Royal Caribbean is about to launch a brand new mega-ship this summer, but don't overlook their smaller vessels.

Cruise giant Royal Caribbean is ready for its best summer yet. While most eyes are hyper-focused on Star of the Seas' launch in August, there's a lot more worth talking about. 

For example, Ovation of the Seas just began her first season sailing from Los Angeles to the Baja Peninsula. 

Before the 168,666 gross-ton vessel set sail from California, the largest Royal Caribbean ship to call Los Angeles home had been Navigator of the Seas. 

When Royal Caribbean returned to Los Angeles after more than a decade in 2021, Navigator signaled the company's commitment to expanding its West Coast presence. 

Now, with Ovation of the Seas stepping in, they're even more excited to double down on their offerings out of California to ports like Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada, Mexico. 

Ovation, which launched in 2016, features next-level amenities like a skydiving simulator, an indoor multi-purpose venue, a North Star glass observation capsule, and more. 

Anthem of the Seas makes her Alaska debut

This summer is filled with firsts for Quantum Class ships. In addition to Ovation sailing from Los Angeles, Anthem is heading to Alaska for the first time. 

Anthem of the Seas launched in 2015 and has sailed across the globe, from Norway to Spain, Australia, and Japan. However, this marks her inaugural season exploring The Last Frontier. 

Sailing from Seattle on 7-night itineraries every Friday through September 26, Anthem will call at iconic ports like Skagway, Juneau, and Sitka.

All the while, passengers can enjoy Anthem's signature Quantum Class features. The North Star observation capsule is a highlight, as it offers panoramic views of Alaska’s glaciers and snow-capped mountains from over 300 feet above sea level.

Read more: I’ve been on 5 Alaska cruises, and I see people making the same 20 mistakes: here’s how to avoid them

Amplified Allure of the Seas in Europe

Looking for a different kind of adventure? There's none more exciting than Allure of the Seas' summer season in Europe. Not only is this Allure's first time in Europe since 2015, but it follows her highly anticipated amplification. 

Allure of the Seas was supposed to undergo a multi-million-dollar renovation in 2020; however, the plans were indefinitely postponed due to the global pandemic. 5 years later, she finally got the attention she desperately needed compared to newer Oasis Class ships. 

Now, Allure sports a resort-style pool deck, Perfect Storm waterslides, Ultimate Abyss dry slide, Playmaker's, Mason Jar specialty restaurant, Pesky Parrot tiki-bar, a new AquaTheater show, and more. 

In short, if you've been waiting to sail aboard Allure of the Seas, there's no better time than this summer, especially as she's set to visit culturally rich cities in Europe. Allure will remain in the Mediterranean through late October, when she'll reposition to offer Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean just finished $100 million in upgrades to Allure of the Seas. First look at all the changes

Finally, Star of the Seas is set to sail from Port Canaveral, Florida

There's no denying that Icon of the Seas has been a smash hit. Building on that momentum, Star of the Seas promises to add to the experience with new dining options and shows. 

For instance, Royal Caribbean is switching the theme of the upscale supper club. Rather than copying and pasting the same old-school NYC experience, the Lincoln Park Supper Club will pay homage to Chicago in the 1930s. Additionally, Pier 7 is being replaced by a new dining concept. There will be an extra hot tub, too! 

Sailing from Port Canaveral, Florida, Star will transport guests to the Eastern and Western Caribbean. All itineraries include a scheduled stop at Royal Caribbean's award-winning private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

Ahead of her maiden voyage on August 31, Star will embark on short 3- and 4-night showcase sailings starting on August 16, 2025. Ironically, her original inaugural cruise was scheduled for the 17th but was pushed back because of construction delays. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean reveals 21 ways to party, dance, and show on its new Icon Class ship

In celebration of environmental advocacy and sea turtle conservation, Royal Caribbean Group and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) have partnered to launch a new awareness campaign. 

Shell Week will run from June 8 (World Oceans Day) through June 16 (World Sea Turtle Day) and is meant to bring ocean lovers of all ages together through interactive digital rewards available in the Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises mobile apps. 

One of the highlights of the campaign is a bracket-style Turtle Tournament, where turtles will go head-to-head in daily videos. Participants can view the videos to learn new facts and vote for their favorites. The winning turtle will be crowned on June 16 — World Sea Turtle Day — via social media. 

There's also the Ocean Explorers Club in both the Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises apps. Cruisers can find interactive educational content and conservation activities. Plus, there's a chance to earn the special Ocean Explorers virtual badge. 

The best part about this badge? You don't have to sail on a new cruise ship or visit a different region of the world! 

ShellWeek.com is set to go live later this week. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean rolls out badges for every ship you've sailed on

One of the best parts of the new campaign is the chance to win a trip to Florida

Shell Week also features a sweepstakes where one lucky winner will receive a 2-day trip to Florida for two. 

That's not all — at the heart of the experience is a special opportunity to spend a day in the field with a WWF scientist studying sea turtles in their natural habitat.

