at Royal Caribbean's private island has filed a lawsuit seeking damages of more than $5 million. 

Jessica Haro was sailing aboard Icon of the Seas when she participated in a beginner-level jet ski excursion at Perfect Day at CocoCay on December 20, 2024, the last day of the 7-night cruise, reported Cruise Hive. 

Haro joined 12 other passengers and two guides for the excursion. However, things took a turn for the worse during the activity. 

She claimed she suffered four spinal fractures and extensive internal injuries after being hit by one of the guides at high speed. According to Haro, some injuries are permanent and require extra medical expenses. 

Because of the extent of her injuries, Haro and her attorney, Justin Shapiro of Lessfield & Partners in Miami, filed a federal lawsuit against Royal Caribbean on February 10, 2025. 

“In the course of the jet ski tour, Royal Caribbean’s tour guide, who was hired to protect Ms. Haro, suddenly and recklessly crashed his jet ski into the rear of Ms. Haro’s jet ski at a high rate of speed while trying to pass her," reads the suit.

“The tour guide ultimately drove his jet ski over the top of Ms. Haro’s jet ski, causing a violent impact with Ms. Haro’s body."

The suit further reveals that Haro didn't have much experience operating a personal watercraft. 

However, she "...decided to book the guided jet ski excursion based on [Royal Caribbean’s] effort in marketing the excursion as being ideal for novice operators and that no experience operating a personal watercraft was necessary.”

Jet skiing is a popular activity in the Bahamas

Royal Caribbean offers jet ski tours at its private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. Since it is a private destination, there are no third-party operators to go through. 

According to Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner, the "Wave Jet Guided Tour" is a one-hour and fifteen-minute excursion where guests can ride alone or with a passenger. 

Each Seadoo can accommodate up to two passengers with a maximum combined weight of 375 lbs. The minimum age to drive a jet ski is 16, while passengers must be at least 10 years old.

"Beginners welcome - experienced guides will provide instructions and safety briefs to prepare you and your driver for the action," reads the tour's description. 

The excursion's details also warn guests not to consume alcohol before the tour, and passengers "with cardiac conditions, asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, other heart or respiratory conditions, or any other medical condition must take particular caution when selecting an activity with snorkeling/swimming elements since such water activities could be subject to adverse sea conditions such as high winds, waves, and sea current."

It's not recommended for pregnant guests, either. 

All passengers who willingly decide to book and participate in Royal Caribbean's jet ski excursion must wear life jackets and complete liability waivers releasing the company and its employees from actions “arising from any accident [or] injury” concerning the “rental, participation, use, or operation of” a jet ski."

Not the first jet ski incident at CocoCay

Years before CocoCay became Perfect Day at CocoCay, a passenger sailing on the now-scrapped Monarch of the Seas was also injured while jet skiing at the private island. 

In 2013, claimant Linda Arnold filed a suit and a complaint for damages, alleging that Royal Caribbean was liable for the injuries she suffered during a jet-ski collision while visiting the island in 2011. 

Arnold and her boyfriend, Glynn Daniels, began to slow down on their jet ski after catching up to the ski ahead of theirs. However, Arnold and Daneisl were struck by a jet ski operated by another passenger, and Arnold suffered injuries as a result of the accident. 

Royal Caribbean sought to limit its liability due to the liability waiver; however, a United States District judge ruled the waiver was void due to provisions that limited liability for personal injuries caused by negligence.

Royal Caribbean is ready to resume opening up new cruises to book in 2026-2027 in just a few days.

Cruisers can book new California sailings earlier thanks to Royal Caribbean's latest deployment schedule change. 

Royal Caribbean's deployment schedule refers to when the cruise line will open new sailings for booking. Each release is tied to a specific region, such as Short Caribbean, Europe, and California. 

California cruises from April 2026 to April 2027 will be announced during the week of February 10. However, the launch of new European cruises has been delayed to sometime during the week of February 17.

Last week, Royal Caribbean offered a preview of what's to come, including Serenade of the Seas departing from San Diego. Based on these test load sailings, here's what we can likely expect.  Keep in mind the exact line-up might differ, but this is our best guess.

The test load itinerary departs from San Diego on March 28, 2027, and stops in La Paz, Cabo San Lucas, and Ensenada, Mexico. 

Other sailings expected to debut include Voyager of the Seas, which will replace Navigator of the Seas. The Ports America Los Angeles website schedule shows Voyager arriving in California on October 5, 2026, with Navigator disappearing from the schedule in November. 

A test load itinerary revealed that Voyager of the Seas will offer an 8-night cruise from Los Angeles on November 5, 2026, with an overnight stay in Cabo. 

