Icon of the Seas is full of brand-new experiences at sea, including the family-family Surfside Neighborhood. 

Replacing what was the Boardwalk on Oasis Class ships, Surfside is where families can stay and play all day. With an arcade, kids splash zone, aft pool, carousel, and both complimentary and specialty venues, there's enough to keep everyone satisfied! 

Read more: Royal Caribbean is building the best cruise ship for young families on Icon of the Seas with a new purpose-built area

With younger families making up a significant portion of Royal Caribbean guests, the cruise line wanted to create a space just for them. 

Unlike Royal Caribbean's Boardwalk, Surfside has a vibrant design that's reminiscent of a surfing town that's complete with a beach-theme carousel where you can ride anything from a flamingo pool toy to a "Volkswagon" van. 

Rather than having to drag kids to the Windjammer, your family can grab a bite to eat at the Surfside Eatery, which is Royal Caribbean's first buffet just for families! 

Read more: Icon of the Seas: Itinerary, features, and more

While not as large as the Windjammer, it's the perfect place to fuel up without having to stray from the fun. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean will introduce new family fun ambassador on Icon of the Seas

There's also Surfside Bites, where you will find grab-and-go options, such as popcorn chicken, hot dogs, cheeseburgers, french fries, fruit, and even cinnamon sugar churros!

The third dining option in Surfside is Pier 7, a specialty restaurant that's exclusive to Icon of the Seas and will serve an all-day brunch with items like surf and turf tacos, mango lime shrimp tostadas, smoked salmon benedict, and fluffy buttermilk pancakes. 

Parents won't be far from a bar, either. The Lemon Post Bar will serve both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks for everyone in the family. 

While you are enjoying a tropical cocktail, your child can order from a menu of mocktails curated just for them!  

While Icon of the Seas' food and beverage spots are certainly a highlight of the 250,800 gross registered ton vessel, it is hard to overlook all the fun activities onboard. Surfside is a hub of activity for everyone, starting with the arcade that has over 30 different games inside! 

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

Here, you can challenge your family members to a friendly game of air hockey, work on your claw machine skills, or play skeeball. As with all other Royal Caribbean ships, the arcade isn't included in your cruise fare. 

At the very end of Surfside, you will find Splashaway Bay, Baby Bay, and Water's Edge, a pool pressed against the aft of the ship that's sure to get some impressive ocean views on sea days. 

Fans of Oasis Class ships will notice that there's no AquaTheater here. Instead, high-diving spectaculars will be held in the brand-new AquaDome. 

Located at the front of the ship, this is a whole new neighborhood in and of itself where you'll find, of course, the next-level AquaTheater, bars, and tranquil places to relax during the day. 

While there's so much more of the ship to explore, we have not seen all of Surfside yet! 

In addition to restaurants, splash zones, and more, Surfside is also where you will find Sugar Beach, a candy lover's dream that also serves Royal Caribbean's in-house ice cream, for an extra charge. 

Read more: What's included in your Royal Caribbean cruise fare

Once your children have had their sugar fix, they can get some of their energy out while exploring the Playscape area. 

Surfside will also have its own Coca-Cola Freestyle Machine for those who purchase one of Royal Caribbean's drink packages, making it easy to refill your cup throughout the day. 

Don't forget to look up, either. You'll see some of the record-breaking waterslides in the Category 6 water park. 

As if Icon of the Seas wasn't already full of firsts, it appears that there will be a dog living onboard the world's largest cruise ship. 

Based on social media posts from crew members, it seems that Rover boarded the ship when docked in Ponce, Puerto Rico before it began its final leg of the journey to Miami, Florida. 

"We are absolutely thrilled to introduce our newest team member, Rover, who has joined us as a permanent resident aboard [the] magnificent Icon of the Seas," read a post by @godwin_fernandes2000. 

"Meet Rover... the resident Mascot of the Icon," said @roseveltrodrigues on Instagram.

While in Ponce, Icon underwent some final regulatory inspections and received finishing touches to prepare for guests in late January. This is also where the loading and off-loading of equipment occurred. 

Some yard workers disembarked in Ponce to return home, with new crew members and the brand-new resident Rover arriving onboard. 

Read more: Icon of the Seas is ready: Here’s the timeline for Royal Caribbean’s new cruise ship debut

Guests won't find a classic car in the Royal Promenade

In lieu of the classic car in the Royal Promenade, there's a statue of a dog.

Ever since Voyager of the Seas launched and debuted the first-ever Royal Promenade, there's been a different classic car featured in each ship. 

Njal Eide, the lead architect for the Royal Promenade, had included a model of a Morgan Sportster in his model of the Royal Promenade. Richard Fain, then-chairman and former CEO of Royal Caribbean, ended up donating his own Morgan car that he received for his 40th birthday. 

These cars are a popular photo-op for pictures throughout the cruise, especially on formal night! 

The Royal Promenade is the main thoroughfare of the ship where you'll find bars, shops, and more. There are parties and parades hosted here, too. 

Read more: Why are there classic cars on Royal Caribbean's Royal Promenade?

Icon of the Seas' Royal Promenade will leap forward with new innovations

In addition to the first-ever dog statue in the Royal Promenade, Icon of the Seas' Promenade will be home to other firsts for the cruise line, including the Pearl, expansive windows, and more. 

Giovanni's Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar will be located on Deck 6, marking the first time that Royal Caribbean will feature a specialty restaurant in the initial design of the Royal Promenade. 

Thanks to renovations, it's not uncommon to find specialty restaurants in the Royal Promenade on older vessels. Playmaker's, for instance, can be found in the Promenade on Navigator of the Seas, whereas Adventure of the Seas has Izumi in the heart of all the action. 

Icon of the Seas will also be the first ship in the fleet to receive the Dueling Pianos bar on Deck 6. This is where two performers will take requests and involve guests in the musical fun during two 90-minute shows each night. 

Nearly all the venues in the Royal Promenade, including Dueling Pianos, will be fully open, allowing passengers to hear all the excitement wherever they are. 

Note that Icon of the Seas doesn't have any Promenade view staterooms. With over 10 new categories of cabins, that doesn't seem like much of a sacrifice, though! 

