Mariner of the Seas has officially re-entered service after undergoing routine dry dock maintenance in The Bahamas. 

The Voyager Class ship last went to dry dock in 2023, where the work focused on minor cosmetic refreshes and standard upkeep. Subtle improvements included repainting the water slides, resurfacing the pool decks, and installing a new FlowRider water pump. 

This time, the ship's dry dock also seemed to err on the side of general maintenance, rather than major upgrades. Mariner of the Seas underwent a $120 million Royal Amplification in 2018, adding new thrills, restaurants, staterooms, and entertainment to the aging vessel. 

(Credit: Joshua Pettit & Alan Flynn / Facebook)

As a result, this latest dry dock focused on preserving the amenities already onboard, while also introducing a handful of small enhancements. 

What's new aboard the Mariner of the Seas cruise ship

(Credit: Alan Flynn / Facebook)

Passengers currently sailing aboard Mariner of the Seas have shared photos and updates of the ship’s refreshed areas. 

For starters, Mariner received a few brand-new colorful casitas on the pool deck. These rentable spaces offer cruisers private shaded spots in the middle of the action, rather than having to fight the chair hogs for prime loungers. 

According to the Royal Caribbean app, the onboard price for a port day casita starts at $150, while the sea day price jumps to $400. You can save money by reserving the casita in advance through the mobile app or Cruise Planner website. 

(Credit: Alan Flynn / Facebook)

Another change made during Mariner of the Seas' refurbishment was the addition of RFID Wow Bands. These wristbands allow passengers to easily access their staterooms with a single tap. They can also be used to make onboard purchases, such as cruise drinks or merchandise, without needing to carry around a physical SeaPass card. 

"So glad they finally have wow bands!!! They are so convenient for kids, we got them on harmony and they are a game changer. Im glad I kept them so we can re use them!" rejoiced one happy cruiser in a dedicated Mariner of the Seas Facebook group. 

Wow Bands aren't included in Royal Caribbean's cruise fare and can be purchased for $9.99. They can also be reused on future sailings. However, you'll need to carry your SeaPass when disembarking in ports of call. 

(Credit: Pamela Thrun Kinsell / Facebook)

Moving on, one passenger, Noah Kingston, explained they ran into the Cruise Director in the Royal Promenade and asked what he thought was the ship's biggest change. His response was the sound system. 

Kingston added that he also observed a motion-activated nightlight in the closet, along with a new thermostat — though another passenger commented that their stateroom's thermostat didn’t seem to be new.

"Most areas I’ve seen so far look clean, freshly painted, and well maintained. Overall, nothing revolutionary so far, but a lot of small, noticeable improvements that make the ship feel refreshed," he concluded. 

When was Mariner of the Seas refurbished?

Mariner of the Seas spent a few weeks tied up in The Bahamas during her recent dry dock. She was out of service from mid-February to March 16, 2026, while work was carried out at Grand Bahama Shipyard in Freeport.

Her first sailing back in service departed on March 17, 2026, from Galveston, Texas. She'll remain in Texas through October, when she'll reposition to New Orleans for a brief stint before moving to Europe in April 2027. 

How old is Mariner of the Seas?

The Mariner of the Seas cruise ship is 22 years old, having set sail on her maiden voyage on November 16, 2003. She measures 139,863 gross tons and 1,020 feet long. Mariner can accommodate 3,344 guests at double occupancy, along with 1,200 international crew members. 

Although she isn't the newest ship in the fleet, she offers solid value for cruisers. Onboard, guests will find a wide range of onboard amenities — typically for lower fares than newer vessels. 

During the ship's Royal Amplification, several new attractions and venues were added, including The Perfect Storm water slides, Laser Tag: Battle for Planet Z, an escape room, The Bamboo Room tiki bar, Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade, Jamie’s Italian, and Izumi Hibachi and Sushi.

As such, there's a slew of amenities and dining options on the vessel, enough to cater to all kinds of travelers, ranging from families to couples and even solo cruisers. This makes Mariner of the Seas a good cruise ship for those who prioritize variety and affordability. 

Read more: After 12 sailings on Mariner of the Seas, I’m convinced this ship offers the best value Royal Caribbean has to offer

Taking a Royal Caribbean cruise vacation is always a good idea, but it can be especially memorable over a holiday, such as St. Patrick's Day. 

The cruise line's newest vessel, Star of the Seas, is currently celebrating her first St. Patrick's Day at sea. Royal Caribbean Blog's Head Honcho, Matt Hochberg, reports that the ship is decked out in green, with themed decorations, festive activities, and unique, limited-time partnerships. 

The Royal Promenade is filled with inflatables, ranging from larger-than-life leprechauns to four-leaf clovers and horseshoes. 

There's even an inflatable rainbow near the 1400 Lobby Bar — though, unfortunately, there’s no pot of gold at the end (the closest thing is the Pot of Gold slot tournament in the casino at 11:00 p.m.)

And what's a holiday without a balloon drop? The crew aboard Star of the Seas has already prepared for the celebration, with green and white balloons hanging from the ceiling. 

The Pearl, the Royal Promenade's moody centerpiece, is illuminated in green and gold for the occasion. This helps cast a festive glow on the central thoroughfare, where you'll find everything from the Guest Services desk to the 24-hour Pearl Café and Royal Caribbean-branded shops. 

The Bell & Barley Pub is also getting into the St. Patrick’s Day spirit with a selection of themed drinks that are available all week. 

"We are commemorating this occasion on board with a pub takeover featuring Jameson's Irish Whiskey. Our team has collaborated with our partners at Pernod Ricard to create three signature drinks," said Ed Eiswirth, Senior Director of Beverage Operations at Royal Caribbean. 