The California deployment will also unveil Royal Caribbean's plans for Quantum and Ovation of the Seas, both of which will debut in California in 2025.

The Quantum Class ships are larger than Navigator and Voyager of the Seas. Plus, they offer more modern amenities, including the North Star observation capsule, a skydiving simulator, and an enclosed SeaPlex, which features activities like bumper cars and roller skating.

Like with Voyager, the Ports America Los Angeles schedule shows Oviation on the manifest through December 2026. 

However, effective October 2026, it's hinted that Royal Caribbean will relocate Quantum of the Seas, leaving Ovation as the sole Quantum Class ship offering cruises from California. 

Royal Caribbean returned to Los Angeles after a decade-long break

The company's re-entry into the California market was successful. Executives confirmed that Navigator of the Seas' cruises have performed "exceptionally well." 

As such, Royal Caribbean is strengthening its presence on the West Coast by adding another departure port in California and introducing new ships sailing from Los Angeles.

The latest deployment changes

Royal Caribbean revised its deployment schedule at the end of January, placing new Australia cruises on hold. They eventually updated the schedule to give Australia cruises a new date. Now, they'll be released during the week of June 2. 

Another change affected the Seasonal Caribbean cruises, which were delayed from the week of February 24 to March 3. They were initially slated to launch around Feb. 17.

The newest update swapped Europe 2.0 and California cruises. 

What about Icon 3?

There hasn't been any published news about the third Icon Class ship, which is set to debut in 2026. 

However, Royal Caribbean typically doesn't include new ships as part of its regular deployment schedule. Instead, they usually have their own release. 

So, don't bank on the unnamed ship's release being part of the Europe 2.0, Short Caribbean, or Seasonal Caribbean launches. 

Royal Caribbean will likely release the ship's name and homeport, along with a special date exclusive to the new ship's bookings, separately.

Norwegian Cruise Line is betting big with its new mega-ship orders. 

The cruise line plans to debut its largest ship class in 2030. Weighing around 226,000 gross registered tons (GRT) with a passenger and crew capacity of more than 8,300, they'll join MSC Cruises in competing with Royal Caribbean's Oasis and Icon Class ships. 

MSC launched its first World Class ship in 2022 and a second, World America, will enter service in Florida in April, sailing from the line's brand-new Miami terminal. 

The four new Norwegian ships will be built by the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri. According to Reuters, a source close to the matter said the order was worth over $9 billion. The first of the four ships will be delivered in 2030, with the others in 2032, 2034, and 2036.

Fincantieri is responsible for some of Norwegian's newest builds, including Norwegian Aqua, which is slated to enter service in March. While Norwegian's Prima Class ships aren't the line's largest, they are NCL's most innovative. Norwegian Aqua, for example, will feature the Aqua Slidecoaster, the world's first hybrid rollercoaster-waterslide at sea. 

Currently, Norwegian's largest cruise ship is Norwegian Encore. The 6-year-old ship measures 169,116 GRT, is 1,094 feet long, and can hold 3,998 passengers at double occupancy. Norwegian Encore's gross tonnage makes her slightly larger than Quantum of the Seas, which comes in at 168,666 GRT. Quantum, however, is longer, stretching 1,141 feet.

Norwegian's ambitious mega-ship plans reveal that the line is stepping up its game to compete with the giants of the industry, and they aren't the only ones. 

Read more: How cruise ships got so big

Carnival Cruise Line also announced a new order for mega-ships

Carnival's three new vessels will measure around 230,000 GRT and have more than 3,000 cabins onboard, which is more than any other cruise ship at sea, surpassing even Icon of the Seas which has 2,805 staterooms. 

They will be the largest ships ever built by Fincantieri. The first is expected to be delivered in 2029, with the other two joining the fleet in 2031 and 2033. 

Carnival's largest ship, Carnival Jubilee, comes in around 183,000 GRT and is the line's third Excel Class ship. The Excel Class revolutionized Carnival's offerings, setting a new standard with innovative features an onboard rollercoaster, modern cabins, and more dining options than ever before. 

Still, they're a far cry from Royal Caribbean's mega-ships.

Royal Caribbean is known for having the largest cruise ships in the world

It's a title they've kept in the brand since Freedom of the Seas' launch in 2006. Less than four years later, Royal Caribbean redefined cruising with the launch of Oasis of the Seas in 2009. 

It was the first time a cruise ship measured over 200,000 GRT and introduced several innovative features like multiple FlowRiders, a zip-line, and a huge AquaTheater, setting a new standard for the cruise industry.

While Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class ships kept the cruise line in the news for over a decade, they once again shook up the game with Icon of the Seas in 2024. That's not all, either. Royal Caribbean is growing the Icon Class with Star of the Seas in 2025 and another ship in 2026. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean CEO explains why mega cruise ships are so popular 15 years after their inception

Royal Caribbean could be adding a new California homeport to its plans. 

Test loads for the upcoming West Coast deployment schedule to be released around February 17 reveal that Serenade of the Seas won't offer cruises out of Los Angeles. Instead, the 90,090 gross registered ton (GRT) ship will sail from San Diego, California. 

Royal Caribbean prepares for a new deployment with test loads, where they upload a few select sailings to their website. They aren't bookable, but they give passengers a preview of what to expect. 

Screenshots shared by Southern Dan on Royal Caribbean Blog's discussion board show Serenade offering a 7-night Mexican Riveria cruise on March 28, 2027, from San Diego. 

The test itinerary also reveals that Serenade will call at Laz Paz, Mexico, which is known for beautiful beaches teeming with marine life and a vibrant downtown with a 3-mile-long waterfront promenade.  

Cruises from San Diego aren't necessarily new. Royal Caribbean sometimes begins or ends Panama Canal voyages from the Southern California port. However, Royal doesn't offer regular sailings from San Diego. 

It's more commonly used by lines like Disney, Holland America, Princess Cruises, and Norwegian.

Other West Coast changes

Voyager of the Seas will supposedly replace Navigator as the year-round ship based in Los Angeles, though Royal Caribbean hasn't made an official announcement yet. 

The Ports America Los Angeles website schedule shows Voyager of the Seas arriving in California on October 5, 2026. 

Test loads seem to confirm Voyager's takeover with an 8-night cruise scheduled on Nov. 5, 2026, including an overnight stay in Cabo. 

Navigator of the Seas is on the schedule through Nov. 5, 2026. After that, the Voyager Class ship disappears from the manifest, whereas Voyager has departures listed through at least December 2026, along with Ovation of the Seas. 

Royal Caribbean already announced they're bringing Quantum Class ships to Los Angeles, with Ovation of the Seas offering regular voyages starting in June 2025. Quantum will join Ovation in October 2025. 

These cruise ships are larger than Voyager Class vessels and offer more modern amenities, including an enclosed SeaPlex, North Star observation capsule, and sky diving simulator. Plus, they're designed to operate in warm and cool climates. 

Effective October 2026, however, it appears Royal Caribbean will reduce to just one Quantum Class ship in Los Angeles, phasing out Quantum of the Seas.

Another test itinerary shows Ovation making a short 3-night cruise to Ensenada on October 16, 2026. 

Growing cruise market

After a decade-long hiatus from Los Angeles, Royal Caribbean's re-entry into the California market has proved to be worthwhile, with executives confirming that Navigator has performed "exceptionally well."

The itineraries to popular destinations in the Mexican Riveria have resonated with seasoned cruisers and newcomers who might not be interested in another typical Caribbean or Bahamian voyage. 

Plus, adding newer ships, like Ovation and Quantum of the Seas, will further strengthen Royal Caribbean’s position in the market. 

Upcoming deployments

There's a lot of exciting stuff forthcoming with Royal Caribbean's new deployments in the next few weeks. Already, they've announced their 2026 Alaska cruises, some of their 2026 European voyages, and Summer & Yearlong Caribbean Northeast cruises. 

Here's an updated list of the upcoming deployment schedule:

• Week of February 10: Europe 2.0
• Week of February 17: West Coast
• Week of February 24: Short Caribbean
• Week of March 3: Seasonal Caribbean
• Week of March 10: China
• Week of March 17: Singapore
• Week of June 2: Australia 

A piece of Royal Caribbean's early history is headed to the scrapyard. 

Royal Caribbean's former Song of America, which was once one of the largest cruise ships in the world, was retired in 2023 by Celestyal Cruises.

Song of America entered service for Royal Caribbean in 1982 as the cruise line's fourth ship. She was preceded by Sun Viking, Nordic Prince, and Song of Norway. 

The cruise ship initially offered Caribbean itineraries from Miami to Nassau, San Juan, and St. Thomas; however, she later added sailings from New York to Bermuda to expand the ship's appeal to a broader audience.

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

Celestyal Cruises acquired the cruise ship in 2014, though she departed Royal Caribbean's fleet in 1999 after being sold to Sun Cruises. After a five-year stint as the MS Sunbird, she was once again sold in 2004 to Louis Cruises, operating under the name MS Thomson for eight years. 