Read more: First look at The Pearl on Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas

Nearing Icon of the Seas' maiden voyage to the Eastern Caribbean

We are less than twenty days away from Icon of the Seas' inaugural cruise. On January 27, she'll leave Miami, Florida with a ship full of guests eager to be on Icon's first weeklong cruise sailing to Perfect Day at CocoCay, St. Thomas, and St. Kitts & Nevis.

Before then, however, she'll have two shakedown sailings that will take place on January 20 and 23, each of which will only be 3-nights. 

These are essentially dress rehearsals that will allow the crew to test and adjust their procedures before welcoming paying guests. 

On January 10, Icon of the Seas will arrive in Miami and be greeted by the ICON arrival party at the Port of Miami. She was originally supposed to arrive on Tuesday; however, unfavorable weather conditions resulted in her delay. 

Read more: 11 reasons Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas will change the cruise industry

Perfect Day at CocoCay is a popular port of call on Royal Caribbean cruises to The Bahamas and Caribbean. As such, it's not uncommon to find yourself repeatedly visiting the private island if you frequently seek warm-weather itineraries on some of the largest ships at sea. 

When Royal Caribbean completed renovating the island in 2019, it became more than just your average beach day. Now, you can splurge on activities like riding the tallest water slide in North America, an upscale beach club, zip line, overwater cabana, and more. 

While there's no denying it's easy to have a great ashore no matter how many times you've visited, you should not always feel like you have to get off the ship. 

Sometimes, the perfect day at CocoCay isn't actually ON CocoCay. 

Here are the 5 best reasons to stay onboard the ship while in Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

You won't have to deal with chair hogs

If you awaken too late on a sea day, it's likely that when you head up to the pool deck, you'll see a sea (no pun intended) of chairs reserved with towels and personal belongings. 

Chair hogs are individuals who reserve chairs for the entire day, even if they are not planning on staying nearby. 

And while there should technically be pool attendants on the lookout, it's difficult for them to keep a watch on the entire pool deck. 

If you want to enjoy the pool with minimal people around, consider staying onboard when your ship docks at Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

Rather than rushing off the ship to claim the perfect beach chairs, you can sleep in, have a late breakfast, and enjoy the top deck like it's your own chartered yacht! 

Related: How to beat the chair hogs on your cruise ship

The lines for onboard thrills will be shorter

Simiarly, the lines for onboard attractions can get rather long on sea days.

One of the best ways to ensure that you won't have a long wait for anything that's on your must-do list on days when everyone is onboard is to get to whatever you are hoping to do as soon as it opens. 

If you're someone who wants to ride the water slides more than once or become a Flowrider surf pro, you'll have more opportunities to do so while the ship is docked, as there will be fewer people in line. 

Plus, if you're short on time (i.e., on a 3- or 4-night cruise onboard Utopia of the Seas), you won't have as many chances to experience everything that's onboard. You may find it a more valuable use of time to stay on the ship, rather than spending the day on the beach. 

Additionally, if you are on a Quantum Class ship, you'll be able to ride the North Star for free while docked, whereas sea day rides are not included in the cost of your cruise fare. 

You'll be able to soar high above Perfect Day at CocoCay and look out over neighboring Bahamian islands, including Norwegian Cruise Line's Great Stirrup Cay. 

Related: Top 30 extra cruise costs that are not included

You might be able to save money on a spa treatment

Spa treatments onboard cruise ships are costly. Massages often start around $150 for 50 minutes, while a 75-minute deep tissue couples massage can be upwards of $390. 

If you want to save money while treating yourself to a much-needed day at the spa, head there on embarkation day to see if any deals are being offered. Plus, you can get a tour of the spa to get a glimpse of the treatment facilities. 

Usually, they will have something available on port days to entice people to stay onboard. You can also check the night before your ship is scheduled to arrive in CocoCay, as well as the morning of. 

There won't be as many people at the buffet for lunch

You won't have to worry about being patient while waiting in line for lunch if you stay on the cruise ship while it's docked at CocoCay.

It's not uncommon to see long lines for various eateries at peak times on sea days. Something as simple as lunch could take longer than anticipated if you show up to the Windjammer around 12:30pm. 

When your Royal Caribbean ship is relatively empty with the majority of passengers ashore, it will be easy to grab a quick bite to eat and return to the more pressing matters, such as ensuring you have an even tan, playing a round of mini-golf, or soaring high above the Boardwalk on the zip line. 

Related: Guide to Royal Caribbean's Windjammer Cafe buffet

You won't feel the need to spend money on an excursion

Yes, it's true. The price of a Royal Caribbean cruise has increased. If you're planning on sailing onboard one of their newest ships, like Icon of the Seas, you can expect to spend around $1,500 per person for an interior room. 

Since there's so much to do onboard, these ships are a destination in and of themselves. On Icon, for instance, you can spend the day at the Category 6 Water Park or in the brand-new Surfside Neighborhood with activities for the whole family to enjoy. 

If you've visited Perfect Day at CocoCay before, you may not be willing to spend money on an excursion after splurging on one of these mega-ships. Even though the beach is complimentary, there are more active activities that can be found on the ship that you already paid for! 

Related: 10 genius things cruise ship passengers brought to Royal Caribbean's private island to make it even better

Icon of the Seas will finally welcome guests onboard later this month. The brand-new vessel still has to undergo a few more preparations before that can happen, though. 

Currently, Icon of the Seas is docked in Ponce, Puerto Rico for some final touches and inspections. This is one of the final steps before the 250,800 gross registered ton vessel launches in late January. 

Here's a timeline of Icon of the Sea's long-awaited debut. 

Icon of the Seas sailed from Cádiz, Spain to Ponce, Puerto Rico, arriving on January 2, 2024

Icon of the Seas' transatlantic crossing took over one week, with the largest cruise ship in the world departing Spain on December 22, 2023. 

This meant that crew members, contractors, shoreside teams, yard workers, and more celebrated the New Year somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic while en route to Puerto Rico. 

A video posted to Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michel Bayley's Facebook reveals Icon's first countdown as a completed ship. The Royal Promenade was packed, and the cheering continued as the clock struck midnight and balloons were released. 