"These cocktails will be available throughout the week, as one day of celebration is simply not enough."

The three "Lucky Sips" include the Golden Clover, Pot 'O Gold, and Charmed Apple. The Golden Clover ($14) is made with Jameson Irish Whiskey, mango, lime juice, mint, and Angostura bitters. Pot 'O Gold ($14) is also crafted with Jameson Irish Whiskey, though it leans into a sweeter vibe with amaro, peach, lemon juice, and a peach ring garnish.

Finally, the Charmed Apple ($14) is the only beverage on the limited-edition menu that doesn't use Jameson Irish Whiskey. Instead, it features an Espolòn Silver Tequila base, blended with Cointreau, passion fruit, Granny Smith apple, and lime juice.  

In addition to decorations, the daily planner is filled with St. Patrick's Day-themed activities, such as trivia, a balloon drop with the cruise director staff, and family arts & crafts at Adventure Ocean. 

Star of the Seas is currently on a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise from Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida. She departed on March 15 and is scheduled to call at CocoCay, Cozumel, Roatán, and Costa Maya before returning to Florida on the 22nd. 

It's the dawn of a new era for Nassau cruisers — if you're sailing with Royal Caribbean, that is. 

Private cabanas aren't a new concept. In fact, some of the dreamiest are the overwater cabanas at the Coco Beach Club. However, Royal Caribbean invested in perhaps its most swanky cabana yet at its all-new beach club in The Bahamas. 

The Ultimate Family Cabana is a one-of-a-kind retreat designed to feel like a beachside villa that goes far beyond the average beach set-up. 

Available at the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, the cruise line's extra-cost private club in Nassau, the Ultimate Family Cabana is unlike traditional cabanas that offer private loungers, shade, and other basic amenities. 

Instead, the two-story sanctuary feels like a miniature beach house — complete with everything from a slide to a private bathroom, reserved beach space, frozen drink machine, television, and more. 

Here's what you can expect inside.

Royal Caribbean's new Ultimate Family Cabana

Before you even walk inside, you will realize this cabana is unlike any other. With its premium amenities, the Ultimate Family Cabana is poised to become Royal's top-of-the-line product when it comes to perfect beach days. 

Royal Caribbean's largest cabana is located within the Family Beach area of the beach club, just steps from the zero-entry pool and picturesque beach. 

However, you may not want to spend much time outside the cabana. As you enter, you're welcomed by an expansive living room with comfortable chairs and couches that could easily live on someone's private lanai. 

There's also a dedicated dining area, complete with a large table and seating for the whole group. This is convenient, seeing as the cabana can accommodate up to 12 people. 

Moving on, one of the highlights of the Ultimate Family Cabana is the frozen drink machine, ensuring you can get all-you-can-(reasonably)-drink piña coladas and daiquiris with no wait. 

Nearby is a small shaded kitchen, housing a fridge and sink. Opposite the kitchen is the cabana's private bathroom. This means you won't have to trek far for restroom breaks during your ultimate beach day. 

Upstairs is where you’ll find some of the best views in the entire beach club. The second level opens to a plush daybed, table, chairs, and a wet bar. This makes it easy to sip on a crafted cocktail or snack while enjoying the breezy deck.  

The entrance to the neon orange spiral slide is also on the second level of the Ultimate Family Cabana. One neat feature of the slide is that there's a button at the top that "primes" it with water. This ensures that you don't get stuck or burn your bottom on the way down. 

Even if you aren't an avid slide-goer, you will want to visit the second level at least once — mostly to take in the scenery of the turquoise Bahamian waters.

You can also people-watch, as the elevated vantage point offers sweeping views of the Family Beach area and pool. You can even see the towering Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island. 

Back downstairs, the Ultimate Family Cabana continues to impress with its beachfront hot tub. This ensures that, even on the chilliest Bahamian days, you can soak up the sunshine and white-sand shoreline. 

The best part is that the hot tub is located steps from a private beach area. As such, you'll have a dedicated space to relax away from the hustle and bustle — all without fighting for a prime lounge chair! 

That's not all, either. Just beyond the hot tub, the cabana’s private beach area also features a hammock. I don't know about you, but I could easily fall asleep reading here. It's the perfect spot to catch up on anyone's endless "TBR" (to-be-read) list! 

No matter how you choose to spend your day at Royal Caribbean's Ultimate Family Cabana, you'll find it has ample spaces to relax and recharge. It's the best of both worlds, really — you can enjoy the newly-opened Royal Beach Club while having a private space with luxurious amenities to retreat to. 

How much does the Royal Beach Club Ultimate Family Cabana cost?

The Ultimate Family Cabana's amenities sound incredible, but the cost is a big part of the equation, too. Affording this slice of paradise isn't for the casual budget cruiser. 

The onboard price for the cabana is $10,000. However, you can save thousands by reserving it through the Royal Caribbean Cruise Planner. 

For example, during my upcoming cruise on Utopia of the Seas in July 2026, the Cruise Planner lists the Ultimate Family Cabana with a 30% discount, bringing the price down to $6,999.99.

Comparatively, day passes to the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island cost around $97 to $110 per person, depending on whether you want unlimited non-alcoholic or alcoholic beverages included. 

Despite the hefty price tag, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley claimed the demand for the cabana is unprecedented. 

"In the first hour when we opened for sale, we sold our Ultimate Family Cabana for one day at $10,000, which was quite remarkable...Subsequently, we've sold a lot of days in the Ultimate Family Cabana at $10,000," he said during an earnings call last year. 

Royal Caribbean's new Royal Beach Club Paradise Island

The Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is Royal Caribbean's newest addition to its growing private destination portfolio. 