In 2012, she was renamed Louis Olympia and began offering cruises out of Piraeus (Athens), Greece, before Louis Cruise Lines re-branded to become Celestyal Cruises in 2014.

Celestyal Olympia sailed for Celestyal Cruises for about a decade before Celestyal sold her to a flag of convenience company which renamed her Bella Fortuna. Celestyal replaced the 40+-year-old ship with the former AIDAaura.

Bella Fortuna's name was eventually shortened to Fortu. On January 22, she departed the United Arab Emirates with her status listed as "to be broken up," according to The Maritime Executive. 

She's en route to Alang, India, home to the world's largest shipbreaking yard.

Read more: Photos show dismantled cruises in a cruise ship graveyard

When Song of America launched, she was the third-largest passenger vessel at sea

She also featured many firsts for the cruise line, including Royal Caribbean's iconic Viking Crown Lounge which provided 360-degree views around the ship. 

It was also the first time Royal Caribbean had put staterooms toward the front of the ship and public spaces near the aft so that the cabins were further from the ship's noisy engines. 

Plus, Song of America had two swimming pools, which had never been done before on any Royal Caribbean ship! That seems unheard of today with vessels like Icon of the Seas that feature upward of seven pools for guests to enjoy. 

Song of America catapulted Royal Caribbean into a modern era of cruising

“Every innovative maritime feature, every one of ‘tomorrow’s’ cruise concepts, will be part of Song of America today" is what the first preview brochure for Song of America said. 

Following Song of America, Royal Caribbean's committee overseeing the construction of a new ship argued for building a vessel that would push the boundaries even further in terms of size. 

Thus, Sovereign of the Seas was born. With a passenger capacity of over 2,600 guests, she could handle more than double what Song of America could accommodate. 

And as we all know, Royal Caribbean ships have continued to become larger and more innovative. I suppose we should expect nothing less from an industry leader who had big dreams in the 1980s, starting with Song of America. 

Read more: 8 ways Royal Caribbean changed the cruise industry

By 2027, almost every Caribbean cruise will visit one of Royal Caribbean's beach clubs or private islands.

In fact, Royal Caribbean said 90% of Caribbean passengers will visit one of their private destinations in 2027.

The company plans to grow its portfolio of private destinations in the Caribbean and Bahamas. The expansion will kick off with the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in December 2025. Additionally, a second private beach club in Cozumel, Mexico, is slated to open sometime in 2026. 

That's not all, either. Last year, Royal Caribbean Group announced Perfect Day Mexico in Costa Maya to compliment the wildly popular Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas. 

"With the introduction of Star of the Seas and Celebrity Xcel in the second half of the year, we continue to differentiate in the Caribbean market with our incredible ships and private destinations driving very strong performance," said Naftali Holtz, Royal Caribbean Group's Chief Financial Officer, during RCG's Q4 earnings call on Tuesday, January 28.

"Over 70% of guests on these itineraries sailing with the Royal Caribbean Brand will visit a private destination this year, and that percentage will increase to 90% in 2027."

Other lines simply can't match Royal Caribbean's private island experience and innovative ships

It's hard to believe that it has been over one year since Icon of the Seas welcomed her first paying guests onboard. That's right: Icon officially set sail on her maiden voyage on January 27, 2024. 

Icon of the Seas redefined the average family cruise with amenities like the Category 6 Waterpark, AquaDome, Surfside Neighborhood, and more. 

Currently, Icon sails exclusively from Miami, Florida, to the Eastern and Western Caribbean, calling at Perfect Day at CocoCay weekly. This means that once the private destinations in Mexico are complete, guests will have three exclusive destinations to choose from on their cruise vacations. 

Star of the Seas will follow in Icon's footsteps, making her debut later this year and further expanding Royal Caribbean's fleet of innovative ships sailing to a range of private islands and beach clubs. 

"The greatest weekend in the history of cruising"

Additionally, Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas takes a unique approach to cruising, offering short voyages on a brand-new ship to Nassau and CocoCay. 

In essence, it's designed to draw in new cruisers by showcasing the best of what Royal Caribbean has to offer, whether immersive dining experiences or the company's private island. 

When the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island opens in December, Utopia's experience will be even more valuable because guests will finally have a new way to explore Nassau, a less-than-desirable destination that ranks in the bottom 10% of cruise ports. 

"It's going to be a great guest experience. [Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is] also incredibly complimentary with CocoCay because we'll have a lot of short product that goes to Perfect Day on one day, and the next day it'll be in the beach club, so it's like the greatest weekend in the history of cruising," said Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley during RCG's Q4 earnings call. 