The heart of the campaign lies in connecting cruisers with Royal Caribbean Group's SEA the Future initiative

The initiative, which launched in 2023, focuses on sustaining the planet, energizing communities, and accelerating innovation.

Through the initiative, Royal Caribbean Group helps sustain the planet by improving the company's energy efficiency, treating the water it uses, and keeping waste from reaching landfills. 

Additionally, they hope to inspire future generations, connect with local cultures, and support economic vibrancy. 

The last pillar — accelerating innovation — reflects Royal Caribbean Group’s commitment to creating sustainable ship designs and exploring cutting-edge technologies that create best-in-class experiences. 

Everything from the reduction of food waste to water conservation helps the company work toward their goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Read more: Royal Caribbean reveals behind-the-scenes secret to how cruise ships make their own water

If you've recently been annoyed by a surge of notifications popping up from your Royal Caribbean app, you’re not alone.

Cruisers have reported receiving numerous pop-ups on their devices from the mobile app. However, they don't contain any important information. Rather, they're test notifications filled with placeholder text like "head - test segment 1, subtitles - test segment 1, content - test segment 1." 

The generic phrases ascended sequentially with each push notification, going from "test segment 1" to "test segment 19" within hours. 

Royal Caribbean confirmed they were aware of the pop-ups but didn't say what updates were being made to the mobile app. 

"We're sorry you received pop-ups. Our IT team is doing updates on the app. We've let them know guests are receiving notifications. Sorry about that," Royal Caribbean wrote on X. 

It seems the random notifications finally subsided around 12:30pm EST. 

The random spam of pop-ups left guests confused and irritated

"I thought I was going crazy," CaptGoodvibesNMS commented on a Reddit thread about the glitch, "Now I know it’s RCI losing their marbles."

Another sarcastically wrote, "Make sure you click every single notification, make sure they know we got it."

Amidst the jokes and confusion, others hypothesized as to what the notifications could be related to. 

"Do we think these notification issues are related to booking trouble?" asked one Reddit user. "I put some excursions and a soda package into my cart this morning but was unable to check out — I kept getting a 'cart empty' or 'cart rolled away' message on both the app and website."

One user seemed to agree, as they noted they couldn't log into their Royal Caribbean account during the push notification incident. 

Personally, whenever I clicked on one of the notifications, I was redirected to a webpage to book flights through Royal Caribbean. This could mean they're working on a feature that allows guests to book Air2Sea flights directly on the app. 

Although annoying, the vague notifications resulted in funny memes on social media

The digital hiccup quickly became an inside joke within the cruise community, and forums filled up with sarcastic cracks about the incident.

For example, amishengineer suggested that everyone mark themselves "safe from testing in production," as one might on Facebook after a natural disaster or major event. 

Others joked about the notifications like it was a multi-day all-nighter, mimicking the famous SpongeBob SquarePants meme of Mr. Krabs looking frazzled while keeping the Krusty Krab open 24 hours for days in a row. 

Another user quipped, "boy oh boy i cant wait for [test] 19, really wonder what surprises it holds." 

Royal Caribbean has recently added new features to the app

It seems Royal Caribbean's been playing with its mobile app more than usual lately. Two months ago, they rolled out new app-exclusive badges that denote which ships you've sailed on. 

A little over a month later, they enhanced the feature to include destinations. Different regions of the world that Royal Caribbean ships visit are listed, including Bermuda, Perfect Day at CocoCay, Europe, and Mexico.

Although it's a quirky feature that subtly makes guests want to become repeat cruisers, it doesn't add anything practical to the app experience, which may explain why they're playing with a new functional tool. 

Passengers aboard Royal Caribbean's Enchantment of the Seas nearly missed out on their port day in Costa Maya, Mexico, due to rough seas and high winds. 

The 28-year-old vessel approached the inner pier, but the captain suspended the disembarkation process because of the inclement weather conditions, with winds at about 15-18 knots.

However, as Wonder of the Seas, a newer Oasis Class vessel, sailed into port, the 235,600-gross-ton mega-ship shielded Enchantment from the wind and ocean swells. 

"The hope and now reality/success [is] that Wonder of the Seas arrived and is now miraculously blocking the swells and wind from the other side of the pier (our portside) and allow[ing] a safe disembarkation process to the pier," said Come Cruise With Me's Dennis Post. 

It's not uncommon for captains to cancel ports due to unfavorable weather. Although disappointing, these decisions always prioritize guest and crew safety — a principle upheld by Enchantment of the Seas' crew during the initial disembarkation delay.

Coming in at 18 decks tall compared to Enchantment's 12, Wonder towered over her like a natural protector. Wonder's sheer size and position calmed the conditions along the pier enough to allow guests to safely disembark and enjoy their day in Costa Maya.

Read more: "It’s time Enchantment of the Seas was taken out back and shot" I went on the cruise ship that gets lots of hate

Everything wasn't picture-perfect, though

According to passengers on Enchantment, the Costa Maya port area was at capacity. 

Along with Wonder and Enchantment of the Seas, Carnival Jubilee, the newest ship in Carnival's fleet of fun ships, docked at Costa Maya on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. 