The private beach club destination was created in partnership with The Bahamas and is located on Paradise Island — a narrow strip of land near the Nassau cruise port. 

Unfortunately, the 17-acre beach club isn't included in your cruise fare. As such, it acts more like an optional shore excursion, with access to the private beaches, heated pools, unlimited beverages, and local cuisine available for an added cost. 

The Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is divided into three main areas: Family Beach, Party Cove, and Chill Beach. Family Beach is where the Ultimate Family Cabana is located, along with the Shallow End Pool & Swim-Up Bar, Paradise Grill location, and more. 

Party Cove is the social hub of the beach club — think non-stop music, flowing drinks, and a lively energy that's tailored toward adults. Here, you'll find the world's largest swim-up bar, rentable day beds, another Paradise Grill, and more. 

Finally, Chill Beach was designed for guests who want a relaxed atmosphere and peaceful oceanfront spaces. Complete with beach bars, another pool and swim-up bar, and easy-access to local cuisine at the Paradise Grill, it’s the perfect spot to unwind without feeling overwhelmed by activity. 

Currently, Royal Caribbean offers two types of day passes to Royal Beach Club: the Open Bar Day Pass (Unlimited Open Bar & Dining) and the Non-Alcoholic Day Pass (Unlimited Non-Alcoholic Drinks & Dining). 

Because of the day pass options, it’s worth noting that your Royal Caribbean drink packages don’t carry over to the Royal Beach Club. Even if you have the Deluxe Beverage Package, you'll need to purchase the Open Bar Day Pass to enjoy unlimited alcoholic beverages ashore. 

Read more: I visited Royal Caribbean's Royal Beach Club Paradise Island. The heated pools and all-inclusive pass fixed a long-standing problem

Gambling is risky — however, sometimes trying your luck in the cruise casino is rewarding and can save you thousands on future vacations. 

One such cruiser, Redditor Apprehensive-Gap1339, recently took to Reddit to share how they turned one lucky run in the casino into nearly $50,000 worth of Royal Caribbean sailings, equating to over 100 nights at sea. 

The original idea began on a 14-night transatlantic cruise from Miami to Southampton, in which they began to wonder if they could "hack" the Casino Royale program and walk away with two free cruises each year. 

"...[I]f we're paying for 2 cruises on average per year...why not try to hit the 2,500 points or in this case it was 3k on that sailing to get 2 free guaranteed cruises (one for hitting prime and one for 3k on one cruise). I had never gambled on a cruise ship before this," they explain. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean crew member shares how to earn free cruises in the casino

Continuing on, "Statistically if you play the slots you'll lose about 85% of what you put in so it would have been about a projected $2500 loss if odds played out. I actually ended up about $500 at the 3k points mark (I got lucky!) Little did I know that genuinely good cruise offers started rolling in as soon as I got back to shore."

Offers included 7 to 8-night voyages on Oasis Class ships in balcony cabins. Because Apprehensive-Gap1339 works remotely, they were able to book multiple cruises throughout the year without worrying about the sail date or PTO. 

However, as they began to sail more and gamble less, their offers gradually became less generous. They went from getting offers in balcony cabins on newer ships to windowless, interior staterooms on older vessels. 

(Credit: Apprehensive-Gap1339/Reddit)

Since their very first casino offer cruise on Oasis of the Seas in November 2024, every sailing they've embarked on has been booked through the Casino Royale program, totaling 105 nights at sea and 144 loyalty points. 

"I am not saying this is a magic free-cruise hack but my net gambling losses over the whole experiment was $1,195.16. I did not gamble in all of 2025-2026," they add. 

Across their 15 casino-offer cruises, they've taken one one-way and fourteen round-trip sailings from ports like Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Boston, Los Angeles (San Pedro), and Port Canaveral. 

Read more: I gamble a lot on Royal Caribbean ships to earn free cruises. Here are my 10 hacks to maximize the cruise casino perks

During their adventures, they visited nearly 50 ports of call across the Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexico, Bermuda, Canada, and Europe, with the most visited stops being Perfect Day at CocoCay (10x); Nassau (4x); Philipsburg, St. Maarten (4x); Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas (4x); Labadee, Haiti; (3x); and Falmouth, Jamaica (3x). That said, their favorite destinations were Bermuda, Lisbon, Halifax, and Aruba. 

Apprehensive-Gap1339 primarily sailed on Oasis Class ships, calling vessels like Symphony, Oasis, and Utopia of the Seas home on over 55 different cruises. However, he also sailed on Independence of the Seas (21x), Navigator of the Seas (7x), Brilliance of the Seas (7x), Grandeur of the Seas (7x), and Enchantment of the Seas (5x). These experiences gave them a deeper understanding of the Royal Caribbean fleet, learning what different classes offer. 

"I understand that I am extremely lucky to be in a position to do this. It's a little surreal to be only 1 night away from diamond plus. This resulted in memories that I will remember forever and for that I am very very grateful. I am only sharing this in an effort to provide some real financial transparency into the real costs and into what is possible/real with those that are curious about casino offers."

Here's a breakdown of how Apprehensive-Gap1339 turned a little casino play into major cruising rewards that, out-of-pocket, would have cost around $50,000. 

How much did they gamble to begin receiving Royal Caribbean casino offers? 

Casual gamblers who put $50 or $100 on a slot machine and then walk away aren't likely to see any worthwhile rewards pop into their email inbox. 

According to Apprehensive-Gap1339, they initially aimed for 2,500 points in the casino to earn Prime status. However, they ended up with some beginner's luck and made it to 3,000 points, only losing $1,195:

"The first big run happened because I got to 3,000 points on a transatlantic and then the offers started pouring in after that. My original math...was that I had about $17,500 of slot coin-in to end up down about $1,195, which was lucky."