Read more: I crossed the Atlantic Ocean on a cheap cruise. Here’s what it's really like to spend 10 days at sea

Icon of the Seas moved to Cádiz for some finishing touches 

Despite being delivered in late November, Icon was not fully completed. The delivery ceremony was held at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, where the majority of the ship's construction took place. 

"Seven years ago, we had an ambitious idea to create the first vacation truly made for every type of family and adventurer," said Mr. Bayley, "Now, it’s in our hands, and in this final stretch, we’ll bring it all to life for the biggest debut in our history in January 2024."

Following the ceremony, Icon of the Seas was relocated to a shipyard in Cádiz, where she received some final outfitting touches before beginning her transatlantic voyage to North America. 

She had to sail underneath the Great Belt Bridge, an 11-mile bridge located in Denmark, in order to reach Cádiz. The 20-deck high had to have her funnels retracted to barely squeeze underneath. It required expertise from the entire crew, including meteorologists to ship operators. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean takes delivery of the new world’s largest cruise ship

Work continues in Ponce

Over the next few days while in Puerto Rico, Icon of the Seas will have to pass some regulatory inspections. Additionally, there will be loading and off-loading of equipment, and yard workers will disembark the ship to return home, with more crew arriving to begin their contracts. 

Ponce is located in the southern region of the island, whereas the popular port of San Juan can be found on the northern shore.  

When Icon departs Ponce to sail to Miami, it will be over one year until she returns to the island, as San Juan isn't a scheduled port of call on Eastern Caribbean itineraries until May 2025. The May 3, 2025 cruise also visits St. Maarten and Labadee, Haiti, foregoing a stop at the cruise line's private island in The Bahamas. 

Read more: See how Royal Caribbean ships stack up by size (2024)

Following the move to her homeport of Miami, there will be a series of shakedown and media cruises

On January 9, Royal Caribbean will host the ICON arrival party at 7am at the Port of Miami. While more details can be expected in the coming days, it is exciting to think that we're only one week from welcoming Icon to her homeport. 

Following this milestone, Icon will host a few shakedown cruises, which can be thought of as a dress rehearsal. While the ship is just about ready, they serve as a time for the crew members to experience what their job will actually be like with guests onboard before welcoming paying customers.

Typically, shakedown cruises are comprised of cruise line employees and their families. It is not uncommon for them to sometimes double as preview sailings for the media and travel agents. 

Prior to embarking on her maiden voyage, Icon will have two shakedown and media cruises, both of which will be only three nights: January 20-23 and January 23-26. 

Read more: How long does it take to build a cruise ship

Naming ceremony on January 23 in Miami, Florida with Lionel Messi

Back in mid-December, Royal Caribbean announced that, rather than having a traditional godmother or godfather, Lionel Messi would be the "official icon of Icon of the Seas." Messi is a famous soccer player who was born in Argentina and spent the majority of his career playing for FC Barcelona. 

On January 23, Messi will take part in Icon's naming celebration. His role will be comprised of bestowing safekeeping onto the new ship, its crew, and the millions of people who will board in hopes of creating ICONic memories in the years to come. 

"I’m thrilled and honored to join the Royal Caribbean family to celebrate the arrival of the game-changing Icon of the Seas," said Messi, "Icon is beyond anything else that’s out there for family vacations, with incredible never-before-seen features, all designed for making memories together."

Finally, guests will be welcomed onboard Icon for her maiden voyage to the Eastern Caribbean

On January 27, Icon of the Seas will embark on her inaugural cruise. This 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise will depart from Miami and sail to Perfect Day at CocoCay, St. Thomas, and St. Kitts & Nevis. She will return on February 3, 2024. 

Icon of the Seas' maiden voyage will signify the ship's completion, as the ship will be ready for regular service. 

While this will mean that her construction and arrival journey will finally come to an end, Icon Class and Royal Caribbean fans alike can stay tuned to everything exciting that Star of the Seas will have to offer when she launches in 2025. 

Similarly, Utopia of the Seas, the sixth Oasis Class ship, is scheduled to set sail in July 2024 on 3- and 4-night cruises to The Bahamas. 

Read more: How much does it cost to build a cruise ship?

From the total number of ice cream cones served to passengers carried, Royal Caribbean ended 2023 with some impressive stats. 

According to an internal Royal Caribbean study, the top two reasons that people decide to go on a cruise are for the destination and food. 

Knowing that, it's no surprise that Royal Caribbean sailed to over 250 different ports of call this year and whipped up 14.5 million ice cream cones for passengers onboard. 

Here's a look at Royal Caribbean by the numbers in 2023. 

Royal Caribbean carried over 6 million guests to 252 ports across the world

Throughout 2023, over 6 million passengers took a cruise on one of Royal Caribbean's 26 ships. That is quite the increase from the 4.6 million guests that sailed with Royal Caribbean in 2022! 

Passengers sailed all over the world, too, with the cruise line visiting 252 ports of call. This, too, is an increase from their 2022 numbers, as they only sailed to 230 destinations last year. 

Two of the most popular ports in 2023 were Nassau and Cozumel, Mexico. Both welcomed over 3 million passengers in 2023, with Nassau seeing a record 3.8 million by November 2023. By the end of 2024, it's estimated that Nassau will see four million cruise visitors!

Outside of the Caribbean and Bahamas, Royal Caribbean ships sailed to Alaska, Canada & New England, Bermuda, Asia, the Panama Canal, Australia & New Zealand, Europe, South America, Hawaii, and more. 

Royal Caribbean ships served over one million ice cream cones and 275,000 piña coladas per month

There's nothing quite like a soft serve cone on the pool deck to cool down on a hot sea day. 14.5 million ice cream cones were served across the fleet in 2023. This breaks down to roughly one million per month or just a little over 39,700 per day. 

Instead of ice cream, some adult passengers may opt for a refreshing beverage, such as a piña colada! The cruise line served over 3.3 million piña coladas alone in 2023. While that number might seem a little low, that's over 9,000 per day! 

Royal Caribbean ships offer much more than just ice cream cones and alcoholic beverages, though. You won't go hungry onboard any of their ships. From the all-you-can-eat buffet, Main Dining Room, and specialty restaurants, there are plenty of options to appease all travelers. 