Celebrity Cruises adding to the hype

Perfect Day at CocoCay's $250 million renovation has proved to be successful. The demand for the private island is so high that RCG began to deploy Celebrity ships to CocoCay. 

Traditionally, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity attract different clientele, with Celebrity focused on providing an upscale experience. In comparison, Royal Caribbean's newest ships are packed with jaw-dropping amenities like FlowRider surf simulators, record-breaking waterparks, and more. 

With Celebrity now calling at CocoCay, guests who want to enjoy the premium experience while also visiting the award-winning private island can do so. 

Tickets for Royal Beach Club Paradise Island go on sale in April

Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is one of the most anticipated additions to Royal Caribbean's portfolio. Details about the new experience have been revealed over the past few months; however, during the Q4 earnings call, Bayley said guests can expect tickets to finally go on sale in April. 

"We'll be launching the product into the market, opening for sale in April, so we'll be able to talk about our pricing in about two months time," he remarked. 

Though the pricing hasn't been revealed yet, we do know that the beach club is all-inclusive, meaning that everything from the first water taxi ride to food and drinks is included. Other amenities include at least two food halls, three Snack Shack locations, a zero-entry pool, the world's largest swim-up bar, and plenty of beach space. 

Bailey added, "Our expectation is in the first full year of the operation of the beach club, we'll have approximately 1 million guests going into the beach club for the experience." Compartively, Royal Caribbean expects around 3.5 million passengers to visit CocoCay in 2025. 

Perfect Day Mexico is expected to be a smash hit

Perfect Day Mexico and the Royal Beach Club Cozumel are expected to become a major draw for passengers cruising from Galveston, Texas. 

The combination of easy access and new amenities will expand Royal's presence in the Western Caribbean even further, with Royal Caribbean thinking that the passenger volume will eventually surpass CocoCay! 

"We think that, ultimately, the volume that we will take to Perfect Day Mexico will far exceed what we're taking into CocoCay," said Bayley. 

More sailings through all of February have had their visits to San Juan, Puerto Rico replaced with other plans.

Royal Caribbean canceled another month of visits to Puerto Rico after pier repairs couldn't be completed in January. 

Oasis Class ships haven't called at San Juan since November 2024 because of the ongoing problem with Pier 3-West. Instead, the massive vessels have been routed to other ports. 

Note that the issue hasn't impacted all cruise lines because San Juan has more than one pier for cruise ships. Oasis Class ships are some of the largest in the world, measuring well over 220,000 gross registered tons (GRT). In comparison, Carnival Venezia, which successfully docked in Puerto Rico on Thursday, January 23, comes in at just 135,225 GRT. 

Last week, local media outlet El Vocero reported that the Coast Guard was working on repair efforts, indicating the pier could be fixed and ready to safely welcome guests later in January. The news relieved many who were anxiously awaiting to see whether San Juan would remain on their itineraries. 

However, guests aboard the February 23 cruise on Symphony of the Seas received an email stating they'll skip their scheduled visit to San Juan. 

"Due to ongoing construction at the pier in San Juan, the port authority has advised us that the port will not be ready in time for our visit," the notice reads.

"You will now get to explore the beautiful Labdadee, Haiti. Although we need to skip our visit to Phillipsburg, St. Maarten, you will get the enjoy the charming Falmouth, Jamaica...Thank you for your understanding. We're excited to share these wonderful destinations with you."

Other impacted voyages include the February 9 and February 16 sailings. 

The February 2 cruise remains unchanged because San Juan isn't on the Eastern Caribbean itinerary. The 7-night cruise is scheduled to visit Perfect Day at CocoCay, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten. 

Labadee is one of Royal Caribbean's private destinations

Though not a private island like Perfect Day at CocoCay, the remote area is only available to Royal Caribbean guests. The private beach area is walled off on a peninsula in northern Haiti. It is located 130 miles north of the capital, Port-au-Prince.

Visits were suspended last year due to civil unrest. However, Royal Caribbean resumed sailings to Labadee in October 2024 after a 7-month hiatus and was met with criticism. 

"The high, hill positions would make it easy to fire down on people at Labadee; it would be difficult to defend for Royal’s security forces," commented David on a Royal Caribbean Blog post.

"As far as the problems being only in Port au Prince, that’s what the media is reporting. No one really knows if it is safe in Cap-Haitian. And Cap-Haitien is not that far [from] Labadee, so that = a no-go for me."

Amy added, "There's no way that Royal Caribbean can repel an attack and protect passengers visiting the island or the cruise ship should it happen. People can be kidnapped, [raped, tortured], taken hostage, and killed."