(Credit: Apprehensive-Gap1339/Reddit)

"Typical casino slot [odds] should have put me closer to a loss of closer to $2500-3000. That outcome should not be treated as normal but for the sheer amount of offers I was able to take advantage of it was incredible."

For them, slots were the easiest way to track their casino points evenly. As such, they avoided the table games and only focused on the slot machines, where you gain one point per $5 bet.

Casino points are tracked via SeaPass cards, so when gambling, remember to sign into the machine with your cruise card. Otherwise, the points won't go toward your Royal Caribbean casino loyalty program progress. 

Casino offers aren't "free"

Although the cruise fare is "free" guests booking a casino offer are required to pay taxes, port fees, and other expenses. In their Reddit post, Apprehensive-Gap1339 included a cost breakdown to help give a better understanding of how much he saved versus what their out-of-pocket spend would have been. 

According to their post, they spent $1,942.20 on gratuities, $2,028.64 on WiFi, $2,591.65 on port fees and taxes, and $3,600.84 on flights. 

Excluding the initial casino spend, their out-of-pocket cost was a little over $10,000, breaking down to $96.11 per night. That is a great value considering everything that's included in a cruise — ranging from accommodations to food, select beverages, entertainment, and transportation. 

Had they booked each sailing through Royal Caribbean's website, the cost would have come out to around $49,848 for the 15 cruises. 

Apprehensive-Gap1339 would not hesitate to do something like this again, but they would do a few things differently. For starters, they would take advantage of more back-to-back cruises to cut down on the cost of airfare, which was more expensive than over 100 days of gratuities and Wi-Fi. 

Additionally, they wouldn't cruise at the same pace they previously did. 

"I would not do [this] again at this same pace. That pace was just a little too much to be [fully] enjoyable," they explain, "There were stretches where I was cruising an absurd percentage of my days, and while it was amazing, it also gets tiring always being in transit, half-packed, managing flights, dealing with laundry, and just not being home."

Read more: I got a free cruise in the ship casino. Here's what it really cost me

Royal Caribbean casino Prime benefits

Apprehensive-Gap1339's initial goal was 2,500 casino points because that's the threshold for Prime status, which unlocks the first real, worthwhile benefits, including:

• 10% Vitality Spa discount
• Waived fee for cash advances in the casino
• Complimentary drinks in the casino
• Discount on VOOM Wi-Fi
• Annual cruise in an inside cabin (up to 7 nights)

Club Royale is more akin to airline and hotel loyalty programs than the cruise line's Crown & Anchor Society. In other words, points must be accumulated annually to reach certain status levels. So, if you reach Prime status this year, you aren't grandfathered into the tier for life.

(Credit: Apprehensive-Gap1339/Reddit)

The Club Royale qualification period runs from April 1 through March 31 of the following calendar year (i.e., April 1, 2025 — March 31, 2026, then April 1, 2026 — March 31, 2027). 

Read more: I spent $500,000 in a cruise ship casino this year. Getting Royal Caribbean's top casino status gets a lot of perks, but is it worth it?

The Royal Caribbean Cruise Planner is your go-to tool for planning your vacation. However, even after you've booked your add-ons, it pays to regularly check the ongoing sales and promotions to potentially save money.

Add-ons bought through the Royal Caribbean Cruise Planner are fully refundable up to two days before your cruise's departure date. 

This means that if you purchase the Deluxe Beverage Package for $78.99/day and later notice that it has decreased to $69.99/day, you can cancel your purchase, have the funds credited back to your original form of payment, and rebook at the lower price. 

The same goes for specialty restaurants, shore excursions, Wi-Fi packages, VIP passes, and more. 

It is important to note that Royal Caribbean will not automatically issue any refunds if the price of an add-on drops. You must request it and rebook at the lower price. Moreover, if you cancel an add-on while on the ship, it will be refunded as onboard credit. 

Making a habit of revisiting the Cruise Planner website can help maximize your savings. It never hurts to check the current rates for add-ons, especially during flash sales. Adjusting your current booking can help you take advantage of better discounts!

Here's an easy-to-digest guide on how to cancel and rebook pre-cruise purchases through the Royal Caribbean Cruise Planner. 

First, you must log in to access the RCCL Cruise Planner

These first steps will be familiar to anyone who has navigated to the Cruise Planner in the past, whether to browse the available add-ons or make entertainment reservations. 

In the right-hand corner of Royal Caribbean's website, click on "Sign In." This will then open a pop-up window asking for your email address and password. 

After logging in, you'll see a list of your upcoming cruise(s). If your next cruise is missing, simply select "Add a Cruise" at the bottom of the page to link your booking to your Crown & Anchor account. 

To do this, you'll need to enter your last name, date of birth, and reservation number. As an example: "Wilson, 12/31/1980, 5310089."

Once your reservation is successfully linked, you can navigate to the Cruise Planner by clicking on "Plan my cruise."

Open up your order history to see all past purchases

There will be a small circular icon with your initials in the top-right-hand corner. Click on it to open a drop-down menu. 

Directly underneath "Profile" will be a link labeled "Order history." This is where you will want to go to see all your past Cruise Planner purchases. 

From here, you can select which order you want to cancel. This might be for something as simple as changing a My Time Dining reservation or rebooking a drink package for a lower price. 

Follow the Cruise Planner's instructions to complete the cancellation. Once it's done, you'll be redirected to a webpage displaying a confirmation message with the exact refund amount and the original form of payment used (if applicable).

The refund is not automatic and may take a few business days to be processed, depending on your banking institution. 