Read more: 21 best drinks to order if you have a cruise drink package

12,800 performances for guests to enjoy

One thing that sets Royal Caribbean apart from other cruise lines is its entertainment offerings. From jaw-dropping AquaTheater shows to Broadway-style musicals and one-of-a-kind production shows in the main theater, there's something for everyone to enjoy. 

In 2023, Royal Caribbean's casts put on 12,800 performances on their ships, which is over 240 per week! The actual number per sailing varies depending on the ship and length, with longer voyages usually having more shows. Similarly, smaller ships aren't equipped to offer some of the larger productions. 

In addition to performances, Royal Caribbean offers numerous other activities, too, ranging from daily trivia to comedians, live music, bingo, karaoke, and more. 

Read more: Broadway shows on Royal Caribbean: Everything you need to know

82,135 jackpots won in Casino Royale

Casino Royale can be a place of happiness or extreme disappointment. 82,135 passengers got lucky in 2023, though, winning jackpots and taking home more cash than they most likely boarded with! 

While I cannot say that I was one of them, I like to think of each cruise that I'm on as a win in and of itself! I don't have to worry about cooking or cleaning, and I get to visit some pretty neat destinations. Plus, the memories that I make will last far longer than cash winnings. 

There's more history to be made in 2024

From the launch of the brand-new Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas to Perfect Day at CocoCay's adults-only Hideaway Beach opening, it's hard not to think about everything to look forward to in 2024.

Icon of the Seas is set to embark on her maiden voyage on January 27, 2024, from Miami, Florida. The 250,800 gross registered ton vessel is larger than Wonder of the Seas, which has held the title of the world's largest cruise ship from the time of its launch in 2022. 

In fact, Icon of the Seas will be the first non-Oasis Class ship to hold the title of largest cruise ship in the world since Oasis of the Seas was launched in 2009. This means that Utopia of the Seas will be the first-ever brand-new Oasis Class ship to not have the honor of holding that title. 

What are you looking forward to the most in 2024? Are there any records that you hope to be part of? Let us know in the comments!

Read more: 5 big changes coming to Royal Caribbean in 2024

Whether you're a seasoned cruiser or anticipating setting foot on a ship for the first time, there is a lot to be learned from each experience. Even as someone who has cruised over a dozen times, I still find myself making mistakes and thinking that I should have known better! 

When I took my first Mediterranean cruise, for instance, I waited until the week before to begin researching my ports of call and booking excursions. Similarly, I have forgotten my online check-in date more than once and gotten stuck with a later arrival appointment. 

From reserving My Time Dining reservations in advance to arriving the day before your cruise is scheduled to depart, here are 10 habits that you should make part of your cruise routine. 

Book your cruise early and reprice often

Royal Caribbean releases itineraries as far as two years in advance. Between sales, dynamic pricing, and other promotions, it can be difficult to know when the best time to book your cruise is; however, the further you book in advance, the more time you have to reprice if you notice a price decrease leading up to final payment. 

Often, the cheapest rates can be found as soon as Royal Caribbean releases new itineraries. If there's a specific ship or itinerary that you have your heart set on, the safest bet is to place a deposit as early as possible. As the ship fills up, prices are raised. 

Even if the price of your sailing doesn't decrease, you can rest assured knowing that you booked it when prices were the lowest. 

Read more: The biggest cruise hack you're not doing that has saved me thousands of dollars

Don't wait until you are onboard to reserve cruise add-ons

After you have placed your deposit, you will gain access to Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner website. This is where you'll be able to make reservations for shore excursions and specialty restaurants, as well as book drink and Wi-Fi packages, spa treatments, and more. 

While you technically can wait until you are onboard to worry about your add-ons, it is smarter to deal with that in advance. Not only will you be able to soak up every moment of your time onboard without thinking about planning, but you'll usually save money, too. 

The actual discounts will vary; however, it is not uncommon to find sales where you can receive 10% to 40% off the onboard prices of specialty restaurants, drink packages, shore excursions, and Wi-Fi. 

Over Black Friday and Cyber Monday, I was able to take advantage of the Cruise Planner sale and score a great deal on an excursion in Naples, Italy. Rather than paying $285 for two people for the "Taste of Sorrento and Pompeii" excursion, my partner and I were able to pay about half, or $300 total. 

Read more: 45 easy ways how to save money on a cruise (2024)

Arrive the day before your cruise is scheduled to depart

Booking your flight on embarkation morning might seem like a smart way to save money since you won't have to take another day off of work and worry about a pre-cruise hotel. If, however, you fall victim to the unpredictability of the airline industry, you could find yourself missing your cruise, as the embarkation window on the first day of the cruise is limited. 

Even if you think that your arrival time leaves a lot of room to spare, you need to factor in how long it will take for you to deplane, collect your luggage, and travel to the terminal. 

Read more: The costly cruising mistake newbies make planning their first cruise

Book with a travel agent 

To some, booking with a travel agent might feel like you're giving up agency over your vacation. From my experience, however, it has been the exact opposite. A good travel agent will only be as involved as you want them to be. 

One of the primary advantages of booking with a travel agent is their expertise; however, they also have access to exclusive group rates, so they can sometimes get you a lower rate on your cruise fare than is advertised on the cruise line's website! 

New cruisers will benefit from their knowledge, though, as they can help them select the best itinerary, stateroom, shore excursions, specialty dining meals, and more. 

Always bring a non-surge power strip

The older your cruise ship, the fewer power outlets your stateroom will have. When I cruised on Navigator of the Seas, for instance, I was shocked to find just two American outlets and a single European one. 

Even if you are sharing a stateroom with just one other person, you'll likely bicker over who gets to charge what device and when. Today, most people travel with multiple devices, such as mobile phones, AirPods, cameras, smart watches, iPads, etc. 

Royal Caribbean prohibits extension cords onboard their ships since they see them as a fire hazard. That, however, doesn't mean that they aren't solutions! Rather than bringing the random extension cord you have lying around in your kitchen drawer, head to Amazon to look for a non-surge power strip that's cruise-compliant.

This will ensure that even if you're cruising on one of the oldest vessels in the fleet, you will have plenty of outlets to keep all of your devices charged. 