This brought over 10,000 guests to the port — more than it can comfortably handle with its current infrastructure. 

Read more: I spent $4,700 for a 7-night cruise on Wonder of the Seas

Brandon Green of Lakeland, Florida, was traveling aboard Enchantment of the Seas and went ashore once guests were given the all-clear, as reported by Come Cruise With Me. 

"It was a nightmare getting into the port, and once we got in, the shops were overrun," he said.

Wonder of the Seas' capacity at double occupancy is 5,734, while Enchantment's is just 2,252. Carnival Jubilee, though smaller than Wonder, still holds an impressive number of people — up to 5,362 at double occupancy. However, at full capacity, these ships can hold more people. 

Cruise ships can use this maneuver

As soon as our team read about this story, it reminded me of a similar need for wind blocking last year.

In February 2024, a sudden storm caused Royal Caribbean to evacuate Perfect Day at CocoCay. A cold front moved in quickly, and the two ships needed to get out of the port immediately.

To help, Oasis of the Seas blocked the wind so Freedom of the Seas could depart safely. The winds were so bad that normal departure procedures wouldn't be safe.

Oasis was able to block the winds for Freedom to leave. Oasis remained docked until it was safe to depart on its own.

Royal Caribbean is transforming Costa Maya into the next best destination in the Caribbean

Royal Caribbean has big plans for Costa Maya: they're going to transform the port into the next sought-after destination in their Perfect Day series. 

Perfect Day Mexico is poised to elevate the private destination experience with the same blend of chill and thrill that has made Perfect Day at CocoCay a fan favorite. 

With the world's longest lazy river, the tallest waterslides in North and South America, the biggest bottle of tequila, and so much more, Perfect Day Mexico is set to redefine what it means to have a “perfect day."

Royal Caribbean doesn't plan to close off Costa Maya exclusively to its guests, but it is aiming to transform part of the port into a destination that rivals Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

The port will remain open during the construction of Perfect Day Mexico. Once complete, there will be a new welcome center — built by Royal Caribbean — to acquaint guests of visiting cruise lines, including Carnival, with popular attractions in the Mahahual area and provide transportation throughout the region.

Read more: I’ve been to Perfect Day at CocoCay 9 times — 6 reasons I’m even more excited for Royal Caribbean's new private destination in Mexico

Sea days are busy for crew members. Although they're ideal for passengers to kick back and relax, the behind-the-scenes reality for crew members is vastly different. Still, there are opportunities for the crew to take time away from demanding passengers, collect themselves, and possibly win a special prize. 

Bryan James, an entertainer for Royal Caribbean who has worked on numerous ships in the fleet, shared incentives offered to crew members on busy sea days, when many are working 10 to 13-hour shifts. 

"There is one part of the day, though, that gets kind of relaxed around here," he says in a reel shared to TikTok, "It's called Tea Time."

On this specific day, Tea Time took place in the crew mess and came with a fun twist: crew-only bingo. 

Passenger bingo is a popular activity, as the prizes often include onboard credit, free cruises, and more. However, playing isn't free. Royal Caribbean offers different packages, with the cheapest costing around $40 for 3 paper cards. 

Cruisers line up in advance to secure their playing cards and seats ahead of the highly anticipated game. Comparatively, the attendance for the free-to-play Tea Time session in James' video was scarce, with the crew presumably catching up on rest, tackling other duties, or spending their break eating lunch in the mess. 

Crew bingo offers rewards and doesn't cost the crew money to play

"They just announced the prices," James continues, "First place is some headphones, Skull Candy; second place is a bottle of wine; and third place is a case of water." His voice sounded disappointed, as he initially thought crew members were playing for a cash prize. 

Cash prizes for passenger bingo depend on how many guests are playing and how many cards have been sold. It's not uncommon to hear of jackpots as high as $5,000 or $6,000 being won by lucky passengers. 

As mentioned, the cheapest package to buy into bingo costs $40, but some cruisers are willing to pay for the top-tier options that cost upwards of $70 and include over 35 ways to win on a special tablet. 

"There's typically only one or two sea days per cruise"

According to James, port days are more balanced. While the days are still long, there's a different rhythm compared to sea days, when thousands of guests need to be constantly entertained and fed.

However, there are sailings, including Transatlantic and Transpacific voyages, where passengers might be at sea for 7, 8, or 9 days in a row. "They make you wonder, 'Why do I do this job?'" James jokes. 

"But then you realize at the end of that 7-day sailing, you wind up in Tokyo or you're in Australia," highlighting one of the perks of working on a cruise ship, despite the grueling hours and sometimes unpleasant guests. 

James is currently working aboard Allure of the Seas

Allure of the Seas is in Europe for the first time since 2015. She just underwent a major revitalization, bringing new concepts to the 14-year-old vessel, including Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade, the Mason Jar, the Pesky Parrot, a resort-style pool deck, the Ultimate Abyss dry slide, and so much more. 