Rebook your cruise add-ons

Once you've canceled your past purchases, you can rebook your desired add-ons for the lowered price. Pre-cruise sales change frequently, so if you notice a price drop, it's worth canceling and booking again to lock in the better rate on everything — from tours to internet packages and drinks. 

First, you must locate the add-on and add it to your cart. This can be done by clicking on the "Reserve" or "Purchase Now" button.

Multiple cruise add-ons can be added to your cart and bought at once. Payments can be made with a debit or credit card, as well as with onboard credit. Royal Caribbean also lets guests split the payment, using a portion of the onboard credit and billing the remainder to their personal card.  

An email confirmation is sent out once the payment goes through, and you can view your add-on(s) in the "Order history" tab, giving you easy access to manage, cancel, and review your Cruise Planner purchases before your sailing. 

Read more: 10 Things to check after booking a Royal Caribbean cruise (that could save a lot of money!)

Royal Caribbean Cruise Planner phone number

You can also call a Royal Caribbean vacation planner to help modify your add-ons. U.S. residents can call (800) 205-9812 between 7:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. EST to speak with a live agent. 

However, making changes through the Cruise Planner website is typically easier and more time-efficient, as you do not have to waste time on hold, explain your situation, or provide secure payment details over the phone.

When should you buy Royal Caribbean add-ons?

You can wait to purchase add-ons like drink packages, specialty meals, and internet on your Royal Caribbean ship. However, you will pay more than if you were to secure them before embarkation. In fact, planning ahead can often save you hundreds — if not thousands — of dollars. 

When, for instance, I sailed aboard Icon of the Seas, my partner and I pre-purchased the Deluxe Beverage Package for $990.92, including the mandatory service charge, over four months before our spring break sailing. This breaks down to around $70.78 per person, per night, whereas if bought on board, it's not uncommon for the Royal Caribbean drink package to cost upward of $100 per person. 

Generally speaking, it's best to buy add-ons as soon as you can. Shore excursions and specialty restaurants, for example, have limited availability. As such, you shouldn't be surprised if many tours are sold out in the weeks leading up to your voyage, especially if you're visiting somewhere like Alaska or Europe. 

Drink packages, internet, and other popular services also tend to increase in price as your sail date approaches. As mentioned, if you buy an add-on and later notice that the price has decreased, it's extremely easy to cancel the original purchase and rebook it at the lower rate through the Cruise Planner website. 

Consequently, there is no harm in securing your add-ons early. You will have the flexibility to cancel and rebook if a better deal appears before your cruise. However, you won't have to worry about sudden price increases affecting your vacation budget. 

Read more: When should you buy Royal Caribbean drink package, wifi, tours & other add-ons

Meteorologists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced that the likelihood of an El Niño developing by mid-summer has significantly increased — but what does that mean for the upcoming Atlantic hurricane season?

According to the NOAA Climate Prediction Center, a transition from La Niña to ENSO-neutral is expected within the next month, with a 55% chance that the ENSO-neutral conditions are likely to continue from May through July 2026. Afterward, there's a 62% chance that El Niño is likely to emerge and persist through at least the end of 2026. 

To understand what this means, it helps to look at the broader El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle, which comprises La Niña, ENSO-neutral, and El Niño. The three phases play a key role in global climate patterns, affecting everything from weather to wildfires, ecosystems, and economies. 

El Niño is a natural climate pattern marked by warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean and occurs every 2-7 years. It weakens trade winds and changes global atmospheric patterns. 

On the flip side, La Niña is associated with cooler-than-average Pacific waters, which results in stronger trade winds and enhanced Atlantic hurricane activity. 

Whereas El Niño leads to wetter conditions in the southern U.S. and warmer, drier weather in the northern part of the country, La Niña causes colder and stormier winters in the northern U.S. and Canada, while producing drier, warmer winters in the South. 

For Florida cruisers, the resurgence of El Niño during the 2026 hurricane season is encouraging, as it could mean that there are fewer named tropical storms during the season's most active weeks. 

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. However, the busiest part of the season is typically August through October. If El Niño takes hold, this destructive period may see fewer storms, and thus impact fewer cruise itineraries. 

How does El Niño affect hurricane season?

Just because El Niño could reduce storm activity during the peak hurricane months doesn’t guarantee a quiet season. For example, Hurricane Idalia made landfall in Florida's Big Bend region as a strong Category 3 storm during the strong El Niño year in 2023. 

Official seasonal hurricane forecasts haven’t been released yet, but they will provide more insight into how the developing El Niño could affect the 2026 hurricane season. 

AccuWeather is scheduled to release its prediction on Wednesday, Mar. 25, followed by Colorado State University on Thursday, Apr. 9. 

Read more: What experienced cruisers do differently during hurricane season

However, La Niña is generally when Atlantic hurricanes are more favorable due to the stronger trade winds and reduced wind shear. This makes it easier for storms to form and intensify. 

Moreover, during El Niño, the atmosphere over the warm Pacific experiences a broad rising motion, which is offset by sinking air over the tropical Atlantic and Africa. The increased atmospheric stability over areas where storms are most likely to develop makes it harder for hurricanes to form and intensify, which often leads to fewer overall storms. 

"With a strong El Niño forecast to form, it's a good bet we'll see a below-average season in the Atlantic. Still, most El Niño seasons still have 1-2 high-end hurricanes," said Andy Hazelton, an associate scientist at the University of Miami’s Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies, in an X post. 

"Most of the time they recurve (like Erika 97) thanks to an enhanced subtropical jet, but occasionally you get a storm that sneaks through (like Betsy 65). While it's impossible to tell the details of individual storms at this range, the flavor of the season seems fairly clear: likely less activity in the Caribbean and deep tropics, with what does form mostly in the subtropics and East/Central Atlantic."