Understand the Deluxe Beverage Package rule

Typically, if one person in a cabin wants a Deluxe Beverage Package. Royal Caribbean requires all other guests of legal drinking age in the same stateroom to purchase it, too. This is to prevent guests from sharing it. 

There is a workaround, though. If you're sharing a cabin with an adult who doesn't drink, or does not drink much, you can call Royal Caribbean and ask that they get the Royal Refreshment Package instead. 

This will save you a lot of money compared to if you were to purchase two Deluxe Beverage Packages, as the alcoholic package is more expensive than the non-alcoholic one. 

Note, however, that if you get caught sharing a drink package, Royal Caribbean has the right to revoke it without issuing a refund. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean drink package rules overview

Check-in for your cruise as soon as possible

45 days before your cruise, Royal Caribbean's online check-in portal will open. You can either complete it via the app or on your web browser, such as Google Chrome or Safari. 

During this process, you will input your identification documentation, set up your onboard expense account, and select a check-in time, which is when you'll be able to enter the terminal on embarkation day. 

The earliest time varies based on your itinerary; however, the earliest tends to be somewhere around 10:30am, with the latest being somewhere in the mid-afternoon. 

While your travel plans might not allow you to select the earliest time available, there are many advantages to finishing your check-in as soon as possible. 

For instance, you won't have to worry about it as your sailing approaches, and you can focus your pre-cruise planning efforts on packing and getting everything in order before you leave. 

Read more: 11 reasons to get as early a check-in time as possible for your cruise

Pre-pay for your gratuities 

At the time of booking, you'll have the option to pre-pay for your gratuities. If you choose to do so, you will be able to pay them off with the rest of your cruise fare, as the total for the gratuities will be added to the amount to be settled by final payment. 

Additionally, pre-paying for your gratuities means that you will lock in the current rate. Every so often, Royal Caribbean revises their gratuity rates for their crew members. 

This just happened in November 2023, as Royal Caribbean announced that the automatic gratuity rate would be increasing from $16.00 USD for those in standard staterooms (Junior Suites and below) to $18.00 USD per day. Suite guests also saw an increase from $18.50 to $20.50. 

If you decide to book My Time Dining, make sure that you make reservations in advance

Royal Caribbean offers guests two different types of main dining experiences: traditional and flexible. If you choose the latter, known as My Time Dining, you'll be responsible for making your own dining reservations each evening, whereas those who opt for traditional dining will eat at the same time each evening with the same wait staff. 

My Time Dining is great for those who do not want to eat at the same time each night of their cruise.

You can choose what time works best for you and your travel companions, meaning that you can easily schedule dinner around the rest of your plans, whether that's a longer excursion in port or a much-needed afternoon nap after lounging by the pool. 

While you don't have to make reservations, it is recommended. Otherwise, you'll have to wait for an available table. 

Read more: How to book My Time Dining on Royal Caribbean

Don't save must-do onboard activities for the last day

If there are any activities that you really want to do, make sure you do them early on during your sailing.

Unpredictable weather could deem it too unsafe to operate the FlowRider or have the AquaTheater cast perform tricks. Waiting until the last minute could mean that you're out of luck, as there won't be any other opportunities on the current sailing. 

Of course, you shouldn't try and pack everything into the first day. With all the embarkation and sail away excitement, you do not want to tire yourself out too quickly. 

Read more: 30 cruise ship embarkation day do’s and don’ts

Construction of the second Icon Class ship is underway! On December 15, the keel laying ceremony for Star of the Seas took place at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland. 

"Star of the Seas is very important for both the shipyard and the partner network: the 13,000 man-years spent on building the ship create employment and business in Varsinais-Suomi and, with the supply chains, significantly wider as well," said CEO Tim Meyer.

"Once the ship is complete, it will strengthen a completely new kind of cruise experience with the standards set by its sister ship Icon." 

When a ship's kneel is placed into the dry dock during construction, coins are placed beneath it as a symbol of good fortune. 

Just like Icon, Star of the Seas, too, had coins left underneath the steel block of the ship's hull by the ship's customer and builder's representatives. 

The steel block was lowered by a crane to the bottom of the construction pool, which signified the start of the hull's construction. 

Despite this milestone, Star of the Seas won't be ready to sail the seas until August 2025. When she enters service, she'll sail from Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida to the Eastern and Western Caribbean. 

Thankfully, bookings are open. However, Royal Caribbean has not announced any details of how Star of the Seas will be different from Icon. 

There's some more Royal Caribbean news that you should be aware of, especially if you're looking forward to the 2025-2026 deployments or have a holiday cruise booked onboard Oasis of the Seas in December 2023. 

2025-2026 deployments changed

Royal Caribbean updated some of their 2025 and 2026 deployment schedules.

While cruises to the Northeast taking place between April 2025 and April 2026 will still be released for booking the week of February 12, 2024, the deployment of short Caribbean cruises and those departing from Los Angeles have been delayed. Short cruises are those that are 3, 4, and 5 nights long. 

Rather than being released at the same time as Northeast cruises, these sailings will now come out the week of February 19, 2024. 

There is some good news, though. Long Caribbean cruises (i.e., those over 7 nights) will be released one week earlier than planned, or the week of February 12, 2024. 

The deployment schedule for the remainder of cruises departing April 2025 through October 2026 has yet to be announced. 

While booking a cruise in March 2026 may seem like a long way away, by booking this far in advance, you can take advantage of the lowest rates, which are typically found as soon as cruises are opened for booking. 

Plus, you'll be able to frequently reprice your cruise through the final payment date. 

Guests sailing onboard Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas this holiday season will be able to visit the cruise line's first-ever holiday pop-up market

Found on Deck 8, the Oasis Holiday Marketplace, which was inspired by Europe's popular holiday markets, will run through January 7 and offer a selection of different Christmas ornaments, holiday appeal, and home décor. 

It's a great place to visit before dinner at Chops Grille or after enjoying a cocktail at the Trellis Bars. 

Plus, Santa Claus himself flew in straight from the North Pole for this special occasion! He'll be available to take photos with children, as well as encourage them to write letters to him at the North Pole. 

This special pop-up is in addition to the holiday décor found throughout the ship. 