James has been sharing glimpses of his life as a crew member on cruise ships across various social media channels, including TikTok (831k followers) and Instagram (305k followers), for three years. However, James claims that his contract on Allure of the Seas, which lasts until August 21, is his last. 

"For me, this is actually my last contract ever," he said in a TikTok posted on April 10, "If working on ships has taught me anything, it's that I don't have to hunker down and have that typical 9 to 5 job. I want to be able to continue to travel and work on my own terms." 

One cruiser received a major scare when they were notified that their upcoming cruise was cancelled after forgetting to make their final payment. 

Full payment isn't required when cruises are booked in advance. Instead, travelers can place a deposit to secure their reservation, with the final payment due by a specific deadline — often 60 to 90 days before departure, depending on the cruise line and itinerary. 

Norie08 shared their harrowing experience on a Reddit message board, serving as a warning for fellow travelers not to make the same mistake in the future. 

"I [forgot] to pay my final balance on my Royal Caribbean [cruise]. [Then, finally], remember[ed] it while I'm at work. I'm planning to pay for it after work. But now I have received notice of [the] cancelation of my cruise," they explain.

"Can I still beg them [that] I'm going to pay? I keep calling them, but nobody answers. I'm so sad!" 

Norie08 booked a 4-night sailing for July 2025 directly through Royal Caribbean's website to celebrate their 6th anniversary. This also would have been Norie08's first cruise, making the situation more heartbreaking. 

Luckily, they got in touch with Royal Caribbean's customer service team, who were able to reinstate their booking. 

"I got it. I contacted them, and I paid my final balance and restored my reservation. I just lost my freebies for the anniversary!" they said. 

Although Norie08 was relieved to have their cruise back, the situation served as an important lesson in travel planning. 

Here are 4 tips to ensure you don't forget to make the final payment for your upcoming cruise vacation.

Read more: 25 Do's and Don'ts for your Royal Caribbean cruise in 2025

Set calendar reminders

"In the future, always put a calendar reminder in your phone!" commented one Reddit user. 

The final payment due date will be clearly listed on your booking confirmation, whether it's 6 months or two years away, as well as on your online account. 

As soon as you've placed your deposit, set multiple calendar alerts so you're frequently reminded about the upcoming payment date. 

For example, you might not want the first reminder to pop up two days before you have to drop thousands of dollars on a cruise payment. 

Instead, consider setting a reminder for two months, three weeks, and two days before the final payment is due. That way, you have time to come up with the funds, rather than scrambling at the last minute. 

Read more: Should I make final payment for my cruise?

Work with a travel agent

Booking cruises through a travel agent is a game-changer. Not only can they help you find deals and decide on cabin categories, itineraries, and even shore excursions, but good agents will remind you when final payments are due. 

For example, my amazing travel agent through MEI Travel, Christina, will always email me days ahead of when the final payment is due, asking if it's okay to go ahead and charge the card on file. 

It's nice because I never have to worry about missing the final payment on my cruise vacations — one of the many perks of using a travel agent! 

Similar-Routine7337 agrees, writing, "This is a big reason why I use a travel agent. I don’t have to worry about missing this deadline."

Read more: 10 things I'd recommend if someone is new to cruise ship travel

Frequently check your email

Cruise lines will send important notices to your email. Some may be related to your sailing's final payment, while others might be about itinerary changes. 

For example, Carnival Cruise Line recently emailed me about ongoing maintenance on the main pool during my weeklong Alaska cruise. Though minor, I was glad I knew that the only indoor pool would be closed before I stepped foot on Carnival Luminosa. 

Regularly checking your inbox will help you stay on top of important updates about your cruise. You may also receive a special upgrade offer!

Arrange automatic payments

"I always take the balance I owe after the initial deposit and divide by the number of months I have to pay it prior to the final payment due date and schedule equal monthly payments to be automatically taken from my credit card. This way I won’t have to pay a lump sum at the time I make the booking or at the final payment due date," explains Altruistic-Couple989.

"It’s sort of like putting your cruise on layaway, no finance fees and it makes it easier (at least for me) since I usually have 4-6 future cruises booked and all being paid in monthly automatic installment payments."

This is great advice for cruisers who fear they'll forget the final payment date or want to consistently pay off their vacation. 

I recently tried one of Royal Caribbean's new Royal Signature Excursions, aimed at immersing guests in the local culture with reputable third-party operators. 

According to the cruise line, these curated tours were hand-picked for their elevated benefits, such as amazing itineraries, food, and small group sizes.

When I discovered they were only available in 11 ports — and my weeklong Caribbean cruise aboard Icon of the Seas was visiting two of them — I knew I needed to test them out for myself. 

Though I never imagined spending over $110 per person on a snorkeling excursion in the Caribbean, it was one of the most affordable Royal Signature Excursions that wasn't sold out yet. 

My other option was the "Taste of St. Kitts: Wine Sampling, Local Treats & Beach" tour that cost over $300 per person! That was a hard pass from us. 

In the end, the "St. John by Sea: Catamaran, Champagne & Snorkel" excursion was one of the highlights of our cruise and worth every penny. 