Are we in El Niño or La Niña?

Right now, we're still in La Niña. "La Niña continued in February 2026, with below-average sea surface temperatures (SSTs) persisting in the east-central equatorial Pacific Ocean," the Climate Prediction Center's recent Diagnostic Discussion reads. 

However, the equatorial subsurface has continued to rise, showing the above-average surface temperatures across the Pacific are getting warmer than usual. 

The discussion continues, "[T]he increasing odds of El Niño are supported by the large amount of heat in the subsurface ocean and the expected weakening of the low-level trade winds. If El Niño forms, the potential strength remains very uncertain, with a 1-in-3 chance that it would be 'strong' during October-December 2026."

Read more: Check these 5 things in your travel insurance policy before hurricane season

As Royal Caribbean nears the opening of its new beach club in Cozumel, Mexico later this year, they've made an announcement related to beach access.

As part of the company's dedication to community well-being and sustainable tourism, Royal Caribbean is developing new public beach access in the Zona Hotelera Sur area, a recent press release revealed. 

Public beach access in the Cozumel area has long faced challenges, including traffic conflicts, limited signage, and inadequate lighting. As such, relocating the path will ensure greater accessibility, improved safety, and enhanced facilities.

The cruise line plans to begin construction as soon as it obtains all of the necessary regulatory and environmental permits, with the current public beach access remaining open until the new facilities are fully operational.

Read more: We got our first look at Royal Caribbean's private beach club in Mexico

This new initiative aligns with Royal Caribbean's SEA the Future sustainability program. While the cruise line is focused on offering memorable vacation experiences aboard its fleet of ships and award-winning private destination portfolio, they want to do so in a way that sustains the planet, energizes local communities, and accelerates local innovation. 

Uplifting and upholding environmental preservation, economic development, and sustainability means that these destinations will be accessible and desirable for generations to come. 

"We are excited to bring the Royal Beach Club experience to Cozumel while ensuring that beach access, a right guaranteed under Mexican law, is available to all. This initiative reflects our dedication to creating shared value by improving safety, accessibility, and infrastructure for the community,” said Ari Adler Brotman, President, Royal Caribbean Mexico.

Royal Beach Club Cozumel is set to open in 2026

An official opening date has yet to be announced for the Royal Beach Club Cozumel. However, it's expected to open to cruise passengers in 2026. 

Like the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, the next private destination is designed to operate as an extra-cost shore excursion, unlike the complimentary access guaranteed to everyone visiting Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

The main idea behind the new beach club is to give guests easy access to breathtaking ocean views and a curated beach experience unlike any other. 

At the Royal Beach Club Cozumel, patrons will find everything from swim-up bars to oceanfront pools, private cabanas, snorkeling opportunities, local street markets, tequila tastings, cooking classes, and more. 

Pricing and day pass availability have yet to be revealed by the cruise line. 

Have you ever wondered what it is like to live and work on the world's biggest cruise ship?

At the heart of every cruise vacation is the ship's hardworking crew members. From the housekeeping team to bartenders, dining room wait staff, and entertainers, it would be impossible to have a smooth sailing without the crew. 

Life on board as a crew member is exciting and demanding. Most crew members work long hours and live in tiny cabins below the passenger decks. In return, however, they meet people from dozens of different countries and build lifelong friendships. 

Ex-crew member Bryan James recently traveled aboard Star of the Seas with his girlfriend, Jaidyn, while she was finishing her contract. 

Although he is no longer working as an entertainer aboard cruise ships, James continues to document his life on his well-known YouTube channel, which has amassed over 500k subscribers. 

His channel is filled with behind-the-scenes glimpses of life on board, as well as some cruise secrets from experienced sailors that will help you plan the ultimate getaway. 

In a recent video, Jaidyn briefly shares a look inside her crew cabin before signing off and starting her next chapter: relocating to Arizona with James. 

Read more: Crew member reveals that uneaten food on cruise ships isn't always thrown away

Better Crew Rooms on Icon Class Ships

When Icon of the Seas launched in January 2024, she was filled with record-breaking firsts, including the largest waterpark at sea, the first-ever elegant supper club restaurant, a brand-new enclosed AquaTheater, and a complimentary food hall. 

However, below deck, Royal Caribbean's team designed a completely different world for the 2,000-plus crew members who keep the ship running around the clock. Dubbed the "Crew Neighborhood," this hidden area spans four decks and functions like a miniature city-within-a-city, with everything from an indoor and outdoor pub, a dedicated game room, a gym, a mess hall, and even a salon. 

Another highlight of the new Icon Class ships is the redesigned crew accommodations. During the early stages of the class's conception, the cruise line sent out surveys to crew members asking them what they'd like to see aboard Icon, and at the top of the list were better cabins.

Icon Class vessels are the only cruise ships to feature unique L-shaped crew cabins. Other added features include privacy curtains, enhanced finishes and materials, and easier-to-climb beds. 

"This [L-shape] accommodation allows each crew member to have their own private space where they can really relax and have their own time," said Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO.

Read more: Photos show the secret crew-only areas on Icon of the Seas

Cruise Ship Crew Quarters on Star of the Seas

During her time on Star of the Seas, Jaidyn shared one of the new L-shaped crew cabins. Although the space isn't large, the redesigned accommodation feels more comfortable and private.

Jaidyn had the top bunk, complete with a grey privacy curtain, while her roommate slept on the lower bed positioned just below. The innovative layout creates a little separation between the two sleeping areas, with each crew member also having their own flat-screen television. 

The compact cabin also features built-in storage, ensuring that every inch of space is maximized and used efficiently. The built-in closet has hanging space, as well as small shelves for folded clothes, shoes, and other personal belongings. 