“The Oasis Holiday Marketplace is a terrific example of Starboard's passion for ‘retailtainment’, offering families onboard engaging shopping experiences during magical holiday sailings,” says Claudia King-McWilliams, VP General Manager of Royal Caribbean.  

Oasis of the Seas' holiday sailings

Oasis of the Seas, the namesake ship of the record-breaking Oasis Class, is one of the largest cruise ships at sea.

Measuring over 226,000 gross registered tons and 1,187 feet long, there are tons of family-friendly activities onboard, making a holiday cruise on Oasis of the Seas the perfect way to celebrate and spend some quality time with loved ones. 

On December 22, Oasis of the Seas will depart from Miami, Florida on a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise to Falmouth, Jamaica; Labadee, Haiti; Nassau, Bahamas; and Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

The Christmas cruise will be followed by a 9-night New Year's cruise to the Southern Caribbean, with stops at CocoCay; Willemstad, Curaçao; Oranjestad, Aruba; and Falmouth, Jamaica. 

Read more: How Royal Caribbean celebrates Christmas and New Years holidays on its cruise ships

What's Starboard Cruise Services?

Starboard Cruise Services is the world's leading luxury vacation retailer at sea that has been in operation for 65 years.

In addition to "first at sea" brands, they're also responsible for customized cruise line merchandise and destination-inspired goods. They partner with several other mainstream cruise lines, too, including Virgin Voyages, Holland American Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Carnival Cruise Line. 

For instance, they have a line of "Texas-inspired" merchandise onboard Carnival Jubilee, Carnival's newest Excel Class ship sailing out of Galveston, Texas. The three different collections include Carnival Saloon, Inaugural Americana, and the Heroes Collection.

The first, Carnival Saloon, will feature denim and Western-inspired fashion (i.e., cowboy boots, fringed t-shirts, and more). 

Starboard Cruise Services employs a team of over 300 shoreside and 1,800 shipboard employees, with over 62 different nationalities represented. 

What is The Pearl on Icon of the Seas? Expect something completely different.

Ever since the Royal Promenade debuted on Voyager of the Seas, it has become a staple onboard many Royal Caribbean ships, and Icon of the Seas is no exception. 

For the first time, Royal Caribbean focused on connecting guests to the light and water through expansive windows. To be successful, however, they needed to build a super-structure that would allow them to replace all of the steel with glass. 

"The Pearl is a fundamental piece of the ship's structure," said Jay Rosser, Manager of Product Development for Royal Caribbean International.

"It is supporting all of the staterooms above it [and] Central Park, which is on Deck 8. That 16-meter diameter sphere of steel is taller than the Hollywood Sign in California." 

The Pearl is an experiential installation that serves more than one purpose

The heart of Icon of the Seas is the Royal Promenade, with the heartbeat coming from The Pearl.

This moody architectural marvel will bring the ship to life, offering different experiences throughout the voyage depending on whether it is the daytime, nighttime, a sea day, or even when docked at Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

"The Pearl has a lot of different purposes. It's hard to put into context," said Jay Schneider, Chief Product Innovation Officer for Royal Caribbean International.

"It's a bit art, a bit sculpture, a bit experience, a bit WOW." 

It took over two years to design The Pearl

At first, The Pearl wasn't called "The Pearl." In fact, it was simply a round globe-like structure, and they were not quite sure what they were going to put inside of it.

Royal Caribbean reached out to Breakfast, a studio located in Brooklyn, New York that's known for their digitally controlled kinetic sculptures, to assist in designing the interior tiles. 

"When Royal Caribbean first contacted us, we were very excited, and we kind of thought they were a little nuts to be honest," said Mattias Gunneras, Co-Founder of Breakfast.

"They came and asked us to design something that was something a lot more ambitious than anything we've done in the past."

It was important to see mock-ups to select the right finishes, including the gloss level, base color, and shimmer level. There were a lot of prototypes that were tested in order to complete the final product. 

Not all of the pieces, however, were constructed in the United States. While the interior tiles were designed in the U.S., the rest was built overseas, beginning at the shipyard in Turku, Finland. 

Once a certain amount was complete, it was barged to another facility, which actually had to remove a door for The Pearl to fit inside! It was then transported back to Meyer Tukru. 

"Everybody's going to interact and experience The Pearl in their own way," remarked Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO.

"It's beautiful; it's artistic; it's incredibly creative; it's spatially so large that once you experience it, you can't quite get your head around it."

The Royal Promenade onboard Icon of the Seas will be filled with entertainment, areas to relax, delicious dining options, and more

At 362 feet long, the Royal Promenade onboard Icon of the Seas will be longer than a football field! It will be filled with brand-new experiences, such as the 4100 Lobby Bar, Dueling Pianos, and largest ice rink at sea. 

Plus, specialty restaurants, including Giovanni's Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar, will be found here, rather than in quiet locations like Central Park. 

Youth programming can be accessed from the Royal Promenade, too. Teens will love the brand-new Social 020, which will offer state-of-the-art video game systems and a movie room. 

"The Royal Promenade is a classic with Royal Caribbean and has evolved significantly. It's an amazing hub for the entire community onboard the ship," said Bayley. 

"...it always has been this place where people meet and have fun together, and that is certainly true for Icon." 

Read more: The Royal Promenade on Icon of the Seas will be a leap forward with new innovations

Before booking a Royal Caribbean cruise, you'll want to understand what is and is not included in your cruise fare. 

Unfortunately, Royal Caribbean cruises aren't all-inclusive. Before getting too excited about the cheap cruise deal that you found, you'll want to consider how much extra you will spend on cruise fees. 

While not all are required, there are some that you have to pay, such as port fees and gratuities. These two things alone can tack on an extra $400 per person depending on where you're cruising to and how long the sailing is. 

Read more: What's included in your Royal Caribbean cruise fare

Here are 11 cruise fees you should know about before booking your Royal Caribbean cruise, so you can appropriately budget. 

Port fees

When Royal Caribbean sends out emails advertising cruise deals, the rate shown doesn't include port fees. These mandatory fees vary based on where you're sailing to, with port fees in Alaska costing more than those in Europe or the Caribbean. 