"It's extremely irresponsible for any cruise line to continue to visit Labadee, Haiti falsely thinking for some reason, that Labadee is completely insulated from the extreme violence in the country, just on the other side of the fence!"

Disappointed guests

It's important to be open to change on a cruise vacation. Weather, medical emergencies, and other unforeseen circumstances can disrupt itineraries. That, however, doesn't mean you can't be disappointed. 

"These are major downgrades of ports…both Falmouth and Nassau suck and I tried to avoid them when initially booking the cruise," wrote wormy1996 on Reddit. 

"[I'm] more upset about St. Maarten, not sure why they are skipping it. I like Labadee but Nassau and Falmouth are both terrible options."

AnswerGuy301 added, "'Charming' Falmouth, Jamaica?! Ha! It’s just a mall in the middle of nowhere."

"This happened [to] us on Symphony over New Year’s. Labadee is fine, but yes, the others are major downgrades. Unfortunate, but we still had a great time," said Educational_Sky_1136.

Captain Johnny Faevelen announced his retirement from Royal Caribbean International. 

He began his career with the cruise giant in 1975 as an Ordinary Sailor, Abalbody Seaman, and Quarter Master, according to Faevelen's LinkedIn profile. 

Since then, he's worked as a Captain on ships ranging from one of the first modern purpose-built cruise ships, Nordic Prince, to Monarch of the Seas; Voyager of the Seas; Allure of the Seas; Harmony of the Seas; and Symphony of the Seas, just to name a few.  

"50 years has [passed], and it’s time to say [goodbye] to Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. 😢 It is with mixed feelings I have handed in my resignation," reads Captain Faevelen's Facebook post. 

"I have been in the thinking box for the last months, 😵‍💫 and come to the conclusion that after 50 amazing years working for such a fantastic company, it’s time to start a new career;🏆 As of January 26.2025 I will start...a new 'job'."

He plans on being "100%" present with his family, including his wife Sissel, two children Erlend and Eirin, and four—soon to be five—grandchildren ranging in ages from newborn to 10 years old. 

"I have met and worked with so...many wonderful people in my career, no one mentioned - no one forgotten. You know who you are 💞 Thank you all for [having] been a part of my life for 50 years. 🥳," he adds. 

He began working with the company in 1975 when he was just 20 years old

Captain Faevelen joined the Song of Norway as an Ordinary Seaman. 

The Song of Norway was the first cruise ship built for Royal Caribbean International and launched in 1970. She initially had a gross registered tonnage of around 18,000. 

However, the demand for cruising was so high that Royal Caribbean lengthened the vessel in 1978, increasing her GRT to 23,000.

Time as a 2nd Officer

Eventually, Captain Faevelen had to stray from the Royal Caribbean brand to gain experience to be considered for further promotion. 

"[This] is me doing celestial navigation...when I was a 2nd. Officer for the first time onboard Skauboard," he explains.

Royal Caribbean didn't have 2nd Officers, so Captain Faevelen sailed on cargo ships to gain the necessary experience and qualifications. 

The work paid off because he became a Captain in 1994

It took the accomplished sailor nearly 20 years to finally be promoted to Captain. 

His first contract was aboard the Nordic Prince in 1994. He didn't just cruise to the Caribbean; he was tasked with sailing through Alaska's icy waters. 

Ending as Captain of one of the world's largest cruise ships

Captain Faevelen's LinkedIn reveals that he's been the Master of Oasis Class ships since 2010 when he became Allure of the Seas' Captain. Since then, he's also been the Captain of Harmony and Symphony of the Seas. 

He's ending his 50-year stint as Symphony of the Seas' Captain. Symphony is currently the 4th largest cruise ship in the world behind Icon, Utopia, and Wonder of the Seas. 

Read more: Take a look inside a cruise ship captain's living quarters

Known for his flamboyant style

Captain Faevelen wasn't your average cruise ship Captain. 

While he is passionate about the sea and the well-being of passengers and crew members, he's also a motorcycle enthusiast and proud Parrot owner. 

Not only that but, as a Captain, he had the privilege of giving away and marrying his daughter on a cruise ship. 

Unfortunately, Captain Faevelen was diagnosed with Melanoma and shared tidbits of his journey on social media. 

"Back again at Kristiansand Cancer Center for my 5th. of 12 Immune Therapy treatments, to prevent further development of melanoma cancer. All good and...I’m in the best hands🥰 ," he wrote on X.

However, at the beginning of 2024, he optimistically shared that he finished his last immune therapy to prevent the cancer cells from returning: "A full PET scan remains, and then I'm ready for whatever 2024 brings!" 