Directly next to the closet is a small staircase that leads up to the top bunk. These stairs make it easier and safer for crew members to climb into bed.

There are additional built-in drawers near the cabin's entrance door, too, along with a small desk with two shelves above it. Crew rooms typically have an attached ensuite bathroom. Jaidyn, however, doesn't show it. 

Finally, in the short room tour, Jaidyn explains that crew members are required to leave clean linens when departing the ship. 

"Here's everything that I'm kind of leaving behind for the next group of girls. We have to have clean linen, clean shower curtain, all of that," she says. 

Overall, the cabin isn't as grand as Star of the Seas' Royal Loft Suite, but it’s designed with practicality and comfort in mind for those spending long stretches of time at sea. 

Years after Royal Caribbean overhauled its Main Dining Room menus to create a more streamlined dinner experience, Carnival Cruise Line seems to be following suit. 

The cruise line's new Express Dining option ensures that guests receive the same quality food and overall dining experience that Carnival is known for — in a fraction of the time, according to a recent press release. 

According to one Redditor, dinner aboard Carnival cruise ships can easily take an hour. "Hit up the lido [buffet], pizza or seafood shack if there’s a show or activity that you don’t want to miss," they advise. 

Someone else added, "I have noticed that when I was seated at a group table in the MDR, the wait staff tends to serve everyone at the same pace. So, if someone is a particularly slow eater, it may take longer to get through all the courses."

Supposedly, the multi-course Express Dining experience serves parties of six or fewer in under one hour. Currently, the program is available on 15 "fun ships," ranging from Carnival Jubilee to Carnival Sunrise and Carnival Vista; however, it'll be available fleetwide by the end of May. 

"Our guests continue to tell us they value greater flexibility in how they spend their time on board, and Express Dining was designed with that in mind," said Christine Duffy, President of Carnival Cruise Line. 

"Our pilot program generated positive feedback from our guests. With this in mind, we are excited to expand Express Dining to offer them the same high-quality dishes and attentive service our dining rooms are known for, while giving guests the ability to use more of their time to enjoy all the other onboard fun."

The release continues, adding that special dietary requests will be accommodated during the Express Dining service. Additionally, guests with Carnival's flexible Your Time Dining can opt in to the Express Dining option through Carnival's mobile HUB App. 

Read more: Carnival menus 2026: Main dining room, specialty restaurants & more

The push toward faster dining room meals at sea isn’t new

Royal Caribbean launched new fleetwide dining menus in January 2023. It was the first major overhaul the cruise line had made to its main dining experience in over five years. According to cruise line executives, the revamp was designed in part based on complaints that they needed to speed up the service. 

As cruise ships pack in more entertainment (think AquaTheater high diving shows, dueling piano battles, Broadway-style musicals, karaoke jam sessions, and more), it's important to balance dining with passengers’ other activities. 

Rather than spending two hours stuck in the dining room, Royal Caribbean created a solution to make the multi-course dinner experience feel less time-consuming without completely losing the key traits of traditional cruise dinners. 

Read more: I tried the new Royal Caribbean menus — here's how I'd rank everything I ate

"We've got so many things to do on board the ship, and we don't want to hold you hostage in your dining experience," explained Linken D'Souza, Royal Caribbean Senior Vice President, Food & Beverage. 

"[T]he first thing [the menus] will help us do is improve the speed of the pace of the meal. Not hugely, but let's call it about 15 minutes is what we're seeing, which is a significant reduction, [and] gets us much closer to that 75-minute target."

Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO, added, "It's also fair to say that we get a lot of feedback from customers who do want to have a slightly faster [dinner] service."

Carnival's Express Dining has a similar goal. However, rather than assume every guest wants a shortened dinner experience, Carnival’s approach gives passengers the choice.

The Express Dining's menu features a slightly abbreviated selection of options to streamline service while still delivering the same multi-course experience cruise guests expect. During the pilot that began last summer, the menu was simplified to include just four appetizers, four entrées, and two desserts. The goal was to shorten dining times from around 90 to 45 minutes. 

Last year, Carnival also introduced a new buffet lunch option to make mealtime easier for families. The buffet's Family Express menus feature kid-approved favorites like chicken tenders, plain spaghetti pasta, hot dogs, mac and cheese, and sugar sprinkle cookies — alongside more sophisticated options that appeal to adults, including salmon croquettes, turkey escalopes, savory pork ribs, and chicken mirabella.

The standard buffet options didn't disappear. Rather, the Family Express service was added to offer a quick and streamlined lunch experience that fits into everyone's schedule, with salads, entrées, and desserts in one designated place. This layout makes it easy to grab exactly what you want without wasting time browsing the available options at each station. 

Read more: Carnival introduces new lunch option to make dining easier for families

Is the cruise ship dining room worth it?

Generally speaking, the Main Dining Room remains a highlight of today's cruise experience. Although it is far less formal than in decades past, the multi-course menu and attentive service allow guests to enjoy a more upscale meal than at the buffet. 

As cruise lines have recognized that travelers value flexibility on vacation, they’ve adapted their dining rooms to meet the needs of today’s passengers. 

For example, rather than being forced to eat at the same time each night, passengers can opt into Royal Caribbean's My Time Dining program, which allows them to make reservations for their preferred dining time or simply show up when it's most convenient. 

The best part about the cruise dining room is that it’s included in the cost of the cruise. You never have to worry about receiving a large bill for the multiple appetizers, entrées, and desserts that your party savored.

And if you are in a hurry to make one of the ship's shows, simply let your dining room team know. They will do their best to get you served and out the door as quickly as possible. 