In July 2025, for instance, the port fees on a 7-night sailing to Alaska onboard Quantum of the Seas cost as much as $295 per person, while the fees for a 7-night cruise to the Caribbean onboard the brand-new Icon of the Seas cost around $185 per person.  

Port fees are charged by the ports of call to the cruise line, as ships do not get to dock for free, and are then passed on to passengers. They're usually a summation of a few different fees, including the docking fee, per-passenger fee (head tax), and pilot fee. 

Unlike gratuities that can be adjusted at Guest Services, port fees are paid in full by the time of final payment.

Wi-Fi

Hoping to stay connected while at sea? You will have to purchase a Wi-Fi package. Unlike other cruise lines, Royal Caribbean only offers a single package: Voom Surf + Stream.

With this package, you'll get 24-hour access to the internet. There aren't any restrictions on what you can access, either.

You can browse the web, send, and receive emails, and chat on messenger apps, as well as stream your favorite television shows, music, and movies. You're also able to video chat with those back home and post on social media.

Of course, there are ways for you to check in on everyone at home without paying $20 per day, such as only connecting while in port at local restaurants or coffee shops. For most, however, it's not feasible to be completely out of touch with the world. 

Related: How to get free wifi on Royal Caribbean

Gratuities 

As of November 2023, the automatic gratuity rate for Royal Caribbean cruises is $18.00 per person, per day for standard cabins (Junior Suites and below) and $20.50 per person, per day for suites.

This means that a family of four in a standard balcony stateroom on a 7-night cruise can expect to pay an extra $504 for the week. 

You can choose to pre-pay them before your sailing, either at the time of booking or by calling Royal Caribbean/your travel agent, or have them added to your onboard account to be settled at the end of your cruise. 

Each guest, regardless of age, will be assessed the daily gratuity, which is then split amongst hardworking crew members. 

Premium menu options

Included in your cruise fare is unlimited food from complimentary dining venues onboard. While the restaurants vary based on cruise ship, all Royal Caribbean vessels have a Main Dining Room and buffet. 

If you choose to eat in the ship's dining room, you'll notice a few premium options on the menu:

• Maine lobster tail: $16.99 (a single lobster tail is included on itineraries with "The Royal Night" menu)
• Chops Grille filet mignon: $19.99
• Surf & turf: $34.99

There will be plenty of things to choose from if you don't want to pay for these upgraded offerings. If, however, you want a more intimate dining experience, you will want to consider splurging on a specialty dining meal. 

These range in pricing; however, if you book ahead through the Cruise Planner, you can take advantage of pre-cruise sales. 

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

Room service

Speaking of dining, every Royal Caribbean ship offers 24-hour room service, where you can have breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks delivered right to your cabin. Whenever I cruise in a balcony, I make a point to enjoy breakfast on my private verandah at least once!

Aside from continental breakfast, all Royal Caribbean room service orders incur a $7.95 fee, as well as an 18% gratuity, bringing the total cost to around $9.40. 

The fee is a fixed-cost, meaning that you'll pay the same amount whether you order one dish or three. 

Royal Caribbean's continental breakfast includes items like toast (wheat, white, gluten-free), plain bagels, English muffins, assorted pastries, cereals, fruits, and yogurts. If you want any hot items, you'll have to order those and pay the service charge. 

Additionally, it’s customary to give a small cash tip to the crew member delivering the food to your stateroom. 

Corkage fees

Each guest is permitted to bring one 750ml bottle of wine or champagne with them when they board their ship. While this likely won't be enough to last you the entire cruise, bringing your own alcohol onboard, even in a limited quantity, is a great way to save a little bit of money and enjoy your favorite wine on the ship. 

You aren't charged to bring the bottle onboard; however, if you opt to consume it in a public area, such as the dining room, you'll be charged a corkage fee of $15 per bottle. 

To avoid this pesky fee, simply consume the wine in your stateroom. Don't bring the bottle with you to dinner or a show. 

Thermal suites 

There's no denying that cruise ship spas are expensive, with a 50-minute Swedish Massage costing upwards of $150. 

Thermal suites are popular because you can either a pass that gives you access for the entire cruise. For instance, on my upcoming cruise onboard Quantum of the Seas, the Cruise Planner lists a 7-day pass at $125, which is cheaper than a 50-minute treatment!

Childcare 

Don't worry, Adventure Ocean programming is complimentary for kids between the ages of 3 and 12 during the day. An hourly rate applies after 10:00pm, though. There is a separate program for teens (12-14 and 15-17). 

Additionally, children under the age of 3 cannot partake in the complimentary programming. Instead, Royal Babies & Tots is a nursery drop-off for guests between the ages of 6 and 36 months. This costs $6 per hour between 9:00am and 6:00pm and $8 per hour from 6:00pm until midnight. 

Regardless of where your child has to go, there will be age-appropriate activities for them to enjoy while parents get some much-needed alone time. 

Select non-alcoholic beverages 

Your base fare includes select beverages, including water, milk, tea, coffee (regular and decaf), lemonade, iced tea, flavored waters, juices (at breakfast and not fresh squeezed), and hot chocolate (via instant packets). 

If you want anything else, such as specialty coffees, sodas, or mocktails, you'll have to either pay for each drink individually or splurge on a Royal Caribbean drink package. 

As of December 2023, most zero-proof cocktails are $7.00, with specialty coffees at Cafe Promenade and Cafe Latte-tude ranging from $4.00-$5.50. Soda onboard Royal Caribbean ships costs $3.50. 

Royal Caribbean offers two different non-alcoholic packages: the Classic Soda Package and the Royal Refreshment Package. 

The latter is the more expensive package, as it includes all non-alcoholic cocktails (mocktails), Coca-Cola Freestyle beverages and soda refills at any venue, bottled still and sparkling water, specialty teas and coffees, Johnny Rockets shakes, and freshly squeezed juices.

The Classic Soda Package includes just soda, so you'll have to pay extra for any other non-alcoholic beverages. 

Related: What drinks are free on your Royal Caribbean cruise?

Alcoholic drinks

Alcoholic beverages cost extra on Royal Caribbean cruises, too. Whether you want a cocktail, glass of wine, or crisp beer, you'll have to be willing to spend some additional money. 

The Deluxe Beverage Package is their only alcoholic package. As such, it's also their most expensive. Typically, it can cost anywhere from $56 to $105 per person, per day.