Read more: I went on the world's most family-friendly cruise ship without kids. It was worth the $7,000 price tag for 5 reasons

The tour started out like any other Royal Caribbean-sponsored excursion

Because we pre-booked the tour through the Cruise Planner, we received our excursion tickets on embarkation day in our stateroom. 

Since it was relatively last minute (about one month before our departure date), the pre-cruise sale wasn't as great as if the tour had been reserved around Black Friday. 

As such, my partner and I paid $221.98 altogether, or $110.99 each. Still, knowing prices are usually more expensive in the Eastern Caribbean, I wasn't too upset. 

Our tickets told us to meet our group in the Royal Theater at 7:00am, so we started our day with one of my favorite ways to ease into an early morning on a cruise: room service breakfast on our infinite verandah.

We were fully checked in and seated by 6:55am, though we weren't guided off the ship until closer to 7:20am. Once on the pier, we stood in line while tour operators passed around a medical questionnaire that everyone had to verbally answer. 

In short, it said if you had conditions like asthma, heart disease, or epilepsy, you'd be disqualified from the excursion. It also informed guests that the use of full-face snorkel masks was prohibited in St. John. 

Those who confirmed they weren't affected by the conditions on the list were given a small green boarding pass to hang onto until we reached the marina. 

By 7:40am, we were loaded onto an open-air safari bus and began the trek through St. Thomas' steep, twisting roads during the morning rush hour.

We safely made it to the Compass Point Marina about 40 minutes later, and at this point, everyone was ready to get on the catamaran and take in the Caribbean's tropical sun. 

We were split into two groups

My partner and I boarded the Dancing Dolphin catamaran, while others were sent to the Adventuress. Both were U.S. Coast Guard-inspected vessels, which was reassuring to hear. 

There was ice water waiting on the bar when we embarked for guests to grab as they made their way to the outer deck. Though it wasn't too warm yet, it was refreshing to sip on after the bus ride while we listened to the safety announcements. 

Our crew consisted of Ian, Cameron, and Deena, the captain. The trio had an amazing sense of humor that set everyone at ease. 

Before we knew it, we were pulling away from the dock and sailing on the surprisingly calm waters toward Honeymoon Beach in St. John. 

The ride to Honeymoon Beach didn't feel too long

Snorkeling gear, including masks, life jackets, and flippers, was passed out during the ride, so by the time we anchored offshore, everyone was eager to jump in. 

They gave another short safety briefing, establishing boundaries as to where we could and couldn't swim and hand signals in case of distress, before allowing everyone in the water. 

While most guests wanted to snorkel, there was an option to ride the dinghy to the soft white sands. This was appreciated, as it let everyone, regardless of their physical ability or comfort level, enjoy their time in St. John. 

However, I couldn't resist jumping into the crystal-clear water. It was a little cooler than I thought, but I quickly got used to it. 

We spent about an hour snorkeling. Overall, it was a quiet day for marine life, but we did spot a few stingrays and tons of fish. 

As we made our way toward the catamaran, we heard Deena shouting to look underneath us. To my surprise, a sea turtle was grazing the ocean floor! 

Back onboard, the crew was busy preparing fun libations and light snacks

I opted for the rum punch mimosa, while my partner went with a regular glass of champagne. However, they also had non-alcoholic drinks. 

The crew kept the drinks flowing (literally, by carrying around pitchers of punch and champagne bottles around the deck!) for the entire 40-minute ride back to St. Thomas.

Light snacks, including cheese, fruit, crackers, and meat, were also served, but I was disappointed with how greedy some guests were, as the food quickly ran out.

Despite that hiccup, the ride back to the marina was calm and scenic, with views of the Virgin Islands' lush hillsides. 

We spent time conversing with the guests around us. Surprisingly, both couples beside us either currently lived or had previously resided in North Carolina! 

Read more: My favorite stop on my first cruise was St. Thomas

We definitely got our money's worth on our Royal Signature Excursion

Excursions — especially in the Bahamas and Caribbean, where I've been over 20 times — are often one place I decide to save, rather than splurge. 

However, the Royal Signature Excursion reminded me that there's always something new to experience. 

The small group aboard the catamaran made for a relaxing morning without feeling overwhelmingly crammed on a boat, which is how we felt in Mykonos last summer. The unlimited alcohol and snacks to fuel up after snorkeling were a nice touch, too. 

Plus, the crew's friendly energy made the experience feel like we were connecting with old friends. They definitely struck the perfect balance between professionalism, safety, and fun. 

That said, I'd be more interested in trying one of Royal Signature Excursions in a more culturally rich port, such as La Spezia, Italy, where you can go truffle hunting and enjoy a traditional Tuscan farmhouse lunch. 

Former Royal Caribbean C.E.O. Richard Fain's impressive 10,840-square-foot mansion hit the market after more than 35 years for $42 million. 

Fain joined Royal Caribbean in 1979 as an outside director on the company’s Board of Directors. In 1988, he took the position of Chair of the Board of the Royal Caribbean Group and was named the company's Chief Executive Officer. 