Fond farewell

Sometimes, the crew is just as important as the ship, and it's safe to say that Captain Faevelen was one of the most popular Captains sailing for Royal Caribbean. 

"Best Captain ever on the high seas , you will surely be missed , good luck and enjoy the future with your family 🥰," commented Tracey Ann Lemon on Faevelen's Facebook post. 

Ken Muskat added, "Congratulations to you Captain Johnny. What an incredible career and it was a pleasure getting to know you from my time at Royal. Wishing you the best in your role as 100% family man!"

Royal Caribbean offers some of its best loyalty benefits when you reach Diamond level, and one passenger got there as fast as possible.

Crown & Anchor Society rewards loyal cruisers with perks like free drinks, exclusive lounge access, Casino Royale FreePlay, laundry discounts, and more. However, the true benefits start once you've reached Diamond status. 

To become a Diamond Crown & Anchor member, you must accumulate 80 cruise points. Typically, guests receive one cruise point per night, meaning if you take a 7-night cruise in a standard cabin (i.e., interior, ocean view, or balcony), you'll get 7 cruise points. 

However, cruisers in suites and traveling solo get two cruise points per night, so they'd get 14 points for a 7-night cruise. Similarly, a Royal Caribbean passenger on a 3-night cruise in a Grand Suite would receive 6 cruise points. 

Considering you need 80 cruise points to reach Diamond status, it takes years for the average cruiser to climb to the fourth tier of the Crown & Anchor Society. 

To achieve this, you’d need to complete 12 weeklong cruises in a standard cabin or 6 in a suite. Alternatively, you’d have to take 20 4-night Royal Caribbean voyages if you prefer shorter cruises. 

Recently, one cruiser shared how they went from a Gold to Diamond C&A member in just one month. Shared to the r/royalcaribbean Reddit thread, macacofreco explained how he managed to fast-track his way to Diamond status by booking back-to-back cruises sailing various routes. 

He started his month-long journey with 21 cruise points. By the end, he had reached Diamond status, accumulating a total of 81 cruise points.

Read more: How to earn Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society points faster

Delayed transatlantic cruise 

macacofreco received four free C&A points due to the delay of his transatlantic cruise, which resulted in a refund for two missed days. In addition, four ports of call were canceled during the journey. 

He got 26 cruise points for the 13-night transatlantic cruise on Adventure of the Seas. The sailing departed from Barcelona, Spain, and arrived in Port Canaveral, Florida, on Dec. 7. 

Despite not being on board for the entire 13 nights, the points he earned for the sailing helped him reach the highly coveted Diamond tier. Otherwise, he would have been three points short after his final cruise in 2024. 

Four ships from four different classes

Following Voyager of the Seas, macacofreco boarded Oasis of the Seas in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for a 6-night Western Caribbean cruise, calling at Perfect Day at CocoCay; Falmouth, Jamaica; and Labadee, Haiti. He earned 12 cruise points during this sailing. 

After disembarking from Oasis, macacofreco remained in Fort Lauderdale overnight awaiting another 6-night Western Caribbean cruise on Freedom of the Seas. While he returned to Jamaica and Haiti, he also visited Grand Cayman, earning an extra 12 cruise points.

Finally, the determined cruiser spent Christmas aboard Grandeur of the Seas, a Vision Class ship that launched in 1996. For the 5-night Eastern Caribbean cruise to Haiti and Grand Bahama Island, he accumulated 10 more cruise points. He noted that he thought Grandeur should be retired. 

Read more: 4 lesser-known perks of Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Program

The average cost was $160 per day

There are two ways to earn more than one cruise point per sailing. The first is to cruise solo. Because you're paying double occupancy, Royal Caribbean rewards you with two points per night. 

The second is to book a suite. The category doesn't make a difference. In other words, if you book a Star Class suite, you'll receive the same two points per night as passengers staying in Sky Class cabins. 

To climb the ranks as quickly and affordably as possible, macacofreco sailed by himself in the cheapest cabin available, nothing that he had a window stateroom on two sailings. 

Because he ascended ranks during his month-long journey, he had to call the Crown & Anchor Society support team to credit the points to his account so he could benefit from Platinum and Emerald perks while on board. 

"I had to contact [the] C&A deck to upgrade me twice because the points [take] a week to be credited automatically, and they did it," he wrote.

"You might also need to contact [the casino] host to get the extra free play credits after the upgrade."

macacofreco also talked about The Key, stating he'd only purchase the VIP package again if he were to get internet. He added that it's only worth the extra cost if you appreciate the exclusive FlowRider session. 