Packages are priced dynamically, meaning that the ship, itinerary, and time of year all play a role in what the cost is for your specific sailing. 

If you opt to purchase each drink individually, you'll find most cocktails around $14.00, with beer ranging from $7.49-$7.99. Hard ciders, like Angry Orchard and Strongbow, are $7.99, and most glasses of wine fall within the window of $8.00-$14.00. 

Those sailing to Perfect Day at CocoCay and Lababee, Haiti will be delighted to know that drink packages work ashore!

Certain onboard activities

Royal Caribbean is known for packing its ships full of onboard thrills. Depending on which class you sail on, you'll find anything from ice skating rinks to skydiving simulators, bumper cars, zip lines, water slides, and more. 

While the majority of activities are included in the cost of your cruise fare, there are some you'll have to pay extra for, such as the North Star observation capsule on sea days or fitness classes. 

Similarly, if you want a FlowRider lesson, whether it's private or a group, you'll have to pay extra, with the latter being the cheaper option. Usually, group lessons cost around $60 per person. 

Related: Top 30 extra cruise costs that are not included

A cabin steward on a cruise is the individual responsible for ensuring that your stateroom is maintained throughout your sailing. 

Often referred to as cabin or stateroom attendants, they'll perform tasks such as making the bed, removing trash and used dishes, cleaning the bathroom and replenishing towels, and leaving cute towel animals. They are also the person responsible for leaving important disembarkation documents. 

You don't have to be present for them to service your stateroom, as they have their own key. In fact, cabin stewards on Royal Caribbean ships will ask if you have a preference between whether your room is cleaned in the morning or afternoon. 

If you're staying in a suite, however, they'll service your room two times per day, rather than just once. 

Compared to housekeepers at hotels, you can expect your experience with a cabin steward to be far more personalized. When you pass them in the hall, they'll often address you by your first name, and they'll take the time to introduce themselves on the first day of the cruise. 

On embarkation day, you can let them know of any preferences that you may have

Typically, you'll meet your cabin steward on embarkation day, and they will ask whether or not you have any special requests. This could be anything from separating beds to additional hangers, fresh ice, wine glasses, etc.

They'll also give you a business card with their name and extension, so you can call them throughout the cruise if any needs arise. 

When you meet them, they will also ask if you have a preference for when they freshen your stateroom. While they cannot guarantee a specific time (i.e., 10am if you select the morning), you'll be given a time frame.

It is best that you consider how you plan on vacationing. Do you expect to be up early each morning to make the most of your time onboard the ship, or will you be using your PTO to catch up on sleep? 

Related: Spotted: Royal Caribbean cuts cabin housekeeping from twice to once per day service

Cabin stewards are not responsible for anything except the cleanliness of your stateroom

Throughout the cruise, you may find yourself in a situation where you need to speak to someone about getting a new cruise card, or perhaps you have a question about your onboard account. Those issues can best be handled by Guest Services, rather than your cabin steward. 

Additionally, they cannot help you book shore excursions or dinner reservations. Thankfully, it's easy to do so through the Royal Caribbean app either before embarkation or once you get on the ship. 

If you get a craving for a late-night snack or want breakfast delivered, make sure that you contact room service, rather than your steward. 

For any child-related needs, you'll want to visit Adventure Ocean. Rather than waiting to register your children on the first sea day, you should take advantage of the open house on embarkation day. 

While children won't be able to stay and partake in any complimentary programming quite yet, you'll be able to tour the facilities and get acclimated to the program before sailing away. 

Finally, even though your cabin steward will deliver your luggage outside of your cabin, they won't help you unpack. Similarly, they won't be of any use when you are packing on the last night of the cruise, so you will want to ensure that you allot enough time to get this done. 

Leaving an extra tip isn't required; however, it is a nice gesture 

When you book your cruise, you'll notice that you have an option to pre-pay for your gratuities. If you choose not to, they will automatically be added to your onboard account to be settled at the end of your vacation. 

As of November 2023, the automatic gratuity rate is $18.00 per person, per day for standard cabins (Junior Suites and below) and $20.50 per person, per day for suites.

Gratuities are divided amongst the crew members who work to make your time onboard so memorable, including your cabin steward. However, it's not unusual to hear about passengers leaving an extra tip. 

The amount that guests leave varies. According to Ampurp85 on a Royal Caribbean Blog forum, "...I normally give my room attendant between $35-50 depending on length of cruise. I like to give them $10-15 halfway through and the rest at the end."

"For a typical 7-night, we did an additional $20/p for head waiter, $15/p for asst waiter, $20/p for stateroom attendant, $1/drink for bar staff," wrote KJones. 

What's the difference between a cabin steward and Royal Genie?

While there are technically three different tiers to Royal Caribbean's Royal Suite Class, only those who booked a Star Class suite will have access to a Royal Genie, who is pretty much like a private butler. 

Suites within the Star Class include the Royal Loft Suite, Owner’s Loft Royal Suite, Grand Loft Sky Loft Suite, 2-Bedroom Aqua Theater Suite, and 4-Bedroom Family Suite. 

Having a Royal Genie is all about making your life onboard easier, so you can expect them to assist you with making dining reservations, booking shore excursions, and more. 

Additionally, since their job is to provide next-level service, you can ask for just about anything, whether it's fresh coffee in the morning, arranging in-suite parties, or scoring reservations to a fully booked show. 

That being said, Royal Genies do not take the place of cabin stewards. As such, they aren't responsible for the cleanliness of your stateroom. Just like standard staterooms, you will have a dedicated cabin steward throughout your sailing.

Related: My advice for someone using a Royal Genie on a Royal Caribbean cruise

If you don't want your cabin serviced, utilize the "do not disturb" magnet

Stateroom doors are magnetic. In addition to fun decor, they can also serve a functional purpose. If, for instance, you wake up feeling unwell and want to remain in bed, you can place the "do not disturb" magnet outside, which will let your cabin steward know that you're inside. 

Perhaps you told them that you'd prefer your cabin to be cleaned during the afternoon, but you want a nap before dinner. 

Whatever the reason, the magnet will let your steward know that it's okay for them to skip your room.