Under Fain’s leadership, Royal Caribbean transformed into one of the most recognized and respected brands in the travel industry. While with the company, Royal Caribbean Group introduced new ship categories that continuously pushed the boundaries of cruise ship innovation, including the Sovereign, Voyager, and Oasis Classes. 

He stepped down as C.E.O. on January 3, 2022, with Jason Liberty succeeding him and joining the Board of Directors. 

Having spent over 33 years with the company, he amassed an impressive net worth of over $100 million. However, Fain decided it was time to list his waterfront home in Coral Gables, Florida.

The sprawling estate sits on over 2.25 acres

Designed by acclaimed architect Dan Roban, a protégé of Frank Lloyd Wright, the lavish estate showcases tropical modernism, featuring textured coral rock, exposed wood beams, and expansive skylights. 

It also highlights one of the best parts of Southern Florida living for the wealthy: direct waterfront access to the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay. The mansion includes 130 feet of waterfrontage, as well as a private dock and boat lift. 

In addition to its prime waterfront location, the estate features a pool that complements its tropical modern, upscale design.

Surrounded by lush landscaping, the pool area offers a relaxing retreat far from what you'd find on any Royal Caribbean cruise ship.

Inside, the home offers seven spacious bedrooms, a chef's kitchen, and a living room with vaulted ceilings. The high ceilings help create an open feel and blend the indoor and outdoor spaces. Expansive skylights also flood the home with plenty of natural light. 

Regardless of where you step, large windows frame the property like living art, allowing endless views of the flora and waterfront. 

The home was originally built in 1969 but has undergone obvious updates to preserve its architectural integrity while blending modern conveniences and luxuries. 

However, the estate's interior design incorporates warmer colors, straying from the modern trend of minimalist whites and cool tones — think earthy browns and beige instead of clean, sparkling marble. 

The estate also includes seven and a half baths, an attached garage, walk-in closets, and more. 

The master bathroom is perhaps the most impressive. It features an elegant soaking tub positioned to take full advantage of the property's views. 

However, it also has his and hers showers, both of which have small windows to bring in even more natural light. 

The massive dual vanity has sleek countertops and offers ample storage, akin to what you might find in one of Royal Caribbean's largest suites! 

At $42 million, this over-the-top mansion isn't cheap. In addition to the steep asking price, Douglas Elliman reports that the home comes with $7,500 in annual maintenance and nearly $70,000 in taxes. 

The home is located at 700 Arvida Pkwy, Coral Gables, FL 33156 in the prestigious Gables Estates community, which was developed in the 1960s and features just 164 homes and 24-hour security. 

Icon of the Seas is advertised to deliver the "ultimate family vacation." With the largest waterpark at sea, dedicated neighborhoods, countless dining options, and around-the-clock entertainment, it's clearly built for families. However, my partner and I, both in our mid-20s, boarded without kids and still found it impressive. 

Typically, we prefer sailing with more adult-focused lines, including Celebrity and Princess. But despite being overwhelmingly family-focused, the world's largest cruise ship promised to offer plenty for child-free travelers like us. Plus, we're still young and don't mind the occasional ship-oriented cruise, compared to itinerary-driven sailings. 

Initially, I was worried that we'd regret spending over $7,000 on Icon of the Seas. That's not a small lump of change, and with the right planning, we could have toured Europe for two weeks, visiting culturally rich cities and trying new cuisine. 

However, as soon as we stepped on board, it was clear Icon wasn't another mega-ship. I've spent over 50 nights on Oasis Class ships and thought I knew what to expect, but Icon of the Seas raised the bar in every way — at least for Caribbean vacations. 

The adult-only spaces weren't boring

Take everything you know about the Solarium and throw it out the window. On Icon of the Seas, the Royal Caribbean staple was replaced with The Hideaway. 

It's far less about relaxing away from kids, as Thrill Waterpark is dangling above your head, and more about channeling the high-energy atmosphere of the ship in an adult-only setting. 

Think of it as chic beach club meets rooftop lounge. The DJ spins tunes all afternoon while bartenders keep the drinks flowing. Sometimes, it felt like a Las Vegas pool party but less overwhelming. 

Personally, I liked it best at sea, as the infinity pool gave way to the most mesmerizing wake views ever. However, if you're seeking a little more solitude, you may like it on a port day. 

One thing to note is that, unlike the Solarium, I found there weren't many shaded chairs. So, make sure you pack plenty of sunscreen, unless you plan on spending a lot of time at the bar. 

If you're seeking a moment of quiet, I'd recommend The Overlook. Though it lacks pools, you won't miss out on any views thanks to the AquaDome's floor-to-ceiling windows. 

We could still embrace our inner child

We couldn't resist some of the ship's attractions — particularly the one-of-a-kind Category 6 Waterpark. With six water slides, it's almost like Thrill Waterpark from CocoCay was brought onboard! 

Okay, maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration (could you imagine if they logistically pulled off adding Daredevil's Peak to a ship?!), but the waterpark was seriously impressive. 