Read more: 6 Unwritten rules to know before eating at the Main Dining Room on Royal Caribbean ships

With cruise fares steadily increasing in recent years, it’s no surprise that many travelers are on the hunt for a great deal. Unfortunately, if you see a price that seems too good to be true, it likely is. 

Although there are plenty of savvy ways to save money on a cruise, many low fares come with a long list of caveats, from hidden fees to restrictive cabin types that may be disappointing. In many cases, the advertised "cheap" price applies only to certain departure dates, stateroom categories, or cruise ships. 

Before jumping the gun and booking what seems to be an unbelievable deal, you must read the fine print to avoid any surprises. You don't, for example, want to brag about finding an affordable cruise on Icon of the Seas just to discover the deal is only valid on small, no-frill Vision or Radiance Class vessels. 

In this article, we'll share some cruise "deals" that you should be wary of — from misleading promotions to those that create unrealistic expectations about the onboard experience. 

"Free" cruise offers

(Credit: quarterWest1368)

You may receive an email or a postcard saying you’ve "won" a free cruise or are eligible for an exclusive deal. Word to the wise? Be extremely skeptical of these offers. 

Unless it's through the Casino Royale program or Crown & Anchor Society, the "free" cruise typically comes with strings attached, such as requiring you to attend a lengthy timeshare or vacation club presentation. 

You can certainly look into the promotion and read the fine print. However, don't be surprised if the exciting offer turns into more of a headache than it is worth. 

Cheap cruises on older ships

Generally, the lowest fares are for sailings on older vessels, such as Enchantment of the Seas and Radiance of the Seas. While these ships can still make for a great vacation, the onboard amenities are more basic than those on newer mega-ships. 

For example, Vision and Radiance Class vessels don't have record-breaking waterparks, FlowRider surf simulators, ice skating rinks, or zip lines. There are also fewer dining and entertainment options. 

Whereas Icon of the Seas has an indoor AquaTheater, world-class theater, AquaDome food hall, and numerous specialty restaurants, older ships are more scaled back and are reminiscent of a different era of cruising. 

Again, that isn't necessarily a dealbreaker. In fact, the Royal Caribbean Blog team loves older ships. However, it's important to be aware of the differences, especially if you are expecting your experience to match the action-packed commercials you've seen on television. 

Additionally, cheap cruise fares are not all-inclusive. As such, you will be responsible for add-ons like gratuities, drink packages, shore excursions, and Wi-Fi, which can significantly drive up the total cost of your vacation. 

Read more: Why you shouldn’t skip Royal Caribbean's older (and smaller) ships

Kids sail free promotions

As a family-friendly cruise line, Royal Caribbean often offers deals where children under a certain age can sail for "free" ("free" is a generous term, because nobody is actually stepping foot on a cruise ship without paying something).

While the kids sail free promotion can help reduce the overall cost of the cruise, it’s important to note that taxes, port fees, and gratuities still apply. In other words, it's just the cruise fare itself that's "free."

The deal typically only covers children 12 and under staying in the same stateroom as their parents/guardians, too. As such, if you are a family that prefers multiple cabins, the kids sail free promotion won't be useful. 

Moreover, tons of blackout dates could prevent you from taking advantage of the deal. For example, many spring dates are excluded from the promotion, meaning you may have to pay full price if you're considering a spring break cruise. 

Read more: I've taken my kids on cruises since they were babies. It's been the best way to teach them independence as they've grown older

Last-minute cruises

Royal Caribbean doesn't want to operate any sailings with empty cabins. As such, you may notice that they significantly drop pricing in the months and weeks leading up to a cruise with lots of availability. 

If you are local and live near the cruise port, taking advantage of a last-minute cruise can be a great way to snag a lower fare. However, last-minute airfare can be expensive and negate the total savings from the cheaper cruise. 

Stateroom availability may also be limited. Consequently, you might get stuck with a windowless interior cabin instead of an ocean-view balcony. If you need adjoining rooms, this cannot be guaranteed, either. 

Additionally, because Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner lets passengers begin to book add-ons months in advance, certain excursions, specialty restaurants, and onboard activities may already be fully booked by the time you snag your last-minute stateroom. 

Read more: Is booking a last-minute Royal Caribbean cruise a good idea? Pros, Cons & What to Expect

Too-good-to-be-true cabin upgrades

Through the RoyalUp Program, cruisers can bid on higher category staterooms. For example, if you book a standard interior cabin, you can bid on an ocean-view balcony. If you're lucky, you may score the upgrade at a fraction of the normal cost. However, it's important to be aware of the downsides of the bidding program. 

For starters, you cannot pick the new stateroom's location. So, if you paid extra for a mid-ship cabin away from noisy venues, it is not guaranteed that your new room will be in a similarly quiet spot. You could also end up in the front of the vessel, which isn't ideal for cruisers who suffer from motion sickness. 

Moreover, you can't request connecting cabins when trying your luck through the RoyalUp Program. This means that families could end up being split apart and dispersed on different decks. 

Read more: The trick to getting a Royal Up bid accepted (it's all about availability and luck)

Guaranteed stateroom deals

On a similar note, you can elect to save a few dollars by letting Royal Caribbean randomly assign your stateroom, rather than choosing your exact cabin at the time of booking.  

If you aren't picky and do not have your heart set on a specific cabin configuration or location, a guarantee stateroom could be a good deal. At the end of the day, you will be given a cabin in your chosen category (if not higher) and have access to the same amenities as everyone else on the ship (i.e., private bathroom, television, personal safe, housekeeping service, etc.).

However, there's always the risk of being assigned a room in an undesirable location, such as underneath the pool deck or near the late-night smoking casino. Having a bad cruise room can ruin your onboard experience and leave lasting negative memories of the entire vacation.