The Key program includes priority terminal access during designated arrival times, carry-on bag drop off with delivery to your cabin, welcome lunch with an exclusive menu, access to fast lane at onboard events, private FlowRider time, priority departure at tender ports, dedicated seating for shows in select venues, VOOM Surf & Stream internet for one device, and choice departure and á la carte breakfast on disembarkation day, 

Read more: I tried Royal Caribbean's The Key after hearing lots of negative reviews

Poor weather in November and December

Unfortunately, while macacofreco succeeded in reaching Diamond status in just one month, his journey was not without its challenges. 

"Many activities were canceled...due to bad weather," he explained. If the activity wasn't canceled, it was less enjoyable because of the inclement weather. 

"I would say the quantum class is the best option for [off-season] cruise[s] such as transatlantic, if you are an active [cruiser]," he added. 

Read more: Second cruise ship slams into Atlantic storm causing damage

Several passengers are suing Royal Caribbean after one of the company's former crew members was convicted and sentenced to 30 years in prison for placing hidden cameras in guests' staterooms and secretly recording young children. 

Aronfeld Trial Lawyers filed the 30-page lawsuit in the U.S. Southern District of Florida in Miami on Thursday on behalf of 12 U.S. plaintiffs, as reported by CBS News. 

Arvin Joseph Mirasol, a cabin steward from the Philippines, was arrested in March after a passenger onboard Symphony of the Seas reported finding a concealed camera in their bathroom. The device was discovered when the guest reached under the sink to grab toilet paper. 

He was arrested when the ship returned to Port Everglades on March 3, 2024. Mirasol's electronics were seized, and authorities uncovered videos of child pornography dating back to Dec. 2023. 

In addition to the recordings, he would hide under guests' beds while they were in the shower. He also claimed to pleasure himself while watching videos during a post-Miranda interview, adding he "wants to control it...but can't."

Mirasol was convicted in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in August, with U.S. District Judge Melissa Damian sentencing him to 30 years in prison. He also faces up to 15 charges of video voyeurism in Broward Circuit Court.

"The fact that many of the victims we represent still do not know if and how their images have been used or circulated is incredibly disturbing. Some of the plaintiffs are children - and once an image is on the internet it is there forever," said the plaintiffs' attorney Spencer Aronfeld in a news release.

Read more: Royal Caribbean crew member accused of hiding cameras to spy on guests

"We hope that RCCL will take full responsibility for the heinous and reprehensible conduct of its crewmember. And we hope that this lawsuit will motivate RCCL and the other major cruise lines to spend more effort screening their crewmembers so that this type of assault never happens again."

The law firm added that the plaintiffs have suffered "physical pain, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other mental and nervous disorders." 

The permanent and ongoing nature of the injuries has caused lasting harm. As a result, the plaintiffs seek a judgment for all damages allowable under the law, including punitive damages. 

Not the first lawsuit

In October, a Royal Caribbean guest, identified as Jane Doe, filed a class action lawsuit alleging that she was filmed by a hidden camera in her stateroom bathroom. 

The lawsuit accuses Mirasol of recording Doe "while undressed and engaged in private activities," and uploading images of Doe to the internet.

“Upon information and belief, Mirasol transmitted and/or uploaded images of the Plaintiff while undressed and engaging in private activities, to third parties and/or to the world wide web, including, but not limited to, the dark web, without Plaintiff’s prior knowledge or consent,” the complaint states. 

The lawsuit holds Royal Caribbean responsible for failing to provide sufficient security, training, or supervision to prevent sexual assaults. Additionally, it claims the cruise line didn't warn guests about the risk of such crimes and failed to notify passengers who stayed in staterooms serviced by Mirasol. 

The lawsuit suggests that as many as 960 passengers who sailed on Symphony of the Seas between December 1, 2023, and February 26, 2024, may have been affected by Mirasol's actions.

Symphony of the Seas is an Oasis Class ship based out of Florida

Symphony of the Seas currently sails from Miami, Florida, on 7-night cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean. She's one of the largest cruise ships in the world, following Icon of the Seas, Utopia of the Seas, and Wonder of the Seas. 

The 228,081 gross registered ton ship will relocate to Cape Liberty, New Jersey, in April 2025, primarily offering itineraries to the Bahamas. However, she'll make two 9-night cruises to the Eastern Caribbean on April 30 and July 4. 

Guests can take advantage of one of four pools, an ice skating rink, a miniature golf course, an outdoor AquaTheater, more than 20 dining options, a zip-line, Broadway-style entertainment, and more. 

Read more: I stayed in a $1,400 stateroom on Symphony of the Seas