My favorite slide was the Storm Surge raft ride. Though we had to shimmy a bit to get going, it picked up speed as soon as we pushed off, splashing us around curves and boomeranging up the over-water "leaf." 

We took advantage of the complimentary waterpark first thing in the morning and when docked in CocoCay. As such, we never waited more than fifteen minutes for a slide. 

While on Icon, we also splurge on the Crown's Edge and Royal Escape Room. Crown's Edge tested my bravery, as I'm typically not a fan of trap door rides. 

However, Crown's Edge is unlike anything I've ever done on a cruise ship. Walking over the side of the ship on the obstacle course while watching the ship glide through the ocean was surreal (and still feels a bit like a fever dream). 

The Royal Escape Room was also more fun than I expected. The immersive space-themed puzzle required everyone to work together. It challenged our problem-solving skills and communication, especially at the beginning when we were divided into two groups and separated. 

Pro tip: Check on embarkation day to see if there's an ongoing deal for Crown's Edge. We paid $35 per person, but it was just $10 on the first day in Miami. 

Read more: 10 lessons learned after trying Icon of the Seas for the first time

The entertainment was top-tier

Last November, I sailed with Disney Cruise Line for the first time in nearly a decade and forgot how amazing their theater productions were. 

Though The Wizard of Oz still fell a little short compared to Tangled: The Musical, it was one of the best Broadway-style productions I've seen on a Royal Caribbean ship (Mamma Mia is still my favorite!). 

The set design was impressive, and I loved the costumes, particularly the colorful Munchkins in Munchkinland. 

Another obvious standout was the aqua show. When we first explored the AquaDome, we were a little disappointed to see how small the AquaTheater was. 

However, the intimate setting enhanced the experience because we felt closer to the action. I won't spoil much, but prepare for skateboarders and acrobatic tricks set against an indoor waterfall! 

Additionally, I thought the comedy show was on par with comedians I've seen on Carnival, which are arguably funnier than Royal's standard line-up. Simeon Kirkiles had the entire comedy club laughing for his entire set!

Thoughtful stateroom upgrades

Overall, I was impressed with the changes to Royal Caribbean's cabin experience. The bathroom, in particular, was a major upgrade compared to ships as new as Wonder of the Seas. I've never seen a standard shower that large and functional before!

I was also impressed with the storage. Though just two of us in the room, we had plenty of space leftover — and we're huge over-packers. The redesigned storage space felt more functional and helped us keep everything organized throughout the week. 

Next time, however, I think I'd opt for an ocean-view room, even if it didn't have a balcony. I had previously cruised in interior-facing cabins on Oasis and Allure of the Seas, but I didn't remember how much the lack of privacy bothered me. 

Because we kept the curtains closed so often when changing and sleeping, the cabin didn't get as much natural light as expected. 

That said, our travel agent quoted us over $6,000 for an ocean-view balcony, which seemed outrageous for a weeklong Caribbean cruise. Instead, we opted for the more affordable Neighborhood GTY fare, which cost around $3,800. We figured that we'd still have a balcony and wouldn't be in the room much to care. 

It was the right decision because the cheaper stateroom gave us a more flexible budget to splurge on add-ons like drink and dining packages, Wi-Fi, shore excursions, and onboard merchandise, bringing our total spend to over $7,400. 

Quality dining options, both complimentary and specialty

I'll be the first to admit that I think Royal Caribbean's complimentary dining has gone downhill in recent years. When we booked Icon, I wanted to minimize my time in the dining room, fearing that sailing on the largest cruise ship would mean rushed service and underwhelming food.

We booked the Unlimited Dining Package for $665, and phew, did we get our money’s worth. From juicy filets at Chops Grille to tasty shrimp tostadas at Pier 7 and tender lobster tails at Hooked, we never felt like we were eating on a cruise ship. 

By the fourth day, however, we realized our eyes were much larger than our stomachs. Though I don't think I'd get the Unlimited Dining Package again (three days is plenty!), Icon of the Seas should definitely be on any foodie's radar. 

There are also enough complimentary options to completely avoid extra-cost restaurants, ranging from the brand-new AquaDome Market to El Loco Fresh, the Pearl Café, Sorrento's, the Main Dining Room, the Windjammer, Basecamp, and Surfside Bites. 

Read more: There are 5 choices I'm really glad I made on my cruise on the world's largest ship — but one thing I'd skip next time for a better experience

Bottom line

Icon of the Seas is easily the best ship in the Caribbean right now. Even without kids, we were constantly entertained, whether listening to music in Lou's Jazz 'n Blues or staying up for the balloon drop in the Royal Promenade. 

For our first time on Icon, I think we experienced as much as we could, even overexerting ourselves at times. If we were to return, we'd take things at a slower pace, perhaps spending two days ashore instead of three. 

That said, Legend of the Seas in Europe is not on our radar. Between exploring Mediterranean cities and taking advantage of everything the ship has to offer, I think'd we quickly wear ourselves down. When it comes to port-intensive itineraries, we prefer smaller ships since the vessel is not our primary focus. 

How early you book a cruise can have a big impact on your vacation cost.

Last-minute cruise deals used to be a fantastic way to score big on a vacation. However, the demand for cruises is so high that Royal Caribbean is focusing on combating high last-minute bookings by rewarding early planners. As a result, last-minute cruise reservations are going to be more expensive than in the past. 

During the company's first quarter earnings call on April 29, Royal Caribbean Group (RCG) President and C.E.O. Jason Liberty shared how 86% of the 2025 cruise inventory is booked. Not only that, but the 2026 booking window is about one week shorter. 

"Our booked position for 2026, at this point, is in line with the same time last year on a volume standpoint...So we obviously have more capacity next year and at higher prices," Liberty said.

Why Royal Caribbean's comments mean you should book a 2026 cruise now

New cruise bookings aren't slowing down. In fact, the company is seeing strong demand for its products, ranging from short getaways on Utopia of the Seas to port-intensive cruises aboard Celebrity's upscale ships. 

Consequently, those planning a 2026 cruise shouldn’t assume there will be availability in a few months. With more ships, higher prices, and a shrinking booking window, delaying your booking could mean missing out on your preferred itinerary or cabin category. 

"Bookings for 2025 have remained on track, cancellation levels are normal, and we continue to see excellent close-in demand," said Liberty. 

Royal Caribbean's recording bookings continued into April, with Liberty reporting that RCG's bookings were greater than the same period last year. 

Still not convinced? Here are 3 reasons you should consider planning your 2026 cruise as soon as possible. 

The demand for cruise vacations is higher than ever

The first quarter results reveal that the company's profits blew past expectations, indicating RCG is seeing strong demand for its cruise products. As such, its full-year guidance was raised. 

According to data released during the call, about 2.2 million passengers sailed with RCG during the first quarter of 2025, which is roughly a 9% increase year over year. 

Plus, guests part of one of the brand's three loyalty programs — the Crown & Anchor Society, Captain's Club, and Venetian Society Program — accounted for about 40% of the company's bookings in 2024.

A high return rate is good because loyal cruisers are likely to book direct and spend 25% more per trip than non-loyalty members. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean is defying the economy: How record bookings and higher prices are fueling a blowout year

Higher demand means higher cruise fares

Cruise ship inventory is fixed. As inventory drops, prices tend to increase since cruise lines can't magically conjure up extra cabins on a floating vessel. 

Fares can change at a moment's notice based on demand. So, as more cabins for a specific sailing are reserved, the cost of the remaining inventory increases. 

More often than not, the most attractive rates for a sailing are when new deployments are released, as you'll find the widest selection of staterooms.

Additionally, as Liberty talked about during the call, Royal Caribbean isn't slashing fares at the last minute as much anymore because the demand for its products is so high. 

"We see...an uplift in demand as we get very close in. Not only do we see an uplift in demand, we're also about to raise our pricing during that period of time," Liberty explained. 

With last-minute bookings driving revenue gains in the first quarter, Royal Caribbean is leaning into strong consumer interest rather than discounting to fill ships. Part of that means maintaining a high level of price integrity to protect the brand's reputation and long-term revenue goals. 

In other words, discounting cruise fares isn't done at random. It's a strategic decision to avoid frequent price fluctuations that could undermine customer trust or devalue the brand.

This means that booking a 2026 cruise now is probably going to be more affordable than waiting six months or more. 

You may also want to start considering 2027 sailings, as cruise itineraries are typically released around two years in advance. Right now, Caribbean and Bahamian voyages through April 2027 have been uploaded to Royal's site and are available for booking.

Booking early means you have more cabins to choose from

While scoring a lower deal is obviously one of the biggest advantages to booking your cruise earlier rather than later, another major benefit is having a wider selection of cabins. 

If you wait until the last minute, you are at the mercy of the leftover cabins, which are typically some of the least desirable rooms onboard, such as those at the front of the ship (terrible for guests with motion sickness) or near a loud public venue (like the casino). 

Suites are usually the first stateroom category to sell out, as there are fewer suites on ships compared to standard cabins. As such, if you want to reserve a suite for a celebratory cruise, you'll want to start thinking about your 2026 cruise now. 

Adjoining cabins for larger families are in high demand, too. 

By booking now, you are locking in a better rate and ensuring you can reserve the best cabin for your travel party, whether a multi-story suite or an affordable interior stateroom near Adventure Ocean. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean cruise ship cabin and suite guide

Bottom line

Royal Caribbean Group's capacity is expected to grow 5.5% in 2025 with the introduction of Star of the Seas and Celebrity Xcel, as well as a full year of Utopia of the Seas and Silver Ray in service. 

The demand for RCG's unique product doesn't seem to be slowing down, meaning that there will be fewer last-minute cruises available. 

Cruises with last-minute availability will also be priced higher than you might expect to counter the demand, allowing the company to maximize revenue while encouraging cruisers to plan ahead. 

Smart cruisers will go ahead and plan their 2026 cruise to take advantage of today's pricing and reserve their ideal cabin. 

It wouldn't hurt to look at early 2027 cruises, either.